RED

Last weekend was the end of my family vacation to top it off my Mom and I decided to see the Tony awarding winning Best Play: Red.  The play revolves around Mark Rothko during the time he was commissioned by Seagram's building for the Four Seasons restaurant.  The play takes place in Rothko's studio and his assistant.  It's a two man play that frames its transitions based on the paintings for the Four Seasons.  The play raises the questions of what is art? what is the meaning of art (to the creator and the viewer)? What does art make you feel?  For Rothko he wanted his paintings to move his viewer's or "Pluse."  Also, it touched on the idea of the artist selling out and creating for the masses and not making art for art's sake.  Art is serious. Art has meaning. Art is based on the past masters to be raped by future artists and the cycle repeated.  The play did not fully answer the questions it raised but it did illustrate the heart and soul that goes into creating art.  It's very intense but have lines that defuse the tension between the actors and the audience.  I found it riveting for a 90 minute production.  It's a must see if you get a chance to catch it before it closes (it was a limited run).

A New England Vacation in Pictures

Newport, RI

ivy covered wall on mill st.

                                                        views from our balcony

Houses on Corne St.

Inside the Breaker's (the best Mansion in Newport Hands Down)

                              Mosaic of the Vanderbilt  symbol (acorns) on the floor of the game room

Velvet Chair in the Music Room

Ceiling of Music Room 

Views from the Balcony

        Marble House (Mansion # 2)

Front of House

Chinese Tea House (just what I want in my backyard)

Backyard view from Marble House

Rosecliff (Mansion # 3)

The Elms (Mansion # 5 had no pics of # 4 due to scaffolding) 

Front of the House 

Backyard 

Fountain in the Backyard (and yes I'll take one too and put it next to my tea house)

Back of the Elms

One Massive Tree

Providence, RI (a short 35 min drive from Newport)

Old Bank 

Sculpture 

Brown's House (whom the University is named after)

University Gates

River Walk

Mystic Seaport: Side Trip on the Way Home

Africana

Today I was watching the World Cup, which is taking place in South Africa, something dawned on me.  I've been really inspired by Africa.  Recently, I saw Invictis and was captivated by country and the people. Also, I've been wanting to check out Fela! on Broadway.  Part of it to has been my recent selection of reading materials, which have included Melville, Kelly Cutrone's book, and Woolf.  In Kelly Cutrone's book she talks about finding your tribe and tribal council.  This coupled with the World Cup has made me want to explore the different tribes of Africa, mostly for their culture and clothing.

With the increase popularity of clothing brand Suno there might be a trend of more companies looking to Africa for inspiration and production.  I think this would be great for a country so overlooked.  As a continent, culture and customs deeply rooted in family and survival just like the diamonds rooted in the mines.

Strangely Fascinating

PUNK

As the warm weather has come upon and the ritual of shedding clothes I have noticed that there is a growing trend of one of my favorite looks.  A resurgence of punk look has been growing in NYC.  I've noticed it this past winter. Opening ceremony is now selling Manic Panic hair dye and keds in neon colors to match.  Doc Martens can be seen all over the city, even on some really hot days.  In some ways I think its from the lack of creativity and political/social move due to the economy.  Well, I to have been going back to my roots of 1994 grunge/punk.  I've been wearing more black, flannel plaids, ripped tights, skull jewelry and wanting to dye my hair a rainbow of color.  Even shaving my head just to make a statement.

It's not just a young and new generation of kids just beginning to listen to the Clash or Sex Pistols.  There's an older generation getting back to their roots and real voices. It could always be nostalgic for a younger, more exuberant time. As take all the images of people passing by me in their idea of punk doc martens, dyed hair, ripped clothing, partially shaved heads etc. there's a beauty and elegance to it all.