Natural Beauties

So, I don’t know about you guys, but driving is very comforting to me. I have two jobs on opposite parts of town so I’m spending a lot of time in the car constantly leaving one place and going to the other. With that being said, I try to utilize this time as “me” time—time to think, time to breathe, time to listen to music, zone out, pick my nose, whatever. While driving west on the 78 the day after a rain storm around sunset (and rush hour traffic) I looked up and saw the most beautiful sky. It looked like an amazing painting with the richest oil colors, and I couldn’t help but realize how often these types of natural scenes are overlooked. Working in the arts keeps our eyes on the lookout for colors and paintings and artworks that are created by artists, but sometimes we forget that the inspiration behind such works is all around us every day. There is no richer green than that of grass or natural moss or clovers. There is no brighter blue then that of the sky and there is no truer pink than that of my Snapple pink lemonade. What I’m getting at is this—take some time to lift your head up out of the grind and enjoy the natural artwork that is all around you.

Listen to this song while driving, walking, biking, hiking through nature next time. It’ll make everything go slower. J

Arcade Fire- "Suburban War"

x Carissa

Library Thing

After my last post on Steve Martin’s new book, An Object of Beauty, I got to thinking about just how much I love to read.  Life is beautiful but sometimes you just need a little escape, which a good book can always be.  Another one of the books I am currently reading is The Participatory Museum by Nina Simon.  In it, as she is an avid reader [context clues, I do not personally know this fact], when discussing ideas behind personalized experiences through technological engines she mentions LibraryThing. LibraryThing is an online site that catalogues and recommends books to its users, like a facebook only about the books you read.  I recently started a page of my own and am really enjoying entering in all the books I can remember reading.  Each entry is a little trip down my book memory lane.  Become a LiraryThing-er yourself and see what the ‘Unsuggester’ recommends for you!  The ‘Unsuggester’ suggests books to you that based on your book profile, you would never read.   

Tara

Hate to See it Leave, But Love to Watch it Go.

Tara mentioned it before, but we are now in the full throws of turn-around time and it’s an emotional sight to see! I too enjoy this time of year and all the perks that come with it, most important being allowed to dress casually, but along with jeans and sneakers comes the heartbreak of letting go of the exhibition that everyone lived for the past 5 months.  Leveled was the first exhibition I had seen in its entirety, from start to finish, while working here at the Museum; and it was also Tara’s first exhibition as Curator here-- so there is a lot of separation anxiety going on in the museum admin offices! But, alas, Leveled had an amazing run and we are looking forward to the upcoming Patricia Patterson exhibition and all the other promising shows we are already working on for the future. I would like to formally say “Goodbye” to Leveled and “Congratulations” to its artists and Curator for such a touching exhibition. For all you old-schooler’s who came to Leveled looking for traditional paintings but were instead met by a mysterious fort and some oversized vegetables, NEVER FEAR! We have some beautiful, colorful pieces coming your way.

Here are a couple more photos of Leveled getting stripped. Enjoy. . . or be sad about it, like me.

x Carissa

Marisol's avocado, saran-wrapped and ready for the 'fridge. 

 Look at all the knowledge that was housed in Wes' fort!?

The Fort's guts. Most of its insides now out in the hallway.

Detail from Doris' installation. I think "HEART" is a good word to sum up the show.

Steve Martin, An Object of Beauty

Sitting down to write about a book that the author wrote so well feels pretty silly and is not an easy task.  I give it to the critics for this; I am not a believer of ‘those that can’t do, teach –or- those that can’t do, critique’.  This is less of a critique than an expression of enjoyment and an urging to read.  To read a real critique check out the NYTimes. 

People often ask me, how does one get their art shown in a gallery or museum? -or- How do ‘you’ get in?  Steve Martin’s book, “An Object of Beauty” shows you one version of this answer and gives the reader a secret tour through the art market, auction houses, collectors mind and the ladder of moving up in the art world all through the eyes of a generic ambitious young woman. 

Three and a half years ago when I moved back to San Diego from London [where I did my grad studies], the idea was to move in with my parents and Recover from the happenings of the past three years, but just for a few months.  Then it was off to New York or San Francisco or anywhere but my home town.  This however did not happen; classic story of boy meets girl mixed with the not so classic story, girl finds great job unexpectedly.  So here I am loving life in SD and Curator at one of my true loves, a contemporary art museum.  But don’t we all wonder what could have been, only if….. “An Object of Beauty” documents one of my ‘if only’ paths.  Seeing as how I am not all that special and there are a lot of people out there like me, I think it can do for you what it did for me, and show you your road not taken, or maybe a road you’re thinking of taking.  If you love the art world at all, or hate it, you will love Martin’s newest book.  I have been a fan of his writing for a long time and also highly recommend “Shop Girl.” 

St.Orlan vs. Bridalplasty

CNN breaks down Bridalplasty for you.

 

I don’t have a television. Actually, I have a TV, but no cable. I get only 10 channels that allow me the local news and football games. But after a night at my girlfriend’s house of watching a hilarious Twilight marathon and making moonshine, we flipped to E! and that’s when I realized why only having basic cable is a blessing—Bridalplasty! I can’t explain in words the feeling of nausea that set in, but I will say that it was significant. I couldn’t believe my eyes/ears/stomach/society, and it made me think of artist, Orlan.

Orlan used plastic surgery as a medium for her performance art pieces, and everyone thought she was completely nuts. People were outraged. But then this show comes along, in which women are competing to have this done to them before their weddings (to these men who supposedly love them the way they are) and we glorify and celebritize it? I’m not following. I’m imagining Orlan, smiling smugly at this (or totally frustrated), because I think this was exactly the type of madness she was trying to draw attention to. Anyways, I’ll let you make your own conclusions about the implications of this trainwreck. . . I’ll be at my friend’s house watching Bridalplasty.  . .Don’t judge me!

If you’re interested in further reading about Orlans work, (which you should be) here are a few interviews and articles! 

Orlan's Website 

Interesting Opinion Blog about the subject.

An Interview with Orlan.

x Carissa

I MET JUDY CHICAGO!

Okay, in reality, that’s a lie. But I did get very close! Beth, Museum Coordinator (friend), and I went down to SDMA to see Artist, Judy Chicago give a lecture about the new book she wrote with Art Historian, Frances Borzello called: Frida Kahlo:Face to Face. It was an awesome lecture and very well-attended. I think the most exciting parts were:

1. Seeing Judy in person. I’ve had a total girl-crush on her since college.  
2. Being in the midst of many other art historians who were speaking a lingo that, Beth and I agreed, we don’t hear enough anymore.
3. Viewing such a broad body of Kahlo’s work in one lecture. Chicago had studied many stages of Kahlo’s life, beginning with the most basic portraits, and followed it all the way until the end. Every struggle was represented. And Judy was very good about relating Kahlo’s work back to other women in art, both past and present.
4. Having two of my favorite artists being presented and presenting at the same time was such a treat. I was on overload. Women in art, ROCK!

To read/hear more about the book check it out here and here.

xx Carissa

Leveled: An Interactive Experiment in Art

The Museum Staff says goodbye to Leveled.  We had so much fun with you and will miss you tons!  Thank you to Marisol, Ingram, Doris and Wes.  You are all so talented, we can't wait to see what the future holds for you.

Love,

The Center Museum Team