Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Limited Edition Photography Book Captures the Thrill and Beauty of One of the World's Premiere Endurance Rally Races

Searing pavement. Roaring engines. Heart pounding adrenaline. The prestigious Carrera Panamericana is one of the most technically demanding races in the world, testing drivers' endurance and skill at every stage. Over one hundred classic sports cars from the 1940s to 1960s are pushed to their limits as they take on Mexico’s' diverse and often treacherous terrain from sea level to over 8000 feet at flatout speeds up to 200 mph.

After four years of negotiations with the organizers of La Carrera Panamericana, Los Angeles-based artist Sam Gezari arranged an embed for the entire 2000 mile, seven day race from the southern tip of Mexico to the US border. The race starts in Tuxtla Gutierrez and makes it's way through Oaxaca, Mexico City and countless other villages and cities until the last of the remaining cars arrive just over the northern border in Nuevo Laredo, Texas. On the first day alone there were a dozen crashes and by Day Five, nearly fifty-percent of the vehicles either had major mechanical issues or were totaled.

Working with the finest presses and book makers in LA, this 100 copy limited-edition book has 275 pages overflowing with vibrant, exciting photographs.

"Few motoring exploits can generate as much excitement as driving on public roads without speed limits, and The Carrera Panamericana does just that," says Leslie Kendall, Curator of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.

Often in this frame of mind....


Say yes to leopard

Meow.

Italian style by Emilio Cavallini. This would work as a layering piece with a tan or black tunic or some such item of clothing. Or just put on a pair of furry ears and make a fellow happy ;) I know it could seem tacky....but I like.....

Take these wings and learn to fly

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Richard Avedon @ International Center of Photography

This image spoke to me.... I love his smile!

My legs on the subway after Avedon show...coincidental matching ;) Photo: DVN

Had an amaaaaazing time in NY with D @ this fantastic show. The early works through the 60s are certainly some of my favorites....when ladies were entirely elegant and men were so gentlemanly......

They have the original hand-cut artwork from Bazaar for this famous piece.
This could be Margiela today....
The show is up through Sept. 20th. Fridays from 5-8PM are voluntary contribution. Another art on the cheap experience. Otherwise its only $12. Wander about and be inspired by 2 full floors of Avedon and a fantastic bookstore! Also, see below if you are in NY & would like to attend a very inexpensive lecture.

Avedon and Fashion: September 10 | Thursday | 7:00 pm | $5 HBO Auditorium, 1100 Sixth Avenue at 42nd Street, 15th Floor An evening dialogue devoted to the changing paradigm of fashion with Harold Koda, Curator, Costume Institute, Metropolitan Museum of Art; China Machado, Richard Avedon's 60s supermodel; and Lizzie Himmel, photographer. The event will be moderated by ICP Curators Carol Squiers and Vince Aletti.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Today

Its raining in NY today. I think its appropriate. Tears from heaven on this day of remembrance.

Confusion, fear, sadness. I was in NY for fashion week and was in a state of shock that morning. I can still hear the mass screams of people in the tents @ Bryant Park as news spread amongst the crowd and people fled. The feeling of Armageddon as that horrible cloud rose above the city, ATMs quickly ran out of money, cell phones were on the fritz, banks closed within a couple of hours of the hits, and all transportation to and from the city was shut down. It was like being a rat in a cage. A permeating sadness of all the lives lost and all those lost souls.

Around 3 or 4PM I wandered down towards Times Square to find the Western Union where Mike had wired money to me. I felt the smartest thing to do was to have cash on hand in case I needed to pay a stranger to drive me down to Virginia or anywhere off that island in the next days. At that point, I didn't know how long they would keep transportation shut down.

For about 6 blocks I only encountered 2 other people on the street. 1 was an old man closing the gate down to his market. He looked at me with a kind smile and said, "get home safe." The other was a solitary man on a bicycle riding down the middle of the street. It was a truly bizarre feeling--this city usually full of so much noise and movement. Carrying no bag as a safety precaution, I stuffed the cash inside my bra and went back to the hotel. I'll never forget that walk. The way the sky looked. The quiet. I stayed up all night trying to get through to Amtrak and finally got the very last ticket on the train going south to Virginia on 9/12, though at that point we weren't even sure if the trains would be running again.

I'll never forget the tone in my dear family and friends' voices during that time. I'll always remember vividly the people I talked with on the train. A guy who had an interview scheduled that morning in the World Trade Center, but his alarm hadn't gone off. A young girl who was there on vacation with her family and had just toured the WTC the day before. There was a calm and caring energy for one another on that train ride, though we all felt a bit nervous during our layover in DC.

Seeing my family never felt so good. Going back to California a week later, I felt really safe.

And on this day, I think of all of the love we are lucky to have in this world. I'm sorry for any times I have taken it for granted.

Mimi. 5 mo old rescue kitten

If we can't save ourselves, save animals ;) Mimi is a rescue kitten from the Sante D'or foundation here in LA (Los Feliz). She's a gift from my friend Mike. How could anyone resist? The shelter is great in so many ways. They socialize the cats and dogs together (unless the animal is truly afraid). Actually, I saw a massive bunny taking a nap next to a massive cat there and they were touching paws... pretty funny!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

My Friend Kate Earl :)

I first heard Kate Earl's music several years ago on a CD sampler that was inserted in Surfer magazine. The song was called "Sweet 16" and it really spoke to me.

A few months later we happened to meet through some mutual friends in the surf industry--back when we were both living these other lives. As two girls from small towns, we found a common ground amongst all the fast-paced craziness that can happen here in SoCal.

Above is an backyard session she recently did for Vimby. I oddly enough, coincidentally received an email about it just after we had lunch at the yummy Figaro Cafe on Vermont Ave in Los Feliz.

Below is her new music video. I am super excited to see so many great things happening for this talented young woman--especially having seen the hard work it has taken to get this far.

Cheers Kate!!!
Melody Music Video Kate Earl

Kate will be doing an East coast radio tour next week after a quick stop in NY for some fashion shows. She will be playing live on her little portable keyboard. And without all the fuss and tinkering most singers get these days, Kate's voice is absolutely gorgeous live!