Out With the Old...

Taking care to simplify life is a good thing. That includes trimming the fat—deep housecleaning, giving away old clothes or household items. I ascribe to the one-year rule. If I haven’t touched or seen it in a year, it’s likely that I don’t need it, so out it goes! Mental housecleaning is good, too.

This post IS going somewhere, so please bear with me while I shift gears for a second. I left New York for the first time in 2003. Suddenly, I began to experience a tremendous amount of post-traumatic stress from 9/11. For me, it manifested itself in unexpected, endless crying fits and a sense of hopelessness like I had never experienced. I was home during the attacks and watched the second plane hit and the towers collapse live on TV. I live near La Guardia, and like most people in New York, I was uncertain of what was happening. Needless to say, everyone was freaked out, and that feeling of uncertainty will live with me forever. Living in the aftermath was also difficult for most New Yorkers. Just breathing was a constant reminder of the death in the air. The only solace was the friendliness and sense of comraderie that had taken hold over the city's inhabitants.

In the two years following the attacks, my life had started to spin out of control—I had been unemployed on and off between temp jobs and, were it not for the fact that I awoke in time, one early winter morning, I may just have died from smoke inhalation in an oil fire in the basement of the house where I was renting an attic apartment. After that, my sense of security, much like the one that families had felt prior to the current economic downturn, was completely upset. With no job prospects, my nerves shaken, and no money, I took my parents up on an offer to move in with them for a while on the West Coast in order to regroup.

This weekend, as I rooted through some old paperwork, I came across a poem that I wrote several months after I had moved back home. It was written at the height of my misery, but in looking at it now, it is a symbol to me of how quickly things can change—how we can change, permanently and for the better. Things in my life are pretty good now, and back then, when I really believed in my mind that I was going home to die near my family, I never could have imagined that I would be where I am today. As a matter of fact, I am able to write this blog post without getting emotional, which is why I think I am finally ready to share this poem with the world.

II Years Later

No matter what I do, I feel like I am
Sitting on the edge of the world
Waiting to die.

Since the Towers came tumbling down,
I’m still on the train in my mind
Feeling a bomb uncontrollably separate the metal
Between the wheels—the scattering of
My spirit to the wind.

I’m passing an arterial in my car when the oblivious
On cell phones come out of nowhere
Putting me out of my unintentional
Misery.

I’m sitting on a pier gazing out to sea,
3,000 miles from that place where my heart
Was pulverized by unpunctual fear—the
Fear that forced me from my rightful place and path.
Now, it’s been washed out by self-imposed extraction from the one
Experience that has always made sense to me.

And as I look seawards on westerly shores,
This harbor no more balances me or my sensibilities.
In fact, it reminds me that I bide my time
On shaky ground. I’m certain the world
Will fall out from underneath me
Leaving me alone, yet again, to float, to find
To understand why time has a way of confusing us and putting us
In its vengeful path—the one much like mine.
But, it was never supposed to be like this.
Yet, my wounds are temporarily cloaked by momentary
Happiness, sitcom feelings (that all is better), and
Vacuous showtunes. Thank God that truth
Never arrives until the offbeat.

My spirit longs for the day
When things will seem like they were, for at least a moment—
Stronger than those sitcom feelings that tease me,
Where I may feel that sweet, innocent peace
That I seem to remember.
(Copyright PDN, 2003)

Isn't it a blessing that we, indeed, can move on from the past? For me, many things do "seem like they were" now, but I am also able to gracefully leave the past where it belongs. What a wonderful gift. Enjoy your challenges and triumphs, for those add to the essence of life!

Putting the Class in Glass

Recently a friend from Vancouver, who had been living in Calgary, introduced me to Axis Contemporary Art, via its Web site (Unfortunately, I have yet to visit Calgary, though it’s on my list of places to see before I die.) The gallery represents professional Canadian and international artists working in a variety of media including painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing and photography. If I weren’t here in NYC, I’d definitely, pardon the grossly obvious pun (though I can’t resist), make a “bee” line to Axis—especially to its latest show Bee Kingdom Collective: New Works in Hot Glass that will open tomorrow and run through November 3. I’m sure that it will prove to be a (hold on…another bad pun!) “window” to contemporary glass art and the future of the medium.

Bee Kingdom Collective, a group of three artists-- Ryan Marsh Fairweather, Phillip Bandura and Tim Belliveau—who live, breath and work side by side, fuel their works’ themes through collaboration and the fusion of styles resulting from the individual solo work that they also do.

Upon completing their studies in the glass program at Alberta College of Art and Design, the three artists embarked on an artistic lifestyle\career by building a hot-glass studio in their backyard garage in at the home they share together in northwest Calgary. It is this “kingdom” of sorts that has helped give the trio its collective name. They have also attributed their name to the industrious pace at which they work as well as the honey like flow that characterizes hot glass.

Bee Kingdom Collectives’ show at Axis features distinct creations, largely inspired by natural phenomena, ranging from figure 8s to polka dots, all incorporating the artists’ use of vivid color and eye for form. Each brings his own strengths to the overall design.


With a stylistically recognizable body of work, Bee Kingdom Collective's work runs the gamut from the select designs they call the “studio series,” to custom sculpture/installation and fine art. Their ingenuity has caused the international glass art world to sit up and take notice of their work, while they, as steadily as the flow of hot glass, continue to carve out a very special niche for themselves. They contend that their work is changing into a form that is “unique, something that isn't born from the traditional Venetian style of blowing..." but rather something hugely influenced by the studio glass movement.

All influences aside, Bee Kingdom Collective's own impact on the community is definitely showing, considering that they were recently selected as the winning designers, from a constituency of artists who submitted from around the world, in the annual Pilchuck School’s centerpiece competition. Pilchuck was co-founded in 1971 by internationally renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly and patrons Anne Gould Hauberg and John H. Hauberg. Their centerpiece will be produced and be displayed at Pilchuck’s annual benefit auction held in Seattle at the end of October. For more information on attending this benefit, visit www.pilchuck.com.

Walkin' in Chelsea

There's nothing like New York City on a crisp, cool fall day, and I was fortunate to be able to meet up with my lovely friend Lisa, an advertising account manager, for a walk through the city's Chelsea neighborhood this past Saturday. As we made our way through the streets that have gone from warehouse to wonderful in the last few years, we kept asking each other why we weren't the people who decided that Chelsea should be THE place for fabulous art in New York City. Not to say that you won't find great art on New York's East Side or elsewhere, but Chelsea showcases all types of art from Warhol to Picasso, as well as contemporary Chinese and Korean Art.

While strolling through the neighborhood, we came upon a couple of intriguing art installations that, just maybe, could be our favorites for the day. Take a look for yourself. GOTCHA! Pretty funny, huh? They did appear to have been strategically placed though, so I insisted that they pose for pictures.

The afternoon started with a visit to Jim Kempner Fine Art on 23rd Street. It has been my desire for years now to check out this gallery. Architectually, the building is so cool. In addition to the Keith Haring in the sculpture garden in the front courtyard, the gallery is home to one of the most amazing and lifelike pieces of modern art that I have ever seen. Carole A. Feuerman gets the Uncle Paulie Award for new favorite artist this month for her 1981 sculpture entitled "The Shower" made of oil on resin.

Later on, we hit Chinese Contemporary Gallery, which never fails to please with exceptional art by top Chinese contemporary artists like these whimsical and slightly disturbing pieces by Zhang Shuang. They are part of the gallery's Cartoon II show that runs through November 20. I like Chinese Contemporary because every piece in this small space is food for thought and a feast for the eyes.


I especially enjoyed the larger works by Wang Ke. The combination of colorful and social commentary of asian pop art always intrigues me.

Time's running out to check out Composed Cities, the phenomenal work of Simon Nicholas at Gallery Henoch. His paintings depict crowded environments that seem to hint at the overpopulation that one feels in a city like New York. Nicholas's paintings filled me with exhiliaration because of their unnatural vastness. They also caused me to relive the social phobia I feel everytime I'm in similar situations--VERY exciting work. This piece reminded me of my high school graduation from Plano Senior High School in Texas. My graduating class was comprised of 1,432 students and the scene actually looked like this! Composed Cities is on exhibition through November 1.

Our evening gallery walk ended with a visit to the Max Lang Gallery, which features a wonderful menagerie of Asian contemporary art upstairs. Upon entering the upper gallery, we suddenly heard what we thought was the air conditioner starting up. The noise turned out to be Pink Pink (1985) by Choi Jeong Hwa. This is a remarkable three-dimensional flowerlike sculpture that inflates and deflates at various intervals. It is one of those things that makes me happy just looking at it.

Onegin’s Off Again and Running at Vancouver Opera

For a night of soul-searing romance, a deadly dual, glittering ballroom opulence and gorgeous music married to beautiful poetry, be sure not to miss Vancouver Opera’s new production of the Tchaikovsky classic Eugene Onegin. After all, it’s been 23 years since it last hit the boards (for the very first time!) at the 49 year-old opera company.

Based on Russian literary great Aleksandr Pushkin’s famed serial work, published in its entirety in 1833, Eugene Onegin (pronounced ‘oh-NYAY-ghin’) tells the painful, yet beautiful story of the 19th Century version of “shoulda, coulda, woulda” involving a rich, bored charismatic Russian man who rejects the love of a young woman (If I had nickel for every time that happened to me…!).

The cast list is a who’s who of Canadian and international singers, including baritone Brett Polegato in the title role, soprano Rhoslyn Jones as “Tatyana,” and tenor John Tessier as “Lensky.” Also in the cast are tenor James McLennan as “Monsieur Triquet,” and bass Chad Louwerse as “Zaretski” and “Captain Petrovich.” Vancouver Opera Music Director, Jonathan Darlington will conduct the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.

Eugene Onegin opens on Saturday, November 22, 2008 and continues with subsequent performances Tuesday, November 25, Thursday, November 27, and Saturday November 29, 2008. All performances take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Georgia and Hamilton Streets, Vancouver B.C. and curtain is promptly at 7:30 p.m.

So, head out to Vancouver Opera to get some culture. Tickets (which can be had by visiting the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre at www.vancouveropera.ca or by calling 604-683-0222) start at only an ecomomic downturn-busting $29 bucks!

Be sure to bring your spyglasses and specs--Eugene Onegin is presented in Russian with English translations projected above the stage. Otherwise, you’ll be squintin’ with the oldies!

Neo-Classical Painting by Canadian Artist James Manning on Auction Block in Calgary

Today, I received information from a colleague of mine in Vancouver, British Columbia, who is selling a work by deceased Canadian artist James Manning. The oil on wood board painting of a draped figure is being offered for sale by Levis Auction House in Calgary, Alberta. The painting, listed as Lot 315, is untitled.

Manning's unframed piece is 48.25 x 49.75 in. / 123 x 126 cm and is unsigned, though it does have a letter of authenticity attached on the verso. It is expected to catch a minimum of $4000(CAD).

The fall 2008 semi-annual auction schedule at The Nickle Arts Museum is:

November 14, Friday, Preview 2 pm - 8 pm
November 15, Saturday, Preview 10 am - 5 pm
November 16, Sunday, Preview 10 am - 1 pm
November 16, Sunday, AUCTION at 1 pm

Watch, Work and Find a Hobby!

The recent suicide of a former financial planner in the San Fernando Valley after he murdered his family over the state of his economic affairs got me thinking about how the current economic slowdown (Let’s call a spade a spade and call it a “depression" because that's what it is.) has people thinking crazy, responding and acting crazily. It’s gotten to the point that people’s collective negative energy is just plain bringin’ me down--just when all the therapy I paid for in the last two years started working for me!

I don’t know about you, but for me, I’m tired of people walking around like somnambulants, looking to the sky, hoping to find some answer and explanation as to why their lives are in the current state that they are. I wish they would just open their eyes, face forward, judge a reasonable distance in front of them and move. We don’t have to know where we’re going, do we? Isn’t that the beauty of life? Have we gotten so bogged down and obsessed with wealth and acquiring things that we have lost perspective about what the human journey is supposed to be? Pay attention to the signs in your life, people, and maybe things will go your way! Lately, I have been trying to pay attention to the signs I am being given and they are leading me to so many interesting portals--portals that seem scary to open, but ones that I know I must try to move forward with my life.

I work in SoHo, and I am amazed by all the people walking aimlessly, with seemingly closed eyes and all, as they run into each other—ab-fab agenda after ab-fab agenda bumping and grinding along Broadway--annoying the crap out of everyone. We’re a nation of shoppers, since that is what we have been taught to be. We have resolved ourselves to the lobby that to be “someone,” we must look the part, use our credit cards, disguise our pain, and get completely into debt above our eyeballs. Has anyone noticed that the problem partially started a few years back when retailers realized that college students with no sources of income suddenly felt entitled to buy luxury goods, too? It was then that every brand felt the need to join the “luxury” market to get their piece of the pie. Now it’s out of control (You know when Bath and Body Works decides that they need to re-brand to be more of a luxury brand, the word “luxury” has lost its meaning!)and these kids have nothing to show for it except bills they can't afford to pay. We wanted luxury cheap, though, and that's what we've gotten. A system that has driven down wages and the quality of nearly everything, in my opinion.

So, too, Americans have lost a sense of meaning in their lives, but that’s because it was built on false foundations to begin with. That’s why the economy is faltering—because a glorified few were living it up while the general public thought all was well in their world. After all, they had their cute little house, and all the makeover shows were telling people how to achieve a decorating aesthetic that was tantamount to the American Dream. Isn’t that what is most important in life—having an awesome cooking island with just the right amount of storage and a mini state-of-the-art concert hall in your child’s bedroom? What about growing and becoming a better person?

So here are the facts—not watered down—just in-your-face truth. The economy sucks. That’s just the way it is right now and there’s nothing we can do about. Hopefully, a new regime in the White House will be able to get things back on track. In the meantime, think outside the box, for Heaven’s sake! Business people have no problem using that phrase in the workplace like people throw around the word “love,” and yet they can’t even consider living up to it in their own lives. Maybe people should take some time to focus on what actually makes them happy. You can still do that even if you have a family or an over-entitled lifestyle to support. Try art. Try biking. Try stopping by the sense of humor store and picking one up!

David Friedman wrote some of the most amazing lyrics that have always helped me when I’m in an emotional or financial bind:

Don’t give up the ship
Even when you feel it’s sinking,
And you don’t know what to do.
Don’t give up your dream,
Even though you may be thinking
It never will come true.
Life has its own idea of
how things come about
And if you just hang in there
Life is gonna work it out.

Help is on the way
From places you don’t know about today
From friends you may not have met yet
Believe me when I say, I know,
Help is on the way.

As sappy as these words may seem to many, they ring true even more today, while more and more people find themselves jobless and struggling to meet their obligations. I live by the credo that I can “only do what I can when I can do it.” Of course, I want to do my best, but that can change depending on the day and what I seem to be wrestling with. The key is to not be so hard on yourself. And, by God, don’t shoot yourself and your entire family. This whole economy thing is all on the periphery of the world. It’s just the Universe saying we need to change our way of doing things. This is simply not working anymore. It’s like the way we treat the environment. If you abuse it, it won’t be there tomorrow. But, we have to change how we do things. That’s what progress is, after all. If we don’t change, things will change for us. It is the nature of life--tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. The good news is that there is nothing that we, as resourceful, intelligent human beings, don’t have the tools to abide. All we have to do is open our eyes to what is real in the world around us. Think outside the box, find new portals to open and the world won’t seem so crappy.

Things that Make You Happy/Things that Make You Sad

Imagine my surprise this morning when I woke up to a squirrel sitting in the tree outside my window sending out its “chrring” call just two branches below the one where a pair of doves sat quietly. I’m not saying that I’m Dr. Doolittle or anything, but the squirrel was so loud I asked him to please stop so that I could snooze just a little longer. He cocked his head, positioned his body to the side and promptly shut his piehole. That made me happy. I’ve also been told that you’re supposed to talk to doves when they park themselves outside your window, so I did. They just ignored me, but that’s okay. They still made me happy. Apparently, squirrels think I am more dynamic!
Recently, I had to meet a couple of friends on the Lower East Side, and as I walked down Houston Street towards 2nd Avenue, I was taken aback by the fact that there is now a highrise luxury apartment building next to the world-famous landmark Katz Deli. It was so weird to see the home of the best keilbassa and jojo potatoes in the world dwarfed by this symbol of the demise of the Lower East Side as we have always known it. I think they have also built another luxury building next door to the Tenement Museum, another one of my favorite places. That makes me sad. I did, however, see this colorful, old building that made me smile. I love the contrast of the color against the overcast New York Sky.

The economy sucks, and Sarah Palin, indeed is scary, but nothing cheers me up like good sushi. My friend Kate came over last night to make art with me. (I made this funky, new mask called “Rainbow Cyclops.”)
The sushi was delicious at my local Korean-owned Flushing sushi establishment. The tempura chicken and spicy salmon rolls are DELICIOUS! The atmosphere was so relaxed, and in spite of the fact that there was a gross bar of white soap in the restroom (much to my dismay), I was still in sushi bliss. Imagine how much more joy it gave me to discover that my wasabi was in the shape of a jack-o-lantern! Apparently, the chef there makes something different with the wasabi every time. How could THAT not make you happy?