Last weekend I took a break from the city and ventured out to Montclair, NJ. It was my favorite kind of crisp autumn day. The trees were afire in shades of yellow, orange, and red. A bright blue sky provided the perfect backdrop.
The destination was the Montclair Art Museum, which I had never visited. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the museum has an exceptional collection. An exhibit on Native American art was followed by a show featuring some contemporary artists I am very much interested in - including Cindy Sherman, Alex Prager, and Nan Goldin.
However, my favorite part of the visit was just outside the museum walls.
Artist Jean Shin was commissioned by the museum to create the fascinating sculptures that currently reside near the front entrance. Her three pieces are constructed from stainless steel knives, forks, and spoons. Welded together, the cutlery is transformed into a tree stump, a log, and a spindly tree.
Shin has successfully transformed these mundane, everyday objects we usually never give a second thought to into breath-taking art objects. Highly recommended and definitely worth the trip.
Shot at the Montclair Art Museum. All photos by Nicole Weiler.