6309/Art Appreciation

Art Appreciation
Date of Scene:	23 May 2021
Location:	Metropolitan Museum of Art
Synopsis:	A visit to the museum nets a viewing of The Starry Night, and new friends made.
Cast of Characters:	Piotr Rasputin, Viola Fiore

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Piotr Rasputin has posed:
Ah, the museum of art. Piotr comes here rather often actually, whenever he can get a chance to steal himself away and get him some time. Although his own work is quite talented it is nothing like the pieces he can find here and so he comes to study, to admire, and to simply give himself to the culture on display.

Even dressed casually, jeans and a t-shirt, he stands out as a large man. His strong frame moving quite leisurely through the halls, pausing to look at a display now and then. Studying the information card and the various strokes and decisions the artist made with awe and quiet contentment.

Viola Fiore has posed:
Viola's low heels click softly on the tile flooring as she strolls slowly through the exhibits of the Grand Hall. She is wearing a black skirt and a white blouse, with her hair pulled back and pinned up with a pair of oriental sticks. A purse over one shoulder and a program in hand, the Italian-American young woman's eyes are on the paintings of some of the European masters.

The museum isn't too crowded, though some areas have more people lingering in them than others. As she makes her way into a room that houses a few Van Gogh paintings, there's a small group standing before one in particular. Viola makes her way over there, waiting for a few people to move on so she can get a better look. She catches her breath as she finds herself looking at The Starry Night. "Wow," she murmurs quietly. Seeing it in person so much better than seeing pictures of it on the internet or in TV shows.

https://www.startalkradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Van_Gogh_-_Starry_Night_-_Google_Art_Project_1400x975.jpg

Piotr Rasputin has posed:
"Wow indeed." Piotr says to the woman, unable to help but glance down to her a bit. He has that smile across his face, the usual friendly demeanor that cannot be missed. "I often wonder what went through their minds as they worked. Was it purposeful genious, or wild inspiration?" he points out as he turns back to the work of art.

"Sometimes I think...perhaps most often. A bit of both hm?" he adds as he turns back to her for a moment of time. "I dont think I'd ever find the genious they do, if I painted every day of my life." he adds.

Viola Fiore has posed:
"I know that I wouldn't," Viola replies, not having looked over yet to see who is talking to her. "That just isn't where any talents lie for me. I can put an outfit together or picture how decorations will bring a venue to life. But creating from... nothing like that. And having it be so original and expressive," Viola says, shaking her head in wonderment.

The woman in her early twenties finally pulls her attention away from the painting to look over to the man who addressed her. Her eyes find his chest as he turns out to be far larger than she expected. Her gaze slides upwards, a soft, interested smile given to the Russian man. "I really should have seen it before now. I have no excuse, as long as I've lived in New York," she tells him.

Piotr Rasputin has posed:
"I try to come here when I can." Piotr explains. "An artist myself, although not a master like this...I...well, I do well enough I suppose for me." he remarks humbly. "It is beautiful here, relaxing here, peaceful here." he turns to the woman, "It is important for us to enjoy the beauty of the world. Lest we forget with so much evil."

He moves lightly to the next piece to look at that as well, by the way he walks it seems he expects her to sort of follow. They are after all, both otherwise alone, and people tend to follow the same familiar perimeter at museums in an effort to not miss anything.

Viola Fiore has posed:
Viola Fiore finds herself trailing behind the large Russian. "Do you paint, or other mediums?" she inquires. As Piotr is looking at the next painting, Viola takes the moment to get a better look at Piotr with him seeing. But soon her eyes join him over the next work of art.

"It is very relaxing," she agrees. "So long as you can manage to fit in between the elementary school fieldtrips," she says with a soft grin, and Saturday being the perfect day for that of course. "I had a few classes at Columbia, which helped give me more an appreciation for art," she tells him. Viola stops beside Piotr, hands meeting behind her back as she focuses fully on the painting. "Though," she says in a stage whisper, "I still think the amounts people are willing to pay for them are a bit outrageous, the works like these."

Piotr Rasputin has posed:
"Paint..but I draw, charcoals...other mediums, but painting is my best." Piotr explains. He laughs lightly when she mentions dodging fieldtrips and the outrageous prices that people pay. "I don't think it outrageous at all. These are each one of a kind, there is nothing in the world like it. Like...a snowflake, or a person. Every stroke, every touch is its own...and thats just the physical value, not to mention what it does for the spirit." he points out.

He pauses for awhile and then chuckles, "That said...I dont have the millions to even consider such insane prices." he agrees affably.

Viola Fiore has posed:
"Well, maybe someday you'll be the one getting paid those amounts," Viola tells him, looking over to meet Piotr's eyes as she flashes him a warm smile. "But I won't argue that they are one of a kind," she agrees. "Just that there's a lot that could be done with... I don't even know... dozens of millions of dollars I'm sure," she says. "Or more," Viola adds, glancing back at The Starry Night.

Her attention returns to the Russian man. "I'm Viola, by the way. Viola Fiore," she offers to him. "So what sorts of things do you paint and draw?" she inquires, her attention turning more and more towards the man rather than the paintings there.

Piotr Rasputin has posed:
"Piotr." the Russian strongman introduces himself. "I doubt I'll ever reach these levels." he adds, "Not to mention, art isn't as appreciated as it once was, not like this." he doesn't seem upset by it, it simply is what it is. "I mostly do figures, people...but landscapes, buildings and such as well...whatever comes to mind. But its the human form I most enjoy."

"You aren't wrong, there is much that could be done with such money." Piotr agrees, "But...people believe in the good of each other as a general sense...and yet, so often selfish in a personal sense."

Viola Fiore has posed:
"You definitely aren't wrong," Viola says of Piotr's reflection on people. After a moment her lips purse slightly and she gives a soft sigh. "I shouldn't throw too many stones there. I pursued a sociology degree, intending to work with the poor. Try to better their lives," the young woman says, but the words having a tone at the end that suggests a deviation from that plan.

"Instead," Viola tells him, "I found a great job in college as an event planner. One I enjoy and that pays me quite nicely. And after a lot of soul searching, I accepted an offer from the woman who I'd worked under to become her partner," she says. Viola sighs again. "Which, I can't say wasn't a selfish decision. So who am I to cast blame?"

She shakes her head and refocuses on Piotr. "I'd be interested to see your work sometime. If it's something that you ever show to people?"

Piotr Rasputin has posed:
"I do. I show my friends often." Piotr admits, "Yes, I suppose we could somehow arrange for you to see the works." he admits. he considers her a moment and then says, "It's ok for you to be a little selfish, you are human. We all do it." he grins.

He leans down to her as if he has a secret to tell, "I find though, as long as I /try/ and do good...often I do, and that is sometimes enough. Do more good in this world than I do not. Give more than I take. I bet you can do that." he says, always seeing the best in people.

Viola Fiore has posed:
The young woman's eyes shine up at Piotr softly. "I hope that I do that," she tells him. Though one can tell it's something that she has reflected on, and still does.

Viola opens her purse and looks inside, searching through to find something inside. She pulls her fingers back out and closes it, holding a small business card in her hand.

"My number," she says offering it to him. It has her name and number and email, and the name of an event planning service, which quite likely Piotr hasn't heard of before, but if he had he would know they are rather a a high end group, the kind that plan events for celebrities, the wealthy, corporations and the like. "If you'd ever like to show them to me... I hope I'll hear from you," she says, smiling to Piotr and offering him the card.

Piotr Rasputin has posed:
He accepts the card and smiles looking down at it. "I can almost promise you will." Piotr says to her. "I will look through my works to see if I have something worthy to show you." he promises then.

A moment taken as he places the card in his pocket, "It was fortunate to run into you here. You never know what you may find in the museum." he adds with a light chuckle. "It has been wonderful to meet you Viola Fiore."

Viola Fiore has posed:
"And to meet you, artist Piotr," Viola replies to him. She smiles and reaches out, her fingers touching his arm for a brief moment. "I'm going to be heading out. I'll look forward to seeing you again sometime," she says, accompanying the words with a warm, somewhat dazzling smile.

She withdraws her hand turns then, her heels just softly heard on the tile as she makes her way towards the museum entrance. She turns, glancing back over her shoulder towards the man just before turning the corner out of sight.