Athletic Couture...

June 2010: Storefront @ Boutique Courir, Montréal, QC 

April 2010: Storefront @ Boutique Courir, Montréal, QC 


I walk by Boutique Courir (cycling : trathlon : ski shop) at least once a week and I am always fascinated by their couture-inspired mannequins. 
Very avant-garde for an athletic store!

Terrarium Craft...

Terrariums were discovered by Dr. Nathaniel Ward in 1827.  They are also referred to as Wardian cases or miniature greenhouses.  These tiny ecosystems were very popular during England's Victorian Era and then they sort of fell out of fashion...
I recently rediscovered them because they seem to be everywhere nowadays...Dwell Mag, Etsy, The New York Times... I love these chic garden capsules!  Love, love, love!!!


Recent article:  The New York Times
Where to shop: Twig Terrariums, Sprout Home, Botany Factory, LiTill.com

nothing to regret...

Louise Bourgeois. 
dec.25.1911 - 05.31.2010 ... the art world is bleeding...
Louise Bourgeois came into my life in the Spring of 2003.  I experienced a retrospective of her work at the Louisiana Museum in Denmark.  At first I was speechless.  Soon after I adopted her as my mentor. 
I never met Louise in person, but when I am around her works of art I feel as if she knew me.   She will continue to be my inspiration, my catharsis my Louise. 

I have nothing
nothing to say
nothing to get excited about
nothing to explain
nothing to prove
nothing to ask for
nothing to tell
nothing to show
nothing to hide
nothing to plan for
nothing to keep
nothing to anticipate
nothing to lose
nothing to criticize
nothing to collect
nothing to remember
nothing to want
nothing to comprehend
nothing to expect
so
nothing to fear
so
nothing to regret.


Louise Bourgeois.
New York City, October 1997
from the Serpentine Gallery catalogue
Louise Neri, The Personal Effects of a Woman with no Secrets, pg. 86


Photo:  Louise Bourgeois 1997 taken by Sylvia Plachy, New York.


film about Louise: The Spider, the Mistress and the Tangerine

KCRW's 2010 World Festival...Los Angeles, CA

Great line-up for this summer...click HERE.

Sunday, June 20, 7 PM: Baaba Maal with special guests Playing For Change • Yeasayer • Tinariwen • Fool’s Gold

Sunday, June 27, 7 PM: Goldfrapp • Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club Featuring
Omara Portuondo • tUnE-yArDs

Sunday, July 11, 7 PM: The Swell Season • She + Him • The Bird And The Bee

Sunday, July 25, 7 PM: REGGAE NIGHT IX: Jimmy Cliff • Sly & Robbie • Tarrus Riley

Sunday, August 29, 7 PM: The Chemical Brothers • Chromeo • Yacht

Sunday, September 19, 7 PM: ¡VIVA MEXICO!: Ozomatli • Los Super Seven • Mexican Institute Of Sound • Mariachi Reyna De Los Angeles • Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company
...

I love Glen Hansard/Marketa Irglova & Omara Portuondo...check these out.





Omara Portuondo & Maria Bethânia - Tal Vez from Cineviola Filmes on Vimeo.

I love instant film!

The Impossible Project has rescued instant film from the dead.  NO digital
camera can ever replace my clunky Polaroid 600 camera.  Too much unpredictable-fun!
Check out the new retail-gallery space in NYC! (Other Stores.)

image: from the Impossible Project's Test Lab

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.   

Architectural illustrations?

Non-sense graffiti on buildings upsets me greatly.  But I respect and encourage artistic murals any day.  Let's face it, some buildings look better (more interesting) with make-up on!  


I came upon the Spanish artist, Santiago Morilla as I was browsing the new issue of Elephant magazine this weekend...and his "architectural illustrations" put a smile on my face.  Here are a few examples of his hilariously beautiful characters.  I encourage you to visit his website and blog...


Images borrowed from the artist's website.

More urban green spaces...please!

Celebrate Earth Day!
Turn your deck, patio, roof, abandoned open space etc... 
into a garden this Spring.


Here are some ideas:
Images 1-3: David Baker Projects - San Francisco
Image 4: Le Ateliers Ouverts  
Image 5: Pulltab Design
Image 6: Emiliana Design Studios

I love these Gypsies...

Ojos de Brujo.  Contemporary flamenco with nomadic richness.  This group is amazing and I was excited to find this video.  Enjoy!


OJOS DE BRUJO - CORRE LOLA CORRE from Joan Guasch on Vimeo.

Cirque du Soleil and McQueen?

Cirque du Soleil unveiled its latest traveling show, TOTEM, in its hometown of Montreal last week. . .and to my surprise. . .do the butterflies look familiar? I came across an enormous advertisement in one of Montreal's downtown Metro stations... and I had to take a picture (I always carry a camera with me!)  The circus inspired by haute couture? I love it.

IMAGES: (left-right) TOTEM poster  :  Anthony McQueen's Ready-to-wear 2008 Spring/Summer collection.  (Tribute to his mentor and friend Isabella Blow)  :   cover of The New Yorker. (Tribute to the late Anthony McQueen.)