MDNA & LMFAO

Madonna in Hyde Park last Tuesday night: Started with lots of hooded monks chanting and incense burning into the humid and damp air (it did rain but at least it wasn't biblical!). It was a well organised, choreographed show (as expected with Madonna) but presented outdoors with imperfect acoustics. Still, her Madgesty looked good and I love her new hairstyle. She's still got it. She sang a few great hits but played that guitar much too often. There were cheerleaders and marching bands and tightrope walkers like at the Superbowl. But I have to say that the best part was seeing Rocco Ritchie with his blue jersey and orange beats, dancing like a natural centre stage with his mom. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I really enjoyed LMFAO opening the show! So fun! (Strange, I never get writer's block when talking about concerts, theatre, art shows or films. I really should've been a critic. When did I pass up that fork in the road?)

Writer's block (again)

Trying very hard to get motivated to write an essay for an art business course. It's been over 25 years since I've had to write and submit an academic paper for a mark or grade, let alone a certificate. I am channeling all the art gods to inspire me.

Degas

It's the birthday of Edgar Degas who was born in 1834. Although he was known as quite a cruel and difficult man, I so admire his work, especially the ballet dancers and the women in their bath. Most impressive are his pastels. He was an amazing draftsman, never forgetting the basis of all art, drawing.

The Kiss

Today also marks the 150th birthday of Gustav Klimt, a magnificent and unique artist and leader of the Secession movement (also called Art Nouveau) in Vienna. He's so popular that Google placed a doodle for him today in homage. His paintings are some of the most recognisable in the world, especially The Kiss (1907-8). His father was a gold engraver and he used gold leaf in most of his works. What I find most fascinating is that he painted his female models and sitters in the nude first, then covered the paintings with elaborate designs and patterns using the gold leaf. Such an intense and passionate process but worth the amazing results. If I could ever have my portrait done by any artist living or dead, I would choose to give the commission to Gustav Klimt.

Happy Bastille Day!

On the occasion that today is Bastille Day, I want to take the opportunity to rave about all things French. I suppose I consider myself a bit of a Francophile although I've forgotten most of the French I learned in school. I fell in love with the language in grade 7 and wanted to enter the Sorbonne so badly. I continued to take French in high school and at university for several semesters. I even considered changing my major when my French professor approached me and suggested Linguistics. Well, my life and career would definitely have taken a very different path! I know that the French people, especially Parisians, aren't liked by everyone - I think they get a bad rap. But I come from Philadelphia so a bad rap comes with the territory and just makes you stronger, more defiant and tenacious, and to believe in yourself regardless what other people think. So why do I like the French? + Many of history's greatest artists including Ingres, Delacroix, Courbet, Manet, Degas...the list goes on + Marcel Duchamp! + You can't beat the extraordinary history of the French republic + Versailles and the Louvre used to be the royal residences of Marie-Antoinette (the "Austrian woman"); no wonder they wanted her head + There are few things more pleasant than walking through the Jardin des Tuileries + Everything has to do with style, art or food + The natural beauty of the countryside and well-kept urban architecture + The incredible cuisine, truly the art of French cooking + Joel Robuchon and many, many great chefs too many to name + The French don't actually drink that much, I mean they don't binge; they drink wine with meals as you should + Champagne! + Provence! + The French Open + Coco Chanel, her life story and legacy and influence to today + Street fashion in Paris is more chic than in any other city + Colette, one of the best shops ever + Hermès, of course + A compliment from a French person usually carries more weight than those of others + French women may look you up and down and up again without a smile; this is meant to be a compliment as they like what you're wearing and are memorising how you've put your outfit together + Many of the best films ever including Amelie, Au Revoir les Enfants, Leon (The Professional), Queen Margot, Delicatessen and more + Such beautiful wine regions and the fact that each region can only produce wine from certain grape varieties. Love the tradition and the discipline; it's about the quality and not just the commerciality + Lots of lavender, poppies and sunflowers everywhere + And yes, when you're in France, you do feel and share a certain joie de vivre. Vive la France!