BANKSY!!!

This week I spent an invigorating - yet appallingly short! - two days in New York City. The purpose of the trip was quite simply to get away for a few days and boost my artistic engine, so to speak. I saw two plays (Fences at the Cort Theatre and Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson at the Public) went to a few museums and galleries and ate food that was off the chain. Refueled? Why yes! Mission. Accomplished.

I also had the opportunity to see something that I have been mildly obsessed with for the past few years. Not too far down from the hotel I stayed at in Chelsea, I was able to actually see a work by the incredible graffitti artist, Bansy. Bansy's identity is unknown but what we do know about him is that he is British, was probably raised in Bristol where his first artworks appeared and is a cheeky monkey. His works are often satirical pieces that reflect politics, culture and ethics and are known for their distinctive stenciling technique. He doesn't sell photos of his works and has mentioned several times in his posts online (ww.banksy.com) that his art is for the people.

Radical, huh?

When you go away, you can find inspiration in the most pedestrian of places. I found mine on a walk on the Highline, the newest addition to New York art firmament. For those of you unfamiliar, the Highline is essentially, a beautiful landscaped walking concourse that was developed over 10 years on an abandonned rail line. It opened last year, stunning in its construction and was a great way to see both the New York and New Jersey skylines. As we walked along, the saw these placards jutting out from the grasses that formed its borders:

THAT, my friends, are words to live by, non?

Man Shops Globe

So I am officially hooked on a new reality show. And thank goodness because there was a gaping hole in my schedule, what with Project Runway and Amazing Race being over now. Champagne problems, huh?

The show, Man Shops Globe, is on The Sundance Channel on Wednesday nights but I caught it on a Sunday night at 4:30 in the morning because I had insomnia from too much Mother's Day love. Regardless of when you catch it, it is awesome viewing all the way around.

Each episode follows Keith Johnson as he makes his way through select countries across the globe in search of amazing finds. Johnson, who is charged with giving Anthropologie stores (one of my faves. Holla!) their eclectic flair, is always searching – mostly with friends – for the most intriguing decorative objects, furniture, and textiles he can get his hands on. He enlists, along the way, the help of local experts and artists who springboard much of his inspiration. Each episode is centered around a specific location, beginning with Paris where Johnson heads to flea markets and antique stores (where he notes there is frantic competition for many of the best finds and, of course, finds that price becomes an issue), in order to get his hands on large-scale furniture for existing Anthropologie stores. Can you believe?

The whole time I'm watching I'm thinking, Damn! I don't remember my guidance counsellor steering me towards this career choice. Oh. Well.

School Concert

Kinners School Concert
Originally uploaded by Sujal Parikh

Dear School Concert,

Thanks for being over. I mean it.

Sincerely,

Laura