OutdoorType

Coming, originally uploaded by outdoor_type.

Went for round two of Hopper at the National Gallery of Art today.

The first time I saw the exhibit was way back in October, on Columbus Day. Back in October when it was bright and sunny and beautiful I found rock star parking (free and on the street). Back in October there was no line to see the exhibit. But today, in December, with dreary wet cold weather the streets were packed and parking was scarce. The streets were packed with cars and people packed the museum forming a line to see the show that snaked around several corners. But the line moved quickly enough, and the company was quite nice, and before long we were making our way through so much Hopper goodness. The result after two viewings is that Hopper remains my favourite painter and Chop Suey remains my favourite piece (and no, it’s not just because of that girl’s sweater).

After Hopper we walked over to see the American Snapshot exhibit. Seeing the different styles of photos evolve over the decades was pretty interesting. Showing the influence of new cameras and formats, and reductions in prices, and changing societal norms, the show was literally and figuratively a “snapshot” of life in America. (and wow, wasn’t that a clever thing I just did there? I really need to just go to sleep soon). The obligatory gift shop visit followed the two exhibits and I somehow managed to walk away with hands empty (which is something not everyone can say).

Braving the previously mentioned wet weather we found a bite to eat at what I am told is normally quite the efficient little shop, but today must have been an off day. Still, any food was going to taste delicious to me at that point and sure enough, it did. Finally, hilarity ensued as we plugged an address into my GPS and then proceeded to ignore the computer’s directions for more efficient human ones. Recalculating, recalculating, recalculating was heard over and over before finally the two sets of directions began to agree with each other.