The Noguchi garden in Costa Mesa: CA Scenario

I had heard about the Noguchi garden in Costa Mesa for some time and finally had a chance to visit last month.  It's tucked away in a courtyard surrounded by skyscrapers and parking lots near South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom Arts Center.

Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese American sculptor who experimented with such organic forms as wood, marble, and physical landscapes.  His work is minimal, abstract, and seems to exude peace and mystery at the same time.  I instantly felt calm entering the garden, and marveled at the lines of his work, and the interplay of man-made sculptures, trees, water, and stone.  His garden made me think about my previous post on minimalist sculptures.

I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area (I suggest going on a weekend or after business hours; I parked in a nearby lot by the TGIF restaurant for free):
611 Anton
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Ahhh, summer!

Summer is my favorite season of the year! 
I celebrated tonight with a refreshing watermelon salad (spinach, chicken, watermelon, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cracked pepper) and a nice glass of sangria.  Here's to summer!

Kehinde Wiley

I was looking at Compai blog today (a really fun design and inspiration blog), and I stumbled upon her post on artist Kehinde Wiley.

WOW.  His paintings made me stop in my tracks.  There was all at once the mix of the feminine in his floral patterns, and masculine in his portrayal of male subjects.  It was also a mix of old world skill (think Rembrandt and others) and urban modern in his portrayal of everyday men.

I did some research and found out that Wiley paints portraits of men of color and has them pose in classically European poses in order to insert these men in the narratives of power associated traditionally with white males.

It is now a life goal to visit his paintings in person.

Image from http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/recognize/paintings.html
Three Graces
Kehinde Wiley, 2005
Oil and enamel on canvas
182.9 x 423.8 cm (72 x 96 in)
Hort Family Collection, courtesy Roberts & Tilton, Los Angeles, California
© Kehinde Wiley