Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Ultimate Outfit....pt.5


I call this one "Cool Blue."

This outfit consists of...
Proenza Schouler tie die sweater

Burberry Prorsum ruched waist leather skirt
Proenza Schouler PS1 suede satchel

Balenciaga Fall 2010 platform loafers
Christine j. Brandt "Sprout" ring


Mallory Marks double drop earrings

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Meat Cute


Pardon me, boy.....

     Last night, Josh took me dancing, to Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center. Oh my, that was so much fun!  There were people of all skill levels out dancing, and everyone was just having a wonderful time - it's not like one can go out and find a great band to swing dance to anytime. Last night, the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra played all the great standards (although I think I missed "Take the A Train, " unfortunately) and really kept the crowd moving.


     I grew up hearing my mom sing with a big band, so I love swing music. And Josh is a great dancer, so we can just get up and go - even though I'm not as experienced in swing as he is, with his firm lead, I pick it up pretty quickly. He's even starting to teach me some Lindy! It's just really fun.
     Anyway, now that I'm all juiced about swing dancing and big band music, I thought I'd share some of my favorite videos and songs with you.....

I love her dress, her voice, the sound of the band......and wait until the dancing starts! That's how I want to dance!



A very charming version of Chattanooga Choo Choo..


Of course, The Andrews Sisters version is my favorite...



And the pinacle of Lindy Hop greatness....



One of my all time favorite songs...

Monday, July 5, 2010

Cityscape

  There are amazing things to see in New York. I found this one a couple of months ago...sorry for the crappy iphone pictures.






Thursday, July 1, 2010

Yeah... About That...


Well, that explains everything.

    First, I am THRILLED that someone commented!!!! And they aren't even related to me or anything! WOOOO.....I have actual readers out there in the world, and someone took the time to write me back! I am ecstatic!

     Next, I'm a little embarrassed that I clearly should have done more thorough research. When I set out to write the original blog post after having seen the video, I looked around the primary sites for the video itself. However, I specifically did not read any other blogs or in depth commentary (other than the comments posted on Katy Perry's site and YouTube), because I wanted to get out what I had to say before I started taking in other commentary. Granted, this makes me a totally lame journalist - but the good news is I never claimed to be one in the first place!

    Nevertheless, my opinion of the video, largely, still stands. Somehow I'm even MORE disappointed that Will Cotton himself was involved - I've always found his work to have more soul than the video suggests. His paintings are beautiful, sensitive and transportive, but I felt the video was just tacky - Cotton knocking-off his own work. Like trading in a velvety Chevre for a vat of nacho cheese.

Will Cotton “TAFFY FOREST” 2007, Oil on Linen, 72” X 80”
Screen shot from "California Gurls"

     It brings to mind, once again, the abomination that was Jean Paul Gautier's "collection" for Target. Where once was a sensitive, inspired artistic statement now stands a cheap, watered-down imitation for mass market.

Photograph by Erik Madigan Heck

  
I found a good article about the making of the video and Cotton's involvement with it. The artist gives his thoughts on the project:

“I'm delighted that my paintings are the inspiration for this video. My work is about creating a utopia where all desire is fulfilled all the time, but where pleasure and delight can turn dark and dystopic. Katy embodies the archetypes that I look for in a subject. It was thrilling to work with her and to see her inhabit my landscapes.” 

     I'm surprised that he would take such a view. It's startling to me that he feels that this silly pop video reflects AT ALL the mood of his paintings. And I can't imagine how Ms. Perry "embodies the archetypes" of his ideal subject. The women he paints, to me, are beautiful in part because of their vulnerability and natural softness, while Katy Perry has carefully constructed an image of pop plasticity - fake nails, neon wigs, latex dresses. Which is fun, and a great gig for a pop star, but not at all what I think of when I imagine meeting one of Will Cotton's models on the street.


or......

Will Cotton "ICE CREAM CAVERN (2)" 2003 Oil on Linen, 60" x 50"

Are these girls anything alike???

         It's good to know that Will Cotton's work wasn't used without permisson.....I can't imagine how it would feel for an artist to have poured so much love into developing an idea, only to see it watered-down and credited to someone else. But the contrast between his paintings and "California Gurls" is so stark that it makes me sad that he would willingly lend his name to it.