Having an Artgasm

[storytimewithjoe]

That is really the only way to describe yesterday afternoon.  Finding ourselves with an available afternoon (Le GASP!), Paul and I hopped into the truck to head north to visit the Getty Villa.  (Sorry Columella… I just HAD to).

 

Nestled in the hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the white marble columns soared into the air like a massive temple to Poseidon, mysteriously erected here in the Americas.  In all honesty, words just cannot do the Villa justice.  I knew it would be impressive – I just had no idea HOW impressive, nor did I understand the magnitude of the collection.  The climb alone, upwards towards the amphitheater took the wind out of us.  Rarely do I find myself in the midst of a complex wondering to myself, “Um… where exactly IS the museum?  There are so many buildings.”  Eventually, following the right signs, the shear goo-gah of it all gave away the location of the museum itself.  The soaring columns of marble… the trompe l’oueil fruits, plants, and birds on the outdoor ceiling, and the three dimensional carved reliefs gave testament not only to conspicuous consumption, but a tribute to times gone by – whether it be the opulence of early 20^th century America or the ancient wrold.  As we walked through the main doors, my internal sense of overwhelm began to build.  My friends make fun of me because it just doesn’t really take much before I become completely overwhelmed by the ferocious grandeur that is the artistic testament of the ancients.  I could easily spend an hour or more looking at JUST the enamelwork detail on the handle of a cast bronze ewer, trying to figure out the method, the process, and how I would do it myself.  Each piece deserves to have such focus paid.  Yet, there simply is not enough time to do so.  To have a gallery full of such objects boggles my mind – much less a complex the shear size and scope of the Getty.

 

As we walked through the main entryway, my sense of overwhelm hit capacity.  On either side of me, small rooms glistened with the treasures of the ancients – pottery, metalwork, statuary, jewelry… and before me, the garden solarium – perfect in every detail.  The fountains, the bronzes, the perfectly manicured gardens under a painted half-ceiling.  This garden of earthly delights could not possibly tantalize my senses any further – or so I thought.

 

“Oh… just wait,” said my husband, building the anticipation.  He led me past a few doors, pointing me westward.  Then, I saw a vision that only the emperors themselves would have seen.  Before me, a HUGE solarium, dwarfing the previous one by a gargantuan scale, sprawled before me in the misty sunlight of the Pacific.  Pomegranate trees brimming with fruit bathed in the filtered light in the gardens full of fountains, marble benches, bronze athletes, pools, and mosaics.  Like a majestic football field, the temple garden lounged before me, giving way into the infinity that is the bluish white Pacific Ocean.  On either side, garishly detailed painted walls paid tribute to Apician delights, conjuring visions of cast bronze platters full of tench, honey-roasted beef, and sweetmeats.  Ancient Rome was not simply remembered.  It was here – alive and well in all of its magnificent accomplishment.  I simply could not move.  I could not speak.  My mouth dropped in a silent “aaah” while I took in as much as I could take, as I fought back the tears that would betray my complete and utter sense of overwhelm. 

 

I do not remember what jarred me out of my sense of overload, but I next recall us walking along in the garden, examining the beautiful detailed painting of the murals.  While each scene followed a theme of a garden swag, and wildlife, every mural conveyed a unique glimpse into a scene from ancient Roman life.  Fish hung suspended in one area, while another displayed ducks ready for roasting.  Each scene conjured up inspiring ideas of grand Roman feasts, complete with savory oils, spices, and exotic ingredients – a project in and of itself just from the murals.

 

By the time we left the Getty, my brain was simply a burned out motherboard of artistic overload.  I could not think about any particular project.  I could not focus on any particular item of the exhibit.  “Too much,” I kept thinking to myself.  “Too much.”  I foresee many more visits in the future, with particular focus in mind.  Me being me, I will have to breeze by most of the rooms with a target destination in mind, whether it be the murals, or the garden, or the room with the jewelry and the seals, or the statuary… each exhibit deserves time.  Each item deserves understanding.  Anyone can look at an item in a museum kiosk and think, “Hmmm… that’s nice.”  But it is another thing to gain understanding.  What is the item?  What does it portray?  What happened to it?  To whom did it belong?  What function did the item serve?  How was it used?  What was it used for?  How did it end up in the shape it is in now?  How was it made?  Who made it?  Why was it made?  How did it end up here?  Etc., etc.

 

If only these objects could speak, spanning across the centuries to tell the very human stories of the names and faces now lost to time and antiquity.  At best, one can only speculate.  And to do so takes time, respect, attention, and the kind of focus that I simply cannot give when faced with the sensory overload that is the Villa. 

 

I look forward to my return, and to experiencing, once again, the richness of the items, and the grandeur, and the elegance of a time and place that until now, I did not know existed anywhere.

Comments

[cayswann.livejournal.com]

Mmmm. The Getty Villa. I'm in agreement: Completely overwhelmingly amazing.

[tasuskind.livejournal.com]

How on EARTH are you going to handle a week in Italy??? Your head is going to explode . . .

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Pretty much.

[siobhan-genie.livejournal.com]

So, in other words this was a multiple artgasm?

[columella.livejournal.com]

Arrgghhh! I SO want to go there! Damn being a responsible adult!!!

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

It went FAR beyond my expectations. It really did. But, it is there, and available. So be a responsible adult (giggle!), and when there is time and availability, come on out!

Our doors are always welcome to your whole family.

[starzinked.livejournal.com]

i used to work for the Getty (1992)

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Cool!

Doing what?

[starzinked.livejournal.com]

I worked in the library. cataloguing mostly and drove the van that picked up items around the LA area for the museum.

[starzinked.livejournal.com]

did you drive by my alma matter Pepperdine?