The Deer House, 2010 Next Wave Festival, BAM
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I’m So torn that I am NOT going to go see this piece, ”The Deer House” at BAM ( premiers on October 5). I’ll be out of the town… for the entire period while this piece is showing. The Next Wave Festival every year at BAM always brings something intriguing. And for this year, ” The Deer House” will be that intriguing piece to me. By the way Vollmondo ( Full Moon) , the modern dance piece by Pina Bausch ( with all my respect for her) also looks quite amazing. The short clip of the Deer House shows already enough of intensity of this piece in great amount of mad beautiful costumes very much inspired by Matthew Barney’s works ( actually maybe TOO much inspired and not sophisticated enough as Barney’s that is disappointing in a way I have to say). I would love to go see this show so I can properly review the piece but anyhow seeing it from the video clip and reading what is all about, it sounds quite interesting. So if anyone of you go see it, drop me an e-mail like you always do.
Here I collected a few of what main inspiration of the Deer House may have come from (apart from the story) : watch Matthew Barney’s cremaster . And below a few pic of Matthew Barney’s work. I mean how much he had inspired this world we all live in. Genius!
“A lot of my work has to do with not allowing my characters to have an ego in a way that the stomach doesn’t have an ego when it’s wanting to throw up. It just does it.”
– Matthew Barney.
All the eyes are on me.
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Today at Fort Greene Flea, We totally scored 11 of these loose doll eyes. How freaking awesome!!
Head starts moving heart starts pumping. Wooooo Feeling Sssso itch to have some D.I.Y time with these cool eyes. Yes they blink and all. The best part of it!
Thought of a ring. Thought of a Necklace. Thought of an abstract collage painting sort of thing. Thought of a pin. Thought of a tee shirt. Thought of so many possibilities.
I’ll definitely share a pic of whatever that will be done with these lovely eyes!
Where We all can breath: Storm King Art Center, Hudson Valley.
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Above and Below photos: Alexander Calder The Arch, 1975, Storm King Art Center
Emi has been talking about us visiting Storm King Art Center for a while now and We finally did during this gorgeous 3 day Labor day weekend. ( Thank you for the most amazing weather!) About little over one hour car ride from NYC , Storm King Art center is located on beautiful Hudson Valley of New York State. Impressive 500 acre of this artsy land is masterfully landscaped with the most natural nature in mind and proudly showcases more than 100 prominent larger than life scale sculptures of Serra, Carder, Noguchi, Goldsworthy and other numerous artists from 1960s to now including a few sight specific master pieces as Noguchi’s MomoTaro and Goldsworthy’s Storm King Wall. The park is sectioned ( if you ever notice it) by main 4 areas : North Woods, Museum Hill, Meadows and South Fields, and I just can see how this park will turn into a each seasonal beauty and can’t wait to come back for the peak of Autumn and for the park that’s beautifully covered by snow in winter. There are little lakes, amazingly open and free beautiful meadows and hill top of Museum site is just breathtaking and also serene. We felt in love with Storm King Art Center and are supporting this amazing park by having become members of the Art Center: We got a family membership for all 3 of us at only $50.00 for an entire year. Unlimited visits throughout the year, invitations to special events and specially guided 1 winter tour and other benefits… ( I highly recommend it!)
Here Enjoy a few pics out of over 100 post-Word War II sculptures. Here’s my favorite quote from the center’s walking guide: ”At Storm King, exhibition space is defined by earth and sky”. And it is exactly what it is.
From the top: Beautiful old Cattle farm time then passage roads, Nevelson, Mark di Suvero, Richard Serra, Alexander Liberman.
Here’s the Museum/visitor center of the Art center. The house was built back in 1955. The first floor has a small book shop and the ground floor main room with a beautiful view to the outside park rotates and runs various exhibitions throughout the year.
Totally true…!
The model of the Art center at Museum in the main room on the ground floor.
Calder’s Five Swords. 1976. The model, a pic from the one of passed winter and this weekend. By the way check out my past blog about Calder.
A view outside of the museum. These columns are Not sculptures actually. These were found and saved by the founder of the Art Center.
And then, there is Andy Goldsworthy. One of our favorite artist who explores and works with Nature in most clever and respectful way. We have been following him over 10 years now (thanks to Miriam then my big boss). I remember going to see ” Rivers and Tides”, a documentary film of Andy Goldsworthy’s work and life came out then. I think it was at IFC film center… AMAZING…. Anyway the letter above is the letter from Goldsworthy writing about his possibility of work, “Storm King Wall” the famous site specific project and love for the Art center ( 1995).
Check out some Youtube clips of Storm King Wall and his other works. There are millions of Clips of his work on youtube. And you must Check out Goldsworthy’s film, ” Rivers and Tides”
Ursula Von Rydingsvard’s wood sculpture right outside the museum. Quite intriguing.
The Viewing Scope by Alison Shotz. Right by the Museum. I find this scope extremely beautiful. Cold to touch, sleek, feels much high tech yet somehow this scope carries futuristic serenity. Love it!
Grace Knowlton, Spheres. Awesome.
3 of us on a tram: you can get an initial overview of the center by choosing to get on this free tram. I thought this was a relaxing way to start the park and get to see some of main pieces with short yet efficient guide. Then you can walk around and get lost, take pics, hike, take a nap or do whatever you wish to do. You can also rent bicycles here. Don’t forget you have 500 acres to cover!
I only shared a fraction of what you can see and feel here. It’s a truly amazing place. Go and go back again and again and again…!
lOve Art.!!
SOUND SUITS: NICK CAVE
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Vogue, the September issue.
Personally and symbolically, the September issue of Vogue has been a really good inspiration for me from many different angles: re birth of 50’s ( in a very good way, Thanks to Prada and Louise Vuitton) and never ending effort and searches of progressive fashion designers of Futurism ( I mean.. look at all those towering height and architectural behavior of all those shoes, my jaw drops here) ARE clearly much better and ahead than many actual architecture outcomes out there. The prototypes of ourselves in modern life in the Future or any sort of thing, I like them all and find them extremely important and interesting. Despite of all of these goodness, my absolute favorite spread out of the entire issue was ” Monsters, Inc” : the amazing 8 page colorful creativity of artist NICK CAVE’s Sound Suits outshine any fancy bags and shoes including $2595.00 Marc Jacob’s mink Pom Pom Bag.
Chicago based Artist , Nick Cave has been running a Traveling exhibition, “Meet me at the Center of the Earth” since early this year at Fowler Museum, UCLA( ended on May 10th). The presentation consisted of 35 of his sound suits, which are sculptures made by multi-layered mixed-media and are named for the sounds they create when worn. Influenced by African and Caribbean rituals as well as haute couture, Cave’s work explores the ideas of transformation, myth and identity. BRILLIANT! I so wish I saw the performance of Sound Suits in person….! And thank you Vogue for Amazing collaboration!
Making of SOUND SUITES
Facce di Firenze: Faces of Florence
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Ahhh Che Bella Firenze…!
Gaudi Gaudi Antonio Gaudi, Barcelona
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There are 7 masterpieces of Gaudi’s in Barcelona yet we picked 2 out all at the end for this short trip. Parc Guell also makes sense to visit better with Gael and I always always wanted to go visit the Casa Mila’ or better known as La Pedrera house and also the church Sagrada Familia. Personally, Casa Mila’ always struck me as the most and the best modern design work that Gaudi ever had done. It almost comes to me as a shock to hear that Gaudi had built this house in the period of 1905-1912. What an architect with a vision and creativity he was….!!
From the top; the facade, court yard, lobby, attic, the model of Casa Mila’ and the famous roof top.
Now here we are at the Sagrada Familia. One tip for everyone. Plan to visit all the Gaudi sites for the first thing in the morning. Casa Mila’ wasn’t too bad. We were in a line for an half an hour then we were able to get in. But Sagrada Familia? We had to attempt 3 times then the last one was at early as 9:00 am in the morning. The church opens to public at 9:00 am but be there like 8:30 then it would be nice and quick. The wait is totally worth to do so but you don’t want to be in the line for hours.
The massive private fund Roman catholic church Sagrada Familia was built back in 1882 has not still completed yet. The expected date of completion of this church is not until the year 2026. Isn’t that just crazy??? The vast scale and idiosyncratic design of this church feels almost daring and Rebellious to me. It’s crazy awesome. The underground level of this church houses the gypsum workshop to complete this master piece in behalf of Gaudi himself. By paying 2 extra euro, you can use a lift to the top of narrow tower to experience the famous stair cases and different views of the church from the different heights and angles through numerous small windows along the tower.
It’s breath taking.
Black Swan Gallery: Frome, England
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A cute little town built on Steep hills with much characteristic cobble stone streets Frome (read frum) is actually the 4th largest town in Somerset where there are many artists and interesting small boutiques including speak easy style vintage shops attracting many visitors from surrounding like Bath and Bristol. Just the evening before the Frome, we had visited quite famous Roman Bath town, Bath but Frome is the town where my heart really lays. Unpretentious and less touristic vibe really captured my heart.
Little streets along the hills houses small bakeries, vintage shops and diverse local businesses. I liked many places but the favorite would be the “Black Swan Galley” on the bottom of the hills. Below, the gallery from the outside.
Vibrant and funky stair case to the exhibition of Ralph Steadman and Keith Newstead on the second floor of the gallery: a collaboration of an well known cartoonist and illustrator Steadman and a mechanic Newstead. The most of pieces in this exhibition are pretty much Steadman’s fantasy world creatures came to a life turned into machines by Newstead’s fantastic mechanism such as one of music box as well.
The hand and ink drops of Steadman: it reminds me of Jackson Pollock. A lot of drawings also reminded me of the work of Tim Burton. The imagination that goes miles long that you can’t just stop…
The mechanic dragon. It is fantastically made and moves. Each piece has certain humor in it’s movement: naughty, creative, unexpected, attitude… So much more than just a moving machine. It’s certain move evokes the audience to think about the story behind and what could happen next…! I loved it!
Yes here’s another one. You can kind of imagine what’s going on. Right? Below wall shows drawings of Keith Newstead.
She was our favorite!!! Not only because of her beauty ( her hair, mouth, the fingers and the bras…) but also because of her amazing use of her arms when she swims: her moves are slow but has the will and strength in them like she’s after to save someone almost.
Also there is a series of these single simple figures. They move side ways in a naughty attitude. I believe I caught him below during his funny move.
Read more about the artists. www.ralphsteadman.com www.keithnewsteadautomata.com
Now checking out the ground floor and below walking through a cute cafe’ at the gallery. Love the checkerboard flooring and the Forna Setti’s wall paper on the back. And of course a little outdoor space. It’s perfect!
Right outside of cafe to the left, 3 artist’s studios and the hallway looking out the Cafe’s garden.
Wire work artist, Mel Day www.melday.co.uk
I find her work quite beautiful. She uses all different sizes and kinds of wire.
A wire woman cutting her hair. Can you see her scissors in her hand…? The artist told us this was commissioned piece based on her one of past work. I thought this could be a nice piece for Emi’s studio, but we ended up passing on it. There were so many great work of Day that we wanted to own, but we are traveling on a small carry on bags… next time…!
The artist said she was inspired by corals. Beautiful ha? And it’s quite flexible and soft rather than rigid without any motions.
Now moving on to the next studio Ceramic and glass artists, Adam Harvey & Emma Wells. Brilliant artists they are! Their work is familiar yet definitely unique. Those tiny leg like things remind me of suctions of octopus and beautifully broken and disappearing ends of ceramic in unconventional angles and proportion are quite amazing. They looked and felt so fragile so I was super careful to handle them…
Visit their website www.harveywells.co.uk
Tania Emi and Me strolling Catherine hill where small vintage, antique and also modern interior shops are lined up… cute little area.
If you are ever on this side of England, you should check out Frome for Black Swan Gallery, cute hills with small boutiques and the Weekend open market…! I really liked the genuine local feel of this town!!
Visiting the Big Bambu’ : Met, NYC
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So one of recent hottest days, the Monday the July 5th, Emiliano and I headed over to Met to see the “Big Bambu’”. By the way, NYC was pleasantly empty and easy to get around! It always feels like bit of luxury not to have too many folks in the city. Anyway, The Bamboos? Awesome. I wish we were here when they just had installed these. It must have been beautifully green and felt more true to Bamboo that what I think it is in my head. But still awesome. So this cool idea has been built since April and it’s supposed to be actually daily project that more bamboo poles get to added bit by bit till October. You can take a guided tour to the top (which we didn’t know about), and if you like to do so, then you need to buy a ticket at the ground level. No open toe shoes or skirts or kids under the 10 years old are allowed.
What do you call it..? A beauty in massive chaos? The artsy geometry of shade created by bamboo poles felt amazing in a hot day like this. Artists Doug + Mike Starns teamed up with Rock Climbers to create this complexity and energy of this ever changing living organism. Yes I missed the beginning of this organism, but I’ll catch the end.
We are going back to see more completed “Big Bambu’” in October and I’ll wear a good pair of Rock Climbing shoes!!! Can’t wait to experience the height and whole another view from the top. Friday night roof top turns to a bar, and I saw millions of light fixtures hanging from the bamboo poles, so It should be quite beautiful at night. Maybe able to see the sunset too? Of course Emi got all inspired to build something on our roof top now. Maybe the next Spring.
Here, read more about the Bamboo Project! www.metmuseum.org/home.asp
Just …!
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A conversation with Two Artists: Fashion! at Metropolitan Museum
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Back in May, I had an awesome opportunity to give a lecture/discussion at Metropolitan Museum as a related event to ” American Women” Exhibition. The American Women Exhibition was made possible with collaboration between Brooklyn Museum’s Costume Collection and the Costume Institute of Metropolitan Museum.
on June 3, a blog about my lecture was posted on Brooklyn Museum blog site. Check it out!
Quote from the Posting as follow! :
“In celebration of the new relationship between Brooklyn Museum’s Costume Collection and the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, teen programs at both museums have joined forces to offer fashion related events for teens.
On Friday, May 14, Brooklyn Museum Apprentices visited The Metropolitan Museum for the teen event, A Conversation with Two Artists: Fashion! Also attending the event were other teens from across the city. Jaehee Park, a design director at the Gap, and Andrew Bolton, Curator of The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum discussed their influences and work/life experiences in the fashion world.
Jaehee Park showed off her sketch book and talked about the six t-shirts she designed in conjunction with The Metropolitan’s exhibition American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity. All six t-shirts are now on sale in Gap stores. Andrew Bolton talked about exhibition design and made suggestions for those interested in becoming fashion curators. He recommends majoring in art or design history as an undergraduate and then focusing on fashion history in graduate school.
This teen event kicked off the T-shirt Design Competition for Teens being sponsored in conjunction with the exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum. Teens entering the design contest must visit the The Metropolitan Museum’s fashion exhibition and Brooklyn Museum’s exhibition, American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection to gather inspiration and design ideas. The deadline for submissions is June 14, 2010.
Other teen events include a teen night at the Brooklyn Museum and a teen festival at The Metropolitan Museum. The Brooklyn Museum’s Teen Night: Focus on Fashion will feature a dance party, performances, and hands-on art making. The event will be held on Friday, June 4 starting at 5:00 pm in the lobby. Teens are encouraged to come dressed in fashions inspired by their favorite period in American history. The Metropolitan’s Teen Festival: From Suffragist to Sirens celebrates the winners of the T-shirt design competition on Saturday, July 17 from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. Hands-on art making activities will be features at the festival.”
www.brooklynmuseum.org/community/blogosphere/bloggers/2010/06/03/teens-unite-at-two-institutions/