Questions From the Wall

For the most part you all seem to be enjoying the light show. There are a few of you who have those Grinch sized hearts that are in need of some Christmas cheer. If these inviting, fun lights cant defrost that cold heart of yours then I don’t know what to tell you…bummer, I guess.

Good news is that you all are writing on my wall. Here are some statements and questions.

-For the love (in the shape of a heart) of ART. Thank U!   (you are welcome)

-Love it. (Great)

-Awesome! Job! (I know)

-It smells nice in here Woodsy. mmmm. (that’s the smell of half a forest cut between 1907-1937, sorry earth)

-When we had questions the docents were quick to give us explanations (Happy to hear this. We have some amazing volunteers)

-Colin is great! (I was the first to write on the wall last week. I feel no shame.)

-WOW

-Fun and Learning! Thank You (you are also welcome)

-The light should directly spotlight the art – especially in stairwell – hard to see dark paintings. (Ohhhh….i’ve had it backwards all this time…my bad.)

-Need more lights inside at night to read info on 1st floor (what is it with you people and needing to see things??? I do have more LED bars coming)

-This so cool. love, lauren. (love you too, girl)

-Aiden loves is (I is love too)

-Love it!

-Love the origami! Wonderful Creation (this is referring to the model of the museum made of paper. it is neat)

Questions:

Q: Why do I have the only question?

A: Because some people like to leave me positive comments so I don’t hate myself when I go to sleep.

Q: How did Mrs. Sloane come to be interested in international art?

A: Nice question. She began the collection in 1901, but most of her early purchases were centered around home goods. In the 20s and 30s she realized there was very little art in Norfolk from regions like Asia and the Middle East. She got to know several prominent foreign dealers and they helped guide her into the purchases that define our collection. You could even say that as a child in NYC her time spent at the Met inspired her to collect non-American art.

Q: How did you do this?

A: Well, when a man loves a woman very much he asks her to…..ohhhhhh…..the show, right. I gave up my first born child to Bruce’s studio in return for a field of lights.

Q: Do you even lift?

A: Yes, bro…yes.

Q: Are they made out of paper (with adorable flower designs)? Allie Palmer

A: Yes my dear, the little house is made of paper. Thank you for drawing me the flowers, they are very pretty

Q: Are the houses origami? Stevie Palmer

A: Stevie, it is not reallly origami, but it kind of looks like it should be. Instead a talented artist has made some nice folds and cuts to get the shape you see.

Q: When was this?

A: I don’t know.

Shout out to The Groove Record Shop. 401 Granby Street, Suite A. Norfolk, VA 23510. Go see them, they will hook you up with fresh beats.

Keep posting things and I will continue to let you all down!

Field of Dreams (well light, really)

I have had about 45 minutes to reflect on the last month, which included the installation of Bruce Munro’s Light, so it seems only appropriate that I share my feelings, thoughts and hopes for this show while I am still numb.

“It is almost over, Colin.” This quote is in reference to nearly 50 different people (parents included) who were quick to ensure me that by finishing the install we were almost done. Brrrrrr!!! (buzzer sound?) Try 1/4 of the way through…with a staff the size of a Soho boutique we have a lot of ground to cover through January. Now, this is not to say we are dreading any of this, quite the contrary. Each member of staff (Lil, Melissa, Alanna, Yolima, Tom, Pat, Jennifer and Carrie) are so on top of their game that it is frightening. You could not ask for a more dedicated group of people to work with. They have abandoned their lives for four months to make sure there are Lights for all of Virginia to see. So the next time you talk to them, enjoy the show, the grounds, whatever, make sure you thank them for their hard work.

So what happened during install?

Short answer: beers

Long answer: Something between spontaneity, simplicity, abandonment, detachment and enlightenment.

It was one of the most amazing car accidents of friendship and self-loathing worth rubber necking to witness. Truly a brilliant thing to behold. Bruce’s install team (Mike, Maurice, Lauren, Duncan and Ben) are without question bros now. We broed down so hard that I am having bro withdrawal as I type this. Professionals down to the last drop of Tecate. Should you ever have the good fortune of having Bruce’s works at your museum or home (custom orders are available) make sure you request these dudes and dudette.

We built, stemmed, lifted, balled, threaded and drilled our way to a magnificent exhibit that the city of Norfolk should be salivating over that they didn’t have to spend a dime to get here. (Drops the mic and walks away)….

(returns for mic realizing he must rap more)….It appears as though Norfolk is entering an age of enlightenment. Richmond may want to go ahead and start burning itself down again (1865 must have been fun) to make way for the port city that could. But seriously, what a refreshing emergence of culture in the state, Tidewater and Norfolk.

The entire process was like a moderately attractive caterpillar (maybe poisonous) going in its cocoon and then coming out a dragon. It is amazing to see the Hermitage transform from a place where people let their dogs poop wherever, to a garden with gorgeous art blocking those same areas where dogs relieve themselves. Metamorphosis…stunning.

My hope is that this, along with all of the other good we are doing, will help to elevate the position of the Hermitage as a serious cultural institution. Junk blogs like my own won’t change this, but hopefully curators to come will have more to work with because of the changes we are making now.

If this works I will take some credit. If it doesn’t, well….it’s Obama’s fault.

It won’t fail, we won’t fail, the Hermitage has finally opened.

Mike at the beach.

Craftsmanship, bro

Field of Lights. Courtesy of Colin Brady Photography, LLC, trademarked 2014, University College University Polytech Press (Accredited). 2014. Shot with a Samsung 3 Ver4GLTE and a beer in my hand.