Video of my friend Ultra Violet re: New Posthumous Album

"Ultra Violet - Songs & Conversations" An Album Trailer from Refinersfire LLC on Vimeo.

Ultra Violet—the Passing of an Era

Last night I went to pay my final respects to Ultra Violet a.k.a. Isabelle Collin-Dufresne. It was very moving. It was like a very surreal cocktail party with no drinks and no food but filled with interesting people of all ages and representing all the phases of her life. She looked beautiful, still in violet with a beaded collar and her glittering pins that spelled out Ultra Violet. 

We became friends in the last few years. She had a great spirit, interested in art and people, always shimmering in purple and glitter, and always herself. I shall miss her.

 

                                                           Photo ©2011 Susan Shaw

Andy Confluent

You know about my obsession with Andy Warhol...well, it's gotten stranger and more connected in odd ways than ever.

Now there is a silver Andy monument by Rob Pruitt right outside my window, where I used to see Andy himself everyday coming and going from Interview magazine...and my studio is neighbor to the Silver Factory which was his studio. (For a chronology of Andy and his players)...and now in Andy's honor I always wear the fragrance from Bond No. 9, Silver Factory...


...and last weekend I met a lovely artist, Madelyn Roehrig, who talks to Andy Warhol at his grave and who started filming people at the gravesite talking to Andy...which turned into...a work of art. November 5 at the Warhol—Madelyn Roehrig's Figments: Conversations with Andy: Year I & Year II (2009-11), with live music by Meeting of Important People, Dave Olson, and Uke & Tuba.

My Neighborhood!!!!!

You know you live in a strange place when this is how they they set up the pedestrian signage. Not so pedestrian, eh?

Kurt's view #2

Another recent photo I like. This one shot with his Lego camera, out the studio window.

Joe Mangrum — Art that Blows Away

Or at least I heard he sweeps it up to use again. He was at Union Square last week. I passed seeing the sparkling sand twinkling in the gloaming. The artist is Joe Mangrum who has created prints and book documenting the mandalas. It was fascinating to watch, mesmerizing like a Zen garden. He's received a lot of attention including the prestigious Lorenzo de Medici award in "New Media", for his striking piece, "Fragile." Catch him if you can, before it's swept or blown away.

"Portraits" Artist Joe Mangrum - a film by Repertorium Films Leandro Sanchez Director from joe Mangrum on Vimeo.

Channeling Cole

The sky reminded me of the Hudson River School of American painters. These painters were devoted to an idealized portrayal of nature—a new garden of Eden. In this evening moment, tiny human beings and "nature" were coexisting peacefully. Even a digital camera to capture this pixelated manifestation of God. The Garden of Eden is on 14th Steet—really!

Learning to love yourself, or as we say in New York, "whats not to Love?"

Learn to Love You More is an artist project that I stumbled upon and fell in love with. It's a little late for Valentines Day but who can't use a little love?

Learning To Love You More is not only a website; it's also a series of exhibitions in museums, galleries, schools, senior citizens centers, radio shows and film festivals. The shows are comprised of work that they select from the web site.

Founded in 2002, artists Fletcher and July use their website to provide visitors with "assignments" and asks that participants post their responses online. Assignments range from the straightforward (#9: "Draw a constellation from someone's freckles") to the absurd (#1: "Make a child's outfit in an adult size...and wear it as much as possible"— see below!) to the heart-wrenching (#31: "Spend time with a dying person").

One family, the Olivers, posted a years worth of assignments on their own blog. I am currently doing Assignment #66 "field guide to your yard." It's taking me some time since my yard is Union Square but I'm feelin' the love.

Some Jobs Take Longer Than Others

Two views looking towards the studio from 15th Street.

September 10, 1891
by C. C. Langill

January 31, 2009
by Kurt Hoss

Early Morning at Union Square

Todays pix are from before 9 a.m. One is Kurt's and one is mine. You can clearly see our points of view. Although, I must admit, Kurt's is funnier. I love the idea of watching Shred TV.