The Arch, by Alexander Calder
This past weekend, we headed up to upstate NY to attend my cousin's wedding. It was a delight to see my cousin so happy, beaming nonstop. And I loved spending time catching up with family. There really is something about that family connection that makes it easy to slip back into easy conversation. And many of my cousins are leading such interesting lives that I get to hear about the latest adventures and live vicariously.
What I want to share with you, though, are photographs from a morning that had nothing to do with our family weekend. We had a few hours to spare on Saturday and decided to head over to the Storm King Arts Center, a sculpture park located about 50 miles north of New York City in the Hudson Valley. Gabe and I had read about it years ago (perhaps in this NY Times article) and had thought it sounded interesting, but it far exceeded our expectations.
The site is home to more than a hundred sculptures scattered across 500 acres. The landscape is varied and many of the pieces were designed specifically for the landscape. Visitors are free to wander between and among them, to get as close as possible (without touching of course). We started out meandering through the woods. It was as if we were taking a lovely hike, but here and there we discovered a sculpture. They seemed to have been placed there just for us. Many of the sculptures are enormous and walking near them was dramatic. I felt like I was being absorbed into the works, becoming part of them.
I will be interested to see what the site looks like other times of they year, but autumn seemed like an ideal time to visit. The colors of the trees added additional beauty to the soaring vistas. The children all seemed energized by the experience, but Oscar especially loved it, declaring, "This is the best place I have ever gone to see art!"
If you live nearby or are ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping in, although it has so much to offer that you will be happiest if you leave yourself a few hours to visit.
Sea Change, by George Cutts (the scuplture moves, constantly, creating the appearance of "underwater seaweed," in Olivia's words)
Three-Fold Manifestation II, by Alice Aycock
Low Building with Dirt Roof (for Mary), by Alice Aycock (Adam by Alexander Liberman in the background)
Suspended, by Menashe Kadishman
Infinite Flight, by Victor Contreras
Storm King Wall, by Andy Goldsworthy
Storm King Wavefield, by Maya Lin
Wow, how incredibly beautiful to put sculptures in such a setting! Storm King Wall and Storm King Wavefield just seem to belong there. Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama | October 25, 2010 at 10:34 AM
We were equally in awe when we went 2 years ago. SUCH an amazing place. The Fall colors really provide a stunning backdrop. We were there in September.
Posted by: DeeDee | October 25, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Such a creative idea...it's wonderful that you all enjoyed this amazing place.
Posted by: eva | October 25, 2010 at 02:58 PM
One of our favorite spots!!! We just missed you as j and the kiddies as they went out on Sunday (sadly, I had to stay home with a very very sick Spello). Great photos. l.
Posted by: laura | October 25, 2010 at 05:22 PM
Darn, we missed you yesterday! And thanks for taking those terrific photos as I didn't bring our camera.
Posted by: julian | October 25, 2010 at 05:57 PM
So nice that so many of you love Storm King, too. We will definitely be back. L&J, I can't believe we just missed you!
Posted by: Margy | October 25, 2010 at 07:19 PM
These are such beautiful photos. Thank you very much for sharing them on your blog. I so enjoy everything you post; the art and the trees were so nice to see from my laptop----thanks again!
Posted by: Barbara | October 25, 2010 at 08:40 PM
It looks like a wonderful place. And you're pictures are beautiful!!
Posted by: Betsy at Zen Mama | October 25, 2010 at 10:04 PM
We'll have to plan a trip to Storm King. It reminds me of a place we were in Quebec (Parc de Mitis) this summer, but the sculptures at Mitis are a bit less...finished....
Posted by: Andrea | October 26, 2010 at 10:17 AM
I daydream of this place. Too bad it's soooo far away.
Posted by: Kurt | November 11, 2010 at 12:46 AM