Slate.com’s article on the decay of plastic and its effect on arts preservation.
A topic I find most interesting as there is a side of me that finds the obsession with preserving art to be perversely morbid.
Cintra Wilson’s review of Solange Azagury-Partridge for the NYTimes Critical Shopper column.
After I read this I went directly to the jewelers website and immediately lusted after the diamond beads. Absent of their usual tacky high-shine, the beads have a mysterious, unrecognizable murkiness. I would love to wear this ring and have no one know that it was actually a diamond.
Milky Moon. Price unknown, although probably unforgivable.
Also in the Times:
Chandler Burr’s review of Menthe Fraîche (perfume) by Heeley
I love Burr’s perfume reviews. His rare ability to translate scent into text always makes me want to run out to the perfume counter. Recently, Mr. Burr unwittingly pointed me to Guaiac by Red Flower, thus perhaps ending my many years search for the perfect citrus scent. I confess to paying $17.95 to order the teeniest, tiniest little sample vial on the internet. I love it. If I had the $186 to buy the full whopping 15ml bottle, I would.
These reviews give me a sad case of Veuve Clicquot tastes on an Eau de Municipal budget.
Alice and Kev
This is an amazing Sims social experiment. In sum, UK game design student, Robin Burkinshaw created two homeless Sims and it is uncanny how their circumstances reflect real-life homelessness and abusive co-dependent relationships.
One Piece Flow vs. Mass Production
This is a great video that examines the efficacy of these two modes of production in manufacturing. Useful for anyone who needs to make or assemble a lot of one thing.
Three essays that I read at least once a year:
The SCUM (Society for Cutting Up Men) Manifesto by Valerie Solanas: Oh come on its sort of so crazy its true. Or so crazy it’s kind of really funny.
Why Nerds are Unpopular by Paul Graham: Uh pretty much sums up my life, philosophy and general discontent with Education. I would re-type this essay and call it my own–that is how much I suspect Mr. Graham has plagiarized my secret thoughts. (Note that both Solanas and Graham would be in strange agreement re: the artificial boundaries of child/teen/adult hood)
How to be Creative by Hugh McLeod: I read this when I am know I am starting to make too many excuses. Particularly excuses to spend too much money on art supplies. Although I think I really could use a power drill.
One of the pet peeves I have about The Art World is its vampiric and fetishistic approach to “youth”. This ridiculous blog post, and show Younger than Jesus featured in the NYTimes is emblematic of this attitude. First let me just say, I am in the age range featured in the show “Younger than Jesus”. Lest you all think I am an old lady curmudgeon, indignantly clutching at my Eileen Fisher cardigan.
This approach is ultimately a shallow marketing ploy: the hip young things, the sort of anti-intellectual, and flippant yet not terribly provocative invoking of the lord’s name etc. As a woman I will admit that I am more sensitive about aging. Everyday I am told I am pretty much worthless past the prime of my youth. My own father frets about my marriageability and empty womb. While I embrace my early grays and fine-lines I am also acutely aware that my years as a cute sexy young artist will sooner rather than later be over. So yes I resent shows that objectify hot young artists! Am I so idealistically naïve that I truly believe that its about the art dude!?
In the real world I work with and admire artists of all ages. I like it that way. In fact crazily enough most artists are over the age of 30. You can only be under 30 for so long and then you’re really stuck with the rest of your life. At some point Younger than Jesus artist Ryan Trecartin (whose videos I truly love) is going to be stuck with his hyper-crazy florescent soapy videos well into his 30s. Will the value of his work just immediately plummet? Possibly. Its been known to happen if you come up too young and too fast.
Luckily for me I’ve always been a cranky old lady.
Filed under: Artists, Design & Visuals, creative process, fandom, movies, review
I’ve just come back from watiching a screening of Zidane at the MFA. In a nutshell: 17 cameras all lovin’ Zidane during one game from start to finish. I am too tired to write this out coherently so here are some bulleted thoughts:
· Zidane looks to be on the verge of tears pretty much the entire time. He smiles exactly twice throughout the entire film. Not to give away any spoilers or anything but he is on a winning team.
· I wish all games were shot this way. I had already pre-forgiven myself in case I fell asleep during the screening but I was pretty much riveted the entire time. The action was so vivid. I loved watching Zidane sweat copiously all over the field and pull up his knee socks. I also like that I had a better close-up of players who got injured. The drama of injured players is a minor side interest of mine.
· No silly announcers. I know certain announcers become famous in their own right but after seeing it this way with all the raw crowd and ball sounds I really prefer it. Who cares what some dude has to say. OK, granted there was also some audio by Mogwai. I still like it better!
· Occasionally the film would have some text of things Zidane has said about The Game. I really liked when he said something along the lines that at time he feels the game is scripted and he just shows up. I do not think he meant that it was rigged, so much as something a bit more spiritual perhaps. I am regretting that I did not write this down at the time. He also mentions that there has only been one time where he knew he would make a goal.
I really enjoyed watching this, and may try to catch it again. Highly recommended for sports fans and cynics alike!
Guys! Guys! Guys! How freaking sweet is this robot, Tron-esque sweater and dress by fashion designer Louise Goldin!?! I totally want the grey sweater!
