It’s a thread of a thread of a thread! Anyway, let’s have some opposites of the “less impressive in person” thread - yes, the Mona Lisa is not that cool in person.
But the Grand Canyon certainly is. Holy crap, what a thing to see! And Hawaii looks just like a postcard - the water is really that color and it’s really that lovely.
What else?
The pyramids of Giza. Seeing them in pictures or on television will not prepare you for just how grand they really are. And when you think that these were made before the days of modern construction equipment–it’s just mind-boggling.
Amen to that, this is exactly what I was gonna post. Even from miles away across the Nile they’re awe-inspiring.
Michaelangelo’s David. I have seen a lot of famous artwork in person, and usually it’s kind of underwhelming, but not The David. It is fucking amazing.
A number of years ago, the Cleveland Museum of Art had an exhibition of pieces from the Vatican museums. One of the pieces was Caravaggio’s Deposition from the Cross, a piece I had seen umpteen times in art history books (and printed at about the size you’ll see it in the link.)
The piece is HUGE – about 10’ x 6’. The CMA had it displayed beautifully – you turned a corner and entered a darkened gallery, and the painting was hung at a height where it felt like Nicodemus and John were going to place the body right into your arms. I do believe I gasped audibly when I saw it. I’m not a particularly religious person, but that is one helluva painting.
Most of the Aleutian Islands.
I am a skilled photographer yet I almost never share my photos of the islands because the scale of time and effort to see the geography and wildlife is imposable to share with photos. Even my absolute best ones don’t really tell the story I want to share. It is like trying to describe a roller coaster ride with photos.
The Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick. Not only are they more impressive close up, but you can see the tide going out.
I’ve also found the 1812 Overture much better live with real cannons. That just can’t be captured on records.
The Grand Canyon for certain. I saw it when I went to Vegas this year. For that matter, everything in Vegas is much more impressive in person. The Fountains at the Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, the neon lights. I can’t wait to go back.
I’ll go with the Himalayas. I almost didn’t get to see them when I was in Nepal because of the constant rain, but on my last day in Pokhara the day dawned bright and sunny and suddenly there they were. I took a cab up to Sarangkot and they were almost too big to comprehend. Amazing.
a good dj with 4 turn tables…anyone can make electronica at home (well in theory) but seeing someone mixing live music like that will change the way you feel about it.
I agree. Just an amazing piece of work.
Virtually any painting by Jackson Pollack. See photos in books or on the internet, and they look like the embodiment of the phrase “Jeez, my 6-year-old could paint that.” Seen up close there’s a vibrance and urgency that’s nearly palpable. I never got Pollack till I saw one up close.
I guess 2 people beat me to the Grand Canyon. If you are in that area Bryce Canyon is also very impressive, some people like it better than the GC. Zion Canyon is very good too.
The Kremlin. I had a day to kill in Moscow on the way back from Uzbekistan (which was also cool in its own right) and decided to circumnavigate it on the outside. Took me almost an hour and a half. Place is huge.
The Mediterranean Sea: That color of blue is just unreal. On a related note…if anyone wants to see the most beautiful place in the world Cinque Terra the pictures just don’t do it justice…it is amazing. The only time in my life where my breath was literally taken away.
The Sistene Chapel: I was amazed by it. I never knew that EVERY INCH of the place was painted, and the colors are vibrant, the people look real, it looks like it hasn’t aged one bit.
New York City was much more impressive in person than I had expected. The city’s size, density and activity cannot be appreciated until you have been there. Central Park is much, much cooler than I had thought it was - it’s much bigger, much prettier, and much more a nature preserve than you might be led to believe.
Yankee Stadium, however, was underwhelming.
Yes! I got my first look at them out the window of the plane as we were coming into Cairo, and it brought tears to my eyes. They’re overwhelming and incredibly beautiful.
I forgot the Hoover Dam. Damn!
And hockey! How could I forget hockey? Actually being at a game is so different from watching it on TV. Seats down by the ice especially. The game is much faster than it looks. For every other sport, my preference is to watch it on TV. For hockey, I’d rather be there.
The Vietnam Memorial is also something that must be experienced rather than just seen. I’ll never forget how being there made me feel. Pictures can’t begin to take you there.
RickJay, your post reminds me that the WTC towers were truly impressive. I had been to NY many times before I went up. I had really resisted going up. But was dragged there by friends. And when I got there I thought they were amazing.
