Henry Moore's Modern Sculptures at the Hakone Open Air Museum

There are several important sculptures by Henry Moore on permanent display at the Hakone Open Air Museum. These include Reclining Figure 1969–70, Reclining figure: Angles, Large Spindle Piece, Two Piece Reclining Figure and Two-Piece Reclining Figure: Points. There are another 13, that were part of the original collection purchased for permanent display when the museum opened in 1988.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8.0, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Giuliano Vangi's Grand Story at the Hakone Open Air Museum

One of the many sculptures that I really enjoyed at the Hakone Open Air Museum was 'Grande Racconto" (or 'Grand Story') by Giuliano Vangi.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/1000 sec.

Alice is in Central Park

On our family adventure in New York this past summer, we spent many hours walking through the fabulous Central Park. The family all marveled at the wonder located in this huge park in the center of the massive city. What an amazing place with so much to see and do!

We visited many of the monuments and statues throughout the park, but I especially liked the Alice in Wonderland sculpture. A truly amazing piece of are inspired by amazing literature!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/100 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/60 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Evening Stroll down Takeshita Dori

Last week my wife and I took a quick stroll from our house to Takeshita Dori in Harajuku. Even on a Sunday evening the street is full of life... At least until about 8 pm when most of the shops start closing.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1/50 sec.

Tarō Okamoto's L'Homme Végétal at the Hakone Open Air Museum

At the end of July, my sister came to Tokyo for several weeks to enjoy the end of her summer holidays before returning to Syracuse (and spend quality time with her nephew and niece). One of the first things we together was spend the day in Hakone. After summer vacation visits to some amazing museums in New York and Cleveland, you may have thought incorrectly that I must be tired of visiting museums. The fact is a visit Hakone without a visit to the Hakone Open Air Museum would be incomplete.

It's hard for any attraction in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (富士箱根伊豆国立公園) area to compete with the natural beauty of the area. However, the amazing surroundings combined with amazing art is always a winning combination. There is plenty to see in the museum, and the gardens don't hold back with the amazing world class sculptures. After passing through the entrance, L'Homme Végétal by Tarō Okamoto is one of the first of many amazing sculptures you will encounter. I'll post a more of my photos from this visit, perhaps a sculpture from Henry Moore, Picasso, Alexander Calder, or Giuliano Vangi.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

Totoro is Delicious

I've got a few more posts of our recent trip to NYC planned, but in the meantime here's another from my late summer walk through Nakano. Not exactly sure where in the Nakano Broadway area my sister and I found this treat, but there was a bakery that sold delicious cream filled Totoro shaped pan! An awesome anime themed snack perfectly suited for Nakano.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 35 mm, f5.6, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

On the Highline

After a delicious and farm fresh breakfast at the Chelsea Creamline, we took a short walk and met friends on The Highline. Although it was crowded, it lived up to all the hype. What a magnificent use of urban space! The gardens were in full summer bloom and the art installations were whimsical, fun and modern. It was an amazing beautiful space.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f8, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f8, ISO 100, 1/160 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 16 mm, f8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.