i've come across a few posts about marina abramović on jezebel.com and have become rather taken by her most recent exhibit at the museum of modern art in new york. abramović is a performance artist who is performing a retrospective piece entitled, the artist is present. according to one of the posts, abramović invites museum goers to sit across from her at a bare wood table, in silence. the participants determine the length of time; the chair is open to any one who is willing, from the moment the museum opens until it closes its doors at night.
moma has a flickr page that documents each participant and the length of time they stayed. i highly recommend you take a look. each portrait is so compelling, you'll find yourself having a hard time pulling away.
one of the things i find most interesting is the powerful experience some of these participants appear to be having. many of them have been brought to tears over the past 41 days. the variety of expressions on each participants' face make me wonder what the opportunity to sit with abramović would be like.
i don't really know to much about the history of the neighbourhood i live in. i know our house was built in 1954 and there used to be a creek that ran through where the back alley now resides. i also know this area used to be a cherry orchard, but that's about it.
what i find most curious is that we cannot break ground anywhere on our property without unearthing some little artifact. normally they are small to medium pieces of china, porcelain and other dishware. some are plain white and others come with partial samples of their former beauty and elegance. once in a while we come across other household items, like old chisels or light bulbs.
recently matt had to dig a large hole to replace the old concrete stairs on the side of the house. during this particular excavation he came across some particularly interesting things like an old bucket, a perfume bottle and some old liquor bottles. however, the best parts where this tea cup, which is in near perfect condition and this nail polish bottle. the tea cup has 'made in occupied japan' which is interesting. i have not looked into the relevance of this, so if anyone knows anything, please share.
i wanted to reward myself for a recent accomplishment of mine. a dirty habit needed to be broken and i did it. naturally one must purchase something expensive and unnecessary to celebrate.
i came across mod cloth a couple of days prior and fell in love with the relatively cheap vintage inspired threads. i had been looking for a fifty's inspired bathing suit, something with polka dots, low cut legs and a halter neck for some time now. and BAM! mod cloth had it. so i bought it.
in short, i want to buy all my clothes from mod cloth now - for a few reasons. first, i ordered the suit on sunday and it arrived from pittsburg on wednesday, which is a pure miracle considering it's taking other things i've ordered from the states up to four weeks to clear canadian customs. the sizing was right on, i was worried about buying something that i couldn't return, so i measured and remeasured myself and my other one piece bathing suits and low and behold the bugger fits like a glove. lastly, they sent me a very cool pair of earrings for free - when you send me free stuff, i love you forever.
one day, when the weather gets nice, i'll take a picture of my awesome new bathing suit to share with you. until then - don't spend too much money on mod cloth.
this is lucy, she's my bike. she recently had a makeover - new handlebars and new tape. she used to be famous around halifax for her neon pink handlebars but now she will be famous in vancouver for her neon green handlebars.
i think i should do something about that rust, though.
i made a necklace this weekend. i found these wonderful vintage beads in a jar of treasure my grandmother gave me. i'm often inspired by the things i find in there. the origin of the keys are a mystery - my long lost diary, maybe. the bird is from a broken necklace (broken heart).
i'm currently reading in persuasion nation, a book of short stories by george saunders. and i'm sort of in love.
i first came across saunders listening to the new yorker fiction podcast, which is a monthly podcast where your favorite authors read and discuss works of fiction from the new yorker's archives. you come across amazing things like tobias wolff reading denis johnson's emergency, or jeffrey eugenides reading harold brodkey’s short story spring fugue. it's absolutely, hands down one of the greatest podcasts of all podcasting time. if you ask me.
anyway, joshua ferris does this fantastic reading of saunders' adams, a grotesquely hilarious and accurate emotional analogy of the iraq invasion. if you have a half hour, you should listen to it. it's engrossing and totally laugh out loud funny.
the stories of in persuasion nation are equally satirical. and if you like vonnegut, i highly recommend saunders. they share some of the best qualities, particularly the ability to balance pure havoc and over the top hilarity.
so, yea. george saunders. remember that name next time you go to the library.
i've recently had a mind explosion of good ideas happen and i need to stay inspired because i often lose focus quickly. i'm slightly a.d.d. that way. so i've decided to compile a list of things that are inspiring me right now - for your viewing pleasure. enjoy.
style rookie
tavi is the shit. she's thirteen years old and runs this wickedly clever fashion blog that has sort of taken the online fashion industry by storm. not only is she totally adorable but she writes like a pro. oh, and she's completely tenacious. what other thirteen year old do you know, will brave junior high dressed like a crazy yet highly stylish bag lady. i find her uniqueness and lack of regard for what other people think totally admirable.
simply breakfast
this blog makes me want to wake up early, quietly make a delicious, satisfying breakfast and read the new york times while the sounds of morning float through my kitchen window. it also makes me want to take more pictures of my food.
sally jane vintage
please, may i have all of your clothes? seriously though. i'm really into this so called fashion blog trend and this pretty lady keeps me swooning. the bows. the high waisted skirts. the granny socks with heels. i love all of it.
she also runs an online etsy shop, which i am currently dappling in the idea of. i have a million vintage buttons and i'm thinking i can have a little side hobby selling pretty vintage buttons. kind of a niche market, i know, but what else should one do with a million vintage buttons?
carson mccullers
she was 23 when she wrote her first novel, a favorite of mine, the heart is a lonely hunter. for the love of god, i can barely complete a short story. her skill, desire and motivation to write such a poignant novel at such a relatively young age keeps me trying.
