You can call me SL, this is about living.


Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce, UT from my 2005 archive

Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce, UT from my 2005 archive

April 16, 2011

"127 Hours"

The opening scenes where James Franco's character, Aron Ralston is biking through the Utah landscape is breathtaking. So lovely, exquisite cinematography. It reminds me of when I went to Bryce Canyon. The Swede and I road tripped from California to Michigan (where we were going to live for two years while I went to graduate school). The Swede had never been to the Grand Canyon and wanted to go. Since I have been there too many times to count, my Father recommended Bryce Canyon as an alternative. It is not as vast as the Grand Canyon, but arguably more beautiful in the colors of its strata of rocks. Amazing.

When "127 Hours" first came out in the theatres, it piqued my interest, but I did not think I would be able to stomach it. So I waited for it to release on Netflix, thinking somehow viewing the whole cutting off your own arm thing on a smaller screen would be less severe. Wow. James Franco gave a convincing performance. He carried the movie well with mainly an internal dialogue and laser point facial expressions. Portraying natural facial expressions is no easy feat. Have you ever seen yourself caught on video or in a photo and thought, "Ugh, my face, why am I making that face?" The climax of his performance for me was when his character first gets his hand trapped by the boulder. The shock on Franco's face is so genuine, I could feel his panic. His performance can be compared to Tom Hank's in "Cast Away." I, of course wish there had been more of the landscapes shots of Utah, but I get that the movie is about Aron Ralston's mental and physical struggle to survive. What a story.

archives: Books + Movies
screenshot of Vik Muniz in "Waste Land" on Netflix from my 2011 archive

March 25, 2011

"Waste Land"

I have been a fan of Vik Muniz since 2007 when I saw his exhibition, "Vik Muniz: Reflex" at MoMA PS1. A friend of mine knew his work and thought I would be interested, she was right. He is the kind of artist I describe as clever. He uses a range of materials such as: chocolate, sugar, diamond dust, trash, peanut butter and jelly, toys, floor sweepings, and spaghetti and meatballs to speak about social conditions.

Last summer/fall, a documentary about one of his projects was playing at a few independent theatres around town. The Swede and I kept saying to each other, "Let's go, let's go." We never did and regretted it. We put it into our Netflix queue straight away and waited. It was recently released and even better is available on Netflix's "Instant View."

We finally watched "Waste Land" (while we played The Settlers of Catan because we are serious about our multitasking). It is powerful in its content. In terms of its creativity as a documentary, it has room for improvement. I would have liked to see more of the making of the artworks. Nonetheless, the story of the "pickers" is moving and speaks of dignity in the face of abject poverty.

archives: Art, Books + Movies
"Suze Orman Author Event" at Barnes and Noble
Manhattan, NY from my 2011 archive
video still of Kathy Griffin
Manhattan, NY from my 2011 archive
Suze Orman signing books
Manhattan, NY from my 2011 archive
March 10, 2011

Money

Suze Orman! Love her. She released a new book, and tonight I went to hear her speak about it. Comedian, Kathy Griffin (hilarious) introduced Suze. Below is an excerpt:

"I love money, I love money, and I don't mean like in a weird Gordon Geckko way like you have to like hurt people to get money."

I have great respect for Suze and have gained a wealth of knowledge from reading several of her books. I am really looking forward to reading her new book, "The Money Class" and then doing more research online. She is an amazing public speaker and very funny.

Many people brought their children which I think is a beautiful thing. It is endearing to see preteens excited about a financial advisor! They snapped away on their cell phones and got their books signed (too cute). In our society, it is taboo to speak about money. But the reality is--we need to speak about it and know how to manage it. Here is to breaking that taboo--$!

archives: Books + Movies

screenshot of Herb and Dorothy (with Richard Tuttle) on Netflix from my 2011 archive

January 29, 2011

Herb & Dorothy

That is all that needs to be said really, but I want to say more. I watched this documentary about the Art Collectors, Herb and Dorothy Vogel twice in one week. I enjoyed it the second time just as much as the first time. What can one say about them? They are cute. And they are passionate.

It made me start to think of collecting. Not only in the sense of collecting art but collecting in general. And of hoarding. Actually it is not true that I just started thinking of collecting. I think about it often. I think of collecting each time I have to deal with an overflowing pile of art supplies or materials (that are waiting to be used).

Are Herb and Dorothy borderline art hoarders? I should just say it; they ARE hoarders. But the best kind.

I simply love Herb (or as his wife calls him Herbie) and Dorothy. They are so sincere and know what they want. I remember years ago when I lived in New York (the first time) with a roommate. I was taking continuing education courses at Parsons and took two silkscreen (or the more modern term: screenprinting) classes. I would come home from class and my roommate would always ask me for some of the test runs on newsprint. I would say "sure" and she would insist I, "sign it." I thought it was funny (and flattering). Her collecting instinct kicked in. I was never sure if she really loved my work or thought it may have value one day.

Back to the Vogels. What a beautiful story. There is so much love. Not only a love of art, but of artists, and the love Herb and Dorothy have for each other.

Collecting must go back to our days as hunters and gatherers. It must be the gatherers in us, but then along the way that instinct became mutated (hence the illness of hoarding). I think it is safe to say that everyone collects something. It can be something as valuable as art, or something like jars and containers (I personally know a few of those people).

archives: Art, Books + Movies

Thierry Guetta's work, Madonna's Greatist Hits "Celebration" Album
SoHo, NY from my 2009 archive

January 10, 2011

It is officially 2011, here is to a great year!

Over the holidays, I watched Banksy's, "Exit Through The Gift Shop" which I highly recommend. There is much debate surrounding Thierry Guetta's authenticity as an artist. Regardless, this documentary provides insight into the work and process of street artists and is above all else, highly comical. I think you will enjoy it.

archives: Art, Books + Movies
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