I'm just back from a writing conference in Bellevue, Washington - and although I enjoyed the conference, I have to say that the very best part of the 5 days were the museums. Vancouver's museums, while interesting, aren't that big, so whatever's there, I've mostly seen.
So getting to spend hours and hours looking at art and exhibits I hadn't seen for probably a year, sometimes two, sometimes never, was a fabulous treat. I loved every minute of it and now I want to do that every weekend.
The first museum was the Bellevue Art Museum, aka BAM (and who could resist that title?). Sculpture, sculpture, sculpture. It was everywhere - in all kinds of forms - and it was all terrific.
Michael Cooper's sculpture - sinuous and seductive and kind of creepy at the same time - took fine wood and turned it into muscle bikes and guns as part of three-wheelers. Beautiful with an undertone of a frightening world.
And then there was Wanxin Zhang - amazing life size clay slab sculptures modelled after the terracotta warriors. Each of them so individual, so lifelike, I wanted to take one of them home.
And Cathy McLure - might give you a headache, especially the carousel, but it's fun and smart and beautiful.
Great museum, great art - great thoughts!
Kate
