The American Dream

Some years ago I tutored - separately - a couple of high school students for their final exams.  The theme for the English exam was "The American Dream."  There were challenging questions about the definition of "The American Dream," the background of the question, what might be considered in the answer.  The students had read reams of material about American history, the civil rights movement, native Americans.  I was incredibly impressed by the breadth and depth of their knowledge.  I learned a lot from them and learned a different way of looking at my own history.

There's an exhibit at the Emden Art Museum at the moment:  The American Dream. We thought it would be fun to make a little trip with our core group, and then it got larger and then it got different and then it got smaller, and in the end it was an interesting group, not what we'd imagined, but good!  Then one suggested, how about a guided tour?  Even better, we said.

It became a Tour. On the train, of course, because it is so easy.

Nine folks, and as Klaus later remarked, FIVE men and FOUR women, perhaps the first ever art tour where the men outnumbered the women!!  Worth noting. That said, we women hang out with some enlightened men.

It's a fairly direct ride to Emden on the train, but it's not next door.  We pack some provisions:  home-made chocolate chip cookies, a sandwich, water.  But then we arrive, about one and a half hours later, relaxed and refreshed.

A 10-minute walk, and we're at the museum with enough time to have a cuppa before our tour begins.

The exhibit is divided into before 1965 and after, and we begin with Edward Hopper.  Such an icon, and it's a treat to have three of his works there.

Realism was the overall theme, so the paintings and the photos reflected that.  Several paintings were in the "photo realism" category, and for sure it is hard to tell that it is a painting - so much detail!!

Hillary and Donald shared a space, albeit on opposite walls.  The drawing of Hillary is done with graphite pencil.  Amazing.  Each panel is about 3'x4'.

After the tour, we had lunch at the bistro next door where they had a menu that was USofA!  What a hoot:  pancakes, chicken wings, hot dogs, loaded fries, and ---- corn dogs!  I couldn't resist.  And they were just not bad!  The dogs could have been a bit warmer, but, hey...

Then we went back to look at things again or things we had missed.  What did we miss?  Just maybe the most important work in the exhibit:  a photo of the Martin Theater in Panama City, Florida!!!What? Wow!!

Yes.  It's that "small world" moment, but then you say "of course."  It's not just PC iconic, it's US iconic.

Great day!  We've decided small guided tours are great fun.  We'll do it again.