TEXT & PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH. MAY 20, 2011
“SOMETIMES LIFE GIVES YOU THE FINGER / AND SOMETIMES IT GIVES YOU . . . HESHER”
the real HESH – at the ANGELIKA FILM CENTER – last FRI MAY 13th, 2011 – the first day of the film’s commercial screening in NYC . . .
HESH aka HASH HALPER – the film’s off-the-wall HESHER, played so brilliantly by JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT. and he is hot. ok. violent and out of control too, what else is new . . . is a take-off on the real-life Hesh. outlaw. underwear, shirtless and all. somehow – just there. making the dots scramble, non-conformist. karmic ? moving through people and places with an unworldly wind, and seemingly not a care in the world – behind his back.
yep, this is the character . . . that launched a movie.
the character . . . behind the character.
He brought a small posse to the screening. although obviously the filmmakers had had some kind of relationship with him, Hesh, and certainly none of his friends had seen the flick . . . before, so nobody really knew what kind of a ride – they were in for. but the way Hesh showed up – was kinda auspicious, no ?
First off, before the flick even started the entrance was kinda grand. with the security guard inquiring of us – as to whether that was – the HESHER of the movie ? hell, yes !!
Then, when we got into the small multi-plex cinema, there were only two completely empty rows left – in the back which would enable Hesh and all his pals – to sit together . . . except for one nice straight-looking ultra conservative middle-aged businessman-type guy sitting smack dab in the middle of the last row of empty seats. what to do ? no problemo. Hesh, the real Hesh – just, rather imperiously told the guy, in no uncertain terms to scram.
“Hey dude – this is my movie !! You gotta move so me and my friends can watch it together. YO. I’m not joking dude, this is my movie. . .” After a few seconds of thinking it over – and probably for the better. the guy actually got up and moved. I’m not sure how I would have re-acted in the same circumstance, but anyways. the lights went down and the opening trailers went up . . . and, then what a shock – as ‘HESHER’ unspooled. I guess we all thought it would be one big hoot. a real laugh-fest. and in some ways it was . . . at first.
the first few times Joseph Gordon-Levitt hit the celluloid and popped up as the on-screen Hesher – we all went crazy. screaming and clapping with delight – damn !! he was HESH !! but then as the story progressed, and things got darker and more stuff was at stake – than we could have possibly imagined – the power of movie-making, dudes. the real-life peanut gallery grew just as silent and engrossed as the rest of the audience. no doubt about it, that was one shocking ride. it took you up and didn’t put you back down, for one moment. wow. how much of this was Hesh, and how much of this was movie magic ?
as we stumbled out, numb and in total silence – It was plain to see that the movie had hit home in ways hard to explain, to each one of us, in its own way, but in particular to the star attraction. Hesh looked to be in shock. shock and awe. First he said, and we all agreed in complete unison – wow, we didn’t think it would ever – be that good. damn. Then I asked Hesh, well did it trouble him ? I’m thinking bout the violence. but that seemed to go right over his head. He just replied, “well, its true once a friend of mine’s had someone die in their family, and I moved in for two years” . . . but, he continued . . the worst thing about the whole movie – was how it had stripped him of his anonymity !! Already, he complained, kids were waving to him – in the street !!
JOSEPH GORDON-LEVEITT as HESHER . . .
image/courtesy: HESHER – THE MOVIE
one of my very fave parts of the movie, apart from being captivated by the on-screen HESHER. was that primitive black line, like a marker. stick-man tattoo on his chest- blowing his brains out !! a metaphor – for these days – of challenged creativity and spirituality. dead-endness – if I ever did see one. In his rave review, ‘Antihero to the rescue’ – KYLE SMITH of the NEW YORK POST last week, spoke of: “Hesher, violent of hair, black of jeans and sporting a large middle finger tattoo on his back …” – but it was the front tattoo of the chalk-like stick-man blowing his brains out – at point zero – that got to me !!
p.s. did you catch how bad KYLE SMITH trashed “YAWNY DEPP” – aka – ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” in the paper today ? ha. calls it “barely see-worthy” !! yep, our boy HESHER beats out Johnny Depp, this time around.
flamin’ outsider in his beat-up van – takes down the million dollar blockbuster – with its worn-out ways, hands down.
bye the way, I asked. the real Hesh – has no tattoos.
LOST.
but come to think of it, I did just come across some sidewalk chalk scribbles recently, that caught my attention.
looking back . . .
WHITE BOY RULES WORLD . . . . ?
wow. they do remind me of that ‘chalk-like’ stick-man tattoo . . . blowin’ out his brains, that the celluloid Hesher sports.
it was the night of the KARA WALKER opening at LEHMANN MAUPIN on the Lower East Side. April 21, 2011.
and hey, coincidence or what. Hesh, the real Hesh was there, too.
speak of the devil.
Flash forward to this past Sunday. Sunday May 15, 2011.
2 whole days after we had seen the movie – as I rolled into Williamsburg to do some business – who be calling my name out on the busy hub of Bedford St. – but Hesh, the real-life Hesh and his pal, TJ. hanging out a bar window, natch.
(I hate to ask, but . . . the real TJ ? not, I think . . . )
anyways, that’s how the real life Hesh manifests. in real time. movin’ and groovin’ to a secret beat. mystical. way beyond the simple hours as they peel off the clock face.
anyways, like I said. I had had time, 2 whole days, to think about it . . . and so since the opportunity presented itself, so beautifully, as if by magic. I asked Hesh outright what I was dying, burning ? to ask him right after the movie but didn’t quite have the words . . . having had my own buttons pushed by the film, and yeah. I was rendered immediately speechless afterwards too, just like the rest of the crew.
so catching the momento – I really tried to a nail Hesh on the violence in the film that bears his name. bears witness to him. Answer, Hesh. Was he shocked by the violent bent in the movie ?
“No”, he said. “My friends know I have violence inside me – but I manage to keep it in check.”
and there ya go, outta the mouths of the ‘marked’ ones, the ones that jump the grid, and spin the grind !! of everyday life – human truth. in a nutshell. go figure !!
ALL PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH – EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE – NOTED.
see: HESHER THE MOVIE/THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
~WILL THE REAL HESH – PLEASE STAND UP . . . NEW PIX !! |
Posted in Movie Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 20th, 2011, 11:05pm
HESHER – DIRECTED BY SPENCER SUSSMAN
REVIEWED BY NANCY SMITH. MAY 18, 2011
or: as the underground art world likes to say . . . . HESH, YES !!
‘HESHER’ – A FILM BY SPENCER SUSSER – PRODUCED BY NATALIE PORTMAN – WRITTEN BY SPENCER SUSSER & DAVID MICHOD – OPENED THIS PAST FRI – MAY 13, 2011, and, hell yes . . . it has a real shot of being to 2011 – what ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ – was to 2006: the sleeper hit of the year – all the way to the academy awards !!
ok. it’s a little bit darker, and takes you to places off the chart – but hey – that’s what it’s all about. it hits home and presses your buttons, way before you realize – you’re silent and watching . . . and, not so laughing out loud, anymore. A brilliant family portrait that hits all age groups, and spares no one. it’s one big ride !! now, that’s what I call – entertainment.
ok. there’s some differences – HESHER rides around in a BLACK VAN !!
‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ scored 2 ACADEMY AWARDS:
ALAN ARKIN for BEST ACTOR in a SUPPORTING ROLE, and BEST WRITING ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY – to MICHAEL ARNDT !!
it also scored a (huge) nomination for BEST MOTION PICTURE (no joke !!), and ABIGAL BRESLIN, as the young girl who is at the center of the flick’s narrative – was nominated for BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS !! – her first time out.
artlovers’ film contributor, JAN ALBERT wrote of ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE ‘ in her BEST of 2006:
“quirky, beautifully cast, and laugh out loud funny . . . not to oversell this small joy but it’s a great ride.”
see: ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
‘HESHER’ – has RAIIN WILSON, (THE OFFICE !!), JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT as HESHER (YES !! WAY, SUPER SUPER YES !!) and DEVIN BROCHU as TJ – the bullied bereft kid (YES YES & more YES !! Abigail move over) – sitting around the family dining room table, scarfing up the food – and the life !!
say what ?
quirky, beautifully cast and (in the beginning, cause ‘HESHER’ is a thrill ride – as in: no slouch !!) laugh out loud funny . . .
that goes way over the line and then some . . .
‘HESHER’ – to use Jan’s ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ words, is quite simply . . . “not to oversell this small joy but it’s a great ride.”
RAIIN WILSON in particular comes in for some good words, in the ‘Sunshine’ comparison. he plays his role so convincingly – and so – on the low down, baby. he beats out Steve Carell, hands down.
NATALIE PORTMAN – in ‘HESHER’ . . . one of her best performances, ever !!
if you begin to think ‘HESHER’ goes too far – in the unexpected department. just think on the last time you opened up a conversation with a complete stranger – to find a beautiful loser !!
and like ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ – this first feature by DIRECTOR SPENCER SUSSER, (NATALIE PORTMAN has a producer credit on the film’s website) – has an ace story line, that just never stops. a wicked witty take on the casual world we inhabit, as we all try to survive. . . and dream. not to mention an intimate portrait on the generational dance . . . that shines a sweet light on the darker side of the family dinner table.
not to forget knock-down production values. ace acting – the whole ensemble is amazing – it’s like watching a play. ace dialog. ace sets, ace cinematography. and ace (subtle as hell) sound effects & sound track.
instead of ALAN ARKIN as the outrageous grandpa, we get PIPER LAURIE as the sweet but goofy, clueless. not long for this world, and soon to pop-off grandma. if she ain’t dishing the potatoes, she’s sharing the bong !!
RICHARD BRODY reviewed ‘HESHER’ in the NEW YORKER, last week too . . .
‘HESHER’ . . . stars JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT as the burn-out of the tile, an unemployed, unhinged, uninhibited heavy-metal stoner who barges into the life of a bullied teen-ager (DEVON BROCHU) and violently imposes himself on the kid’s grief-shattered household . . .
In exchange for bed, board, and complete, uncritical, and unquestioning indulgence HESHER offers meaningful life lessons.
There’s also an awkward bedraggled supermarket cashier (NATALIE PORTMAN) who adds to the film’s gallery of run-down and used-up people in need of just the kind of jolt that a foulmouthed, undisciplined, impulsive pyromaniac with a heart of gold, can provide.”
yeah bro, it’s a rainy day. take a web ride & check out: ‘HESHER’ – THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE !!
but just know – it ain’t got nothing – on the movie.
ANGELIKA – here we come !!
ALL PHOTOS: COURTESY/THE OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITES
~’HESHER’ = THE NEW ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ ? HELL, YES !! |
Posted in Movie Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 18th, 2011, 12:43pm
TEXT & PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH. MAY 13, 2011
FILE UNDER: THE HESHER – !! – MAKING INDIE WAVES !!
YES, that is art HOMEBOY – HESH – !! – aka HASH HALPER – who’s parodied, or hero-ed, or had his life-story stolen !! – or whatever you would friggin call it – identity-theft ? – in the new indie release: ‘HESHER’ – which just scored 3+1/2 stars out of 4 (!!) in a movie review just posted by KYLE SMITH – in the NEW YORK POST – this morning !!!!
the infamous – now famous ? HESH, center . . . of attention, natch. flanked by his sister SARAH LEWIS and artlovers’ KATE CERIGO – at the recent opening of another sister – ESTE LEWIS at THE PROPOSITION – MARCH 26, 2011 !!
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
see: ESTE LEWIS MEETS JAMES MONT !!
titled: ‘Antihero to the rescue’ – the KYLE SMITH review is a little hard to fathom – but the main deal gets across: HESH, or here as he is called, HESHER !! – RULES !!
Hesher . . . “a heavy-metal angel played by JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT . . . violent of hair, bare of chest, black of jeans and sporting a large middle finger tattoo on his back (in case you get behind him) is a burnout who appears in the life of a miserable young boy (Devin Brochu) who is missing his mom.
The boy is living in the past. His father (Rainn Wilson), a crumpled ex-man in sweatpants, isn’t living at all. Only the boy’s sweetly weird grandmother (Piper Laurie) appreciates the importance of the present, although she is aided by what she calls ‘medical cigarettes to help with nausea’.” ha.
the review continues: “Real-life Heshers – seen snickering six inches off the boundary of high school, smoking cigarettes and smashing bottles – are best avoided during that brief period between the full flowering of their anti-social skills and their inevitable departure to prison or the military or maybe the grave.” I’m sure the real Heshter – would take righteous issue with that !! it’s obvious that although the filmmakers know the real Hesh, Kyle Smith does not, but he intuitively gets it right as he continues, “The screen Hesher, though, is a cosmic clown, an imp of the perverse on a mission of the inappropriate” . . . and thank god for that – that somebody’s got the brains & ‘color’ – to be on that kind of mission . . . for sure. in these sorry days. right on, Hesh !!
and Kyle Smith does end his review with these fightin’ words: “Sometimes the only response to despair and cruelty, Hesher figures, is to make things go boom. In some bizarro Book of Job, I’d like to see the poor slob fight back as colorfully as Hesher: It wouldn’t accomplish anything, but it would at least show some freaking spirit.” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
amen.
read: the complete HESHER /REVIEW by KYLE SMITH/NEW YORK POST May 13, 2011 – yo, that’s right. FRI the 13th, ha.
the POST also has a great ‘exclusive’ clip up & running:
see: WATCH A CLIP FROM – HESHER !!
‘HESHER’ – is currently playing at the ANGELIKA – HOUSTON and MERCER streets.
from their website, cause it rings TRUE, is why !!
FROM DIRECTOR: SPENCER SUSSER – with NATALIE PORTMAN, JOSEPH-LEVITT, RAINN WILSON, PIPER LAURIE & JOHN CARROLL LYNCH – “Loud music. Pornography. Burning shit to the ground. These are few of Hesher’s favorite things. And they are what Hesher brings into the lives of TJ and his father . . when he takes up residence in their garage uninvited.”
you can also catch: ‘HESHER’ – THE OFFICIAL TRAILER, on the ANGELIKA WEBSITE !!
WOW – GREAT TRAILER, OR WHAT !!!! – HESH YOU GO – BOY !! – DON’T BLINK – HIT THE LINK !!
~yes !! that’s HESH !! |
Posted in Movie Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 13th, 2011, 8:20am
. . and other NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACTS: as in artist/artisans – & – talk about the glory days of AMERICANA !!
DEDICATED TO DAN CASSARA: THE SVA GRAPHIC DESIGN ‘whizz kid’ CLASS OF a 2008 – who just packed it all up – quit his plum job at MTV (!!) – and headed out cross country to Portland, OREGON, in a mini RV !! – hoping to sell his creative skills as he goes. and yes, if you run across him on his great adventure – you DO want him to to do your restaurant menu, signage, logo, or maybe even ‘stencil’ your walls. ha.
itinerant creative types, not to mention independent & entrepreneurial !! on the move again, just like in the old colonial days, or what !!
this is where it’s at – America 2011. wagon-ho !! even Brooklyn ain’t cool enuff.
and just sayin – but what an RV – if not a tipi ?
Pack it up – and you go, boy. westward, ho. shades of Michelle Williams, or what.
Cadzi Cody (Cotsiogo) (Shoshone, 1866-1912). Painted Robe, circa 1900. Wyoming. Elk hide, pigment, approx 81 x 88 in. BROOKLYN MUSEUM, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 64:13.
PHOTO COURTESY/BROOKLYN MUSEUM
TIPI: HERITAGE of the GREAT PLAINS
FEB 18 – MAY 15, 2011
MORRIS A. and MEYER SCHAPIRO WING, CANTOR GALLERY, 5th FLOOR
BROOKLYN MUSEUM – 200 EASTERN PARKWAY – BROOKLYN
SUGGESTED CONTRIBUTION: ADULTS $10 / STUDENTS $6 / CHILDREN UNDER 12 FREE
all following texts – from the BROOKLYN MUSEUM WEBSITE:
TIP: HERITAGE of the GREAT PLAINS focuses on the tipi as the center of Plains culture and social, religious, and creative traditions
from the early 19th century to the present . . . TIPI features more than 160 objects from the Brooklyn Museum’s collection of Plains material, as well as selected works from other museums; objects by contemporary Plains artists; and 3 full-size tipis, two with furnished interiors.
The exhibition includes objects from a large number of tribes from the Northern, Central, and Southern Plains. . . it explores the role of women, who were the owners of the tipi and makers of the tipi itself as well as the furnishings, clothing, and accessories kept within it; the traditional role of men as warriors,whose military exploits are depicted on tipi covers and liners; and the tipi as the center of childhood and family life.
In addition to historical and contemporary objects, the exhibition includes photographs of contemporary Plains family and community life and images of contemporary Native American architecture inspired by the tipi form.
Lyle Heavy Runner (Blackfeet, b. 1958) design owner and painter, Naomi Crawford (Blackfeet, b. 1935), tipi maker. Blackfeet Tipi 2010. Great Falls, Montana. Canvas, latex paint, wood. h. 27 ft. Commissioned for TPI: HERITAGE of the GREAT PLAINS, BROOKLYN MUSEUM, TL2010.89
PHOTO: JENNY STEVEN. PHOTO COURTESY/BROOKLYN MUSEUM
Tipi designs connect their owners with all the other beings in the world as well as with their ancestors, who transfer designs to their descendants in visions. (!!) Design ownership means that a person has the right to pass that design to someone else through ceremony. The Bleeding Skull design (of this tipi above) was given to Blackfeet artist LYLE J. HEAVY RUNNER by his mentor, ROBERT L. ‘RICE’, CRAWFORD, who received it from his grandparents.
Tipi designs are read from the ground up , from earth to sky. The red triangles on the bottom are mountains; the yellow circles are starbursts or falling stars, indicating a lodge containing a medicine bundle ( a sacred bundle containing medicines and other materials that provide power and protection. (!!)
The main design of bleeding skulls can be interpreted as two standing men extending pipes and hatchets. The back of the tipi (not visible in the photo) features a red beaver lodge surmounted by a tree, referencing the fact that Crawford’s parents were holders of the Beaver Medicine Bundle.
The top of the tipi is painted with a rainbow of green (earth) , yellow (sun), and blue (sky), above which is the North Star, and the yellow circles on the ear flaps represent the Big Dipper and the Pleiades.
Yanktonai artist. Shirt for Chief’s War Dress, early 19th century, Fort Snelling, Minnesoat. buckskin, pony beads, porcupine quills, buckskin, maidenhair fern stem, human hair, dye, feather, 44 x 68 in. BROOKLYN MUSEUM, HENRY L. BATTERMAN FUND and the FRANK SHERMAN BENSON FUND, 50.67.1a PHOTO COURTESY/BROOKLYN MUSEUM
(YO, human hair ? this shirt carries its own DNA sample. cloners in the future – gonna like that. no doubt !!)
( . . . along with the colonial white people’s souvenir/keepsake – ‘locks of hair’ – snipped & stored in golden lockets).
(damn sharp pre-sentient instincts – or, what !!)
This war shirt with matching leggings was collected by by Dr. Nathan Sturges Jarvis Sr., a military surgeon stationed at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, from 1833 to 1836. The shirt’s painted designs probably represent war exploits: single lines are stylized rifles, bifurcated lines are quirts (riding whips). The horse tracks on the right sleeve indicate successful horse raids.
Sioux artist. Storage Bag, late 19th century. Central Plains. Hide, beads, tin cones, horsehair, 15-1/2 x 20-1/2 in. BROOKLYN MUSEUM, BROOKLYN MUSEUM COLLECTION, X1111.1. PHOTO COURTESY/BROOKLYN MUSEUM
During the 18th century, European traders brought glass beads to native tribes living west of the Missouri River. The numerous colors of beads allowed for more creativity, and they supplanted the more subdued and labor-intensive bird and porcupine quills that had been used for decoration. The early white, blue, and black beads were called pony beads because they were transported on ponies. Smaller ‘seed’ beads replaced the pony beads in popularity because of greater availability and color choice.
end text: BROOKLYN MUSEUM.
. . . . . . . . . . .
PATRICK GRIFFIN. ‘COUNT THY BUTTONS’. THE JOURNAL GALLERY, BROOKLYN. AUG 14, 2008.
p.s. from the golden oldie vault. what only 3 long years ago ?
here’s some sunny day Monday blues fun – take a trip back in time – & – check out some pix – from the long hot summer of 2008.
it’s got some real gems . . such as ? PATRICK GRIFFIN & his ‘COUNT THY BUTTONS’ show, for starters. still among my top ten faves of all time !!
see: ART LOVERS PHOTOS – SUMMER’S HEAT 2008 !!
~LAST WEEK to CATCH THE TIPIS !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 9th, 2011, 10:44am
‘A STEP BACK INTO THE FUTURE’ – JAMES MONT LIVING ROOM c. 1950 with CONTEMPORARY CUSTOM WALLPAPER BY ESTE LEWIS – INSTALLATION SHOT/COURTESY: THE PROPOSITION
LAST DAYS TO CATCH – THIS WONDERFULLY ENGAGING SHOW !! AN TRULY INSPIRED MATCH-UP OF VINTAGE ‘MODERN’ – MEETS CONTEMPORARY CUTTING EDGE DESIGN . . . HEAD-ON.
AND DOES THIS GLASS SLIPPER, FIT. OR WHAT.
SOME TIMES IT’S NOT ABOUT THE FIGHTIN’ – BUT THE CHAMPAGNE BUBBLES !!
THE GOLDEN ERA OF AMERICAN DESIGN – THINK MAD MEN & FRANK SINATRA !! – AMERICA AT ITS – BEST-EST.
YEAH. BRING BACK – THE GLORY DAYS OF MODERN DESIGN !!
‘A STEP BACK INTO THE FUTURE’ – JAMES MONT LIVING ROOM c. 1950 – WITH CUSTOM WALLPAPER BY ESTE LEWIS
MARCH 26 THRU THIS SUNDAY MAY 1, 2011
THE PROPOSITION – 2 EXTRA PLACE – EAST 1st ST OFF THE BOWERY
NOTE: CLOSING PARTY – THIS SUNDAY – MAY 1 / 5-7PM !!
ELIZABETH BUTTERS WILL SING SONGS – FROM HER NEW ALBUM – ‘FOLK BLUES FOR APPALACHIAN DULCIMER and GUITAR’ – so sweet & chic – or what ??!!
at the opening: ESTE LEWIS, her custom wallpaper behind her, and the terrifically slick – JAMES MONT ‘baby grand piano bar’ – in front.
the definition of chic, or what . . .
“back when people smoked cigarettes and drank martinis . . . JAMES MONT was designing outrageous living rooms with sofas covered in exquisite densely textured fabrics and furniture with complex surfaces of tinted lacquers and gold and silver leaf . . .
this exhibit will bring you into a living room of the future set in the past . . . the gallery divided into three segments, all containing arrangements of c. 1950 vintage furniture designed by James Mont – amidst appropriately themed patterned backdrops of custom wallpaper designed by ESTE LEWIS. ”
yo, contemporary edge meets modern sleek – head on: voila, over-the-top design magic. or what !!
detail, ESTE LEWIS CUSTOM WALLPAPER – featuring segments of various condiments commonly found alongside a martini !! – in . . . ZIPLOC BAGS – a 1950s invention – wouldn’t you know.
RONALD SOSINSKI of THE PROPOSITION and graphic design artist ESTE LEWIS, lounging at the bar !! – how more ‘tres chic’ – can you get ?
this wonderful confluence of vintage ‘modern’ and contemporary ‘cutting edge’ – was Mr. Sosinki’s curatorial brainchild. always known to have a unique take on the art scene – when Ronald saw Este’s designs a few spare months ago – a light went off in his head – and, hand me another martini, or two. is all I can say.
MORE PIX – FROM THE OPENING – COMING UP – LATER TO-NITE !!
OK – TIME TO POST JUST A FEW – TEASERS !!
ESTE LEWIS & JAMES MONT – BRING OUT THE MODERN DAY – RAT PACK !! NYC-STYLE.
SINATRA AIN’T GOT NOTHING – ON YOU, HESH.
HESH – YOU THE MAN.
Este’s little sis SARAH LEWIS, Este’s bro, HESH aka HASH HALPER, art mover and groover of the underground moment. sealin’ deals with real copper pennies, for sure – with artlovers’ KATE CERIGO . . .
talk about a NEW YORK MINUTE. (and happening now. not a decade ago.)
kick back – on the 1950 JAMES MONT couch with the fab ESTE LEWIS golden ‘sponge’ wallpaper – shimmering and tapped down opaque, all at the same time . . . happening to great effect – behind them.
between the furniture and the wallpaper – faux, faux and more faux. give me that fab hi-end design faux surface – any day. but esp with freely running hot sake bubbling away in a big pot – on a hot plate !! – in the gallery office.
hey, sometimes its all about – the groove.
Americana ? – you, bet !! a big slice, the golden age of American modern design !! and yo. pass that sake cup. here’s to Este, James and Ronald: the golden age of Vegas and the Sinatra rat pack, right up to, and past the glory days of the MAD MEN ad era – may you live on for ev-ah !!
but wait, there is such an evil side to this silver lining, it’s like the reverse. a cloud in every golden moment ?
read on.
ok, so the exhibit began like this: romantic, or what !!
THE PROPOSITION has re-located to their best space ev-ah. a window-encased storefront ground floor jewel of a space – just at the intersection where the hip Lower East Side meets the gritty Chinatown byway – head on.
JAMES MONT made the lamp, Este Lewis made the custom wallpaper . . . butterflies on gold ‘leaf’ . . . “using gold foil from chocolate bars and butterfly stickers” . . a sweet meet of forward and backwards-looking ‘faux’ . . . if I ever did see one.
detail, ESTE LEWIS custom wallpaper.
JAMES MONT (center) in a vintage photo – from 1937, his wedding day. he is flanked by, his best man, no less than, yes !! a young BOB HOPE, and, his lovely (as in tres chic) new bride.
it’s fun to google him !! JAMES MONT designer, 1904-1978. born in Istanbul as DEMETRIOS PECINTOGLU.
omg – he had a temper, and apparently was as violent as his designs were wicked – as in wicked sleek . . . cutting edge.
apparently according to the most rudimentary web search – yeah I do – my homework – he had a very fiery temper !! no say !!
in 1940 he was sentenced to, and served 5 years !! yes, 5 long years in SING SING for “savagely thrashing” lampshade designer DOROTHY BURNS. (!!).
see: Remembering James Mont/Unbeige !!
OMG X 100,000 !!
it gets worse !! what a scoundrel – is NOT the word. oh my, RONALD SOSINSKI – !! – you sure do love em, bad as bad can be.
apparently that’s 25 yr. old Korean-American actress HELEN JIM – he is marrying in the photo above.
a short 29 days later, she was found dead !! in their Park Ave apt – ruled a suicide, but – whoa. who believed that.
in this next amazing post, you also get the low down on the DOROTHY BURNS episode.
apparently he invited her over, “lured” is the word they use. and when she resisted, he attacked her. poor lady, she felt so humiliated – she actually hung herself during the trial !! apparently he emerged from prison reformed.
oh my, see: JAMES MONT: SHOWMANSHIP & FANTASY/ANTIQUES
now – that’s what I call – a good rainy day read !!
makes the match with Este’s wallpaper – even the more fascinating.
as in: eye candy meets brute sleek and what the hell – just happened. ya gotta love it. you just can’t make that up.
a JAMES MONT living room.
there are several coffee table books on hand to browse . . .
RONALD SOSINSKI and ESTE LEWIS – relax on the fab fab JAMES MONT couch – Este’s wallpaper behind.
you can check out more on ESTE LEWIS: here, at SOY ESTE !!
bye the way, apparently the vintage James Mont furniture comes from Ronald’s own collection.
fab . . .
the art crew of the moment – on the couch !!
from right: JOSH HARRIS, TIMOXA, MS. BLAZE, HESH/HASH HALPER, and GERRIT FLORATOS.
a New York minute, if I ever did see one – the underground art world spins on a dime.
artist and web guru JOSH HARRIS, reliving the glory days – with, artist TIMOXA and friend: MS. BLAZE.
yo, TIMOXA !!
here’s a detail of that golden ‘natural sponge’ wallpaper.
Este had her wallpaper designs arrayed in beautiful full color large scale sample books.
this offering – looks to be composed of plastic toy gun – caps . . .
ESTE LEWIS wallpaper – all the designs derive from common objects – albeit with the colors maximized, usually arrayed in simple grid-like repeating patterns – scaled to an effect that rises above – their everyday roots.
ESTE LEWIS wallpaper: eye – candy !!
this is the sample for the golden ‘sponge’ design – above the couch. it almost looks like cork.
as ESTE LEWIS holds court inside . . .
new faces arrive.
our first encounter with GERRIT FLORATOS. wait til you see – his portraits. hyper real meets cutting edge and never stops.
GERRIT FLORATOS fooling around with artist TRISTAN REGINATO – who looks like he just came from the welding shop !!
in fact his dad is PETER REGINATO, known for his painted abstract steel welding works, see: PETER REGINATO.
photographer BARRON CLAIBORNE with HESH.
check him out: BARRON CLAIBORNE.
and for some real fun on a rainy day: google him.
RAUZAR ALEXANDER – independent filmmaker. check out: HOMINID GROUP . . .
RAUZAR ALEXANDER & HOMINID GROUP FILMS – wow, is all that comes to mind.
a couple of last shots, of the installation . . .
JAMES MONT meets ESTE LEWIS, a most thrilling encounter. – ‘A STEP BACK INTO THE FUTURE’.
full-length mirror, sofa, end table, and coffee table by JAMES MONT. on the wall, custom natural sponge wallpaper by ESTE LEWIS.
faux, fab and glam . . . what else could you say ?
and then. it’s back into the nite !!
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
~ESTE LEWIS MEETS JAMES MONT: VOILA DESIGN MAGIC !! LAST 3 DAYS !! MORE PIX – GOING LIVE !! RIGHT NOW – WED MAY 4 !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 28th, 2011, 7:40am
or: angry young woman Black & White. and blues. finds her inner heart & stills down that vicious hatred.
a long time acomin’ . . .
KARA WALKER – ‘Fall Frum Grace, Miss Pipi’s Blue Tale’
APRIL 21 – June 4, 2011
LEHMANN MAUPIN GALLERY – 210 CHRYSTIE ST – at HOUSTON.
KARA WALKER, Fall Frum Grace, Miss Pipi’s Blue Tale, (video still detail), 2011.
single channel video. dimensions variable. edition of 3.
IMAGE COURTESY/ILEHMANN MAUPIN GALLERY
KARA WALKER, Fall Frum Grace, Miss Pipi’s Blue Tale, (video still detail), 2011.
IMAGE COURTESY/LEHMANN MAUPIN GALLERY
KARA WALKER, Fall Frum Grace, Miss Pipi’s Blue Tale, (video still detail), 2011
IMAGE COURTESY/LEHMANN MAUPIN GALLERY
KARA WALKER, at the show’s opening, Thurs April 21, 2011
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
usually when you walk into a KARA WALKER show – it is all cut paper on paper collage. or deep powerful drawing. very strident, very serious. very soulful and sorrowful and mean and angry. cutting. brutally witty. with a dry, deep down in-your-face America roaring back at ya, with over-the-top black face satire. explicit, raunchy. sharp elbow jabs – in the ribs of the county’s consciousness. a visceral one-two punch at America’s meanest streak.
no words necessary . . .
this show – was a whole other sensory experience – a revelation. as different as a sheet of black construction paper is from the digital dance of video projection . . . from dry to radiant. from static to fluid and flittering.
an all-film, all moving-image, paper puppet show. the thin black paper cut-out profiles of the past – animated by human hands using sticks & strings – riffs off of Indonesian shadow puppet theater. with animated backgrounds as liquid as moving – water . . . and as dramatic as full-blown sunsets . . . absolutely enchanting. unspeakable gorgeous. profoundly expressive. swift. violent. but not as hateful as that simple piece of cutting-edge cut paper can be in Ms. Walker’s skillful hands. is illuminating the word. more illuminating than accusing ?
the light of digital projection, softly, sensually exploding – like a small shower of fireworks.
a patchwork quilt in motion. a spin of images.
how to express it . . . a hard message – that got lifted by the song of film ?
the narrative still told how fucked-over the blacks were . . . but somehow the tragedy of the tale became more hauntingly like an old melody of sorrow – rather than a kick to the stomach. when you aren’t looking.
you still thought about things. don’t get me wrong.but you marveled too, you moved to the sweep of the drama, unfolding before you. no words. . you know: the magic – of storytelling. one of our oldest, living traditions – for a reason: can be spellbinding. and definite a show I want to wander into again, and again. and just let it wash right over me.
upstairs, in a small screening room, towards the front of the gallery as it faces the street – don’t miss it !!!
is a different kind of film experience . . . a brief video loop of Ms. Walker – unmasked !!
how strange and wonderous to be allowed to see this usually very up-tight, formal and academic presence revealing her inner wild child – half undressed and stripped down in more ways than one. , singing the blues . . she radiates joy and enchantment, almost like a small child on running with delight with a kite on a cliff. no hatred here. no mean streak name calling. no scores to settle. in-your-face self-portrait – finding the solace of soul – in the blues.
KARA WALKER . . . . with her on the right: ELLIE BRONSON.
KARA WALKER . . . as cute, and as smart as a (black) pearl button – think she finally really found herself . . .
her inner radiant child. grabbed that inner song, let down her hair. caught that that deep-set vibe that could carry her past the aggregate hurt and passed-down resentment. the scars of decades of ill-mistreatment.
in a nutshell: the story of the American blacks – thru the blues.
and so all the more lucky we are – that she shared that little gem of a self portrait video clip with us, and pretty amazing too that she did – because she tends to be a very guarded person in public.
we might go thru the looking glass, narratively speaking, to find ourselves – but the blacks went thru blues. and think about it: does America not rock, now or what ? this country is just one big walking sound track. it’s one of the best things about this country . . . it’s music culture.
music: from the fast fiddles of the Appalachians to the wide open guitar wails of the delta. the great American melting pot jump-start – to a better place.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
~KARA WALKER sings the blues |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 22nd, 2011, 7:21am
DEDICATED TO NYC MAYOR BLOOMBERG: who declared yesterday, according to the NEW YORK POST. PAGE 3, APRIL 19, 2011 – that he presides over the edgiest city in the world, a claim once made by London.
“New York has become the edgy city of the world. We’ve taken that title away from London” . . . the mayor said at a groundbreaking for an apartment building in Williamsburg. (!!)
JANE KAUFMAN – invited us by her studio a few weeks ago. to see her new work.
yes, she made the veil. she calls it, the ‘Evening Wear Burka’ . . .
don’t think they’d like, even these more fashionable ones – in France, or anywhere else.
Jane does all the fabrication – all the beading, all the embroidery, all the embellishing – all the sequins – herself.
by hand. she learnt her ‘domestic’ skills, ha. double ha. as a young child from her grandmother – who hand-beaded costumes for the Russian circus, before the family immigrated to the US of A.
Jane is an equal opportunity disser – esp of organized religion.
‘Mother Mary’s Immaculate Confections. The Cherry is Intact.’
inside the (faux) chocolate box . . .
the echo of the stained glass window – is a super sweet detail . . .
the clits are Mother Mary – faces.
hey, just saying . . . if you can’t take the heat, stay out of the art kitchen.
or, friggin keep things honest. that’s what they really say.
‘So Many Christians, So Few Lions’. get it ?
all hand-embroidered.
‘Intelligent Design’.
yeah, even before ‘advanced’ organized religion – men were – boneheads.
all hand-embroidered. gorgeous, just gorgeous. no studio fabricators, here.
that gold chord – is actually piles upon miles of tiny golden beads.
Jane says she can bead like nobody’s business – we believe her.
folk art, yeah. right.
‘Abstinence Makes the Church Grow Fondlers.’
absolutely gorgeous detailed handiwork.
talent runs – where them Fighting words call out. who said that ? again . . . (moi).
Michelle Williams, and all the other pioneer ladies in ‘Meeker’s Cutoff’ – eat your heart out.
there’s that silky shimmering pain-stakingly strung together golden beaded chord again – spewing out: CHANGE !!
TWISTED CHORD = TWISTED WARNING. well, really RIGHTEOUS WARNING – twisted actions.
. . . bad history.
not your mother’s handiwork – that’s for sure.
can you guess what’s coming.
unfrocked, not your backyard swing, either.
JANE KAUFMAN: incredible, awesome hand-skills meet a whip-sharp mind, with a social conscience.
no wonder these girls were masked, back in the day.
hello, JANE KAUFMAN – unmasked. thanks for letting me in. you’re as good as it gets – Americana.
artist artisan activist. the big American – triple AAA. Land of the free – Home of the brave.
now you know where New York City – gets its edge.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH. JANE KAUFMAN STUDIO, CHELSEA. NYC. WITH HER NEWEST WORK. FEB 11, 2011.
~JANE KAUFMAN/unmasked . . . |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 19th, 2011, 2:57pm
FILE UNDER: THEM BE FIGHTING WORDS !!
ran into JANE KAUFMAN on the street – the other day . . . she was wearing her (real) fighter jacket.
JANE KAUFMAN, an artist in her own right, is also an original founding member of the GUERRILLA GIRLS – an all-female – give me that F word !! – activist group that sprung up in gritty NEW YORK CITY in 1985.
a collection of spirited, damn serious politically-radical not-to-mention passionate in-your-face women, it operates as an anonymous collective that wears gorilla masks in public, and uses the names of dead woman artists – when speaking in public. KATHE KOLOWITZ and FRIDA KHALO, anybody listening. you bet.
they retained their anonymity I’m told until just recently. April 2009, when they all came out at a big party the GETTY MUSEUM gave them – to honor the museum’s purchase of their archive.
Jane’s fighter jacket.
actually no joke. it was a gorgeous vintage US AIR FORCE FIGHTER PILOT – JACKET.
made back in the day – when Indian head logos – were NOT – politically incorrect.
oh, yeah. that’s some real Americana.
AF SEP 1941 – JUNE 1953 . . . . the SECOND WORLD WAR.
righteous.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH, NYC MARCH 25, 2011
see: GUERRILLA GIRLS/wiki
see: GETTY ACQUIRES ARCHIVE/GUERRILLA GIRLS
see: GUERRILLA GIRLS – THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE/WHICH HAS A GREAT SLIDE SHOW ON THE HOME PAGE & AN ARCHIVE OF THEIR PERFORMANCES & POSTERS !!
image: screen grab from their website: GUERILLA GIRLS
one of their more famous posters:
“Do women have to get be naked to get into the Met. Museum ? less than 5% of the artists in the Modern Art sections are women but 85% of the nudes are female.”
GUERRILLA GIRLS – CONSCIENCE OF THE ART WORLD.
(I guess so.)
image: screen grab from their website
GUERRILLA GIRLS – GUEST LECTURE.
(love this photo – cause it reminds me of PLANET APE !! and I mean that in a good way.)
image: screengrab from their website
FRIDA KAHLO. damn, you go – girl !!
take back that letter ‘F’ – for FRIDA !!
take back that letter ‘F’ for “female” and “feminism” – and you know, rock n’roll ’em with that other great letter ‘F’ word – the one that rhymes with – duck !! heavy lift-ing happening. they did, and still do rock the art world boat . . . and, apparently they still need to. even the young dudes don’t get it.
item: only 2 women artists in that recent ‘PANTHEON – HISTORY OF STREET ART IN NEW YORK CITY’ SURVEY.
where was PINK ? where was AIKO – aka THE BRICK LADIES OF NEW YORK – just to mention 2.
just saying.
AD HOC got it right in 2008.
see: LADY PINK & AIKO OPEN TO-NITE !!
see: LADY PINK & AIKO – THE BRICK LADIES OF NEW YORK – OPENING NITE PIX – A WHOLE SLEW OF THEM !! GREAT, GREAT SHOW – ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVES
and, if you checked out that fab fab red & white quilt show – a week back – you know, it was all – by: anonymous.
yo, like they say: anonymous was a woman.
we’re about to strip the veil – on this one !!
next up: we visit Jane at home & see her new work.
talent runs – where fighter words roar.
~JANE KAUFMAN: GUERRILLA GIRL |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 19th, 2011, 2:44pm
THE VIRGIN SUICIDES (1999) – DIRECTED BY SOPHIA COPPOLA
REVIEWED BY NANCY SMITH. APRIL 19, 2011
I had a lot more fun, (as opposed to having just seen MEEK’S CUTOFF !!) – the next night, watching SOFIA COPPOLA’S – THE VIRGIN SUICIDES’ (1999) – which has has just popped up on: NETFLIX – INSTANTS !!
now there is a narrative, and a real slice of the American pie – which even though its story is hyper-fantastic – rings true all the way through. even to getting dumped on the football field – after the big prom nite . . .
JAMES WOODS takes the cake as the dad. A young JOSH HARTNETT, in a midnight blue velvet suit !! – is to die for. (apparently, literally) . . .
and a young KIRSTEN DUNST – oh la la. pioneer American rose in the blooming.
the LISBON girls: THERESE, LUX (KIRSTEN DUNST), MARY and BONNIE.
at first there were five . .
PHOTO: imdb media
JOSH HARTNETT as TRIP FONTAINE !!
PHOTO: imdb media
JOSH HARTNETT – at the RON TRUBKOVICH OPENING/FEB 15, 2008.
PHOTO BY: NANCY SMITH / first posted on artlovers/FEB 16, 2008
SOFIA COPPOLA – PHOTOGRAPHED at the GBE/ELIZABETH PEYTON OPENING, APRIL 17, 2004
PHOTO BY: NANCY SMITH – first published in artnet/APRIL 2004
‘THE VIRGIN SUICIDES’ – WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY – SOFIA COPPOLA – 1999
YO !! . . . . . WATCH THE ORIGINAL TRAILER – on YouTube !! !!
CECILIA – the first to go – the dying Elm tree in their suburban front yard – was the tip-off !!
~SOFIA COPPOLA: VIRGIN SUICIDE GIRL |
Posted in Movie Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 19th, 2011, 11:06am
MEEK’S CUTOFF – DIRECTED BY KELLY REICHARDT
REVIEW & PHOTOS BY NANCY SMITH. APRIL 19, 2011
MICHELLE WILLIAMS in the lobby of the FILM FORUM, SAT APRIL 16, 2011
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
. . . after my downright enchanting, mind-freeing, soul-reviving, box-breaking – brain-power revving – not to forget, tangy-soup eating – rainy day excursion at RIRKRIT TIRAVANIJA’S – ‘FEAR EATS THE SOUL’, I wandered over to the FILM FORUM to catch MICHELLE WILLIAMS’ latest flick – ‘MEEK’S CUTOFF’ – DIRECTED & EDITED BY KELLY REICHARDT – where my koda-chrome photo luck continued !!
lucky timing or what – MICHELLE WILLIAMS was there in the lobby on some private p.r. mission – and flashed me a really nice killer smile.
damn, if I didn’t die and go to paparazzi heaven right then, and there.
it took me at least 2 hrs to recover my equilibrium . . .
lucky I had that rush – because I can’t really recommend the film, except to die-hard MICHELLE WILLIAMS fans. what a dud. slow as molasses, with none of the sweet return.
even die-hard history buffs are gonna be disappointed. the film just never lifts off. never becomes authentic, even for the trying. you have a better shot on PBS. item: trying hard to get over on ya – EMILY TETHEROW, Ms. Williams’ character – loading a real black powder muzzle loading (Baker?) rifle, damn those things were heavy, solid steel.
(the best part of the movie – when her skinny arms recoiled from the actual strain). and took forever to fire. or seeing her grinding coffee. with a museum-worthy rusty squeaky handle-cranked bean grinder. the knitting scenes were the worst. yeah, those girls were really knitting, but silly scarves. in the desert. I don’t think so. they would have been patchin’ or crashin’.
and forget dramatic. all the men were cinematic duds. ole man Meek was a windbag – annoying – but not annoying enough – though you couldn’t get over the beautiful almond shape of his eyes over all that beard. and he had a great fringed leather costume. the Indian was ok. at least he seemed to sing soulful Indian, ok. but I would have preferred something really racy between him and Emily . . . Emily Tetherow, (Michelle) and SHIRLEY HENDERSON, as Mrs. GLORY WHITE – were captivating, cinematically, any time they got screen time – which was most of the time. no wonder. none of the others had any chemistry with the camera, let alone the script. maybe that was a kind of deliberate shaded-into-nothing form of casting ? is all I can think.
and when the film finally ended, with no plot in sight – let alone water – I wasn’t the only one who stood up, uttering those dread audience words aloud: a small chorus of . . . what the fuck was that ??
ya’ll know I am all for Americana – so, sorry for the busted review. but that’s how the dust settled.
interestingly enough, they had 2 actual costumes on hand – from the movie – displayed in the FILM FORUM LOBBY,
where you can still see the embedded desert dirt in the presumably laundered duds.
well, they weren’t all smelly and perspiration-stained. the (neck) ties of the bonnets took the biggest beating.
ORIGINAL PERIOD GARMENTS from the film by costume designer VICKI FARRELL.
materials: calico, muslim, cotton cording & Oregon desert dust.
left: MRS. EMILY TETHEROW – worn by MICHELLE WILLIAMS.
RIGHT: MRS. MILLIE GATELY – worn by ZOE KAZAN.
EMILY TETHEROW’S BONNET.
MILLIE GATELY’S BONNET.
detail, MILLIE GATELY sleeve.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH. FILM FORUM – 209 WEST HOUSTON ST, APRIL 16, 2011.
see: ‘MEEK’S CUTOFF’ – THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
~MICHELLE WILLIAMS: PIONEER GIRL |
Posted in Movie Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | April 19th, 2011, 10:26am
