The Artist Date is a regular, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly “artistic” — think mischief more than mastery. When choosing an Artist Date, it is good to ask yourself, “what sounds fun?” — and then allow yourself to try it. (Julia Cameron)
deCordova is a lovely gem about 20 miles west of Boston in Lincoln, MA. The main attraction is 60+ sculptures dotting 30 landscaped acres. Nature, art, whimsy, and open air.
I biked to deCordova from Alewife Station on a Sunday morning, following the Minuteman Bikeway through Lexington for eight miles before riding seven hilly miles (past Minuteman National Park) into Lincoln. deCordova has a nifty policy of admitting bicyclists in free of charge, so of course I felt superior as I waited in line between the cars for my ticket and map.
It's a unique place that feels accessible to people at all levels of art-appreciation. Standing beside large, bright, eccentric figures adults can experience an Alice in Wonderland type feeling, and the kids? Well, they just want to climb all of the things.
Here were two of my favorite pieces on this visit:
G.O.A.T was actually a set of three goats, but with its intricate mess of cords, it was Social Media II G.O.A.T that caught my attention. It reminded me of a poem I'd written, "My Life in Cords", an ode to modern day living and its excess of plug-in devices.
From the artist: “I really wanted to talk about power and about hubris, about a kind of misguided investment. This goat character kind of became my doorway into it.”
The vertical nature of the cords creates a weight that seems to render the goat frozen in space and time. It made me feel sad that the cord debris had more "movement" than the living creature.
"Watch your head," the museum attendant told me as I stepped into the mirrored box wearing cloth slippers and plastic gloves. She shut the door and the darkness multiplied into infinite cities of light. Small circles cut into all sides of the cube reflected the bright sunlight on all four mirrored surfaces. I was only allowed to linger for a minute before the door was opened. I only have to close my eyes to return.
I'll leave you with a final image that addresses what architect Nathaniel Leach refers to as the "desire in human beings to identify with and become part of their surroundings."
Google this artist and you will never see human limbs and forms the same way.
Until next month, play on!