Don’t hate me but I’m about to mention the dreaded P-word again…yep, Pokémon. I know, I know…silly fad, annoying players, ruining the world. Yadda yadda. But, I’m bringing it up because , beyond appealing to my box-checking compulsion, I discovered yet another unexpected benefit – finding and photographing public art. Pokéstops have led me to so many hidden gems around town! The mural above is just blocks from my house. I have passed by many times, but have never stopped to admire it anywhere near as up close and personally as when it was in the shadow of a lure. I’m sure you’re “aww”-ing at me right now. I know it’s pitiful, but it’s also just true. I know I’m not alone in my tendency to find my routes and stick to them – focused on destinations not journeys. I realize now that there are things I pass right by without noticing because they’re a block out of my way, or even behind me when I walk one direction, and across the street when I return. Have your opinions, but I’ve been having fun finding these things, really taking the time to notice then, even if it’s the process of playing a “silly” game. And, I guess it’s got me feeling a little artsy fartsy, as reflected in this week’s finds…
I wasn’t at all familiar with L.A.’s Underground Museum until I recently read about the untimely passing of its founder, painter Noah Davis. An alternative art space in the Arlington Heights neighborhood, UM serves low-to-moderate income residents and “cultivates the hope that increasing access to art will inspire, educate, and transform lives.” In collaboration with MOCA, their current exhibition, Non-fiction, features art by Kara Walker, Henry Taylor, Marion Palfi, and more that “investigates, either explicitly or implicitly, the culture of violence perpetrated on black citizens.” The exhibition images are intense. Hoping we can make it down between now and next March to see it in person.
photo: @erinadelaneyphoto
Trees that Tweet?! In Jersey City, even the woods have wisdom. #treespeech is a collaboration between environmental artist Anne Percoco and Sustainable Jersey City promotes education, environmentalism, and community engagement by recruiting residents to tweet from the trees’ perspectives. Word on the street is that it’s even some people’s Pokémon GO! Here are a few tree follows to get you looped into the conversation: Gabriel, Faith, Reginald, and Junebug.
I’m an instant Insta fan of Adriana Napolitano. This photographer/set designer’s stylized selfies are unreal. I want to write a story about this egg person. Read more about Adriana, her process, and inspirations here. And, check out a few more faves.
BONUS: A little art history humor to bring the lolz.
Quote of the Week:
A [wo]man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of [her] life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
What I’m Reading:
Understanding Hillary: Why the Clinton America Sees Isn’t the Clinton Colleagues Know – Regardless of political leanings, I enjoyed this article because it contains an interesting linguistic analysis from Deborah Tannen, an expert in gender-based communication.
What I’m Watching:
Not Dead Yet (Op Docs) – At the age of 93, Norman Lear is still entertaining America. What’s his secret?
What I’m Listening to:
Creative Flow (Spotify Playlist) – Our office instituted new music hours recently and it got me wondering what other agencies are listening to. This one was created by Lauren Hudac, an account manager at Cleveland agency Go Media as part of their series Best Spotify Playlists for Getting Sh*t Done.
year of months 