En fotos

Between writing and reading and thinking about art, I've been getting into some new projects to clear my head a little. Camera phone pictures are best for these things:

Writing Habitat.

Rainbow cake in gradation using mini bread loaves.

Baked.

Double-waterfall braid-- so much better than boring half-ups.

Burning Bush.

Best friends.

Lil monster.

The best writing event by far: Tobias Wolff gave a reading at Virginia Tech and it was absolutely fantastic. Not only was he a stellar reader (how rare it seems to be for a great writer to also be a great reader... often I find myself wishing for them to hire an actor) but he also talked about inspiration and long-term commitment to the writing life for about half an hour. It was an illuminating and compelling talk. The thing that's stuck with me is the necessity of writing the "bad work," as we "build our careers on a foundation of discarded work." It's funny how I feel i need permission to write badly sometimes, or reminders that writing badly is essential to learning to write well.

Just FYI, that mustache is 46 years old.

Life without art is stupid.

Today my new Macbook Pro arrived in the mail and I am quite possibly the happiest person in the world. I've spent the evening reorganizing my bookmarks and setting up my files, downloading Dropbox and other useful programs and plugins that will make my life more efficient and complete. The only snag is that the ol' Microsoft Office from my former Mac doesn't seem to want to re-download itself. (tiny grumble.) Looks like my thesis is destined for Google Docs, as I am NOT spending another $150 for that betch.

This past weekend was a monumental one in Roanoke: Nick Cave (not the musician, the artist/dancer/fashion designer) brought his Soundsuits show to the Taubman. We were all a-twitter. His pieces are incredible-- these massive costumes made from everything, modular and wearable, bustling about the museum like enormous animated Koosh balls. Here's a good overview (with delicious photos!) of the project: http://smileinyourface.com/2011/09/10/nick-cave-ever-after/

What amazes me is the sheer quantity and diversity of these crazy things. Also, with my employee privileges I was able to go backstage and hold some of these guys and damn if they aren't secretly made of medieval armor. It's a wonder performers can dance in them at all.

If you live near a flagship Benetton, look for his video collaborations featuring the sound suit performances-- I saw the clips from the installation in Germany and it's pretty unbelievable.

I took some videos, only I was using my phone and tottering on 5 inch platform stilettos over a very old man to get them, so they aren't of the highest quality. Also, I sort of got the impression that the local dancers were maybe not the best ones around-- the NYC dance footage I've seen really delivers that punch in the gut, celestial explosion relieving it from any possible muppet references.

The guy is pretty interesting-- he's very honest, no bullshit (he says he doesn't even draw!) and the glee with which he described some of his material hunting trips to flea markets appeared genuine. He was wearing the tiniest t-shirt I've ever seen, with these little pointed boots. He was tired (this has been a nonstop, whirlwind three year tour!) and a little bit of a princess (there was at least an arm's length of empty space around him at all times) but he seemed endearingly vain, if such a thing is possible (I'm pulling from Plum Skyes, who seems to think Tom Ford is just that-- and with a man who wears makeup, would you expect anything less?). Also, the videos don't show him, but a local percussionist provided the sound for the performance, which might have been one of the more moving aspects for me.

Anyway, it was the coolest thing I've ever seen in Roanoke, if not the most exciting art show I've seen all year. I felt the whole thing in my toes.

Art is so, so good.

Excuses, Excuses.

School has begun and I've, quite characteristically, swamped myself with too-many classes and projects and committments. I've undertaken a rather ridiculous thesis project to make a book-length poem which will undoubtededly win the Hot Mess Award. Some time in between that monster, my regular classes, and a part-time job at the museum I have to write my January term class and blog. All these things are incredibly difficult to accomplish without a computer.

Happily, today is Computer Purchasing Day, and in a week my life should be somewhat more organized. In the meantime, this is how I get by:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhnVQizc69c&feature=player_embedded

Happy Friday!