Trip to MFAH

If frequency of things was the hallmark of how much you care about something or someone, then I would venture a guess that most of the things that we love today would not be present; just a guess. So with trepidation looming large of the rest of my Sunday, I went out to Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH). Now granted that I have been there and seen most of the items on display there, there is always the chance that you will catch something that you might have missed in your earlier visits or maybe even catch a new exhibit.

What I found out there today was more than what I was expecting out of this trip. Not only did I get to see my favorite artists and their creations, but also some absolutely brilliant pieces by one of my favorite artists, Mark Rothko.
For some reason I have always been interested in movements that have been either on the cusp of greatness (but never were) or movements which are so unique that no one really has heard of them, and yet I have never been disappointed at the MFAH. They have something for everyone (this is not a shameless plug for the MFAH but rather a resounding iteration of the wonderful work that they have done here). I have found artists from Georges Braque to Georges Rouault, Cezanne to Pissarro, Manet, Monet and the likes. So it was no surprise to me to find some great new paintings and assemblages (Damian Hearst's morbid assemblage about death comes to mind) to the always entertaining tunnel from the Caroline Weiss Law building to the Audrey Jones building. In the meantime I found "Rhombus 1-6" by Gerhard Richter an absolutely absorbing welcome installation. The modern part (consistent of the second floor of the Caroline Weiss Law building) was something that I could only dream about, absolutely marvelous collections of paintings, and sculptures.
I saw my usual Jackson Pollocks, Mondrians, impressionists, Fauvists, Pointillists etc in the Jones building. I feel that I should interject a bit here. I would put up MFAH against the big cities any day, but I truly feel a lack of modern sculpture here. Maybe the Rothko chapel provides a living, breathing installation outside the Museum which covers up for it in small ways. I feel that other than the classical figures of the Greco-Roman era, we should have more sculpture like the "Soft Fan" or for that matter something my Modigliani, or if possible something from the dynamism movement (it would be a coup de grace if we could land an Umberto Boccioni as they say Hope springs eternal). Maybe I will post some images some other time, but right now I feel I am too busy enjoying Houston and getting reacquainted :-)

Book Reviews

I feel that I should start reviewing books on this blog, as more and more my time is consumed by reading books that are more series rather than stand alone master-pieces (of which I have read a few recently). I know that a review of a book in this universe of books and reviews won't make much of a difference, and yet, I feel that as unique as every human being is, the ideas and emotions involved with books are also pretty unique.
Recently I started and finished reading all the books in the W.E.B. Griffin series related to the Army. The series literally follows the lives of two main antagonists through to its end, with new characters being brought in after the first generation is taken out. I feel that I should warn at this point, that with the very brief background (and even that in the Air Force) my views towards these books (and series, and author to a larger degree) are very much biased. Living in the armed forces atmosphere, gives you a very unique perspective to look at things during your life (even if you are not active in the forces). I loved these books, and without going into too many details, I would say that anyone, who loves to see how the armed forces work, should read these books. They provide probably as approximate a picture as I have seen about what really goes on in the bases, and during training.
The second series that I started reading is also very near and dear to my heart. Alexander McCall Smith may not be categorized as a genius, but damn if I can tell the difference. This whole idea about a "Traditional Built Lady" from Botswana opening up a detective agency was something that initially caught my eye, approximately 2 year ago, and now approximately 6 books into the series later (and counting) I am almost addicted to get my hands on the new installment. The books are pretty simple, I would say the reading and comprehension are at approximately 8-10 grade and the prose is easy to follow with no complex plot twists which are almost like Pho noodles (ah, the exigencies of including a foodie reference in a novel review is priceless). What catches one's eye is that despite this simple prose, the author has intricately woven before us not only the culture of another country but another continent altogether (maybe Sarah Palin should start reading this). The books also explain human relationships and their impact on lives of the people with such efficacy that one can only imagine in one's mind what if the imagination becomes the reality? The characters are lively, and their connections with each other, are something that are the meat and potatoes of the books.
Obviously if you haven't already heard of this No. 1 Ladies detective agency series, then it's time you should. Pick up a copy from your nearest public library (and actually get some use out of your public library funding tax dollars) or if you like, buy the series. I have a pretty good feeling that you will like what you read.