cultural blah blah.com

NYT: Seeing the Seediness, and Celebrating It
A torn down city isn't afraid to celebrate its scars through a new museum's architecture
NYS: France Comes To Miami Beach
One foundation's mission to bring American art to France
NYS: Wresting Meaning From Darkness
Japanese photographer takes a dark approach to what he sees

There is something kind of ironic about a car company that cares about the environment but as it goes there is one and its creating a major push for it. Lexus Hybrid Living is a brilliant new program that Lexus has launched in the past few months to promote eco friendly living. As part of their campaign they have enlisted 5 companies in various disciplines to present their “green” products and designs. Those companies include a fashion label (Linda Loudermilk), two furniture designers (Q Collection and Kenneth Cobonpue), a bedding colletion (Coyuchi) and an architectural/building firm (Living Homes). For more on living an eco friendly life visit Lexus Hybrid Living and check out the Hybrid Tours which you can download to your computer and Ipod for visits of either Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York.

Read on: NYT: New Project to Send Musicians Into Schools

NYT: Chinese Art Is as Hot in the East as It Is in the West
Chinese Contemporary gets even more international attention
NYT: A New Way to See Art: The Modern, Completed
More on the newly opened education center
NYS: Building a Bridge Between Two Cultures
100 Years of promoting by cultural relations - bravo!

NYT: Whitney’s Expansion Plans Are Shifting South, to the Meatpacking District
It's official!
NYT: Russian Window on the West Reaches for the Sky
As usual contemporary architecture creates controversy but this time its in St. Petersburg
NYS:The High Church of Modern Art
The new education center opens to good reviews from Mr. Gardner

NYT: An Engineering Magician, Then (Presto) He’s an Architect
Interesting questions possed as the line between engineer and architect are blurred.
NYT: Curators Wanted: Must Love Art and Travel
As the industry grows so does the demand from within. What was once a very unique job is now becoming a popular profession
IHT: Paul Smith opens 3 new stores
Tastemaker continues to show that conforming to one single style just isn't good enough

Jonathan Ive's genius crusade to made the general public comfortable with techonology results in the design of some of the most influential and beautiful products since the 60s. Read on in the IHT
Apple's quest to put us at ease with technology

"Smog eating" materials being developed by Italians.
IHT: Architecture in Italy goes green

Its a slow day at CulturalBlahBlah but we still have some important news. As most of you know by now we lost a legend yesterday, famed director Robert Altman passed away at the age of 81. Mr Altman was one of the great film directors of hollywood and will be missed. For more information:
NYT: Robert Altman, Director With Daring, Dies at 81

NYS: A Mission for MoMA
MoMA opens their education building and re enforces their dedication to education but isn't the first step to educating people to make art accessible? Not always easy when you have to pay $20 to see the collection...
NYS: Tom Waits for Every Man
New material from Tom Waits
NYT: Rap and Film at the Louvre? What’s Up With That?
Toni Morrison at the Louvre? Those crazy french people...

In an American Express television commercial (Gold Card membership perks) I saw a picture coming off of a printer that looked vaguely familiar, one I had seen hanging in the studio of a friend not to far back. Soon after, I remembered the image and the photographer, actually running into Roberto Dutesco on St. Marks’s Place in NYC not a week later. Indeed his image had appeared in the TV spot, and we exchanged information.
A few days ago I received an invitation in the mail to his show, and what I found was the obvious reason why Amex used his photograph. Chosen from his series on the Wild Horses of Sable Island (off the coast of Nova Scotia) you immediately get the impression that Dutesco’s images completely embody the spirit of the moment, and capture a set of emotions like none other.
You look at a model posing in a of dress and you think to yourself, “sure it’s a great picture, but how does it make me feel?” And then you look at one of Roberto Dutesco’s horse pictures, and you almost have to take a step back to catch your breath. Far from the groomed static equine portraits of Steven Klein, Dutesco’s work is about raw emotion, it’s about the power and energy of these majestic animals and how watching them gallop through and about the dunes makes you wish you could be there. I was in awe at the strength these images held, and blasted again by a wave of love for the creatures when looking at the silent but deadly straight on portraits; Had Dutesco found a way to talk to these feral animals, or were they gracing upon him their time? There’s a dialogue in these images that truly imbues the viewer in their elegance and grace.
Unlike a lot of other shows I’ve seen, none of the images seem to be out reach, because he has chosen to frame different images in different sizes, accessible to all different budgets.
I’ve met a lot of great photographers in my time, and Roberto not only stands out as one who takes fabulous images, he’s as friendly and kind as his images are beautiful.
For more information on Roberto Dutesco Visit Dutescoart.com
For more from Anthony Behar Visit Apa Chu

NYT: A Beehive Filled With Artists’ Books and Buzz
One non profit goes back to the roots of publishing by presenting books as they were meant to be in the beginning: a form of art
NYS: Identity Crisis at the Brooklyn Museum
Controversy at the Brooklyn Museum
IHT: Video: Now on YouTube, all the makings of high-ish culture
Maria who? Check her out on You Tube

What was considered to be Louis Khan's first real masterpiece to reopen in December. Read on...

As all of you should know by now Bond is back but this time portrayed by Daniel Craig. Is this new blond Bond better then the rest? I went to the first showing last night and I have to tell you that not only was it AMAZING but everyone else thought so too. Daniel Craig not only plays an amazing Bond but the actual film itself is well directed and the story line is for once believable! Way to give Bond a fresh new feel. This is the rebirth of something great! Related Links:
NYT: Renewing a License to Kill and a Huge Movie Franchise
Variety: Casino Royale
Variety: Bond breaks B.O. records in Blighty
IHT: Casino Royale: A meaner James Bond for these nastier times

Nothing all too relevant in today's local press but here are some still interesting articles:
NYT: Elegant Rooms With Much to Say About a New Century
NYS: Collecting vs. Cultural Heritage
NYS: Fine Art From New Orleans Comes to New York
NYS: A Little Taste of Philadelphia
IHT: A turning point as sales of contemporary art soar
IHT: A new mash-up album illuminates Beatles songs
IHT: Magritte goes on show in a surreal Los Angeles setting
IHT: Images captured under a Nordic star

Inspired by Andy Warhol's art and taste for color, famed Japanese artist Kazuko, is bringing her latest creation, the Warhol Flower, to a Barneys near you. The Flower Jewelry comes in a few different colors and sizes. Kazuko will be on hand to introduce her flower. Look below for a list of the upcoming Kazuko Happenings:
November 18th Beverly Hills Barneys
December 2nd Boston Copley Barneys
December 15th Madison Avenue Barneys
www.kazuko.com
Photo by Thomas Card

Finished in 1962 and designed by Eero Saarinen the former TWA terminal (Terminal Five) now sits empty waiting for a project. The NYT reports on how the Port Authority is looking to get this space working again but I hope that its done properly. It would be a shame to let a building that symbolized so much and that is so beautiful go to waste on a shopping mall. Lets allow it to inspire, influence and teach our future architects, and everyone else for that matter, on how to build buildings that not only serve a purpose but look towards our future. Unfortunately today that is lacking...
NYT: A Move to Make a Silent Air Terminal Hum Again
More sites on Terminal Five and its architect:
Great Buildings
Galinsky: Terminal Five
Terminal Five
Eero Saarinen

NYT: Embracing Koolhaas’s Friendly Skyscraper
Koolhaus reinvents the skycraper and tries to teach us a new language in architecture at the same time
NYS: An Unprecedented Form
Another viewpoint on the same topic from the Sun
NYT: What Is Ailing Pop Music? Depends Whom You Ask
Not the greatest review but still an interesting debate
NYS: On Steel & Sprockets
Some great photography from the earlier part of the last century at Zabriskie gallery
IHT: Contemporary Art: More records set at Christie's auction in New York
Another record breaker...

NYS: Deconstruction In the City
Brief report on some of the new skycrapers of NYC
NYS: Lincoln Center Brings The Rhapsody Home
Wynton Marsalis and company perform some of the greatest pieces of Jazz ever written...
NYT: Met Won’t Show a Grosz at Center of a Dispute
The Met does the right thing

As most of you know by now the design and fashion industries have been taken by storm by the (RED) campaign. Here is more information on it from (RED):(RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA, to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT) RED-branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT) RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children with HIV/AIDS in Africa.
So far Apple, Motorola, the Gap, Emporio Armani, American Express and Converse have joined in the cause. For more information on the specific products visit the Join (RED) web site. Check out the (RED) Blog for exciting news, updates and facts.

Apple Teams Up With Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM & United to Deliver iPod Integration

NYT: Reading Fragments From an Incendiary Time
Rave reviews for a NY gallery and an artist whos career was described as "one of the most stimulating and influential of the last four decades"
NYS: A Tale of Two Auctioneers
A brief look at the stars of the NYC auction block
IHT: The former Cat Stevens is back
A legend returns with a new album

Read more at Architecture Week

IHT: Reviving Dieter Rams's pragmatism
Update of a chair from a designer who has made pieces we have all owned at one point or another...
NYT: The Provocateur and His Well-Heeled Collaborator
More on the new museum at Bard College and the people behind it.
NYT: The New Ambassadors
Is music the new politics?
NYS: Another Record Week?
More excitement from the auction houses

NYT: Still Crazy, but That Was the Concept
More on the new opening exhibit of the Hessel Museum of Art at Bard College
NYT: The Elusive Realism of Rossellini
MoMA hosts an ode to man who changed the face of film
NYS: A New Take on Window Shopping
Louis Vuitton brings in Olafur Eliasson as its window dresser for the holidays

One of my favorite bands in New York, Marwood performed a terrific acoustic set last night at the Bitter End in the village. Bringing an amazing combination of great songwriting, good performing and great energy, Marwood and its lead Benji Rogers make every performance a great time that just lifts everyone's spirits. A must listen to check them out on myspace and check out their videos as well, especially "One Mile Down the Road" great song! Video of yesterday's performance to come!

NYT: Despite Court Ruling, Christie¹s Pulls Painting From Auction
Picasso painting, reportetly coming from a Jewish family in Germany during WWII and thought to be worth $60 Million at the sale, gets pulled from a Christies auction.
NYT: $491 Million Sale Shatters Art Auction Record
And the records continue to get broken...
NYS: A Not-Quite-Satisfying Meal
In his new book a photographer shows us the "wealth of the western world."
NYS: A Large Collection Gets a New Home
Bard continues its desire to become a cultural destination on the hudson with new exhibit

Read on in Architecture Week

IHT: Art Cologne looks for a new beginning
NYS: Big Book for a Big City
NYT: Jean-Jacques Sempé’s Tales of Two Cities

In the spirit of election day a video to watch:

U2 and Green Day - The Saints are Coming

Yesterday Le Monde reported that Francois Pinault, the head of PPR, the firm that controls Gucci, YSL and Printemp amongst others might have a fight on his hands. Ever since he took over the Palazzo Grassi in Venice to house his art collection it was rumored that his next step was to take over the Dogana da Mar (the old customs building) which sits at the entrance of the grand canal and at the tip of Dorsoduro where the Salute Church is.
Well, now it seems that the Guggenheim, which has always had enormous influence on the contemporary art world in Venice due to its museum that lies in Peggy Guggenheim's former palace on the Grand Canal and to the fact that they own the American pavilion of the Biennale, is putting in a bid of its own. The Guggenheim has at the last minute re-introduced a proposal to take over the Dogana da Mar but this time using Zaha Hadid as its principal architect. In 1999 they had introduced a proposal with the architect Vittorio Gregotti at a press conference in Rome with the Italian Cultural Minister but nothing came of it. Judgement is going to be given in a few weeks but this is looking to be a battle of power not only between two major art foundations, Pinault and the Guggenheim but also between two major architects, Zaha Hadid and Tadao Ando, Pinault's architect. Who will prevail? I give my vote for the Guggenheim but with the reputation that Thomas Krens has in Venice who knows...

Pinault's Palazzo Grassi in Venice, Italy

NYT: Wearing Their Hearts on Their Hard Hats
Parsons students to the rescue! A great story about people with talent and great hearts
NYT: Photographs of an Episode That Lives in Infamy
Images of a time some in the US would like to forget about
NYT: An I for an Eye
An artist doing good in africa and a luxury company showing their support
IHT: A world in Smoke and Clay
Young designer gets lots of attention from big names being placed in some of the top hotels in the world including the Rivington and the Grammercy. For more information on Marteen Baas: Baas

Photographer to the royal family gets his own show...and thank God it isn't of the fam... http://men.style.com/images/news/1106/01/110206v.jpg

Best known as host of the 2006 Winter Olympics, the fascinating city of Turin, Italy borders the Alps and is a short train ride from Milan. Turin is also home to Fiat and more recently, The National Museum of Cinema which is an absolute must-see for any lover of the moving image. Less known - even to those native to Turin - is the Pietro Accorsi Foundation’s Museum of Decorative Arts. This marvelous museum is housed in a grand mansion on the via Po, Turin’s main shopping avenue. The via Po travels between two spacious arcades that allow the Savoyards to enjoy the fresh air without fear of wet weather. The entrance to the museum is through an airy courtyard surrounded by life-size statues of exotic animals and busts of nobles and artists.
Established by the antiques dealer Pietro Accorsi (Turin, 1891-1982), it opened on December 3, 1999. Accorsi started his career as a young boy going house to house to barter and to trade antiques from the noble families who remained in Turin from the days when it served as the seat of Savoy power. In time, his acquisitions rivaled those of the world’s great museums. In a surprising turn, the museum is housed in a residence where Accorsi’s father served as caretaker.
Visitors to the museum are guided through its twenty-seven rooms, each room restored to the decor of Accorsi's original residence. That original residence, across the river Po, has since been sold to a rival collector. Upon entering a room, lights turn on, fountains gurgle, and fireplaces flicker and crackle. The collection is a feast for the eyes, and the obligatory guide explains the pieces in meticulous detail, as nothing is marked to explain provenance. The giftshop sells a helpful book for further study. The collection features over 2000 pieces, including priceless Meissen porcelains, a vast array of snuff boxes, ornate furniture created for royalty and several wide collections of Savoy painting.
For more information on the foundation click here.

Have a look at the NYT's new newsletter on living in NYC
New York Times: Urbanite Weekend

NYT: Chelsea: The Art and Commerce of One Hot Block
When the galleries take over everything changes...but will it last?
NYT: Updating ‘Uncle Lenny’ for a Multitasking Age
Continuing a tradition held by a real maestro and gentleman.
NYS: An Icon of the City Gets an Opening
Kudos for NY's oldest forms of public art, the permanent ones.

As I stated earlier there's something to be said about Roberta Smith's article yesterday in the NYT entitled "Tate Modern's Rightness Versus MoMA's Wrongs." Now I'm not one to agree with Roberta ever since she wrote a terrible review of a project that I was working on that was more of a personal attack against the artist then a general commentary on the exhibit but, as a die hard New Yorker I do agree that the MoMA has many flaws.
Growing up in New York I have always had a MoMA membership. Some of my proudest moments as a child was having my card and being able to invite five friends to come with me for free. I always felt like I was the leader of the cultural expedition to the MoMA to see some of the great modern and contemporary artists of our time. (My favorite part was the design and architecture area where they displayed the first mac ever made.) Ever since the renovation though, I have a bone to pick with the Moma and its use of space. The building itself has some nice features; I like the exterior material used, especially the black glass which is quite nice, and it has a few little features such as nooks in the wall and details that I appreciate. As a whole though I just can't seem to reconcile spending almost a billion dollars for what has been reported as a building that only stores 10% of the collection. To me this is just unacceptable. My strongest belief is when designing a building, especially a museum it needs to be able to tell a story. For example, the recently completed Jean Nouvel building for the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris. What Jean Nouvel did for the collection is brilliant, not only creating a masterpiece from the outside but on the inside giving he curators and the works the freedom to tell their story without over shadowing them. For me a building needs to compliment its contents, not overshadow it. The work of Yoshio Taniguchi is good and he is a talented architect but unfortunately this one missed its mark as far as I'm concerned.

I also have a thing against making museums more like luxury shopping malls with escalators and cafes that cost an arm and a leg. I like eating a snack using design cutlery but I still miss the burger in the old cafeteria where you went with your plastic tray and got a pre-wrapped burger that still tasted terrific. I guess where I am going with this is a very simple question really: with a $20 entrance and pricey cafes has modern and contemporary art become solely for the elite? Only time will tell but those that I admire are the champions of free or public art such as Creative Time or the Public Art Fund. I believe that the arts should be for everyone not just those who can afford it and that the billion dollars could of served a different purpose such as some free days for kids who would never be able to see it otherwise.

Anyone who hasn't yet needs to check out the band from LA called Heavens. Not in a long time have I had the opportunity to hear a live band that I got hooked on right away. Not only are the talented songwriters but they are so well practiced and give off such a terrific vibe that you can't not love it. You can definitely tell that these guys love what they do and you will love it too. Check out their myspace page.

NYT: A Human-Centered Cosmos in Domes to the Stars
A Los Angeles icon reopens
NYS: A League Of Ambitions
Photographers once watched by the US government for being "communist" are celebrated at the NYPL for their influence on today's photographers.

NYT: Tate Modern’s Rightness Versus MoMA’s Wrongs
Terrific article from a writer who I was never a fan of...till maybe now...will write more later...
NYT: Lincoln Center Picks Husband-and-Wife Team for Harmony Atrium Redesign
Lincoln center expanding into a neighborhood's "landmark"...
NYS: A View on a Forgotten Noguchi
Ode to a "savior"...
IHT: From Kubrick's archives to the screen
A legend remembered by the film he never made

Most of the time in architecture I’m a strong believer that the interior design of a building is way more important then the exterior, you don’t live in the exterior, you live in the interior. This is why I don’t always believe in architectures who put and all their energy on the exterior because a beautiful building is amazing but if you can’t live in it then its not worth it. Sometimes though there comes an exception and here is one from Localarchitecture in Switzerland with their custom made Cowshed. Made for a couple of organic farmers in Lignieres this cowshed is made for 30 cows to live comfortably and produce the best milk possible! For more information check out Localarchitecture.