Sunday, October 3, 2021

BOTANICAL GARDENS

 

This weekend was a nice one,  and a time to embrace the wonderful autumnal weather. The one thing about this pandemic has been finding ways to still get out and see and travel, but doing it in a cut back way, and where there won't be as many huge crowds. When I got word my cousin from Chicago was coming to New York City... I jumped. I haven't been in the city since before the pandemic. We had made plans to see the New York Botanical Gardens a few weeks back, but then Ida had other plans to flood the island with rain and rivers, so it was a re-planned for this weekend and it was splendid. My good friend MM#1 Fan also joined us as I hadn't see him either,  and we crashed at his place in  Brooklyn for the night. It was a good choice too,  the place is so vast, and outdoors.  Plus I hadn't been to the Bronx in ages. We finally made it to see the contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who just may be one of the most popular artist in the world, who drew millions to experience her immersive installations at the gardens. The latest are exclusively at the New York Botanical Gardens and in it's final weeks I might add.  Kusama reveals her lifelong fascination with the natural world, beginning with her childhood spent in the greenhouses and fields of her family's seed nursery. Her artistic concepts of obliteration, infinity and eternity are inspired by her intimate time with colors, patterns, and life cycles of plants and flowers. It was quite a fun exhibit, and even more fun to just get the hell out and see some culture in person and some time spent outdoors. 

Caught a interpretive dance which was lovely.

My cousin Maggie is a fun person to be around and I have mentioned before she uncannily resembles actress Minnie Driver, where she was asked no less then 5 times yesterday if it were she. And she always smiles and is pleasant. Just once I think she should tell them yes, she is Minnie Driver. And even though MM#1 Fan is a good, close friend, it was nice to have a cuddle buddy. I miss cuddles.

35 comments:

  1. That is so freaking neat!!

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  2. Nice botanical gardens. The "art"? Not so much - the "flowers" remind me of one of those "fox-scarer" dancing flower sprinklers you attach to a garden hose. Jx

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    1. It was not my usual art I go to see, but must admit it was fun, vibrant, and astounding. It was just nice to escape out and see a city treasure.

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  3. Nice photos, Mistress!

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  4. Gorgeous. Between the arts and the dance and the flowers and the idea of being OUT again, it looks like a splendid day!

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  5. So, so beautiful! And I like your new Halloween header with Judy Garland!

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  6. Very nice place! I bet you're ready to move in, right "Red"?

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  7. Love your new header and your photos of the N.Y. Botanical Garden are wonderful! It must have been a real treat to see Yayoi Kusama's installations in person -- I've always liked her whimsical art. Is that a pink dahlia in the 6th photo from the top? Such a lovely symmetry to that particular blossom!

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    1. Yes Tundra... both flowers I pictured are dahlias. The first is a labyrinth and the second is a sweet Natalie. The dahlia beds alone were worth the trek alone. And the art of Kusama was just perfect. A great exhibit to come "out of hiding" from the pandemic to see...not heavy, but fun and vibrant.

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  8. The Kusama show was well worth the trip to the Garden so say you and my daughter. I had wanted to go see it also, but didn't give up the beach till recently. The Botanical Gardens does a very fine orchid show we used to go to. I so miss the gardens there with the conservatory. I hope to get to Longwood Gardens this season for an outing, I hope. Or it's going to be yet another long autumn and winter for me.

    And your cousin looks like Minnie Driver?!?!? Well she is very pretty then!!!!

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  9. A Beautiful Oasis for sure.... with a Kusama installation as a bonus! She is one of my favorite artist, for the modern art. I have heard many enjoyed this showing.

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  10. Just plain fun and beautiful. I bet you spend most of your time there.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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  11. I wish I could have made it. I heard all about your cousin from MM#1 Fan. And are you sure there was just cuddles?!?! JK. Cuddle friends are the best!

    The NYBG itself is a beautiful place — both inside and out. It is a nice welcome luxury to have it within the boroughs.

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  12. The art of KUSAMA is incredible. I'd tell anyone to go before it ends... the Botanical Gardens are always splendid. You feel like your in a dream!! I haven't been since I left the US, but it makes for a nice day. Glad you had a fun and safe time.

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  13. eek ! Triffids ! run !

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    1. It did rather seem like Day of the Triffids.

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  14. Very pretty! Loves the pumpkins!
    xoxo :-)

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  15. Aw. If I lived nearer, I'd come and give you a cuddle. And a big old fat squeeze too!

    The art is very colourful and imaginative. I particularly like the yellow and black octopus.
    The dahlias too are gorgeous. I've grown some this year for the first time. I'm hooked!

    Glad you were able to meet your cousin.
    Take care. X

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    1. The dahlia beds were worth the trip alone. It's always been one of my favorite flowers.

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  16. Love the gardens but not too keen in the artwork - I'm more a Vermeer and Uccello lady. When you make it over here you need to see the Oxford Botanical Gardens - the oldest in the UK.

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  17. It all sounds perfect. Great friends/cousin and great sights. I love Yayoi Kusama. Coincidentally, MY cousin just sent me a selfie in a friend’s garden in Vermont where he was standing in front of a large original Yayoi Kasuma.

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  18. Love the place, love the sculptures, love the flowers!
    This is the kind of outings that are always refreshing. And Mimi Driver is such a fun actress! Your cousin should be very pretty.
    Yay cuddles!

    XOXO

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  19. Our Arboretum in St. Paul, next to the Como Zoo, is very similar to this attraction. In winter, it serves as a nice way to get in touch with your green side. Thanks for sharing all the pics. Love the sculptures. How fun. Kizzes.

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    1. My closet gardens is Longwood Gardens which is amazing, but a 40 min drive in the winters months....

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  20. All those pumpkins!! I do like the last photo - made me smile. Pleased you got out for some much needed culture.
    Sx

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    1. I adored all the fun Halloween touches and I love pumpkins, they were everywhere.

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  21. Amazing city, some of the flowers look like they would eat you, head first, just sort of suck you in.

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    1. After being in a pandemic that wouldn't be the worst thing.

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  22. The gardens are beautiful. What a great time.
    Your cousin absolutely should say "Yes" once in a while. Why not have a little fun. In my younger days I would sometimes be mistaken for Beau Bridges. I played along only once or twice. It was fun and really didn't do anyone any harm. 'Course, there were no cell phone cameras back then....

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  23. I've seen two of Kusama showing and both were pleasant exhibitions of Kusama works. I would have loved to gotten to NYC to see this. The gardens there are always a treat with a mix of nature and art.

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  24. Three of us just went to Longwood Gardens yesterday to get out and enjoy the weather. There was a nice crowd, but luckily most of it is outdoors and plenty of room to spread out. I miss New York too.

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  25. Absolutely beautiful!

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  26. Beautiful September day at the Gardens. Get out now why we can. I too love cuddling. Nothing wrong with friends having cuddle time! The pictures are stunning.

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  27. looks like a paradise!

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  28. It couldn't have been a nicer day and so good to get out. And finally see some of Kusama'a art

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!