Outside of the PDC on Melrose (where I’ve been spending a lot of time lately), there’s a collection of strange yet totally awesome sculptures. I took a photo of a few of them a few days ago. I researched the random pieces of public art and found out they were created by Miranda July.
July is a filmmaker, writer and artist. She might be most well-known from her film Me and You and Everyone We Know. Her new film, The Future , comes out later this year.
I love her “Eleven Heavy Things” project (the sculptures outside the PDC), as they were designed for interaction and photography. There are basically 11 witty photo opportunities. You should totally check out the front lawn of the PDC if you are in the area.
From July’s website:
“…Though the work begins as sculpture, it becomes a performance that is only complete when these tourist photos are uploaded onto personal blogs and sent in emails — at which point the audience changes, and the subject clearly becomes the participants, revealing themselves through the work.”
Production of this work has been supported by Deitch Projects
RAD.
according to my friend Eliza who was there. She has impeccable taste, and her job requires she travel the Film Festival circuit around the world (that has to be like one of the best jobs ever!)
I had to share her recommendations because the films look so good. Thanks Eliza!
The Artist (a silent film about the silent era):
Drive ( starring Ryan Gosling as a professional stunt car driver by day, and a getaway driver by night). The clip below features the Arts District. I can even see my building in it! There’s some small geographical errors, but I’m still excited my neighborhood sees some action.
Yay! Finally some good movies to see.
See It…
May 22, 2011
Paris….in the 1920s. Literature, Music, and Art. Woody Allen. Yes, please.
Rad Documentary coming to Downtown Independent #DTLA
May 15, 2011
Nearly twenty years later, still profoundly affected by his experience at Showbiz Pizza, small-town disc-jockey Chris Thrash sought out Fechter and purchased a Rock-afire band of his own. Some clever programming on Chris’ part, and the band was once again performing for millions, this time on YouTube.
The Rock-afire Explosion reveals how Chris came to revive this fallen 80′s gem, explores his and a number of other fan’s obsessions with the animatronic band, and chronicles the rise and fall of Showbiz Pizza and what was once a 20 million dollar per-year venture for inventor Aaron Fechter. More than this, the film is a look at the importance of nostalgia, ever-changing media culture, and the eternal quest to stay young.”
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 – $10
7:30 PM – Downtown Independent
251 S. Main Street
I’m Watching…Orthodox Jews Smuggle Ecstasy
November 1, 2010
Since I’m obsessed with that National Geographic show “Locked Up Abroad“, I decided to watch a recommendation from netflix: Holy Rollers. It came out this year and premiered at Sundance–but apparently it only grossed $302,886.* I’m about halfway through the Jewish Drug-Smuggling movie, and I’m quite enjoying Jesse Eisenberg’s(Social Network) performance as the naive protagonist. And, there’s a really hot guy in it- Justin Bartha (The Hangover), who plays the bad-boy neighbor.
From IMDB*:
In Brooklyn, a youth from an Orthodox Jewish community is lured into becoming an Ecstasy dealer by his pal who has ties to an Israel drug cartel.
I can’t recommend the movie as I have finished it yet. But, I love the premise and it’s based on true events. Check out the trailer below.
What I’m Watching….
October 21, 2010
SABRINA (1954)
Just in case you were wondering…..It’s one of my favorites. I love re-watching my old faves every couple of years.
Billy Wilder directs Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden in this critically acclaimed romantic-comedy. I could watch it for the set-design and wardrobe alone.
Netflix it. Totally worth your time now that Mad Men’s season just ended.
Objectified
September 6, 2010
Objectified: A Documentary Film by Gary Hustwit
No matter how hard I try to relax this weekend, I can’t stop thinking about work. Instead of watching a movie for pure entertainment, I decided I should be educating myself. Netflix introduced me to another little gem last night. Watch the trailer below:
Objectified, is the 2nd film in a trilogy of three films about design by Gary Hustwit.
Here are just a few things I took from the film (via Dieter Rams, one of the top industrial designers in the world and featured in Objectified):
GOOD DESIGN:
- is innovative
- makes a product useful
- is aesthetic
- makes a product understandable
- is unobtrusive
- is honest
- is long-lasting
- is thorough down to the last detail
- is environmentally friendly
- is as little design as possible (love this one!)
La Vie en Rose…Loved It.
April 12, 2010
I have a real fondness for all things French. My loft is heavily influenced by 1930s-40s Paris. I don’t know why I hadn’t seen La Vie en Rose until this weekend. I absolutely loved the movie about Edith Piaf’s life, although quite depressing. This rags to riches story focuses on what it means to be an artist. I absolutely adored the film’s production design, wardrobe and cinematography. Below, find a few examples of the remarkable set and costumes.
And one of my favorite quotes from the film:
Raymond Asso: You’re an immense artist!
Edith Piaf: I’m wearing high heels.
If you haven’t seen this beautiful film yet, put it in your Netflix queue. The music is amazing, and the movie definitely deserves all the awards it earned. Marion Cotillard‘s performance as Edith Piaf is nothing short of brilliant.
