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High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree Street NE Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 733-4575 Hours: T-Sa 10-5 Su 12 - 5 M Closed Admission: $6 Adults
$2 Children 6-17 FREE Members and Children under 12 Special Exhibitions may require additional admission
Website: Last update: 29 May 99
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I did not know what to expect when I made my arrangements to see the High Museum of Art. I knew nothing about the facility, I had run past the web site once or twice before I left for Atlanta and I didn't find a signature piece of work on exhibit I had in mind to see.
When I saw the exterior and then the interior of the museum it reminded me a great deal of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. As it turns out the Museum was designed by architect Richard Meier, the architect behind the The Getty Center in Los Angeles.
Alexander Calder |
The building has very simple, clean design. It felt very comfortable to me. The galleries were small but I did not feel confined, and the space did not affect my view of the pieces on display. The front lawn also features a sculpture by Alexander Calder. You can see on this page here.
Bellini Courtesy High Museum of Art |
This museum made a very big impression on me. Firstly, in the arrangement of pieces in the galleries. Rooms, for the most part, did not have a particular theme. Sculptures and paintings from different eras and styles were arranged in the galleries to play off each other. If one piece in a room was not interesting, a turn of the head could reveal soothing intriguingly different. This made for a very interesting tour.
The Veiled Rebekah Courtesy High Museum of Art |
The collection at the High Museum featured some beautiful examples of sculpture. Such as Mephistopheles by Jacques - Louis Gautier, but by far The Veiled Rebekah by Giovanni Benzoni, you can see here was by far the most beautiful piece of sculpture I have even seen. For me, this piece was worth the trip to Atlanta by itself.
One interesting note, while taking notes in the gallery I learned that the High does not allow ink pens to be used in the gallery. I have never encountered this before and was so amused by the request I forgot to ask why.
Also, in the museum store I came across a number of postcards of works I did not see in the museum. In fairness, the High operates two facilities, one downtown presenting folk art and photography. I can only assume that the cards for sale represent works from that location
I enjoyed my visit very much and I would highly recommend the High Museum to anyone.
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