Places – Autumn at the Storm King Art Center

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

This break from Election Season bloviating takes us to upstate New York and the Storm King Art Center. The 500-acre setting offers a grand natural space for monumental sculptures.

‘Lockport’ [1977] by Lyman Kipp

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

We visited Storm King on a bright late autumn day in 2013. While the trees were bare, it was still a terrific natural/cultural experience. Sadly, the presentation here turned into an object lesson. The ‘Tip of the Day’ post in 2018 was a cautionary tale on losing an entire trip’s shots (I still don’t know how they were snuffed nor have they ever reappeared) …ergo, keep your wits about you and be sure pictures are saved and backed up. Fortunately, I duplicated a few favorite images from the trip, so not everything was lost.

‘City on the High Mountain’ [1983] by Louise Nevelson

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

Given that ‘lost photo folder’ experience, we had to return to Storm King. It was even better to visit in the fall to restore my documentation in an improved setting…this time when the trees were in full color. Made for prettier backgrounds.

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

The hilly surroundings allow one to see color far into the distance.

Museum Wall

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

There is a museum on the property where additional gallery-size works are displayed. I am often drawn to vegetation-against-man-made-background scenes.

The overall vibe at Storm King is definitely contemporary. No offense to you modern art aficionados out there, but my sculpture aesthetic leans toward the Pietà more than steel pipes welded together. Thankfully, the museum building was designed in a style that fit the surroundings…substantial…looking like one of those ‘cottages’ the Gilded Age barons retreated to when the city was unbearable.

Identification Unavailable

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

‘Storm King Wavefield’ [2007-08] by Maya Lin

Storm King Art Center, New York (27 October 2023)

The famous artist that created the Viet Nam Wall in 

Washington, D.C. took an 11-acre used gravel pit that supplied 

the state Highway Department and ‘sculpted’ a landscape 

of undulating waves. At times, visitors are allowed to walk 

through the swells to experience the ocean sensation.

Hope that worked.
Tune in Saturday for another gentle critique of the 2026 political scene.