The Cloisters

Last, last weekend I had plans to do “something” with my sister Vanessa. We didn’t actually have plans for or plans. I was thinking that there were a couple of art exhibits I wanted to see, but Saturday was supposed to be too nice to spend in a museum. I was also thinking of hiking or something, when I had a brilliant idea.

I’ve always wanted to go visit the Cloisters, but it’s a bit of a pain in the ass to get up to Fort Tryton Park. I suggested it to my sister and she was down with that idea, especially after I mentioned I could get us in free with my work ID. She picked me up and it was smooth sailing. We event got a parking space right in front.

If you haven’t heard of the Cloisters, it’s a medieval art and architecture museum that is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was actually reminded that I wanted to go their by Tim Gunn. It’s a modern building with parts of real medieval buildings interegrated into it. There are doorways, chapels, and, of course, cloisters. The museum has a lot of outdoor sections and gardens so you spend as much time indoors and out.

I personally liked the architectural stuff the best. Although the religious art is very interesting, I’ve seen tons of that sort of stuff in my trips to Europe. I liked the garden. It had an interesting mix of common plants, some that I even have in my garden, and unusual plants I’ve never heard of. I love the of courtyard/sheltered type gardens. I want to make one.

After we left the museum we walked around the park for a little bit. Oh, and it seemed everyone in that museum had fancy cameras. I couldn’t find my elph and I didn’t want to bring my dslr, so I stole my sister’s crappy rollei to take these photos.

You can see them all on flickr.

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