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| Birthday Party, 1996, by Alabama artist Dale Kennington |
Alabama!
Size: 135,765 km2 (30th)
2013 Population: 4,833,722 (23rd)
Statehood: 1819 (22nd). Seceded 1861; Readmitted 1868.
American Human Development Index: 4.04 (46th)
Art Mecca: Whenever I've seen images of paintings credited to the Birmingham Museum of Art, I've always assumed that it must be an institution of the British Midlands city. But it turns out I've probably been wrong. Birmingham, Alabama, is home to what looks like an above-average regional collection. Strengths, as far as I can tell, are Renaissance and Baroque European painting, and the strongest Asian collection in the Southeast. They seem very up on European decorative art, if that's your thing. They also have a far better developed collection of artists of Alabama than we usually see out here on the West Coast.
Right off the freeway, the BMA would be a fine stop to check out the fine arts if one was zipping through Alabama. Especially since -- check this out -- it's free. As in, they don't make you give them any money. Closes at five, though.
Michael 5000's Alabama
First Visited: May 26, 1994 (23rd)
Most Recently Visited: May 15, 2003 (42nd)
First Run In: n/a
Best Run: n/a
Have Admired the Visual Arts In: No.
Have Geohashed In: No.
Have Slept Overnight In: Yes.
Counties Visited: 32/67 (12th)
% Complete: 47.8% (22nd)
Mrs. 5000's Counties Visited: 20/69 (20th)
% Complete: 29.9% (27th)
Mrs.5000 First Visited: May 11, 2003 (49th)
Mrs.5000 Most Recently Visited: May 15, 2003
Atlas of All Roads Travelled
Plans and Aspirations
I can't say I really have any plans to visit 'Bama on the radar.
5 comments:
Old miserable people at an old miserable birthday party wins the all time tournament. You declare your winner now.
You know, it was actually my 49th state, since we landed in Louisiana and played mini golf in Mississippi...I want to consider the Ave Maria Grotto as a visual arts experience, though it's no Birmingham Museum of art...
Dr. Ken: Maybe they're just not into Alabama.
Mrs.: Corrected! I used Louisiana as a template, and missed that change. I'm not going to give myself full admiration credit for the Ave Maria Garden; it's just a little too... individual.
You got that close to Enterprise and you didn't take a detour to see the boll weevil statue?
Oh, you know, I don't always like doing the touristy things...
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