Everyone loves a makeover…

Hey hey, so I’ve finally gotten to moving my blog over to my website. Hooray! So please be sure to bookmark the new URL, as I’ll now be updating over there. Thanks guys!

http://artsblog.tatianajimenez.com/

<3 Miss Tati

Again and again and again and again… or: How to Support the Arts from your Bedroom

I totally have not been supporting the arts lately. I know I know, it’s horrible. I blame it on my three addictions, 1.) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , 2.) selling stuff on ebay, and 3.) etsy.com. If you haven’t checked out etsy.com you should. Like right now. Everyone should buy handmade. Why? Because I said so. And mother earth will like you that much more.

So I know you’re totally asking yourself, why is Tatiana posting if she has nothing to tell us? Au contraire, mon chere! Although I have not been supporting les arts (I don’t even speak french, but it just feels right), I have beaucoup recommendations pour vous. I have pretty much been addicted to these bands for the past few weeks, and I think it’s time I shared them with you. I introduce you to your new favorite bands. ) Or at least I hope…

Tokyo Police Club – Cheer it on

This is probably my favorite TPC song. I also appreciate their dedication in this video. They look like they’re really cold.

Grand Ole Party

So, usually when you go see a band you never really expect the opening acts to be any good. Right? I was totally underestimating the opening acts for the Rilo Kiley show I went to last week. Holy moly. Grand Ole Party was first up, and holy crap they were amazing. This was the best quality video I could find on youtube. Hopefully it does them justice. I <3 Grand Ole Party.

The Bird and the Bee – Again and Again

The Bird and the Bee also opened for Rilo Kiley, and like I told my concert buddy Hava, they were like the band version of a Disney cartoon. They were so magical, and dressed in bright colors. They just made me happy. And this song is probably familiar to you diehard Grey’s Anatomy fans. They put on a great live show that is reminiscent of the girl groups of yesteryear. The classic sounds of the piano paired with the in-your-face style lyrics make for the perfect listening experience. I think a dancing teddy bear onstage would have sealed the deal, but that’s just me.

Add me on lastfm! Let’s be friends. I like to see what everyone is listening to. I’m nosey.

“The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame.”

Yes friends, you guessed it. According to the American Library Association next week (September 26th-October 6th, 2007) is officially Banned Books Week. Every year in cities all around the world literary works are being challenged or even banned from being accessed by the public. So support these authors by reading a banned or challenged book next week. Here’s one of the many lists of banned/challenged books I found searching online. I think I’ll continue my journey through the Harry Potter series. I’m beginning Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I know, I’m way behind. ) I started late in the game. And did I mention I’m totally into witchcraft now? Expecto patronum!

100 Most Frequently Challenged Books from 1990-2000
1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
19. Sex by Madonna
20. Earth’s Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
26. The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by
Lynda Madaras
41. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
48. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
53. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by
Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Sho rts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier
66. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women’s Fantasies by Nancy Friday
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanford

89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Here are some links to more lists of books that were banned at one time, or may still be banned in some parts of the world:
http://www.highlands.edu/academics/library/banned/books.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_books

NY Fashion Week so far: My Thoughts

Boo, someday I will be able to go to fashion week. I need to start making some celebrity friends, or my friends need to start becoming celebrities.

Why does Betsey Johnson’s collection make me feel like I just walked into Limited Too (the adolescent/teen girl clothing store)? That and I can imagine the smell of the kids section of Bath & Body Works: smells cheap. Betsey, I know this show is for Spring, but I think we’ve gone a little too far with the pastel yellows, pinks and poof. But don’t worry, I still think you’re amazing.

As much of a problem I usually have with actors or musicians who come up with their own fashion label, I am EXTREMELY impressed with Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. collection. I would wear 80% of what was on the runway. She has impeccable taste and if I could give her a high five, I would. I always wonder though, about how involved in the design process she is. Is she a good sewer? Does she have a good understanding of the female anatomy? Or does she hire someone to make these detailed decisions for her? I bet there’s a man/woman behind the curtain that is “Gwen Stefani, Designer.”

Although not one of my favorite designers, Phillip Lim (an OC native) hit it head on. In the fashion world in my head of course. I live in a world where primary colors rule. I think that primary colors go with anything. And I guess Phillip Lim does as well. Maybe we’re fashion soul mates.

When Badgley Mischka came out with their ad featuring the Olsen twins a few years ago I was amazed. The girls looked lovely and in turn they made the clothing look lovely. Very elegant with a little bit of a wild edge. When I opened my Vogue magazine last month, who did I find in the B.M. ad? TERI HATCHER. And I guess it kind of makes sense. Their label has gone from elegant to old BCBG. Actually, you know what, i think they’ve switched identities. Those kidders.

MISCHKA

BCBG

I don’t know if this would be the most accurate depiction of the way I felt when I saw Heatherette’s collection, but it felt like I went on the It’s a Small World ride while high on ecstasy. And I loved it!

To check out the latest and greatest in Spring 2008 threads visit http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/

A chance to meet the experts…

The sewing and quilting experts, that is. OMG. I can’t even begin to express to you how excited I am about this festival.

So, Sunday afternoon I moseyed over to my favorite fabric store of all time (M&L Fabrics in Anaheim) with my friend Hava. As she was paying for her fabric, a bright pink flyer caught my eye. The flyer was advertising none other than…

The Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival



Where?
Pomona Fairplex
101 W McKinley Ave
Pomona, CA 91768
When?
October 18-20, 2007
Thurs.-Sat., 10am-5pm
How much?
$8, but $7 with coupon …one time admission good for all 3 days of the show, so save your ticket!
I STILL don’t get it.
This festival will consist of exhibitors who will fill us all in on the latest and greatest supplies in the quilting/sewing/crafting world. In addition, “Make and Take” workshops and free educational seminars will be available. I’m a beginner when it comes to quilting, so I think this will be a great opportunity to see quilters in action and get some tips from people who have been doing this stuff for years (probably even before I was born… maybe even before my mom was born). Anyway, it’s hard to learn how to quilt by reading about it. So go check out the festival and learn some quilting tips that will impress your grandma like whoa.

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I feel these days that my neighborhood not only consists of the families who live in my apartment complex, or the shopping center across the street, but also (oddly enough) my bookmarked favorites in my internet browser (Firefox, of course). I have come to know these sites so well I feel like we have become very good acquaintances. Actually I know the content of these sites better than I know my actual neighbors (I don’t even know their names. But I do know that they need to keep their cats inside so they can stop pooping everywhere.) Let me introduce you to some of my favorite “neighbors”:

The Feminist Art Project: A site that helps encourage everyone to learn more about feminist art and become more aware of openings and exhibits across the country. Also, I REALLY REALLY love the Timeline.

Guerilla Girls: I think of the Guerilla Girls as kind of the super heroines in the art world. Their posters and other media efforts have helped the position of women and people of color gain more attention and the respect that they deserve in the art world. They’re so effing amazing I can’t even stand it. I’ll be posting an entry dedicated to them coming soon.

A Soviet Poster A Day: – If I could leap atop buildings and scream out loud how much I love Soviet posters I would. But 1.) I am afraid of heights, and 2.) I would probably be 51-50’d to the local mental institution. So, I’ll scream it here. I LOVE SOVIET POSTERS. Why? Well, I’m half Russian, and I feel an affinity towards anything Rooski. Also I love anything constructivist/dada/avant garde. Russians are great graphic designers. So check out this guy’s blog and learn why.

A Public Space: I first came across this publication this past April at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at UCLA. They were an exhibitor, and their mission definitely is something I support. It’s always fun coming across new writers who can challenge literature, fiction and poetry lovers to embrace something new. New styles. New ideas. New stories.

Lastly I want to share my favorite graffiti/street art sites. I got into graffiti by way of researching logos. I don’t have the balls to actually graffiti on walls, but I like looking at it. It’s amazing comparing the different styles from artist to artist and from country to country. If you’re sick of your sterile environment, here are some sites to make your world feel a little more colorful… and badass:

Taiwan: http://taichung-graffiti.blogspot.com/
Lebanon: http://lebgraffiti.blogspot.com/
Everywhere: http://www.streetsy.com/

Kids + Abstraction = Funny

So what is better than experiencing contemporary dance? Experiencing contemporary dance with a bunch of 5-12 year olds. Yup. That’s what I did on Sunday. I went to the RKDC open house to watch the preview piece for the upcoming Museum Project. Best exchange between two 7-year-old dancers:

Dancer #1: This is weird.
Dancer #2: I think it’s because it’s for a museum.

Oh kids. So cute. Anyway, here’s the info. Check it out if you can. (FYI: the piece will be performed by professional, non-adolescent dancers.)

The Museum Project

Where?
Torrance Art Museum
3320 Civic Center Dr.
Torrance, CA 90503
When?
Sept. 28 & 29 @ 8pm
Sept. 28 @ 2pm
How much?
$20
I STILL don’t get it.
This will be a site specific performance at the new Torrance Art Museum. So basically you’re killing two birds with one stone. You’re 1.) experiencing a once in a lifetime performance and 2.) visiting a brand new art space. Not too shabby.

Check it out…

Life Between Painting

Where?
6767 Bright Ave.
Whittier, CA 90601
562.696.9493
When?
August 11 – September 1, 2007
Gallery Hours: Tues.-Sat. 11:30am-9pm
How much?
FREE
I STILL don’t get it.
This show focuses on the pieces of four artists from the California College of Arts and Crafts: Ryan Martin, Nohemi Espinoza, Ramiro Hernandez, and Mick Farrell. Each with his/her unique perspective and concentration, this show exhibits merely a peak at the inner psyches of these distinct talents. From the abstract layered compositions Hernandez presents and explains to be reminiscent of his childhood to the almost surreal perfection of Martin’s portraits which exude a type of nostalgia for the beauty of innocence. Espinoza’s mixed media works express the juxtaposition of naivete and perversion while Farrell’s ink renderings add a dark humor which he explains are influenced by a mixture of found objects such as “a yearbook from the 1970s.”

Overall this was a really fun show to see. The Bluebird Art House is quaint and intimate, which makes for a great experience. The artists were all great to talk to, and my Aunt and I had fun arguing whether the abstract shape in one of Espinoza’s pieces was a pelvis or intestines. Even though the space was so small, I ended up sticking around for a couple of hours (4 total). The people were great, the art was great, and the DJ was great.

So, my camera ran out of battery basically right when I got there so I was only able to take one picture:

Yup. That’s the DJ. P Looks like you’ll have to go to The Bluebird Art House yourself if you want to see any art. But I must say, the DJ was pretty amazing. Never have I heard a DJ go from playing the Fugees to retro Indian music to Salsa. Talk about a treat for the ears. All in all the evening proved to be an amazing one and absolutely inspirational to the fans of art (–> Me.)

“We were known as the baby ballerinas.”

Lately I have been reading a lot about European (mainly Russian) graphic design history. And in doing so stumbled upon posters for the Ballet Russes, and thought to myself “isn’t that documentary in my Netflix queue?” And indeed it was.

I really appreciate the fact that some amazing people decided to film the Ballet Russes performances. The concept of dance being a momentary and dynamic experience is a concept that has always left me feeling conflicted. Dance along with theater and other performance arts pieces (such as the Happenings of the 1950s & 60s or Fluxus art), can be performed forever (in theory), like Nutcracker ballet for example. But each performance and each combination of dancers and audience experiences are unique and differ. These performances are so valuable and precious because they, most of the time, are not filmed or really documented in a manner that makes them permanent, like a painting or a photo. They are not captured in a way that can be enjoyed by the masses forever, and in some aspects it is sad, but I think that in other ways, this is what makes the performances so magical.

It’s amazing that the filmmakers found all of this priceless footage, all of these amazingly talented 70-90 year olds and made this documentary. Although not a dance history buff, I am a fan of dance, and an ex-ballerina, err kind of. My most critically acclaimed** performance was dancing to the song “Hi-ho!” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs when I was 12; my farewell piece, as I then retired from my 3-year dance career a few months later due to the inability to do the splits. P Enough about me, this film was well edited, well researched and full of richly descriptive and delightful stories about traveling the world to bring ballet to the people. I highly recommend it, if you haven’t seen it already.

So, like Center Stage or Dirty Dancing, this film made me want to dance. Like, as soon as possible. It also made me feel really out of shape compared to those 80-year-olds in leotards with those ever impressive plies and releves. In essence it made me think about the company that my friend dances with, and their upcoming open house, which I will probably check out… or actually maybe I’ll just go and watch. ) I’m kinda rusty.

Regina Klenjoski Dance Company’s Open House

Where?
Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Studio I
3330 Civic Center Dr.
Torrance, CA 90503
When?
Sunday, August 26, 2007
1-2:30pm: Modern Dance Technique with Regina Klenjoski
3-4:30pm: Showcase and sample classes
How much?
FREE
I STILL don’t get it.
The RKDC has performed in numerous venues and universities throughout the United States since opening its doors in 1993. Klenjoski’s pieces often explore her fascination with the human experience in a contemporary society. Utilizing partnering to convey diverse relationships in her pieces, Klenjoski’s clever voice brings a unique element to the world of contemporary dance.
This open house will create an opportunity for anyone in the community who has a love for dance to sample her classes and get a feel for her take on contemporary movement and choreography.

** not actually critically acclaimed… unless my parents count as critics, in which case, the performance was acclaimed.

“It only costs $1 to see the giant horse!”

So the roommate and I decided to embark on the crowd attracting phenomenon that is the Orange County Fair this weekend. Because I don’t do fair rides, my main thrills come from the abundance of greasy, caramel-coated and fried foods. Oh gluttonous gluttonous day. Makes me feel gross just thinking about it; but hey, it’s not everyday I eat 10,000 calories in the span of 3 hours.

Other than the junk food, I always love the contests. Mainly, the quilting contest. One day I will enter in it, but for now I will just continue admiring. Also! Added bonus… some amazing person embroidered a picture of none other than Elizabeth I.

One contest I was very confused by was what seemed to be a “stuff” contest. Really. Display after glass display of themed stuff. Beach Boys stuff, Elvis stuff, a collection of Heinz cans?! My first thought was, ‘oh! They’re installations of some sort. Ready-made art! I get it…’ but no. I don’t think it was that complicated. So Kendra and I decided that we will enter in this “stuff” contest next year. She is probably the biggest collector (at least that I know) of Vivien Leigh memorabilia. And I am a moderate collector of Lucille Ball memorabilia. We’ll see what happens. It’s on!

We then headed over to the photo and painting exhibit, where we continued to be amazed and inspired. This piece was probably my favorite. It also reminded me that I need to do laundry.

The last adventure that we embarked on was the animal section. I am not a big fan of farm animals because, well, they smell. But I did see a cute bunny. That was neat. That area was mostly just sad. I know the animals are probably taken care of considerably well (especially since I saw a few PETA signs here and there), but their cages were so tiny. Main complaint: Why the hell did it cost $1 to see the giant horse? And more importantly, why was said giant horse in the smallest tent imaginable, with barely any sunlight? I mean, yeah, that was a huge friggin horse. Wow. But, after being in the tent for 10 seconds I started feeling really bad for this horse, and so did the 7 other people in the tent. Kendra wanted to bring it home with us, but I told her that it wouldn’t even fit in our living room. Ultimately this horse made me think of the following scene from the critically acclaimed film, Follow That Bird (1985):
Big Bird: Say, there’s a lady named Miss Finch who’s chasing me. Do you mind if I hide in your fun fair?
Sam Sleaze: Why, no, not at all. We have the perfect place for you to hide. Right here in our hiding cage.
Sid Sleaze: You’ll be safe here.
Sam Sleaze: Yeah, real safe.
Big Bird: Gee, thanks. Oh, gee, I sure am a lucky bird.

Are you crying yet?