The Exquisite Cadaver Shall Drink the New Wine

At your next get together or party, instead of playing a game of Cranium or Loaded Questions, why not try a surrealist game instead? Most of the games are fun, easy and creative.

For those of you who may not know, the surrealist movement was an art movement that began in Paris in the early 1920s. The movement’s founder, Andre Breton, believed that the unconscious was the true source of genius. He also believed that the dream world and the real world could be joined together to form “an absolute reality, a surreality.”

Because of that theory, the paintings, films and photography of the surrealists often juxtaposed ordinary objects such as butter knives with the extraordinary; sometimes religious iconography was used or archetypal dream sequences. A couple of famous surrealists include: Salvador Dali; Man Ray; Max Ernst; Luis Brunel; Jean Cocteau; Rene Magritte; Marcel Duchamp and Hans Arp.

So, back to the game. Here’s a fun one. I imagine playing this drunk would be even better, though. It’s called: The exquisite cadaver shall drink the new wine. I found the instructions to this game online.

To play:

* Gather a group of friends.
* Give each person a piece of paper and a pencil or pen.
* Decide on a sentence structure (Article/Adjective/Noun/Verb/ Adjective/Noun similar to the name of the game.)
* Each person then writes a word fitting the outlined sentence structure. Please note, that you only write the first two words of the sentences (The exquisite or Article/Adjective.)
* Fold the paper over to conceal the written word and pass it to the next person.
* The next person writes a word, conceals it, and passes the paper to the next person.
* Etc. Etc. etc. etc. Got it?
* When a round of sentences has been completed open the paper and read the sentences out loud.
* Contemplate what you have done. Kind of like a poem or joke, isn’t it?
* Kiss the person next to you on the cheek then turn immediately to the other side.

Godzilla Strikes Again!

Unlike the terribly dull and disappointing 1998 Godzilla remake starring Matthew Broderick, Art Center/South Florida’s Kaiju Monster Invasion art exhibit is fun, kitschy and imaginative. So, make sure to catch it before it closes on January 4th.

Still not convinced? Here is a description of the exhibit taken from the art gallery’s Web site:

This is an exhibition featuring Japanese monster-inspired interpretations by renowned contemporary western and eastern artists. The Japanese word Kaiju, which translates to “strange beast” or “monster”, first emerged in post-war Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. After experiencing the Atomic Bomb, Godzilla (a radioactive lizard) and Gamera (a giant flying turtle) became the mutant brainchildren of anti-nuclear cinema. Now a half-century later, Lowbrow and Pop Surrealists including Coop, Ron English, Mark Nagata and Skot Olsen have been inspired by and amassed their very own collections of the famed vinyl monsters.

P.S. - It's FREE.

The Cookie that Launched a Thousand Ships

Normally, when people tell me, "You have to try this restaurant," I'm disappointed. My expectations are high and my imagination runs wild. I envision tasting paradise and usually end up sampling something mediocre or just good enough.

So, when I stepped into the Lost and Found Saloon, I tried not to get my hopes up. Especially since I was told that it had the best cookies in town.

Well, it wasn't a lie.

Let's begin with the menu: fresh Southwestern cuisine complimented by the bar's Southwestern decor. Both affordable and delicious. The menu offers options like crab stuffed endives, baked chicken flautas and gazpacho soup. And to top it off, it also had a small but well-picked beer and wine selection. As a suggestion, try the Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Ale.

There is a catch, though: to drink beer or wine, you have to order food. But that's okay. Once you see their beautiful dishes, you'll want to order a meal anyway.

Now the best part: the jumbo chocolate chip cookies. It will make your taste buds ascend into Elysium. No joke; no exaggeration; worth every penny [$4.25 a pop.] If you're not a chocolate chip lover or are allergic, try the White Macedonian Nut instead.

And make sure to order it a la mode; an additional three dollars. Trust me, it's WORTH IT; definitely the best cookies in Miami. Hands down.

So, after reading this blog post, there are only two mistakes you can make: not sampling Lost and Found and not tasting one of their amazing cookies.

Free Alert

My motto: if it's free then it's for me. And, when free drinks are involved, all the better.

Tonight, Segafredo's Brickell location, at 1421 S. Miami Ave, is celebrating its one year anniversary. From 7pm-9pm, the restaurant/bar will be offering complimentary drinks and Italian hor' dourves. RSVP here.

An Event Not to be Missed

Both beautiful and surreal, the German dance company Din A, which integrates dancers with and without disabilities, will be visiting Miami on Saturday, December 27th as part of the Florida Dance Festival.


I simply cannot express adequately enough in words the artistry of this group. But, a quote by the American poet Emily Dickinson comes to mind, "If I read a book and it makes my body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry." And Din A will make you feel just the same.

Fan Letter to Bettie Page

Dear Bettie Page,

Since I first discovered your image at the age of 15, I’ve been mesmerized by your charm and beauty.

I’m not alone, of course; your hour glass figure has been immortalized a thousand times over – inspiring books, post cards, posters, one of my favorite clothing lines and a recent Hollywood film.

You are an icon to many; a symbol of sensuality rather than sexuality. Your nude photographs unabashedly highlight the beauty of the human form; the source of life and myths. Your smiles reflect Adam and Eve before the apple; curiosity and innocence.

I’ve seen many of the films you made with Irving Klaw and your sense of ‘play’ is what predominates. You have the aura of a five year old girl pretending to be acting in a film. But a five year old with a woman’s body – and it’s that dichotomy that made the world fall in love with you.

So today I chose to celebrate rather than mourn. You have granted me and others a voyeur’s peek at unbridled magnetism. I suspect you will continue to do so for generations to come.

With much love and admiration,
Local Motion Miami

Bettie Page Resources on the Internet

Pop Sub Culture
IMDB
You Tube
The Notorious Bettie Page
Pin Up Girl Clothing: bikini id case
Pin Up Girl Clothing: Bettie Page magnet set

No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed at Boteco

The fabulous Brazilian bar Boteco, located at 916 N.E. 79th Street, is hosting the below event tonight. This is your chance to enjoy free food and help out thousands of Brazilians who have been left homeless due to floods that ravaged the city in late November.

Welcome, Care for a Cup of Tea?

It was the perfect way to end a weekend of gallery hopping: tea, rosemary scones, apricot jam and creme.

But, let me backtrack for a moment. Wednesday, December 4th, marked the beginning of Art Basel. For those of you who are not from Miami or are glued to the tube wondering what bank will be closing next, let me explain. Each year in early December the Miami Beach Convention Center is transformed into an art exhibition featuring over 200 art galleries from around the world. Beyond that, various hotels and warehouses throughout Miami and Miami Beach are also converted into art fairs. Particularly, in an area called the Wynwood District, which normally houses a number of smaller local galleries.

I spent the weekend doing the art stuff. I experienced a complete sensory overload and, by the end of it, I needed to sit down in a quiet place and allow the sights and sounds of the weekend to wash over me and shuffle into order in my memory bank.

So, on Sunday at 4pm I found myself at the Pineapple Tea Room located on Biscayne Blvd and 82nd. The small but cozy location probably only fits about 16 people comfortably and parking is limited. Though, the affordable menu, friendly staff, scones and wraps more than make up for it.

The menu is small but offers tasty options. The front page gives you the choice of choosing one of four tea trays. Each option includes a pot of tea, scones, creme and jam. But, you can add pastries, tea sandwiches and/or champagne. The second and third pages contain listings of fresh salads and tempting wraps.

I went there with my favorite partner in crime and we opted for the green tea with apricot. I choose the tea tray that included pastries and he choose a chicken wrap with goat cheese. The food was delicious. The wrap, which could of been a mistake since goat cheese can sometimes be overwhelming, was divine. The only thing that gave me pause was the tea. It wasn't bad - just too subtle for my taste. The apricot favor was more of an afterthought. But, all in all, everything was wonderful and the ambiance was well suited for art reflections. And, to top it off, our bill was under 30 dollars and in Miami you just can't beat that.