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)
Three day weekends are good for mental health. They offer just enough time to get beyond the to-do list of laundry and errands and discover something new. They should really happen at least once a month so we can find the time for leisure, play, and art.
On President's Day I took advantage of Frank Hatch Free Day at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. "Drawing Stories" was the theme of the day, and the museum had scheduled dance, art, and music performances throughout the day. This was a real treat because it allowed me to experience the museum in a new and engaging way.
I enjoyed a contemporary dance performance "Being" by choreographer Marsha Parilla. In it, a man and a woman appear to go through a metamorphosis before us; shedding stiff, jittery movements and discomfort with physical closeness/intimacy for fluid, graceful pairings. I use the word "metamorphosis" because their physical bodies really do seem to change shape and the early tension of being is discarded for something beautiful. I have not experienced a lot of contemporary dance, and sometimes find it a little uncomfortable because I'm not sure I "get it". I think a lot of people feel this way about poetry and its accessibility. But in this free showcase I felt unencumbered to "get" anything out of it, and probably enjoyed it more.
Afterwards I enjoyed some Latin Jazz in the courtyard with Fabiola M. Méndez Quiñones. The greenhouse atmosphere of moss, flowers, and palms is especially welcome in the depths of a Boston winter, and the lively music created even more warmth. I was lucky to find some space on one of the stone bench windows on the first floor and enjoyed watching the other visitors framed in the windows across and above me. This live human "art" watching is what I like more about the museum than the actual art pieces themselves. In general I'm not a big fan of the oily European portraits she was so keen to collect. They don't really do a lot for me. But the architecture and the space, the hot and bold color schemes of each room, I like to experience.
I learned a little bit about the museum's Neighborhood Salon Luminary program, which is essentially an artist-in-residence type program that offers support and audience for local artists like Marsha and Fabiola. It was great to experience the synergy of art meeting audience on a relaxed snowy day "off" in Boston. It really re-instituted my belief in the value of the arts and I hope I can make it my work to support programs and artists like these someday.