30 Americans: A Review

A couple of days ago I visited the Rubell Family Collection’s 30 Americans, an exhibit of thirty African Americans artists featuring heavy weight hitters like Basquiat, local artist Purvis Young and Kara Walker –listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2007.

The artwork left my mind swarming. I was overwhelmed by the beauty and complexity of the images, which grappled with issues of gender, identity, race, sexuality, U.S. slave history and violence.

It also left me feeling that a truly liberated society is not color blind but rather exults and celebrates its technicolored population. There is nothing wrong with noticing the features that make each of us unique. It would be an awfully boring world if everyone looked like carbon copies of each other.

The human body is a canvas, too. And it’s always a joy to encounter someone beautiful, different and new. No one looks at a painting and thinks, “That shade of green is racist.” It takes well crafted colors, shapes and a certain measure of the exotic to make art beautiful and it’s the same with people, too.

Take a peek at the exhibit, which alas, ends tomorrow:

Eye Candy - Irina Ionesco

Irina Ionesco is a French photographer born in the thirties whose work is largely erotic and sensual. She first showcased her photography in 1975 and created a minor scandal in the art world when she started taking pictures of her five year old daughter in a seductive manner [see the second and third pics below.] What's interesting about those particular photographs is that they don't appear to be of a child. And, they are strangely beautiful and unnerving, as is most of Ionesco's work.

Viva La Pin-Up Queen!

I Love the 80s - Volume 6

The Swiss band Grauzone only made two albums in their short time together but created this catchy little tune that always puts a smile on my face.



Grauzone - Eisbaer

The Best Things in Life Are Free

Check out this great event happening on Sunday at the News Lounge (click on the image to enlarge it):

Poem of the Day - by Walt Whitman

O ME! O LIFE!

O Me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring;
Of the endless trains of the faithless—of cities fill’d with the foolish;
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light—of the objects mean—of the struggle ever renew’d;
Of the poor results of all—of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me;
Of the empty and useless years of the rest—with the rest me intertwined;
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.

That you are here—that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.

Larissa in ExxxoticaLand

On Saturday, I fell down the rabbit hole and landed in a wonderland of sex and glamor: Exxxotica 2009 - the 'largest adult event on the east coast', according to exxxoticamiami.com. It was my first time attending and it was surreal to see the faces and bodies of porn in 3D. In some instances, the 'actors and actresses' were much more attractive in person and, at other times, I couldn't believe how unattractive they were! It made me realize the amazing ability a camera has to alter reality; the careful and manipulative play of illusion.

The event was smaller than I thought it would be. I imagined a giant circus of porn. But instead I saw a medium sized crowd and about twenty booths selling DVDs or other assorted paraphernalia. The best booth, by far, belonged to Digital Playground, which featured porn superstars Jesse Jane, Sasha Gray, Stoya and others signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

Though I had a great time and definitely plan to go next year, I felt the event was a little disorganized. There were a number of 'free' seminars advertised on the event's Web site that I completely forgot about because I didn't know where to find them. There were no signs pointing where to go. Later, I realized that the seminars were on the far right of room, which was completely separated from the rest of the event.

Also, when you buy tickets, you have the option of either paying 35 dollars for general admission or 65 dollars for 'VIP'. If you plan to go next year, don't waste your money on VIP! The ONLY difference between the two prices is that you can buy alcoholic beverages in the VIP area, which is a small room with half naked girls dancing in the dark. With general admission, you see half-naked girls dancing in the light.

All in all, I had fun and was able to take some interesting pictures, so to speak. I decided to record my first porn convention experience in sepia:



The lovely Sasha Gray









AND THEN...some people were just standing outside...I guess no one ever taught them how to have a good time...

Eye Candy - Ray Caesar

From the artist:

I was born in London, England on October 26 1958, the youngest of four and much to my parent's surprise, I was born a dog. This unfortunate turn of events was soon accepted within my family and was never again mentioned in the presence of polite company. I was a rambunctious youth as was natural to my breed but showed a fine interest in the arts as I drew pictures incessantly on anything including the walls and floors of every room of our tiny house.















Read more and see more here.

Silent Siren: Clara Bow

Clara Bow -one of the quintessential flapper girls of the 1920s - is my favorite silent movie star. Her eyes and body language are so expressive that you sometimes forget about the lack of verbal dialogue in her films. And, on top of that, she's completely adorable and charismatic as hell.











Filmography: Love 'Em and Leave 'Em; Dangerous Curves; Hula; Wings; Rough House Rosie; It; Mantrap.

If It's Free Then It's For Me

Here's a Mother's Day Treat:

On Sunday at 5 p.m., there will be a free outdoor concert at Collins Park, 2121 Park Ave., with the cast members from Florida Grand Opera's production of Madame Butterfly. The performers include Shu-Ying Li, Kate Mangiameli, Jake Gardner, Jeffrey Halili and conductor/pianist Andrew Bisantz performing selections from some of the world's most famous operas. And, before the show, check out the Bass Museum also for free between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Brain Candy: Holy Mountain

If I was condemned to a deserted island and only allowed access to one film, I'd pick Holy Mountain.

The movie is directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, who famously once proclaimed, "Most directors make films with their eyes; I make films with my cojones [balls]."

It would be a waste of time to describe the plot [for those who haven't seen it.] I'd probably end up either confusing or scaring the average movie-goer. But I will say this: it's an epic journey where the characters battle with the demons and dragons of their own mind.

Here is a clip, addressing the Spanish invasion of the Aztecs, Jodorowsky-style:

I Love the 80s - Volume 5

I nominate this video for the 'tackiest video ever made' award. Enjoy!

Dead or Alive - You Spin Me