Thursday I went with a friend to Bouquets to Art, a fundraiser held annually at two of the city’s older museums, where local florists install their work paired with a chosen piece of art.
Words get in the way, a bit, for me. So, behold the entry to the Legion of Honor’s Rodin Gallery, where we went first. Those are all flowers or other plant materials. Hooboy.
From the museums’ shared website: “Opened in 1924, the Legion of Honor showcases European painting, sculpture, and decorative arts, ancient art, graphic arts, and contemporary art.”
Waves, more or less figurative.
Protea!
Then we moved on to the de Young. “Opened in 1895, the de Young is home to American art from the 17th century through today, textile arts and costumes, African art, Oceanic art, arts of the Americas, and international contemporary art.”
Ikebana?
I could live in that painting on the left, without a second thought.
Whatever their missions, the Legion feels more traditional and western, the de Young, more modern and multicultural. Finally, here’s a painting at the de Young, which does for flowers what flowers did for art, so to speak. Reciprocity; the cornerstone of societies.
I’ve so often visited museums while traveling, where one might feel obliged to see everything. One might also feel obliged to see The Timeless Art come hell or high water. But flowers die. In this exhibition, some were already wilting. The organic reality, and the general domesticity of flowers in vessels, felt like permission to rush about as we willed, stopped only by what caught our eye and ignoring the rest. Sometimes art provokes thought and sometimes it is more visceral, emotional. I did not smell any roses, but the day was seized. Or perhaps it seized us.
Which brings me, in these times, to another day next weekend, June 14th to be precise. It’s the date of the military parade in Washington, and also a protest across the nation. No Kings, they call it. I can vote for that, and I will be at the San Francisco protest. If you just cannot muster, consider a donation. If you cannot donate, have a wonderful weekend in any case. As an aside, protests are great. You’ll feel encouraged, no longer powerless, and as though you matter.
Which you do. Art says so.
19 Responses
Thank you so much for this lovely aesthetic experience…as you said “words get in the way”.
You’re so welcome!
This is one of your Saturday Morning gifts that I wish would go on and on and, BTW, when did your words EVER get in the way?
The ikebana held my attention the most. I’ll need to go find the florist because I’m wondering if those straited swirls aren’t aspidistra leaves, in extremis. I’ve cleaned our beds enough to [maybe] recognize them. I always threw them out, now they’re in a museum show. Awakening.
My nephew-the-artist has a piece of his early work in the deYoung’s permanent collection. Proud Aunt.
Thank you:). And yes, we thought they were flax leaves, dried and somehow stripped of their external covering? Finally, a piece in the de Young’s permanent collection!?!?! That is AMAZING.
His very early work at the deY https://www.famsf.org/artworks/high-and-mighty
A little more, but he has work all over the world https://www.101exhibit.com/artists/ian-ingram#works
Be careful next weekend. Things are escalating so hard, so fast it’s impossible to predict the atmosphere around No Kings and DC. We won’t look for you on Saturday since you’ll be in San Francisco.
I plan to protest next week in Kansas City.
Excellent. May it go well.
Thank you for this beautiful and moving post. “But flowers die.” I used to be a live-plants-instead person, but flowers die. What an important thing to remember. Everything we do matters that much more.
Joining protestors at highway overpasses every chance I get. Need to make a sign, but in the meantime an upside-down flag will do. We’re under attack.
Everything we do matters. Especially upside down flags. The meaning is clear.
Lovely post. I’ll be at a local no kings protest- and it gives me satisfaction that we will be in solidarity. Love the flowers, art and prose of your post. And the encouragement to all of us, thanks.
I love knowing that you’ll be at a protest too. We had ICE protests in SF this weekend too, 60 arrests apparently, but no National Guard. I’m glad the SF Mayor acted fast so there was no excuse for unwanted federal interference.
Thanks for posting these images. A bouquet to you.
I’ll be at the Seattle no kings protest. I hope there is more media coverage of these than there was for the April 5 protests.
I love my virtual bouquet, thank you:). Hope it goes well in Seattle, and that the coverage is accurate and comprehensive.
Right now two thousand National Guard are arriving here in L.A. to crush the protests against ICE. I shudder to think what will happen next week but I’ll be there. On a floral note, the MFA in Boston allows the florist’s installations in open spaces like entrances, staircases. The Garden Clubs get to design near their choice of paintings.
I have never loved LA so much as this weekend. I am thrilled that people have begun to wave American/Mexican flag combos. We are all from elsewhere. I hope next weekend will be possible. Next time I am in Boston, I will look for the flowers, thanks for the tip.
The botanical “wave” has lived in my head for days! So thought-provoking and transportive. I know I would return to stand at its edge again and again… Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos, Lisa, so that we can all return to them here even when the flowers fade. I loved the virtual tour and, as you said, words do get in the way.
“Art says you matter.” I really needed that.
I’ve been so worried and distracted by current events, particularly the military being positioned against our own citizens. Standing hand in hand with you and wishing for safety for everyone able to protest this weekend.
I’ll be at the protest in Asbury Park, NJ. I am hoping the turnout around the country is massive. This protest feels like it will have an impact. All do, I suppose, but I have been discouraged by not seeing it. But this one? Yes.
Hope you’re not harmed by flying bricks & burning cars at your mostly “peaceful” protest! Don’t forget to bring your Mexican flag. Make sure your voice is heard supporting the rights of illegals that rape, murder & steal. Be sure to invite them to move into your posh neighborhood. Disclose to them where you buy excessively expensive shoes & attend so called ridiculous flower charity fundraisers. Lisa, you live in a bubble. You only listen to those of the same mindset as yours. In the words of Mr. T, I pity the fool!!! By the way , I support your constitutional right to “ peacefully “ protest, however these protests are funded by TDS Democrats & Soros money. You & your political party are such hypocrites. Down deep you know you are just butt hurt that Trump won! Your political leaders such as Sway with the Political Winds AOC, pathetic destroyer of California Governor Newsome & failed Presidential Candidate Word Salad Kamala are poor examples of leadership! Enjoy your “peaceful “ protest. Be sure to invite an illegal rapist home for dinner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T72FoUEUlGc
Dr Phil