City Views, Country Dreams

Good morning from New York on a lovely day in early May.

We've recently been experiencing pink flurries.

Gentle breezes released beautiful pale petals from a neighborhood cherry tree.

Everyone walking along the block was laughing as we found the sidewalks and ourselves accumulating a spring coating.

This was so much more fun than last winter's snowfalls.

Thank you, dear cherry tree, and thank you, Mother Nature.

Yesterday, my outdoor walk led me over to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to attend a members preview of a fabulous new Costume Institute exhibit.

The exhibit is a multi-media tour de force, including music, film, centuries-old Chinese garments, sculpture, decorative arts and clothing dating from the eighteenth century to this very year that were inspired by earlier Chinese creations.

The exhibit is displayed throughout galleries on two stories of the Met, which are linked by an elevator and also red-lit staircases.  Most of the galleries themselves are very dramatically dark, to protect the the ancient art.  I was glad to visit the show yesterday before the crowds arrive.

I imagine that crowd control will quickly become an issue for the Met, as it was several years ago for the Alexander McQueen exhibit.  I would definitely recommend this exhibit and hope that my rather poor photographs, taken in the limited light, will not be too disappointing.

It was grand to be able to be close enough to actually take in the fabulous fabrics, sewing and embroidery in both the very old and the contemporary garments.

Lots of fabulous John Galliano designs.  Throughout the exhibit the mannequins were adorned with inventive headgear designed by Stephen Jones.  

Chanel, Saint Laurent, Lagerfeld/Chanel, Westwood, Lanvin and McQueen clothing added lots of drama.

It was interesting to see how the curators had appropriated some of the Met's existing Chinese galleries to house this special exhibit.  There was one gallery whose large, silent Buddhas surrounded a single astonishing golden gown by a contemporary Chinese designer.  I did not attempt to take a picture of that room as I felt the juxtaposition of spiritual and fancy dress seemed a bit wrong.

On the other hand, the following photograph of a display case housing a vintage Saint Laurent in front of a huge screen seemed all right to my critical eye.

It would be difficult to calculate how many hours of skilled stitching was involved in creating everything on display.  I do want to return for quite a few more visits.

Perhaps inspired by that earlier flurry of petals and by the creativity on display at the Met, I returned home to do a little watercolor of some cherry blossoms.  The photograph was not taken in proper light.

I was in a hurry to finish this painting, as it was to become a card I've sent to wish my own Mom a very Happy Mother's Day...it's celebrated this Sunday over here.  May I also extend my wishes to other moms who may see this post. 

Many thanks also to you all for all your visits and comments.

Happy Spring!