Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Kate

Weekend Programming: Moore Movie Gets Thumbs Up

Posted in Exhibitions, Moore in America, Programs and Events on July 25 2008, by Kate

Kate Murphy, a junior at Fordham University, is an intern working in the Communications Department this summer.
Reclining Mother and Child

If the 20 monumental pieces in the largest outdoor exhibition of Henry Moore’s sculpture ever seen in a single venue in the United States isn’t enough for you, there is more Moore to be seen at NYBG. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through November 2, you can catch The Art of Henry Moore, a documentary film focusing on his work.

As anyone living in or visiting New York City in the past few weeks-scratch that, during the summertime in general-will understand, the heat can get pretty intense. So I decided to escape to the Arthur and Janet Ross Lecture Hall and check out The Art of Henry Moore for some air-conditioned relief.

Narrated by Moore himself, the film features footage from around the world, showcasing a variety of backdrops for his magnificent sculpture, many of which can be seen in real life at NYBG during the Moore in America exhibit.

The Art of Henry Moore opens with Moore telling about his life and the defining moments that led him to become one of the most widely known and highly regarded sculptors of all time. He drew inspiration from a range of objects: from a bleak rock in the landscape of Adel woods, outside of Leeds, to ancient Mexican art found in the British Museum. He explains the themes in his works such as the mother and child and the reclining figure and considers the benefits of working in various media using different techniques.

Before seeing the movie, I didn’t know much about Moore’s creative thought process. I gained an appreciation for how artists, and Moore in particular, use particular methods for generating ideas. Moore talks of walking in nature every day and how a sculpture begins—by finding an object such as a bone or a pebble and drawing and studying it. Moore took these “found objects” and translated the beauty of imperfection into his abstract sculpture.

I would definitely recommend seeing The Art of Henry Moore when you visit the Garden for the Moore exhibition. It puts all of the work in perspective and puts a human face on the man behind the extraordinary sculpture.

Saturday’s Programming

Sunday’s Programming

A Visit to the Farmers Market

Posted in Programs and Events on July 2 2008, by Kate

Kate Murphy, a junior at Fordham University, and Genna Federico, a senior at St. John’s University, are interns working in the Communications Department this summer.

NYBG Farmer's Market - Corn

The Farmers Market is in full swing at NYBG. Every Wednesday through October 29, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., regional venders sell everything from fresh produce to fresh bread and other baked goods. So, naturally, we decided to check it out!

First we tried some delicious sugar snap peas, fresh from Migliorelli Farms of Tivoli, NY. They were crisp and sweet and would make for a tasty side dish for a summertime meal.

Joseph Bases, from the Little Bake Shop of Valley Cottage, NY, gave us suggestions as to which of their many all-natural and organic pies we should try first. While the apple pie is everyone’s favorite staple, Bases suggests the peach blueberry pie for a summertime treat. Bases explained that he loves selling here, calling it “a day at the park.”

The helpful people from Gajeski Farms of Riverhead, Long Island, helped us navigate through their overwhelming selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. They suggested we try the sweet corn—it’s the first of the season!

Bread Alone, from Boiceville, NY, had a wide selection of baked goods and breads. Suggestions include the “Whole Grain Health” bread, which includes five whole grains, honey, and sunflower seeds, and the mild “Whole Wheat Sourdough” bread. Both are organic.

We noticed a few people walking around munching on cherries, and we found the source at the Mead Orchards booth. These fresh fruits and veggies were brought to NYBG also from Tivoli, NY, and everyone seemed to be raving about the tart cherries. When one woman asked how they should be eaten, the vender simply replied “One after another!”

It can’t get much better than eating some healthy, natural treats and supporting local farms. So come out to NYBG’s Farmers Market.