Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool
****1/2
We went to two exhibitions in this vast museum. "Liverpool in the blitz" was superb and included first-hand accounts from people who lived through the war.  The sort of exhibition which the rather shoddy Beatles Story could learn a lot from - I really hope that it is kept as a permanent exhibition somewhere.  We also went to an excellent though very depressing exhibition on the trade of slaves from Africa to the west 200-250 years ago.  Two superb exhibitions which are difficult to fault.
Seen by me: 2.5.04 (with Naomi)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
****
An absolutely massive museum with extensive collections from all eras of art. We concentrated on the superb Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection, which is second only to the Musee D’Orsay in Paris in size of all such collections I’ve seen, as well as the interesting and extensive 20th Century and modern collection. It would take several days to properly see all of the collections in this huge museum which is rather overwhelming - this is not helped by very poor signposting which surprisingly seems to be a US museum trait. A superb art collection essential to any painting-loving visitor to New York.
Seen by me: 26.10.04 (with Naomi)

Murikami, Takasi - Kaikai Kiki
Serpentine Gallery, London
***1/2
Refreshing, colourful, child-like exhibition of paintings and sculptures by the Japanese artist. Evoking a positive reaction, it's not very trendy but I enjoyed it.
Seen by me: 1/03 (with Anne and her grand-daughter)

Musee D’Orsay, Paris
***
The Musee D’Orsay holds probably the best collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings in the world though their hanging is not very imaginative by modern standards.  More importantly, the museum can’t cope with its huge influx of visitors and the crowds around each painting make for a distinctly unpleasant artistic experience.  Even worse were the number of people virtually shoving you out of the way to take pictures of the works with their digital cameras and cell-phones.  Not really the way to appreciate art – I’ve never seen the mobile craze interfering with what should be a cultural experience this badly.  Even the café was crowded and of course, a terrible rip off…
Something needs to be done – the density of artworks needs to be reduced by some paintings being moved elsewhere as well as better facilities for the genuine art-loving punter.  And how about a ban on any type of photography supplemented by a more comprehensive postcard collection in the shop.  Nice paintings, shame about the layout an the people!
Seen by me:  13.2.05  (with Naomi and Amy) 

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, United States
****
Excellent extensive museum with art and artefacts from most of the world.  As usual we concentrated mainly on the European and American collections which included a good showing from the Impressionists (with particularly well-known works by Van Gogh such as Postman Joseph Roulin).  The museum’s collection also included excellent works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe and David Hockney amongst others.  Well worth visiting.
Visited:  31.10.04 (with Naomi)

Museum Of Modern Art, Pompidou Centre, Paris
****
After the old art at the Louvre and massive crowds at the Musee D’Orsay, it was good to go to a gallery with more contemporary works and plenty of space.  The airy Museum Of Modern Art at the weird but wonderful Pompidou Centre has an excellent collection of early 20^th Century and contemporary paintings and sculpture.  Like most modern art collections it has a certain proportion of dross though the most contemporary works can be the most interesting and enlightening.  One of our favourites was a massive paper-mache igloo with black spirals painted on white walls.  The visitor was invited to go in and see the weird effects.  It certainly made a good photograph, as does the Pompidou Centre itself.  An excellent setting and hanging of a very good collection.
Visited:  14.2.05 (with Naomi and Amy)