"Thomas Cole's Journey: Atlantic Crossings" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

In collaboration with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

T.A.P.S.'s Legacy Mentors, during their trip to New York City, embarked on a tour of the museum's exhibit Thomas Cole's Journey: Atlantic Crossings and then wandered the museum independently. 

DIANA

"Throughout Thomas Cole's exhibit was a consistent theme of clouds, with an overwhelming feeling of an impending storm. Grief is like that. There are moments of dark thunderous storm clouds, of clouds that let in a bit of sunshine, and grey clouds that linger for days. I was struck by a painting where the clouds looked like a large hand that was going to engulf the land. Barely visible was a figure with his hands raised to the heavens. It stopped me in my tracks. I have been that person, feeling as if I would be engulfed by my pain. Figuratively, I have shaken my hands in anger, frustration and pain wondering why?  As I stood in awe of this work, I became lost in the storm's turmoil and the anguish of the man - I know that pain. The ability to connect with the painting on this level, made it more than a static piece of art, art has transcended time and is a dynamic representation of wo/man's struggle with forces greater than him/her."

WES

"The five painting series titled "The Course of Empire" created by Thomas Cole really correlated to the fall of man. The fall of the empire essentially showed man creating, as well as man destroying and getting destroyed. This mirrors the fall of man because man ate the forbidden fruit of the tree in Genesis and thus creating a fallen and sinful world. The paintings showed five different portrayals of the stages from creation of empire to the destruction of empire, as well as rebirth after such collapse. Grief is a lot like this because there are highs and lows after losing someone close to you. Once you feel low, you may never think that you will get out of the rut you are in, but it is possible. Because there is rebirth after suffering."

SILVIA

"Nothing really touched me specifically, but I did discover an overall trend that touched my heart.

We are not alone our grief and hardships.

All throughout history, people have struggled with death and destruction, just as we deal with death in our own lives. Their legacies still live on to this day for us to see, share, and experience.

To me, that is rather comforting. Although we have been through difficult losses and destruction of lives, we too will carry on, thrive, and our legacies will live on as well as the legacy of our loved ones."

"I really enjoyed the European Sculpture and Arts mainly, I think, due to the part of history these pieces all hold. It's important to me to look back at where I have come from, both as an individual and as the next person in a line of people that have led different lives in different times. When reflecting on these people it often seems so untouchable and almost unreal. However, when given the opportunity to really consider it all, we all have so many similarities and really don't lead too different of lives. The chance to really stop and look at history helps me to truly connect to it.

Something that helps me to really appreciate what I looked at today is because of my dad. It was a true passion of his and today we look at him in our past, similar to history. Moreover, I think when it comes to viewing these pieces and relating to them,  it is more clear to view it as nothing new under the sun. There are things in our lives that make us feel isolated, yet there is nothing we are doing or experiencing that is new in this world. It gives me a bit of perspective. And perspective is what connects and differentiates us. It is what makes us unique and relatable."

TAYLOR

"What brought me back in the Thomas Cole collection would be the precision of his sky. I connect with sunrises and sunsets. I used to watch the sun come up in the morning with my dad before he passed. Now, every time I see a beautiful sunset I think of him and smile. His favorite helicopter's name was also, only, sunset! Thomas Cole did a marvelous job mastering the cloud studies from John Constable.

The gallery that captured my interest the most would be the photography downstairs. I enjoy perceiving others through photos based on lighting, location, individuals, placements, and others. Photography helps me escape and takes me to another location or feeling. I can feel the energy through real photos. It's like looking at normal life through a different view. We're not alone. We are all different, but we're all human"

            In response to "Babes in the Wood" by Thomas Crawford

"As I was passing through the American wing, walking to a painting depicting Washington's crossing of the Delaware River, a white sculpture caught my eye. So, I turned to this room which diverted my path. Before I was upon it, I knew it was children and I knew they were dead. By the peaceful way their faces were and by how the little boy's arm lay - just lifeless - I knew. I was touched at how they embraced each other but felt of how scared, tired, and lonely they must have been before dying. My heart ached. Then I read the details and wept quite a bit. The children were in fact dead but what was my tipping point on the release of my emotions was how the bird, a robin, tried to bury the children with leaves and twigs. How nature shows such respect to the dead and dying led me to tears. Those poor children, the poor parents, poor Thomas Crawford for whatever he must have experienced to create such a profound piece on grief, death, dying, and ritual."

RYAN

"The Tibetan bells are viewed in the musical instruments on the second floor of the Met. They come in varying sizes, each rusted over with years of usage. Though different in size and appearance. These bells all ring the same, just as the survivors of military loss all grief our loved ones. Despite coming from different backgrounds and have different experiences, we share the pain and the grief that comes with losing the ones we love. This speaks to me, emphasizing the commonality we share which is the very thing that allows us to heal. Just as the Tibetan bells all ring together, despite the damage they've sustained, we live our lives together through incredible emotional hardship."

"I was shocked that I was so interesting in Thomas Cole. Normally I am interested in Egyptian Art, but his use of colors, emotions, and story telling in his work is amazing.

I saw a sketch book of his, and noticed his drafts. They honestly looked like a bunch of scribbles, and it just looked so small. But then it reminded me about us. How we start off as small. From birth, from school, from our jobs. From from the beginning, we all start off as something so little. Then, gradually, colors start to be added, there is more shading and definition, and sometimes there are mistakes that can't be removed, and transformed into something else. The process of a painting is very much life our lives, or even our journey through grief. We are constantly working on ourselves and the end could be something we never intended it to be.

I think we're always planning things out, just like how an artist makes sketches, and it's scary when it doesn't go a way sometimes, but I've come to realize that's the beauty of it. It's tragic, but it's what shapes us and can possibly make an impact on other people and the world, just like a painting./;

JACLYN

"Stained Glass Windows"                                                                                                                     "Thomas Cole's 5 Piece Series: Course of Empire"

When a door is not a door                                                                                                                                            Untouched life cannot exist forever And the image you once held no more                                                                                                                                       and death will not sustain The pieces come crashing down                                                                                                                                                this world is one of change Left scattered on the ground                                                                                                                                         nothing ever will remain the same. Simply lift your head.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 See new art forming in place of dread.                                                                                                                                                                                                     Clear, it is not the same beauty as before                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            A whole new world to explore

NICOLE

Life is a process. Seeing the process between each artist's idea and final implementation was really neat. From the sketches to the studies, you got to see first hand how the artist interacted with his medium, got the desired imagery, and created the final product. Grief works in the same way. You experiment, find what works and what doesn't work to produce that final piece.

First, the 5 series paintings depicting the rise and desolation of an empire was magnificent, a wonderful experience! But, it was at this series that I found myself lingering. I looked at the ruins, the smoke rising, the moon. I found hope in it. Hope in the ruins. I related it metaphorically to tragedy in life. How we rise up from the ashes (ruins, smoke) to rebuild. But to not rebuild the same but to rebuild a new, since the first attempt was met with destruction. Though knowing that it could once again be destroyed, you still rebuild. The moon in the final painting was hope for me and the headless statues was reaching for it.

R. PYCIOR

Nothing can be done to hold back nature. Nature is the highest of powers. Nature retains ultimate control. Humans are but a second on the cosmic clock. Life is short. Life will be good and life will be bad. Life must and will go on. You can move forward or try to fight. You cannot fight moving forward. You must evolve. You must try to control what can be controlled. I was born, I live, and I will die. Life must and will go on. I am ready for the future. 

CHELSEA

I enjoyed being able to see the variety of art at the Met. This was the perfect time for me to come here and reflect on artwork because I am taking an art class for school. I like seeing the beauty mountains portray. Sometimes the colors are so bright and energizing and other times it may be dark. Art also has a way of transforming past events to the future, the tragedies that happen within artwork show people that they are not alone. It is sad to see characters in artwork face hardships, but it allows art to be relatable. Art can also bring back good memories that make you happy again. I love being able to use art to reflect on my life.

JUSTIN

This whole museum represented the many pathways of life that occurred and will possibly occur. Not only did it tell a story of the past, but also made you think of the future. Even though I did not get to use the whole museum, I can say that I have been given a recap of my life just by looking at several pieces of art. One piece that made me intrigued and astonished was the "Course of Empire" by Thomas Cole. This piece represents not only the reality of nature and human history, but also the possible hope and outcome of an individual experience. The beginning phase which is purely nature represents the beauty and opportunity of our lives. The triumph and riches of the empire represent our accomplishments and of course the war and destruction represents our tragedy in our life. The last phase included ruins with nature, representing how our tragedies should never be forgotten, but emphasized because they have made us who we are. Even though it was the last painting, it is no where near the end because we can continue to keep building ourselves and emphasizing the beauty of life.