nixon and kinetic sculptures

i can't believe i haven't told you all about the greatest museum (perhaps in the country) but i am now.

i went with little sarah and charita in january, but i remembered its brilliance when i took andrew, alyssa and joy back when they visited.

the American Visionary Art Museum is so badass, i can't begin to tell you. they specialize in "folk art," but it's so much more than that. it's a collaboration of art from people doing great things on the margins of society - in mental institutions, prisons, in their little trailers in north carolina, etc. from giant kinetic sculptures, glass and crystal mosaics, recreations of paintings from the MoMA done in miniature (by a guy in New York in his tiny apartment). basically, it's a celebration of art by individuals that don't normally get recognized. which makes my bleeding heart bleed a bit more.

their current exhibition is called "life liberty and the pursuit of happiness." i cry every time. it's about race, war, stigma, and the people creating brilliant pieces of art about these topics (and in spite of their seemingly dire situations). the exhibit ends soon, but check out some of their art. and if you're in the baltimore/DC area, check it out.

i'm jazzed to see the next exhibit. odds are, i'll cry. again.

also, their gift shop is awesome. it's like they took cast offs of old/quirky promo materials and art books, posters, and (if you're from the tri-cities) The Octupus' Garden crap and put it in a room. i picked up a thermos mug of THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK for one dollar, and then i sent my father an oversized postcard of Richard Nixon.

only at the AVAM, my friends.

side note:

on the postcard i wrote to my father, i mentioned that his statements regarding Nixon as a "f-ing moron" helped me become a politically savvy woman i am today. i was corrected.

my dad: "you got it wrong, Squidly. Nixon was a f--ing WEASEL. Now REAGAN was an f--ing moron."

whew, glad that got cleared up.