♥A Day’s Beginning♥

Going to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) was a very new experience for me, which made me fall in love with the idea of going to more museums, especially with a friend! My friend came to visit from university, so he became my victim in assisting me with my seminar homework. We disagreed on some works of art, and others moved us to tears. I have never been in a room of art where I had to say “This is getting too much for me, I need a break,” due to overwhelming emotion, and MoMA did a great job at portraying artworks that evoked such emotion in me.

♥Exhibit 1: In the Shadow of the American Dream (Wojnarowicz, 1987)♥

Street artist David Wojnarowicz used the four elements (earth, fire, wind, water) to symbolize the hidden downside of the American Dream. This element was supposed to represent Fire. As a first-generation woman of color, I felt very moved by this piece especially, since my family had moved from their home country in search of the American Dream. Like most families who search for dreams, many do not realize that dreams are exactly what they are: dreams. Dreams are perfect, whereas our world is not. Wojnarowicz highlights the atrocities behind the American Dream that people experienced in the 80s. The time period is significant due to the rising AIDS epidemic, and this piece encapsulates the rage people felt during this difficult time.

♥Exhibit 2: Monuments of Solidarity (LaToya Ruby Frazier, 2008-present)♥

One particular exhibit that brought us to tears was a documentary by LaToya Ruby Frazier in protest of the demolishing of local hospitals with the rise of toxic pollution in Braddock, Pennsylvania, and limiting access to healthcare. I grew up with a need for emergency healthcare access, and looking at these photos made me feel so heartbroken. I sympathized with Frazier’s hurt and anger toward the lack of concern for citizens, especially those who come from marginalized groups. To me, the worst part is, that this is a fairly recent issue and an enduring one, where many people in America and all over the world still struggle to access basic human resources. Frazier continues to create art in forms of protest even to protest the issue of scarcity of clean water in Flint, Michigan.

♥Exhibit 3: Vir Heroicus Sublimus (Barnett Newman, c. 1950)♥

On a less political and somber note, this art piece intrigued me (though my victim was not amused by it). It is a completely red canvas, and if you stand close enough to it, the lines, or “zips” as Newman calls them, break apart the red field. Some parts looked asymmetrical, and this was meant to symbolize human relationships. My friend did not think that this was a valid art piece. “It’s just a red canvas with lines,” he said. But the connection is, if you look closely, you’ll see all the different asymmetrical aspects of the painting, like how if you look closely into a person’s soul, you’ll see and understand who they truly are. I personally enjoyed the humanity behind this piece, especially the fitting title, which translates to “Man, heroic and sublime.”  However, my friend may be right. Upon seeing this piece, I was interested, but maybe because it was displayed in a museum. Maybe if I saw this on the internet or the street I’d scoff and say, “Why am I looking at a red canvas with lines?”!

♥Conclusion♥

Overall, this was an amazing, fun, and inspiring trip. I learned so many different forms of expression I did not know existed. As a kid, museums always sounded boring to me, but this is like a different home. I walk in, and I feel seen and loved by all the photos speaking ever so tenderly to my heart. I would love to go back anytime soon, and I would love to go to a scientific museum soon as well! Museums have now piqued my interest, and the outcome of this trip is not disappointing!