Last week I stumbled across a rather interesting new blog, Grace and Ivy. What’s so interesting is that she takes her readers on a Vicarious Vacation once a week to some exotic locale. She writes so well it’s almost like being there. I’ve had so much fun touring Greece, Spain, and Tuscany, that it started me thinking of all the amazing places in the world that I would visit for Art’s sake. If I were a painter I would go see the Sistine Chapel. If I were a glass blower- Chihuly’s workshop. But I’m a Metalsmith. So here are the places that I would go…
Statue of Liberty under construction.
Guimard Entrance to the Metropolitain 1898
Antique Brooch by Unger Brothers
Now- don’t misunderstand, as much as I love these designs, I wouldn’t have as much fun looking at them now. No, I would want to travel the world to look at them being created then. Watching Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi design the Statue of Liberty…. or Hector Guimard creating his iconic subway entrances in New York and Paris… or sitting quietly in a corner of the Unger Brothers’ studio…
That’s what I’d love to go see. Amazing art happening right before my eyes, by mastersmiths. Truly a trip worth taking!
Who’s with me?
Hells yeah, I’m all over that! You find the time machine while I go pack my bags 🙂
Attention passengers, the Wayback Machine will be leaving momentarily. Please put your seatbacks in their full, upright, and locked positions. First Stop 1882, and the initial construction of the Statue of Liberty…. A stewardess will be around shortly with Champagne and Salted Peanuts…
😀
So, is that Unger brooch cast or carved? Whatever it’s gorgeous. Wouldn’t it be nice to be a fly on the wall and watch that being created. Do you remember that PBS video of the repairs to the statue of Liberty. That really struck home to me the work & skill that goes in to a piece of repousse. Just a hammer, a pitch bowl and an artist metalsmith.
I agree. There sooo… much fun watching the creation rather than the finished product. I have a friend that’s a machinist & its great just watching him create something out of nothing on a lathe or milling machine. Watching a painter in Paris at the square by Notre Dame has the same fascination for me even when the artist’s technique is not so good! I personally don’t like the oil/pallete knife method, but it’s definitely fun watching someone use it. I remember that from 50 years ago and it still strikes a chord in my head. Onwards creativity…
Hi there! Thanks so much for mentioning my blog and I’m so happy that you have been enjoying my Vicarious Vacation series! Tomorrow, I will be posting another one so I hope you will join us. I really liked your idea of going back in time to see art being created by these masters. That would be simply amazing! Personally, I would give anything to go back in time and visit Alphonse Mucha’s Parisian studio while he worked on his Sarah Bernhardt’s portraits. He’s my favorite! Oh, and your jewelry is so stunning! I love it! Keep up the beautiful work! xo
I enjoy all of your posts, but most especially your Vicarious wanderings… As it will probably be a very long time before I set sail on a real vacation- I thoroughly enjoy dreaming about them with your writing!