I was there Thursday as well! I brought my sister, who had just suffered the death of her husband of 36 years, thinking a trip to the AKG with lunch might be just the outing for her. (She hadn't been there since a 3rd-grade field trip!!) Our lunch at Cornelia's was phenomenal, as we shared an enormous beet and grain salad and a hearty West African stew. (I had to take half of my shared allotment home, it was so much!) Then, on we wandered. She remembered some of the old masters and smiled big smiles when she recognized an artist. It wasn't very crowded and we wandered for 3 hours! She really loved the walk through the glass corridor over to the Gundlach building. There was a particular "attendee enhancement coordinator" who was happy to give us the "back story" on several of the contemporary installments on the 3rd floor of the Gundlach building. This is a new service provided to us, as before the redesign, the staff you saw in each gallery were there primarily there for security and to point people to the restrooms. Thank you, AKG and staff members, for providing such a cultural oasis in this City of Good Neighbors.
Leith, I am so sorry to hear that your sister lost her husband. It's so sweet that it made her smile to see some of the gallery's old masters. They are a little like old friends. It is great this place is there when we need it. I had the same experience you did with the staffers. I found them all to be very informative and, beyond that, friendly. Funny we were there on the same day! We were probably in adjoining rooms, standing in front of paintings, lost in thought. p.s. I love the term "attendee enhancement coordinator." Amazing you remembered it word for word! I do not think I would have been able to!
I may have "enhanced" it a little! Lol. BTW, one such coordinator handed me her card and said, "Please, if you would, kindly scan this QR code and give me a good review. They're cutting 20 of us next month!" Then she said, "If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the news." I think she may have been referring to the institution laying off employees and reorganizing staff to effectively remove union positions.
They're cutting 20 attendee enhancement coordinators? that seems like a lot! I wonder how many they have. You are always good at getting the scoop, Leith!
I went to the AKG by myself about a month ago. I wandered into the modern part where there is this awful video thing-- a pair of eyes that emits this intermittent groaning sound. So annoying! You can't focus on the other works around it because of the noise pollution. I mentioned it to the guard, who rolled her eyes and emitted her own groaning sound-- " I hate being placed in this room," she said. I have to listen to it all day!
The gallery is simply gorgeous. Even the old pieces look new again. We were there for a members event, singing, swaying, just wonderful. Chef Jessica Arends provides delicious hospitality. On your next romp, catch the Eva Hesse installation in the Gundlach building. See what you missed in the 60's. Ha! Luv that you are centrally located to all this fun and culture.
Janice, I am going to go back soon and venture more into the Gundlach Building. I'm happy to have your advice on what to see! I love your inside info on the chef at Cornelia. I have had several nice times there. Their salads are spectacular -- as colorful as the artworks!
I was there Thursday as well! I brought my sister, who had just suffered the death of her husband of 36 years, thinking a trip to the AKG with lunch might be just the outing for her. (She hadn't been there since a 3rd-grade field trip!!) Our lunch at Cornelia's was phenomenal, as we shared an enormous beet and grain salad and a hearty West African stew. (I had to take half of my shared allotment home, it was so much!) Then, on we wandered. She remembered some of the old masters and smiled big smiles when she recognized an artist. It wasn't very crowded and we wandered for 3 hours! She really loved the walk through the glass corridor over to the Gundlach building. There was a particular "attendee enhancement coordinator" who was happy to give us the "back story" on several of the contemporary installments on the 3rd floor of the Gundlach building. This is a new service provided to us, as before the redesign, the staff you saw in each gallery were there primarily there for security and to point people to the restrooms. Thank you, AKG and staff members, for providing such a cultural oasis in this City of Good Neighbors.
Leith, I am so sorry to hear that your sister lost her husband. It's so sweet that it made her smile to see some of the gallery's old masters. They are a little like old friends. It is great this place is there when we need it. I had the same experience you did with the staffers. I found them all to be very informative and, beyond that, friendly. Funny we were there on the same day! We were probably in adjoining rooms, standing in front of paintings, lost in thought. p.s. I love the term "attendee enhancement coordinator." Amazing you remembered it word for word! I do not think I would have been able to!
I may have "enhanced" it a little! Lol. BTW, one such coordinator handed me her card and said, "Please, if you would, kindly scan this QR code and give me a good review. They're cutting 20 of us next month!" Then she said, "If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the news." I think she may have been referring to the institution laying off employees and reorganizing staff to effectively remove union positions.
They're cutting 20 attendee enhancement coordinators? that seems like a lot! I wonder how many they have. You are always good at getting the scoop, Leith!
I went to the AKG by myself about a month ago. I wandered into the modern part where there is this awful video thing-- a pair of eyes that emits this intermittent groaning sound. So annoying! You can't focus on the other works around it because of the noise pollution. I mentioned it to the guard, who rolled her eyes and emitted her own groaning sound-- " I hate being placed in this room," she said. I have to listen to it all day!
The gallery is simply gorgeous. Even the old pieces look new again. We were there for a members event, singing, swaying, just wonderful. Chef Jessica Arends provides delicious hospitality. On your next romp, catch the Eva Hesse installation in the Gundlach building. See what you missed in the 60's. Ha! Luv that you are centrally located to all this fun and culture.
Janice, I am going to go back soon and venture more into the Gundlach Building. I'm happy to have your advice on what to see! I love your inside info on the chef at Cornelia. I have had several nice times there. Their salads are spectacular -- as colorful as the artworks!