Tag: museum

creativity

In the pause: I eavesdrop and observe for the sake of my writing

Christa Avampato
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The Astor Chinese Garden Court at the Met

To be a writer is to first be a listener and observer. I often go somewhere—a coffeeshop, a museum, a store—and just tune into the conversations of others. I don’t take out my phone or notebook. I don’t have any purpose other than to listen to what people say, how they say it, and then how people respond to them.

I tried this experiment recently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I went to their Astor Chinese Garden Court and sat there for a while as people wandered in and out. It’s a bright and peaceful place in the museum. Good for clearing the mind and opening up the ears.

It was fascinating to see such a diverse set of people come into the space and have a similar experience, of peace and contentment and happiness. It reminded me how hurried and cluttered our lives can become. And it made me more conscious of the power of places that give us time to just be. The expression of “wow” on everyone’s face when they entered the garden made me smile.

As we edge toward 2018 and the cold weather takes us indoors for a few months, I’m looking forward to more of these listening and observing activities. We have so much to learn from each other.

creativity

In the pause: The Theater of the Disappearance at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Christa Avampato

They say that on a clear day you can see forever. On this clear day, I went to see the current rooftop installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Argentinian artist Adrián Villar Rojas. It’s haunting and beautiful, and you still have a month to see it. Though there’s no sound in the exhibit, I kept finding myself hearing stories from these statues. What happened to them? Why were they at this dinner party? Who are they? What were they hiding? I’m certain these stories will find their way into my second book in the Emerson Page series.

 

creativity

In the pause: A walking tour from Soho to the Lower East Side

Christa Avampato

On my way to brunch yesterday, I did a little self-made walking tour from Soho through Little Italy and Chinatown, and then over to the Lower East Side. It included a tour at the Tenement Museum, which I’ll detail in another post. I don’t get to this neighborhood often. After a long, difficult week in our nation, it felt so good to let sunshine and art take over my senses. Here’s what I saw and loved. Wishing you a creative Monday.

creativity

In the pause: A wonderful set of New York City museum outings

Christa Avampato

I’ve been spending a lot of time at museums lately. Here is a collection of exhibits I’ve recently seen that are worth the visit:

The Met. Irving Penn: Centennial. Known popularly as a photographer for Vogue, Irving Penn also created incredible still-lifes and portraits that are prominently featured at The Met alongside his stunning fashion photography. The exhibit closes today so if you can get there, do!

New-York Historical Society. Eloise at the Museum. If you’re a children’s literature fan, I highly recommend taking in the adorable Eloise exhibit. Feisty and confident, Eloise is a hero for all of us and she gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to live at The Plaza.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan. America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far. For all of the talk in our media about Islam and Muslim culture, how much do we really understand it? This thoughtfully curated and approachable exhibit discusses architecture, travel, commerce, religion, food, art, and fashion in the Muslim world across the globe.

Museum of the Moving Image. The Jim Henson Exhibition. I am an enormous Muppet fan. Like many people, I count Jim Henson as an idol and inspiration. The Muppets provided my earliest thought that I could work behind-the-scenes in a theater. I’m heading over there this afternoon, and can’t wait to immerse myself in that colorful, hopeful world.

creativity

In the pause: Today I’m attending “The President and the Press: The First Amendment in the First 100 Days” at the Newseum

Christa Avampato

I’m honored and thrilled to be invited to a fascinating discussion today at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. entitled The President and the Press: The First Amendment in the First 100 Days. And it’s going to be a doozy. I’m anticipating a rousing, spirited discussion about the media, democracy, and the current administration. The agenda and speaker lineup is among the most diverse I’ve seen on the subject and I have to commend the Newseum staff for bringing so many disparate views to one venue. It’s an incredible feat. I’ll be live tweeting and will share what I learn in tomorrow’s post. You can also watch the live stream at http://www.newseum.org/live/.

From the Newseum event page:

The Newseum will host a half-day forum that will explore the Trump administration’s relationship with the press in the critical first months. The program will be held at the Newseum and will feature one-on-one conversations, panel discussions and individual presentations. Participants, including White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, will explore pertinent challenges to the First Amendment, a free press and protecting the free flow of information in a divided nation.

Guests include:

  • Jim Acosta, CNN
  • Mike Allen, Axios
  • Bret Baier, Fox News Channel
  • Carrie Budoff Brown, Politico
  • Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to the President
  • David Fahrenthold, The Washington Post
  • Ari Fleischer, Fmr. White House Press Secretary
  • Julie Pace, The Associated Press
  • Jennifer Palmieri, Fmr. White House Communications Director
  • Bob Schieffer, CBS News
  • Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary
  • Charlie Spiering, Breitbart News
  • Brian Stelter, CNN
  • Greta Van Susteren, MSNBC
  • Cecilia Vega, ABC News
  • Glenn Thrush, The New York Times
  • Kristen Welker, NBC News
  • Michael Wolff, The Hollywood Reporter
creativity

Wonder: Why I decided to become a charter member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Christa Avampato

“Why would you do that? You’re not black.” This is what someone said to me when I told them I made a donation to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Thanks to Lonnie Bunch, the founding director of the museum, I had an answer. I made a donation because the history that it commemorates and celebrates is America’s story.In history, we are all united, and that’s how I’d like us to be in the world, too. If you make a donation of any size today, Hyundai will match your donation dollar for dollar up to $500,000 as part of the museum’s campaign called Giving Day.

The museum’s stories can teach something to everyone who takes the time to listen to them. Some of the lessons are horrible and painful, and some of them are joyful and inspiring. That’s life—it’s beautiful and terrible in equal amounts. I am humbled by what the staff members of the museum, and so many others who came before them, have done to assemble this treasure of a museum in the city that I now proudly call home. I can’t wait to see it and I’m so glad to be able to support its message of hope. It’s a message we all need. #GiveNMAAHC

creativity

Wonder: You can be everything

Christa Avampato
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Collage amalgamation tribute to Steve Jobs by artist Charis Tsevis

“You don’t have to just be this or that. You can be all of it. You can be an amalgamation.” ~Rapper DDm at Creative Mornings DC at Renwick Gallery

I’m still thinking about Rapper DDm’s presentation about language and identity at the Creative Mornings DC talk. I’m still energized and inspired by his words, his decision, and his encouragement to be everything that we are. From Diana Ross to Li’l Kim to the influences of ancient fashion from the Moors to the rough streets of West Baltimore, DDm put all of that inspiration into a mixing bowl to invent himself, his look, his language, and his art. And he continues to reinvent, learn, grow, evolve, and experiment. The only thing he sets in stone is his right to be exactly who is in every moment on his terms.

That’s a right we all have—to joyfully be who we are, to make the decisions that are right for us, and to live the lives we want to live. Embrace your own unique brand of madness. Surround yourself with people who support that journey. Have the confidence to be exactly who you are and to become all that you want to become.