Monday, October 26, 2009

Atlanta

While we were in Atlanta last week, we went to see the Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius exhibit at the High Museum. The exhibit focuses on the artist as student, sculptor and mentor. Most of the pieces are sketches and studies, most of which I have seen in books. I was really struck by the delicate nature of Leonardo's marks. These are among the most beautiful sketches I have ever seen.
In the High courtyard is a re-creation of the 26 foot high Sforza horse made from sketches for the statue honoring the Duke of Milan. Though he worked on sketches and plans for over 17 years, the statue was never realized in Leonardo's day beyond a 26 foot clay model. The model was destroyed by french soldiers who used it for target practice.






I moved to Altanta in 1987 to go to the Atlanta College of Art, which is now part of Savannah College of Art and Design. I am amazed at how much that area between 15th and 17th on Peachtree has changed. Where the ACA dorm was, there is now a parking garage and another wing of the High. So, it is a bittersweet to walk around that block. The High is a division of the Woodruff Arts Center along with the Alliance Theater and the ASO which all reside on the same block.




The building at One Atlantic Center was just being completed when I moved to Atlanta in 1987. A reproduction on Rodin's "The Shade" is in the foreground and was inside the Woodruff Arts Center (which is housed ACA) back when I attended.



Shot of the city from the walkway between two wings of the High.

2 comments:

Kathleen Krucoff said...

So cool. Thanks for sharing this Tracey. Another thing to put on my To Do List for travel destinations. I love the horse!

Dean Grey said...

Thanks for the tour, Tracey!

It's nice that you got to see some of your old haunts in Atlanta.

-Dean