FRIDA AL FRESCO

You may already be aware of my love for Frida Kahlo (ahem, this Halloween costume).  That, coupled with my affinity for horticulture made the Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden something I couldn't miss.  I attended the Frida Al Fresco evening on Saturday, and couldn't wait to share.  Not only is there a recreation of Frida and Diego's Casa Azul and an exhibition of her artwork, there were also themed cocktails (prickly pear margarita!), an all-female mariachi band, a taco truck, and a dancer who looked like Frida!  It was such an arousing evening, really a sensory overload of color, sound, and smell.  At the end of the evening, there was a special Jenny Holzer projection on the Observatory of Mexican poetry, including excerpts from Frida Kahlo's diary.

If you're not able to make it to Coyoacan, Mexico to see the real Casa Azul, then definitely take the time to go to the NYBG before November 1st, 2015.

Blouse: Vintage

Skirt: Reiss

Shoes: Belle by Sigerson Morrison (also worn here)

Silk Shawl: Vintage

Flower Crown: Self Made

Photos by Meri Feir and myself.

MAGRITTE: Cloudy with a Chance of Symbolism.

It's been a few years since my last outfit post inspired by Magritte, but there is so much within the artist's oeuvre, visually and symbolically, that I often return to it for inspiration.

René François Ghislain Magritte (1898-1967) was born in Brussels and eventually traveled to Paris, where he became affiliated with the Surrealists such as André Breton.

In addition to his surrealist works, Magritte produced painted forgeries of Picassos, Braques, and Chiricos, and ultimately forged money as well.  I find this extremely intriguing, given the play between reality and alternate reality in his works, such as those depicted here.

Many people are familiar with at least a few of Magritte's works, particularly for their imagery within popular culture.  His recurring surrealist themes, evidenced symbolically, have become synonymous with the artist himself.

In Magritte's opinion, painting was "the art of putting colors side by side in such a way that their real aspect is effaced, so that familiar objects—the sky, people, trees, mountains, furniture, the stars, solid structures, graffiti—become united in a single poetically disciplined image. The poetry of this image dispenses with any symbolic significance, old or new."

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg (same print, different dress available in a limited quantity here)

Heels: C'N'C Costume National Patent Leather Pumps (available here, over 50% off!)

Photos by Kathy Paciello at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.