phi·lan·der (/fəˈlandər/) verb: (of a man) Readily or frequently enter into casual sexual relationships with women.

Image above borrowed from ANTI-RECORDS site.

I'm in awe of Glen Hansard, he has this "not yet corrupted by fame" aura about him that's very appealing. I recently stumbled upon the video promoting his upcoming solo album, "Rythm and Repose". . . I find it heartwarming that even though M. Hansard and I are very culturally different, his music video "Philander" managed to stir-up emotions about my grandmother's house in Mexico (the colors and props, not the title)...how I remember it anyway. Some things are just globally identifiable...





"Rhythm and Repose is a result of Hansard’s last year and a half of living in New York City. The album was recorded by Patrick Dillett (David Byrne, Arto Lindsay, Laurie Anderson) and produced by Thomas Bartlett (Doveman, The National, Antony and the Johnsons). The record features the musical talents of Brad Albetta (Martha Wainwright) on bass, Ray Rizzo on drums, Nico Muhly and Rob Moose on strings (Bon Iver, Y Music), David Mansfield on slide guitar (Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Tour), Javier Mas (Leonard Cohen touring band) and half of Bruce Springsteen’s current horn section. Assisting on vocals are Cristin Milioti (Once, The Musical), Sam Amidon, Marketa Irglova and Aida Shahghasemi (Marketa Irglova touring band)." Quote by ANTI Records.

KINFOLK...a group of people related by blood.

I'm completely enamored with the recently launched (July 2011) quarterly magazine, KINFOLK. I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy of their first two issues, the local magazines stands don't carry it, but I've been exploring its website nonstop. It fosters a collaborative editorial team which creates beautiful narrative videos and photographs of everyday life that are just enviable. Check out their recent video below from their Dinner Series, location: Brooklyn, NY.  Kinfolk team, please come to Montreal!


Side Note: I swear, I'm strongly considering opening a "curated magazine stand" here in Montreal because there are so many international magazines that I just cannot get my hands on.  And the magazine shop keepers here don't seem to care.  I've tried requesting various periodicals but so far, they have not been very forthcoming...hmmm...

An arm for a dime...

Have you browsed through The New York Times's latest online venture, The Lively Morgue?  
The shot below is my favorite one so far (hmm, a scene from MadMen?), but really, every picture is uniquely brilliant. You must check it out.  It's ironic that we live in a gadget-frenzied society, yet we still find nostalgic ephemera enriching, there's hope for us yet!

Image borrowed from here.

These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray...

The most captivating scene (and personally...the ONLY absorbing scene) in Steve McQueen's, Shame is Carey Mulligan singing New York New York.  In my opinion, it would have been a more unique script, if Carey's character, Sissy had possessed the so called sex addiction instead of her angry brother Brandon, played by Michael Fassbender. The clip above is just a short teaser, but the actual scene in the film is longer and lovely. FYI, Sissy's complete version of the song is part of the film's soundtrack.  When she sings the words "these vagabond shoes" it's heartbreakingly masterful and the way she says New York...it's impossible not to feel that longing with her. . .

Sissy's version. . .

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today. I wanna be a part of it New York, New York.

I wanna wake up in a city, That doesn't sleep, And find I'm king of the hill  Top of the heap.

These vagabond shoes  Are longing to stray, right through the very heart of it New York, New York.

If I can make it there,  I'll make it anywhere  It's up to you, New York, New York.

I wanna wake up in a city, That doesn't sleep, 

And find I'm king of the hill, Head of the list, Cream of the crop At the top of the heap

These little town blues  Are melting away  I'll make a brand new start of it   In old New York. 

If I can make it there,  I'll make it anywhere  It's up to you, New York, New York.

After Sissy concludes her doleful performance, she chats with her brother's (married) boss. . .see clip below.
NOTE: I love the conversation about living in Los Angeles. That used to be me. . .I was that cute artsy girl with a giant black leather portfolio case, waiting at the dilapidated L.A. bus stops (plural), on my way to those art & architecture classes...hmm, memories.

...of a Crazy World!

TO those of you who currently dwell in New York City...or are visiting the gorgeous city this week... 

Do not miss the exhibition currently on display at The Jewish Museum,  Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World). It closes this coming Sunday, July 31, 2011.

Enjoy it for me! I am obsessed with her work and well I am also extremely jealous of her vivid career / lifestyle.  

Images borrowed from the artist's official site.

WAR HORSE...

Ok, so I caught the last hour or so of the Tony Awards last night.  It is silly, but I am still getting use to my new time zone.  Thankfully, the "rap-up" act at the end of the ceremony by Neil Patrick Harris was so fabulous that I immediately rushed to the official website to browse what I had missed.  
One of the winning creations, the WAR HORSE is another reason why I would love to go to NYC in the near future.  You can read more about the play here, but what is alluring to me is that the story is narrated by an English farm horse, Joey, as it survives on both sides of WWI.


My favorite fictional horse is Don Quixote's 'Rocinante' and 'Joey' brings him to live for me through these mesmerizing images. It is Puppetry at its best. I wonder if Cervantes ever considered telling the story of Don Quixote through the eyes of his most faithful companion, his horse Rocinante. 


Here is a great' behind the scenes' clip by fifty nine productions.





A few fast facts:


1. WAR HORSE premiered at the National Theatre in London in November of 2007.


2. Currently playing at the Lincoln Center Theater until January 2011. 


3. An adaptation from the novel by Michael Morpurgo.


4. Created in association with The Handspring Puppet Company and fifty nine productions.


5. Photography by Simon Annand.


6. Will be going to Toronto in 2012.

The family that I did not know I had...

FYI...Fredrik Färg's limited edition collection, Succession: The family that I did not know I had, is on display at the RH Gallery in New York until June 19, 2011...I am a big fan of his work...how hysterical are the pictures with the ducks...I love it.


Photos courtesy of Fredrik Färg.

Bill Cunningham New York...I cried.

Bill Cunningham New York has finally come to Montréal.  Mark and I saw the film last night and it was absolutely inspirational.  To my surprise, it was showing at a tiny theater (Cinema Du Parc) and very few people were in attendance. This film should be projected on a big wall somewhere in the city...for everyone to see.  I am not going to summarize the film, watch the trailer here and check out your local theaters. 


New York has a magical way of fostering ardent artistry.  Merci beaucoup, Bill Cunningham. Thank You New York! Thank you Richard Press and Crew + Zeitgeist Films!


He is a living Don Quixote; his bicycle, his Rocinante.  His understated blue coat, his armor.


Image Credits: Images in color borrowed from the film's official site. B/W photos: (left) borrowed from here. (right) borrowed from here.  Newspaper:  Bill’s first spread for The New York Times, December 30, 1978. (Borrowed from the film's official site).

But I am INSIDE officer...

A couple of days ago, I noticed that my friend, (also an influential mentor and role model) the incredibly talented artist Christina McPhee, included one of her pieces for a silent auction to benefit New York's, Storefront Art and Architecture.   I am almost embarrassed to admit that until a few days ago, I had no idea of Storefront's existence...what?  I know.  It has been around since 1982! Why am I making a big deal?  A few fast facts to give you an idea...for those of you who don't already know...
1] The mobil facade was designed by artist Vito Acconci and architect Steven Holl in 1993.
2] The Vice President of the Board of Directors is Charles Renfro.
3] The Board of Advisors list includes...Peter Cook, Elizabeth Diller, Toyo Ito, Brooke Hodge...and of course Steven Holl...among several others...
4] The facade was given a face lift in 2008...more info here.


Only in New York can this project be possible.  I can just imagine all of the bureaucratic [b.s.] involved in something like this.  Just look at that wall. The rotating partitions open onto the public sidewalk.  
In a presentation with Steven Hall and Vito Acconci, the moderator and former Storefront director, Joseph Grima, mentioned that at every vernissage, the attendees argue with the NYC police about what is considered inside and/or outside...having to do with the glass of vino in hand. . .I love it.

The photographs below are from Storefront's archives...more here.

Bastille Day. Paris. 1970.

Until about a month ago, I had never heard of Rufus Wainwright.  I stumbled upon one of his songs one evening while listening to KCRW's Eclectic24.  I wrote his name in my sketchbook an then put him aside for later.  A few days ago, Mark and I were at Boite Noire scouting around for films to rent for the week and I came across the documentary, Rufus Wainwright PRIMA DONNA, the story of an Opera.  I rented it out of curiosity.  Seven days later, I realized that we had yet to watch the film and it had come time to return it...well I played it for about five minutes and then I stopped it.  I called Mark at work and told him that I was not going to return the movie because he just had to watch it with me.  We didn't mind paying the late fee the next day because it turned out to be a fabulous film.   I am not going to summarize the film...but believe me...Rufus is a character! (As some of you might already know).  And yes...this "pop" (I use this word loosely) singer did create an OPERA..the real thing...not a music video or movie about an Opera...AN OPERA...rent the documentary.  Better yet, start saving now and let's go to the New York City Opera in the Spring of 2012...hint hint Kelly. I am now a Rufus fan.  If Wikipedia's facts about Mr. Wainwright are correct, we share the same birth date...so he is probably moody, gregarious when he wants to be...but phenomenally an ARTIST...Today I purchased his 2002 album, Poses from itunes...it is lovely.

Synopsis: An opera (with a French libretto) about the diva, Régine Saint Laurent, a soprano who loses her voice and six years later attempts a return to the stage. It is set on Bastille Day in 1970 Paris. 

NOTES

: Rufus Wainwright was born in Rhinebeck, New York but grew up in Montréal. 

: Prima Donna first premiered in Manchester's 2009 International Festival.  NOTE: Why didn't Prima Donna premiere in Montréal?

: Read Interview's article, "Rufus Wainwright, Curtains Pulled"

: Read article from The New York Times, "The Diva has Issues"

: Photos by Clive Barda.  Billboard by I want design.

Woody Allen's Manhattan...

I saw Woody Allen's 1979 Manhattan for the first time last weekend (I know, first time?). . . beyond ridiculous, but soooo great. Rent it, own it, watch it.  
If you live in Montreal, I am sure Boite Noire has it...love this movie shop.


a few Isaac Davis lines:
. . . Chapter One. He adored New York City. He idolized it all out of proportion. Eh uh, no, make that he, he romanticized it all out of proportion. Better. To him, no matter what the season was, this was still a town that existed in black and white and pulsated to the great tunes of George Gershwin. Uh, no, let me start this over
. . . I feel like we're in a Noel Coward play. Someone should be making martinis.
. . . Boy, this is really a great city, I don't care what anybody s-s - it's really a knock-out, you know?

I like it black...

Ok, I found another reason why I must visit NYC... I need a piggy bank...
Stumptown Coffee Roasters just opened their Brew Bar in the neighborhood of Red Hook in Brooklyn. It is only opened on weekends, but doesn't it sound fun?
I really want to bring Stumptown Coffee to Montréal. Mark and I are seriously thinking about opening a coffee bar here...we miss good coffee and baristas that know what they are doing.


Pictures from Hither & Thither by Ashley and Aron Bruhn.

Calatrava collaborates with NYC ballet...

...for the 2010 Spring Season! 
It is the Spanish architect's first scenic design project!
You can experience Santiago Calatrava's creations in these new ballets:


Benjamin Millepied, Why am I not where you are (April 29; May 26, 27; June 3) 
Christopher Wheeldon, Estancia (May 29; June 1, 4, 6, 11)
Melissa Barak, Call Me Ben (June 5, 9, 13, 24)   
Mauro Bigonzetti, Who Cares (June 10, 18, 19)
Peter Martins, Master in Chief of NYC Ballet, ballet title unknown (June 22, 23, 26)


Yet another reason to proclaim, I love New York City! I hope I can make it to atleast one of these performances. Interdisciplinary inspiration is exactly what I need. Check out the official site HERE.   

Portraits by Thorsten Brinkmann

I found Thorsten Brinkmann browsing through the list of artists for ICP's current exhibit DRESS CODES.  The soft and hard portraits are juxtaposed with color, staged presence and carefully chosen garments.  
I would love to see these pieces in person!

Enjoy these captivating images...

"A self-described "serial collector," German artist Thorsten Brinkmann photographs himself in extraordinary costumes that he creates from castoff clothing and household objects salvaged from the street or from flea markets." ICP