by Sandy | Jun 3, 2009 | Art, Blogroll, Culture, Exhibits, Museums
32 pieces have been gathered for this AIC exhibit showcasing the art of Japanese screen making from the 16th to 21st centuries.
Screens have covered, divided and beautified spaces around the world. According to the museum catalogue, “…the screen is the canvas upon which artists have historically realized their most expansive visions, which is why they are so often career-defining masterpieces.”
“Beyond Golden Clouds: Japanese Screens from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Saint Louis Art Museum” – 6/26 – 9/27/09
AIC, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Images: 6 panel screen, 17th century and
“Willow, Bridge and Waterwheel”, 1650 Hasegawa Soya
by Sandy | May 26, 2009 | Blogroll, Books, Creativity, Culture, Education, Exhibits
The Los Angeles Black Book Expo 2009 will celebrate its 5th year on 8/22/09. The day long program will feature authors, storytellers, spoken word contests and poetry performances. There will also be musicians, children’s events, panel discussions, editors, publishers, and more!
LABBX 2009
Saturday August 22, 2009 – 10 AM to 6 PM
Expo Center
3980 Menlo Ave, Los Angeles, CA
BTW – booth applications still being accepted
by Sandy | May 22, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Culture
I love the Travel Channel – they work really hard to create something different in the tried and true travel/ pretty pictures genre. I happened to run across a “sports” show called, “Dhani Travels the Globe”. Dhani (pronounced DaHani) Jones, linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, is the host of this program devoted to exploring “the way sports helps to define a culture”. His intent is to get to know people around the world by learning the games they play.
He has visited Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Thailand, Spain, Russia and Ireland. We watch as Dhani gamely tries his best to keep up with the locals in their favorite sports. He is a nice guy and a good sport.
“Dhani Travels the Globe”
The Travel Channel – check local listings
Dhani has a blog – http://dhani-blog.travelchannel.com/
*Travel Channel photos: Dhani surfing and Scuba diving in Australia and Dhani in Thailand trying out Muay Thai
by Sandy | May 21, 2009 | Art, Blogroll, Culture, Exhibits, Museums
“Pen and Parchment: Drawing in the Middle Ages”
June 2, 2009 – August 23, 2009
Maps, decorated manuscripts and sketchbooks are included in the 50 examples of drawings from the Medieval period called the Middle Ages, (between 5th and 15th centuries).
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
5th Ave and 86 Street, NYC
Galleries for Drawings and Prints on 2nd floor
Images: Pages from the illustrated “Book of Kells”, completed in 800 AD
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by Sandy | May 15, 2009 | Art, Blogroll, Culture, Exhibits, Museums
The Denver Museum of Art, “DAM”, has a permanent African exhibit that includes paintings, sculptures, masks, bronze figures, plaques and mixed media installations from all over the continent.
There are several works by colorful Nigerian artist, Moyo Ogundipe.
I like them!
DAM, Denver Museum of Art
Images: Moyo Ogundipe
by Sandy | May 9, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Culture, Directors, Film, Movies
Director Spike is known for his movies – “Malcom X”, “The 25th Day” , “The Insider” and “Miracle of St. Anna” .
He makes good movies and sometimes great ones, but he also makes documentaries. He takes a risk and will veer from the fictional format that he’s conquered, to much acclaim, ever since his first films, “She’s Gotta Have It” and “Do The Right Thing”. When he tackles real events, the results are supreme.
“When the Levees Broke: Requiem in Four Acts”, originally HBO and now in DVD, was moving to watch because he let the people of New Orleans tell their stories about what happened in September 2005 when water and wind ravaged their city. Not out to ridicule or embarrass (like some recent “documentaries”), no need to fictionalize the tragedy- it is raw, angry, direct, sad.
Mr. Lee’s 1998 documentary – “4 Little Girls” also on DVD, is about the bombing of the 16th street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 and the little girls that died in the blast– he allows rage and grief to be expressed in a straight forward way. He also gives some insight into to what the racial climate was like before the tragedy and how the people of Birmingham dealt with the aftermath.
Spike’s films are often terrific. His documentaries have been terrific and powerful, always.
I’m looking forward to see his latest:
* The coming of age musical “Passing Strange”. I saw it on Broadway and was thoroughly charmed and entertained by “Stew”, who wrote the book, lyrics and music along with Heidi Rodewald.
* “Kobe Doin’ Work” about Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant
