Ultimate Summer Party: MoMA PS1, NYC!
Filed Under Architecture, Art, Culture, Dance, Design, Events, Family, Fashion, Film, For the Weekend, Friend, Music, NYC, Queens | 1 Comment
Awesome Breezy Entrance at MoMA PS1. Warm Up Ps1: the Ultimate Summer Party for NYC!
I can’t believe it’s already the 14th year now MoMA PS1 is holding this music, dance, art installation that’s all happening in one gigantic outdoor party on Saturdays all summer long at this cool industrial area in Queens, NYC!!! When we all heard then MoMA was branching out a sister MoMA out to Queens: PS1 taking over formal Public School #1 on Queens, We all were bit skeptical even though there are a few prominent Art and Design institutional places like Noguchi museum in the same neighbor hood. \It felt bit out of the way compare to the mail one is on posh and touristy uptown in Manhattan. But PS1 had proved that was only a worry that we didn’t have to have at all after all. PS1 now has grown into a proud and even more rebellious and interesting little yet not so little sister of MoMA fueling Powerful Energy of New and Young Generation of Cool NYC peeps. And maybe even of the “World” as you will be surprised to see and hear how many international visitors at not just “Warm” but maybe more of “Hot” summer Dance parties that PS 1 is housing year after year. Every year PS1 holds a competition to design and doll up their envious grand schemed concrete and grabbled awesomely modern yard, and I personally like to thank to MomA doing this so as this is an absolutely a brilliant idea and also a another definite reason what attracts me and sure all other visitors to go visit PS1 as the yearly brand new Summer installation is something that you must not miss.
This year’s simple yet breezy and green installation is another winner that you want to see and I highly recommend the actual exhibitions that are going on in this beautiful formal public school space as it’s filled with much entertaining (I rather like to call it entertaining! ) Rayan Trecartin’s Any Ever : the short film series, and my absolute favorite of all, a screening of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain ( the screening ends on July 24th) which I ended up buying the DVD at the bookstore is another one you should not miss!!
The Warm Up Summer party at PS1 runs until the September 3rd with various DJS from around the world, So you haven’t missed much but certain exhibitions will do end at certain point, so if you are not sure what to do on Saturdays, pS1 Warm up party will be the perfect thing to do for this entire summer!
Now I like to share some pics from my visit to PS 1 Warm Up party this Saturday, July 16!
Yes the kid are welcome, but if you like to bring your little ones go early and live early. It get’s bit intense for the little ones later on. The party hour is 2-9 pm.
Hay Garden. No Smoking!
Real good seating this year. Not too obscure to sit down and there were plenty of these to mingle and chat.
Loving the fact they had brought quite an amount of trees this year.
Gael, no worries, I promise you I’ll take you here! The September 3rd, We will come back all together with Dad!
Yes, we will play ping pong too! Love you. Miss you Gael!
Loving the Crowd. The People. All together. Can’t help it!
DJs and Bands rotating all day.
Inside the Museum building. Entrance at Ryan Trecartin’s.
There were 6 rooms I believe set up in all different way with Head sets for you to use. Plenty of odd and fun seating were built for the audience. And comfy!
Hospital beds turned to mega seating.
I have mixed thoughts and feeling about Laurel Nakadate: Only the Lonely work series. Hmmm , If anyone likes to discuss about it with me, shoot me an email!
I adore PS1’s staircase murals!
Permanent collection: James Turell’s ” Meeting”, 1986
Visitors gaging and enjoying this wonderfully opened up room with natural light and air coming through.
Here’s the movie I was talking about. Crazy, beautiful photography, not normal, disturbing, funny, sick, calm, tripping and everything else. Alejandro Jodorowsky: The Holy Mountain, 1973 and couple more scenes from the film below.
The Book store.
The cafe.
7:30. Now it’s really crowded! Music’s pumping, people are dancing, being silly, whatever!
Ahhh Emi, I so wished you were standing right next to me!! I miss you Emi!!
With Adriana and Dani.
Good job Sir! The last DJ.
If you haven’t yet, go check it out!!!
Tan and Dan’s Wedding, Freshford, England
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Tan and Dan happily walking down the hilly winding road of Freshford surrounded by loving friends and family after the ceremony, July 2, 2011.
Between Emi’s and my pictures, we may have good 600 photos emotionally following Tan and Dan’s this special day and one picture is more beautiful than another to my eyes as every moment is being celebrated and blessed by loved ones including myself over this new and young family with a just born little baby girl, and Tan’s amazing strength and Dan’s impressive support and diligence to Win it All is something we all took away to learn for our everyday’s life. “Love is bigger than anything.”
Tan and Dan, we are so happy for you two and a little one and truly wish the healthiest and happiest lives ever after for all of you!
Looking up to St. Peter’s Church at Freshford, England. The wedding begins now!
July 2, 2011
Tan, Dan and the Baby girl, the new Family.
Gael’s Italian Birthday, Livorno!
Filed Under Family, Gael, Italy, Travel | 3 Comments
Home sweet Home at Vale Benedetta, Andrea’s garden, Livorno, Italy
We had left for Italy on Gael’s Birthday this time, so auntie Suzy and uncle Andrea were throwing a birthday party for Gael where Andrea lives. Vale Benedettta. A small village where there’s much history of Casarosa’s family as a few generations have lived there and now Emi has a small country home and Emi’s big brother Andrea actually resides right below Emi’s country home daily. Emi and I had married at this small church in Vale Benedetta 12 years ago and I definitely feel like this is a home at heart for the family even though we only get to come up to Vale Benedetta only a few times a year. But I feel the root of the family history here somehow. As usual it would be either Emi’s or Andrea’s. We rotate 2 homes and we get together time to time with all family and it would be usually lots of home cooked food and enjoying typical Italian style family conversation sitting out in al fresco by peach trees if it was at Emi’s or by a small fish pond if it was at Andrea’s.
It’s so good to be back home with Emi’s family!! Especially to celebrate Gael’s big 8th birthday together!!!
Andrea’s festive entrance. The man who worked his entire life in the ocean sure chose the right decor. The world’s flags. The typical ones for the yacht clubs and ports. I always enjoy seeing Andrea’s particular love for the ocean in his life.
Denny So grown up now!
Suzy’s fresh pesto: rucola, cherry tomato, black olives, almond, basil, garlic…. Delicious!
Uncle Giorgio and me!
Andrea and Giorgio working on a grill.
The familiar running around of Gael in and out of Andrea’s home. The lush pines, the dark green door, warm yellow washed wall of Emi’s home behind. Aaaaahhhh!
Merlino, Denny’s dog but really Giorgio’s I believe. Right, Suzy..? Haha!
As it get’s darker, Andrea’s garden starts get really shinning. So pretty…
Andrea.
Suzy holding one of her cake she made for Gael. Delicious. Suzy also had made a Cheese cake with runny chocolate icing on top. Yum!!
Now watch the family singing!!
Suzy’s gift, The Soccer shoes!!!
Grandpa the director!
Emi, Chiara and Andrea Jr.
Ahhh Happy Gael!
Grazie a tutti per una belissima festa per Gael!!!!!!!!
Ti vogliamo sempre sempre bene!!
Gael, Everyday is Father’s day for you!
Filed Under Emi, Family, Gael | 2 Comments
Without a son, there will be no father. Without a father, there will be no son. I love you both so much and that was a rock and roll Father and son day you two! Doing a sort of throw down at Coney Island Luna Park on June 19, 2011.
Gael, remember, Dad will be always always there for you. Everyday.
Easter Buster, NYC
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What a beautiful day we had!! Waiting for the brunch to arrive at Bottega at Maritime hotel, NYC
Usually, Easter means a big lunch with bunch of friends for us. We would roast a big chunk of Lamb and some meaty green veggies, fresh salad and usual Easter sweets just came out of ” the Easter Care Package” from my In- laws in Italy. I could say, Emi and I have had hosted it for all for these many years, but this time, we got all lazy and just couldn’t get bothered and somehow decided to go out for a stroll and an easy brunch in Manhattan. The weather has been really dreadful in NY for the last many months, I felt SSSoo lucky to have such a lovely afternoon for the day!! We had parked the car in the meat packing district hoping we would get a small table out on the terrace of Standard hotel, then we turned and headed out to our all time favorite outdoor terrace of Bottega at Maritime hotel!
There were plenty of NYC folks in Easter spirit around the town as we strolled, and I hope all had a lovely one!
Chilled and relaxed. Good time in Easter!
What else do you need?
Gael Lately
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It’s an annual “Crazy week” at P.S 11 this week. Preparing for the ” Crazy Hat day”.
Gael now approaching big 8 in this up coming June is getting taller and super skinny, loosing teeth, does better job tying shoe laces, so into dancing and singing is a best friend with Emi and the Wii world cup soccer match partner who always seriously gets upset when Emi makes a goal and a still my little not so little son. Gael takes 4 after school programs like Capoeira, Mad science, Hip Hop dance and his on going passion for Soccer. Gael’s developing his list of favorite & non favorites and also started faking speaking French all of sudden and enjoys imitating his friend Kofi’s Trinidad heavy accent! He totally is amazing and fluent in Italian that makes me nervous that I need to really bring his Korean up to the level so by the next summer We can keep up with Dad’s side of family!!!! (competition!)
I so don’t want to miss this time and this moment Gael growing up so fast so I thought I would pause a little and document what he’s into and up for right now.
The crazy battle field hat we are making! Gael was so excite confident about his would be the best one ever! Emi and I labored a couple hours picking things out and sewing them all up with Gael. It was a great fun project to do together.
Mastering Wimpy Kid. All of them and the Movie as well. He loves it!
A note maker. So these days, I find Gael’s notes left every corner of home including on the last page of my note book. He talks about concerns, upsetting things and simple facts just like this. His soccer shoes are too tight!
He has lost 4 teeth so far and got one set of new teeth.
Italian tooth fairy just doesn’t leave a dollar for your tooth. She takes your very first lost tooth away and put a gold crown around it and deliver it back! Fancy…!
Gael’s recent favorite Youtube watch is sophisticatedly shot beautiful 7 minute short film series of ” Original Skateboards“. Especially ones in shot in Puerto Rico. They are beautiful. You should check it out!
Brotherhood. Bonding with Marlowe, Philipp and Kit’s little baby girl. Gael loves her..!
More to come…
From Pretzel to Prada, NYC!!!
Filed Under Culture, Design, Family, Fashion, Film, For the Weekend, Gael, NYC, Shops, Street, Tokyo/Japan | Leave a Comment
Regardless you are Japanese or not, many NYC peeps were there to support to raise every dime to help Japan’s Tsunami relief. Union Square, NYC.
Last weekend, Emi was busy working with Beppe shooting Alegri’s Spring Campaign. So it meant a day date with Gael for me!
We were at the Union Square movie theater to see Johnny Depp’s Rango ( quite surreal for the 7 year old boy! ) then strolled through Union Square farmer’s market ( spring branches, tulips and all) and not to forget to donate for Japan’s Tsumani relief, then quick yummy Korean lunch at Manna! It was bit windy but beautiful as sun was shinning and quite lovely to have a small walk down to Soho. We also checked out great Prada store on Broadway as I wanted Gael to know ” What a great shop means” pointing out at amazing murals in the store, the fab transparent cylinder shaped elevator, fabulous Spring 11 line of acid Bananas and Monkeys that takes you back to the 70’s swanky sea side Castiglioncello or Porto Fino in Italy ( just imagine Sofia Lauren and Marcelo Mastroianni sipping on chilled campari preferably listening to her own song ” Soldi Soldi Soldi from Boccaccio 70″ despite their kicking Super modern Spring Campaign… And the fab custom jeweleries in bright colored resins of everything you can or cant imagine!! KidRobot is always a must stop as Gael just absolutely loves the place and he gets to pick a small something. Then stop at the corner of Prince street to watch a street band singing Motown songs as munching on pretzels then the last stop at Pearl river! When was the last time I was at the Pear River?!! As much as I love nick nacks and all that chachkis, Pearl river can absolutely satisfy you on a dime! Hopefully Pearl river will never close down as my beloved Canal Jean has long gone from Soho since when…? Ahhh I ssssso miss my Canal Jean filled with the best everything from vintage army pants to $10.00 wool coats! Hip. Cheap. And understated Massive Hit! I just found out that Canal Jean had re opened up on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, so I must check it out and I hope it will not disappoint me… Anyway, it’s always a big fun to walk around and do “me and Gael thing two of us together” in the city. Go shopping, movies on a shared kids’ package, street food, fancy shops, spoil him a little with sepecial purchase then stop and watch oh so amazing break dancers on the street of NYC. And what else… oh and just chatting and catching up hand in hand and it just feels so right to spend some descent time with my little cool son on the weekend… Love you Gael and love you NYC!!!
And… the pics!
Proud Gael after a small donation for Japan.
Beautiful colors of bundles of hanging wool yarns.
Is spring here yet…????
Gael inside the Prada store, Soho.
Prada Spring 11 !
Watch this!
The absolute reason why you love NYC! Prince street.
At the shop, KidRobot, Soho.
And the NYC babes.
A street band, Soho.
MAC meets Wonder Woman, Spring street.
And… Mommy and Gael… Cheeeeese!
Flying Gael!
Filed Under Family, For the Weekend, Gael, NYC | 6 Comments
Gael approaching the board where the instructor Henry awaits, Trapeze School of New York
Today the Saturday, 26th of February, It was a very special day for Gael as Emi enrolled Gael for a Trapeze class at Trapeze School of New York located on 518 West 30th Street, NYC. Gael was the youngest and the only kid in this total 9 student class and he did an excellent job and was super brave! The 2 hour long class starts with putting on this heavy duty belt where you hook the ropes, then quite quick demonstration from 3 instructors regarding general posture, ways to handle the ropes and finally the simple gymnastic movements that will help you to get you swing and do back flip sort of fancier tricks while you are on a flying Trapeze.
Instructor Laura and Henry takes turns on the ground and up on the board. Laura helping Gael to put quite a belt. And we like those carpets duct taped to make the mega carpet!
Gael looks extra kid here today but also a super kid! Students are learning how to hold the Trapeze bar. Notice Gael’s miss matching socks as always. Or “Mix and Matching” as it is his signature style. Ha-Ha!
Gael volunteers to be the 3rd guy to go on the Trapeze.
All students get to do one on one low bar exercise on the ground in between the turns with Henry.
Make sure to put chalk powder on your palms before you get on!
Slowly but surely, Gael’s on the top.
Ready to hold the bar and launch!
And… Watch the Video of Gael Flying! He did an awesome job!!! Even the adults were getting tired to resist and keep up! Instructors were friendly and clear, and the class is well organized with plenty of time to practice. If you buy a bunch of classes at a time, of course there is good saving there and if you do the full course, at the end of the course you can be a shining star performing in a professionally put together mini circus by the School with costumes and lighting and all! Hmmm… Do I want to be a star..? I was bit tempted to try it today regardless. It’s an exciting and different kind of experience. I may go on it one day!
Gael, Mommy and Dad are so proud of you ! You brave son! The BEST!
Valentine morning was unusually colorful. Or was it just me up earlier..? Beautiful Sun rising. Getting into a week long of Holiday presentation at work, honestly there’s no room for me to think about Valentine or anything else really, and Valentine is not a day that is on my list of things do in general. Chocolate? Naaaaaa.
But guess What I Get from my 2 coolest men!! The sweet smart free standing Robot Trophy, The LOVE!
Here’s the better picture of him. Isn’t he so cute? He’s heavy as I always like with anything. I Always associate the weight with the quality. So Emi and Gael did an awesome job by choosing my kind of heavy materials to create the robot!
The heart in magic clay was Gael’s contribution and his power to bring this robot to a life. I just can’t get enough of this! And his sweet and numbered face!
Robot’s awesome legs, two feet and adorable little bum!
His feet. Check out the cool studs under his right foot.
And the proud and happy winner!
And the Feast follows!
Fresh Salmon and Tuna Crudo with Lime Lemon Cilantro Rock salt dipping. It melts in your mouth. Soooo Goood!
What do you call it in a fancy way, the palette cleanser sort of. Truffled Honey and the Truffle Pecorino., the Double Truffle!
Followed by Truffle gnocchi with Enoki mushroom cream sauce. Creeaammyyy.
Gael’s Duct taped Valentine card for us. The main middle area design is a bird with dotted feathers… Rocking and Rolling Gael!
Now the after meal dessert!
Emi, You are the best father Gael can ever have and You are THE Love of my life.
LOvE you both So Much!
Thank you for the best Valentine I ever had!!!
A little Paradise, Lagoon Yal-Ku, Akumal, Mexico
Filed Under Family, Friend, Mexico, Travel, Tulum | 3 Comments
Yal-Ku Lagoon, Akumal, Mexico
It’s a hidden gem. We realized not that many people know about this spot. The spot maybe the one of the most beautiful one on the Riviera Maya. We’ve traveled around quite a bit of Tahiti, Hawaii and Virgin Islands but Yal-Ku feels quite special from anywhere else. The perfect intimate size that does not feel too small to feel it crowded. The shallow water is silky and warm from the sun. There are ton of beautiful fish that you would not expect to see in such a shallow water. It is absolutely crystal clear with softest white sand and pockets of chunks of limestone to attract all the fish you want to see. There is even a small piece of beach. Yal-ku is where clear salty water of Caribbean Ocean and the sweet fresh water of Yucatan peninsula meets. It’s perfect. I’ll call it a little paradise!
It feels like you are invited to a small private snorkeling party here. It’s a perfect spot to go with your kids, nieces and nephews or hang with your best friends. You can explore the water or park yourself somewhere and just read and sunbath. It’s quiet and lovely. Everyone behaves here. Maybe because the Lagoon guides you to do so…
Gael really had well learnt swimming and snorkeling. I couldn’t swim until the 4th grade. What a wimp I was! I missed out so much fun thinking back. I mean look at him he does so much!!! We have met a wonderful family Bork this trip. The owner of Posada Yum Kin where we like to stay often in Tulum village. Owner Dan and BV’s 2 amazing kids, Sam and Andrew were down in Tulum , so Gael had the blast with them! The 3 little gangs below snorkeling together. 3 of them can rock the world!
Sam, Gael and Andrew looking for a Barracuda! ha-ha!!
This pic is only taken by me standing outside of the water. The Yal-ku lagoon is sort of a natural aquarium.
The mangrove island.
Peaceful Yal-Ku end of the day. So gorgeous , isn’t it…? Perfect natural pool with ton of beautiful fish in nice shallow water…. Wooo. I want it!!
Yalk -Ku is raw and well kept it that way. No sunblock is allowed and a tee shirt is encouraged! It opens everyday 8:00-5:30. Adult $9.00. Kid $6.00. 25Km from Tulum. Go have fun, relax, sun bath and don’t forget to respect what the nature offers us!