For your reading enjoyment...
Psychology Today: What makes art sentimental?
Refinery29: D.I.Y. Sunglasses
Vanity Fair: Summer of Love
The New Yorker: The Age of Girlfriends
Refinery29: Best Books
DesignLoveFest: D.I.Y. Notebook
Nylon: Banned Words
The New Yorker: Does Wes Anderson Hate Dogs?
FlavorWire: Fake Movie Books
FlavorWire: 10 American Novels
The New Yorker: Seeing Nora Everywhere
Vanity Fair: The Curious Case of Spongebob Illustrator Todd White, three ninjas, and an Art Caper
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
Creative Whirlwind
I'm about to go all artsy on your asses.
So prepare yourselves, because a whirlwind of creative genius is about to blow your way.
Lenka Clayton:
"A conceptual artist whose work exaggerates and reorganizes the accepted rules of everyday life, extending the familiar into the realms of the poetic and the absurd."
In Kite Flown 7055 Miles, Clayton flew a kite 7055 miles (obviously) from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States to Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom and back again.
Clayton has done quite a bit of work in Pittsburgh, and has lectured a few times throughout the area. But to my dismay, I have never heard her speak or seen any of her exhibitions. Bummer.
In Mysterious Letters (featured below,) Clayton collaborated with fellow artist Michael Crowe. For the piece, Clayton aimed to send a personal, handwritten letter to every household in the world.
So far, she has written to every household in the towns of Cushendall, Ireland, Polish Hill, Pittsburgh, and St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Clayton hopes that "the unsolicited letters prompt neighbourly discussion that will spread across the town, promoting community curiosity." In order to prompt greater community discussion, no two letters look the same.
Clayton even started a blog, where you can view all of the letters that were mailed. There is even an online store where you can purchase your own mysterious letters. To read more letters, visit the blog at:
http://mysteriousletters.blogspot.com/
To read more on Lenka Clayon, visit her webpage.
So prepare yourselves, because a whirlwind of creative genius is about to blow your way.
Lenka Clayton:
"A conceptual artist whose work exaggerates and reorganizes the accepted rules of everyday life, extending the familiar into the realms of the poetic and the absurd."
 |
| Kite Flown 7055 Miles 2010 |
In Kite Flown 7055 Miles, Clayton flew a kite 7055 miles (obviously) from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States to Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom and back again.
Clayton has done quite a bit of work in Pittsburgh, and has lectured a few times throughout the area. But to my dismay, I have never heard her speak or seen any of her exhibitions. Bummer.
In Mysterious Letters (featured below,) Clayton collaborated with fellow artist Michael Crowe. For the piece, Clayton aimed to send a personal, handwritten letter to every household in the world.
 |
| Mysterious Letters 2009 |
So far, she has written to every household in the towns of Cushendall, Ireland, Polish Hill, Pittsburgh, and St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Clayton hopes that "the unsolicited letters prompt neighbourly discussion that will spread across the town, promoting community curiosity." In order to prompt greater community discussion, no two letters look the same.
Clayton even started a blog, where you can view all of the letters that were mailed. There is even an online store where you can purchase your own mysterious letters. To read more letters, visit the blog at:
http://mysteriousletters.blogspot.com/
After seeing similar themes in my work, a former professor of mine suggested I look at Clayton's work. She thought I would like her, and she was right. I love Clayton's work, and I highly suggest you visit her website to view more of it.
To read more on Lenka Clayon, visit her webpage.
All quotes and photographs were taken from Lenka Claytons website at: http://www.lenkaclayton.co.uk/portfolio.php
 |
| Mysterious Letters 2009 |
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Une Femme Est Une Femme: Netflix Edition
Netflix: though great for watching Dawson's Creek and catching up on Gossip Girl (both of which I have done,) is also home to a lot of wonderful movies that are often overlooked.
Until now, that is.
Here with the first installment of my weekly post, I have once again come to the rescue. Rising up from the ashes of my MacBook Pro and the stale pita chip crumbs that have been collecting in my bed, I am coming to save you from the black hole of American teen dramas.
Together, we will rise above.
Now, getting to the point.
A Woman Is a Woman (Une Femme Est Une Femme) is a 1961 French comedy directed by Jean-Luc Godard and starring Anna Karina, Jean-Paul Belmondo, and Jean-Claude Brialy. The film was considered by many as a tribute to - and interrogation of - the American musical comedy. Now, it is more often associated with the French New Wave (click the link for more information!)
The film follows the relationship between exotic dancer Angela (Karina) and her lover Emile (Brialy.) Angela decides she wants to have a child. However, Emile feels he is not ready, and refuses Angela's advances. Though Emile is stubborn, Angela continues her pursuit.
However, the movie does not end there: cue somewhat dramatic plot twist! Emile's best friend Alfred (Belmondo) confesses his love for Angela, and tirelessly pursues her. Growing tired of begging Emile for a child, Angela turns her interests elsewhere and finally decides to give in to Alfred's pursuits. She eventually sleeps with him, knowing it will get her what she wants
Now, I don't want to give a way too much of the movie, since the point of the post is to convince to watch the movie. But since I do appreciate your readership, I will provide you with some lovely pictures.
Even if you've never been into subtitles, I highly suggest you watch A Woman Is a Woman. It's accompanied by a fantastic score, and is endlessly charming and witty. Also, it's fantastic on a rainy day.
If you do watch A Woman Is a Woman and find yourself wanting more, check out Breathless - another Godard film. Though not available on Netflix, it is fairly easy to find online.
However, if you're looking for something on Netflix - but still a Godard - check out his latest film Film Socialisme.
You can also view the trailer for the film here.
Enjoy!
Until now, that is.
Here with the first installment of my weekly post, I have once again come to the rescue. Rising up from the ashes of my MacBook Pro and the stale pita chip crumbs that have been collecting in my bed, I am coming to save you from the black hole of American teen dramas.
Together, we will rise above.
Now, getting to the point.
The film follows the relationship between exotic dancer Angela (Karina) and her lover Emile (Brialy.) Angela decides she wants to have a child. However, Emile feels he is not ready, and refuses Angela's advances. Though Emile is stubborn, Angela continues her pursuit.
However, the movie does not end there: cue somewhat dramatic plot twist! Emile's best friend Alfred (Belmondo) confesses his love for Angela, and tirelessly pursues her. Growing tired of begging Emile for a child, Angela turns her interests elsewhere and finally decides to give in to Alfred's pursuits. She eventually sleeps with him, knowing it will get her what she wants
 |
| Anna Karina as Angela |
 |
| Angela (Karina) and Alfred (Belmondo) |
Even if you've never been into subtitles, I highly suggest you watch A Woman Is a Woman. It's accompanied by a fantastic score, and is endlessly charming and witty. Also, it's fantastic on a rainy day.
If you do watch A Woman Is a Woman and find yourself wanting more, check out Breathless - another Godard film. Though not available on Netflix, it is fairly easy to find online.
However, if you're looking for something on Netflix - but still a Godard - check out his latest film Film Socialisme.
You can also view the trailer for the film here.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Feminism and Home Decor
 |
| Said uterus plush toy |
Quite a while ago, I found this fantastic uterus plush toy. I have yet to order it online, but I feel as though it would be a fantastic addition to my apartment next semester.
Nothing quite like the ironic combination of feminism and home decor.
Moonrise Kingdom
So, I love this movie.
I know it is cliche. I mean, let's be honest here. Almost every art student I have ever met practically worships at the feet of Wes Anderson.
But I don't care.
I want to live in the head of Wes Anderson. I can imagine it would be like living in a giant, moving polaroid picture. And can you imagine the soundtrack that would come along with it? Amazing.
I have seen it twice in the past week, and I will probably see it again soon. It definitely lives up to the "hype."
Just Kids
A few weeks ago, I finished the novel Just Kids by Patti Smith. Though it may seem a little late to reflect on the book, I can assure you I did not wait until now to do so.
I've spent a lot of time these past few weeks thinking about it, but I feel as though I needed some time to process it.
Just Kids reflects upon the intimate and innocent relationship between author Patti Smith and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, ending before each reached stardom. Long before Smith was inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, and Mapplethorpe produced his most shocking and memorable work - a critical move on Smith's part.
The novel creates a sort of fairytale, detailing the pairs experiences maneuvering in and out of New York's bohemian scene. Smith describes her relationship with Janis Joplin and Grace Slick, and her brief but important encounter with Jimmy Hendrix. The novel also details Mapplethorpe's relationship with Andy Warhol, someone Smith deeply mistrusted.
However, Smith is quick to remind us why she is deserving of writing such a fairytale - as she describes Mapplethorpe's AIDS diagnosis in 1986, and his eventual death in 1989.
" Every fear I had once harbored seemed to materialize with the suddenness of a bright sail bursting into flames. My youthful premonition of Robert crumbling into dust returned with pitiless clarity. I saw his impatience to achieve recognition in another light, as if he had the predisposed lifeline of a young pharaoh."
One of my favorite moments in the book describes a time in which a touristy couple in Washington Square Park spotted both Smith and Mapplethorpe. Though both Smith and Mapplethorpe were completely unknown, the couple began to argue as to whether or not they deserved a snapshot. The wife believed they looked like artists. However, her husband disagreed, snidely stating "They're just kids."
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