On my mind

Swift Things are Beautiful
Elizabeth Coatsworth

Swift things are beautiful:
Swallows and deer,
And lightening that falls
Bright-veined and clear,
Rivers and meteors,
Wind in the wheat,
The strong-withered horse,
The runner's sure feet.

And slow things are beautiful:
The closing of day,
The pause of the wave
That curves downward to spray,
The ember that crumbles,
The opening flower,
And the ox that moves on
In the quiet of power.

I love patterns!

It's no surprise . . . I am in love with patterns and interesting textiles.  I had entertained the thought last year to get a certificate in textile design at a local art school but we'll see.  It seems I have an ongoing list of things I want to do and it changes every month.

I created this pattern using hot pink duct tape and wall decals.

I found this traditional Korean origami paper at a gift shop in Koreatown.  LOVE!

The table runner was a gift from an old co-worker who brought it back from Indonesia.  The vase was from the good old Salvation Army. 

Learning more about Calder

*I would like to note that I wrote 'Jonathan Calder' instead of Alexander Calder in my previous post.  The error has been fixed.  I don't know why I get those two names mixed up so often.

Anyway, I went to the opening weekend of Alexander Calder and Contemporary Art: Form, Balance, Joy last weekend, and it was amazing!  It was a small show with a good collection of Calder's mobiles and three other contemporary artists' works who were very much influenced by his style.

I had always thought that Calder's sculptures and mobiles were hyper-modern and industrial given his use of sheet metal and wire, but this exhibit helped me see how organic and natural his forms and shapes really were.  One mobile in particular, "Nineteen White Discs," made me think of the sculptural leaves of an eucalyptus tree.

Alexander Calder, "Nineteen White Discs" sheet metal and wire, 1961

Image from www.plantoftheweek.org

One other piece of information I found interesting was that Calder's work was largely dismissed in the '90s by the art world.  I'm starting to learn that a piece of art is not in museums just because of its beauty or its strong statement, but as in everything else, politics, power, and economics come into play as to who and what gets wall space.  If you think about it, the people in power in the art world are still old, white men so there are stories, points of view, and experiences we can miss out on as a result. 

Don't get me wrong--I love what museums and galleries offer to the public, and my life has been enriched as a result--but if you had to think of five female artists and five non-white artists, who comes to mind?   

Well, one practical idea I had to address these questions was to write regularly about new artists I discover, especially those not in the mainstream for lack of a better word.  I already have a working list so I look forward to my future posts!  Thanks to those who have kept up with my posts!

Alexander Calder at OCMA

I caught an amazing exhibit at OCMA on Alexander Calder last weekend.  More on this exhibit soon . . .

Image from OCMA

New painting

I'm not sure how I feel about this one yet but it was fun to paint.

Dragon Fruit

I tried dragon fruit for the first time this weekend.  I'm a fan.  I think I prefer scooping it out with a spoon rather than cutting up pieces.  I also made some spring rolls with curried chicken, sprouts, and other veggies.  I will eat anything wrapped in rice paper.

I have deeper thoughts to share, I promise.