Wordless Wednesday - Baltimore grafitti

Baltimore - 2 Churches

A disclaimer seems appropriate given the photographic content of this post. I am not a religious person by anyone's definition. On my best days, it could be said that I am spiritual, but even that is sketchy. At the end of the day, though, churches fascinate me. It's the architecture - the creativity and skill that went into the designing, planning and constructing of such buildings. Like any big city, Baltimore is filled with churches.

 

One of my favorites is the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church. Located near the George Peabody Library, this Victorian Gothic beauty dominates the skyline along Charles Street.

The building is made [of] six of different types of stone. Its extraordinary color (especially when wet) comes from the use of the now rare green serpentine metabasalt from the Falls Road area of Baltimore County, and buff and red sandstone trim.  (from the church website)

The stone carvers' marks, evident on every stone, 

 bring to mind hand stitching.

It is impossible, for me, to pass this beauty without touching the carvers' marks and wondering at the history and stories behind them. Did each stone carver have a signature mark? Did it vary based on the stone? What thoughts occupied the carvers minds while their hands produced such beauty, etc.

I would love to see the inside as well. A kind lady stopped while I was photographing 

and assured me that the inside is just as spectacular. 

I did try the front doors, but they were locked. Perhaps on a future visit...

.........

The Baltimore Basilica's facade is quite a contrast. 

It presents a very imposing front, complete with  majestic columns.

I must admit to being a bit baffled and disappointed as I walked up the steps, finding this church more akin to a federal building than my idea of a cathedral. And then I entered.

 The lightness of the interior stopped me mid step and all disappointment fled 

to be replaced by awe.

Baltimore - George Peabody Library

Greetings from Baltimore, Maryland! I'm in town for a few days to visit friends and explore the city. Yesterday, I strolled along Charles Street and stopped in at the George Peabody Library.

I've seen photos of this glorious library before, never realizing that it is open to the public. Walking through a smaller room to step into the doorway and be greeted by this spectacular site was one of those jaw dropping, breathtaking moments that will forever be remembered.

The Peabody Library building, which opened in 1878, was designed by Baltimore architect Edmund G. Lind,  

in collaboration with the first provost, Dr. Nathaniel H. Morison.  

Renowned for its striking architectural interior, the Peabody Stack Room contains five tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies, which rise dramatically to the skylight 61 feet above the floor.

The ironwork was fabricated by the Bartlett-Robbins Company.*

This architectural gem is truly awe inspiring. A second visit was required on my way back to the hotel later in the afternoon. Many of the tables were occupied and I couldn't help but wonder what one would think if I sat down and took out my stitching. Another time...


*exerpt from George Peabody Library History

Wordless Wednesday

Baltimore harbor, January 23, 2018

Baltimore harbor, January 23, 2018

Baltimore - Friday

Yesterday morning found me boarding the train and traveling to Baltimore, Maryland to meet up with Lotta Helleberg for a weekend of art, catching up, a bit of fun and the American Craft Council show. 

Our first stop was the Baltimore Museum of Art. A jewel of a museum, we fell in love with works in the Contemporary collection. Two in particular fascinated me and I'd like to share one with you.

As we strolled through the contemporary galleries, a sound could be heard coming from another room. I assumed it was a video playing and so was pleasantly surprised when I turned a corner and spied the source. 

Feliz Gonzalez-Torres

"Untitled" (Water)

1995

Strands of beads and hanging device

Simple commercial beads strung

and hung across the entryway.

The sound coupled with the movement

mesmerized me.

Hanging water was my thought even before stepping inside to read the information on the piece. I stood and gaped, fascinated, wanting to just sit on the floor and enjoy watching the movement until I became part of the piece as well.

And so I did...kind of.

I sat the camera on the floor, ran my hand across the beads and continued to photograph.

Is it art?

This morning I decided to go back to Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church to take more photos of the incredible stonework. My intention was to walk up Charles Street and down Light Street. On the return trip, I didn’t pay close attention to the street signs and ended up on St Paul Street.

Seems the art gods were guiding my feet because while standing at an intersection waiting for the walk light, I happened to glance to my right and spied a huge mass of color parked halfway up the block where a vehicle should have been. Oddly, it appeared to be dimensional. 

When the light turned, I decided to investigate and was greeted by the Art Car. 

I’ve seen similarly decorated vehicles in magazines and on tv, but seeing it at such a removed distance in no way properly prepares one for experiencing the spectacle live and close enough to touch.

Truthfully, not even a visit to the American Visionary Art Museum yesterday properly prepared me. As I walked around the car several things came to mind:

1. 

1.    1. Why? Why would anyone do this to their vehicle? Really, why?

2.    

       

       2. Just how many discarded Barbi dolls are on this truck?

       3. Is the artist trying to recreate the scary/mutilated doll scene from Toy Story?

4.    

      

       4. How does Woodie feel about being up there?

       5. Do I really want to read the artist’s words?

6.   

       6. Play the truck? Honestly?

7.    

       7. Is it art?

8.     8. Is this the artist’s chosen medium? 3-D collage?

9.    

       9. Do neighborhood kids donate their broken or unwanted toys in hopes seeing them on the Art Car?

10    10. Do the neighborhood parents prefer their kids avoid the artist?

11    11. Just what do the neighbors think of the Art Car?

I’m sure there were more thoughts, but with so many thoughts running through my mind instantaneously and simultaneously a few were forgotten. The nagging question is “Is this art?”

The creativity and dedication required to produce the Art Car is admirable. The artist certainly has/had a vision/message to share with passersby. Still, art?

I’m torn. My initial response was not nice…monstrosity & macabre are two adjectives that flitted through my mind.  And I can freely admit that I would not want it sitting in front of my house. Still, is it art?