Shadow and Light

I recently popped into the Mississippi Museum of Art, and there's an exhibit there that you should know about. It's called Black Out: Silhouettes Then and Now, and it's on view until August 25.

The exhibit focuses on the history of silhouette and shadow in art, progressing from the careful, traditional silhouette cut-paper profiles that artists would create as a simpler form of portraiture all the way to wildly inventive modern takes that use 3-D sculptures and electric lights. I loved some of the more contemporary interpretations, especially after spending time with their predecessors. This is the kind of exhibit that you see being promoted in other large cities, and then you whine that it doesn't travel to your middle-sized market. But it's here! Go see it!

In addition, the museum's art garden is in riotous bloom this time of year. Make an afternoon of it - have lunch in the lovely on-site cafe (which is run by the talented folks from La Brioche - a delight!), see the exhibit (in addition to the museum's permanent collection - always interesting), stroll the art garden and pick up an item or two in the gift shop. It'll make you feel glad to be alive. I promise!

The beautiful Art Garden