Picasso Girl Before Mirrow , High Museum of Art

The High Museum of Art continues to WOW our guests with each new exhibit, Picasso to Warhol – 14 Modern Masters opens October 15, 2011 to April 29, 2012. Don’t miss your opportunity to enjoy over 100 Modern Masterpieces; this is the  largest collection of modern art masterpieces ever exhibited in the the southeast. This exhibit is in collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York.

The Picasso to Warhol exhibit takes an in-depth look at each artists and their stylistic developments and highlights their role in the 20th century.  They were the Modern Masters of the invention of Cubism, the development of Surrealism and brought us Abstract art. A few of my favorites are Henri Matisse Dance (I), 1909, Pableo Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror, 1932, Andy Warhol’s Self-Portrait, 1966 and Jackson Pollock’s, Number 1A, 1948.

Purchase your tickets on-line from The High Museum of Art before October 14, 2011 and be eligible to Win a Warhol Weekend Getaway to New York City.  It includes round-trip airfare for two people, two nights accommodations, two tickets to the Museum of Modern Art, a private Warhol walking tour of the city and $200 for meals.

After a morning at the High Museum of Art head over to Table 1280 in the Woodruff Arts Center for lunch.  Be sure and save room for desert, as the tiramisu is divine. Then take a  leisurely stroll south on Peachtree Street back to our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast.

The Clowness at the Moulin Rouge by Toulouse-Lautrec

If you love Paris as much as I do, don’t miss the High Museum of Art, Toulouse-Lautrec and Friends Exhibit at the Woodruff Arts Center, through  May 1st, 2011. There are more than 80 prints, drawings and sculptures by some of my favorite French artists, including 47 prized Toulouse-Lautrec prints, posters and paintings. You will also see artists Edgar Degas (1834-1917), Paul Gauguin (1848-1902) and sculpture by Charles Cordier (1827-1905).

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec work is the centerpiece of this exhibit.  He used his  friends that frequented the cafes, bars and brothels in the working class neighborhood of Montmarte as his subjects.  My favorite is his lithograph entitled, The Clowness at the Moulin Rouge.  The Clowness illustrates the famed contortionists Cha-u-kao.  It is one of only 20 impressions created by the artist.  This exhibit was made possible by prominent Atlanta collectors, Irene and Howard Stein.

After a morning at the High Museum of Art, be sure and have lunch at the High Museums Restaurant Table 1280.  They serve American cuisine with Regional flavors.  If the weather is nice, head over to the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see the new orchid exhibit,  Liquid Landscapes or visit Fernbank Museum, home of Atlanta’s dinosaurs.  See you back at our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast for some Afternoon Sweets.

If you love the Renaissance age, you will not want to miss this. There are twenty-five Renaissance masterpieces, including 12 paintings and 13 drawings by Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and Lotto. My favorite of the exhibit is Titians, two Diana paintings. Diana and Callisto (1556-1559) by Titian (Tiziano Vercellio, Italian ca 1485-1576). This painting tells the story of Diana as she learns her hand maiden is pregnant by Juniper. Diana and Actaeon depicts Diana and her nymphs caught bathing by Actaeon, the hunter. These paintings were commissioned by King Phillip II of Spain between 1556 -1559. This is the first time these masterpieces have ever been seen in the United States. Titian’s work included portraits, mythological scenes and alter pieces. They are now some of the highly prized of all Renaissance artwork.

After you finish being mesmerized by Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian Painting painters head over to have lunch at Table 1280 in the High Museum of Art.   They serve American cuisine with a regional twist.  Be sure and try the White Truffle Chicken Salad, it is my favorite.

The next time you visit our Atlanta bed and breakfast you may want to save an afternoon to visit Fernbank Museum or the Carlos Museum at Emory University.

I cannot believe I am writing about the High Museum of Art at the Woodruff Arts Center so soon after “The Allure of the Automobile” exhibit. The High Museum of Art has once again amazed me with the opening of “Dali: The Late Work”. The High Museum will be the sole venue for this exhibit. You have plenty of time to plan your trip to Atlanta, as this exhibit is open until January 9th, 2011. “Salvador Dali: The Late Work” showcases his works from 1940 thru 1983.

There are over 100 pieces of work, including films, sculptures, photographs and 40 Salvador Dali paintings divided among six galleries. Some of my favorite pieces are “Christ of St. John of the Cross”, “Santiago El Grande” and lastly “Assumpta Corpuscularia Lapislazulina”.

As you stroll thru the first gallery you will view a selection of vintage photographs that were done in collaboration with photographer Phillippe Halsman. Salvador Dali reinvented himself in the 1940′s exploring art through science, psychology and religion. His art and personality were larger than life. As you continue thru the other galleries you will have a better understanding of Salvador Dali’s development beyond surrealism.

The final gallery traces his work in illustration, fashion and theatre with artists of the 1960′s and 1970′s such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and William de Kooning.

In conjunction with this exhibit the High Museum of Art is featuring a selection of Surrealist classic films such as Un Chien Andalou, Destino and Spellbound.

On your next visit to Atlanta be sure and treat yourself to an afternoon at the High Museum of Art to explore this once in a lifetime exhibit.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

One of our favorite date nights out away from our bed and breakfast in Atlanta is to walk up Peachtree Street from the Fox Theatre to the Woodruff Arts Center.  Along bustling Peachtree Street you will pass some of our favorite restaurants, Baraonda Caffe Italiano, the Bakeshop, Oceanaire Seafood Room and TAP.  TAP is a great place to sit outside and people watch.

At the Woodruff Arts Center you will find the Alliance Theatre, the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Symphony.  The Atlanta Symphony  is celebrating 65 years of dazzling music making.  It is the foundation of artistic excellence in Midtown.  They have produced 6 recordings with Grammy awards.  This cultural and artistic fabric is the face of Atlanta.

For the last 9 years Robert Spano, the Music Director, has invigorated and expanded the Orchestra’s repertoire and is recognized internationally as one of the most imaginative conductors.  A few of the effects he may use are film and images synchronized with music, art installation, lighting effects and staged performances.

During his tenure Mr. Spano and the Atlanta Symphony have performed over 100 contemporary works, 13 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra commissioned world premieres and 3 additional world premiers.

Parterning with Mr. Robert Spano in leading the Atlanta Symphony is Principal Guest Conductor,  Mr. Donald Runnicles.  Conductor Donald Runnicles is well-known for his opera and symphonic repertoire.  Together they have created a bond with the musicians and the community.

A few of our favorite upcoming Atlanta Events are:

• March 27th, 2010 – Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchesta
• April 8th-10th, 2010 – All Tchaikovsky, All Powerful
• April 30th-May 1st, 2010 – On Broadway with Marvin Hamlisch
• May 13th-May 16th, 2010-Love Blooms: Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 2
• May 20th-May 22nd, 201-Beethoven’s 5th Symphony

The much anticipated 40th Annual Decorators Show House opens on April 17th. til May 19th, 2010.  This Atlanta Symphony fundraiser features a house in the prestige area of Buckhead that  interior designers decorate and open to the public.  They also have a gift store and cafe.

On your next visit to Atlanta between an Atlanta Braves game and a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, don’t forget to immerse yourself in music with an evening at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

The Allure of the Automobile, High Museum, Atlanta, Photo by Peter Harholdt

The High Museum of Art in the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta is presenting “The Allure of the Automobile”, March 21st. thru June 20th., 2010.  This exhibit is located just blocks from our Atlanta bed and breakfast inn.

Anyone who has dreamed of  luxury automobiles with meticulous craftsmanship, including inlaid wood and state of the art engineering, must see this exhibit which is Lead Corporate sponsored by Porsche Cars North America.
Eighteen of the world’s rarest automobiles from 1930 thru 1965 will create a rolling sculpture showcasing masterpieces by Bugatti, Duesenberg, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Ferrari.

These state of the art automobiles were custom built for the privileged and are embodied with speed, style and elegance.  They influenced the art, architecture, fashion and design of the United States and Europe from before World War II until the mid 1960′s.  The exhibit highlights the advances in automobile engineering and design and the contrasts between European and American designs.

Featured cars have won world events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, broken records on racetracks and have been owned by car enthusiasts legends Clark Gable and Steve McQueen.

Be sure not to miss the 1933 Pierce Arrow, 1953 Porsche 550 and the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette as these are a few of our favorite cars.  We look forward to seeing you at this Atlanta Event.