Newfields: Indianapolis Art Campus

In August, we spent an entire day exploring Newfields, located about 15 minutes north of downtown. This is the entrance into the Museum of Art. These brightly colored snails are part of a traveling exhibition of animals (we had some in Cleveland last summer). They are made of recycled plastic and were placed in various locations, to promote environmental awareness. And, you were allowed to touch them!

The museum had 4 floors. We started at the top in contemporary art. Here is a Warhol.

This was my favorite piece of the whole day, just because I had never experienced anything like it. At first, we entered the room and thought it was just a bunch of speakers hanging from the ceiling. That's when we began to hear the voices. It was both creepy and soothing at the same time, if that makes any sense. Read the description below, if you are able to enlarge it.

One of the special exhibits was Bes-Ben: The Mad Hatter of Chicago. I was unfamiliar with this brother/sister milliner team, whose mid-century hats were coveted and worn by the rich and famous.

Most were completely absurd, like this skunk hat. I enjoyed looking at each and every one of them.

We also loved the design gallery, featuring furniture and other assorted home furnishings from the last century. Seeing the first Sony Walkman made me feel old!

They had a small gallery of antiquities, which I always enjoy.

An African mask

 

 

On the grounds is the Lilly House, built by the grandson of Eli Lilly in the 1930's. The estate was called Oldfields and was donated by the family in 1966 to the Indianapolis art association. We were able to tour the house on our own. Surprisingly, it didn't seem as big inside as it looks on the outside. Probably because the entire mid-section inside was the foyer and circular staircase.

The family gardens were restored and quite lovely. I thought some of these animals looked like they were relieving themselves in the bushes, but my husband and daughter just gave me a look.

 

Behind these kissing birds was a beer garden, where I enjoyed a refreshing glass of water. The building housed an array of succulents and orchids.

Did I mention how large the grounds were? We got in our exercise that day. There was an Art & Nature Park with some large exhibits, such as these Funky Bones. As you can see, we had no problem spending a day at Newfields.