Arts & Life

I’ve been slow to post because of a few upcoming life changes…like getting married! My fiance, Billy, is British and the plan is to move to London later this year (visa clearance permitting!) I can’t wait to start a new life across the pond with my-husband-to-be, but after 12 years in Los Angeles, it’s hard to imagine leaving. I think about all the little things I’ll miss…like Mexican food! Believe it or not, it’s one of the things that is truly hard to imagine being without. Being Mexican-American and growing up exclusively in the Southwest, it’s always been a part of my life.

Luckily for me, Mexican food is taking off in London. When I first visited two years ago for work, I was pleasantly surprised to learn my co-workers had “Burrito Fridays.” Of course I had to try it, and while it wasn’t as authentic as the food you would find in LA, it was pretty good. I’m more of a taco person though and found out that some Brits had never even heard of them.

However, the taco’s popularity may soon be catching up to the burrito’s. Billy went to a new restaurant called La Bodega Negra and having become well-versed in Mexican cuisine during our relationship, has given it his stamp of approval. The restaurant is being hailed one of London’s “taco top three” and serve my favorite…Taco Al Pastor!

La Bodega Negra in London. Photo via Ewan Munro

I’ve also been trying to master my favorite dishes at home. My favorite Al Pastor recipe is here and a good Carne Asada marinade to work off of is here (but I adjust the spices to my liking and prefer skirt steak over flank.) However, I’m not sure how accessible ingredients will be in England…but that’s when I turn to the internet. A few days ago, David Lebovitz blogged about Europe’s first online tortilla shop. And Billy has enjoyed tamales from Tamales Kitchen.

So although it will be the first time I will live in a place without a strong Mexican cultural presence and the food won’t be as readily available as it is here, it seems I will definitely be able to get a taste of home.

Tacos Al Pastor. Photo via Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-turtle/

As much as I will miss some stuff here, I look forward to experiencing London’s food scene more. Sometimes English food gets a bad rap, but I’ve been to many good (and diverse) restaurants. But actually I’ve found that the best English meals are home cooked. More on that later though….

Almost a week after the Oscars, people are still buzzing about host Seth MacFarlane’s performance. He’s being skewered by critics mainly for his offensive jokes towards women and minorities. I think the show was unsuccessful in a couple of ways (too many musical numbers for one) but I take issue with MacFarlane for another reason: his lazy comedy writing. Regardless of how offensive his jokes were, my personal opinion was that they fell flat because they lacked substance. For instance, the concept of the “I Saw Your Boobs” number felt like listening to a drunk guy’s creepy pick-up line set along to music. His joke about Daniel Day-Lewis being so in character for Lincoln he could free Don Cheadle felt like he was rubbing in the fact that African-Americans were enslaved. His jokes point out the obvious without any larger hook and seem like a step-above name calling. Offensive humor can work, but mainly when the offense is turned on it’s head. Slate did a great article on why comic Daniel Tosh’s rape joke backfired and how horrific events can sometimes be funny if done right.

While MacFarlane’s humor appeals to a lot of people, the comedy I appreciate most is a well-crafted joke with a punchline you didn’t see coming, making its payoff all the more satisfying. To me, the ultimate model of this an episode of Seinfeld. Each episode is of a series of events “about nothing” that wrap up into a tight joke in the end. So today I was stoked when I came across an interview Jerry Seinfeld did for New York Times Magazine in which he takes us through his joke writing process. I was stunned to learn that he sometimes spends years on a single joke. Seinfeld is the master of pointing out the obvious in a brilliant way.

I was excited to see the Stanley Kubrick retrospective not only because I like his films, but because I knew examining his work from an art perspective would be really interesting. The composition in his films is so strong, I think many frames from his films could be an exhibit all on their own. That’s why the beginning was especially interesting. It showed Kubrick’s background as a photographer working for Look magazine. Composing images must have been an innate gift for Kubrick. Even as a teen, his photos were really strong. The intro also displayed cameras Kubrick preferred, both as a photographer and filmmaker.

One of the standouts was the 2001: A Space Odyssey segment. Just saying attendees get to see what went into making Kubrick’s greatest visionary achievement is an understatement. Looking at the set blueprints, custom-made futuristic props, set models and costume designs–we see how Kubrick and his team created an entirely new futuristic world.

All of which took its toll on the director.

Another highlight for me was seeing production elements from The Shining. This film still scares me and I have to admit I was a little unnerved just being around the costumes, designs and models. The exhibit really does capture the unsettling mood of the film.

Here are a few more shots from the exhibit, but I don’t want to give too much away. There is plenty more to see and you should definitely check it out!

This costume needs no explanation, the image has become iconic.

A bit about the presence of red in Kubrick’s films.

A model of the war room from Dr. Strangelove.

Find out more on LACMA’s website.

This week, a friend of mine invited me to go with her on a neon lights bus tour of Los Angeles. While Los Angeles isn’t the first place that pops in my head when I think of neon lights, the tour turned out to be very interesting. Even though I’ve lived here for 12 years, I learned so much about LA I never knew before. The tour starts in Downtown (Chinatown to be specific) and goes to West Hollywood. It was a real eye-opener–I passed by so many neon signs for years without noticing the artistry behind it.

Aside from learning about neon art, a big draw to this tour is its guide, urban anthropologist Eric Lynxwiler. In addition to his wit, what’s great about Lynxwiler is his vast knowledge of Los Angeles. He discussed the history behind LA landmarks and architecture. I love vintage anything and old Hollywood, so his stories really appealed to me. Another bonus is the free booze served on board! If you live in Los Angeles or are visiting, definitely check out this unique tour, it’s the best bus tour you’ll ever go on!

As I mentioned in my last post, I was in Berlin over Christmas!

I also discussed how I’m a big fan of Berlin’s art scene. So for my first trip there, I had expected to focus on that. But when I arrived, I found myself too immersed in the city’s history to think about anything else. It was a weird feeling to be walking the very streets where so many unbelievable things happened.

The first stop we made was Check Point Charlie, the most famous crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin. Below, you can see the image of an American soldier on one side of the mast (a Russian soldier is on the reverse.)

Then we made our way down the road where we got to (what remains of) the Berlin Wall. As an American, I take my freedom for granted, so I struggled to wrap my head around what it would be like having a wall separating me from the other side of my city.

Right next to the wall is one of the most interesting museums I’ve ever been to, the Topography of Terror. The museum was built on the site of the SS and Gestapo headquarters, who played a key part in the Nazi regimes’ criminal acts (however, most of the original buildings were demolished during the war.) The museum lays out the progression of the Nazi’s power and how they gradually introduced  their agenda of hate and repression. You could easily spend all day reading every piece of information. But by the end of it, you can’t help but feel mixed emotions–anger, disbelief, sadness and relief that it was stopped. I would highly recommend this museum to anyone who has a strong interest in history and especially WWII, like I do. Below is a picture of the museum grounds (as you can see, mostly bare.)

But what is obvious when you are in Berlin is how it is a city still re-inventing itself. The buildings are very modern and a lot still seems to be under construction. Everywhere I went, it seemed something was either being built or reconstructed.

In spite of the remodeling, reminders of the city’s history are still present…especially when you look closely. The below image is of Berliner Dom, a beautiful cathedral.

But as you get close to the building, you can see patches and bullet holes. I saw several buildings damaged from the war, which again reminds you of the city’s war-torn past.

Aside from the history, the other side of my trip was enjoying my family, my boyfriend, Christmas markets, the warmth of the German people and of course…the food! I think my favorite things were mulled apple cider and bratwurst. We had Christmas dinner at Zur Gerichtslaube, which looks very medieval on the inside and served hearty German food. For my appetizer, I had their specialty, deep-fried cheese pear. Highly recommend.

Being a history buff, the city’s story is what left the strongest impression on me and I’m glad I got the chance to see it with my own eyes.

This is my last post for the year because tomorrow I leave to spend Christmas in Berlin! My parents used to live there during the Cold War and the city has always remained close to my mother’s heart. She is finally going back for the first time in 33 years so it will be interesting to see Berlin through her eyes and hear how it’s changed. I also can’t wait to make my own impression. From what I have learned about it in popular culture, I see Germany as a place rich in innovation and the arts. Here are some of my favorite German things:

Cinema—Particularly 1920s era.

Fritz Lang

Marlene Dietrich

Cabaret (Ok, an American movie but filmed in Germany. I love the art direction in it.)

Run Lola Run

Theatre-Bertolt Brecht

Art-Bauhaus

Photo via Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtrullgraphics/

 Transportation Design-Public and Consumer

Photo by Jennier Stobrawe

Photo by Frederic Marand

Photo via Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarvisho/

I can’t wait to see how the real Germany compares to the one I have in my head. Definitely expect a post next year. Also in store for next year is a very exciting Artist Profile (I’m so excited about it I have to give a hint—a design firm doing some of the most innovative work in the industry) new features such as fashion and travel and a couple of more surprises. It’s been a great start and I hope to build the site up and flesh it out even more. Stay tuned and happy holidays!

I’ve always loved the look of wooden tech accessories but Los Angeles-based shop Piel have an added twist to their products. They have partnered with artists to produce skins that have a unique and rustic look. Everything is made locally and many of the designs are California inspired, which make great “uniquely California” gifts. But my personal favorite is the Animus Collection

Browse more here

Yesterday I had a breakthrough. I stumbled upon an old podcast from RadioLab called “Me, Myself, and Muse.” In this episode,  Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert describes how her approach to the creative process completely changed after she interviewed Tom Waits, who had a unique take on where inspiration comes from. She discussed how it’s something that exists outside you and even something to be bargained with. I think listening to this is not only inspirational, but a huge relief. If you stop thinking of inspiration as strokes of brilliance that have to come out you..a whole lot of pressure is lifted! Check it out here

While we are talking about wise words from radio shows, check out This American Life host Ira Glass discussing storytelling along to some very well done motion graphics and typography.

While walking through my neighborhood today, I passed by the Church of Scientology.

And it got me thinking about aliens and science fiction, particularly about classic science fiction. I started to realize when I think of science fiction, I look to the past. Images conjured up are from older movies, TV and books. For example:

Metropolis

Blade Runner

Total Recall

Predator

Star Wars

Star Trek

The Jetsons

I probably reference these because it’s the material I grew up with or learned in school. It always impressed me what these authors and filmmakers were able to imagine and the worlds they created. Of course, some of these ideas are no longer fiction–robots, space exploration, genetic engineering and the internet to name a few. So when I consider the progress we’ve made with technology and think about science fiction over the past couple of years, I realize not too much has changed in terms of ideas and themes.

The Fifth Element

Men In Black

District 9

I Robot

Wall-E

So I wonder what new concepts our stories will bring. Or has ever-changing technology limited our imaginations? Granted, predicting the future can’t be easy, but will there come another point when life follows art? Then again, there’s still plenty of things we’re still waiting for, like consumer-grade flying cars (Though this is perhaps better left as fiction. Living in Los Angeles, it’s hard enough to get by on the ground.)

Going back to Scientology, I have been past those gates. I was interviewing someone for a research project and then subsequently put through the recruiting process. It was an unforgettable experience but one best told about in another post…

For the Music Lover: An awesome gig poster from Vahalla Studios. $25

For the Film Buff: A Criterion Collection film. New releases I have my eye on are Christopher Nolan’s first film The Following and Jean-Luc Godard’s Weekend.  About $24 and up.

For the Designer or Tech Geek: A sleeve from Redmaloo. $36 to $189. Felt sleeves for Apple laptops, ipads and iphone.

The laptop sleeve folds out into a workstation!

For the Artist: Black Leather Sketch Set with Color Pencils from Barnes and Noble. $24. 96 Perfect portable set for sketching on the go.

For the Photographer: A Lomography Diana F+ Camera. $39.95 from Amazon. Good collector’s item and for taking photographs with a vintage look.

For the Writer: Can’t Sleep, Write Now, a journal for nocturnal thinkers. If the writer in your life has a mind that won’t shut off at night, this journal features fun writing prompts and quotes about nighttime to keep them occupied. Perfect for those who get inspiration in the middle of the night. $14.95 from Chronicle Books.