Taken at Blush Wine Bar on Castro St. with my iPhone
Tag Archives: contemporary art
Etsy Window Shopping: Queen Elizabeth I Roundup
“I am not your Elizabeth. I am no man’s Elizabeth. And if you think to rule, you are mistaken.” (Elizabeth, 1998)
Last night Jane and I made a trip out to the IKEA in Emeryville so I could get some much needed items for my apartment. After shopping, sushi, froyo (yay TuttiMelon!) and then assembling all of my stuff whilst watching my Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert DVD, I was still wide awake by midnight. I spent an hour or so perusing the vast world of Etsy. I often forget about Etsy when I’m looking for new things for my place, or pieces to add to my wardrobe. These roundups will be a way to keep Etsy fresh in my mind, and hopefully will inspire and encourage you to buy handmade goods as well!
I give you the Queen Elizabeth I roundup: read more »
Sunday Inspiration: “Spread yo wings, girl!”
Miss Chicago and the California Girls, 1971
Poster produced by the Feminist Art Program, Fresno State College, Calif.
(Scanned from The Power of Feminist Art: The American Movement of the 1970s, History and Impact)
The above poster is from the beginning of the Feminist Art Program which was established by Judy Chicago when she accepted a teaching position at Fresno State. Chicago chose Fresno State because it was so isolated from the art world. She also decided that the program should operate off campus so her students could function in a space free from patriarchy. Chicago’s motivation was to help her students find a sense of self in their work, feel comfortable to create art, be open to formulate their own ideas and feel understood; all things that she felt she did not receive from her own arts education. As the story goes, finding a studio was incredibly difficult for the women, as landlords were ambivalent to rent space to them because they couldn’t understand why a group of women needed a space to do “work.” Chicago’s program at Fresno only lasted one year, since she was hired to co direct the Feminist Art Program at the California Institute of the Arts.
In related news, the Health Care Reform Bill was passed yesterday. Unfortunately the House included an amendment which would ban federal funding of abortion in the public option. This is lame and incredibly upsetting. If you are also upset by this decision, voice your opinion by sending a message to the President here: http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/hcr09bse_af?rk=g7z2JR1q7qDyE
In other maybe sort of not really related news, Miss Marissa (aka my fabulous roommate) has established a new blog that focuses on the San Francisco art scene, her favorite films, and photos that she takes around the city. I love it so far, you should check it out: http://artinthefog.wordpress.com/
Like a liar at a witch trial, you look good for your age
“I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They’re beautiful. Everybody’s plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.” - Andy Warhol
Now, now. I really do like LA. I love the energy, the history, and just the overall punk rock feeling mixed with the uber corporate. The best of both worlds really, but also an incredibly strange place. Very ugly beautiful, but the other way around, I guess. Beautiful ugly?
Enough of my rambling! There is a point to this entry, I promise.
It’s the beginning of June. The beginning of Summer. And when I think of summer, I think of travel and trips on the metrolink to LA, because I did a lot of that last year. Whether it was to visit friends who live there or to see shows, LA will always be associated with summer and good friends for me.
So! This summer there are a lot of cool exhibits and museums that I need to check out. You should too! Here are my top three that I need to see (like that rhyme?):
Classical Frieze: Eleanor Antin at LACMA
Remember a long time ago when I went to see WACK at the Geffen Contemporary? And how I went on and on about how much I love Eleanor Antin? Well, to reiterate, I think the lady is pretty great. I want to see her newer work and how she has evolved as an artist and great thinker.
The Darker Side of Light: Arts of Privacy, 1850-1900 at the Hammer Museum
The museum website describes this exhibit as the hidden art from this time; the seedy underbelly, if you will. Focusing mostly on works from France and Germany, these pieces present a darker side of the Impressionist era. I’ve never been to the Hammer Museum. I remember last year they were showing Kara Walker’s work and I missed out! I will not miss this.
Their tagline explains “because a shrinking world requires an expanded mind.” YES! I agree, CaFAM! Their exhibit Celestial Ash looks neat. Their other current exhibit doesn’t sound all that exciting to me. I’m interested in seeing their permanent collection. I can’t believe this museum is right across the street from LACMA and I’ve never noticed it! I stumbled upon this site today. I’ll keep you posted when I visit. Admission is $5 for general public. Not too shabby!
Uptown Underground: OC
I heard about this public installation through a friend. It sounded intriguing… outdoor video installation about dancing, and a DJ providing the soundtrack.
So a bunch of us went, and 5 out of 6 were not disappointed. I was one of the 5. This piece was displayed outside of Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, California. We parked (we found a way to park without paying… don’t tell anyone), walked over and I was surprised to see so many people. And bleachers! Like a classy football game. 
) It was really cool to see so many people gather to view such a beautiful installation.
The piece was titled Slow Dancing by David Michalek and the video was projected onto the side of the building. The visuals in junction with the masterful mixing of KCRW’s DJ Jason Bentley made for a wonderful treat for the eyes and ears. And my hot chocolate was pretty good too.
I haven’t been this fascinated by the human body since I went to see the Body Worlds exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago 4 years ago. It was fascinating to watch the tiny ripples move across the dancers’ clothing like water.
