When I was forced to relocate my blog back in June, I took the opportunity to reformat in a way that would allow me to write outside the subject matter of travel and art without it being so jarring. Continue reading
Fall Is Here!
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Art and Identity
The Fashion World of Jean-Paul Gautier – from the Sidewalk to the Catwalk at the De Young (until August 19)
Cindy Sherman at SFMOMA (until October 8) Continue reading
Cuba – Final Thoughts
It’s hard to believe that it has been five months since I returned from Cuba. At least, I’ve a good amount of time to process the experience and formulate a few final thoughts on what I now see as a life-changing trip. Continue reading
Seeing Red
First, my apologies for abandoning the blog for so long. It has been an eventful few months (in a good way), and I’ve put this on the back burner for a while. I’ve had plenty to write about but not time. One example: the play, Red, at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. I can’t say it’s fresh from it’s Tony-winning Broadway run, but it did make it out west more quickly than most. Continue reading
The True Value of Art
There’s a fascinating (and frustrating) article in the New York Times today that serves to illuminate one of the most complex issues in the art world: art valuation. And it’s not only a complex issue, it’s also contentious since many art lovers bristle at the idea of viewing art as a commodity whose value is measured in filthy lucre rather than in terms of inspiration, innovation, aesthetic heft, or emotional depth. My own position is more nuanced. Continue reading
Change is good, right?
Thanks to Apple ending web hosting, I’m being forced to reinvent the site. That’s not such a bad thing. I’m going to be using WordPress, which will allow me to bring more features to the site. But it will take some time, so please be patient. More soon!
Just Blew in from the Windy (and Foggy) City
I recently returned from a few days in Chicago. We had one really cold day (I’m sure the locals would have a hearty laugh at my description of 40 degrees F as cold). Despite the weather, we took a river tour of Chicago’s architecture on our second day there, which I highly recommend. Continue reading
SFMOMA’s Intermission
Intermission by Edward Hopper, 1963. Photo courtesy of sfmoma.org.
SFMOMA just acquired a piece by one of my favorite American artists: Intermission by Edward Hopper. Continue reading
Cuba Part 3: When is a Cigar Box Not Just a Cigar Box?
[For the first two installments, go here and here.]
My primary motivation for visiting Cuba had everything to do with art. Naturally, I’ve seen the Cuban art that makes it to the US, but what of the art that doesn’t, which is of course most of it? Continue reading
Alone
Although I love dining out in all its permutations, I’ve determined that I could never be a restaurant critic. I don’t pay enough attention to the details of a meal and instead focus on the overall impression, especially when I’m with good company and having a nice conversation with wine and spirits and warm fuzzies. Who remembers what that 4th course was in that context? And after a nice Armagnac, who cares? Continue reading