C'est Inspiré is simply that - what is inspiring. Where the words end, images continue to speak. Seeing all that is around us, we seek some aspect of something that is life enhancing... something that you would like to be reminded of - to revisit. Something to capture and bring into your world, not leave behind... . That is why I take a camera everywhere; have spent countless hours organizing images in scrapbooks and pouring over them later to revisit the place, the people, the memory.
So, C'est Inspiré may be a single photo - or it may be 50, it may mean one thing to me, another to you - the meaning isn't important. Did it inspire? Did it make you smile? Did it bring back a pleasant memory? One or all of the above will do.
During a brief period of his life, the legendary art historian Bernard Berenson kept diaries where he wrote about how to see - and what he saw. These diaries were published under the title The Passionate Sightseer and edited by Raymund Mortimer.
Anyone, anywhere, anytime can be a passionate sightseer - just look.
What's Happening : Revolutionaries in the Kitchen
If Thomas Jefferson ever had a chance to sit and dine with Alice Waters I imagine there would be no shortage of topics and conversation. A champion of sustainability meets a farmer, gardener foodie – I suspect that COMMON SENSE would be one of the overriding themes. The common sense of cooking food simply. The common sense of eating what is available seasonally. The common sense of eating what is available locally and thereby supporting your community. The common sense and instincts obtained after learning the basics and practicing – practicing. The common sense of understanding that all the senses add to the pleasure, the beauty of the presentation and all the smells. The common sense that the ease of doing creates the confidence that encourages us to share with friends.
With a prolific cook book writing chef, amongst other accomplishments, and a gardening, cooking, cataloging president I presume they would have had a long friendship, perhaps even collaborating on a cookbook, REVOLUTIONARIES IN THE KITCHEN, I presume.
On April 19th, Alice Waters will visit Monticello and hold a public book signing at the Monticello Museum Shop from 3pm-4pm. Waters has also authored the foreword of Peter Hatch’s “A Rich Spot of Earth” Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden at Monticello. ”A Rich Spot of Earth” is the first book devoted to all aspects of the Monticello vegetable garden.
The Monticello Museum Shop will be selling the following books by Alice Waters:
• 40 Years of Chez Panisse: The Power of Gathering
• In the Green Kitchen
• The Art of Simple Food
• Edible Schoolyard
Additionally on sale by Thomas McNamee
• Alice Waters and Chez Panisse
Stay tuned to our site for the follow up to ‘ Alice Waters visits Monticello’ a book signing, cooking demonstrations with chefs like Scott Peacock and other chefs from around the country will all join in the celebration. The big event of the weekend will be a black tie dinner on the West Lawn planned and prepared by ’Alice and Friends’, for some of the patrons of Monticello. We can not wait.
For more information on Alice Waters’ book signing at Monticello please visit, and for more Garden Happenings please visit:
www.monticello.org
April 17, 2012
What's Happening : “Lillian Bassman: Lingerie” at the Staley Wise Gallery
Long before AMC’s hit TV show, Lillian Bassman worked with the real Mad Men of the 1950s and early ’60s, using her keen eye for the female form to create images for some of the most iconic ad campaigns. Her stunning black and white photos could be seen in Harper’s Bazaar, New York Times Magazine and ads for Chanel.
“Lillian Bassman: Lingerie” (published by Abrams) a book of 80 stunningly intimate black-and-white photos that showcase her work with women in brassieres and bodices, corsets and girdles, camisoles and chemises, and nightgowns and pajamas. Each one is touched with Bassman’s signature soft light, high contrast and vintage photographic quality.
The book was published just weeks after the famous art director and fashion photographer died in her Upper East Side home the age of 94 on February 13th. An exhibition of her work will be on display at the Staley-Wise Gallery from April 12 through May 26. Staley-Wise Gallery, 560 Broadway #305, New York City.
A wonderful conversation with the artist, one of my favorites…
April 13, 2012
What's Happening : Independent Woman Luncheon at the Phoenix Art Museum
Last year I gave a lot of lectures, and made the rounds on my book tour for CHARLOTTE MOSS DECORATES. It was a lot of flying and even more time spent in hotel rooms agonizing over lecture notes and slides.
Last fall I received a call from Ellen Katz, a friend and patron of the Phoenix Art Museum, asking me to be a guest lecturer at their Independent Woman Luncheon. She said one thing that caught my ear – “You can talk about whatever you want.”
They don’t mess around in Phoenix – 500 tickets were sold to this annual fundraiser. Chaired by Ellen Katz, the event itself was gorgeous and fresh, ushering in spring and putting a great energy into the room. Local designers in Phoenix were asked to design the tabletop displays – each one different – all of them divine…
Read more on Constance Spry by viewing our post by clicking here
Having the freedom to speak about anything I choose is a luxury and a curse. For this event, The Independent Woman – I chose to speak about women, some who inspire my work, and of course those who have inspired me throughout my life. Trailblazers, creators, women with style and most importantly, PURPOSE.”
The current exhibition “The Sea,” explores the far reaching influence of the romance of the sea on fashion design. Chanel, Rucci, Prada, Trigere and others, just a great collection of works inspired by “the sea.” It definitely reminded me of summertime strolls along a boardwalk, with the colorful and whimsical celebration of the sea in fashion.
“The Sea” is organized by Dennita Sewell, Curator of Fashion Design at Phoenix Art Museum and is presented in the Ellman Fashion Design Gallery from March 3 through July 15, 2012.
Lastly, if you are in Phoenix, I must recommend the Biltmore…
April 4, 2012
What's Happening : Cecil Beaton at the Musuem of the City of New York – There’s still time.
Scrapbooker and photographer Cecil Beaton’s New York work is now on display at the Museum of the City of New York titled, Cecil Beaton: The New York Years. The exhibition brings together photographs, drawings, and costumes by Beaton to chronicle his impact on the city’s cultural life. Beaton’s relentless energy and curiosity spurred him to pursue new fields, from fashion and portrait photography to costume and scenic design for Broadway, ballet, and opera, and to put his own aesthetic stamp on each of these endeavors. Last year, his scrapbooks were published in James Danziger’s Beaton: The Art of the Scrapbook, giving a small glimpse into his methods and work. Additionally, this year, the musuem and Skira Rizzoli published a companion book to go along with exhibition. The book documents Beaton’s relationships with figures of the New York art scene including Greta Garbo and Andy Warhol. This is not one to be missed.
There is still time, the exhibition runs through April 22nd.
For more information about the Museum of the City of New York please visit www.McNY.org
A clipping from Charlotte’s Wall Street Journal Off Duty Article on Beaton: The Art of the Scrapbook by James Danziger.
March 2, 2012
