Compared to the last time I saw them live back in 2006 at Islington Bar Academy and Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, there was no Jose Gonzalez or Sia Furler. This time Eska Mtungwazi and Martha Tilston sang along with Zero 7 and both had amazing performances. Although I thought at first Sia Furler would make an appearance I realized it wouldn’t be fair as it wouldn’t have been appropriate to steal her successors’ limelight. Their versions of the older songs were fantastic especially Martha’s performance of “In the Waiting Line.”
Most of the reviews for “Yeah Ghost” have been negative, and even though I wouldn’t go as far as these comments, I must admit their previous albums are better. But it is still growing on me, and I do appreciate their new direction given that there are new singers who no doubt would prefer to give their own input rather than stick to a previous formula. In fact my favorite track is “Pop Art Blue.”
Back to the concert, I was disappointed that I couldn’t figure out how to take proper photos even though I was only a few feet away, as oppose to the last time I saw them I managed to take clear photos from the very back of the venue – very annoying.
Martha Tilston with Zero 7 at Terminal 5, 27 Nov 2009
Sia Furler with Zero 7 at Shepherd's Bush Empire, 03 June 2006
And now for your enjoyment, Martha Tilston’s lovely rendition of “In the Waiting Line”
What a way to kick off the Fall season with works by Fay Ku:
Keep Your Demons in Check
One of the benefits of working at an art gallery is the travel! I spent a couple weeks in Paris for the Le Salon du Collectionneur (try saying that three times fast) at the Grand Palais.
Oh how I enjoyed stuffing my face with croissants, pain du chocolat, crepes, and washing it down with cafe au lait; however I missed my chance to meet former French President Jacques Chirac, as I was on the phone when he walked by my booth:
I expressed to the other art dealers how lax the security was – there might’ve been one or two with him. If I wanted to, I could’ve given him a good ol’ American hug – he was that easily approachable. If I were to even think of doing such a thing to President Obama, I’d get tackled by at least 10 Secret Service men, placed in jail, then tried for attempted assassination.
Apparently Mr. Chirac, who would’ve been an art dealer, is also known as “Chichi.” Could we call President Obama “Bambam” one day?
In 8th grade my English class was given a oral presentation assignment. We had to write an essay on the expected – what we wanted to be when we grow up and then present it in front of the class.
I thought I’d be clever and set up my speech as if I’m about to go on stage to receive my Oscar for Best Director. Haha, a bit ambitious for a 14 year old? Heck, I think it’s still too ambitious, and I’m 27! (I’ll just settle for Best Screenplay.)
Thirteen years later I’m now a director… of an art gallery. Who knows how long this will last; although I love the job itself the atmosphere is, well, unhealthy. For the time being I’ll just avoid the dirty air with a handkerchief over my nose.
After seeing Jenny Holzer’s exhibition at the Whitney Museum (and the gigantic ice pack and french fries exhibition), I bought a $5 booklet of some of her past essays (rather than her $45 exhibition book). I came across this mini essay the other day:
” There’s no reason to sleep curled up and bent. It’s not comfortable, it’s not good for you, and it doesn’t protect you from danger. If you’re worried about an attack you should stay awake or sleep lightly with limbs unfurled for action.”
I used to sleep in the fetal position. Even with a full bed, I used to curl up in a little ball, making sure my neck and wrists were covered with my blanket. Oddly enough, that was comfortable to me.
Years ago I even forbid myself to place my arm over forehead because I thought that would prevent myself from nightmares. Apparently as a kind I had a nightmare and when I woke up, I had my arm over my forehead so I associated that sleeping position with nightmares. What a paranoid android!
I noticed nowadays I pretty much take up the whole bed and no, not because I gained weight! I seemed to unravel myself now, at times sleeping at an angle to take up as much of the bed as possible.
Now that’s progress. (I want some french fries now).
One of the best weekends I’ve had in a long time and it started off by watching this dude who refers to himself as the Millionaire’s Magician on Fri for my boss’ surprise bday party at the Waldorf Towers:
I’m always skeptical with these sort of things but what intrigued me the most (and somewhat creep me out) was how intuitive he was with reading people’s movements and expressions. He seems to be that kind of person who would analyze you while having a conversation, examining every little thing you do. He could probably tell if you were lying or not.
Collision #1: BFF and I were on 79th and Madison waiting for the crosstown bus, when out of nowhere a Benz speeds through two red lights, crashes into a parked taxi, backs into another parked taxi, and swerves onto the sidewalk, almost colliding into a store. I was in complete shock, frozen for a few minutes, and when I came to, BFF was already reporting the accident to the 911 operator. I’m useless! We later found out that the driver supposedly lost control of his car and thankfully nobody was seriously injured. Yet this collision sparked many more to come…
…Which leads us to Collision #2: Upon our arrival at the American Museum of Natural History, we found out that “Cosmic Collisions” was playing at their theater dome – and of course we couldn’t bypass this opportunity! And now for the nerdy stuff – a new theory developed regarding the moon and that it was created by a comet colliding with Earth in its infantile stages and the debris formed the moon in just one month. And apparently billions of years from now the Milky Way and Andromeda will collide, forming one galaxy. As I was sitting in the dome, looking up and watching this film (while Robert Redford narrated), it occurred to me that was in a similar theater as a kid during a field trip. How I would’ve love to recall what exactly I watched and learned at that time so that I can compare to what I just learned today. (Yes, I’m a nerd but when I was your age, Pluto was considered a planet!)
Later that night we met with two mutual friends I haven’t seen in 10 years. Back story – all four of us met 10 years ago at our mother’s 25th college reunion. And of course a night out in NYC includes: heavy rain, free alcohol, and diner food at 6am. Added bonus: collision #3 and #4 occurred while drunkenly wandering around the Lower East Side all night long. (My BFF and I definitely cannot be in the same city for more than a couple days. The universe just can’t handle it!)
On Sunday, and surprisingly not hungover, I convinced the BFF to postpone his flight a few more hours and went on some much need shopping on Broadway. First time there and it reminded me of Oxford St in London. Even though I wasn’t impressed with TopShop (actually didn’t buy anything!), I was in complete awe over Uniqlo!
And to end one fab weekend -I met Sia Furler (one of the singers for the electronic duo Zero 7) today at the subway station off of Canal St!!!!
I’ve been a huge fan of Jenny Holzer ever since I came across her book at the Guggenheim in Venice six years ago. I was stoked when I was finally able to see her works in persona couple of years ago – LED signs at a London gallery and her “Inflammatory Essays” at the Tate Modern. When I found out that she was exhibiting at the Whitney, I thought, well same ol’ stuff but hey I’m down.
Although her LED signs were fascinating, there was one particular room that struck me by surprise – she displayed “Redaction Paintings,” that is, declassified government documents that have been blacked out or redacted by government censors claiming some parts too sensitive for the public. These documents displayed include autopsy reports of detainees, interrogation techniques, redacted handprints of those accused of crimes, and strategic war maps.
What I found most disturbing yet profound was her “Lustmord Table.” Initially I walked by it, thinking nothing of it, until I read about it in the pamphlet and quickly returned to it. Lustmord, loosely meaning “rape-slaying, sex-murder, or lust-killing” in German, consists of human bones neatly laid out on a table. Affected by the war in former Yugaslovia (1992-1995) where rape and murder of women and girls was a systematic tactic by Bosnian-Serb forces, some of these bones consisted of silver bands engraved with text of the accounts of the victim, perpetrator, and witness. What was frustrating was not being able to read all the text at once which I later found out was the whole point – a “metaphor for the variety of viewpoints expressed.”*
Moving on to something more lighthearted,I absolutely loved Claes Oldenburg’s giant replicas of a BLT sandwich, fries with ketchup, crushed cigarette butts, and an ice pack. Made of vinyl, these items reminded me of when I was in 5th grade – we learned about tall tales á la Paul Bunyan. Then we were divided in groups and each group had to create a giant object, something that Paul Bunyan would use. Where as others made a toothbrush and a shaving cream can, my group randomly chose to make a Pepsi can (to this day I wonder why didn’t we choose Coca-Cola?!). If only I was clever enough to make giant fries with ketchup instead.
*from the Whitney Museum’s “Jenny Holzer: Protect Protect” pamphlet
Cai -Guo-Qiang’s amazing retrospective exhibition entitled “I Want to Believe” was exhibited last year at the Guggenheim in New York. I’m very disappointed that I missed out on this one!
I was thinking about going to Estonia this summer but since this exhibition is now at the Guggenheim in Bilbao until 6 Sept, I’m very tempted to head to Spain instead!
I’ve included two videos of the exhibition at both the New York and Bilbao locations as well as another video showing how he creates his signature explosion works using fireworks -
"It's great to be in the desert here with you. Thank you!" (To be said with an Icelandic accent)
You really do need an umbrella while at Coachella Festival.
Although Spring officially started about a month ago, today was actually a proper day of Spring. And I’m stuck at work.
I’m looking out of the windows and I can see people in their shorts, tank tops, and sandals on their way to Central Park. Le sigh.
And on the other side of the U.S. of A., indie folks are driving into the middle of the desert for the Coachella Festival. I’m not too upset missing out on three days of unbearable heat. Plus the line up isn’t that great. But I do miss experience such a festival with my like-minded friends. Since two years ago, who could top Bjork and Rage Against the Machine?!
(Side track: Bjork and DJ Shadow were playing at different stages at the same time so I decided to run back and forth between the two and sure enough, I almost ran right into a guy pissing in the middle of the field. I recall some splashing?)
But I wouldn’t have mind seeing, M.I.A., Glasvegas, My Bloody Valentine, Lupe Fiasco, Lykke Li, TV on the Radio, Fleet Foxes, and Sebastien Tellier.
Point is, once again I’m just glad that the cold weather is finally making its way out, and hopefully I’ll get off my lazy arse and start exploring this city.
