Spalding House Honolulu

Yesterday my father, friend and I went to the Makiki Heights branch of the Honolulu Museum of Art – the Spalding House.

It was quite a place.  Years back, this was a wealthy residence, with a tennis court, extensive outdoor gardens and swimming pool.  Today, nearly every square inch is covered with beautiful art.  In fact, I met the museum director, Stephan, and he said he was trying to make the museum fun.  This might explain the sock like warmers on many of the trees and one of the benches was covered in a sweater like woven woolen wrap.

So, nearly everywhere one looked there would be art in view – up, down, etc.  I took several videos of my walking through the gardens, due to the incredibly old, primal feeling which a short stroll evoked.  Pardon my poor videography skills though.  And if I am violating any copyrights please let me know!  But I figure this is positive press for the museum, so it can’t hurt much.

I plan to load these soon (I am limited to an iPad which is a bit frustrating for blogging).

The museum featured several exhibits, but I favored the more permanent sections.  Don’t get me wrong, the Queen Lili’okalani letters were quite powerful, as she was writing from Washington as she tried to prevent her country from being annexed.  Wow!  But I favored the David Hockney exhibit and the gorgeous native gardens.

The Hockney section featured his set from a French opera and as I walked through the dark, viscerally potent set, the opera was being sung from speakers above.  Hockney apparently benefited from synesthesia, as he is quoted as saying that he painted the shapes and colors of the music onto the set.  And I suggest that this increases the inspiration one derives from experiencing the exhibit.  I felt like I was walking into a womb of demons, and at that time, that was just the medicine I needed.

The outdoor gardens were extensive and old.  In places stairs had been carved into the basalt lava rocks, and enormous roots clung and crept over them down the stairs.  Of course there were gorgeous flowers and most of the walking paths were well maintained.  However I discovered a couple that were overgrown so I felt like I was momentarily pioneering through a new jungle.  Plus there was a curious bird which, considering the ancient rocks and caves in the area, I would believe to be a manifestation of a local spirit – just saying hello.

Then there was a nice cafe on site, so that topped off a pleasant morning.

If you get the chane, check out the Spalding House!