Keith Haring '78-'82 | Brooklyn Museum

until July 8th 2012

"Keith Haring: 1978–1982 is the first large-scale exhibition to explore the early career of one of the best-known American artists of the twentieth century. Tracing the development of Haring’s extraordinary visual vocabulary, the exhibition includes 155 works on paper, numerous experimental videos, and over 150 archival objects, including rarely seen sketchbooks, journals, exhibition flyers, posters, subway drawings, and documentary photographs.

The exhibition chronicles the period in Haring’s career from his arrival in New York City through the years when he started his studio practice and began making public and political art on the city streets. Immersing himself in New York’s downtown culture, he quickly became a fixture on the artistic scene, befriending other artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kenny Scharf, as well as many of the most innovative cultural figures of the period. The critical role that these relationships played in Haring’s development as a public artist and facilitator of group exhibitions and performances is also explored. Pieces on view include a number of very early works never before seen in public; seven video pieces, including Painting Myself into a Corner (his first video piece) and Tribute to Gloria Vanderbilt; and collages created from cut-up fragments of his own writing, history textbooks, and newspapers." -BrooklynMuseum.org

Seboowsey bowsey bop, dittybop.

The countdown begins!

Until then...

Revisiting Coquito for Dummies

It's that time of year again, don't forget to shower your loved ones with a little "spicy holiday spirit in a bottle".

xoxo
-Lainey

"You know what Mean Gene?"

Wrestling always brings warm memories of my great grandmother's excitement while watching the Big Boss Man, Macho Man Randy Savage, and of course Hulk Hogan.  This of course came hand in hand with her cute 5 feet tall, 80 years old, only-verbalized-in-spanish contempt for Rick Flair, The Undertaker, Ravishing Rick Rude.  This was a woman who spoke no english, but loved, absolutely loved wrestling.  I love that my father took his grandmother-in-law to a movie theather to watch the first WrestleMania.

With the passing of Randy Savage, all I can think of is the excitement and entertainment we experienced watching the World Wrestling Federation, and all of its bright stars back in the 80's and 90's. A big thank you to him and countless others for the crazy wear and tear they put themselves through while making a cute little old Puerto Rican lady fall in love with smack talk and "violence" on TV.

Snowed~In~Radio~

Snowstorm #1 of 2011...The plows are out... The flakes are sticking...

Snowed In Radio

My Aromatherapy 101

For as long as I can remember, the quickest recall of lost and forgotten memories is quickly channeled through my sense of smell. I noticed over the years I have grown immensely fond of certain types of smell, immediately noticing improvements in mood, extra pep in my day or just instant chill-out.

Some of my favorite recollections through smell are commonly from childhood. This sweetly toxic smell always reappears walking on piers and boardwalks, sometimes the subway and certain brands of crayon. It recalls fond and unusually early memories of Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Traces of wood and salt mixing with the sand create this unique scent. My family frequented Seaside for group trips in a hotel across the street from Seaside Height's original log flume, where I ran with my father and sister to jump on as many times as possible, even though I hated rides with steep inclines. The little house where we awaited our little log had quirky mechanisms and is where I mostly remember finding this scent. I love to revisit Seaside, where the token slot machines still exist, beginning my little fixation at the ripe old age of 5 with gambling. Somehow the skyride or the "ski" lift still exists, which takes you from beginning to end of the boardwalk. Although the original flume is gone, traces still exist, as does this intoxicating, yet strange-that-I-enjoy-it scent.

I hold coconut as a truly favorite scent. Recalling the various dishes my greatgrandmother made in the house always called for hours of shredding the nut. Despite the child labor, the various treats still exite me. Not to mention, Coco Lopez brought a similar excitement at Christmas time... Coquito!! It is also my favorite smell when sunbathing, as all of my beach gear ends up covered in Hawaiian Tropic, (which has slightly changed their scent, I have noticed) which always reminds me of my favorite car, the car seats constantly soaked with the combination scent of the oil and my favorite parfum, Blue by Ralph Lauren. Coconut blends so well with everything!

As for my latest fixation, thanks to Anthropologie, is the candle scent I found almost exactly matches the ethereal scent floating through the Palazzo/Venetian hotels in Vegas. I have yet to find another scent that is so mind altering and peace nurturing. Titled 'Desert Dunes' by Illume, the unique scent releases sensuous hints of jasmin, lavender, cocoa butter, with maybe even a tiny hint of musk oil. A flick of a bic away from absolute relaxation in a tin.

The Finiteness of Life

"Death is always on the way, but the fact that you don't know when it will arrive seems to take away from the finiteness of life. It's that terrible precision that we hate so much. But because we don't know, we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well. Yet everything happens a certain number of times, and a very small number, really. How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood, some afternoon that's so deeply a part of your being that you can't even conceive of your life without it? Perhaps four or five times more. Perhaps not even. How many more times will you watch the full moon rise? Perhaps twenty. And yet it all seems limitless."
—Paul Bowles, The Sheltering Sky

3-2-1 Jello, Oh How I Miss Thee

I figured that someone would have found or figured out the recipe to one of my favorite childhood desserts. Although I wish I could find a picture of this Jello product, the idea is simple. This version of Jello would set into three layers, the first two being a mousse consistency, and the last being the jello layer. Apparently this recipe works with any packet of jello, but will I be victorious and be able to replicate the magic of 3-2-1 Jello?

From Boston-Baden.com
"After adding the boiling water, the mixture was blended for 30 seconds, then blended at high speed for 1 minute, then add a cup of ice water and blend on high for 1 more minute. You fill each glass HALF FULL, then refill the glasses completely in the same order. It 'automatically' separates into 3 layers upon chilling. Basically they call this gelatin with 2 toppings (on the box). Molding this product is NOT recommended."

Let's see if this works! Their Sherbert 1-2-3 recipe also looks fantastic.

Virtual Parranda

The easiest way to explain the Puerto Rican tradition of a parranda de aguinaldos involves a parade of local neighbors, family and friends singing traditional and folk christmas songs while playing instruments and traveling house to house serenading for food and beverages, spreading celebration and good cheer.  This originally began as a religious celebration of the coming birth of Christ beginning with masses held before Christmas day.  

In remembering such a wonderful tradition, and my family's wonderful neighbors (Hola Gonzalez family!) in Co-Op city who kept this tradition alive, please enjoy this medley of songs traditionally sung during this parade.  Share this story on your page or blog and help create the first (for what I know at least) virtual Parranda!

You might also like reading : Coquito For Dummies

Pixies @ Hammerstein Ballroom 11/25

Fantastic show at one of my favorite venues. Waiting for those pre-sale tix were completely worth it. As they did all week long, they began with Doolittle b-sides, but I think this encore was the best (see setlist here). Seeing the kids amp'ed and ready for show # 2 starting at 1am made me feel extremely old, well, that and I had to wake up at 5am to watch a 20lb. turkey battle a slightly confused 40 year old Caloric oven.

They ended the first show with VAMOS

Procession of the Ghouls 2009

Thank You Roy

I once wrote that Roy DeCarava was an artist with a timeless vision for beauty and a wonderful teacher with a sensibility for teaching artistic freedom. Today he left us, yet he leaves us with many lessons and memories to treasure. I am forever changed by his beauty and remain astounded by paths and circumstances that lead me to experience his grace and love for life.

I thank him for many things, but tonight I will specify one. I find myself on an eternal quest to discover music, and Roy used to play Sarah Vaughn, Coltrane, and other legends of jazz in the classroom when I studied photography with him at Hunter College . He gave me a list he prepared for his students who show interest in the music he played, a list of his personal favorite jazz albums to enjoy, almost like an introductory course in Jazz, Jazz 101. From that list I discovered a song, which I can easily say, is and will remain my favorite song of all time. There are over 50 recorded versions of this song titled For All We Know, written in 1934 by J. Fred Coots and Sam M. Lewis, but no one invokes the deep emotion of these lyrics like Aretha Franklin,

and tonight I dedicate this song to Roy.


DarkJive's blog post on The Sweet Flypaper of Life
New York Times Parting Glance: Roy DeCarava

Procession of the Ghouls 2009

Every year, St. John the Divine hosts a unique Halloween experience in the Procession of the Ghouls. Beginning with a scary silent film with music provided by organ, the experience of watching silent films in a large cathedral easily provides for an extra chill down your spine, but I must say the spectacle following the film, an awe inspiring yet frightening procession of monsters and creatures, is an absolute must see. An event that brings more fear to adults than children, it is the perfect way to start off Halloween festivities for the weekend. Excitingly enough the Grand Organ is back in working condition and will be used during this year's screening of the original Nosferatu. This year the event falls on Devil's Night, October 30th, with two showings at 7pm and 10pm. If tickets aren't already sold out, they will. I have mine for the 7pm show, and can't wait to party afterwards.

Any fun plans for Halloween? Feel free to leave comments below with more Halloween ideas.

The Cult - Phoenix

Can't wait!! This will be interesting. Playing entire LOVE album.
Terminal 5
9/11/2009

¡Dancando Lambada!

Just cause...


I have to bring this out again about every three years or so, its a song I never get tired of. Makes me want to dance to everything and anything, a good warm-up song.

I loved dancing this for my Abuelita, and my mom, who speaks no Portuguese, somehow taught me the lyrics to this song, which are impossible to forget. I really should learn the language... after I learn Japanese. I wonder who remembers this being played at the dude ranch during the Saint Mary Star of the Sea 8th grade trip??

Spanglish Team Frida Kahlo Challenge

And so I have decided to enter an Etsy Team challenge, I couldn't resist this one. The Etsy Spanglish Team and Etsy Owls have thrown out a wonderful challenge and opportunity to create a unique piece to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of Frida Kahlo, and team participants will be displaying their work from July 3rd to July 5th. I am participating in the challenge based on one of my favorite of Frida's self portraits, The Two Fridas, as pictured above.

I chose this piece for the challenge to attempt reflecting the duality of a a Personality, the former which is traditional, acceptable and loved as is, while the other reflects the stoic independant formed from life's tribulations, depicted severing ties to a love that only accepted the former version of herself. Conveying this through jewelry will concentrate on unifying two different looks, as most of my pieces reflect different sides of my own personality, this piece will merge two different styles connecting, marrying the traditional more rugged country look with delicately beaded sophisticated chains. Pictures coming soon.

Grace

GRACE by Jeff Buckley



There's been a lot more of his live stuff popping onto youtube finally.

Its Too Easy

... to hate rather than love. Love comes with a sensitivity so many are scared to allow for, and this very fear can produce hate. Love requires knowledge, while true hate breeds in the deepest ignorance, or half-acquired lazy understanding of a one-sided story. Some say there is passion in hate, and fiery rage in love, and are mistaken. Anger and lust are easily created sparks that are known to breed hate and have nothing to do with love and passion.

... to be grudging than forgiving. What element of positive change and healing comes from grudging those who have made mistakes, or have sought intent to harm? Again, forgiveness takes the strength required to love, as for those who have made mistakes may never learn a lesson, but what are we to learn of ourselves by holding onto overwhelming tons of luggage, wearing us down even when we think we have forgotten or have moved on? When might it be one's own turn to afford a chance to learn the benefit of forgiveness? Not everyone deserves one's patience or time, but only those whose turn it is to forgive suffocate at the hands of a grudge.

... to blame others instead of ourselves. A true learned expensive behavior, hard to shake and genuinely human, our eyes naturally lead us outward making it easier to attribute those we see around us with the perceived wrongs and errors in our lives. Too many are snagged on the jagged fences lining our life's path, focusing too long on who or what is responsible for leading them to their place on this path while so few create their own path. Some look to others to make their path, and are either disappointed in the results or resent the hands they put their very precious lives in; some blame others for not being provided tools to forge a new path and give up, while few use their bare hands to make way and soak up every valuable lesson taught along the way. Yes, we were all someone's responsibility at one point in life, and it is so easy to attribute all the wrongs in ones life to this beginning, but where is the true satisfaction of a life well spent if so much time is wasted on a blame game?

Its just too easy not being responsible, harmonious, caring, positive, respectful, encouraging, admirable, educated, and a loving Human Being. I have yet to wholly and fully achieve these qualities , but it is a goal that was never supposed to be easy.

-Lainey

Vacationing in a Failing Economy

Who can think of a vacation in a time like this? Well, its probably the best thing, if you can find the right deal at the right time. For Valentine's day my bub was able to surprise me with a fabulous weekend getaway, even on a tight budget, to a favorite childhood vacation spot I had not visited in over 15 years. How's that my friends? Craigslist.com.

There's nothing wrong with a little r&r even in the most dire of circumstances, and with more people hiding their wallets, local vacation hot spots are being forced to lower their rates and offer generous discounts. Most private renters list their properties on vacation rental websites, but to find immediate deals, Craigslist is always the first place to check. Most rentals offer additional bedrooms, and although group outings can be a touchy subject, its a great way to cut costs even further.

He found a wonderful cabin in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania for less than $300 for the entire weekend. The location was perfect for us; a quiet little private community not too far away from the action. Amenities include, jacuzzi tub for the winter and spring months, community pool, deck, grill for the summer months, game room, three bedrooms, two fireplaces, TV's in every room, and a large kitchen and dining area. The renters were very sweet and very accommodating, and we definitely see ourselves renting with them again.

By the way, wondering what ever happened to Mount Airy Lodge? Well kiddies, it now looks like Mohegan Sun. Its the same property, but the vacation spot of my youth is now a gambling goldmine.

Beautiful Mount Airy Lodge, all you have to bring... is your love of gambling