So we went to the Museum of Fine Arts on Friday to see the Monet to Picasso exhibit. We had attempted to do so last Friday, but we found out it was sold out when we got there. Luckily, we purchased our ticktets early for this Friday, because it sold out as well. I have to admit that the fact that an art exhibit in Utah could sell out on multiple nights, even with extended hours, does improve my view of humanity (a tiny bit). It hopefully proves that not every person in the world is completely devoid of culture and an appreciation for art (in some form or another).
They had pieces from Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Rodin, Renoir, Dali—so many famous artists! Although it’s cliché, I have to say that it was just amazing to see their actual canvasses and brush strokes. It’s incredible to see the thick paint on Van Gogh’s paintings, the brush strokes on others, the actual colors. I love art in general, so I of course was in heaven. But even for those who don’t love art (especially impressionism to surrealism), it seems that it would be pretty great to see an item that is over 150 years old that has been preserved and has traveled around the world.
I do have a few tips for museum goers (not that I’m an expert on the subject, per se, but these things will enhance the experience for everyone involved).
1. Don’t bring your children. I understand the reasoning behind bringing them—you want them to be cultured and to appreciate the fact that these famous pieces came through Utah. However, 99.9% of children will not appreciate it like the art-loving adults that are excited to spend our evening in a museum. There were multiple times when I could barely see the pieces because some 11-year-old was standing directly in front of it, blankly staring at the painting with a bored look on her face. Or worse yet, in an attempt to force culture down their children’s throat, the parent and the child stood directly in front of the piece as the parent tried to explain the significance of Rodin’s Thinker to his 12-year-old son (speaking quite loudly to prove to the rest of us that he is an expert on the subject, of course). Not to mention the puzzled stares on the children's faces any time they noticed a nude painting or sculpture (one boy's response to a nude: "A-roo-ga!!). If they're too young to handle nudity, you probably shouldn't expose them to multiple nudes in one night.
2. Don’t go to an exhibit just because you’ve heard that famous names are associated with it. If the famous name, such as Van Gogh, doesn't actually mean anything to you, don't go just so you can say you went. Many people last night acted annoyed when they’d come to the Van Gogh paintings and realize that they weren’t his most famous pieces. It seems pointless to spend time and money on something that you don’t actually enjoy just because you feel like you’re cooler for having seen something by a famous person.
3. As you’re looking at paintings, or any work of art for that matter, you don’t have to prove to the entire room that you’re an expert on the topic. Even if you are an expert, keep your mouth shut and enjoy the works for what they are. You can analyze them later if you must, but the rest of us don’t want to listen to your self-gratifying rants the whole night.
4. Finally, if you find yourself at any sort of exhibit with impressionistic/modern/surrealist art, never, ever, ever say “My 3-year-old could paint that.” Or “I could paint that, and I’m not even an artist.” If you or your 3-year-old can do it, then buy yourselves some paint and go crazy. I would dare say that you won't become rich or famous for it. If you don’t understand/appreciate conceptual art, don’t go see it. To those of us who do "get it," we think you're a dummy for piping in with some lame comment about your 3-year-old. No one is forcing you to stare at paintings you don't understand or appreciate. If you ask me, it seems quite ridiculous to spend time/money on something that you don't like.
2. Don’t go to an exhibit just because you’ve heard that famous names are associated with it. If the famous name, such as Van Gogh, doesn't actually mean anything to you, don't go just so you can say you went. Many people last night acted annoyed when they’d come to the Van Gogh paintings and realize that they weren’t his most famous pieces. It seems pointless to spend time and money on something that you don’t actually enjoy just because you feel like you’re cooler for having seen something by a famous person.
3. As you’re looking at paintings, or any work of art for that matter, you don’t have to prove to the entire room that you’re an expert on the topic. Even if you are an expert, keep your mouth shut and enjoy the works for what they are. You can analyze them later if you must, but the rest of us don’t want to listen to your self-gratifying rants the whole night.
4. Finally, if you find yourself at any sort of exhibit with impressionistic/modern/surrealist art, never, ever, ever say “My 3-year-old could paint that.” Or “I could paint that, and I’m not even an artist.” If you or your 3-year-old can do it, then buy yourselves some paint and go crazy. I would dare say that you won't become rich or famous for it. If you don’t understand/appreciate conceptual art, don’t go see it. To those of us who do "get it," we think you're a dummy for piping in with some lame comment about your 3-year-old. No one is forcing you to stare at paintings you don't understand or appreciate. If you ask me, it seems quite ridiculous to spend time/money on something that you don't like.
I suppose I’ll stop there. I’m sure I've just outed myself as the snob that I am. I do have to say, though, that we ended an already-great night with dinner and dessert at Gourmandise. I love to watch people's faces when they first notice the dessert counter--there are tarts, cakes, creme puffs, cookies, puddings, you name it. It's one of our favorite places for treats, favorites including the raspberry tartlets, strawberry creme puffs, napoleans, and fudge cups! Here are a couple silly pictures of our treats I took last time we were there. We take our treats very seriously! 
