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.
Dzul Dance is an ensemble troupe that has amalgamated dance with aerial arts in their new show Danzonat Baruch Performing Arts Center. InDanzonwe 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.
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.
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 …
We have a special The Wo(Man) In The Window this week. Some of you might have already seen this video, read the New York Post article or have strolled down to XOXO to experience their “Window Theater”, not your average live model display.
This story was prepared by Justin Rocket Silverman for The New York Post, you can read the full article here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Name: Adam Oliver Occupation: Lawyer Age: 46 Zodiac: Leo Favorite Restaurant:Blue Hill at Stone Barns Center for Agriculture, NYC Longs for: the day his in-laws move back to Connecticut. Fears: Poverty. Beliefs: Jewish. Where is he going: board meeting of the non-profit his wife forces him to be a part of.
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.
