British Museum . . . and Andrew

Yeah I know the title sounds odd. No, he isn't with me, but I saw a photo of him and his best friend on the school website and decided it needed to be posted here. The senior boys are already suffering from senioritis - it is going to be a long year!

Ok, now back to Brittain. :)

I finished class early today so went and wandered the British Museum. The museum itself is neat and a big part of history. It was founded in the 1750s and has become one of the largest in the world with an expansive collection. It is the largest covered square in Europe with a beautiful glass ceiling:


I studied Greek Architecture and Art at the UofO and have always wanted to see some of it "someday". I about passed out when I turned a corner in the museum and came face-to-face with the Parthenon. I didn't realize the politics that England has possession of much of the entablature and sculptures from Greece. The relief sculptures and statues are really something. I felt I had just entered the Acropolis. Somehow seemed out of place not being in Greece, but still very cool.

Ok Andrew, I have quizzed you on this your whole life - what kind of column is this??
The three goddesses from the east pediment; Hestia, Dione, and Aphrodite:

A taste of the relief sculptures - amazing detail for something that would be so high in the air.


Some other big highlights for me were these three objects: Easter Island statue, 700,000 year old tool and the Rosetta Stone. Neat to see!



I also enjoyed these:

This statue so intrigued me - this is Aphrodite, AD 40-60. She really catches your eye when you walk in the room because the energy in her form is so palpable:

This is the Nereid Monument - gorgeous Greek-styled tomb.

This is cool - the royal game of Ur - circa 2600-2400 BC. That is an old game of Monopoly!

The Asian collection was neat as well. I liked the Tibet room and thought this laughing Buddha was jolly.

This is a Conch Shell Trumpet from Tibet, 18th-19th century:

Egyptian room was interesting too - several mummies and cats. This bronze cat was very Lucy-esque Paul. I thought she would approve: (600 BC)


I ended the tour with paying to see a special collection based on Roman Emperor Hadrian. Fascinating guy, if not a bit narcissistic - but how can you not be in that kind of job??

Ok I'll stop boring you now. I remember why I struggled in my Fine Arts degree . . . I feel photos are so inadequate to show the beauty in the art and the history in relics. Art is something you have to experience in person. To be so near some of the pieces I studied so many years ago was inspiring and a completion of a life goal for me. I will never again simply nod my head when I hear that to truly study something you have to experience it. Books and lectures will not do it. I think everyone needs to go see what they want to know more about. It should not be a luxury or something that we do 'someday'. It must be a priority to truly live and experience the world we live in. With that, I have renewed interest in getting my kids out in the world to see the things they are studying. I'm thankful that they have seen as much as they have, but there is more yet to touch kids . . .

Home tomorrow for a quick weekend before I'm off again.

~Cheers!