Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hot Chocolate!



One of my favorite pieces of sculpture at the Birmingham Museum of Art has to be this Botero.  When I took my 3rd graders for our annual  field trip to the museum , I had to find a way to offset the "giggle factor" that would ensue when confronted with the nudity that abounds in a museum.  I used the head 'em off at the pass technique.  I told them  before we went,  that they would see a very large nude woman that was made of a brown metal that looked like chocolate. Whenever I saw her,  I always thought that I might look like her one day, if I didn't quit eating chocolate!   I named her the "Chocolate Lady" and told them to be on the lookout for her.  Thankfully, the snickers (no pun intended)  turned to squeals of , "Oh look, there's the Chocolate Lady!"  

On July 16, Jilly over at Monte Carlo DP, posted Botero's Adam and Eve.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder if this giggle thing is somehow related to how nudity is treated at home?

Jilly said...

I adore Botero. There are several in Monaco.

Knoxville Girl said...

Chocolate is an antioxidant, which is good for us. At least that's my excuse to eat more chocolate. So this sculpture is good for us too. I like how you caught the lighting, especially the streak down her arm.

Julie said...

She is absolutely wonderful, your chocolate lady. Such curves. Such liquidity. Such colour. I must be on the lookout for more Botero. I do not know of him.

Lovely story to go with the image, Virginia. Your Third Graders were blessed ...

Halcyon said...

It is a very sensual sculpture. I like Botero's work.

Olivier said...

j'adore les artisans chocolatiers, ils font de superbes créations, qui donnent envie hummmmmmmmmmmmmm

I love chocolate, they are beautiful creations, which make you want hummmmmmmmmmmmmm

PJ said...

Another wonderful, wonderful portrait. What kind of camera are you using, if you don't mind me asking? I'm looking to buy a new one.
I'm in Birmingham from time to time and you're providing me with some great destinations:
The Gargage
The B-ham Museum
Chez Fon Fon
Sloss Furnaces
Vulcan park - I knew about that one from the tour I took in the lobby of the Tutwiler Hotel.
I also learned that Birmingham was laid out and constructed after The Civil War which was a surprise.

Virginia said...

I have a Canon Rebel XTI, that pretty much owns me. Outside I do ok. Inside is another story. IT's a great camera and if i could get a better flash I might be in business! PJ< you might have a future as a tour guide here.

Dystopos said...

Ah, we have that one covered too!

Bhamwiki:Reclining Nude

Chuckeroon said...

"Traditionally built", as they say.

;-)

angela said...

Good tactic, Virginia. I guess I'll always think of her as the chocolate lady now!

Judy Williams said...

How fabulous that you are exposing kids to true art. Did you hear about the teacher that was chastized for exposing children to a nude sculpture (maybe it was Ft. Worth? I can't remember). I was so infuriated. This is art at its finest and you are a jewel for exposing the children to such a wonderful introduction. I want chocolate now - darn you. :~)

Eki said...

When I saw this post's title on my blog roll, I was thinking that you had a photo of a cup of steaming hot chocolate beverage. I was wrong. :>

This is a wonderful sculpture, V. And the angle from which you took it and your calculation of the lighting factor makes her even looks better.

Oh, and thanks for the tip about taking children to museums where nude sculptures are displayed. It's useful.

And thank you again for that link you sent me.

Anonymous said...

I love the "chocolate lady".. I to might end up looking like this if I keep eating so much chocolate:)

Unknown said...

I love Botero... and chocolate too! :-)
Nice post, Virginia!

Thank you for your comment on my blog!
In the 18th century they were 'statuary maniacs', mainly in gardens: greek gods, royalty or upper class famous people, sometimes animals (dolphins were a must on fountains and lakes), but you don't see dogs that often; that's why I really like those! :-)

Bob Crowe said...

Botero is all over museums everywhere but I'm not nuts about his work. He's a one-trick pony, very obese figures in mildly ironic settings. Ho hum. The photo, however, is very well composed. Perfect POV, not a common straight-on, and the light couldn't be better.

Katie said...

You've captured this sculpture perfectly and I love the story of your 3rd graders. And your pun cracked me up!

stromsjo said...

Sounds like a pretty effective diversion tactic then. Well, kids are kids.

And a good chocolate shot as well.

Diederick Wijmans said...

I love Botero sculptures as well. Years ago I saw the open-air exhibition dedicated to Botero in Paris in the Champs Elysées area. It was fantastic.
This sculpture looks indeed like it was made of chocolate!

Bellelaide said...

I found this when I googled chocolate news in Birmingham al.
It came right up!
My husband is from Colombia so we are fans of Botero.

www.perkupbirmingham.com