Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

Well this pass Saturday Christina G. and I decide to car pool to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, CT. The drive went really well. We did not hit a bit of traffic. The only complaint I have about the drive is that it just took way to long to get there. But of course I didn't know where I was going to we were paying very close attention to the directions.

Where do I start. Well when we go to Ridgefield we got on Main Street to find that there was a community event going on and there were many people just walking in the street, standing around and listening to music, there were children everywhere and it just look like they were have a blast. Once we go through all the people came all the big beautiful house. Well my Co-pilot/Co-driver was supposed to be looking for the house numbers so we would know if we were getting close to the museum. Well we got lost because my co-drive was so fascinated with the house I'll share some of the photos that were taken in just a bit. What told us we were lost.. Se picture.... I guess the New York is what gave us the idea that we were lost and need to turn around. Lucky there was a gas station that I was able to turn into and turn around. We of course Christina continued to take pictures of our travels in the city. Finally we made it to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. When we got there we were greeted by one of the staff members out side and she basically explained the museum to us and told us about the class that they were having for the children on Saturday. She also proceed to tell us, because we told her we were student that they have a strick policy about take picture and to talk to the guy at the front desk because he may let us take a picture or two if we really needed for class. Well once we got through all of the niceties I was a little upset that we had to go through the whole museum and pick on art exhibit to take a picture of.

First things first a brief history on the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum:

This museum was founded in 1964 and placed on Main Street in Ridgefield. What was interesting to me is that they call Main Street "The Historical Main Street". This museum was designed for emerging artist and mid career artist to have an establishment to house their exhibits. The next interesting fact was that Mr. Aldrich opened his business a nonprofit, he liked the idea of the large backyard which could be use for exhibit garden year round. This was one of the country first contemporary art museum.

The site is beautiful I mean I thought it was a house when we first drove by it. The window and the land to me is a site worth seeing. I didn't have a direct picture of the building but see the building picture attached. I got this picture from the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum website. Just beautiful. From the street when just driving by you would think it's just a house because you don't see the tables and things I believe it's because it sits so far from the street and there are stairs you can walk down so you don't see the patio.

The piece I chose to write about was very intriguing to me and I really like just sitting and staring at it. It is by Jim Dingilian, his pieces are of old photos that have been around for a long time and have a worn look to them. What he has done is take an old photo and used a resistive coat and bleach solution and combined them with patterns over the picture. It sounds so easy to do but I know he went through a lot of work just to get them to what he called perfect I thought it was pretty neat because when you glance at it you only really see one thing popping out at you but as you stand and star at them you see all the object and over/underlying pictures. This is a series of photos so the first on is of a Provisional bases Garden Structure,2006. The reason I was drawn to this picture wasy first because its of a bride and groom. I am currently preparing for my wedding and it just reminded me of what my photographer just ask. He want us to give him a list of poses that I would like so lately anything with wedding I see right away. But as I stood there I actually started to see the garden that was in the picture. I was just amazed to see the finished products after reading what the artist use to create this piece.

Next There was what looked to be a lady around the 50's. I can remember watching a lot of movies that was based on the 50's and seeing women with their hair as she is wearing hers. I really liked this one because I love flowers. The flowers popped out at me first. But as I kept staring I saw the women and how he so neatly place a flower in her hair and to me it almost looks like the flower that close to her face can be a fan. I just was tring to see it as a 1950's photo that I might have seen to much. Or did I see exactly what the artist wanted me to see... I don't know. I loved this picture.

The piece to the right is called Verdena 2004. I really could see what the artist was trying to depict here but I do see the people in the background. I would imagine that the back circle overlay I think could be smoke. I don't really know but that is what I thought when I looked at this pictuer. I really wish I could really see what was really going on or what the artist was tring to depict here.

Lastly the picture that was of course caught my eye is below. I say the picture first through all curvy lines. You know it's something about getting marries and what you pay attention to when you are engage. Up until I got enage I could really careless about see someones wedding rings/bands. Now I notice I pay close attention to them. Even photos of dresses I pay very close attention to those. Its seem that when you are preparing for a wedding you pickup this new habit of paying close attention to you surounding, why because it just might be a good place for you to bring the photographer to take your pictures. Or you pay close attention to detail because maybe you want your special day to be different from everyone elses. So you become aware of everything and everyone around you do you are sure to do everything for you day a little differently. It's all brand new to me and so very interesting all at the same time. Really enjoyed this museum, but I really didn't like the fact that we could take pictures. I was glad that the guy at the front desk did alow is to take at least one photo. This was an all together great trip. Now back to my ride with Christina, When we were leaving she was so excited to be able to take more picture I just wanted to share some of them with you. We even got to see the road runner on back of someone's vehicle as we were leaving. Great Trip.