Hiking and Art

On Saturday, we ventured onto the Old Forest Trail in Overton Park. The guide was very knowledgeable and she had some great stories about the trees, foliage and wildlife in the area. The hike was approximately 1.5 miles and was a very enjoyable walk. The group did not race down the paths and everyone seemed genuinely interested in the tour. I would like to return at the end of the month and maybe again in April to see how much the forest changes.
After the hike, we had a lovely brunch at the Brushmark in the Brook's Museum. We learned that there is a fancy french word for a small dill pickle. I had a wonderful corned beef hash and eggs that became the topic of a few photos (the presentation was pretty!) After brunch, we were able to explore three fabulous art exhibits. The first was (Extra)Ordinary: The Story of Documentary Photography and the American South, that dealt with the socioeconomic and cultural life in the South during the late 30's and early 40's. Some of the photos were heart wrenching and there was a wonderful snapshot of Front St. from right here in Memphis. The photos were taken by artists such as Dorthea Lange and Russell Lee and painted a very vivid picture of the South during this era.
The second exhibit was Deep Impressions: Willie Cole Works on Paper. Some of his art was absolutely breathtaking. He uses everyday items such as irons, high heeled shoes, and hair dryers to create wonderful works. One of the most intriguing pieces was a mosaic he did that represented a lace table cloth like the one's his grandmother used to iron. The way he is able to make these pieces come together was fascinating. I highly recommend this exhibit to art lovers.
The third and final exhibit was called Face the Lens: Art for Social Change. The students at local schools were given cameras and asked to photograph things in the area that need to be changed. Some of these photos are very emotional and the stories behind them are amazing. There are quite a few abandoned houses and litter photos. The 20 or so photos in the exhibit are well worth seeing and taking the time to read about.
I hope to take my husband and mom to the hike and the museum and be able to share this experience with them both.