Art date

Sofia did not have school today so we went to the Art Museum. We took the MAX train from Beaverton to downtown. It was a crispy, foggy day and as we walked through the South Park blocks toward the museum the leaves were falling from the trees and swirling around us. I love this about Portland—so many trees and open spaces in the heart of the city. The changing seasons keep the city real and alive.

I had heard that the Samurai exhibit was wonderful and it truly is. It is mostly Japanese Samurai armor from the 16th and 17th centuries. Somewhat surprisingly it is a special treat for those of us who love fibers and finishes and embellishments and details.

Looks like this guy is peering over the edge of the rock at Sofia doesn't it?

The piece below was fascinating. This is mostly intricately woven and plaited silk cording. The texture and pattern were really interesting and I would loved to have been able to handle it and look at the inside for more clues as to how it was done.

The exhibit was set up beautifully, with dozens of these armors, including horse armor and fantastical helmets. The black and white graphic crests on the wall behind the displays indicate the families the armor came from.

Sofia and I agreed on the one below as our favorite. We are both suckers for red and turquoise!

We found some postcards in the Museum shop—we always buy postcards to remember our visits to the museum—and headed down toward Pioneer Courthouse Square, looking for someplace for lunch. We settled on Elephant's Deli, a Portland favorite, and Sofia declared their mac and cheese "excellent." We walked down to the square and caught the MAX train back to our suburban environs.

I love going to the museum with Sofia. What a treat for both of us. I wish I had been able to visit a first-class art museum easily as a child. I enjoy Sofia's "critiques" of the art and what particular things she notices. We wandered through another exhibit of regional work and she sniffed at one piece, "I could have done that." I had to agree. Then she became completely entranced with this Abby Miller construction that is pieced vinyl that is constructed with long zippers that allow it to fit over a metal armature. It was big, it was red, it was sewn, it was shiny! I liked it too.