High Line -Free Scenic Terrain & Art

Summer on the High Line is officially open & in full bloom.  The foliage is in full bloom on what was obsolete train domain. The High Line is narrow oasis of lush landscape with a discrete new exhibit of contemporary art.  Of course, you can't miss Ed Ruscha's large text on an entire red faced wall "Honey, I Twisted Through More Damn Traffic Today." Nor could you or should you miss the colorful & exuberant billboard painting "Groovin High" by by Faith Ringgold.   I was subdued by Isabelle Cornara's 3 ominous "God Box" column structures.  All 3 incorporate ropes, brick walls, gate fragments & symbols of oppression all coated in black paint.  On a more whimsical note is Josh Kline's installation Skittles which I (and I'm sure others) mistook for a vending machine until you get up close & see what's contained in the bottles and written on the containers.  The High Line is a haven for relaxing or a leisurely stroll.  The elevated, sylvan setting blends congruously in its urban surroundings.  The views of the Hudson & hustle & bustle below make the High Line a deliberate destination.  There are numerous art galleries below in the 20's, open to the public for those whose interests are piqued to view more creative artworks.  Currently, I suggest 3 different galleries exhibiting:  Richard Price sculptures, 6 decades of of Wolf Kahn's colorful landscapes and the contemporary social commentary paintings by Russian  artist Sanya Kantarovsky.  There's plenty to revel on the High Line and in Chelsea.  

NYC Pays Tributes to Dr. Maya Angelou (1928-2014)

Today, in honor of the passing of one the world's great artists and emissary for peace & equality, Dr. Maya Angelou, an assembly was hell outside her home at 58 W. 120th St. in Harlem.  Rev. Al Sharpton was the organizer and key note speaker.  His testament to Dr. Angelou's contributions to our city and the world at large were followed by an outpouring of sentiments from the hundreds who came to pay their respects.  Dr. Angelou passed away earlier this week.  She was a remarkable woman who rose far above her extremely difficult circumstances to become a cultural & historical figure as an exceptional author, amazing poet and civil rights spokesperson; revered by both prominent world leaders and the customary, everyday person.  Her legacy is one of grace, dignity & respect. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel." (MA)  She was an inspiration of hope for a future where barriers of oppression & hatred will be conquered.  The NY Public Library is honoring Dr. Maya Angelou by holding a free exhibit this June which contains her original manuscript "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing," correspondences with her famous friends, and rare prints of her poetry.  "Love recognizes no barriers.  It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its desination full of hope." (MA)  

Pub Crawl @ Joe's Pub, Baby Steps with a Little Help from the Pub Hub

"Sometimes you just want to go where everyone knows your name…"  Rory O'Malley, Tony & Drama Desk Award winner, put to music his maudlin life story at Joe' Pub.  Much in keeping with Frank McCort's Pulitzer winning autobio., Rory's shares his humble upbringing through the honest, rose colored eyes of child who felt loved & protected.  He gives heartfelt thanks to his devoted hardworking mother & supportive extended Irish family & community.  Amongst the intimate & comfortable nightclub (which included Nathan Lane) Rory shares (perhaps T.M.I.) his coming of age story.  "I'm from the greatest city in the world, Cleveland, OH.  I fulfilled my dreams of one day moving to NYC & performing on B'wy."  His bantering narrative tells of his Irish Band of Brotherly love, his devoted, adoptive father who died of aids, meeting his birthfather who abandoned them and of his own sexual awakenings.  Thankfully, the Irish blarney is interspersed by musical numbers accompanied by a refreshingly lively 8 piece vibrato band that included a jaunty violist & banjo player.  However, one song sounded much like the other except for a Van Morrison number.  Rory's high-spirited performance included a little Irish jigging and vintate footage of the good ole' pub hub.  Do you need to be Irish to love this show?  It would help.  I'd be full of blarney if I said I was deeply moved by PUB CRAWL.  I will say I was charmed.        

Hey Hey Hey NY RANGERS win Game 4 in OT

Madison Square Garden was a awash in white towels GO-O-OAL for game 4 last night.  I was waving my United in BLUE 2014 Playoffs towel as the Rangers went into OT; deja vu game 3.  In Game 3 the Rangers put the game into OT with 28 seconds left in regulation play.  Unfortunately, the Rangers were celebrated too soon.  It took Montreal only 72 seconds to score the winning goal.  Thankfully, last night was not a repeat of defeat.  Canadien born Martin St. Louis showed them how it's done, slamming the winning goal into the net in the first few minutes.  Rangers looked solid all 1st period with a 1-0 lead.  By the third period, the Rangers let slip the tying goal during a Canadien power play.  There were 13 penalties in all, most called on the offense.  In a subdued press conference, Coach Alain Vignealt said "a win is a win" but acknowledged the team allowed too many power play opportunities and Henrik Lundqvist "gave up a soft goal."  Still, Lundqvist  had 27 saves; tying the franchise record.  The rookie goalie for Montreal proved impressive stopping 26 shots.  Ironically, the Ranger win came on a short handed goal.  With Lundqvist's talents, steely BLUE eyes & GQ style, he has a career awaiting in broadcasting.  But first, unite us New Yorkers in BLUE and bring home a Stanley Cup Series.  

The CITY of CONVERSATION-a Verbose Play with Something to Say

The City of Conversation is a clever new political play that has a lot to say about the inner workings of social progress.  The feisty & irrepressible Hester (played unabashedly by Jan Maxwell) is a Washington hostess who serves policy pressure with a liberal agenda.  As is often the case, offsprings will oppose their parent's standpoints.  And, a democratic matriach will bear an heir that is a staunch republican.  Hester's prodigal son, Colin (Michael Simpson) returns home from college with fiancee Anna (Kristen Bush) in tow.  Anna's obsequious midwestern charms do not conceal the lion in sheep's clothing.  Playwright Anthony Giardina has written a contentious family drama within the paradigm of political sparring.  Many vitriolic diatribes are exchanged, making for a surprisingly entertaining & witty play.  Sacrifice is collateral damage essential for creating change.  "Wreakage leads to change which provides justification."  Can families be torn apart by opposing positions?  The past is in the past & too soon forgotten.  The cast is all 1st rate led by the wonderful Jan Maxwell.  For a talkative play, there is a lot of substance provided on our country's legacy from the Carter administration to Obama's inaugural.  Finally, a cerebral play about politics that gives up plenty to talk about and much to recommend.  

THE IMMIGRANTS - the immoral advantage taken of women immigrants

The new film by dir./writer/producer James Gracy (2 Lovers & Little Odessa) THE IMMIGRANTS depicts the demoralizing abuse of young female immigrants fleeing war torn Europe in the 1920's.  With no money or family, these vulnerable women were often preyed upon by lecherous con-men.  Marion Cotillard plays a Catholic woman fleeing Poland, Ava.  Both Ava & her beloved sister are barred from entering the U.S. @ Ellis Island.  Cotillard's behavior aboard ship was deemed immoral & her sister is held back due to illnes.  Joaquin Phoenix portrays a Jew and brothel purveyor who lies in wait for these women about to be deported & offers them a lifeline into the States.  With no other means to earn money, Phoenix coerces Cotillard into prostituion to maintain her sister's care while interned on Ellis Island.  Jeremy Renener, is an entertainer & relative of Phoenix.  Renner captivates the down trodded Ava which perpetuates the bad blood between the 2 men.  This dank & dismal film belies the American Dream and unveils the pervasive nightmarish conditions.  A depressing depiction of immigrant's plights renders an uncomfortable film.  However, THE IMMIGRANTS is untenable and I deported early from the theatre.  Even with the combined hat trick talents of 3 academy award winning actors, this film is what 3 strikes in a row is called in bowling; a turkey.

Jon Favreau's CHEF - Too Many Cooks Spoiled the Brew

 The multi-talented dir./screenwriter/actor Jon Favreau, wrote, directs & stars in his latest movie  Chef.  Favreau has plenty of sublime ingredients for creating a piece de resistance including a pastiche of A-list stars, a likeable script, wonderful salsa music and visually stunning food.  Carl (Favreau) is a chef extraordinaire esteemed by his staff: a superb John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Bobby Cannavale & his ex-wife, the gorgeous Sofia Vergara & their adorable son, Percy.  (Robert Downey, Jr's. cameo role is pure comic genius.)  Once hailed as the hottest innovate chef, Carl becomes tow tied by the restaurant's owner, (Dustin Hoffman) & constrained to preparing only the oldies but goodies his clients have come to expect.  Against his better instincts, Carl does as ordered by Hoffman only to receive a review by acclaimed food critic (Oliver Platt) that falls flat as a sunken soufflé.  The scorching review causes Carl to throw down his cooking mit & challenge Platt to return for his creative gourmet cooking.  Once again, Hoffman slams the oven shut on Carl's menu mutiny.  A hilarious dining room meltdown ensues.  Carl is fired but his outburst is ingrained on the internet.  This sparks Carl to start his own food truck business along with his Leguizamo & son along for the joy ride.   For foodies this a sweet meat of a treat.  Otherwise, despite the mirepoix of savory components the end result is merely a palate cleanser.

Polish Film IDA-She Ain't No Saint or Knew She was a Jew

Dir. Pavel Pawlikowski, (b. Poland) raised in Britain has made a startling Polish film.  Pawlikowski's  ("My Summer of Love")  film IDA is set in Poland, 1962.  Anna, a young woman raised in a convent is preparing to take her vows.  The Head of the convent calls Anna in & is told she has an aunt, her only living relative whom she must visit as a pre-requisite to making her final vows.  Anna has led a sheltered, austere life in the convent and is ill prepared for the outside world.  She is dazed to learn from her aunt, a former prosecutor & Communist Party Member of her true identity as a Jew named Ida.  Together, they search to discover Ida's history & their family's fate during WWII.  The film is beautifully shot in sharp monochromatic cinematography which gives it an authentic period feel.  Together the the newly reunited aunt & niece set off to uncover the dark truth to their family's disappearance.  As they seek out truths the comparisons between atheism & religion, solemnity & hedonism are drawn.  This is a poignant film of sexual awakening & soul searching.  IDA is a contemplative work of art punctuated with brutality and the hypnotic music of John Coltrane.  It is also shrouded in mystical layers that linger over this spellbinding film.

EVERYWHERE WE GO-Justin Peck's NYC Ballet Premier, Utilizes EVERYONE

Last night was the World Premier of Justin Peck's ballet, EVERYWHERE WE GO.  Peck a former dancer with the NYC Ballet has choreographed 6 ballets for the company.  Peck collaborated with the brilliant young electronic/folk composer, Sufjan Stevans, who writes symphonic instrumental music.  Stevans' electrifying composition provided the ideal energy for Peck's innovative choreography for the  technical & artistic skills of the dancers.  Peck defies conventional partnering & throws out some surprising curve balls.  Sometimes it's hit out of the theatre, but not everytime.  Any choreographer would jete at the opportunity to work with this world class dream team of dancers.  Clearly, Peck reveres his dancers. However, a surfeit of ensemble dancing in unison is an error.  And, too often the dancers are prostrate on stage.   I liked the clean black/grey leotards with a red horizontal line for the men & vivid white leotards with vertical green stripes & red belt for the women.  The black/grey geometric shifting shapes in back added a vitality to the work.  Undoubtedly, Peck is a rising talent in choreography.  He needs to bench some of his dancers & maintain a kinetic fluidity with EVERYONE who is performing.        

IF/THEN, the road not taken went on forever

The musical IF/THEN is a very slippery, sliding doors storyline.  The play centers around Elizabeth (Idinia Menzel) whose 2 life scenarios are played out as Beth, a city planner who pines for her married boss or as Liz, who takes a chance on love with Josh, an army medic who just returned from his tour of duty, still dressed in fatigues.  To simplify things:  Beth's path finds solace with her platonic friendships & successful corporate career.  Liz's choices leads to a happy marriage to Josh & 2 young sons, until Josh is called back to military service & killed.  Oh sorry, was that a buzz kill?  It doesn't matter, you will be swathed in cloying cliches unitl you're smothered.  I was confused at times which scenario I was watching.  Perhaps, IF I had cared more THEN I might have been better focused.  Menzel is an engaging actress with a beautiful voice.  But, every number is delivered at the identical, show stopping decibel.  IF I had known THEN what I know now, I would have chosen another show.  

Alibis: Sigmar Polke @ MoMA-You'll Remember this Show

Sigmar Polke is allegedly one of the most influential artists of the postwar era.  German born, (1941-2010) Polke's work cannot be held accountable to any one style, medium or social commentary.  This  expansive exhibit contains 250 pieces which include paintings, video & audio installations, prints and photographs.  It is one of the largest shows ever held by the MoMA.  Of the 13 films, 8 have never been made available until now.  Polke's social & political commentary are irreverent & witty.  Note:  3 absurd glass tables mounted on the wall with soot under glass, rendering them vulnerable to change.  Polke's work was constantly experimental & evolving.   His travels abroad & dabbling in mind altering drugs had their impacts on his art.  There is a large oil painting of Alice in Wonderland under a large mushroom.  The show has a sense of having fallen down the rabbits' hole with Alice.  There are photos that are bent & overexposed which create a painterly & perturbing effect. The large purple & gold triptych is both figurative & abstract.  The 3 works resulted from experimenting with purple pigments that resulted in an alchemy of majestic colors.  The intrusive audio installation is discordant adding tension to the exhibit.   Going through the collection, ALIBIS, you experience the omnipotent artistic creativity & curiosity of Sigmar Polke.  You will be able to attest to when you attended the exhibit but you may need to be a repeat attender.

Lygia Clark: The Abandonment of Art, Forget About It

The MoMA has a major retrospective of work by Lygia Clark (1948-88.)  A Brazilian artist (well - she wanted to distance herself from an artist's vernacular) and to abandon herself from art.  Her highflying, ho-hum conceits apply the anamnesis; actual art is tactile & contained within one's body.  To which you will find performance artists who are friendly & approachable handling different materials & masks (her originals works are on the walls - not to be touched.)  Ironically, the masks and body suits call to mind "Breaking Bad" methane making uniforms.  The empty onion sacks are obvious allegories to the many layers yet to be revealed from within oneself.  The metal & wood sculptures were beautifully crafted although the "artistic" aesthetic result was not tantamount to the process of creating.  Her oil paintings on wood in the 50's, prior to her break from modernism are stunning but echo Mondrian's works.  I found the paintings combining puzzle shaped wood pieces intriguing.  Her quest to discover the organic line remained elusive to Clark and an enigma to me.  The exhibit contains several hands on sculptures meant to be manipulated.  The HOUSE is a structure which invites people to enter & pass through.  It represents "penetration, ovulation, germination & expulsion."  "But I felt nothing, except the feeling that this bullshit was absurd." (M. Hamlisch)

NYC Ballet-Lil Buck Brings a Seismic Shift to Ballet

NYC Ballet held the World Premier of Les Bosquets last week. It is choreographed & performed by Lil Buck (Amer. b. 1988) and ushers in a new genre of dance, jootin, that marks a major turning pointe in ballet.  Lil Buck is familiar to 2.5 million viewers on YouTube for his collaboration with Yo Yo Ma on  "The Dying Swan."  Les Bosquets has elements that reflect the classic elegance of Swan Lake & the  athletic conventions of Ailey Dancers.  But, this is a magnficient & spellbinding work of art unlike anything else.  Buck partnered beautifully with Lauren Lovette.  Her alluring metamorphosis from cocoon to butterfly to swan was astonishing.  The demographics in the audience were noticeably younger, up to the minute.  The stylish crowd may already be attuned to Buck's works & accolades.  He received the Performer of the Year Award in '13 and Dance Spirit Mag. named him "One of the Most Influential People," '11.  Jookin is an exciting style of street dance blending illusions with dazzling footwork; sliding, locking, popping, & tutting seamlessly meshed together.  The astounding choreography is elaborate, artistic & stupefying.  The black/white visual projections add a strong emotional impact .  The reverberating dancer's shadows were eerily magical and the black/white costumes lent a clandestine intensity.  Lil Buck stopped here - bringing a new pinnacle of excellence to modern ballet.

Bill Cunningham's FACADES-Captures Fashion, Archictecture & History with Flair

Bill Cunningham is known as the authority of style and society.  Check the Sunday NYT's Fashion & Style section for Society Events & Street Fashion all captured by Cunningham, the ubiquitous but elusive rogue biker, photographer extraordinaire.  Cunningham (b. 1929) is known for spotting fashion trends on runways & on the streets of NYC. The Historical Society has mounted an exhibit of Cunningham's Facade Photos, an 8 yr. project begun in '68.  It celebrates the incredible historic structures of our city (1770's-1950's,) featuring models dressed in period costume.  Bill scourged through thrift shops & fairs to find clothing, hats & accessories.   His foremost model & muse in the 100+ black/white photos is Editta Sherman.  Editta dubbed by Bill as the Duchess of Carnegie was known for photographing celebrities & her unconventionality.  Bill & Editta lived in the Carnegie Hall aptmts. for decades becoming close friends & associates.  Her embolden poses are in striking contradiction to the de rigueur decorous manner of the day.   Editta poses with aplomb in front of ornate structures.  Bill's keen eye framed her within archways, doors, gates & steps where she melds into & accentuates the architecture.  Diagonal lines & upwards angles propel the photos with energy.  Note an etherial shot of a women in a balletic stance and Editta swirling her dress in lively animation.  Bill is an exceptionally talented photographer & zeitgeist.  "Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.  I don't think you could do away with it.  It would be like doing away with civilization."  (Cunningham)