June 2009
36 posts
Sputnik Observatory For the Study of Contemporary... →
I’m extremely excited about this new project from Jonathan Harris.
Check it out - the interviews are INCREDIBLE!
Detail:
The Sputnik Observatory ( http://sptnk.org ) It’s the result of a two-year collaboration with New York-based Sputnik, Inc., an organization that documents contemporary culture through intimate video interviews with hundreds of leading thinkers in the arts,...
“I don’t like standard beauty - there is no beauty without strangeness.”
– Karl Lagerfeld
Can Yinka Shonibare Draw Visitors to Brooklyn's... →
Love reading about all the creative ways that Yinka Shonibare’s works are being used and installed around the world. I first saw his work as part of the Turner Prize exhibition at Tate Britain in 2004.
It was part costume display, part choreographed dance, and I adored it.
My next “run in” with Shonibare work was at the National Gallery where he had two smaller installations...
Employing Art at American Embassies (NYT) →
Interesting Saturday morning read here.
This article discusses the process by which American art is acquired and commissioned for embassies, consulates, and other American outposts abroad. It states that this art can act as another arm of American influence and understanding abroad (mentioned in the same breath as our cinema and television and music).
I wonder if the true goal of this program -...
Thinking about.....
The future of philanthropy…..
I don’t often take the time to discuss philanthropy here - but I do think it’s important for us all to take note of the way that we can contribute towards the growth and connectedness of our community (I would argue that maintaining blogs is part of that connectedness - creating an online community drawn together by shared interests and...
“Plans for a £100 million outpost of the Royal Opera House in the North West...”
– I’ve been aware of ROH’s Manchester plan for some time now, but not on an in depth level.
I was disappointed to read this article today which spoke of dissent among some arts organizations in Manchester about whether or not this new facility is welcome.
There is a fear that a more...
Shacho wants the rain to go away
“I make all kinds of mistakes. It makes you brave in a way you’re not aware...”
– Anna Ternheim talked about writing in English (her second language)…..
I like the idea of speaking so much more directly in a second language. Nuance is there - but the painfulness of writing seems to be simplified…. (one day my French will be good enough to feel like this).
Anna, Not...
Announcing Season Five of Art:21 | Art21 Blog →
One of the best series on television by far.
Can’t wait to see the new season. As an additional shout out, the Yinka Shonibare piece featured in the ad is part of the Davis Museum collection at Wellesley. YES!
The Beauty of a Park: Alexandra Lange →
Really interesting piece that compares the High Line’s design and “park-ness” to the ideals put forth by arguably one of the greatest landscape architects of all time Frederick Law Olmsted.
Worth the read.
Charles in charge - The Globe and Mail →
Really fascinating op-ed by Doug Saunders on how Prince Charles is using his birth right as royalty to influence the urban environment. He most recently caused the dismissal of Lord Richard Rogers from a project that would prove to be the greenest housing project to date.
Ever the champion of neoclassical design (and the ultimate hater of all things contemporary and modern in...
What I'm looking at today.....
Is it Summer yet?
Even though it’s overcast and relatively cool in BOS today, this is definitely getting me in the mood for some beach vacation.
The Genevan Heathen is hosting a whole summer of sensitivity on his blog… and then there’s this video. EPIC.
Genevan Heathen - On The Beach (ft. L.E.D.) (directed by Mattfoley)
Long walks on the beach, coaster bikes, picnics in the sand,...
Paris Journal - A Paris Plan, Less Grand Than... →
A nice follow-up to understanding what Sarkozy is planning to do with his “Grand Paris” idea.
Interesting to see what the vision was versus where the discussion is today.
Scalable dreams?
YES! MURAKAMI & LV collaboration Part II (video)
“I don’t make a difference between leisure and work. I try to do both of them...”
– Jean Touitou via Hypebeast
Last Day Dream (video)
Found this video via the ever-wonderful Cup of Jo. Love the idea of thinking through the most memorable and beautiful moments of your life in the last moments of it. Slightly depressing but also celebratory.
Last Day Dream [HD] from Chris Milk on Vimeo.
“Artistic and intellectual life in France under the German occupation (1940–44)...”
– Interesting review of three different books on French culture under Nazi occupation by Robert O. Paxton. Adding “Art of Defeat” to my book list immediately.
via Arts & Letters Daily via Book Forum
A New Concept in Handling Art (NYT) →
An interesting article that is buried a bit in the NYT on two emerging markets for arts trading: a new development in Paris and another in Singapore.
These two cities are actively trying to create an ideal market (replete with high security storage facilities, private viewing rooms, and tax-free benefits) for the sale of myriad forms of collectibles - art, cars, jewelry, etc.
On top of that,...
What I'm reading today
1. Launch of Guggenheim & Google’s joint venture, Think Small: Design a Tiny Shelter Online (NYT). Challenges professional and non-professional designers to use Google Sketch Up “to create an original design for a 100-square-foot living and work space”. Let’s see if any non-professionals make the finalist list.
2. NY Mag’s coverage of the opening of the first...
Watchi absolutely adore alyson fox’s illustrations and also all of her beautiful collaborations (moicun collab in particular).
check out this video with the candystore collective.
via unruly things
Phoenix singing "1901" (Acoustic)
Phoenix acoustique le mouv planete interdite by LeMouv
Just total feel good music - sometimes you just need to listen to music, see art, talk to people that make your heart feel light and your tensions and worries easy away.
THE RIVER THAT FLOWS BOTH WAYS →
The High Line is opening in NY next Tuesday. In conjunction, the first art commission by Spencer Finch entitled “The River That Flows Both Ways” opens as well.
All you NYers, be there because I can’t. Walk it because I’d love to but I have to be back on my grind in Boston. Do the equivalent of “have a glass of champagne for me” at a celebration.
PLEASE!
Various images I'm looking at today...
Peter Beard
Paula Rego
Francis Bacon
Lucian Freud
Sam Taylor Wood
John Singer Sargent
“I consider it part of my responsibility, as president of the United States, to...”
– - Barack Obama @ Cairo University today
Obama Calls for Alliances With Muslims - NYTimes.com
Public Pianos for London this Summer
In an experiment backed by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, and by the national lottery, 31 pianos are to be plonked around the capital to encourage people to gather for a singsong with strangers.
They will be placed at prominent sites such as the British Library, the Natural History Museum, the Bank of England and Tate Britain. Each will be decorated by an artist with an appropriate motif –...
INTERVIEW PROJECT
INTERVIEW PROJECT
David Lynch’s newest project promises to be interesting all summer long (not sure of the timeline for rolling out all of his interviews).
Definitely check it out.
May 2009
27 posts
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
– via YesInterviews
i love this cover of a classic dylan track
her voice warms and breaks my heart at the same time. know what i mean?
