Be Inspired, and Beware of Bears by Lisa Li

 

           When I first got to Williamstown, the only thing I could see on the horizon were mountains covered with snow, rising against the sky. Breathing in the misty mountain air and feeling so close to the clouds, I was surprised that there were people who lived there. I was even more surprised at the beautiful art museum, Clark Art Institute (AKA The Clark), built just at foot of a mountain. Chartered by couple Sterling and Francine Clark, the Clark Museum was built in 1952 and opened to public in 1955. It collects a wide range of art styles and forms, including Old Master Paintings, 19^th century European Paintings, Impressionist Paintings, American Paintings, European and American decorative arts…you name it! Such a wide variety of arts resulted from the Clark couple’s expeditions around the world and their ardor for arts. Walking through the Clark museum, you could smell the scent of history and the luxury of artistry.

            What fascinated me the most was Gallery 1, the first room you walk into in the classical wing of the museum. A rectangular room with grey walls and dim lighting, the room was simply designed. In the center of the room was a large cubic wall dividing the front and the back of the gallery. Artwork is displayed on each wall of the room and each side of the cube. The simply designed room makes artworks especially stand out to the viewers. The gallery mainly collects American oil paintings that portray the monumental power and mysteries of nature, which resonates with the museum’s close-to-nature location.

            When I walked into Gallery 1, a wall of paintings of the ocean by Winslow Homer gave me chills. Every painting portrays a different aspect of the ocean, but all are dark colored and consist of tumultuous waves, to show the graveness and monumentality of the ocean. Undertow, one of the few paintings by Homer has human figures, particularly caught my attention. Inspired by an accident in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1883, the painting depicts the image of two lifeguards saving two women from drowning in the ocean. In the center of the paining are two women, one of whom leans against the wave with her eyes closed, barely alive. To her right, other woman lies on her stomach against the wave, face down, hanging her arms on the other woman’s neck. Their bathing dresses are soaked wet from the water that has almost devoured their pale, fragile bodies. Two rescuers, each grabbing on to one woman, struggle to drag the women to shore. One of the rescuers’ clothes are torn into pieces by the relentless waves. On the left, the rescuer who leads the way has already lost his clothes and helmet, leaving him only in grey shorts. A huge wave, taller than he is, splashes into him from his right, engulfing his body. He raises his right arm and struggles to fight against it, but his brawny biceps seem too week comparing to the roaring wave. The ocean, painted in different shades of blue, appears so three-dimensional that it looks like it is coming toward us. It covers three-fourths of the painting, and seems like it has no end. Looking at the painting, I wondered, how vast is the ocean? How close is the shore to these people? Are they going to survive the attack of the undertow? All of these factors are unknown. Winslow portrays the vastness and strength of the sea waves and the vulnerability of men to show that men are always too small and weak compared to nature. The unknown factors of nature further provokes human’s fear for nature because it creates unstable situations that humans have no controls over. The painting reminds me that I do not have the control over my life and death. I cannot stop a lightening from hitting me, nor can I prevent cancer from growing in me; only nature can make these decisions. The series of ocean painting by Homer sets a serious tone to the museum. It wakes you up in the morning by reminding you of a significant truth in life.

             In Williamstown, a town that is so closely associated with nature, we spend a lot of time appreciating the beauty of nature. Gallery 1 of The Clark Museum reminds us the danger of nature with its collection of paintings that portray nature’s power and mystery. It reminds us that while the beauty in the Williamstown fascinates us, we always need to beware of bears that may attack us at any moment. Don’t be too scared and depressed by my review, however. The Clark Museum is not all about such serious topic. Right after you walk through Gallery 1, the light-colored impressionist art in Gallery 2 will lighten your mood. I highly recommend that you visit The Clark Museum. Both the design of the building and the artwork are very high in aesthetic value. It is so carefully designed and well crafted that it will not only inspire you, but also teach you to beware of bears.