CRYSTALLIZE: The Crystals of Crystal Bridges
As requested--you asked, I deliver.
Since I've been unceremoniously booted off Instagram, I shall have to start a migration onto this blog of the amazing art and droolable nature I used to post over there. Aw darn. I know y'all just hate it when I bring you along into the woods or the museums of my home. 🤣🤪🙃 And extra bonus, you who have long been boycotting Big Brother and its Little Snappy Brother, now I'll get to show you some of the stuff you missed by your (wise) avoidance maneuvers.
Since we've been hanging out at Crystal Bridges a lot lately (1-4), let's go inside for a sec. We'll start with one of my favorite exhibits that the museum ever shared with us, the Crystals In Art exhibit mom and I went to in January 2020.
*cue angelic choir and more god-rays*
First, we have "The Holy Grail" - the largest and most important quartz cluster ever found in Arkansas. This one is part of the museum's permanent collection, so we get to worship any time we visit. (And yes, those are the floating Chihuly balls in the outdoor background.)
Next came other specimens of crystalline glory. Since I took these photos in my earliest Whip It Out days, I wasn't always in the habit of snapping the artist and info plaques, so here is the full collection for any that I missed.
At first glance, you wouldn't guess that some of these pieces were made of crystal, whereas some that aren't look far closer to the real thing. Fascinating...
Next we have some of my favorite small artworks in the exhibit. I was completely entranced with these Crystalized Books. They were made from actual books and borax. My crappy photos on my old phone can't begin to do the Moon Crystal justice, so just imagine it smooth and clear. The nifty little skull is made of carved rock crystal from the Smithsonian Institute, Department of Anthropology.
Y'all know me and skulls. Me and books. Me and the moon...
Go figure these were my favorites.
And now...drumrrrrrolllll...for the big finale. The icosahedrons (polyhedron with 20 faces and 30 edges) truly are portals. They're huge and astounding--the large one is over 6 feet tall--so to just admire them was exhilarating.
Then, when you get up to one of those faces and look...truly look...and then look deeper...
I stared and meditated for quite a long time. Photos cannot do it justice. But that will never stop me from trying. This is another piece that, had I been alone, I probably would have gotten blissfully lost there for longer than is socially acceptable to hog a piece of art.
Naturally, I was tickled by the way that the Chandelier in the next room reflected off the icesahedron surfaces. This 2015 glittery wonder is by Ai Weiwei. Towering over us at 400 x 241 x 231 cm, it's made of copper, crystal, and light fixtures.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh...shiny.
To conclude, I'll take you back outside now to one of my favorite spots, sitting on the little bridge that overlooks the Crystal Spring. This cool natural spring feeds the museum's network of ponds and has given the museum its name.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
--UP NEXT: Crystals Part 2, woot! ART(IST) MUST BE BEAUTIFUL - The Agony, the Joy, the Healing Power of Art. A journey with the astounding and controversial performance artist, Marina Abramović, who created the interactive outdoor crystal artwork in Crystal Bridges' North Forest.
--OR: My love affair with the Moon and Lindsey Stirling's Crystallize
--OR: You can find all my art adventure photo galleries HERE.
--THE NAVIGATION TABLE OF CONTENTS
GROOVALICIOUS LINKS
3) Crystal Bridges & Momentary 2020 - embracing change. Pandemics, social eruptions, contemporary thought, contemporary art with ancient traditions. And of course, ageless nature.
4) CB Outdoors in the winter - art & nature