During winter break, I decided to visit my friend Inga in Brooklyn, New York for a week. There, went to odd food places, shows, and my favorite- art museums. She had planned an itinerary for us, so I was well aware that we were going to see two of my favorite artists Henri Matisse and Vincent Van Gogh’s work. Specifically, one of my favorite pieces and also a very well known one called “The Dance”, and the well known and iconic painting “Starry Night” by Van Gogh. In which were both located at MoMa (Museum of Modern Art). I discuss it in scenes in the following.
Earlier that day, Inga and I were walking out of the MET and shuffling down the large, steep stairs towards the busy street (Tilt moving shot scoping the height of the stairs and us walking towards the bottom). Although it was when the sun had already set we remained energetic and fast moving because we have yet to reach the MoMa. Walking down the sidewalks towards the subway station stairs ahead we started to speed walk (up-close wide shot of our fast moving feet).
Cutting to us waiting for the train to arrive at the station (Wide full shot of Inga and I in the right hand corner and the train rolling in on the left as we approach). Somewhere between leaving the MET and heading to the MoMa was a slight blur and not too focused on (to emphasize the main focus a.k.a short and not too “in depth” shots). It is intended that the clips become longer and more focused/emotionalized once we reach the inside of the MoMa.
Following the short fast-paced shots is where we finally reach the museum (A wide shot from outside of the glass door showing one of us tugging the heavy door open and entering the loud chaotic foyer). Instantly when we enter, Inga points out a shiny gold Oscar award placed on the inside of a large glass box (A full close-up of Inga pointing with widened eyes in shock). Ironically, that day was free admission which came to our surprise upon arrival, but also meant that the MoMa was packed with people. With slight exhaustion setting in, we traveled up the four levels of the museum, observing all pieces but slightly spacing out because we knew what we came to see- was located on the final and top floor (Scattered shots of extreme close ups of each of our faces with our eyes moving quickly around trying to absorb as much as possible, medium closeups of not just our faces tilting in confusion but the backs of our heads, and perhaps wide shots of massive pieces with one or both of us walking across the screen slowly with our eyes locked to the piece). All of which, these clips are intended to be “short and sweet” to lead up to the most important scene.
Then, once we finish dwelling around the third floor Inga and I locate each other again (occasionally we would go off on our own to see things we particularly like). We then head over to the tall escalator that is overflowing with people (Tilted full narrow shot of Inga and I hopping onto the bottom, blending in with the crowd of people and traveling upwards towards the top of the screen). Cutting to a shot on top of the escalator will match up with the last clip and show us arriving. Hopping off we look around in silence looking for what we had come for. We decide to walk together for this one in search of “Starry Night” & “The Dance”.
Once searching for about five minutes, (a wide panorama shot of us gravitating towards a large cluster of people all around a piece not visible). We approach the large crowd- curious of what could be revealed behind them. Shortly after we walk towards the crowd a few people move out of the way revealing the famous Van Gogh “Starry Night” painting. Both of our eyes lock on it, observing closely the techniques and eccentric brush strokes that defined Van Gogh’s well known style (wide full body shots of the back of Inga and I with the painting in front of us and the cluster of people becomes smaller and smaller). “This is crazy” I quietly say to Inga as she nods in agreement. Emphasizing the feeling of viewing such a personally valued piece (such a valued piece, my mother even put a “Starry Night” shower curtain in one of my bathrooms back home!). Once we viewed it for what seemed like forever, but also not enough- we decided to continue. Walking by other notable pieces of work, such as Claude Monet’s “Water Lily’s” painting, that took up an entire half of a room (potentially another wide shot showing our travels across the screen with the entire Monet piece as our background- with high contrast possibly showing slight silhouettes of us moving as the bright museum lights struck the painting).
Over in the next room, I start dragging my feet with exhaustion setting in since we did walk roughly 10 miles that day (full body shot revealing a slouch with back facing the camera as I travel down a walk full of abstract paintings). Another shot from the same moment, but full close up of my feet dragging slightly on the squeaking hardwood floor but then come to a gradual stop as I start to stand in place). Inga follows behind and I turn to point at the brightly lighted painting on the wall that was Matisse’s “The Dance”. Since both Inga and I are complete “Art Nerds” we turn to each other with wide eyes as we approach fast. The exhaustion in our body language is no longer existent. Showing how intrigued we were over something so simple as a painting.
Although, this was not just any painting. This was a Matisse. My all time favorite artist. Matisse not only had incredible talent, but was highly inspirational. He crossed boundaries- especially for his era, became paralyzed and bed ridden in a hotel room and turned it into a studio and inspirational living space. There is where he made some of his most famous paintings. Using techniques such as taping a piece of charcoal to the end of a long wooden stick and holding the end as he drew on his wall next to his bed- still producing and remaining inspired to continue.
As we stood there, we remained in silence (up close shots of our faces in “awe” of what we were viewing as our eyes roamed the larger in person, painting but slowly this time). In an inexplainable way, this painting just is so personally intriguing. Perhaps the bright color palette, or the fact that my parents (who are also artists’) in their spare time used to bring me to exhibitions at the MFA in Boston, and Matisse is one that just inevitably stuck with me from the first time seeing his pieces at around the age of 7.
I am imagining that this short-film will contain minimal script not only because there is minimal talking that actually occurs at museums, but also to exaggerate the feeling of observation and how museums are for translating & absorbing pieces with the eyes. Museums have a sentimental aspect to them that I believe not a lot of people- especially in my age group realize. Art is a beautiful form of expression, and an instance like this can encapsulate it.
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