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.

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.

RIP Chris Burden

Rest in peace, artist Chris Burden, who passed away yesterday at the age of 69.

From his seminal performance piece Shoot (1971), in which he was shot in the arm, to his retropsective last year at the New Museum (which was overwhelmingly expansive in theme and medium), Burden covered a lot of ground in his 40 year career.  This image is from my favorite Burden work, LA Police Uniforms, created in collaboration with the Fabric Workshop and Museum in 1993.  Read my full post here.

ANJALI DESHMUKH // dumbo arts festival

For the Dumbo Arts Festival, Anjali Deshmukh created Random [ ] Generators, a gameboard that encourages participants to write brief statements that become a part of the installation.  Ranging from, "I discover I am human" to "I used stress to make people laugh by making weird faces", each part of the gameboard reveals something different and possibly surprising about the player.

I couldn't escape the irony of coming across a piece with an eyeball while wearing my eyeball flats.

Shoes: Kenzo

Did you go to the Dumbo Arts Festival?  See anything interesting?

Photos by me.

TIMES OF THE DAY

Blinky Palermo, Times of the Day I–VI (1974–76)

I found this photo while rummaging through old files on my laptop, and realized how much I want to revisit Dia:Beacon.  This particular work by Blinky Palermo is on long-term installation there, and includes 25 different canvases that represent the various lightness or darkness of the times of the day, from sunrise to sunset.

Have you been to Dia:Beacon?  I'd love to hear about your experience there.

Dress: Alexandre Herchcovitch

Sandals: Sam Edelman

Photo by Meri Feir.

THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR

My favorite day of the year has once again come and gone (luckily for me, it returns again in August).  The Jazz Age Lawn Party, currently in its 9th year on Governors Island, is a fete not to be missed by anyone who loves Gatsby-era revelry.  This was my third year in attendance, and I was shocked to find how many likeminded individuals gathered on the lawn on Governors Island to hear Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra perform, along with many other musicians, dancers, and even a sword swallower.  I can't wait for the next party!  See my previous JALP outfits here and here.

Dress: Marni

Shawl: Vintage, thrifted

Shoes: Vintage, thrifted

Necklace: Made by my Grandmother

Hat: Same as last year, updated with ribbon & appliques from B&Q Trimming

Picnic Basket: Picnic World

Photos of me by Ivy Fuld & Meri Feir; other photos by me.

SUGAR MAMA

At the behest of Creative Time Kara E. Walker has confected:

or the Marvelous Sugar Baby
an Homage to the unpaid and overworked Artisans who have refined our Sweet tastes from the cane fields to the Kitchens of the New World on the Occasion of the demolition of the Domino Sugar Refining Plant

Did you know there's a giant sphinx made out of sugar currently residing in an abandoned Domino Sugar factory in Brooklyn?  Not only is there a behemoth of a lady sphinx, but she is accompanied by a gaggle of children made out of molasses.  The entire experience is quite overwhelming, from the damp, expansive space to the ultra sweet smell that permeates your nostrils upon arrival.  Never one to really sugarcoat the issue, Walker's work over the past 20 years deals with themes of race and culture, and her overtly sexual, graphic, and suruprisingly lovely silhouettes have become ubiquitous with the relationship between art and cultural identity in our age.  This, her first large scale public project overwhelms both in its sense of scale, and also for its surprising relationship to her earlier work & development of the themes therein.  See the last time I wore my Kara Walker dress here.

Dress:  Jill Stuart

Sandals: Sam Edelman

A Subtlety is on view in Brooklyn until July 6, 2014.

Photos of me by Kathy Paciello; all other photos by me.

HUMANS OF NEW YORK

I'm honored to be featured in Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York.  I met Brandon on the subway the other evening, and we had a wonderful chat about life's highs and lows, inspiration, and style.  Thank you, Brandon, for the opportunity, and to the HONY community for the words of encouragement!

See the post here.  Buy Brandon's book here.