Rodney Smith

Rodney Smith

I love me some museums, especially art museums. One of the perks of living in Virginia back home is the proximity of DC. I have a favorite spot in the West Wing of the National Gallery of Art. No, its not the 19th century French gallery containing Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin, though I do love them. Or even the sculptures that have been crafted with such grace that I just want to yell at passersby to look at them because that transparent veil is made out of HARD FREAKING STONE. My favorite spot is actually in the Dutch-Flemish section, beyond the still life of meals and past the stern darkness of portraits illuminated by delicately lit faces, in the room with giant paintings of the sea. 

Rodney Smith

I love them. I love the light on the white caps.  I love the movement of the curling waves. I love that I think my hand would come away wet if I could touch them without the guard tackling me. And because I think I've forgotten more beauty than should be possible, I love that these somewhat generic landscape paintings have left such an intangible impression on me. Its more than the skill in them, because the West and East Wing are filled with such transcendental talent. Yet for whatever reason, when I was 13 or 14, I walked into that room by myself and forged a bond with those inanimate objects that left me speechless and filled me with wonder. I ventured into that room without recognizing anything. Without anyone telling me what was supposed  to be a masterpiece, the canvases whispered life into my spirit, willing me to come back and to see them again, and burned a love letter on my heart. 

Rodney Smith

 

So what does this have to do with Spain? Not much. Only while in Almeria we traipsed over to the Photography Museum. The exhibits there imparted a nostalgia for things I'd never seen before. Some photos were of the underground of Barcelona, others documenting the life of pueblos, and others from times long gone.  I like it when art makes me think more than, "oh that's nice." I want art that makes me curious, begs questions, that reveals parts of me I've hidden away, or simply makes me laugh. 

The photographer I've included here is Rodney Smith. His exhibit was featured on the first floor.  His collection just felt really smart; each photo composed meticulously. They weren't just capturing moments. These photos were active, intentional, and generally fun. See more of his work at http://www.rodneysmith.com/.