Up Close and Personal – Gallery Club Thursday with Nibor at the Metropolitan Museum!

Nibor’s First Love

William, a bright-blue hippo who lives in the Egyptian Wing, was Nibor’s first love at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but later there were many more. As an intern at the museum after college, she ranged far and wide over its vast collections, helping out as a tour guide and at the front desk. These days she returns often.

Join her this Spring Break on Thursday for a personal tour of some old favorites, new galleries, and special exhibitions. During a day of looking, sketching and conversation, she’ll give tips on how to decide what to see–and how to find it–so you can use these great collections as a resource when you come back on your own.

Morning Session 11:00am – 1:00pm

Walk Like an Egyptian

First we’ll visit the Egyptian galleries, learning about the art history of mummies and seeing everything from William the Hippo (above) to the Temple of Dendur.

The Museum's collection of ancient Egyptian art consists of approximately twenty-six thousand objects of artistic, historical, and cultural importance, dating from the Paleolithic to the Roman period (ca. 300,000 B.C.–A.D. 4th century).

Sword Play

Then we’ll move to the Arms and Armor exhibition from Europe, America, Japan, India, and various Islamic cultures.

Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

These galleries showcase art of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific Islands, and North, Central, and South America dating from as early as 3000B.C.E. to the present. Nibor stops in at some of her faves, including this Ci Wara headddress from Africa’s Bamana peoples and a feathered hanging from Peru’s Wari culture.

Headdress: Male Antelope (Ci Wara)

Lunch in Central Park 1:00pm-2:30pm

Picnic lunch and play Frisbee in Central Park

Afternoon Session 2:30pm-5:00pm

Islamic Art

We return from lunch to visit the museum’s newest galleries to see works ranging in date from the 7th to the 19th century, from as far westward as Spain and Morocco and as far eastward as Central Asia and India.

The Museum's collection of Islamic art ranges in date from the seventh to the nineteenth century. Its nearly twelve thousand objects reflect the great diversity and range of the cultural traditions of Islam.

‘Chinese Art in an Age of Revolution’

Finally, we wrap up our day at this special exhibition showcasing the art of Fu Baoshi, a figure painter and landscapist of China’s modern period, who lived through the overthrow of China’s last imperial dynasty and the establishment of the Chinese Republic.

Perhaps the most original figure painter and landscapist of China's modern period, Fu Baoshi created indelible images celebrating his homeland's cultural heritage while living through one of the most devastating periods in Chinese history.
Sketchpads, lunch and metrocards compliments of the Gallery Club.

This event was made possible by the artist Retna.

What a Long, Strange Drip It’s Been:

What a Long Strange Drip It's been...

Sculpture may reign inside Tom Otterness’s Brooklyn studio, but it’s raining paint on the outside. Click here to read about how these tropical storm clouds, created by Puerto Rican-born muralist Sofia Maldonaldo and painted with the assistance of local art students, came to land on this particular wall.

Posted by Niborama

Father and Sons: Nari Ward

In this video, Jamaican-born artist, Nari Ward meditates on tensions between African-American police officers and young men of color.  The film features a retired police officer who’s actually the father of the 2 young men in the video.  The audio track combines the reciting of the Miranda Rights and the father’s spontaneously spoken encouragement to his son during filming “you can do this”.  This is a powerful piece, no doubt – but what do you make of it?

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