When we found out we were moving to the Dallas area, we were really excited to be going to such a large urban area so we could take advantage of all the cultural offerings. Here we are, over a year later and we haven't done much (except the zoo and a couple of museums when Grandma and Grandpa K were here). So our family new year resolution is to take advantage of the great things to do that are close. DMP found a great list of free or under-$5 things to do in the DFW area and we are planning on spending lots of Saturdays exploring this year! Who knows, we may convince someone to visit us...
We picked the
Crow Collection of Asian Art. It was really neat- I loved this little Japanese garden- someday when I have time (or I'm rich) I want one.
Every one's favorite were the jade and other carvings. Such beautiful, itty bitty detail. There was a really cool quote by an ancient Chinese philosopher who compared Jade to aspects of character and spirituality. The jade displays were divided up into those aspects. It was fun to talk to the girls about each piece and if they thought it matched up with them. This piece above is made of ivory. Each of those chain links had to be carved individually, and also the little monkeys hanging from them. Amazing!
This is a walkway between sections of the museum. It has 3,000 origami cranes. Really neat.
More carvings. Can you see the one with a scene carved on the bird's bill (bottom center). We also learned that jade can only be carved by abrasion- you can't use cutting tools. That makes all the little details even that more amazing!
This is part of a front of a palace from India. All that carved part is sandstone! It was beautiful. Behind it were several Buddha heads. They were all similar, but had regional differences. You had to look at them and guess where in Asia they came from. It was a bit beyond the girls, but DMP and I enjoyed talking with them about what was the same (long earlobes, hairstyle, smile, looking down) and what was different.
This is a beautiful stone pergola from Cambodia (I think). Each of those colored decorations is inlaid stone into the marble. It is amazing and beautiful!
We lucked out, because as we were leaving, the nice museum guy told us that the
Nasher Sculpture Center across the street was free that day. They were installing a new exhibit, so really only the sculpture garden was open, but it was great! The day was beautiful and warm, and the kids enjoyed that they could walk around each sculpture.
Look- a Picasso! We did a self-guided tour with a brochure that told about each sculpture and what the artist was trying to portray. We could talk with the girls about that and get their thoughts.
This is a piece that was done by a woman who lived in Poland during WWII. The people look the same, but are subtly different. It is a commentary on how you can lose yourself in the crowd and go along with what everyone else is doing. The girls staged the photo themselves :)
I actually liked this giant fork best. It was playful and fun.
Since we were feeling all arty, we decided to gaze at the water and contemplate life for a while :) I think the fountain was Bear's favorite part. The best part of all this? It was totally free! We even lucked into free parking (in downtown Dallas!).
Who knows where our Saturday Adventures will take us next?
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