It's Showtime

Fall and winter is a great time to catch museum and gallery exhibitions. There are thousands all over the states, but these selected shows were chosen to highlight because they feature exceptional costume and textiles (either in painting or as pieces), or drawings and works on paper...a favorite of this writer.

At the Denver Art Museum. Shock Wave: Japanese Fashion Design, 1980s–90s, shows work by Japanese designers who started a fashion revolution in Paris. http://denverartmuseum.org/exhibitions/shock-wave 

Comme des Garcons Spring-Summer 1997

Issey Miyake Autumn-Winter 1986

Kansai Yamamoto about 1980

At the Menil Colletion in Houston: Picasso The Line includes drawings from the most important periods of the artist’s long career; it gathers about 90 of his works on paper that span a wide range of mediums, from pen or pencil to charcoal and collage.
https://www.menil.org/exhibitions/245-picasso-the-line

Self Portrait 1918

Bottle & Glass 1912-13

At the Neue Galerie, NYC: Klimt and the Women of Vienna’s Golden Age, 1900–1918.

This exhibition examines the Klimt's sensual portraits of women as the embodiment of fin-de-siècle Vienna. Klimt's women are always wearing the most beautiful fashion of the moment, and his color saturation and texture is superb, as in the gold of the famous portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer. http://www.neuegalerie.org/content/klimt-and-women-vienna%E2%80%99s-golden-age-1900%E2%80%931918

Adele Bloch-Bauer 1907

Elizabeth Lederer 1914-16

 At the Morgan Library and Museum, NYC: Dubuffet Drawings, 1935–1962 is the first museum retrospective of the artist’s works on paper. The exhibition includes approximately one hundred drawings from Dubuffet’s most innovative decades and features rarely seen works borrowed from private and public collections in France and the United States.
http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/dubuffet-drawings

L'Arnaque (The Swindle) 1962

Portrait of Jean Paulhan 1955

At the Grand Rapids Art Museum: Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion. This exhibition shows an in-depth look at the worlk of Dutch fashion designer, whose cutting-edge designs have been worn by style icons such as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Bjork.
http://dutchcultureusa.com/blog/3290/iris-van-herpen-transforming-fashion-at-grand-rapids-art-museum.

No description of this piece on the website

No description for this piece on the website

At the Met:Jean Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806) Drawing Triumphant. Unlike many old masters for whom drawing was a preparatory tool, Fragonard explored the potential of chalk, ink, and wash to create sheets that were works of art in their own right. This exhibition celebrates the artist's achievements as a master draftsman.
http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2016/fragonard

Fragonard 1760

At the Seattle Art Museum:Yves Saint Laurent:The Perfection of Style, showcasing highlights from the legendary designer’s 44-year career. Drawn from the collection of the Fondation Pierre Bergé—Yves Saint Laurent, the exhibition features new acquisitions by the Foundation that have never been shown publicly. before.http://seattleartmuseum.org/Exhibitions/Details?EventId=37669

Pea Coat Spring/Summer 1962

Mondrian Dress 1965

Annie's Got Her Gun

A well regulated Militia,

being necessary to the security of a free State,

the right of the

people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed

 Sporty Hunting Ensembles

The very clear statement of the 2nd Amendment, ratified December 15, 1791, was that Americans needed a well regulated militia to protect themselves and control their newly conquered environment from the indigenous people. Nowhere in this Amendment is "handgun" or "assault weapon" mentioned. These former colonists used their "arms" to hunt game, the primary role for one's musket. Today, those "militias" are known as the National Guard.

So, how did a militia to protect the citizens from armed combatants (not the U.S. government) become an armed individual who is paranoid that the U.S. government is going to take away their "2nd Amendment Rights"? Or a self-described "militia" who has decided they can take over public (aka OUR) land? A "right" that makes it easier to buy a gun than to get on an airplane.

How did America go from this....

18th c. Militia 

to this...

Shopping for an assault weapon

Assault Weapons at a Gun Show

and this...

Sandy Hook

Answers to these questions require a much longer and more intense explanation than this blog can provide, and they are better left to a dissertation, a newspaper op-ed, or Guns in America 101. So, this post is about how guns have been glamorized in the media and in film.

Our first shootin' media star was Annie Oakley, who could split a playing card, edge-on, and put several more holes in it before it could touch the ground, while using a .22 caliber rifle, at 90 feet (27 m). Annie traveled with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and became an international sensation.

Annie Oakley aka Phoebe Ann Mosey

Celebrity marksmen evolved into celebrity criminals,

Gun Totin' Bonnie Parker

'30s Glamour Crime Bosses

which led to pulp fiction

and to the movies.

Un-named 30's Gangster Film

Guns and violence became part of film's legacy.

James Cagney

By the '40's and Film Noir, women were packing, and the pistol became the symbol of The Dame.

Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity

Claire Trevor in Murder, My Sweet

The Dame evolved into the strong, powerful woman who could take care of herself and everybody else...if she had a gun, just like the men.

Spaghetti Western

Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft

Alan Ladd and Brandon deWilde in Shane

and of course...

John Wayne in Stagecoach

So, when did guns become sexy? During the Cold War and the era of spies.

Daniel Craig as Bond...James Bond

A Bond Girl

These were not feminist statements.Just as with men, a woman with a gun is not a stronger, more courageous human.

1950

Patty Hearst with the Simbianese Liberation Army

She is simply a hunter, a criminal, or someone who lives in a world of fear-mongering, where being armed is equated with being safe. How has the media and popular culture contributed to the last example? How has the glorification and glamorization of gun culture through music, film, books, and television contributed to the statistics of gun violence in America? Here are two excellent articles on this subject.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/violence-baked-popular-culture-080655362.html?ref=gs

http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/making-connections-medias-role-our-culture-violence

The tremendous amount of money that is made off  of our gun-infused culture ensures that no change in attitude will ever be instituted...that ship has long since sailed. Clearly, to reduce gun violence in America, common sense gun laws have to be enacted. After all, the creators of the Constitution probably never envisioned that an "armed militia" would manifest itself as Americans with arsenals of assault weapons.

A Market for the Senses

Strolling through a noisy, crowded marketplace in a small village, air perfumed by the scent of mangoes, fresh tortillas, and the exotic granada, anona, and chicayotes, sounds of a parade rise above the cacophony of market day chatter. The deep roots of Mayan, Spanish and Afro/Caribbean music and food creates a party that is distinctly Guatemalan.

Amid this wonderful saturation of senses are some of the most beautiful fabrics in the world Guatemalan hand-woven cottons.

Guatemalan Cottons

Before Spanish conquest, only plant fibers were used in weaving, which was done by women on a back-strap loom.

A Back-strap loom

After European contact, cloth was woven by Mayan men on a treadle loom, a tradition that continues today. Vivid, intense colors are woven into stripes or jaspe′ (ikat) that speak of the warmth of this land, the rich Mayan textile history, and the natural world in which this tradition thrives.

Nothing says festive more than a gorgeous Guatemalan stripe or ikat.  Heavier stripes and solids for a seat cushion or pillow, a banquette, a dining room chair or window cornice, yet pliable for that slouchy bag thrown over a shoulder for market. Ikats generally have a gentler drape that will cover a pillow or window, and mix beautifully into soft pants, shirts, and dresses. 

A Glorious Guatemalan Brunch

Pupusas de Queso
Fried Plantains
Over-easy eggs
Black Beans
Guatemalan Coffee

Pupusas de Queso (cheese-stuffed tortillas)
2 c. masa harina
1 c. water
queso fresco

Stir the masa harina and water together in a mixing bowl until smooth; knead well. Cover bowl, and let the dough rest 5 to 10 min.

Shape the dough into eight, 2" diameter balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball into 6" diameter round. Sprinkle 2/4 c. queso fresco over each round. Place a second tortilla over the cheese, and pinch the edges together to seal in the cheese.
Heat ungreased skillet over medium-high heat. Place one tortilla into the skillet at a time, and cook until cheese melts and tortillas are lightly browned, about 2 min. on each side.

Fried Plantains
Choose plantains that are almost black. Slice lengthwise and fry in either a small bit of unsalted butter or a neutral oil. Sprinkle with freshly grated cinnamon and serve.

Black Beans
Soak dried black beans overnight and cook in water or broth with quartered onion. Remove onion and cook down to thicken beans.

A Mayan Design

And now....a word from Reggie

I've been told that I need to talk about those furry things that I live with cuz I'm not supposed to hog all the space. So here's a story Mom wrote about the little gray thing.

10:00 PM Opera

It starts in the evening, but sometimes when we return during the day, the evidence is still there. Red rags strewn about, and sometimes a hand towel thrown into the mix. When I get up in the morning, I pick up at least three of the treasured red cloths on my way to the kitchen.

Red Rag

My husband and I live with three animals: Reggie, a rescued Pit from a shelter in heroin-land, Desi, our special needs cat, and Lucy, our last addition who got a bit of an attitude when we found out that this shelter kitty is pure Turkish Angora.

Although all three are hugely entertaining, Lucy has demonstrated a very unique talent. Somehow, this 9 lb. wonder can "sing" at the top of her lungs while running through the house with one of the red rags in her mouth. She'll then drop the cloth and continue the yowling opera for another minute. Never anticipating the moment of this performance, naturally I don't have my phone video ready. Not that this act could compete with the cat climbing straight up a bedroom wall, playing taps on the piano, or walking across the room on only its front legs. But, we're not big YouTube providers anyway. This just comes under the category of "you have to see this to believe it" for our friends and family.

Having read plenty of literature on cat behavior, and doing a bit of sleuthing on-line, I've found no explanation for this strange routine of Lucy's. Is she creating a nest? The Vet did say that she had obviously had a teen-age pregnancy. Are these gifts to be presented to my husband or me, like the half-dead mouse if she'd been outdoors? Or is she reaching back to her ancient feline wildness - a version of some primal prehistoric roots?

I decided, after all of my investigation, that it isn't necessary to understand why our pets do what they do. In spite of the wonderful "understanding your pet" shows on PBS, animals are still a mystery to us. I don't need to create an allegory for my own life out of Lucy's showmanship; I don't need to see it as a microcosm of the universe's balance, or another spiritual voice giving me guidance.

I just need to enjoy Lucy's uniqueness. We have a counter full of framed pictures of cats and dogs who have passed through our lives. Each one has brought his or her personality to the wonderful mix of love and play into our house. The crowd that now shares our space is as interesting in their interplay as any group we've had before. Reggie is cowed by Desi's fearlessness, and completely besotted with Lucy. Desi is the smartest and most curious cat we've had. Only he could figure out how to remove the cover over the mechanics of a whirlpool tub just to see what's in there. The morning and evening shenanigans of Lucy and Desi together, along with Reggie's demand for chase-the-squeaky-green-alien play is the best stress-reliever ever.

Poems have been written about our pets, our own human attributes have been assigned to them, and metaphors have been created to make a good read. But really, our beloved critters deserve more than that. Let's just give them the simple acknowledgement of their important role on our planet. They give far more to us (even the independents like Desi) than we give to them and, like all creatures, they're a window into the amazing world beyond us humans. So I just sit back and enjoy the show for exactly what it is: Lucy doing her thing with great delight, and giving me a free ticket to see it.

Lucy

Sexism, Ageism, and the Amazing Disappearing Woman

Dos Equis Ad

Headline: A Man is Considered Old
77 year old Jonathan Goldsmith, who has portrayed The Most Interesting Man in the World for Dos Equis since 2007 has been put out to pasture. In his place is 44 year old French actor Agustin Legrande. Apparently, even a man has an expiration date in the world of advertising.

Agustin Legrande

During his years as The Most Interesting Man...Mr. Goldsmith was often shown surrounded by lovely young women who were clearly enamored by, and attracted to this "stunning example of male magnetism."

Dos Equis & Young, Adoring Women

Now, imagine for a moment, that an ad campaign appealing to a sophisticated, sexy, and cosmopolitan audience showed a 77 YEAR OLD WOMAN surrounded by adoring 25 year old men? Ha! What planet would that ad inhabit?

Another Planet

No, Jonathan Goldsmith is not some aging film star. Yes, he did some TV guest appearances in the 60's through the 80's. but he was definitely not a recognizable face.

Disney's Fantasyland

So, back in Fantasyland, imagine a non-actor woman who is in her 70's picked as the gorgeous, sexy spokesperson for a product aimed at a mostly male audience. We all know fabulous septuagenarians who have actually lived really interesting lives (probably far more so than Mr. Goldsmith) who could easily step into this role. But, we also know that yes, it's still a fantasy.

So this posting is about ageism and especially the prejudice against women over 50 by both men and women. With the exception to two previous postings, this writer has never spoken in the first person. Because I have lots of personal experience with this not-new-phenomenon, this posting will be another exception.

Ageism in the Marketplace

Millenials

Ageism in the job search: yes, kiddies, this applies to you who are in your aging 20's and trying to compete in the tech world. Ashton Applewhite wrote a great piece about this in the NY Times op-ed section Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. "You're How Old? We'll Be in Touch."
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/opinion/sunday/youre-how-old-well-be-in-touch.html

As one who has applied for numerous jobs that I'm extensively qualified for, and yet never even getting an interview, I know that my resume has automatically been put into "pile #2". Said resume has been re-worked and edited several times to highlight skills and experience rather than jobs that go back several decades. But we all know the code words used in job postings;  my new favorite recruit term is for "digital natives".

What Happened to Feminism?

The Third Wave of the Women's Movement, 1970's

My first experience with blatant ageism was, surprisingly, within a group of women. Having left my museum job, and while I was teaching an on-line university course, I pursued another passion: animal rescue.

A Shelter Friend

I joined the Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter and, since the group was still in relative infancy, I stepped up to start a Development program, and along the way took over numerous administrative tasks. Imagine my surprise when I thought I was joining an organization whose mission it was to enhance the lives of rescued animals and help get them adopted, only to very quickly see that I was an elder in an atmosphere more akin to a casting agency for pretty young women.

50's Blonde

I'd never been in an environment where youth and attractiveness was a dominant factor in who would be photographed, who would be pushed into more public roles, and who was the best looking volunteer. OMG! We were animal shelter volunteers! In one woman's grant application for funding a rescue project, she wanted to portray diversity, so she tried to assign me the title "retired senior citizen." I was 53 years old.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

In spite of the ageist atmosphere, I worked very hard to help the precious animals who passed through the shelter. And, in creating the first Development brochure, I made sure that volunteers of different ages and ethnicity's were all represented.

Terri Strum and Bonita

Ken Green and Ruthie and Lloyd

Etsuko Mason and Louise

....not a blonde starlet in the mix.

The Amazing Disappearing Woman

Sid Cavanaugh and The Ghost

Another interesting phenomenon happens when a woman in particular reaches 50. She magically disappears.

It's Magic

This is especially true if she takes a different and unexpected turn in life. Although I was doing new and challenging things, and contributing to society in important ways, because I was no longer in "the professional art world", I was apparently no longer interesting. At dinner parties and engagements with friends, I became part of the proverbial wallpaper as my husband was plied with questions about his business, travels, etc.

Wallpaper

The Good News

The best news is that, because I thrive in diversity, I have great friends who are interesting people doing some pretty amazing things. Some are significantly older than me (if that's possible), some are my age, and some are young enough to be my kids. Even though some of us have and will experience overt and covert ageism, I believe the secret to remaining ageless is to surround oneself with a group of people who don't all inhabit the same demographic...

Lots of Different People

keep learning and trying new things...

Rosetta Stone Language Course

and above all, give back to the world....

A Volunteer Poster