Grayer Approved

February 17 2017.

On this day in 2012 one of the most memorable experiences of my life began.

I was told that I would be allowed to work the Yves Saint Laurent Retrospective at the Denver Art Museum.

I got to see some amazing pieces, and I even was allowed to take pictures during the process.

I sadly lost all of my photos of the final installation, but I at least have pictures of my behind the scenes work.

The green fox fur coat, the van Gogh jackets, the brass body forms, and every other piece made that whole experience unforgettable.

Fast forward to today, and we can look back ten years ago to 2007.

A movie that I loved, and a book I truly enjoyed, The Nanny Diaries.  In the movie Grayer is only allowed to go to a handful of very specific locations; The Met, The Morgan Library, The French Culinary Institute, and the New York Stock Exchange.

So of course, since I saw this movie I've wanted to go to them.

Well, obviously I've been to the Met a number of times.  The New York Stock Exchange is something I can only see from the outside, unless I'm wrong, but I have done at least that.

So that left me with the French Culinary Institute, which I haven't done any investigation on, but for years I've looked into going to The Morgan Library.

So after multiple attempts, and canceled plans, Julia and I finally went today.

And I'm so happy that we did.

A true gem in Manhattan.

The grand personal library of Pierpont Morgan.

The space from what I can tell is three rooms, an entryway, and a basement (which we didn't get to see, I only gathered it's existence from the windows at garden level, and a hidden staircase that went below ground floor).

You enter the library from the museum through the backdoor.  Our first stop was Mr. Morgan's study. This room was very beautiful, with a wonderful wood ceiling, red silk walls, and a two story book safe.

We then went into the Librarians Office, the second of the three rooms, where a number of objects were on display, with a large fireplace anchoring in the room that was haloed in a balcony of book shelves.

The final room was certainly the most grand.  A skylight is surrounded by a series of frescos (I think), then three of the walls are covered in bookcases.  Each bookcase is numbered, filled with perfectly organized books, and covered by the cleanest glass, and protected by metal lattice.

Upon further inspection we discovered hidden staircases behind the bookcases.  The north end of the library had a spiral staircase that I was able to see while peering through the crack in the case, and the south end had a zig-zag staircase that I couldn't look into.

The rest of the museum wasn't as spectacular, but I wonder if other parts of the Morgan estate can be explored, like their home.

I'm glad I finally went, and I would recommend you go too.

Until Tomorrow.