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poster print fashion the lost souls usually found hunched over at the diner bar in Hopper’s iconic painting had been replaced by 1950’s Hollywood celebrities Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, James Dean etc….too funny, I know.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

QueerQuotes

"If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question?" -Lily Tomlin

 

Divine Intervention Deux

I know I already posted about Divine, but this short clip is just too fierce not to share!

What I'm Listening To...

Safari Disco Club – Yelle – Safari Disco Club - Single

Our Discovery (Tribute to Daft Punk) – Frankmusik – Long Live Frankmusik

My House – Hercules and Love Affair – Blue Songs

I Wrote the Book – Beth Ditto ft. Simian Mobile Disco – Beth Ditto EP

Hold It Against Me – Britney – Single

Bad Gal – Douster, Savage & Robyn – Get Rich or High Tryin’

The Time (Dirty Bit) – The Black Eyed Peas – The Beginning

If I Were You (Soul Mekanik Remix) - Diagram of the Heart - If I Were You Remixes

Best Mistake – Same Difference – The Rest is History

Credit Card Babie$ - Men – Talk About Body



Wherefore ART thou...

Jenny Saville

Rosetta 2, 2006

Oil on watercolor paper, mounted on board
99-1/4 x 73-3/4 inches

Rockin' Robyn

I caught Robyn’s concert at Radio City Music Hall this past weekend and damn, does that chick have energy! First of all I think every gay this side of the Mississippi was in attendance, not that there’s anything wrong with that! She was super excited as she said that we were the biggest crowd she had ever pulled all on her own, which immediately got us on her side…and she didn’t disappoint! First off her songs are the perfect mix of electro-pop with an alternative edge. I don’t know how she does it because in less interesting/capable hands her music could be interpreted and flat-out bubble gum pop. However, because of her personal edge, super cool energy and platinum doo, she manages to transcend the typical female pop star image to emote an energy that’s real, original, fresh and totally her own. It doesn’t hurt that she has written some of the catchiest new pop songs to be released recently. She was bouncing all over the stage (and even ran up the side ramps of Radio City to shake a tail feather with the peeps in the mezzanine) in such a natural, unforced way that she instantly draws you in and makes you want to hang with her (pun intended). It was a great show, I’m so happy for her; I just wish more people would discover this fairly unknown superstar! C. U. Next Tuesday...You Is A Punk!

                                                                                                                                                                               

Phierce Photography

Herb Ritts

Vladimir I - Hollywood

1990

Divine Intervention

I’m not sure how, but I came across this picture of the super fab Divine today...and boy, did it take me back! Like most upper-middle class suburban kids my first introduction to Divine was in the film Hairspray, a staple childhood favorite. Here was this fat, over-the-top super fabulous drag queen up on the big screen at my local, cookie-cutter Cineplex. She might have even been the first drag queen I had ever seen; big, brash and hilariously funny, I was mesmerized! I immediately started researching her…and low and behold, what did I find…Female Trouble, the cinematic masterpiece where her (and John Waters’) true, distorted genius was revealed to me. Female Trouble was like nothing I had ever seen, tasteless, trashy, perverse and disgusting…and I was instantly in on the joke. It was the funniest, most disturbing thing I had ever seen, queer and uncomfortable, yet campy and incredibly dark. I didn’t know what to make of it, it was the best/worst movie I had ever seen; the one liners, the bad acting, and the amazing, tick-tacky costumes…simply Divine! Watching Divine as Dawn Davenport develop from her high school delinquency into a super star (in her own mind of course) all ending with her brutal execution (not to mention a giant trampoline performance thrown in for bad measure) was an experience that scarred me for life. Divine was one fearless, sick motherfucker and together with John Waters she created some of the trashiest cinema magic to ever grace (for lack of a worst word) the silver screen! God bless you, Divine, you and your cha-cha heels!

“I’m so fucking beautiful I can’t stand myself!!!”

from J'ai Tué Ma Mère (2009)

c'est magnifique!