(Pre)Summer Reading

With the semester coming to an end, I need something to do on the weekends, so I’ve started reading a few books. Right now it’s On the Origin of Species edited by David Quammen and so far it is infinitely interesting because not only is it just fascinating to go back to a time when there still was speculation on where all these living things on the Earth came from and how. (Not that there still isn’t speculation on Evolution, but we won’t get into that) Anyway, it is an illustrated edition too with beautiful Audobon-esque paintings and drawings.

Secondly, I just ordered Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff, which I’ve been thinking about buying for since it was published in September (partly due to the gorgeous cover). I read the first 10 pages on Amazon preview and was hooked. If you notice, I am somewhat obsessed with Cleopatra and I’m excited to dig a little deeper into who she was and the context of her life.

I mean just listen to the book’s opener and tell me you wouldn’t buy it.

And finally, I’m not reading this, but I have read several excerpts on the web and so far I can tell it is hilarious. I ordered it for a Mother’s Day gift and hopefully my mom will finish it quick and I’ll be able to borrow it.

Bang Bang mi amour

Day-dreaming of France

I’m listening – A Cause Des Garcons

Jay-Z to Dub Step

So, Jay-Z — number one tastemaker — just started up a lifestyle blog (http://lifeandtimes.com/) which I’d have to say is just great. It already has turned me on to new music and the desire to buy some hats for Fall.

The featured band is Little Dragon and they are poppy, electric, and eclectic. I am loving their most recent EP, Blinking Pigs, and am hoping their two previous albums satisfy similarly. Their style seems to nod toward dub step with their slight vocal distortion and focus on layering of beats.

Speaking of dub-step, another slightly new obsession is the dub step super star James Blake and more specifically his song To Care (Like You). To me some dub step gets a little too experimental, but this song dances along that line exquisitely and uses the bare bones vocals and musical distortions to deepen the sense of confusion and longing the song centers around.

To Care (Like You) – James Blake

 

..more SXSW love.

 

SXSW envy

After all the media and tweets about SXSW I can’t help but feel a bit of envy. Here’s a fav of a recent sampler playlist from the festival.

My trip to.. The MIA

Love Roy Liechtenstein. Famous for his comic book style and being a huge part of the "what is art?" discussion blurring the lines of what is fine art.

 

 

So obsessed with Kehinde Wiley. His stuff is amazingly gorgeous. He takes classic statues and paintings and brings them to the modern with bright colors and replacing the figures with urban black men. Highly suggest checking him out.

Even the stairwells are picture worthy

The carving work on these feathers is so gorgeous.

More feathers

I love the movement in this print and I couldn't help but wonder just how they did such a massive screen print.

Beautiful

A beautiful printed textile from the Africa Gallery