So how is everyone doing? First of all, my thoughts are with those who have been affected by Covid-19. Facing the uncertainty of what will happen next is tough enough but I can't even imagine how hard it must be to also have to cope with being ill or losing loved ones, or your job! Many thanks to all the health care providers. There aren't words sufficient enough to express the gratitude owed to them for their sacrifices and dedication throughout this time. Also, a big thank you to those who deliver the goods and the mail, who stock the shelves and everyone involved in helping those of us who are staying home, your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Over the past couple of weeks I've been staring at my computer wondering if Burt and Ivy were too inappropriate for the current situation. Then it occurred to me that whenever I'm taking photos of them I automatically start grinning like a fool. For skeletons they can be ridiculously cheerful. So, as a brief distraction from the global misery and in the interest of being silly, here are Burt, His Madness and Ivy modeling the makeshift masks that they will definitely not be wearing out in public.
Actually, HM looks more like he's planning to rob a bank than going to the grocery store. He has definitely been watching too many YouTube videos of people making masks out of underpants.
Speaking of leaving the house, in early March, before our governor issued the "Stay At Home" mandate, HM and I visited our local art center's "Rooms of Blooms" exhibit. Every other year for the past decade florists from the area have been filling the Tudor-style mansion with unique flower arrangements and exotic blooms rarely seen outside of botanical gardens. This show comes at a time when the snow is finally starting to melt so this little preview of spring is very welcome.
This year, Alphonse Mucha, Master of Art Nouveau, was the show scheduled to be in the main gallery. I first learned about him from this Dover publication, found many years ago in a used bookshop. Then a couple years ago, while visiting Prague, HM and I came across a large exhibition of his works at the Central Gallery. Needless to say, the combo of Mucha's art with beautiful flowers sounded like a match made in art history heaven.
Unfortunately, in this instance, it was about as satisfying as a scoop of ice cream on a piece of cheesecake topped with whipped cream. Good in theory, but too much in reality. The show was a selection of Mucha's advertising and commercial works from late 1890's Paris. He is probably best know for his posters publicizing the French actress, Sarah Bernhardt. To be honest, the quality of the prints in this collection varied a lot. Many, like the one above, had faded from their original colors, which would have been deep and vibrant. The late nineteenth century had seen huge advances in printing technology and the artists working at that time took full advantage of it.
This is a photo of the same print as above, I took it in a Mucha museum a couple years ago. There is always the possibility that the other print was simply done in muted colors but I haven't been able to find any evidence of that. It was interesting to see that both museums had chosen almost the same color to paint the walls of the exhibition space.
Mucha created illustrations for magazines and books as well as advertising art for everything from bicycles to baby food and champagne. This piece was actually pretty close to the original colors he would have used at the time. It features all the hallmarks of his style, a flat perspective, bright colors and a female subject with elements from nature. Although it's hard to see, in this drawing a young woman is holding a beer and wearing wheat, hops and poppies in her hair. He may not have been the first artist to create this image but it persists in advertising to this day.
His commercial work eventually became so popular that he started making posters just to sell for decoration. These were usually produced as a series of several prints and featured different young women in lavish, floral or celestial settings. I'm very grateful when these types of exhibits come to small town art centers, like The Paine, but the prints in this collection were so faded and washed out they failed to depict the artist's true work. Plus, I'm kind of a geek for curatorial notes and they were impossible to read due to the over abundant bouquets. Then there was always the looming possibility that HM would accidentally knock over one of those giant plant stands!
One really nice touch was these little arrangements that were scattered throughout the mansion, little floral gems set here and there. I can't imagine going into any flower shop and finding something as exotic as this little bouquet of roses, proteas and orchids.
I wouldn't have minded hanging out here for awhile, but why only one glass?
Over in the great hall fantasy tables were set up by various florists, bakers and event planners. This year it looks like the theme was tropical wedding receptions.
The displays in this room are generally an exercise in outdoing the competition and it usually produces some humorous results. These didn't disappoint, even the Tudor lady in the painting looks rather amused by it all.
Can't you see her stepping out of her portrait to take a seat in this chair?
It's been fun to watch them become more outrageous as time goes on. There is a competition among the participants but in reality the whole thing is one big promotional event. Each visitor gets to vote for their favorite and in turn they get bombarded with emails and catalogs for the next year or so. That's ok, it's worth it just to walk around all the flowers and plants and help to support local businesses. So that was a few highlights from the Rooms of Blooms for 2020. Posts with photos from previous years can be seen here and here.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope everyone is staying safe. Eventually, the world will get through these times but until that day comes, His Madness and I will be keeping our kitties company and thinking we will probably never take anything for granted ever again.
See you soon!
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