RIDGEWOOD ARTS COUNCIL

Friday was a very special day for Artfully Awear. 

I was invited by the Ridgewood Arts Council in Ridgewood, NJ, to give a talk about my work and exhibit my handmade dresses in the Stable Gallery.  An old stable which has been converted into a lovely art gallery, The Stable is a cozy, split level space in town.  Upstairs, I displayed my dresses, and downstairs was set up for my presentation.

When guests arrived, they were met with food and drink provided by local businesses, and a member of the community playing classical guitar.  There were between 50-60 attendees, which made for a warm and engaging crowd.

I told the story of Artfully Awear, from its inception to current projects, accompanied by lots of photos.  I answered questions about my process and future goals, and even discussed some of my artistic struggles.  At the end, Susan Knudsen, the Mayor of Ridgewood, presented me with a Certificate of Participation and a beautiful Dale Chihuly book - what could be more perfect?

Afterward, everyone mingled and I was able to meet so many members of Ridgewood's burgeoning art community.  It was so refreshing to be surrounded by so many art appreciators and it was an extra special treat to have everyone see (and touch!) my art dresses.

Many thanks to the town of Ridgewood for the warm welcome!  And extra special thanks to Drew Martin and Audrey Fink for organizing, and to Sherry Frank for hosting me.

Photos by Drew Martin and Dana Glazer.

EL ANATSUI | THE SCHOOL

Over the past few years, I've come to recognize Jack Shainman as one of my favorite galleries in NYC, representing a number of my most highly revered artists, including Nick Cave, El Anatsui, Barkley L. Hendricks, Carrie Mae Weems, Kay Hassan, and others.  When Shainman opened The School, an outpost of the gallery upstate in Kinderhook, NY last year, I couldn't wait to visit.

I finally had the chance to go over the weekend, on a trip to the Catskills.  It was a beautiful late summer day, and the little town of Kinderhook was bustling.  Not only was I anxious to experience a larger, more remote Shainman Gallery, but couldn't wait to see the exhibition of works by El Anatsui, one of my favorite artists.

See my post from Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui at the Brooklyn Museum in 2013.

Upon entering The School, a giant Anatsui globus was suspended from the ceiling.  Throughout the space, there were dozens of Anatsui works; the exhibition just seemed to go on and on and there were two or three more large scale pieces around every corner.  It was interesting to note the ways in which the pieces interacted with the space, some occupying intentionally "unfinished" rooms or corridors.  There were also earlier works that I had never seen, such as the Market pieces from 2004 (the room of little boxes, pictured above).

Visiting The School was such a welcome interlude to the weekend, and it renewed my love of El Anatsui's work and the expertise of Jack Shainman.  The exhibition is open on Saturdays until September 26.

Blouse: Goldhawk, thrifted

Shorts: Banana Republic (available here)

Shoes: Belle (also worn here and here)

Photos of me by Meri Feir; other photos by me.

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.

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.

ARTSY ONSITE

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending my first Artsy OnSite, at Ameringer | McEnery | Yohe.  Artist Patrick Wilson, whose exhibition opens at the gallery this evening, was on hand to discuss his suite of paintings on view.  While sipping sparkling wine, a small group of us heard from the artist on topics such as his inspiration, creative process, and execution.  He also briefly discussed his use of color, which particularly piqued my interest.

Thanks to Artsy for the invitation, to Patrick for the insight, and to Mark Rosen (@markatthemuseum) for the photos!

Jacket, pants, and blouse: Diane von Furstenberg

Shoes: United Nude

ANSELM KIEFER at MASS MoCA

One of the most outstanding aspects of my first visit to MASS MoCA was the long-term Anselm Kiefer exhibition, on view through 2028.  Kiefer is arguably the most important post-war German artist, and his work deals with many themes related to his home country's struggle after World War II.

Kiefer was born in Germany in 1945, and the rebuilding years after the war are his first memories.  His work deals with history directly, through the use of varied materials like photographs, organic matter, and post-industrial building materials.  It has been described as apocalyptic, and that term comes to mind easily when confronted with the size and scale of the works in the MASS MoCA exhibition.

In its own building separate from the rest of the museum, the Anselm Kiefer exhibition, in collaboration with the Hall Art Foundation, is like a memorial, and the quiet within the space attests to the ___ with which the images and forms are imbued.

Dress: Marni

Necklace: Saturday

Shoes: Pour la Victoire

Photos by Kathy Paciello.

JOURNEY OF A DRESS

I've long considered Diane von Furstenberg a role model, and an exhibition currently on view in Los Angeles establishes her as even more: a national treasure.  Including an extensive collection of artwork featuring her designs and Diane herself, Journey of a Dress also showcases the history of her timeless wrap dresses, which debuted in 1974 and completely changed the womenswear industry with the mantra "Feel like a woman, wear a dress!"  Diane is not only a fashion mainstay, but is also dedicated to several philanthropic causes and a fixture in the New York social scene.  Ms. Furstenberg continues to inspire me with both a desire to succeed and to give back, and with a lust for more of her flattering, feminine designs.

See another DVF wrap dress, featured lovingly on my blog last year.

The Journey of a Dress exhibition closes today, but you can find more information about it here.

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg Andy Warhol collection

Shoes: Belle by Sigerson Morrison Abra

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Photos by Jayne Clark.