I don’t just mean a little early, I mean, Christmas came really early! Like, end of October beginning of November early. My parents attended a gala and silent auction in October and won a yearly membership to the Mennello Museum. My mom says she “had to win that for Danielle”. And though I may not seem like it, I am over the moon to have received this gift. The reason it “arrived” so early was because there was a deadline for the application to be submitted to the Museum after the auction. So low and behold, Christmas came early.
The Mennello Museum of American Art
The Mennello Museum of American Art is located in Orlando, across the street from The Orlando Museum of Art. I had been looking into visiting the Mennello before I received my Christmas gift, particularly for an exhibit. The exhibit Shifting Gaze : A Reconstruction of the Black & Hispanic Body in Contemporary Art captured my attention just through the title. I love contemporary art and I loved that this exhibit revolved around a modern issue.
Art is the perfect way to approach issues, in my opinion. I’m really not a “stand outside in the cold and protest my views” or, “post my explicit opinion on social media” type person, for a couple of reasons. One, it’s too obvious. When things are obvious I think you’re more likely to meet opposition instead of openness. Because it is obvious it leads me to my two. Two, it is generally not thought provocative therefore people will choose to either overlook it or fight back with their own opinions. Neither of which lead to any positive outcome or change. Art, in its nature, is a euphemism for all types of political, social, environmental, etc. issues. It forces the viewer to see it in a different perspective which causes reflection and openness.
Shifting Gaze
I won’t go into too much depth on this exhibit because I want to encourage you all to go see it for yourself and form your own views and opinions on it. Do keep in mind the title of this exhibit, Shifting Gaze, it is extremely important and implies much more than the exhibit itself, but even as a comment on art and its power. Shifting Gaze is on exhibit at the Mennello Museum until January 13th. It is a small intimate museum and only cost at most $5 to attend.
2 Comments
Julie Gazdecki
Happy I saw your post. I was just at the Orlando Science Center to day and saw a sign for the museum. We wondered what it was all about!!
Danielle
Julie,
It’s a great little find! And admission is SO cheap. It’s definitely worth it. I just got an invitation from the museum today for their upcoming exhibit! I can’t wait for it!