Picasso and Paula is what started my blog!
PICASSO AND PAULA
Picasso Sculptures at MOMA! What can I say but the exhibit was fantastic! About 62 years of his sculptures. It took the full 4th floor of the museum. It wasn’t crowded that day, surprisingly, so I was able to take it all in – incredible. I sat for a while on one of the benches (knees you know) in the room filled with his later works and then happily left and took the elevator down.
Now as many of us know, any visit to a museum requires a stop for a glass of wine (or something) and a bite either to think about the art or just because you’re hungry and need to sit or all three. I walked over to the Bar Room at MOMA and was enjoying a lovely pinot noir and miniature tuna sliders when a woman and her friend were seated at the table next to me. It is a fact that I try not to listen too intently to other people’s conversations unless, of course, I catch something really interesting. And, I must say, theirs certainly peaked my interest.
He said, “So how does it feel to have your first book published in a few months?” Whoa, I thought, leaning in to hear a little better.
“What?” I wanted to say as I tilted my good ear in their direction. She mumbled something. “Speak up” was on the tip of my tongue.
I picked up words like “fiction” “agent” “friends” “supportive” “spring”. Time, I decided, to call a sister with better hearing than me. I considered just putting my phone on their table so she could listen and tell me what they were saying, but then decided not a good idea . I sent a text instead.
While I can’t repeat the exact words my youngest sib wrote (expletives) , what I can tell you is that she called me a chicken with a few “cluck clucks” thrown in. And then texted in caps, “LEAN OVER AND ASK THE AUTHOR ABOUT HER BOOK!” With those words and the wine kicking in I moved over closer still and in my most endearing voice, said “Excuse me, but may I ask you a question?”
They both turned to me with big smiles and said “Yes.” I do remember smiling very broadly myself as I told them what I had overheard (eavesdropping is a wonderful thing – rude but wonderful). He handed me her card.
Her name was Paula Whyman who had written her first book. She told me it was a series of connected short stories called “You May See a Stranger”. It was to be published in May with a book tour and a possible stop in North Carolina! I mean, really!!!(Remember my family lives in NC) What fun to be able to read a book by a first-time author and to have met her before it was published. A new book that no one in my family has read – a miracle! So thanks to Picasso for finding us Paula!
And, the moral of this little essay about a lovely afternoon is simple: When going to a museum, always stop for a glass of something, always eavesdrop and always, if in doubt, text or call a sib or friend to tell you what to do! –
Love this city!
Kay’s Notes*
Important to know: Sadly, the exhibit closed February 2016 but MOMA is full of his wonderful works in their permanent collection.
Good to know: “You May See A Stranger” by Paula Whyman TriQuarterly Books Northwestern University Press May 2016 http://paulawhyman.com
Want to eat? 4 places in the Museum – The Modern, The Bar Room, Café 2 and Terrace 5.
All operated by Danny Meyer group – you know the Shake Shack guy.
Restaurant prices: From OMG (The Modern) to not bad!
Where is it? MOMA is at West 53rd between 5th and 6th
Open every day with senior discounts and with free Friday nights from 4 to 8 PM.
Restrooms? All over the place
Kid Friendly? Yes
*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.