“Wow, this is so strange! Can this really be considered art?” The brothers in their last year of humanities studies traveled to New York’s Museum of Modern Art on the 29
th of March. In the final semester in Cheshire, the brothers touch upon topics that are contemporary, and for Art History, this means the modern art period. We experienced the dynamic motion of Van Gogh’s
The Starry Night. Many had the opportunity to be emerged into the red color of
Barnett Newman's
Vir Heroicus Sublimis. Some also contemplated the soft and relaxing
Water Lilies of Claude Monet.
Before the trip, many of the brothers were discussing the importance of purpose in art, and whether modern art has any purpose at all. They had also considered whether we should like it or even study it. Fr Andreas, the professor of Art History, mentioned how important it is to be open and constructive when evaluating this period of art for the sake of understanding our present society. Many first reactions were rejection or confusion, but these turned into understanding and observation.
After spending some time in the MoMA, we took a break at St Patrick's in which we had a moment for prayer and admiring the neo-gothic architecture of the city’s premiere cathedral.