spot the difference

museum exhibit wooden statues; leopard print dress, white booties

The world is re-opening - spot a change then change your spot.

Pre-COVID, museums were high up on my to-do list. I remember as a young girl visiting my town museum almost three times a week, taking big advantage of the free admission days. The hours-long strolls afforded me exposure to culture, historical traditions, and artifacts that I would have otherwise seen only on of the pages of a social studies textbook. Several years ago, I crossed off my bucket list a trip to the MET museum. It held one of the loveliest paintings by one of the greatest artists - Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. I must have taken about 30 pictures of the painting - very reminiscent of my time at the Louvre in Paris, snapping over heads of people for a shot of the Mona Lisa.

Over the years, museums have become these money-making machines - driving up their fees for general admission and special exhibits. I would typically advise against supporting establishments that price-gouge, especially educational ones that should offer free access; but perhaps, for a time, an exception can be made here.

Writer and art critic, Edmond de Goncourt, once said that “a painting in a museum hears more ridiculous opinions than anything else in the world.” As the nation opens up again, and we find ourselves out of the house and thankfully unglued from our laptops, we must take time to enjoy the things we once found enjoyable. For me, it’s softly prowling through a hallway of art making the most ridiculous comments ever. ■