Storm King

The last of my adventures on the east coast involved a trip to the Whitney, a viewing of Herb and Dorothy (watch the trailer)and a visit to the Storm King Art Center. I've got to say that the whole trip combined lead me to a deeper understanding, appreciation, and fulfillment of art. I didn't know my consciousness could be expanded so profoundly in just ten days!
And all that experience was so mind boggling that I'm shocked to say I'm glad to be back! As amazing as New York is, it is not Home.

Woodfired Glass and Ceramic Workshop

HERE!
a few days in UpState and this is what I did.
see more pictures HERE!

Slow Day

">

After such a fun filled day a little rest was welcome.

We slept in, were slow to start, and mostly just took it easy. I had to pack to get ready for my Big Adventure and we only had time for a little light shopping in the city before I left. However when Greg and I stopped for a coffee and snack we discovered we were in the cafe belonging to one of the oldest hotels in America. The Cosmopolitan was very cute and very French. New York is making me realize that I'm not the only francophile- the whole county was when it started and what an influence France was in the image we created for ourselves! I also realized that almost everything in New York can boast being the oldest something-or-other.

Around five I took my leave of my friends and promptly got stuck in traffic. It only took about 5 hours to drive to Corning, so not too bad. I can't wait for the class to start!

Big Day

Sunday brunch- eggs benedict with crab rather than ham, with bloody marys and mimosas and all the trimmings like coffee cake and mixed fruit. It was enough to carry us through the Big Day.
First we attacked the Guggenheim where there was show on Frank Lloyd Wright's work. I gotta say being in his building was much more enjoyable than looking at architectural drawings. Maybe that's just me, Greg got all giggly about it.
Then a quick taxi took us to the Armory where Ernesto Neto is showing his HUGE interactive installation. WOW! You might remember that Greg and I stumbled upon one of his former works in the Pantheon, Paris when we were living there. This one was just as spectacular, and even better because it had a ball pit! Very sensual experience. Neto not only builds awesome looking structures but they involve all of your senses- tacktile, olfactory, taste (i'm not sure if it was intended, but i did taste one dropplet filled with clove)
Later we had reservations to a speakeasy! We had to find a nondescript phone booth at the back of an unassuming little hot-dog joint where they let you into a low-lit bar covered with taxidermist experiments (jackalopes and such) I'm not really one for mixed drinks, but this place is known for them so I ordered and was amazed. I'm in love with Sours now. But don't worry, it will not become a habit becase I don't think I could enjoy them elseweres.
For dinner Leanna and Paul had picked out an Indian restaurant they had visited once before. One star Michelin rating! Need I say more? There is no recapturing in words the delights that found our toungues.
We rolled back home on our bellies.

Chicago or New York?

The first trip in the morning was to Little Italy for lunch (i say morning, because it was for us, but the clock said 2!)
i thought i would solve the question of 'who has the better pizza' once and for all by going to Lombardi's - the oldest pizza joint in the new world. I gotta say, New Yorkers got something to brag about, but it aint nothin like the love of deep dish.
Saw some more fiends at the Met. Mainly I was enamored with Pieter Claesz and William Claesz. Heda. Can you see why?
unfortunately the European paintings took the whole day to get through- that museum is huge!
Later on we visited Vol de Nuit, the Belgian Beer Bar that Monica suggested and now I need to know how she found out about this place, cause it was without a doubt the coolest place to drink.
You are not even 21 yet young lady!

A Long Day in the Big City

I didn't really wake up yesterday because I didn't really get to sleep the night before. Hard to do that on a plane. So whenever the day started Greg and I were up and headed to our friend's house in Hoboken- a charming little area of New Jersey.
There was some time for naps and snacks and then to the City we go! we go!
I found it amusing that we left a sunny and 90 degree Seattle to come to a cool and rainy NY, and also that New Yorkers actually use umbrellas. I had never thought about the fact that the umbrella is almost a symbol of Seattle and yet everyone there (including greg and myself) use rain jackets. I spent a lot of the day dodging spokes!
Today was a free day for the MoMA. Duchamp, Miro, Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, Beuys, Hesse, Morris (Robert,) Rauschenberg and so many other of my friends! Cornell and Redon were some of my favorites and I was introduced to Leon Ferrari for the first time.
WoW!
What more can I say?
Today- we will walk as far as possible and maybe find the places my sister has suggested in her comment.
It's not too late to leave instructions for me if you have not already, tell me what I should do in this town!

A New Project

The latest thing I've been working on will be a wedding gift for my cousin's new bride. I'll be going to Colorado this summer to help celebrate the happy event and since the lady likes stained glass, my cousin asked if I could do something about it. What better excuse do I need to buy a soldering iron?
So here you see my design that I modeled from examples of Victorian era glass (apparently her style) and in the middle is a representation of the beautiful place in which the proposal was made. How romantic!
I'm sorry to say that I will not have pictures of the finished project soon, because I'm going to New York in a week!
I'm hoping to blog everyday with pictures and stories from that adventure so check this out often when that starts.
Also, write in the comments about where I should go in that great city. There is so much to do and see there that I'm going to need direction. Give me an itinerary! or even a scavenger hunt! I promise to anyone who writes a suggestion that I will do what they say, take pictures and write about it in this blog.
Live vicariously!