Marfa, TX | Camp Bosworth

So, you may have heard of Marfa, TX because of this little gem...

Yep, it's the little town with the Prada store art installation (the store is actually never open). In addition to this quirky foray into Land Art, the town of Marfa, TX has become quite the artist enclave. You can watch a recent 60 Minutes piece on the town here.

One of the art galleries featured in the 60 Minutes vignette was the artwork of Camp Bosworth - I was told to watch out for them, since he used to be roommates with my cousin back in his Dallas days. Well, excuse my language - but his shit is dyn-o-mite!  Check out these gun carvings that double as bars...

I also found his online shop of great little art pieces here. There are a few I might be able to afford!  Here are some of my faves:

 

Adding Marfa, TX to the travel list pronto!

Gift Guide: The Animal Lover

I'm sure everyone is smack-dab in the middle of their Holiday shopping!  I know I am.  I'm currently in the middle of reading this amazing non-fiction book about the history of the Ostrich, and it is fascinating!  This book gave me the idea of pulling together a few great gift ideas for the animal lover in your life.

 

First, I'll start with the book I'm reading - Dreambirds by Rob Nixon.  This book was really popular back in the late nineties/early 2000s.  You can tell by how many cheap used copies you can find on Amazon : ). Dreambirds chronicles the effect ostriches have had on fashion and culture throughout the centuries, along with stories of the "Plume Boom" and "Feather Mansions" in South Africa. Nixon also uses the history of ostriches to share some of his autobiography about growing up with an immigrant family in South Africa. This really is one of the best books I've read in quite a while!

Also, I am loving these photographs from The Animal Print Shop!  I'm usually adoring the baby animal prints for the nursery of the kid we will probably have some day, but this buffalo print just blows me away.  I think it would look so stunning above a bed or couch.  Also, they have a nice little Holiday Sale going on!

And next on the reading list, which I also think would make a great gift, is a book called The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild by Lawrence Anthony.  Lawrence Anthony rescued and rehabilitated elephants on his wildlife preserve in South Africa.  He and the animals were so in tune.  When he passed away this year, multiple herds of elephants could sense the loss and they traveled miles across the preserve to Anthony's home where they remained for days to mourn. Aren't animals amazing?

Another great gift would be a donation to Heifer International.  Buying a goat or heifer for a family in need helps a family be more self-reliant by providing food and milk for years. I wholeheartedly agree this company's view on sustainability and charity.  I'm sure any animal lover would appreciate this gift of giving!

Copa Mundial!

The World Cup is upon us!

I'm so excited about experiencing my first World Cup where I actually understand more about the game, and I actually know who some of the players are (thanks, G).  New York is shaping up to be a great place to watch the games... Here are few cool "spaces" in the city to watch the 2010 Copa Mundial!

#1 - Puma City - you can go down to the South Street Seaport to catch some of the games, among many other activities, at this "city" built just for the World Cup.

#2 - Men with Balls - visit this art exhibit that will be combining the art of soccer along with a space for screening some of the high-demand games.

#3 - Madiba - this will probably be my go-to place.  Not only is it a wonderful South African restaurant, it's also in my n'hood.  Oxtail for breakfast? Yes, please.

So, I guess the only thing left to say is.... COME ON, YOU YANKS!!!

Louise Bourgeois, you will be missed.

Yesterday, the art world lost a true visionary.  Louise Bourgeois passed away in New York at the age of 98 this Memorial Day.  I was fortunate to see a wonderful retrospective of her work at the Guggenheim in 2008.  She created art that expressed the difficulties of her past in a beautiful manner.  I could feel the cathartic process as I worked my way through the exhibit. Here is a photo of one of her iconic spider sculptures. I love these spiders because they so succinctly exhibit her extreme feminist views.

I highly recommend the documentary The Spider, The Mistress, and The Tangerine.  This movie provides a wonderful explanation of Bourgeois' work, the stories behind her pieces, and a glimpse into the personality of the artist. She was quite the little firecracker! And she will be missed.

A weekend with Tim.

Don't worry, boo.  Just talking about a Tim Burton themed weekend...

Must see Alice in Wonderland this weekend.  MUST.

Also, must see the Tim Burton exhibit.  It's been up for a while, and I need to put my MoMA membership to good use!  Not looking forward to the crowd though...ergh.