New York Botanical Gardens

Video HERE of my Sunday afternoon supping of Symbolist poetry.

Should tattooed ladies be allowed into Ascot?

Marian Goodman Gallery:Annette Messager opening

Annette Messager:
Continents Noirs/ Black Continents, 2010-2012
Et range ta chambre / And clean up your room, 2007-2009

Czech Center: Orbis Pictus - Play Well

Interactive exhibition with sound, kinetic and visual installations.

Go HERE for video of the opening evening

Ventured out (hopefully not reeking of garlic) for what transpired to be a fun little soirée at Swann Galleries in honour of One Story magazine. A.M Homes read her short story that had accompanied a catalogue for artist Rachel Whiteread (she's also done Cecily Brown and many others - what a relief: a short story rather than an art essay). There was a literature trivia quiz (with prizes) that I approached full of trepidation but was rather less formidable and unscary - not telling if I won anything;) And we saw a 2nd edition copy of Joyce's Ulysses up for auction this week. The custodian quipping that it made her life a whole lot easier when someone hadn't managed to reach the end as in this case (as she must check every page). There's no excuse not to finish One Story, though, so sign up for a subscription today!


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Well...I'd hope to post a report or reverie from the 25th Bang On A Can Fest today. But after an early morning of 'catch up', some business meetings, and half an aerobics class, I just knew a cousin of the flu was after me. So rather than stand downtown swaying quite possibly towards the a concrete thump on the ground, I quaffed garlic and ginger and laid low at home. Domage. Because Bang On a Can is great. Though it took some decades before that became public knowledge! So, pray tell. Why is there not a webcast for the afflicted! All manner of other crap is foisted upon us but we can't see Band On a Can Live! I know just how the astronauts feel....Carl Sagan where are YOU....Steve Reich says Bang...Can should go Web Mobile! ;)....etc

Last 2 days of artist Tom Sachs Armory installation Tom Sachs: SPACE PROGRAM: MARS
  Click here for some footage of this morning's breakfast. (apologies for the ropey sound).

Viva is alive and well and a little soggy in a faraway place. But more of that next posting. Quick mention of Lincoln Center's annual (since 2001) Italian season of new film that opened last night. Today there's a chance to catch the 50min doc about production designer Dante Ferretti - and like his frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese - if he doesn't inspire you to keep the magic of cinema alive then nothing will I guess. There's 'social realism' in the fest but it's a fairly well-balanced programme. For some, the latest (and as you'd expect gorgiously photographed) Olmi film (if you've never seen his Il Posto then your life is just that much poorer) The Cardboard Village may be a bit 'heart on sleeve' as with another Fest offering Terrafirma. But both films keep the tradition of Italian cinematic political ebullience alive harking back to the days when the government even objected to Umberto D. Opening night pic from the always entertaining and somewhat melancholic Ferzan Ozpetek keeps alive Italian cinema's 'magical realism' and it's most certainly not a disappointment. Missed what sounds a good bet The Legend of Kaspar Hauser but did catch the innnovatively simple Arrival of Mr Wang. And it's blackly comedic political incorrectness (left) is refreshing if very disturbing. =-§//^°

Check out the great wall of vagina photo on the London Time Out blog. Like many of us it is now a pale imitation of its former self;)

NY Photofest 2012

Great podcast on the pysche of Victorian women (BBC's Nightwaves)

Meanwhile at NY Photofest in Dumbo....

in-depth interview (joking....) with curator Glenn Ruga (we are all very 'merry' by this point...)

The Locus of Control - Austrian Cultural Institute

Go HERE for an interview with curator Patrick Gibson and Candice Madey (On Stellar Rays gallery)
Austrian Cultural Institute (1 week only!)


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Metropolitan Museum Announces Live Streaming from Red Carpet of Costume Institute Benefit tonight...

Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations - the taste buds in the souls of Viva's feet went wild this morning as she savoured the preview.

Cindy Sherman at Metro Pictures

Cindy Sherman opening at Metro Pictures

Gilbert and George: London Pictures

Gilbert and George's opening at Lehmann Maupin

Chip Simone opening at Steven Kasher

Back with Tricept, Atlanta (2006) 

Chip Simone opening at Steven Kasher

When you feel sad and under a curse...try listening to this Stephen Schwartz song....

and make someone happy. Who gives a toss about political correctness?

##,:-+*%44..

Giuseppe Penone at Marian Goodman

Giuseppe Penone

V&M's party at Bond 07 By Selima

Selima Salaun, V&M's Creative Advisor (click to enlarge)

Berry Brown

Bill Indursky (V&M co-founder)

Juliette and her new found bon chance...

Kerri King (Associate, Marketing)