Sep 05 2008
People Watching

Museum People: Rothko Contemplation

The Frida Kahlo-loving throngs / SFMoMA
I like to watch people. Even more so, I really like to watch people in museums. I like to see how people respond to art. What draws some people to take a closer look while others can’t stand to look at all?
Last Thursday, I spent the entire evening at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. I was by myself with no particular agenda or time limits. It was one of the few times when I can say that I went through the whole museum - all of the special exhibits as well as the permanent collection. It was bliss. I attended that particular night to catch the Frida Kahlo exhibition. It has been running all summer, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the huge crowds in the galleries. There were timed tickets, but it still took a little energy to get close enough to the artwork in order to actually read the placards. [More SFMoMA photos here]
Frida Kahlo’s work clearly had a large following, but I also enjoyed some of the other ongoing exhibits. Those galleries were quieter and allowed more time for study and reflection: particularly that of Lee Miller, one of the first female war correspondents / photojournalists on the European front during WWII. Her photography is quite haunting; a series of images that stays with me is her photographs from Hitler’s apartment, taken after his suicide in 1945. Everyday items, but in the context of events, so much more.
…perhaps this whole “people watching” thing is what lead me to enjoy photography so much…
Earlier in the week, I enjoyed watching and photographing my friends as they worked on their knitting projects. As we sat in the small cafe, we each had a project in hand.

Rangsiwan’s finished hat / BrooklynTweed’s Habitat Hat

Nova’s new square / Barn Raising Quilt
I started a new project before I headed out west - a simple slip stitch scarf in a luscious yarn.
Much longer now and almost complete. Once I finish, I will tell you more about it.
**Have you seen any good museum exhibitions lately?
Where is your favorite place to people watch?


























