Yesterday we went to the photography museum. There was a temporary exhibit from Harlem which was very popular. There were a few permanent exhibits that were quite intense. One was Larry Clarke who did the movie "Kids" with Gus Van Sant. He got started in photography when he was a teenager as a way of dealing with his increasing awareness of the sad realities around him and the hypocrisy of the society around him in denying these sad truths. There were many pictures of his age mates, pregnant, shooting speed, holding guns... It wasn't exactly appropriate for children especially ours since it was all in English. Then there was an exhibit of art / photos by a young schizophrenic man who believed religion was the root of all evil, not crazy in and of itself (have you all purchased, "God Wants You Dead" yet?) He died in his twenties due to malnutrition as he failed to feed himself after his mother died, who he buried under the stairs as he was unwilling to give up her body. He did get permission to do this. His father hanged himself, and I guess he didn't fall to far from the tree. There was another all nude exhibit which was very tasteful and elegant. After the girls and I were finished with our educational cultural experience we went on to the Red Wheelbarrow bookstore, one of my favorites so far of the english bookstores we've toured, though it was entirely new books. Caleb went on to the Picasso museum where his less delicate psyche (we hope) was bombarded with exhibits on both Bosnia and Rwanda. I thought perhaps they could put a sign at the exit, Coming Soon - Iraq and Darfur!!! Sounds like a heavy day, but we had a great time. Interesting to look at the problems of the U.S. from afar surrounded by this more pro-active climate. Was fun to go to a museum a little off the tourist track, atleast this time of year.
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