The Mysteries of Modern Art -

I'm still thinking about Western Washington's campus that we toured on Monday.
(Here are my cute tour-ee's)

The majority of Western's campus is much 'younger' than the UW and more modern in feel. There's lots of brick put to great use - both on the buildings and in the walkways. And apparently one of the things Western is known for is its extensive modern-outdoor-sculpture collection.

I've always been an unapologetic representational sort of artist. And while there is some abstract art that I appreciate (like local friend/artist Angela Wales Rockett), some of it, especially three-dimensional forms can leave me absolutely mystified...

(this piece is nick-named 'the Giant Orange Mosquito')

Stairs...to nowhere....?

Pieces of a wooden-beam pyramid...

Partial, holey cube.. (I do like this one - but it's something I can name..)

But this one... why???

And this big steel rectangular thing...?? Sculpture? I really don't get it.

More Gothic Goodness - Interiors

We toured UW at the behest of my almost-senior daughter (on the right) and her best friend/twin-separated at birth.

Although most of our touring was outdoors, the little bit of interior we saw was also lovely-

There was many a beautifully detailed and shaped window-

- look at all that varied and fancy glass!

-and even the newer interiors are filled with arches and curves everywhere...

...and the odd piece of headless art...

A Visit to Hogwarts...

My youngest child will be a high school senior this fall. She's thinking ahead to college, so we are touring some local campuses in the next week.

Today we went to the University of Washington, with all its gorgeous Gothic architecture.

The main library especially, has always been a favorite of mine.

Built to represent a 'cathedral of learning'...

Parts of the interior also look like the inside of a cathedral.

Or a castle...

...massive stone archways and curves....

And then there is the graduate-student library!

Hogwarts anyone?

If it wasn't for all the sun-drenched windows and walls, it would feel remarkably like its wizardly counterpart...

All the beautiful, ornate details...

A magical place indeed.