Monday, July 11, 2011

National Cherry Blossom Festival


Regardless of the lingering winter breeze, the blossoms never fail to bloom every year for two weeks. The blossoms are absolutely breathtaking, particularly with its branches stretching toward the tidal basin. I've made my way to Washington DC twice- despite the crowds and a treacherous bus ride- just to see the blossoms and my good friend, Jon, of course. 

The Divine Sister




Upon watching The Divine Sister, I anticipated this to be a story of a transvestite who became a nun. I did get one thing right- the nun was a man, but he was definitely not a transvestite. Overall, very "kitschy" but entertaining. Definitely check it out during the 20at20 deal (http://www.20at20.com/).

Resource: http://www.divinesisteronstage.com/

Thursday, February 24, 2011

What Happens When The Lights Go Out at PLAY DEAD?



I had to take advantage of 20at20 week, in which participating Off-Broadway shows were only $20! Not your typical play but Robbins, the guide for the evening, draws you into a dark, haunted experience of surprises, screaming, and laughter. Through storytelling and stage illusions, you test your nerves and face your fears of the returning dead.

Source: http://www.playdeadnyc.com/

The Art of the Steal



A well-executed documentary capturing the struggle for Dr. Albert C. Barnes' 25 BILLION DOLLAR collection of modern and post-impressionist art.

Next Stop: Barnes Foundation, PA!

OMGoodness, Usher!



Despite Usher's reputation as a womanizer, he is truly a talented, captivating performer! He definitely works his sex appeal via stripping down to his bare six-pack and thrusting, I mean dancing skills. As much as I cringed during these moments, I was amazed by his capability to draw so many women, of all ages, to scream, dance, and reminisce back to their 8th grade slow dance.

Highlights: remix of all his greatest hits, special guest: Justin Bieber and of course, the amazing choreography.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Rubin Museum of Art: Art of the Himalayas



Located on West 17th, between 6th and 7th avenue, the Rubin Museum exhibits the largest Western collection of Himalayan art. Absolutely beautiful and moving!

FYI, they also have great programs such as "K2 Fridays" where the cafe is transformed into a lounge from 6-10pm! Free admission as well!

Source: http://www.rmanyc.org

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Toshiko Nishikawa: Senbazuru @ The Vilcek Foundation



A trip to the Vilcek Foundation was initiated by my students, who first learned about the Toshiko Nishikawa's exhibition via facebook. I was ecstatic to learn about their desire to immerse themselves into the Japanese culture through their own means, particularly in the arts. The Vilcek Foundation was founded by two immigrant lovers, a biomedical scientist and art historian, who wanted to create opportunities for immigrants like themselves. The Foundation achieves its mission through hosting immigrant artists and performers at their gallery space in NYC, such as Toshiko Nishikawa.

Senbazuru, a interactive installation by Toshiko Nishikawa, offered viewers to see oneself in 1,000 different ways (senbazuru is Japanese for "1,000 origami cranes" and refers to a prayer for others' health and happiness). Each of the 1,000 orbs, which are also hand-painted by the artist, is connected to those around it, and by peering into the concave mirror contained within each orb, visitors not only see themselves, but become linked to those standing nearby. As a viewer, the idea of interconnectedness on a global level truly unveils as I see my students, who are from the South Bronx, place themselves in the perspective of those surrounding them, as well as the artist.

Source: http://www.vilcek.org/gallery/on-view-now/index.html

Friday, January 21, 2011

Learning to Love You More Assignments @ SFMOMA

Learning to Love You More, Miranda July & Harell Fletcher

Miranda July has always caught my eye in some way or another and it was no surprise when I gravitated toward this piece, Learning to Love You More, at SFMOMA. 

70. Say goodbye.

69. Climb to the top of a tree and take a picture of the view.
68. Feel the news.
67. Repair something.
66. Make a field guide to your yard.
65. Perform the phone call someone else wished they could have.
64. Teach us an exercise.
63. Make an encouraging banner.
62. Make an educational public plaque.
61. Describe your ideal government.
60. Write a press release about an everyday event.
59. Interview someone who has experienced war.
58. Record the sound that is keeping you awake.
57. Lipsync to shy neighbor's Garth Brooks cover.
56. Make a portrait of your friend's desires.
55. Photograph a significant outfit.
54. Draw the news.
53. Give advice to yourself in the past.
52. Write the phone call you wish you could have.
51. Describe what to do with your body when you die.
50. Take a flash photo under your bed.
49. Draw a picture of your friend's friend.
48. Make the saddest song.
47. Re-enact a scene from a movie that made someone else cry.
46. Draw Raymond Carver's Cathedral.
45. Reread your favorite book from fifth grade.
44. Make a "LTLYM assignment".
43. Make an exhibition of the art in your parent's house.
42. List five events from 1984.
41. Document your bald spot.
40. Heal yourself.
39. Take a picture of your parents kissing.
38. Act out someone else's argument.
37. Write down a recent argument.
36. Grow a garden in an unexpected spot.
35. Ask your family to describe what you do.
34. Make a protest sign and protest.
33. Braid someone's hair.
32. Draw a scene from a movie that made you cry.
31. Spend time with a dying person.
30. Take a picture of strangers holding hands.
29. Make an audio recording of a choir.
28. Edit a photo album page.
27. Take a picture of the sun.
26. Design an article of clothing for Mona to crochet.
25. Make a video of someone dancing.
24. Cover the song"Don't Dream It's Over".
23. Recreate this snapshot.
22. Recreate a scene from Laura Lark's life story.
21. Sculpt a bust of Steve.
20. Take a family portrait of two families.
19. Illustrate a scene or make an object from Paul Arensmeyer's life story.
18. Recreate a poster you had as a teenager.
17. Record your own guided meditation.
16. Make a paper replica of your bed.
15. Hang a windchime on a tree in a parking lot.
14. Write your life story in less than a day.
13. Recreate the moment after a crime.
12. Get a temporary tattoo of one of Morgan Rozacky's neighbors.
11. Photograph a scar and write about it.
10. Make a flier of your day.
9. Draw a constellation from someone's freckles.
8. Curate an artist's retrospective in a public place.
7. Recreate 3 minutes of a Fresh Air interview.
6. Make a poster of shadows.
5. Recreate an object from someone's past.
4. Start a lecture series.
3. Make a documentary video about a small child.
2. Make a neighborhood field recording.
1. Make a child's outfit in an adult size.  


I absolutely love lists, especially since my mind seems to constantly organize and categorize lists. Lists provide a sense of peace for me; it's a concise and direct way for me to place my thoughts together on paper. 



Source: http://www.learningtoloveyoumore.com/

Arboreal Census of Central Park, the beginning



Arboreal Census of Central Park, Tree #1

Inspired by an NYMag article (http://nymag.com/news/features/67404/) that documented 23 notable trees in Central Park, Annie and I decided to take on art adventure, in which we locate all 23 trees, draw them and hopefully, share with you all at our spring exhibition.

We're starting with the trees located in upper Manhattan and will work our way downtown. Our very first tree, The New Grove, was located on E 103rd & 5th Ave. After an area near 103rd Street was stripped bare by the storm, Neil Calvanese, the CP Conservancy's VP of operations and all-around tree guru, saw a change to plant something he always wanted to try: a little grove of dawn redwoods, a.k.a Metasequoia glyptostroboides. They're beautiful trees, with delicate-looking needle-like leaves that have been seen in fossils that are about 50 million years old, and they can grow to 200 feet at maturity.

In hopes to share our adventure with our loved ones, we made holiday cards based on our very first drawings. Thank you, Annie, for introducing me to letter pressing!




WASTE LAND, Vik Muniz



WASTE LAND


I first learned about Vik Muniz at UCLA from my TA, and I fell in love with his work immediately. Though he typically appropriates well known images, his use of every day objects on such a large scale really plays with the lay person's eye. His use of materials is thoughtful and provokes the reader to reevaluate the image's meaning.

Synopsis: Filmed over nearly 3 years, Waste Land follows Vik muiz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brasil and the world's largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janiero. Muniz's initial objective was to "paint" the catadores (self-designated pickers of recyclable materials) with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives.

Source:  http://www.wastelandmovie.com/vik-muniz.html