After a wonderful and informative session about gift-giving, we attended a session about integrating social media into the art history classroom, and although not earth shattering, good ideas were exchanged and enthusiasm for keeping up the good work was further engendered.
One of the highlights was a trip to the MoMA.
I am never more amazed and awestruck than when I am around enduring works of art. I was nearly brought to tears at the sight of one of the most wonderful Futurist paintings I have ever seen. It was by Carlo Carrà called Funeral of the Anarchist Galli. I thought it completely encapsulated and crystalized the ideologies of the Futurist painting movement and wondered (aloud) why it wasn't shown in survey texts.
Also on view were the Demoiselles d'Avignon who were wonderful, as was the Starry Night - so beautiful - and the Scream, which did not fail to meet every expectation.
I think one of the most exciting things about viewing artwork in-person is the tiny glimpse of the artist's hand one actually gets to witness. It is sublime.
The evening finished with a wonderful reception and lecture given by the ICMA. John Lowden gave a marvelous talk and we got to see some wonderful images of the Rossano and Rabula gospels.
After the reception and talk, we were able to walk around the museum for a little while, which proved to be another totally sublime and emotionally stirring experience. The library houses some VERY wonderful manuscript specimens, among them, the Lindau Gospels. I was astonished by the beauty and ornate-ness.
