Sometimes we're going about our daily life, and a theme emerges that smacks you in the face, and you know that you have to pursue a path -- why else would all events conspire to bring you to that one point?
To ignore the serendipity is to throw away the value and the opportunity that the energy of the universe has conspired to place in your path.
Allow me to explain...
This past Saturday, my good friend Carolyn came over to stitch and was all a-flutter about an embroidery exhibit she had gone to see in New York: Carolyn is an accomplished embroideress and her opinion is important to me so when she said it was absolutely THE BEST needlework exhibit she had ever seen, well...
Luckily, I had asked her to buy me a book from the show, expecting a small leaflet or something.
Well, what came was a BEAUTIFUL 300-page illustrated book of English Embroidery from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1580-1700: 'Twixt Art and Nature. And every piece included in the book is in the show!!! Not only that, when possible, the paintings of the pieces that appeared in portraits are being displayed along with the actual pieces. I love it when art, embroidery, books and nature all come together -- and POW!
Isn't it interesting that my friend Meghan aka Elmsley Rose, who is stitching and documenting her own Elizabethan Embroidery sampler, happened to review this book this week on her blog?
And then, OK, still my beating heart,Carolyn said that this piece is, by far, the most exquisite combination of stumpwork, beading and embroidery in the whole show.
And, the strange this is, Ullabenulla just posted about this piece here on Sunday (her blog is a "must read"!) which lead me to these captivating textile posts by Each Little World (another wonderful blog that combines, needlework, reading and gardening).
In a nutshell, I have no choice but to pursue this opportunity. I've got to run, not walk, to the Bard Graduate Center in New York before the show ends on April 12.
Luckily for me, I can find tickets as cheap as $8 roundtrip on the Megabus -- and Jim and Jack said they would go! And, I think we just HAVE to go to this restaurant to eat while we're there...don't you think?
Off to run and work on finishing my February BJP----
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Serendipity and English Embroidery...
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16 comments:
Wow, Susan! I wish we lived close enough to take a bus to NYC. While you're there, take in a Broadway show....Lion King, maybe, if you've not already seen it? The costumes are amazing, and it's a great show, too.
What a gorgeous piece that is... really gets the mind to spinning, doesn't it? Sure hope you can take some pictures of the exhibit... have fun!!!!
Well, I can't make it to NYC but I can buy that book. Thanks for the lovely post — and thanks for linking to my blog. I love food, fiber, gardens, books etc. so all of them get periodic coverage. Since we're moving into gardening season where I live (Wis.), that has been getting more coverage. But perhaps it's time to think about fiber some more. And don't know if you noticed but my husband wrote about Poe and the Raven (under books, I think) and I did a couple of crow posts (under books and also art).
A show such as this could keep you motivated for years! What an opportunity not to be missed.
fate or coincidences, you are wise to go.
i love the pieces in the portraits and photos of them. it's amazing to know a real person was once wearing that very piece of embroidery art, if only while posing for the portrait. also, i like the slight difference between the painting and the photograph of the same piece. it tells me how different the modern photographer and the antique painter saw the same object and through it their difference in understandin the whole world can be glimpsed. it makes me wonder at how the photo was taken in an instant, how the painting was painted in maybe week or two, how the making of the garment took an even longer time. it seems the longer something takes to make, the more pristine and valuable it is.
Awwwww. I'm GREEN with envy - but happy, actually, that you're going! I'd love to get to NYC before April 12th just for this exhibit... and ... shopping. But, c'est la vie!
Oh, I'm *jealous*
Thankyou for this lovely post - enjoy the trip !
I saw the book and couldn't stop saying, "This is beautiful. This is exquisite." as I leafed through it. Can I get to the exhibit? I don't know but I can imagine how wonderful it would be. I know you will enjoy it for all of us, Susan.
Wow! This looks like a wonderful resource. I might have to purchase a copy for myself. Have a wonderful time at the exhibit Susan
Oh yes....RUN to the exhibit!!! And I can't believe the tickets are so cheap! And I am SO GLAD that your family is going with you! You are going to have such an adventure! Cannot WAIT to see your pictures...if you are permitted to photograph. And if not at the exhibit...I expect nothing less than a bunch of pictures from your trip! And the awesome restaurant!
Well, I don't know why it took so loooong for me to discover your wonderful blog. Now that I have, there will be lots of reading for me in perusing your previous posts. Thank you.
Wow! What an exhibition to be able to go to. It should be a very inspiring trip, looking to hearing about it.
Oh, how I wish I could borrow that book for my 3rd year college work when we've to do a study on 'English Embroidery 900AD to present.'=)
Oh my, I can't believe you'll be able to see this work in person! I had no idea it was traveling! Wish I lived in your neck of the woods... I adore stumpwork!!!
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