Interesting Couple | Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera

PHOTO via CAMARA DEMOCRATICA

Over the weekend a Pinterest-er I follow streamed a bunch of pins (well, about 13 and maybe growing) for a new board called “Frida Party”. … … What a great idea! The pins show lots of festive decorations where bright colors abound, cupcakes and cookies with Frida’s image look too cute to eat except they also look sugary tasty, and more fun stuff – find your own inspiration out there. I like the "Vibrant & Festive Frida Kahlo Inspired Mexican Party" by Hostess with the Mostess. There is a bottle of tequila Frida would approve. All this Frida kerfuffle started long after her death in 1954 with a new found interest in Neomexicanismo in late 1970s to early 1980s, with another bout of purchases and inspiration in early 1990s, and reached a zenith of sorts in 2000s that started with a big thrust of her persona and art into wider consciousness through American biographical movie “Frida” released in 2002. The movie is a great visual feast behooving Frida, and since it is a biography it shows the tumultuous relationship between Frida and Diego Rivera, whose art overshadowed hers through their two marriages and all the in-between till she was rediscovered on her own terms, albeit posthumously. I will leave this blog as mostly about Frida; Diego had his time in the press with his larger than life works and person. Together as people who created great works so different in scale and themes, they are an Interesting Couple.

At Home | Kendrick Bangs Kellogg High Desert House

PHOTO via HomeDSGN Joshua Tree National Park is an evocative place. At least that is what I make of it through images; I have not been there and will have to remedy that at some point. Then Jay and Bev Doolittle got an idea in the 1980s and Jay wrote to Kendrick Bangs Kellogg:  “Dear Mr. Kellogg, My wife and I recently purchased a very interesting, though unconventional, building site in the California desert. …” Source: T Magazine | The New York Times | “Rock Legend” by Nancy Hass

And so began the long process that produced 5000-square-foot High Desert House, which I venture to guess Gaudí would approve, and he is my benchmark for architecture and interiors that hark the organic, him and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, latter for modernity fitting the landscape. The High Desert House changed hands since Doolittles, and has been preserved as art. I cannot argue, it is status it well deserves. “Alien spaceship or a giant armadillo” outer structure fits the neighborhood and its colors, and encases custom everything. Surreal, yet comforting looking interior appears conducive to creative musings and work, or just plain good old fashioned lounging, without being disconnected from the outside. That is good for the mind, body and soul.

PHOTOS via PLASTOLUX | DESIGN & TREND via PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURE AND ESTATES | DESIGN RULZ | T MAGAZINE | DERICK G

Food & Design | My dear Urbanite, we give you fresh sprouts from your own Microgarden

So you live in an apartment? No balcony to speak of. Definitely no garden or a yard. No worries. INFARM, a multidisciplinary firm and a research lab from Germany, has partnered with Tomorrow Machine, a Swedish design group, to provide an answer made of recyclable polypropylene sheet folded like an origami into a “greenhouse” inside of which sprouts can germinate and grow on a bed of seaweed-based gel, and appear in just 3 days. They have been crowd-funding for a while and now you can get the kit delivered to your door (look, read and select your perk here). Then, “peppery rucola, crunchy mustard and spicy radish” are not far off for your nibbling pleasure. Images from INFARM.

Photography | Mary Ellen Mark

ALL PHOTOS MARY ELLEN MARK

To see her body of work and to read her biography (one doesn’t have to go far but the “trusty” Wikipedia), is quite something for a female – Mary is no shy flower, do not get any ideas just because she is nicely spoken when interviewed or when lecturing. I don’t think she is aggressive, though. A person who says, “I just think it’s important to be direct and honest with people about why you’re photographing them and what you’re doing. After all, you’re taking some of their soul.” respects their subject and will get the image that is honest and compassionate. That is Mary Ellen Mark – no matter if she photographed demonstrations, movie sets and stars, the down and out, the streets, circus people, prostitutes, saintly missionaries, you name it. Her photos like their people. I like her photos.

Art | The boobs, bellies, butts, private parts of Lisa Yuskavage’s nudes

LISA YUSKAVAGE “DAY, 1999-2000” | LISA YUSKAVAGE “DUDE OF SORROWS”

Ah the provocation of female sexuality. Who wants to get their jollies off? Who wants their morals tested? Did I get you at the title? More to the point – did Lisa’s nudes capture you? As art world goes, there is always a way to explain any provocation it decides to pay for and display in hallowed gallery rooms, but let’s not get cynical here – Lisa has her technique up to par. “Using Renaissance-era techniques” to paint naked ladies? Now tell me that is not a stroke of mastery genius and so spot on for the subject matter, I dare you. Personally, I don’t know what to think of the occasional cutesy colors somehow reminiscent of 1970s skin magazines, but I guess that is rather the point. They are so cute in their lasciviousness. But really, it is the ever present frankness that is the ticket. According to WJS, the bigger deal is that Lisa is now painting men. Gasp? The title of the report is a bit of a pity – “Painter Lisa Yuskavage Goes From ‘Vulgar’ Women to Saintly Men” – but journalism sometimes likes to polarize, if only to sale … ahem, open a debate. Now, now. Let’s just enjoy it all. This nudity.

Fashion | Gotta keep it separated, J.W. Anderson

I am not on it. I won’t even pretend to be. But as I said before, I like to watch. The good ‘ole Grey Lady, has a playlist going called In the Studio | The New York Times: “Where does a collection begin? In the mind and imagination of a designer, of course, but also in a physical space, an insider sanctum that is almost never seen by consumers: the office and atelier. In many ways, these private spaces reflect the choices and points of view that inform fashion as much as any runway show. If in doubt, simply consider the outtakes from a series of behind-the-velvet-curtain videos in which designers from New York to Paris invited The New York Times into their professional lives.” Beyond hearing/reading his name, I don’t know much about J.W. Anderson or the specifics of his designs for, as it turns out, two labels: his own and Spanish luxury emporium Loewe. However, I now absolutely admire how organized/compartmentalized he tries to be. See this still from his interview! Com’on – this mobile phone separation and labelling is something to emulate! Neat and sanity preserving.

Art | Polly Morgan’s Artful Taxidermy

POLLY MORGAN “REST A LITTLE ON THE LAP OF LIFE” The Internet is a wondrous place! The remaining Luddite in me is having a little tantrum now. I will let it till it tires itself. One two three … ten. What makes it wondrous is the access and exposure it can give to those of us who do not have access to, in this case, BBC Four. BBC Four has had a fantastic series – “What Do Artists Do All Day?” – billed as “Intimate, observational portraits of leading artists, revealing unique insights into their working lives and creative process.” Glee! Right now, the episode I want to refer to, is available for a month through BBC Four web site, but do not fret – as long as copyright folks do not pull a plug – YouTube channel Art Documentaries has some episodes, too. And this is how I got to know of Polly Morgan and what taxidermy can be. I have not had much liking for taxidermy. It’s a strange and often dusty substitute, better at a museum and only when the local zoo does not have the real thing. It’s downright creepy inside of any house except maybe when it is a lodge. I am not judging. It’s how I respond to it, and I cannot see it at my place. However, what Polly does may make me change my tune. The creepiness is still there, but the faux art snob that I am is attracted to this different presentation. Take “Rest a Little on the Lap of Life”. It’s a friggin’ rodent exulted to a dessert puff, sleeping below a chandelier, presumably peacefully under that glass case! I can see this piece having a prime spot chez moi. Seeing Polly at it and talking about it adds a contextual dimension I can totally saddle next to. Check it out when you can.

At Home | Rick Owens’ and Michele Lamy’s Paris Home

Oh thee cult inspiring Interesting Couple! Not exactly a style I would want to copy or live in, too ascetic for my feigned minimalism although I can see how it would salve after hedonistic adventures. I am inspired by its details and quality. When it comes to Rick and Michele, the consistency of their presentation to the public is supreme, despite Rick Owens brand not exactly playing the fashion marketing game. There are legions (did I mention the word “cult”?) that surface what it might be like in Owens-Lamy world through photos, interviews, articles the couple and the brand seemingly do not chase but nevertheless oblige. In the interviews, they are calm coolness, and seeing these photos of their home, it makes sense. They know who they are and what their aesthetic is. The way they present themselves and the way their home is are in sync.

PHOTOS via WSJ “Inside Rick Owens's Paris Home”

Photography | Josef Koudelka

Josef Koudelka comes to me as a triptych: a photographic window into lives of Gypsies in Slovakia and Romania, a photographic document of the crushing invasion of Prague by the military forces of the Warsaw Pact, scion of the legendary Magnum agency. See a selection of his work at Josef Koudelka: Nationality Doubtful – I wish I was timelier and posted this when the exhibitions were still on (either at the Art Institute of Chicago or Getty Center in Los Angeles), but exhibitions have a time limit, Koudelka’s photographs don’t, no matter where you see them. Although photography pins a moment in place by its very nature, in the eye and hands of a master the results live forever to show us what we were not witnessing, and to inspire with the craft.

JOSEPH KOUDELKA “GITANS” AND “INVASION 68 PRAGUE” via MAGNUM PHOTOS

Design | This is the World of M. Šašek

Not exactly his world, because I am not attempting to surpass the biographies of M. Šašek that have been written already, but this is my token of appreciation shored up as a “Hey, remember seeing these? Lookie here.” This will give you an idea of how long it takes for me clean up bits that I have ferreted away: well-into-the-spring cleaning surfaced a 2014-calendar of M. Šašek’s “This is San Francisco”. And I just had to share. And no, that is not my worst calendar hoarding offence. That is a 2004-calendar of Gaudí’s Casa Batlló purchased in 2003 at Casa Batlló, so I suppose Gaudí will surface as a subject of a blog on another occasion. Aren’t you glad I got that out of the way? M. Šašek. “M. Sasek was born in Prague in 1916 and died in Switzerzerland in 1980. He worked as a painter and illustrator for most of his life.” – This is M. Sasek His illustrations check off what is vital for good design: evocative, simple, attractive, effective in communicating and stirring interest. Your tot will thank you for it, little do they know – yet. After seeing, what to my surprise is a plethora of prints covering more than requisite Paris, London, Rome, and New York you will typically see in stores, do not be surprised if your tot will want to travel and see it all themselves. As a matter of fact, you might be inspired to make a travel dream come true. And for that M. Šašek deserves to be featured.

At Home | Inger McCabe Elliot Pops of Color

The New York Times Magazine published photos of Inger McCabe Elliot’s colorful abode – an insight into how long standing creatives live, and can inspire our own spaces. Inger is a textile designer born in Norway. She left Norway at 8 years old when her family had to resettle, eventually finding its way to United States. Chinese and Javanese colors of batiks that she ended up working with no doubt influenced the vibrancy of her rich but by no means stifling domicile. There are rules (“I believe you should have dark colors with books”) and practical concerns (“She favors semigloss paint because it’s easy to wipe clean”) that her décor abides by, keeping – what potentially could get out of hand – slick and organized yet inviting, homey, and very alive.

PHOTO via THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE FROM “A Collected Home forInger McCabe Elliott”

Travel | Selection № 2 : Stockholm, Sweden

©MAK

Food | Instant Noodles

Hooray for the instant noodle! Why? Around 57 years of age does not a nice round birthday make... So what?! Hooray because. Thank you Momofuku Ando. Where would a student and a “student” be without you?!  What I didn’t know, or rather didn’t as yet practice beyond fiery spice addition to the blander flavor packs, is the art of dressing up instant noodles. Yes, the concept of adding extras such as vegetables, eggs, meat, seafood, even milk or thicker sauces, is a revelation to me. Omelet mode, anyone? See for yourself if you are new to it, too – oh you, future master of Maruchan gourmet (see hack 36).  My mind boggles. Easily done. I am simple about it. Just the block of instant noodles boiled with included seasoning; I reserve the resulting broth for the cooked noodles to float in as I slurp them and to be drank. That’s the way I heart them. And the simplicity is the why I heart them so. What’s your way?

BOTH: INSTANT NOODLES FOR DUMMIES by ADJI HERDANTO via BEHANCE

Fashion | How To Pronounce The Hardest Names In Fashion courtesy of i-D

So you may NEVER sound uncivilized.

 

i-D’s playful take on pronunciation teaches you how to speak your international fashion alphabet, from Azzedine Alaïa (AH'ZE'DEEN AH'LAI'AH) in Paris to Zegna (ZEN'YA) in Milan. Director Barnaby Roper at Cadence NY.

Music | “In the Moment” vs. “BABYMETAL”

IN THE MOMENT via HTS!  BABYMETAL via BABYMETAL WALL @ JPOPASIA

I got it out of synch. Then again, time is not really linear.  In the Moment, a Los Angeles based band, released a new album in November 2014 that is wonderfully titled “Black Widow”. What is there not to like about a Black Widow? Venomous female spider with predilection for sexual cannibalism; a Russian spy / superhero in the Marvel universe; basically, a seductive guaranteed-to-be-deadly lady. But I digress… It started when the single “Sick Like Me” was released, and if heavy metal is your thing and you like it fronted by smooth, alluring yet roaring, say… black-widow style vixen backed by a requisite and finely executed grind of her cronies, you will be a very happy prey. Then I found “Vixen”, or to be correct “Megitsune” - a song by a Japanese group BABYMETAL, and a blend of heavy metal and J-pop. And my head split between “OK… sure… I get it… why not, it’s catchy” and confusion of “is this where things are heading?!” This is where I got out of synch.  Things already got there back in 2010 when the group was formed (“Megitsune” was released in June 2013). Black widows they are not, not like In the Moment front woman, but this is another female fronted metal outfit (still confused on that… but let’s not be purists), so I am good with that on a fight-the-power sort of level (bear with me, I am still trying to convince myself of something here). Their pop and youth may be Lollita-esque when backed by the “heavy metal falling from the sky”, AND if you look at it with a certain slant. Baby Black Widows? We will see. Supposedly none of them knew what metal was before they were backed by it.  What is certain, is that a mix of black and red is “metal”, and damn any anarchistic association! I mean, pop is not quite that. Not nowadays anyhow. Yet, both In the Moment and BABYMETAL have it. Where to go with this packaging?  Go with it as just packaging. The sound is the real metric here. So – where on the scale do you land: “OK… sure… I get it… why not, it’s catchy” via “is this where things are heading?!” to “real Black Widows, please!”?

At Home | How does royal burlesque live? The Abode of Dita Von Teese.

INSTYLE via HOOKED ON HOUSES and INSIRATIONS DECO/HOME &GARDEN

Art | Beatriz Milhazes Kaleidoscopes

BEATRIZ MILHAZES | FONDATION BEYELER via ARTOBSERVED

Living close to your city’s botanical gardens is a divine substitute for wilderness cities, by their very disposition, wipe out. The good people that run them curate flora that the city replaced, flora that could have acclimated to the area with or without human care, flora from beyond, ultimately for our education, pleasure and inspiration. Beatriz Milhazes is lucky to have her studio close to Rio de Janeiro botanical gardens. Flora is all there – in her art.

TOP: Noite De Verão (Summer Night) 2007 via DURHAM PRESS BOTTOM LEFT: Set design for Tempo de Verão (Summertime) by Marcia Milhazes Contemporary Dance Company (2006) via ART TATTLER INTERNATIONAL BOTTOM RIGHT: Sul da América 2002 via WIKIART