The Brooklyn Museum as a Dialogue of Cultures

The Brooklyn Museum as a Dialogue of Cultures
I love museums, and in New York they are so magnificent that, visiting different countries, I am increasingly convinced that the most valuable and inspiring things I have seen were in the Big Apple – in my beloved New York.
It was a real treat for me when I went to the Monet exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. But that exhibition was only on the fifth floor. On another floor of the museum, I saw ancient Tibetan bowls, which I'm interested in, as well as vibrations, which have a calming effect. For many, this is a form of meditation or soothing music.
And, indeed, as before, the museum amazed me. On the fifth floor, magnificent paintings by Claude Monet are on display, accompanied by visual and musical installations. The experience is indescribable—it must be seen and felt.
I could write at least five articles about this amazing museum in Brooklyn. One of them would be dedicated to... chairs. Yes, chairs. Next to them are examples of exquisite carved furniture from the early 20th century—the kind that adorned the homes of wealthy Manhattan families—made from rare woods. And right there are chairs made of plastic and bent metal tubing, which appeared in New York later. This dialogue between eras through form and material is mind-blowing.
The exhibition of American artists is also magnificent. There are works that are impossible to look away from. This is, of course, my personal perception—someone might like it less—but art exists precisely for dialogue. To avoid offending anyone, I will simply say that there are works I have never seen before: images of a man and a woman who turn out to be people who have gone through a difficult journey of identity and gender transition—a reflection of the spirit of the times and the bold themes of contemporary art.
I was deeply interested in the art of Asia, the Islamic world, Korea, and more. The museum even features Uzbek silk robes, Persian carpets, Congolese art, and many other unique works, including abstract paintings. I could write endlessly about all this, but it's worth going and seeing it once, especially the Monet exhibition.
I was particularly impressed by the wooden horse—the kind you see on a carousel. It's the work of Charles I.D. Looff, a renowned woodcarver who created circus wagons and carousel horses. He immigrated to Brooklyn in 1888 and established his first workshop on Coney Island in 1892. Note: this street still exists, and my favorite newspaper, "R.Advertisement," is located there at 2699 Coney Island. For 30 years, it has served not just as a newspaper but as an informational directory, helping many find jobs and other things.
So, let's return to the museum to visit the renowned woodcarver Charles Luff, who crafted animal figurines for carousel makers, and William F. Mangels. They worked among a unique group of Eastern European Jewish woodcarvers and pioneered the Coney Island style—energetic, dynamic, rich in realism, luxurious carving, and vibrant colors.
Brooklyn Made is an interesting subsection of the exhibition.
Brooklyn has become a benchmark for popular culture thanks to the exceptional creativity and artistry of its energetic and progressive residents. Works spanning from the 17th century to the present day reveal the borough's rich history as a home to artists, designers, and artisans whose creative expression is as diverse as the community itself.
Drawing on the Brooklyn Museum's collection, including the Dutch Colonial Jan Martens Schenck House, the exhibition traces how Brooklyn has been shaped and influenced by cultural, social, and technological processes over the centuries.
"Winter Scene, Brooklyn" (1819-1820) is a stunning painting. Francis Guy's cityscape of Front Street in downtown Brooklyn Heights occupies a special place. The artist, who moved to Brooklyn from England in 1817, painted the painting from the window of his home. He depicted the bustling life of the neighborhood—people going about their daily lives. A portion of the painting, lost in a fire in 1881, depicted the museum's founder, Augustus Graham.
I could write a lot more about the Brooklyn Museum, but I'm afraid I'll bore you.
Marina Lagunova