SLOW DANCE AND THE DAYLIGHT

"The work I make is based on things and places I see, feel, and keep close to me." --Paul Wackers

I can't believe the summer is coming to an end.  Thankfully, Paul Wackers' new mural at the James Hotel in SoHo is just bright and cheery enough to keep the summer spirit alive.  As a part of the #artatthejames program, Wackers' mural engages with the neighborhood and provides a welcome respite from the passing traffic on Sixth Avenue.  

Silk Jumpsuit: H&M

Sandals: Valentino

Photos by William Sealy.

DANCE THE ORANGE

"It's remarkably difficult to find words for the flustering magnetism of the color abstractions by the painter Stanley Whitney," began Peter Schjeldahl's review of the artist's solo exhibition at the Studio Museum in Harlem.  I couldn't agree more.  I visited the exhibition just after its opening, on 17 July, and had to think long and hard about its meaning.  Of course, there is the obvious Mondrian influence - punctuated by the fact that music (specifically, Jazz) is a source of inspiration for Whitney.  But what stood out to me the most was the vibrating color.  Schjeldahl quotes Whitney as saying, "I always want to use every color in the universe, but then I have to take some out."  I completely understand that feeling.

Dance the Orange is on view at the Studio Museum in Harlem until October 25, 2015.

Silk shirt and pants: thrifted

Shoes: United Nude (also worn here)

Photos by William Sealy.

PUBLIC ART IN PROSPECT HEIGHTS

I live in Prospect Heights, in the shadow of the grand Brooklyn Museum, surrounded by tree-lined streets and a mix of coffeeshops and Caribbean restaurants.  The area has changed tremendously over the past few years, and it seems like there is a new construction zone on the corner every few blocks (thanks, Gentrification).  I love Mike Perry's project for Pacific Park Arts to bring 10 murals to the construction barricades on Dean Street, around the corner from my home.  Each by a different artist, the murals add so much color to what was a dull fenced-in area near Vanderbilt Avenue, and the one pictured above, by Hisham Akira Bharoocha, is my favorite.  Stay tuned for more!

Dress: Tracy Reese

Shoes: United Nude

Photos by Kathy Paciello.

SOL LeWITT SUPERFAN

It's astonishing how many Sol LeWitt wall drawings are sprinkled throughout New England.  This one (Wall Drawing #947) was originally installed at the Biennale in Lyon, France, in 2000, and now resides on the campus of Yale University.  Thankfully, I was dressed for the occasion.

Shirt: SPRZ at Uniqlo

Shorts: J. Crew

Photos by William Sealy.

Happy Birthday, Andy Warhol!

Andy Warhol would have been 87 years old today.

As a tribute #tbt, here is my Halloween costume from two years ago, Turquoise Marilyn from 1964.  The painting was purchased for a rumored $80M in May of 2007, making it one of the most expensive Warhol artworks ever sold.  Aside from its value, it has become a cultural icon, representing fame and fortune, and a symbol for Warhol's entire oeuvre.

Ever wonder what Andy would be up to if he were still alive today?

Photo by Kathy Paciello; Warhol image from therealbest.com.