You are currently browsing the Art category.
by Karen Tortora-Lee on March 8, 2010

Press Release from New York Center for Independent Publishing:

New York served as the model for Gotham City, inspired Will Eisner as he created the noirish adventures of The Spirit, and became a recurring character during the 1960s resurgence of Marvel in comics such as Spider-Man and Iron Man. Comics expert Peter Gutiérrez will moderate a high-energy round-table on the relationship between superheroes and their favorite hometown, followed by a wine and cheese reception provided by GraphicNovelReporter.com!
Join us and learn how comics culture has promoted potent and memorable images of New York to readers worldwide.
When: Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 6:30-8:30 pm
Where: 20 W. 44th Street, New York, NY 10036
Tickets $15 for general admission, $10 for CIP Members, and $5 for students – and they’re tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Please email contact@nycip.org or call 212-764-7021 to reserve!
Continue Reading…
by Anne Jordanova on February 26, 2010

I feel very compelled to write about this young, up and coming original artist, Fina Reisinger. She designs custom made pieces based on old family photos, and mixed visual pieces. I love her work, and find it so refreshing and new. I recently sat down with the German/Chinese artist to discuss her artwork.
Continue Reading…
by Sarah V. Schweig on February 25, 2010

Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into
the world, he is responsible for everything he does.
—Jean-Paul Sartre
I.
“Let’s build a stadium,” someone said.
“Let’s fill the bottom of the stadium with ice,” said another. “And let’s fill the stands with people.” Everyone nodded.
“We could affix metal blades to a pair of shoes,” someone said. “We could put these shoes on a person!” another added. “We could have them slide around on the ice wearing these bladed shoes!” added a third. “Let’s call them ‘skaters’ and the shoes ‘skates.’” Everyone concurred.
“Let’s name every twist and turn they make while sliding around.” Then another asked, “Like ‘triple axel’ and ‘double lutz?’” “Uh huh!” “We could import people from all over the world to assign numerical scores to what this person does on the ice in this stadium.” “We’ll add the scores together!” one proclaimed, while another piped in, “We’ll declare a winner!” Everyone pondered. “We’ll give them gold, bronze or silver!” Everyone nodded and agreed.
Continue Reading…
by Antonio Miniño on February 12, 2010

Dzul Dance is an ensemble troupe that has amalgamated dance with aerial arts in their new show Danzon at Baruch Performing Arts Center. In Danzon we are submerged in Mayan rituals, offerings, the supernatural world, and a love triangle between a man and two women, while showcasing the music of different Latin American artists the likes of Control Machete and Chavela Vargas. Sounds like a lot of elements, yet Dzul Dance has incorporated all of them successfully for most of the program.
Continue Reading…
by Antonio Miniño on January 28, 2010

I have to admit, it has been hard for me to wrap around the idea of posting The Wo(Man) In The Window after the earthquake that hit Haiti. I was thinking of using the column to inform on ways on how to donate and help – but you can check out the extremely helpful Washington Post article. A lot of Arts organizations around NYC are also donating part of their proceeds to help the Haiti relief. Right here on The Happiest Medium there is information on The Improvolution’s LoveFest, donating their proceeds.

Acrylic on Masonite by Bernard Sejourne
Continue Reading…
by Karen Tortora-Lee on December 23, 2009


More Retro Cards @ Fenderskirts Vintage
Before heading off for a long winter’s nap, I thought it would only be fitting to send you into the holidays with visions of sugarplums and such. So, here is my Christmas wish for you all, and if you don’t celebrate Christmas, here’s hoping the Internet waves simultaneously translate my wishes and retrofit them to the holiday of your choice, whatever your faith or creed. Whatever holiday language you speak: May these days be merry and bright. And if it’s a little bit of fun you’re wanting, keep reading for some ideas on holiday Theatre, Film, TV, Books, Art and Music. You may find a few surprises …
Continue Reading…
by Antonio Miniño on December 7, 2009

Foot protection was one of the first things created by our ancestors, even before the fur wrap skirt (not to be confused with Carolina Herrera’s wrap blouse or Diane Von Furstenberg’s signature wrap dress). Shoes have been a part of our lives since the making of the wheel and since then have been adorned to be more than just protective gear. Shoes have become the modern woman’s ID card.
This season the runway was not exempt from highly opulent shoes: studs (the houses of Prada, Zanotti, Givenchy), elastic and leather bands (Narciso Rodriguez, Derek Lam, Jason Wu, Dior) and bejeweled wonders (McQueen, Christopher Kane, Nina Ricci, Blumarine). All fit for a queen, all ranging from $1,000 and up. So if you aren’t a trust fund baby, Ivanka Trump, or embezzling money for shoes, how can you afford all these styles?
Sure we all love Louboutins enough to write a song dedicated to them, like J.Lo did, but that won’t get Christian to custom-design a pair for us. But the ladies from BLUFF NY might … and will.
BLUFF is a newly launched accessory line that has created inter-changeable pieces to spice up any shoe. Utterly affordable, and in tune with today’s trends. They describe their first line as an organic compilation of playfully dark yet feminine looks, and I asked creators Jess, Cara and Anna to elaborate a little bit more about how BLUFF came about.

Jess, Cara and Anna are BLUFFing Manhattan
Continue Reading…
by Karen Tortora-Lee on November 18, 2009


Deep Inside The Gummi Bär
Ever wonder exactly what the skeletal system of a gummy bear is really like? How do they manage to pick things up with those tiny little hands that just seem to appear on the end of their stubby little arms?
Ever wonder what you’re really eating when you pop an unsuspecting little bear into your mouth?
I always wondered too. Which is why, when I stumbled across the Gelaskins site in the hopes of finding a colorful bit of quasi “armor” for my mac laptop last year, I didn’t think twice before purchasing “Anatomie Gummi Bär” by Jason Freeny. It didn’t stop there though.
Continue Reading…
by Antonio Miniño on November 13, 2009


Bergdorf Goodman ©Antonio Minino
Name: Carolina Davis
Occupation: Choreographer
Age: 34
Zodiac: Scorpio
Favorite Restaurant: Shake Shack, Upper West Side, NYC
Longs for: comfortable stilettos.
Fears: foot injury.
Beliefs: fashionable women are smarter than you think.
Where is she going: shopping ahead for Lady Gaga’s concert at Radio City Musical Hall.
Dress and gloves available at Bergdorf Goodman.
The Wo(Man) In The Window is a fictional non-factional profile.
Any resemblance to real people is completely coincidental.
In the event of a coincidence then you are fabulous.
We should meet for cocktails.
by Stephen Tortora-Lee on November 6, 2009

Sentient City almost sounds like science fiction, but it is the opposite actually. These are actual techniques and devices to help the system of the city (through the people that live within it) become more aware of the processes within itself through mobile technology and designed in feedback systems in order to make cities more sustainable as well as more interesting. Last Friday I went up with my friends Tom and Jason to 51st St and 6th to check out the Sentient City exhibit. The space isn’t huge, but what you see are prototypes and new possibilities of design ideas created to change or allow new behaviors in people.