Wishing everyone a relaxing weekend.
(above: three of my favorite
people in Hawaii last summer)
30.1.09
Two Russian Winters
Okay, folks, this is far more somber than usual, but I must pass it on: here, Sergei Larenkov, a Russian photographer has superimposed present day images with those from WWII.
Same place, very different time.
There are other arresting images; this one, above, is sadly poetic. And gives us pause to think...times may be tough, but things could be worse.
We live in a free country.
[See Maira Kalman, below.]
How lucky are we? Well, take a moment to see what it looked like, not so long ago, in a very cold place without hope.
Halleluja for Maira and the Pursuit of Happiness
Thanks to Paul Pincus and twitter, this morning was made Glorious by the Reality that entered my sunshiny house with the knowledge that Maira Maira Maira Blogs Again!
Watching Your Head About It
"The yellow walls are lined with portraitsAnd I've got my new red fetching leather jacketAll these poses such beautiful posesMakes any boy feel like picking up rosesThere's never been such grave a matterAs comparing our new brand name black sunglasses..."
Poses
(It seems that we could be at the dawn of a new age.
One in which we might begin, as a society, to know
better than to put store in the gravity of our new
brand name black sunglasses.
We'll see.)
27.1.09
Reading the World, in San Francisco. Following Folktales in the Ukraine. Two Wonderful Journeys, and You're Invited!
We're going to conduct a few "4 by 4" interviews in the next few weeks...four questions, four minutes. Quick and informative, with fun topics and fascinating folks.
Our first interview is with
Dr. Beverly Vaughn Hock,
a most amazing woman
(a veritable and charming force of nature!)
the marvelous conference taking place
at the University of San Francisco,
and about an upcoming
adventure in the Ukraine--
one you might want to join in!
Below, four quick questions,
with answers from Dr. Bev Hock:
The most exciting part is seeing people come together to make connections and build relationships, all brought about by the love of the book. Literature is a transformative vehicle and I get to watch it happen right before my eyes every conference.2. Best comment afterwards, from someone who's attended?
"I don’t care who is coming next. I know it will be great. I mark my calendar a year ahead. It was wonderful to be around such a brilliant group of people who are attempting to be a positive influence to humanity through writing, illustrating, and publishing children’s literature."
I always look forward to meeting with contemporary authors and illustrators. I love, however, plunging into the folktales since the proverbs and sayings in them always provide wonderful clues and insights into the national psyche of a people.
This is a part of the world I have never seen, so it will be a wonderful adventure - and we have the most wonderful inspiring and educated guide (one we adore) who will be explaining the culture to us.4. Tell me where to sign up for both or either.
- Reading the World XI: www.soe.usfca.edu/institutes/reading_world/index.html to view the website and see who is coming...or contact me: bevvhock@earthlink.net
- For the trip: Contact me, bevvhock@earthlink.net or 650-342-2817, or Susan Fox, susan.fox@csueastbay.edu
Elena Polenova, "Ducks save Filipko,"
Courtesy State Tretyakov Museum, Moscow
antilope and gardenia
production and style: victoria thornefor the mercury news
photography: rick martin
25.1.09
Oscar Story, Retold
One more look
at the Oscars shoot
for the Mercury News.
concept, style:
victoria thorne
photography:
rick e. martin
sideways
oscars
(a few years ago)
for the merc
the wine bottle to the right has
has a handmade label created
(by yours truly) as a mock-up
for the modern art council
of the
sfmoma
From Chris Sacca, Via Flickr
24.1.09
Oscars for Milk?
This Oscar moment, above, was in honor
of Mr. Hughes and Mr. DiCaprio, and
the homage wouldn't have been complete
without Howard's favorite beverage.
This year, it's all about Milk, again...
but the players have changed.
Sean Penn's brilliant portrayal of Harvey Milk
has garnered him another nomination for Best Actor.
The film itself received eight nominations.
Clicking each of the Oscar photos, here and following,
will allow you to examine everything in detail.
(This one's especially full of vintage goodies.)
concept and style: victoria thorne
photography: rick e. martin
A Little Limoges: Picnic In the English Countryside
styled this for the mercury news, a few years ago
Vintage Elegance: Party with Oscar
this weekend,
i'll be running photos
from an Oscar Party
shoot (merc. news) that
i put together a bit ago
the gloves belonged
to my grandmother.
the rest of it: found.
it was a fun shoot
to shop for, 'tho there
wasn't a ton of time
to do so. still: a
perfectly delightful
experience, thanks
to the team.
More Subway Sis
originally uploaded
[note: lisacat does amazing rescue
work with animals in nyc.
definitely worth taking a good
look at her sweet photos,
these of heath and eartha.]
23.1.09
Peter Sis: 86th and Lexington, NYC
from Peter Sis and the Metropolitan Transit Authority, via flickr, this is part of the marvel at 86th and lexington...lovely caption courtesy of photographer, "lisacat," as follows:
"A Czechoslovakian-born illustrator and children's book writer, Peter Sis moved to New York City where he has also gained attention in 2004 for his subway art installation at the 86th Street Station of Lexington Avenue. Of this piece, he says that 'It's a celebration about the creation of 86th Street. I've been here for 20 years now, and I hope we will all live together post-9/11.'
Sis has used glass mosaic and precious stones from various countries to create a gigantic eye that is looking at the city. The eyeball is surrounded by architectural details of neighborhood landmarks of the Lexington Station. The circular form is also a carousel where children are playing and riding on whimsical animals. Of this he says, "They are symbols of harmony. They are all children from different cultures and traveling musicians playing different instruments from different countries."
The installation by Sis is part of the Arts for Transit Program of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority." (lisacat, 21.06.07, flickr)
There's more on unforgettable subway art, from Steven Heller, here.
NYC - UES: 86th Street Subway Station
"Peter Sis' 'Happy City' glass and etched stone murals line the walls of the station. Sis is a Czech-born artist who also designed the 'Subway Whale' posters found in the R142/R142A cars when they first arrived in New York City. " (wallyg, flickr, 20.03.07)
22.1.09
praise and style
A little more than a year ago, my darling daughter told me to stop hunting down the Thursday Style Section that I loved so dearly and check out this fabulous blog: no waiting.
How right she was.
Still love that Thursday Style Section (thanks, nyt). But The Sartorialist does provide more immediate gratification. And classics like this and this, both above.
Love it.
[A note on the serenely chic woman in camel and gray...one of the comments on the blog reads as follows:
"elle de jour said: She is Eloisa Bercero, one of the few women in the world that buy haute couture dresses. She has an amazing closet and is considered as one of the most elegant women in the world."
oops...but then, there is this:
"Anonymous said:
Hello to everyone!
A few mysteries revealed:
The coat is Paul Harnden —
Attenzione, the lady's NOT a granny (yet) —
And she's NOT Eloisa Bercero
Trust me, she's MY MUM."
Well, lucky anonymous, with a gorgeous mum. This makes me think of our gorgeous mum, known as mim...talk about amazing...we are the lucky ones!]
21.1.09
Obama's Mind-Reading Favs: Jon Favreau, Rock Star?
This is absolutely fascinating, from
"...Jon Favreau, 27, is, as Obama himself puts it, the president's mind reader. He is the youngest chief speechwriter on record in the White House, and, despite such youth, was at the centre of discussions of the content of today's speech, one which has so much riding on it...
Obama is an accomplished writer in his own right, and the process of drafting with his mind reader is collaborative. The inaugural speech has shuttled between them four or five times, following an initial hour-long meeting in which the president-elect spoke about his vision for the address, and Favreau took notes on his computer.
Favreau then went away and spent weeks on research. His team interviewed historians and speech writers, studied periods of crisis, and listened to past inaugural orations. When ready, he took up residence in Starbucks in Washington and wrote the first draft. The end result will be uttered on the steps of the Capitol."
We all know how this turned out. Pretty cool.
Favreau, above. Looking kind of like the rock star that he is.
Dave Winer on Newpapers
"Someday you'll tell a child
that news used to be
printed once a day on paper, and they
won't understand what you mean"
How To Do An Interview, Via Dave Winer: Twitter
"BTW, this is the way to do interviews. Post a few soundbites on Twitter, write a blog post. You're on the record. Quoted accurately, usually"
via DaveWiner on Twitter
image, kongicon/DaveWiner
And He Said His Hand Was Cold.
pretty impressed with this, first official pres. sig., especially since I (glued, all day, to visuals redolent of history) was fascinated by his "my hands are cold," and "they said don't swipe the pen," statements as Obama signed first documents on camera yesterday
(i just wanted ms. F. to stop talking so we could hear the new president; those nbc cameramen picked up a remarkable amount of stuff with their mikes...)
happy to see this, via swissmiss and daylife, first thing this a.m.
it's a nice signature, by anyone's reckoning, isn't it? and he's a lefty. did one of the nbc announcers say that the last five presidents have been lefties? did I hear that right? what's with that? using both sides of the brain better, perhaps?
(well, some of 'em. sorry...can't help it.)
15.1.09
Inaugural Steinberg
Simic on Steinberg, here
"He liked mixing styles, making it look as if Picasso or Rembrandt had drawn someone's head and a comic strip artist the legs and feet.
America, where all the people are under the impression that they can reinvent themselves endlessly, suited him well."
14.1.09
13.1.09
12.1.09
11.1.09
Am I Gonna Get Away With This?
"'I think what was on my mind when I was risking losing my Lionel train set was me thinking, 'Am I going to get away with this?' he recounted. 'That anxiety has been haunting me throughout my entire movie career. Whenever I've tried to tell a risky story, whether it's about sharks or dinosaurs or about aliens or about history, I'll always be thinking, 'Am I going to get away with this?"'
Inspiration itself.
10.1.09
Today's Special: Maira Kalman. Yesterday: Books, More Books, Anthropologie, Brooks Brothers, Po Chu-i and Neuroplasticity.
Yesterday, after feeling sort of hermit-ish, I met a dear friend for coffee and then went out on the town. Here is what I came home with:
1. books
2. books
3. books
4. a scarf, black and white stripes, half-price from brooks brothers (big splurge)
Now this will be shocking to those who know me...
when I came home, on the doorstep were: more books.
Favorite finds of yesterday?
1. A 1958 edition of Eloise at Christmastime, priced $9.99. Yes. I kid you not. This comes along about once a decade.
2. Po Chu-i sitting on my front porch, in lovely brown coat, address clearly marked on ink-jet label. He is here for me courtesy of internet. Miss Go, thank you for introducing us. Now, must figure out how to put bamboo in backyard without it taking over the neighbor's territory, about which they would be most distressed. Have been plotting this for past decade. Anyone have hints how to contain bamboo? Also, must put pine (small) in front. A few steps away from magnolia?
3. The Brain That Changes Itself. Also on doorstep with computer generated label. Forgot I ordered that, but never forgot ordering Mr. Po. Neuroplasticity a very engaging subject, methinks.
4. Three Maira Kalman books at the store that brought me Eloise. I will return for them today. They need me, and I them. Spent rest of wad ($14.95) on signed Peter Spier book, so had to ask these three to wait. Am throwing on coat to get them, now. Posthaste.
Also: Anthropologie is having great sale on pillows and such. Snagged a few of those (not this, but close, and better bargains in store). New linens for a new year. Very inexpensive. Good thing, in this economy.
9.1.09
6.1.09
Po Chu-i at the Waldorf, by MB Goffstein
Photo copyright MB Goffstein
I adore the art of M. B. Goffstein, from The Gats to Po Chu-i at the Waldorf.
My head whirls with how the novels are so finely connected and yet so separate. I sometimes dip in and out of them, usually do, as they become more and more familiar. It is a little like sailing around a beautiful lake and seeing something new each time; you are never sure of the terrain or the weather, there is always something fresh, perhaps you might miss something? Or you know you missed something but you will come back and see it again. And maybe there is a little fog or light rain or fat snow. But it all belongs together.
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