(Not so) QueerQuotes

"All of us might wish at times that we lived in a more tranquil world, but we don't. And if our times are difficult and perplexing, so are they challenging and filled with opportunity." —Robert Francis Kennedy 

Phierce Photography

Sølve Sundsbø

Model - Karen Elson

Numero Magazine 2002

It's in the air...

A Madge return is right around the corner...

615 Jefferson Avenue by David Armstrong

Working in the West Village allows you to live out real-life cliché NYC moments, the kind of moments that allow you to fall in love with this magical city all over again. Not only is it one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Manhattan, it also exudes, in my opinion, the most personality. It looks, smells, sounds and feels like the NYC of my dreams.  I’m a lucky guy.

On that note, while strolling down Bleecker on my lunch break I happened to pass Bookmarc, Marc Jacob's trendy, yet surprisingly thoughtful bookstore.  Through the window an image of a young, boyish model with pink hair and tired eyes caught my attention and drew me into the store. It was the cover of fashion photographer David Armstrong’s new book, 615 Jefferson Ave. After thumbing through a few pages I quickly learned that all of the images, boyish models types, were taken in his turn of the century row house in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. I later learned after a little more research that this legendary residence is at once both Mr. Armstrong’s home as well as an odd house of curiosities. The reputation of this house becomes evident in beautiful, sunlit images of youth that fill the fascinating pages of this coffee table find – boys in clown collars and feathers, in claw-foot bathtubs or laid out on wrinkled sheets.

The whole idea of purchasing a photography book brought back an immediate feeling of nostalgia. I used to worship photography books when I was a kid.  I devoured the amazing groupings of images – models and fashion, sex and style, that could only be found in a bound hard collection. It made me realize that with the everything-at-your-fingertip virtual world that I am now a member of, one where images come and go so quickly and can be accessed at the speed of light, that the idea of buying a book of images seemed so old fashion…until I actually bought it, and then it immediately felt modern and new and relevant.

I think this purchase just might kick start a photography book renaissance for me. I can now appreciate what it means to actually take the time to study and absorb a collection of images. Maybe its old fashion, maybe its nostalgic, but for me its new, modern and now.

What I'm Listening To...

White Horse - Jessica 6 - See the Light
Something About You - Tensnake - Something About You EP
Dream On (Bushwacka Tough Guy Mix) - Depeche Mode - Remixes 2
Till The End of Time - Beyonce - 4
Little White Doves (Penguin Prison Remix) - Dirty Vegas - Little White Doves Remixes
Swedish Beauty/Diamond Life  (Starring Julie McKnight) - Swedish House Mafia - Until One
Time of My Life - Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia

Silence - Kylie Minogue - Put Your Hands Up EP

Alphaville (Time and Space Machine Mix) - Bryan Ferry - Alphaville EP
Lift Me Up (Mylo Mix) - Moby - Go

Jessica 6 - "White Horse"

LOVING this tune!!

Wherefore ART thou...

Ray Caesar

Guardian (2004)

Patrick Wolf - Time Of My Life

 Patrick Wolf - Time Of My Life by Ernestime

Obsessed: Patrick Wolf

So, I first heard about Patrick Wolf when I was living in London, of course. This little Irish musical know-it-all never really made a splash in the States, but at the time he was the up-and-coming boy wonder of the British music scene; he played multiple instruments, wrote his own music and had a style and attitude that was all his own; plus he was queer, which cemented my interest in this fascinating youngster. Unfortunately, all boy wonders must fall and it seems like Mr. Wolf became a victim of his own talent and success...narcissism, naivety and substance abuse set in and this up-and-comer seemed to switch gears to a down-and-outer. 

It's been a few years since Patrick Wolf had even entered my conciseness, that is until the Glastonbury Festival this year. I noticed he was playing in one of the smaller tents so I thought it would be fun to check on his current status. Happy to report it was a great set! He's such an interesting, Morrisseyesque songstress with a haunting voice and unique presence. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and was happy to see that he had grown-up, evolved and sort of evened out while still keeping the essence that makes him special. 

You can imagine what a welcome surprise it was to find out that he was releasing a new album, Lupercalia, this year, his first since 2009. I quickly snatched up a copy and I must admit I have not stopped listing to is since. It's beautiful! I love when an album coincides with your current state of mind so perfectly that it just fills a void! The album is honest, raw and true to who Patrick Wolf was and is. It's introspective yet uplifting, sad yet hopeful...and most of all it's honest. Can you tell I love it?

I'm so happy to see that he was able to put all the immature nonsense of his youth behind him and share his true musical talents with the world again.

Not sure if he will ever make it across the pond, but I'm so happy to have rediscovered him and his new album.

You go, girl...and thank you!

Natural Curiosities

I recently came across the world of Natural Curiosities. The Cabinet of Natural Curiosities is a thesaurus complied by Dutch pharmacist, zoologist and collector, Albertus Seba. The collection includes illustrated specimens from the natural world with a focus on animal and sea life and is hailed as one of the greatest natural history achievements of the 18th century.  The compilation has been turned into a coffee table book that has become a staple for modern designers as the rare and interesting images offer a unique design inspiration. I also recently came across an LA based company with the namesake Natural Curiosities helmed by artist/collector, Christopher Wilcox, who has compiled some beautiful and modern work inspired by Seba's curiosity with nature. Who's curious??

Natural Curiosities

http://www.naturalcuriosities.com

QueerQuotes

"If someone's dumb enough to offer me a million dollars to make a picture, I'm certainly not dumb enough to turn it down." -Elizabeth Taylor

R.I.P. Dame Elizabeth

Amazing Actress, Amazing Beauty, Amazing Fighter, Amazing Ally...Amazing Woman!

From her finest (in my humble opinion) screen performance as Martha in Albee's Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf...brilliant!



What I'm Listening To...

Pick Up the Phone (Francis Preve Remix) – Dragonette – Mixin’ to Thrill

My House (Tensnake Remix) – Hercules and Love Affair

S&M (Dave Aude Remix) – Rihanna – S&M Single

Hello – Martin Solveig & Dragonette – Single

Open Heart Surgery – Beth Ditto – Beth Ditto EP

Dance 2Night (Peter Rauhofer Remix) – Madonna

Not Giving Up On Love (Dash Berlin 4am Mix) – Armin Van Buuren vs. Sophie Ellis Bextor – Single

Fire In Your Shoes (Sultan & Ned Shepard Electric Daisy Remix) – Kaskade ft. Dragonette – Single

Konichiwa Bitches – Robyn – Robyn

The Girl Can’t Help It – Little Richard

Michael Bastian Spring/Summer 2011

For some reason I have avoided Michael Bastian like the plague, no idea why. Maybe it’s because his name has been everywhere in the past year and I’m always the first to dismiss overexposure. Maybe its because I thought he was the poor man’s Ralph Lauren; who knows? However, I cannot deny the super cool clothes from his Spring/Summer 2011 collection. Although I feel I already own many of these pieces, it’s the cut and the modern twist that each of his traditional sportswear pieces has that makes his designs his own and makes me want the whole collection. Summer here I come!

Wherefore ART thou...

Richard Prince

Man Crazy Nurse #3, 2003

ink jet and acrylic on canvas

QueerQuotes

“Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.” –Stephen Sondheim

...a reminder when my two worlds collided, HRH (Sondheim) and Her Madgesty:

Modern Life: Edward Hopper and His Time

I caught the Hopper exhibit at the Whitney Museum of Art this past weekend, Modern Life: Edward Hopper and His Time. I have always been drawn to Edward Hopper’s work. It actually stems from a strange genesis. When I was younger I had a framed poster in my room which was an altered version of Edwards Hopper’s most famous work, Nighthawks. In typical 80’s/90’s poster print fashion the lost souls usually found hunched over at the diner bar in Hopper’s iconic painting had been replaced by 1950’s Hollywood celebrities Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, James Dean etc….too funny, I know. Anyway, as I got older I realized that the print was actually based on an actual work of art. Upon further research I found the original painting and in turn was introduced to Edward Hopper. I became entranced with his modern, realistic images which hinted at impressionism. I found the characters in his work so interesting; melancholy with something deeper always going on beneath the surface.  The colors, the incredible attention to light, the architectural shapes and forms…I quickly became a big fan. Some of Mr. Hopper's most iconic images are on exhibit here along with some amazing work from his contemporaries including John Sloan, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Paul Strand, Charles Demuth, Guy Pène du Bois, Reginald Marsh, Charles Sheeler, Charles Burchfield and Ben Shahn. These mid-century trailblazing artists were the first to use modern subject matter to explore the larger themes of the time. It’s a fascinating look at mid-century American art...not to be missed!

Some highlights from the exhibit:

Edward Hopper, Early Sunday Morning, 1930. Oil on canvas

Edward Hopper 1882-1967, New York Interior, ca. 1921. Oil on canvas

Edward Hopper, Soir Bleu, 1914. Oil on canvas

 Edward Hopper, South Carolina Morning, 1955 Oil on canvas

George Bellows, Dempsey and Firpo, 1924. Oil on canvas

Guy Pène du Bois, Opera Box, 1926. Oil on canvas

Paul Strand, Wall Street, New York, (1915, printed 1976-77). Platinum palladium

Thomas Hart Benton, Poker Night (from “A Streetcar Named Desire”), 1948. Tempera and oil on panel

Reginald Marsh, Ten Cents a Dance, 1933. Egg tempera on panel

http://whitney.org/

The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger

The Honey Badger...it really doesn't give a shit...

KAZAKY

A Ukrainian boy band tearing it up in heels…it really doesn't get much better than this! My friend, Pedro, turned me on to this group, Kazaky, the other day. These ladies SERVE IT!

One more for good measure...

Jim Caruso's Cast Party

Last night I was dragged (kicking and screaming) by my friend Jane (Jane Monheit…name dropping) to a Monday night cabaret staple, Jim Caruso’s Cast Party at Birdland Jazz Club. I had never heard of Jim Caruso or his cast party…and boy was I in for a surprise! I quickly learned that Jim Caruso is a singer, performer and host who is somehow connected to some major names in the entertainment industry. He hosts an open mic night (which can usually be disastrous) every Monday night and because Mr. Caruso’s acquaintances are so wide and varied he manages to attract a starry, eclectic group of performers and delivers an incredibly entertaining evening! The highlight, besides my friend Jane (who I actually haven’t previously posted about, I need to get on that), was this dynamo of a woman named Marilyn Maye! At 83yrs young this Cabaret legend, discovered by Steve Allan, holds the distinction of being the most frequently heard singer in the history of The Tonight Show! Marilyn Maye is what show business is all about she’s brash, sassy, and full of energy and chutzpah…not to mention the woman sing! This broad knocked it out of the park and me out of my seat; I was enthralled! Hair coiffed, make-up perfect and decked out in her Monday night best Ms. Maye had that audience in the palm of her hand and reminded us what a real performer is and does. It’s not about belting, it’s not about high notes, it’s about command, control and confidence. Thanks, Ms. Maye (and Mr. Caruso) for a great night…a true throwback to an entertainment past in the very best possible way!

“The greatest white female singer in the world.” – Ella Fitzgerald (referring to Marilyn Maye)

http://castpartynyc.com/

Phierce Photography

Richard Avedon

Andy Warhol, New York City, 1969

Acquaintance with Letters

“Love reaches a certain pitch once and once only, which the soul ever after seeks in vein to surpass; that in striving to resurrect that happiness, it actually wears it out; that nothing is more fatal to happiness than the memory of happiness.” -Andre Gide,The Immoralist, First Part, Chapter 8