flower stand haul, oct 3

got what felt like a thousand flowers from Lebak Farms this weekend, mostly dahlias. family businesses rule.

"i can't get into a bed without you, I stack up all the pillows and imagine that you are there" painting by Lauren Vincelli.

commute as art

I blogged for Filmmaker Magazine about the dazzling animation in the tunnel after the B/Q DeKalb stop here in Brooklyn. Masstransiscope (1980) is by my former Hampshire film professor Bill Brand, restored after 20 years of negligence. Actually, I'd been riding past it nearly daily since I moved here, but they only turned the lights on the show a few months ago. The short article is mostly factual, and upon reflection, I feel like I've neglected to mention how nice it is to have art on your commute. It's easy enough to miss with your head in a book, your headphones on and spacing out into your own world, but once you notice that there's something to capture your attention out there in that dark tunnel, it's hard to ignore it when you go past. Your fellow commuters wonder what you're craning your neck at, and most feign disinterest when they see it too. But many, like these folks, get caught up in the joy of having something unexpected like this in the otherwise bland subway. Art in public places can be tricky. it can be ugly or creepy, and people can disagree about whether it's art or not (I'm looking at you, graffiti). I think this one falls into the category of art to enhance ones surroundings.

recent photos in my life

from: Maya - 'this guy is having the best day ever'to: Lauren - 'your 'Lil Guy' is up at my desk. your new semi-permanent installation in New York.'
From: Dave - 'i bought us a delicious monster'
from La Chapelle's new show. think i might have seen the model nic-fitting like a motherfck in front of the gallery.
to: family - 'hello from coney island!'
from: Lauren - 'happy labor day' / to: lauren - 'who's the new boyfriend?'
from: Lauren - 'i dreamed we made a movie again and filmed it in front of this store with the octopi'

halloweekend party

gracious hosts Astronaut Jones and his bustalicious martian babe

bun-in-oven and tourist new baby-daddy.

bjorks

bjorks heart sexy chef

Night Walks

Walked around Prospect Heights with s.m. last night, there was a nearly full moon and cool air and it was great.
Came across a film shoot, all the trailers, a huge Arri truck, and knew something was happening. The permit posted said the film was 'Righteous Kill' but i'd never heard of that and was wondering if you could put pseudonyms on the permit. Everyone here is abuzz about the new Cohen brothers movie Burn After Reading with Brad Pitt and George Clooney, so we pushed our way thru - not really there wasn't much security so we just wandered in.

But no, it was Righteous Kill, stars none other than Al fucking Pacino and Robert fucking De Niro; Scorsese is rumored to be IN it, along with 50 Cent and John Leguizamo. Some hardboiled New York cop crime drama, not the metalhead horror flick we were assuming based on title. We might have seen a scene involving Shirly Brener or Trilby Glover or some other blondie standing on the stairs of a brownstone. I really wish we'd hung around a little more.

david lynch hearts gucci?

Selected for his "holistic ability as an artist," strange film auteur David Lynch has done a perfume ad for Gucci.

Looking not unlike Inland Empire, lights flicker and women dance alone in palatial rooms to Blondie's "Heart of Glass," thou they're more brightly lit than typical Lynch fare. Unlike IE, the women don't have Lynch's favorite look of 'a woman in trouble' thou it seems he wishes they did. The fear and trepidation of real trouble never glimmers behind the model's eyes. Dressed in Gucci's trademark brown satin and talking on antique telephones, these women just seem a little drunk.

Nevertheless, when a major filmmaker, known for bizaare, scary, nonsensical films, undertakes a 30-second spot for haute couture, it's worth a look. Is he broke? Is he throwing himself into work after a breakup with his wife? Is he model-hunting? Or, does he just love any opportunity to work with beautiful women, a full crew, and on someone else's dime?


In other Lynch-related news, did you notice that Leland Palmer (Laura Palmer's dad on Lynch's Twin Peaks; Ray Wise to his family), is playing the Devil on the CW's new mad-cap soul-stealing comedy "The Reaper"? Directed by Kevin Smith (Clerks), it's no short leap to assume that Smith cast Wise because of Twin Peaks, and his strange and disturbing performance as the Season 2 embodiment of Evil BOB (hope I haven't spoiled the ending for you). Smith is a sucker for an obscure pop culture reference (me too). And honestly, BOB is one of the scariest villans ever. Even this photographgives me chills and I might have to take it off the blog; i just can't have him creeping around down here.

one breath away from mother oceania

hi! missed you at Bjork last night. an amazing show. she was wearing some ridiculous-amazing gold lame ruffley-flouncey dress and silver tights, barefoot, with the Icelandic Wonderbrass band, giant towers of fire, confetti and streamers, lasers and smoke machines. Her voice gives me goosebumps and has more emotion and joy than one usually encounters. She sang hyper-ballad, pagan poetry, cover me, i miss you, oceania and new stuff I haven't memorized yet. Our seats were mediocre, but we could see and hear.

Mariachi Band on Subway

Ok, not a Mariachi band, since no brass section or Guitarron, but maybe a Norteño band. Matching black outfits & brown leather belts (lizard? croc?). 11am Friday. Manhattan-bound L train. Played half a song, made at least $15 on my car.