LOVE 4 RELIEF

A few months have passed in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, but there are still very real needs in our immediate community. 

 I adore the Love 4 Relief initiative by Surf Collective NYC, who commissioned surfers in various creative fields to create Valentine's Day e-cards.  Simply choose the card you like from this page, customize it, make a donation, and send it to your friends and loved ones, with all proceeds going toward Sandy relief.  You can choose from a multitude of customizable donations, such as hot food, transportation, safety, and construction materials.  My favorite is the version above, by E&G.

What a difference love can make.

Another way to help, here.

AAKASH NIHALANI

I originally became interested in the work of Aakash Nihalani in 2010, when a friend introduced me to his tape pieces. Nihalani uses neon gaffing tape to create, miraculously, statements on the way art and the city interact spatially.

The exhibition, Portal, currently on view at the Jonathan Levine Gallery, was my first encounter with Nihalani's paintings.  I missed the grit of the street works, which are powerful simply because of the way they confront the viewer, who could just be a passerby on the street.

However, the bold, bright works are visually arresting, and reminiscent of Minimalist works by artists such as Frank Stella.

Embroidered Paillette Dress: Christopher Kane for Topshop

Blazer: Maison Martin Margiela Re-Issue

Tights: H&M

Reptile Ankle Boots: Jean-Michel Cazabat

Snakeskin Minaudière: Lauren Merkin

Lapel "pin": neon tape

The exhibition Portal closes this weekend.

iPhone photos of me by La Mer; other photos by me.

ALL NIGHT

Deborah Kass and pulp, ink., I Wanna Rock With You, 2011

I've been walking by this Bowery mural for a few years, and the other day I was finally, fortuitously dressed to match.  Rocking the night away in a vintage coat, Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, faux fur snood (Christmas gift from my Aunt), vintage brooches, leather boots from Joe Fresh, and Linda Farrow sunglasses.

THE EVENT OF A THREAD

I first wrote about an Ann Hamilton installation, Indigo Blue, over two years ago (see my 2010 post here).  When I heard about her installation, The Event of a Thread, currently on view at the Park Avenue Armory, I knew it would be a must-see.

Consisting of wooden swings attached to a network of pulleys which manipulate a massive sheet of fabric in the middle of the room, the visual did not disappoint.  When participants swing, the pulleys move the textile, creating an exhilarating rippling effect (seen in my video, above).

The Event of  Thread emphasizes "individual encounters" and "congregational gatherings" focusing on the individual viewer/participant and the group.  The installation also incorporates readings and sound, for the ultimate multi-sensory experience.

The installation is only on view through January 6, so I highly recommend that you check it out this weekend if you are in the NYC area.

[Top photo by Chelsea Temkin; video and lower photo by me.]

ART TO WEAR: Rebeca Raney x Madewell.

I came across this Rebeca Raney x Madewell tote in store a few days ago and fell in love. Raney is an MFA graduate from the School of Visual Arts and lives and works in Brooklyn.

 In case anyone reading this was wondering what to get me for Christmas, I'd be overjoyed to receive this hand-painted tote, $225.

View the full Rebeca Raney x Madewell collection here.

BILL JENSEN

Bill Jensen (1945-) is a Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based painter, represented by Cheim & Read in New York.

Originally from Minneapolis, Jensen started his artistic career by airbrushing sweatshirts with monster motifs in high school.

He is now well-known for his abstract canvases, characterized by layer after layer of oil on linen.

"It's more alchemy than craft.  I think that one of my responsibilities is to uncover the energies that material possesses." --Bill Jensen

I'm wearing an H&M dress, Falke tights, K* shoes, and a suede Lauren Merkin clutch.

[Photos by @kay_elle_pea;

Jensen images from cheimread.com and tumblr.com.]

PLEATS PLEASE

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the new Taschen book, PLEATS PLEASE, outlining the 20-year history of Issey Miyake's clothing line that drastically changed the guidelines for what a garment should provide to its wearer.

"PLEATS PLEASE are clothes designed to suit the needs and style of every woman.  They are valued not only for heir beauty but also for their practicality.  The clothes continue to be as popular today partly due to the fact that they project an air of authority suitable to any occasion, whether special, everyday or for travel; regardless, they require almost no maintenance."

As the ultimate art-to-wear garments, Issey Miyake's PLEATS PLEASE collections are not only a feat of technology (a process which is described in detail in the book), but is also deeply tied to contemporary art.  In addition to exhibitions such as Big Bang: Creation and Destruction in 20th Century Art, PLEATS PLEASE has completed a number of Guest Artist Series, resulting in garments  adorned with the work of Yasumasa Morimura (pictured above), Nobuyoshi Araki, and Tim Hawkinson.

I'm wearing PLEATS PLEASE scarf/blouse, Ellen Tracy silk skirt, vintage leather bag, and Calvin Klein leather booties.