Rima Suqi

I was at a friend’s house the other day, and hanging in her bathroom was a note she wrote to one of her teachers when she was in grammar school. Apparently, at her school, if you were too embarrassed to ask a question during health class, you could write a note to the teacher, who would then address the issue. (So not the case at my school).  I thought this note was so adorable/innocent/funny (especially the part about it being “sick to inercorse”), I had to post it.

The latest “victim” of my NYT “Shopping With” column is interior/furniture/industrial designer, antique dealer and dog walker Steven Sclaroff. He is, hands down, one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. Some choice quotes from him in the piece include “It’s clearly not going to match any of your furniture, unless you are the exceptional owner of a suite of furniture shaped like livestock.” In another, he referenced Gorey’s “curious sofa.” I had never heard of Gorey, or the sofa (in my head he was saying Curious George’s sofa – which I don’t remember either existing or, if so, being remarkable), so I looked it up.

The full title is The Curious Sofa: a pornographic work by Ogdred Weary (real name: Edward Gorey, click through to the link for the explanation) and it was originally published in 1961.

Leave it to Steven to figure out  a way to work in a porn reference in a footstool story.

I ordered the book. It’s only about 4 inches square and features illustrations and text by Mr. Gorey (some images are here). It is suggestive, it seems Victorian, it would be a great gift for the right person. And it is apparently a cult classic. Yours truly has just joined the cult.

If you’re one of the 3 people in town on weekends (like me), David Zwirner gallery is having Donald Judd movie day on June 25th.

From their release:

The Artist’s Studio: Donald Judd
Produced and directed by Michael Blackwood
10:30am–12:30pm
Film will be shown as a 30-minute loop

Marfa Voices
Directed by Rainer Judd for Judd Foundation
1pm, 3pm, 5pm

Each screening will be introduced by the filmmaker, with a Q&A session to follow.  A public reception follows the 5pm screening.

Seating is limited & RSVP is required
Mackie Healy at David Zwirner
212 727 2070 x122 or mackie@davidzwirner.com

David Zwirner is pleased to present a special day-long event of film screenings on Saturday, June 25, the last day of the Donald Judd exhibition, which spans the gallery’s spaces at 525 and 533 West 19th Street. In October 2010, David Zwirner announced the representation of Judd Foundation (www.juddfoundation.org).

The Artist’s Studio: Donald Judd (2010, 30 minutes), produced and directed by independent filmmaker Michael Blackwood, has recently been compiled from footage from unused material for two previous films: American Art in the 1960s, filmed in 1972; and Masters of Modern Sculpture: Part III The New World, in production between 1975 and 1978. The Artist’s Studio: Donald Judd begins in the summer of 1972 when the art historian Barbara Rose interviewed Judd at 101 Spring Street, his home and studio in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. The film also includes interviews and footage of the artist and his family from September 1975 in Marfa, a remote, small town in western Texas where Judd set up a home and studio and, later, other spaces to permanently install artworks.

Marfa Voices (2010, 25 minutes), a short documentary film by Judd’s daughter Rainer, portrays an intimate and unique view of the artist. A graduate of New York University in Film, Ms. Judd has worked with directors such as Francis Coppola and Gus Van Sant, both in front of and behind the camera. She became a co-executor of the Judd Estate in 1994. In 1996 she became a founding trustee of Judd Foundation and now serves as President of the Board. Since 2006, she has overseen Judd Foundation’s Oral History Project, an ongoing extensive film project that documents interviews with individuals who each have unique and invaluable perspectives into Donald Judd’s artistic philosophy and working method. 85 interviews have been conducted to date.

One of the most influential artists of the 20th Century, Judd shared his artistic vision and process with those working around him, including assistants, fabricators, friends, dealers, and many of the most prominent artists, scholars, and collectors of the time. The film, Marfa Voices, which Ms. Judd co-directed with Karen Bernstein, features excerpts from these interviews and comprises a collection of vivid anecdotes and personal reflections by Marfa residents who had special connections to both Judd’s artistic practice and his life as a townsperson for nearly 20 years.

In addition, at the June 25 screenings at David Zwirner, Ms. Judd will debut excerpts from a selection of interviews from the Oral History Project that focus on New York, including those conducted with artists and other individuals involved in the art world from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Appearing in Marfa Voices are:
Robert Arber, printmaker
Joe Brady, Jr., musician/bagpiper, played at Judd’s funeral
Jack Brunson, retired border patrolman
Paula Cooper, New York art dealer
Susan Davidoff, artist
Jamie Dearing, artist and designer, worked with Judd from the late 1960s until his death
Dudley Del Balso, Judd’s studio manager
Boyd Elder, artist
Julie Finch, dancer and Judd’s former wife
Rosario Halpern, Marfa newspaper co-owner
Will Hernandez, life-long Marfa resident and cattle truck driver
Maiya Keck, restaurateur and artist
Tigie Lancaster, social worker
Mary Lou and Oscar Martinez, nurse and utility lineman
Alfredo Mediano, builder, worked with Judd since he was in high school
Lorina Naegele, gardener and cook
David Novros, artist
Michael Roch, teacher and artist
Carl Ryan, lawyer
Billy Spencer, landscape designer, born and raised in Marfa
Elia Spragg, café owner
Alice Stevens, photographer
Brit Webb, school principal and mechanic

My new favorite reading material is the “gifts” section of the Moss website.  Example:

One of my favorite stores ever. Here are some reasons why -

Owls with heads that spin -

Hamster wheel:

Seems to suggest that you plant seeds and they sprout up looking just like the picture:

Fire starter in fishing rod motif:

Who needs Legos?

I happen to love homemade jerky (but have never tried making it):

Speaks for itself (this place is like Target for farmers. You can get pig harnesses, cow bells, and lots more):

For the month of August, kids can stay in rooms that look like this (copy from the release after the photos) at one of the fanciest hotels in Paris. I’m not sure if this is genius or serious brand confusion.

April 2011 – Every kid’s fantasy will spring to life in Paris this summer as Hôtel Plaza Athénée dresses up two private luxury rooms with inspiration from Barbie and Hot Wheels for the month of August. The legendary Dorchester Collection property will offer special rooms for young guests with a Barbie Room and Hot Wheels Room, decorated and accessorized with accoutrements only a miniature fashion icon or red-hot racer could love. From pink rugs and heart-shaped wall art to flame-motif mirrors and a custom car-shaped bed, there will no brighter spot in the City of Light for the under-16 set than Hôtel Plaza Athénée.

Always ahead of the curve on style and fashion for any age, this is the second year running that Hôtel Plaza Athénée will partner with Mattel to cater to its favorite little clients. First introduced to rave reviews in 2010, the hotel’s Barbie Room is the perfect setting for little ones who dream of fairytales and glamour. The room will dazzle with luxurious Barbie-designed sofas, a beautiful baroque mirror, pink furniture and décor, and iconic heart-patterned curtains. Children can choose from two Barbie styles – “Modern Princess” or “Fashion Icon” – the former with “Royal” bed linens and a pet-grooming table; the latter to appeal to more mature fashionistas with a computer and designer furniture, and both filled with special Barbie surprises.

New this year, the Hot Wheels Room will be a veritable “pit row” for kids who can’t get enough of the world-famous miniature car brand. Inspired by shiny paint jobs and pedal-to-the-metal excitement, the room will be outfitted with a custom car-shaped bed flanked by Hot Wheels blue-and-orange bedside tables and mirrors flashing the brand’s iconic “flame” motif; as well as cool posters, gadgets, and Hot Wheels race track with more surprises.

Gear yourself up for the summer travel season with a special offer for a room or suite of your own connecting with the Barbie Room or Hot Wheels Room at Hôtel Plaza Athénée: Deluxe Parental Room from €1700; Deluxe Parental Suite from €2800, with continental breakfast for children and parents included. Offer valid August 2-30, 2011. Barbie and Hot Wheels Rooms not suitable for children under 3 or teenagers over 16.

Just saw Colin Firth’s latest movie. Design aficionados will gag over the sets – especially his speech therapist’s (played by Geoffrey Rush) office. I couldn’t find good pictures of it online – this is the closest I got:

check out the windows, the perfectly peeling wallpaper, the sofa….

sofa + wall = !!!

Production Design by Eve Stewart, Art Direction by Netty Chapman, Set Decoration by Judy Farr.

Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure. No, I am not included (thank god. the pressure!). Yes, I wish I had thought of this. Genius.

Buy it here. Read more here.

A few favorites:

“born in the desert, still thirsty.” -georgene nunn

“lived in moment until moment sucked.” -janine goss

“young, skinny ridiculed. old, skinny, envied.” -phil sweet

“after your jump, the net appears.” -vincent lauria

and finally, “tequila made her clothes fall off.” -susanne broderick.

Sam Baron at Japan Premium Beef.

If you’re over the grizzly adams look every hipster guy seems to be sporting these days you might want to avoid Chelsea Market for the next month. Hung throughout the space are photos by Dave Mead, an Austin, Texas-based photographer whose subjects are mustachioed and bearded men. It’s called “Magnificent Specimens” and while I personally am not into the bearded look, I was really drawn to the styling, composition and framing. He took the photos at the 2009 World Beard & Moustache championships. Some examples of Mead’s work are below. Those who find themselves having hair envy can take their photo at a makeshift booth and upload it to his site. Or buy one of his prints ($350, unframed, $500 framed) and use it as inspiration to grow your own.

Do it yourself booth:

do-it-yourself photo "booth"