Pretty boxes all in a row. Temecula, Ca. Photo: d. king
Can’t say I normally pay any attention to those large dreary looking electrical, transformer or utility boxes that line street corners in every city. Just part of the landscape.
But have you been noticing them lately?
Energy infrastructure is only growing and electric boxes are becoming more needed than ever. Many of these structures have been around for decades, converting power for growing communities.
Thankfully, a new form of public art has been popping up all over the country. Colourful displays by local artists have turned these plain electrical boxes into opportunities for beautifying them in public spaces and showcasing local talent.
A little Goh spotted in Temecula.
Palm Springs Public Arts is looking for love in all the right places with traffic boxes designed to link Public Art from the north end to the south end of Palm Springs.
As you can see here, they’ve done an impressive job of making them over.
JoAna Adams – Tamarisk RdKevin Smith – Tachevah
Emeline Tate – Sunrise x E Palm CanyonRachel Jacobs – Camino Parocela
Kat Gaddis – Amado Rd
My friend Ramona painted this one at Tahquitz + Caballeros
Zach Flemming – San RafaelJoAna Adams – Tramway x Indian Canyon
There is no sense to buying this piece if you don’t own a pool!
Carole Feuerman – Monumental Quan w Stainless steel sphere, red suit, Lacquer on Bronze with clear Swarovski crystal cap. 67x60x43 in. $448,000.00. If you look closely you’ll see that her feet are a bit dirty – like in real life.Carole A. Feuerman
This is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting art galleries I’ve been in – ever! While I was drawn to pretty much everything, I was most impressed with the works of Carole A. Feuerman and Anthony James (descriptions below).
Carole A. Feuerman
CAROLE A FEUERMAN
Carole A. Feuerman was born in 1945 and is an American sculptor and artist working in hyperrealism. Feuerman utilizes a variety of media including resin, marble, and bronze. She attended Hofstra University, Temple University, and graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City to begin her career as an illustrator, creating album covers for Alice Cooper and the Rolling Stones, to name a few. She has been included in exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery; and Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, Italy.
Anthony James
ANTHONY JAMES
Anthony James is a British/American artist based in Los Angeles, known for his monumental and experiential sculptures and installations. James was born in England in 1974. He studied in London at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and graduated with a degree in fine art painting. His work gestures towards the theatricality of minimalism and formalism. There is a focus on materiality, alchemy, and a deep respect for light and space.
Anthony James
Also a performance artist, he is famous for setting fire to a Ferrari in a birch forest and entombing the ravaged car and trees in an installation called Kθ (2008). His practice incorporates a variety of industrial objects, steel vitrines, aluminum sculptures, detritus, and wall-mounted installations, his use of vitrines drawing comparisons to Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons.
Andrea Stanislaw Mixed Media, electric motor, rotating sculpture. 84x96x96 $70,000.00
There was also a room with photographs of many of my Palm Springs acquaintances. Only the most glamorous ones of course!
I don’t know this couple but I admire their bold statement of not being photographed by the pool.
BROKER, the closing film from the Vancouver International Film Festival, is about a baby adoption scam gone wild.
There might be a loose theme to Japanese film director, producer & screenwriter Hirokazu Koreeda’s movies. He won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018 for the crime drama Shoplifters, about a family that relies on shoplifting to cope with a life of poverty. It could almost be a present day theme as well. A line from “Shoplifters” that ties in with his new movie “Broker” –
“Sometimes it’s better to choose your own family.”
Broker is about broken people trying to make a living making all the wrong choices – but with heart. It was purposefully written so viewers would end up not hating the offenders and maybe give more thought to what makes people do what they do – good and bad. Along with feeling contempt for the situation and the characters in this film, there is a glimmer of hope and love among the desperation.
This film was not what I expected. To be fair; I wasn’t completely sure what I expected, but I thought this movie would be more of a comedy. While it had comedic moments in it for sure, for the most part it was more about human behaviour and what can transpire when you are given and not given choices. It’s a judgement call when you don’t have all the missing pieces of the puzzle. When you do and you start putting them together it makes more sense.
I’ll leave you with the intro from the VIFF programme:
Working for the first time in South Korea, long-term festival favourite Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters) has come up with a sprawling crime story about a baby adoption scam. But in characteristic Kore-eda style, the tone is predominantly compassionate and melancholic—even the cops warm to the perpetrators. It helps of course that the baby broker, Sang-hyeon, is played by Song Kang-ho, the charismatic star of Parasite, Memories of Murder, The Host, and so many others (Song was named Best Actor at Cannes for this performance). His scheme involves intercepting infants abandoned at a church baby box, but things get messy when a young mom (Lee Ji-eun) changes her mind and discovers his racket. She decides to go along with him to meet the the baby’s prospective buyers—actually cops in a sting operation.
Kore-eda fashions plenty of twists and turns as Sang-hyeon, his accomplice (Gang Dong-won), and the girl try to evade the law and find a safe home for the child, but as always, he’s more invested in character than plot mechanics, and the truths we learn about this thrown-together family are revealed in simple, telling gestures, looks, and shadings.
Miraculous in its sensitivity, asking questions about issues of ethics, of choice, of money, and murder, and family, and how to find love in all this sorry mess.”—Ella Kemp, Indiewire
On a mission to find my signature scent (or perfume) someone said I should check out this exotic shop on 4th Ave in Vancouver called Durga Interiors.
Photo: d. king 3466 West 4th Ave.
It was here among vintage furniture and devotional Hindu art that I discovered on a wall at the very back of the shop, a treasure trove of rare, unusual and organic Ayurvedic Essential Oils & Extracts hard to find outside the Indian Subcontinent.
Photo: d. king
It was here that I tested at least thirty oils on a toothpick, as they’re so concentrated that you need only to dip the tip of a toothpick to find out if you like it or not. Of course it got too overwhelming so I left the shop without purchasing a thing. But not for long. One scent I could not ignore. How to describe it? It had a slightly floral aroma but the earthy tropical undertones with a hint of spice toned it down a little. It was beautiful but different so I went back a few days later to test only the one called “white lotus” (apparently rare) and when I walked into another boutique close-by, the girl who owns the shop said she loved the scent. So back to Durga I went and bought it. Seemed pricey for a tiny, tiny bottle but I realize that their oils (ones meant to be used as perfume) last all day – sometimes until the next day when only applying a tiny tiny bit.
Photo: d. king
So of course I had to research the meaning behind the white lotus flower. It is known to symbolize Bodhi (being awakened), and represents a state of mental purity, and that of spiritual perfection; it is also associated with the pacification of one’s nature. This lotus is considered to be the womb of the world. Well; what do you know? I am pure perfection! Ha. Well maybe more like someone who feels difficult to defeat. Yeah; that’s more like it. I love the word “resilient.” I am feeling resilient like the divine plant itself – one that grows in the murkiest of muddy marshes but blossoms everyday with the pre-morning sun. Love it! The Buddha is known to sit on its iconic petals.
Durga, (Sanskrit: “the Inaccessible”) in Hinduism, a principal form of the Goddess, also known as Devi and Shakti. The word Durga (दुर्गा) literally means “impassable”, “invincible, unassailable”. It is related to the word Durg (दुर्ग) which means “fortress, something difficult to defeat or pass”.
No wonder I loved the vibe inside this unusual place.
Photo: d. king
Of course the end result is that other people can wear this very same scent… although it smells differently on each of us because of our unique bodily chemistry.
If you live in Vancouver or visiting and want to test out something more particular than what you’d find elsewhere then this is the place.
Taken from their website: At Durga, we are all about providing you with inspiration, not only in the form of contemporary and antique Indian styles, colours and innovative designs, but also through soothing traditional music, healing fragrance and a soulful ambiance. All our items come with a brief description, age and provenance so you can walk away with as much knowledge as you can about the pieces in your hands. Visit us today and prepare to be transported to another time!
Jesse & Ashley are the co-founders of a unique company Views Balcony Inc.
ViewsBalcony Inc. is a local Vancouver small business that can help extend your home from the indoors to the outdoors.
What they’ve created is an enjoyable and decorative way to enhance and elevate a small outdoor space. Their unique design uses beautiful Acacia bartops which is one of the best naturally durable woods, perfect for outdoors. Also easy to install with adjustable steel brackets and they’re foldable.
A great idea. Perfect for morning coffee, working from home or happy hour.
Their booth at a local small business pop-up at Container Brewing. Photo: d. king
After creating their hero product, the balcony bar, they’ve expanded their products to include beautiful space conscious accessories to complement.
“The Aim of Art is not to represent the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance” – Aristotle.
Art Vancouver, Western Canada’s most prestigious art fair is back this year at the Vancouver Convention Center West. Featuring reputable galleries and artists from across Canada and around the world. May 5 – 8th 2022.
Ron Art Mania
I attended the opening with my friend Megan last night. It was an overwhelming feast for the eyes as we wandered around and visited all the exhibitors. There is truly something for everyone’s taste – well almost. No booth is alike.
Reinvent by David X – Mixed Media of Elon Musk
What I realize from having visited various art shows and galleries is that we can appreciate a painting, sculpture, photograph and other mixed media works of art for the sheer ingenuity each of these artists put into their work as well as the power of a message, whether you like the piece for yourself or not.
Maybe you don’t find a work visually appealing or perhaps it doesn’t go with your décor, but we can still try to accept and welcome all the different styles, imagination and heart put into the work – and as this show went to prove, there’s plenty of inventiveness out there, and overall…that goes to create an incredible event.
Industrial Design Artist German Aguirre Reder
Lisa Wolfin – Director’s Foreword:
“Whether it be with a piece of clay, brush, or pencil, we all have the capacity to create love. To say something through a full scale of colour or none at all, it is art which gives a voice to anyone who wishes to use it. And it is only when you have the courage to share and admire these gifts that an event like Art Vancouver is made possible. Surrounding ourselves with original art in our homes, the loving energy used to create the art emanates into our space.”
I took tons of photos so as I’m sharing some today, I’ll post more next week. Let me know what you think.
We loved a lot of what we saw
Still; if you’re focused on a very specific style for a set area of your home, you may or may not find what you’re looking for, even at a show of this calibre. Art is so subjective. You have to fall in love with your personal choice and it has to evoke some emotion. Art for art’s sake is not enough.
I highly recommend Art International Vancouver – this weekend.
Sky Lilah and her wonderful collages and sparkly dress.James Darin Corbiere Waabshki Makwa (White Bear) – Cowichan Bay, B.C. Bones & the Residential School of Doom.
Marc Hazel (in mask) with Quynh Nguyen in artistic dress.Erik Markovs, Portland, USA. Using vintage wallpaper and other materials to create unique and beautiful mosaic wall art.
By Freakshow. And yes; it was!
Wine is an art unto itself and I might add very personal too. I’ll sample this one at the upcoming International Wine Festival (May 16-22) – also at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see” – Edgar Degas.
Back at the Factory…or in this case the cultural center…
Ramona, Mary in the middle and Me.
A group of us attended an art/film/book signing event for Mary Woronov; former muse to Andy Warhol. A muse by definition is a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist. However, Woronov has since become her own creative artist as actor, figurative painter and author. But getting back to Andy…
I’ve always had a fascination with Andy Warhol, going so far as once trying to locate him (at a relatively young age) at his studio in Manhattan that everyone referred to as “the Factory.” Unfortunately he wasn’t there and I’m not even sure what would have happened had I found him. Perhaps he’d have hired me as an assistant, perhaps he would have put me in one of his underground movies and I would’ve become his muse or maybe he would have just told me to scram…but I didn’t see it that way.
Art by Mary Woronov
Being a bit of a mystery, his work appealed to me and he was way ahead of his time having eventually predicted what is now happening with social media where an average person can become famous through avenues like YouTube or tik tok. It’s fascinating actually; the world is wide open and yet; it’s not really “real.” Reality TV, influencers and Art is everywhere. I remember Warhol’s “Interview Magazine”, nicknamed “The Crystal Ball of Pop”, featuring interviews with celebrities, artists, musicians, and creative thinkers. In 2018, the publication ‘folded’ and ended both its print and web publications. Times have changed. But sometimes it’s important to hear significant stories from the past.
with Claudia Reid of Palm Springs POV + variety show entertainer.
Which brings me to my recent meeting with former Warhol muse and cult star Mary Woronov. It was at the closing reception of her art series “the mystery of the red shoe” and a movie she starred in called “Rock ‘n Roll High School,” at the Palm Springs Cultural Center last Saturday night – the closing night of a MARY WORONOV MEGASPECTIVE presented by The Ebersole Hughes Company – the same documentarian duo who did “House of Cardin,” “My Name is Lopez,” “Mansfield 66/67,” “Dear Mom, Love Cher,” and others. I’m a huge fan of their work.
Sponsored by HELLTOWN Whiskey & The Cheetah Hotel (links below).
with Roy; creator & co-founder of Helltown Whiskey
Gathered around was an eclectic bunch, to say the least: An “in-the-know” crowd of documentarians, entertainers, musicians, whiskey makers and the odd blogger who remains curious.
L-R (Me, Mary Woronov, Ramona Huth, Roy Rogers Oldenkamp, P. David Ebersole, Kitty Joselle Gilvezan.
It’s clear that not everyone knows who Mary Woronov is. A major cult figure as an actress for her work with Andy Warhol and Roger Corman films, she is also an accomplished painter and writer, having published three books —Wake for the Angels: Paintings and Stories, her autobiography Swimming Underground: My Years in the Warhol Factory, and the novel Snake.
Kitty Joselle and hubby Dan Gilvezan
Woronov joined Warhol’s entourage after a class trip to the Factory and starred in a number of his underground films (Chelsea Girls for one), and she appeared as a go-go dancer in the Velvet Underground’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable shows. She left the Factory in the late 1960s and, after recovering from a heavy methamphetamine addiction, spent two years in Europe with a friend. It was during this time, Warhol was shot by Valerie Solanas, and thanks to the now altered Factory dynamic, “there was nothing to go back to.” She then supported herself with work in off-Broadway theatre, got married to director/producer Theodore Gershuny, appearing in three of his films.
Woronov is most famous for her role as Mary Bland in Paul Bartel’s black comedy Eating Raoul (1982).
She’s also funny as hell. It was a pleasure being in her company.
Speaking of hell….there was Helltown Whiskey where co-founder Roy Rogers Oldenkamp (an L.A. Art Dealer) gave my friend Ramona and me a little education on the making of whiskey as we sampled whiskey sours which turned out to be pretty darn tasty. The evening ended with us getting a lift to another bar called Truss & Twine with an entertainer who plays piano and sings Dean Martin tunes while his wife sings Dinah Shore oldies. The show is appropriately called “Dino and Dinah.”
I love observing how other people live. Very nice of the owners to open up their homes and let others take a peek inside and make them feel terribly envious by doing so. I was feeling very Bleue in this home…but in the most positive way.
This home is like stepping into a vacation. It’s a nod to the owners’ appreciation of beauty and being by the ocean with a modern nautical theme (despite being in the desert) as variations of water colors flow throughout, from vibrant turquoise to rich navy blues. It’s just gorgeous. I’m aware that I overuse this word but I just can’t think of another better word to describe this house and many others on the modernism open home tours.
Michelle Boudreau (pic below) recently re-designed the 1958 William Krisel originally designed Alexander Company home. She seamlessly merged materials and new spaces with modern technology while respecting the existing mid-century cherished design details.
“The philosophy of the renovation was to establish a good relationship with the existing structure as it had beautiful bones.” Boudreau states. I did notice that she herself has beautiful bone structure. Just had to add this tidbit of info.
To create a poetic home that embraces the Palm Springs lifestyle, Boudreau selected from brands such as Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting, Hunter Douglas & Tidelli.
Check out that wall paper!
The 2,400 square foot artful interior space boasts four bedrooms & four bathrooms. And lots of gorgeous attractive coffee-table books which I adore. The home and the books are inspired by the owners’ colorful personalities and passion for sailing and travel.
Check out that bedding and wall paper!
The home is nestled below the San Gorgonio mountain range in Vista Las Palmas, Palm Springs.
Simply breathtaking!
All photos: d. king
Modernism week is on until February 27th. Get tickets for events while they last here:
Welcome to the start of Modernism week here in Palm Springs…home to the largest concentration of Mid-Century Modern architecture in the United States.Modernismweek is an annual celebration and appreciation of all things midcentury modern. Think design, architecture, art, fashion and culture. This is one of the busiest times of year for tourism in Palm Springs when hundreds of events take place that include the modernism show & sale, fabulous signature home tours, films, lectures, premier double decker architectural bus tours, nightly parties, live music, walking and bike tours, fashion shows, classic cars, modern garden tours and even more. Of course numbers to events are a bit more limited now and keeping a safe distance is still in place, however it feels like things are getting back to normal.
Today I toured the stunning 1975 Palm Springs residence referred to as the “Seventies Sackley” home, as it was designed by noted architect Stan Sackley. The home was recently reimagined by interior designers Michael Ostrow and Roger Stoker of Grace Home Furnishings who purchased it in 2012.
Located in the prestigious Indian Canyons neighborhood, the house boasts deep mid-century roots and a distinctive architectural style. Situated on nearly a quarter acre lot, the 3,044 square foot home contains three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a beautiful saltwater pool and spa. It has brilliant mountain views, high ceilings, clerestory windows and walls of glass. The formal entryway is expansive and the dining area leads to a step-down living and media room, while walls of glass line the back of the house that open to the pool with a wondrous view of the San Jacinto mountains.
A favorite feature for the couple is the combo living room and media room which is separated by one of Sackley’s signature touches, a see-through fireplace with stacked stone detail.
The house’s custom glazed floor tiles were another coveted element, as they’ve believed to have been designed for the house by Sackley himself.
Stan Sackley is described by Ostrow and Stoker as an architect who left a great body of work but has remained somewhat under-appreciated until recent years. Ostrow shared that following Sackley’s death in 2001, his work archives were sold at a yard sale. “Soon after, someone would go up and down the street asking people if they wanted to buy the floorplans to their house,” he says. “We’re lucky to have it so we can see how the kitchen was configured.” When they gutted the kitchen, they located a piece of laminate that was from the old cabinet and found the old countertop, a walnut laminated material and a matte white glazed tile. “What we put back in makes it almost look like the original kitchen,” Ostrow says.
When it came time for an update to the home, Stoker and Ostrow decided to implement changes that remained sensitive to the architect’s original design. Eventually, the pair decided on a modest renovation of the kitchen and bathroom with no structural changes. Luckily, the couple got their hands on Sackley’s original furniture floorplan.
The interiors now feature a classic modern take on Palm Springs style, with a bold green and blue color palette. Vintage pieces are used throughout the home alongside contemporary pieces from Ostrow and Stoker’s own Grace Home Furnishings Collection and showroom lines.
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