Highline Zoo

While taking a stroll on the Highline today I saw the following on a roof top somewhere between 27th and 28th Streets:

It's called The Highline Zoo and urged me to find out more at thehighlinezoo.com which I did, as well as further research leading me to find out that the display was created by a "group of artists including Sun Bae, Stuart Braunstein and Jordan Betten."


 Now I am an easily pleased person, in that I enjoy simple pretty things, I went to an arts college so the animals in day light was enough to strike my fancy. However, after Googling I found out that it lights up at night complete with video and sound. This is what professionals would call the, "Oooh Shiny" effect and usually makes things even more pleasing to the sensory system.  I really want to see the show at night but I am trying to hold off until the end of June because every third Thursday of the month the show is even further enlivened with a music and dance performance.

Calling All English Art Fans!!

Remember Harry Gilliam?
Super sexy Male Model/ Artist son of legendary film director Terry Gilliam? Well he's having an art show and he did an interview about it...

 Top models' art work to go on display - Telegraph 

In Case the clicking the link is too hard:

Top models' art work to go on display

As Next Models prepare to showcase the handiwork of four of its faces, we spoke to Hermès model Harry Gilliam about his artwork and the upcoming exhibition.

BY Bibby Sowray | 30 May 2012

Harry Gilliam in the spring/summer 2012 Hermes campaign Photo: Hermes

Next month, London's Whisper gallery will play host to an exhibition of art by four of Next Models brightest multi-taskers.

Models Tali Lennox, Harry Gilliam, Polly Brown and Mark Waddleton have all produced works that will be displayed in the exhibition entitled Identity, which aims to investigate the issues of real versus perceived identity in society.


"Having the opportunity to present our models in a different light - one that highlights their various talents, particularly in the arts, is an exciting opportunity for Next and our models," said Faith Kates, co-founder of Next Models, of the project.
All four models have been blessed with not only good looks but artistic flair and have each been creating art for years.
We spoke to Harry Gilliam - who is the current face of Hermès - about his artwork and the upcoming exhibition.
Tell us a bit about your artwork?
My work is always on the more illustrative side and tends to sway from simple fun, to more serious works with a deeper context. I like the contrasts of showing both styles together, purely because I enjoy the variety it achieves, not only when I make the work but also when audience engage with it. I love the simplicity of drawing, which is the basis of everything I do, and most my work tends to be black ink, because I hate using colour, I am terrible with colour blending and I avoid 'colouring in' wherever possible. Having said that I have always loved the power of expression that colour brings, one of my favourite artists is Frank Auerbach, and one of my favourite series of works is Marcus Harvey's Readers Wives, where he uses the power of the colour to distract from what the image is really portraying.
How long have you worked on the pieces for this exhibition?
It has been a struggle for me finding time to work for this show as I have been so busy with modelling work, but since the brief was given to us have I been working whenever I can... lots of sleepless nights.
The exhibition explores real versus perceived identity - is this something that as a model you feel you have a greater insight to?
I have always had a strong awareness of my reality and the perception others have of me, it comes from being someone who has over examines everything, even myself, and being in this industry only exaggerates my sense of identity and what the outside thinks of me, because to survive you really have to know who you are to not lose yourself in the craziness of it all. It does give a greater insight, but only it the way that it just makes peoples preconceptions and judgments of you stronger, and more often harsher, making the contrasts even clearer.
What do they love about making art?
For me I have a love-hate relationship with my art. I love the battle of creation I have with myself, from picturing what I want to in my mind to actually realising it. I love the struggle trying to figure out what to do and then not being able to do the idea justice, tearing through page after page trying to achieve the image, and the ultimate satisfaction of success. There is no greater feeling than looking at something that I have spent ages doing and going yes I am happy with the out come. There is such a sense of pride as I add the final touches to what I consider a strong piece.
You created artwork for your father's (film director Terry Gilliam) film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus , what was that like?
It feels like centuries ago that I worked on Parnassus , it was back when I had hair that reached past my nipples. It was a time when I was heavily in to street art, so my father gave me the opportunity to design the backgrounds for the street scenes of the films - basically, I got paid to graffiti Battersea Power Station and London Bridge. The best part about it was that I could really spend time on the work and make it really elaborate, One of the pieces was nearly 14ft high. My sister Holly, who curates my father's works, and I have often discussed the idea of doing a collaboration show together, and it is something I would be so honoured to do, but right now I am really trying to carve my own path in the world before I would consider such a public collaboration - although I will be looking for a job on his next film as I would love to storyboard it all for him.
If you could only have one piece of artwork in your house, what would it be?
For me it would have to be Alex Ross's Justice League. He is an artist for DC and Marvel Comics, but the work is painted like a Renaissance master and it brings such life to the characters - a tangibility that doesn't exist in comics.
The exhibition runs from June 29 for one week.
Whisper Gallery, 27/28 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8DH.

Also, check out Harry's website and support the arts http://www.harrygilliamart.co.uk 

Ryan Star does his part to support the troops and veterans

Ryan made the following announcement by way of a series of tweets Our country is so wonderful at supporting the troops. They hammer it in your head as a kid and if you ever challenge the idea for a moment you are a traitor but when these troops come home hardly anybody really supports them. Nothing new, even my grandpa who gave everything in WWII lived this neglect his whole life and it might even be worse now. I am not preaching and i stand on no soapbox but the least I can do is extend my personal guest list out on the rest of this tour to all veterans who wish to come out. Email RSTARVETERANS@GMAIL.COM and you will be taken care of for a night of music and love. I thank all who have been inspired by THE AMERICA EP and who have sent me their words thank all who have fought and all who have given their lives so we can have ours. I hope this country's policies start to acknowledge it.

Have a good Memorial Day Weekend...

Just remember who got you that three day Weekend.

This blog contains spoilers...

Sure it's been a while since they aired, but as someone with two episodes of last season's True Blood still unwatched on the dvr I figure I should warn you that this is going to be about how I felt about the finales of popular tv shows with details so don't read them if you have not seen them.

Desperate Housewives
After 8 seasons my love/hate relationship with this show came to an end a few weeks ago. The show, in my opinion, would have been better off ending last season right before the characters murdered and then buried a body creating a plague on television basically all season. However they didn't, an most of the way things wrapped up was nice. It was good that Gabrielle became less spoiled, Lanette and Tom (predictably) reconciled to live happy together, Susan finally became a good mother and strong woman, and both Rene and Bree got married. It was actually quite moving to see all of the characters who've died watching Susan leave the Lane as she drove off and I admit I began to tear a bit. Still one thing bothered me, preventing me from liking the ending; it is said that the four main women don't ever get together once Susan moves. Perhaps they keep in touch but never the four of them just hanging together ever again?! After all of the ridiculous things they went through together I am expected to believe they drifted from long distance separating them. I don't think so.
Glee
I found it a bit indulgent. While most episodes have a plot this was barely more than a string of performances about saying goodbye (without Saying Goodbye by the Muppets nonetheless!) with a few weep inducing moments thrown in like Coach Sylvester saying goodbye to Quinn. In the final moments Finn took fiance Rachel to the train to New York to go live her dreams of being a Broadway Star by accepting her place at N Y A D A. You see Rachel wasn't going to go because Finn wasn't accepted into a New York college and she didn't want to go unless they went together. As one of the most self centered characters on TV, this was noble and showed growth; going without him was predictable. In addition Finn broke up with Rachel and is going to join the army. This is stupid because plenty of people in the army are in relationships. On top of that, Cory Monteith has signed on for next season killing the suspense of him possibly dying which I feel almost positive would happen if you are signing in Iraq.... By friendly fire. I was originally going to get into Revenge but honestly it needs it's own post it was so great.

Happy 27th Anniversary to my parents

...congratulations to my mother for one of the greatest feats in human history!

Pictures from the American Museum of Natural History

Taking my own advice, today we decided to go to the museum for a donation, so G could see her very first dinosaur!

The Grey Matters shirt, by the way was for Brain Tumor Awareness Day

(almost) Free NYC

With the Week looking to be a complete washout I thought I would share some cool things to do in New York City for those traveling or, like me, those who live here and get bored easily. The thing I love about visiting Washington DC is that the museums and galleries are so cheap- most are basically by donation, and they make this fact widely available. New York also has a lot to do on a limited budget you just have to know the difference between a suggested donation and a mandatory admissions fee.

List Compiled by Time Out editors

American Museum of Natural History
Suggested adult admission $16
The Cloisters
Suggested adult admission $20
Children's Museum of the Arts
Pay what you wish Thu 4--6pm
Grey Art Gallery NYU
Suggested adult admission $3
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Pay what you wish Sat 5:45--7:45pm
International Center of Photography
Pay what you wish Fri 5--8pm
King Manor Museum
Suggested adult admission $5
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Suggested adult admission $20
Museum of Arts & Design
Pay what you wish Thu 6--9pm
Museum of Biblical Art
Suggested adult admission $7
Museum of the City of New York
Suggested adult admission $10; if you live or work in East Harlem above 103rd Street, visit the Museum free of charge. Simply walk in the entrance, say "I'm a neighbor," and the suggested admission charge will be waived.

New York City Fire Museum
Suggested adult admission $7
New-York Historical Society
Pay what you wish Fri 6--8pm
The Noguchi Museum
Pay what you wish on the first Friday of every month
MoMA PS1
Suggested adult admission $10
Queens Museum of Art
Suggested adult admission $5
Staten Island Museum
Suggested adult admission $3
Whitney Museum of American Art
Pay what you wish Fri 6--9pm

Happy Mother's Day Mommy

Go get David Cook's latest single

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-last-song-ill-write-for-you/id525419620?i=525419627
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0081EFTMQ/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?ref_=sr_1_36&s=dmusic&qid=1336475398&sr=1-36 It's more important than ever to support Cook this time, as he announced tonight that he has broken ties ties with RCA http://m.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idols-david-cook-rca-323176

The Night of Hope

The Night before the Race for Hope, David Cook and the race organizers organized a coctail party which contained an acoustic performance by David and the Anthemic- including new drummer Nick Adams.  It was a fun and highly emotional evening and one nobody is soon to forget.
 

Sunday May 6th: Race For Hope 2012

For a third year in a row, I found myself speeding toward the Washington DC mall to try and meet up with the rest of David Cook's Team for a Cure early morning on the first Sunday in May.  Going along with what seemed like the theme of this particular weekend, I was running late and cursing my tardiness. I had worried about missing the bus toward Washington Saturday morning, nearly bit my friend's head off when she had to run back to the hotel room having forgotten the Night of Hope cocktail party tickets later that same day, and there I was watching time click away as traffic lights stood between me and the team pep talk.  It seemed no matter what I did, there just wasn't enough time to relax but for the third time I miraculously managed to just make my destination in the nick of time and once I was there, none of that seemed to matter anymore.


There was a light rain falling, the kind of annoying misting that is just wet enough to damper an otherwise good morning. At least a normal morning but no amount of bad weather could ever ruin the feeling of pride I felt watching the sea of survivors leading off the race festivities as they marched toward the starting line.  I don't know any of these people mind you. With the exception of David himself and a few other friends on the team, my fellow race participants and I have never shared more than a friendly smile and yet we each hold dear the desire to make brain cancer death a thing of the past and because of that bond we are like one big family.  We will never know each other's names but we've felt one another's pain, have held onto the same hope, and though we'll never say the words to each other every one of us wishes all the others the best.

At the post race ceremony the sun had begun to smile down on all of us, like the spirit of everyone we've lost wrapping everyone in a nice warm hug. During the ceremonies, one of the yearly rituals is announcing the top ten earning teams and, this year the number three earners were the team Kisses for Kayla. The team has been there for at least the three years I've participated but this year Kayla Wenger's parents accepted the honor alone as the 11 year old lost her battle in March.   Seeing them standing there alone made my heart ache.  Later in the ceremony, the Rabbi Joseph Weinburg award for courage was awarded to Zach Lederer.  This award is given to young survivors who are inspiring and the last two years I was inspired by people younger than me who never gave up and managed to beat the odds with a positive attitude.  I, being someone who wanted to die from a simple stomach flu, find that pretty impressive but they were nothing compared to Zach.  Zach beat brain cancer as a child, he was a survivor and out of the evil clutches of this horrible killer, only for the cancer to come back this past year as he entered his Freshmen year of college.  Tears streamed down my face watching this guy younger than I am talk positively about the money we raised and the good work we all do inching toward a cure.  Then he said, "I'm not going to beat this but we together are going to beat this disease."   It really puts missing a bus or subway delays into perspective, huh?

As the crowd broke up, the speakers boomed with David Cook uplifting ballad "We Believe" and I thought about the day when there wouldn't be a need for The Race for Hope and the accomplishment I would feel in knowing that thanks to the generosity of my friends and family, I could say I was a part of the end of brain cancer death.
Statistics:
*In it's first 15 years The Race for Hope raised over $15 million
*This year it has raised $2.3 million and counting
*My 2012 total is now $310- over 300% of my initial goal. Thanks to every person who donated as little as a dollar

Race for Hope sight and sounds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvHkoUcg6Yc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Sweat the show that might make me kind of a pedophile

Sweat was an Australian tv show that aired around 1996 or 7 about young Olympic caliber athletes at a training academy and starred a then teenaged Heath Ledger. Along with all of your other 1990s teen stereotypes like the cry baby, the sex obsessed one, and the brooding hotty the show was unique because it had a three dimensional gay boy character, Snowy Bawls. This was the role played by the future Brokeback Mountain star.

Get the laugh out, you know you want to- ha ha the gay boy was called balls. Done? So glad. Now that that's behind us I have to talk about Heath's performance because seeing one of his earliest, if not the earliest roles was my sole reason for searching for it on YouTube and he doesn't disappoint. Well, truthfully, he started out God-awful but after an episode or two he got the hang of it and once it got to the Snowy-centric storylines like coming out and first heartbreak, the star was there. Perhaps he needed a bit more work but it was clear the talent had been honed.

Ok so about the being a pedophile...
First I want to state that attraction to Ledger is not
Necrophilia because that is attraction to a corpse and while Heath may be dead he was very alive when he recorded the things I am attracted (also rumor is he was cremated so there is no body to be attracted to.) Anyway, so Ledger was born in April 1979 which means he was under 18 the age he would have been considered a man in the USA, while filming. This means I am finding a child sexy.

So to come to my defense:
-the age of consent is 16 in Australia
-he looked older
-With a time machine sending me back to the set, I most likely don't make an actual move on him (although apparently one 30+ year old women did)
-at the time he made it, I didn't even have a period so really he'd be the gross one
-He wears bicycle shorts
I believe any court would say I am innocent of the heinous charge.

Regardless of my cougar status, I would recommend the show and not just for his bum. It is one of the better teen shows I've seen. That said, the series was ripped from YouTube so good luck finding it. I had to buy it when I was half way through episodes.

A blog different than I thought it would be

I was thinking of writing a blog about how I'm once again freaking out about how I am days away from going to Washington and not completely, mostly, or really very pack at all.  For some reason these trips to the Capital (Hunger Game shivers) always tend to sneak up on me. However then I read about my packing woes before my first trip two years ago and I'm feeling tons better. That time I was only writing my packing list less than two days before and everything turned out great!


Based on that, I'm actually ahead of scheduled.  I've already picked out my outfit for the cocktail party Saturday Night and have already put shirts, undergarments, and toiletries in a suitcase.  Given the suitcase is actual too small to fit anything else so all of these things have to be relocated into a larger, not currently empty suitcase but hey, that's just a technicality right?  My day of outfit is already laid out and I'm getting my hair cut Friday night so I don't have to spend hours on end getting it party perfect for Saturday.


Considering I have work 5 days this week and feel as though April was super busy and hectic, albeit there's been a lot of fun,  I think I actually should be patting myself on the back.   It can be easier sometimes to see all the things that I haven't done- the packing situation, still not blogging about the thing I wanted to review in August, only being on chapter 4 of Catching Fire (not to mention how long it took to finish Good Omens) but I think I need to start being a little easier on myself.  Sure there is a lot that isn't getting done as fast as it might have a few years ago but, when there are, I hit my deadlines and in the grand scheme of things I think it's better to have been to tired from playing with GiGi (and Tom) all day or seeing a show/play/movie that I really liked than to have gotten everything done but have nothing great to look back on. 

 Nobody remembers how long it took to pack, only what happened on the trip.
Carpe 2012 everybody!
 

Dentist pulls out all of her ex-boyfriend’s teeth after split

This article proves that woman are awesome #1 and that men are stupid #2.

Dentist pulls out all of her ex-boyfriend’s teeth after split

By Eric Pfeiffer 

If you're planning a trip to the dentist, it might not be the wisest decision to make your appointment with the person with whom you just broke up. A Polish woman is facing three years in prison after she removed all of her ex-boyfriend's teeth during dental surgery just days after their breakup. "I tried to be professional and detach myself from my emotions," Anna Mackowiak, 34, told the Austrian Times. "But when I saw him lying there I just thought, 'What a bastard' and decided to take all his teeth out." Marek Olszewski, 45, reportedly showed up at Mackowiak's dental office complaining of toothache just days after he broke up with her. She then allegedly gave him a "heavy dose" of anesthetic, locked the door and began removing all of his teeth one at a time. "I knew something was wrong because when I woke up I couldn't feel any teeth and my jaw was strapped up with bandages," Olszewski said. "She told me my mouth was numb and I wouldn't be able to feel anything for a while and that the bandage was there to protect the gums, but that I would need to see a specialist," he said. "I didn't have any reason to doubt her, I mean I thought she was a professional." Adding to his trauma, Olszewski said his new girlfriend has already left him over his now toothless appearance. "And I'm going to have to pay a fortune on getting indents or something," he said. Mackowiak is currently being investigated for medical malpractice.

Now given she does really need to be punish,as awesome as it is, I have seen The Dark Knight too many times to not see bad consequence to a world without punishment for heinous acts of violence. I'm thinking having to pay for the repairs to Olszewski's mouth but not jail time. There is a bigger issue to discuss however, and that is the balls on this guy! While the article does not make it clear who broke up with whom, it seems to me he cheated on her because his new girlfriend left him for the missing teeth that were removed in a procedure performed just days after the breakup. And by the way she is a winner, she leaves dude for needing dentures so good luck future suitors who could be diagnosed with cancer.


 Back to my point; the guy cheats on his girlfriend, they split, and he leaves her alone with his body while he is unconscious (and you justy know he wanted a discount if not completely free or charge.) Clearly the fact that she had had him at all was good enough and she should be excited to be able to touch God's gift to women again. In my opinion, this guy got out easy. He was dealing with a woman scorned- he was lucky he didn't wake up with a few bones and a certain something also removed, or just not wake up at all.