Mass College of Art has had the most magical installation by a Portuguese Artist named Joana Vasconcelos called Valkyries Mumbet. It is a giant 2 story creature made from various fabrics and crocheted yarns. I think of it as a joyful version of Louise Bourgeois’s mama spider. We initially saw it when Ethan, Chris and Nikko were here in December.. But I knew I wanted 4 year old Roen to see it if possible. All the color and combinations of textures would excite her. Fortunately this weekend they were having a closing party for it and everyone was finally healthy (at least for now). My in-laws were visiting and it would be the perfect activity to do with them because then we could go over to the MFA.
There was grumbling about walking from the MFA to this exhibit. But I knew as soon as Roen saw it she would be engrossed. It was lovely to see it on it’s final day as there was music from Berklee Global Jazz (the same program Isaac graduated from) and boy were they good. Isaac better watch out because this next generation of musicians sounds AMAZING. As expected Roen was transfixed by the magical creature. But then discovered the craft table where they had a button making activity with sparkly washi tape and fabric scraps from the fabrics used in the installation. Roen could have spent the rest of the day at the table if we allowed her to. Maeve also enjoyed the creature. Where baby Nikko was afraid of it, I think Mae wondered how she could climb it. She also enjoyed the Jazz. It would have been fun to have Nikko there given that Nikko enjoys Jazz music.
After lunch while Mae napped we walked around the MFA. Roen’s eyes were just big the whole time and you could tell she was really looking and thinking and processing everything she saw. It was fun to take her into the Cy Twombly exhibit and watch her turn around to Roy and ask him the questions I was asking her, “What do you think the artist was thinking about when he made that picture Grandpa?”
But it was once back at our apartment when the magic happened. You see I rushed to clean up my still life and work area in the morning so the whole family would be able to eat dinner at the dining room table. My mother-in-law showed up with a square pad of watercolor paper for me that I left on the table thinking maybe Roen and I would paint in the afternoon. But as soon as Roen came in she was very excited to find the smallest piece of dark charcoal and a small bit of eraser broken off of the eraser I have for making small lines. And before we could even sort out our coats and get settled she started in on making art. And me being me, ignored the mess potential of this discovery and just let her go for it. .It was not long before there was a classic “pandemic school” art project and mess happening. But the results were magical and it was clear Roen absorbed so much from the day at Mass College of Art and the MFA. And her work is a reminder to enjoy mark making when making art. The reason for Picasso’s comment about it taking a lifetime to learn to draw like a child is it is hard for us adults to just be in the moment, experiment and not be so attached to what we imagine will end up on the paper. Children engage in the dance I talk about in my artist statement. A call and response between a line made and a line being made.
