So finally, finally my summer has officially begun. And even though Annabelle and I will have plenty of time over the next month to play as much as we like, I really wanted a day to breathe out. No conferences, no deadlines, no reading, no chores. I didn't think I would be able to do that if we stayed at home, so we packed up and headed off to San Francisco.
We made a quick stop at a little church in the Pacific Heights, then went by to pick up a bed frame for Annabelle's new (bigger) bed. After lunch we ended up at SFMOMA for the afternoon. The sun was out, everyone was friendly, and it was the perfect custom-ordered kind of day.
First step, make a new friend and make up a new game. (Notice the single red sock? She declared today "Mismatched-Joke-Dressing Day" while she was getting ready this morning.)
Outside at my favorite sidewalk cafe in the Outer Richmond.
Eating with dedication in hopes of winning a Rice Krispy treat for dessert.When we arrived at the museum, I was surprised that despite the crowds, there were no lines for admittance... then we learned that today was a special free-admission day to encourage children and families to come to the museum. There were tons of children running around, talking, making noise, and getting into mischief! No stuffy, quiet, critical art snobs. So nice to never have to remind Annabelle to be quiet, and the museum apparently employs only the most patient, most friendly, most tolerant people on this day because every single attendant was joyfully reminding people to parent their children. (And I did receive my fair share of reminders, I admit. But if they don't want kids climbing on stuff they really should consider posting signs. It is not easy to know that metal squares that look like floor tiles laying in the middle of the floor are ART and are not to be walked upon.)
One of the first things we saw was a piece of art made with all sorts of organic material. I asked Annabelle to stand in front of it and show me what she thought about it. She gave me the big shrug. Several people were watching us and a man asked, "What do you think of that?" With a look on her face that clearly showed that she thought it was ridiculous, she said, "It's just HAY!"
Sometimes I wonder what qualifies something as modern art.
This man, a local architect, obviously wondered the same thing at some point. So he drew up some plans, folded and unfolded them, and then carefully arranged them so that they would stand near some placards on the wall. I guess he really wanted his art to be displayed at SFMOMA too, so he just took it upon himself to make it happen. My kind of guy. I think I might actually try this myself.
At a window I asked Annabelle if she saw what I saw!
On the roof across the street...
She finally noticed him.
Outside on the roof terrace there was some pretty neat stuff. Lots of attendants issuing lots of reminders.
While we were outside some official looking people approached us and asked if they could follow us around and take pictures of us looking at the museum. I shrugged, "Sure. Whatever." They seemed relieved, as if many people don't agree to that. I don't think the photographer was expecting me to take pictures of her while she was taking pictures of us. This is only one, but I took many! I didn't mean to deter them from their task, but it was a funny situation and the irony of her discomfort with me taking her picture while she was taking ours made me laugh out loud!
They had crafting spots on every floor for children to get a hands on experience. Here Annabelle used foil to make a spider like the giant one hovering over her head.
A very neat video played with opera music in a dark room. We watched it twice, I could hardly tear her away from it.
Blue counterpoint. Adding some curves to all those straight lines.
One corridor was sectioned off with a curtain of heavy gold beads. The children were going nuts!
Sitting down to rest with Andy. If you can believe it, the first picture was a complete mistake. I had only intended to take a picture of Annabelle and I sitting together and was surprised to see who joined us when I reviewed the shot!
Annabelle walked up to look at this Rothko and then turned around to notice that she had a huge audience. She simply stood there, slapping her sweater back and forth and throwing it over her head like a jump rope. I realized that she seemed to be wondering why thirty people were staring at her, and her concentrated look and more aggressive sweater slapping prompted me to call her away from the center stage. One man leaned over to me and said, "Personally, I thought she made it look better." 
Rothko was evidently a big hit because the next room was entirely empty and Annabelle made good use of the space.
The first time I saw this Magritte painting (over ten years ago at this very museum) I realized that I really loved art. I had always been curious and interested, but it was Magritte (of all people!) who made me want to know more, to understand the whys and hows of painting. I have since been inspired by many others, but it was fun to pick up Annabelle and point to this painting and say, "It was this very painting that made mommy want to paint." Of course, she wanted to take my picture with it. Then she asked, "What's the match for?"
Today was the first time I realized that not many modern painters sign their names on their paintings. I looked and looked and only found a few. I was really hoping for certain names, but ended up with just these five. Here is Jackson Pollock.
Henri Matisse - look at his two S letters!
From "The Flower Carrier"
Frieda Kahlo, from her portrait "Frieda and Diego Rivera."
My favorite signature - Wayne Thiebaud.
Outside, throwing dimes in the fountain at the Yerba Buena Gardens.I know a big reason for the success of our visit to SFMOMA was because the placed was packed with children, but it means a lot to me that Annabelle liked our visit today. I want her to love art as much as I do!
