Zodiac Sculptures in NYC

After window shopping on Fifth Avenue, we walked through the Grand Army Plaza where an exhibit of 12 ten foot high bronze animal heads had been installed. While I was able to figure out that The Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads represented the Chinese zodiac, I was not able to find out anything more about the sculptures ~ except that I am a Tiger based on the year of my birth.

So, returning from my trip, I did a Google search only to find out that these sculptures are quite controversial ~ the sculptor, Ai Weiwei has been detained by the Chinese government since April 3 and wasn't present at either the London or NYC openings.
These bronze heads are enlarged versions of those designed in the 18th century for an emperor's garden palace near Beijing. Originally, the sculptures were part of the famous fountain clock and spouted water for two hours a day.

The gardens and imperial compound were destroyed during the Second Opium War in 1860; the original heads were looted, but began to show up in the art market in 2000. As the Chinese government views both the original sculptures and Ai Weiwei's works to be their property, that is where the controversy begins. Read the full article and see more photos here.

This last image shows a portion of the exhibit at London's Somerset House.

{image from here}

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Window Shopping in NYC

A few weeks ago Gina and I took a trip to NYC to shop, see the sights, and visit friends, museums, Surtex and the Stationery Show ~ all in a few days! One cannot visit NYC and miss the wonderful shop windows ~ these are from a walk along either 5th or 6th Avenue. The Louis Vuitton windows were my favorite as they were so unusual and creative ~ they certainly made good use of the ostrich as a theme!

Unfortunately, we did not have time to make it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Alexander McQueen exhibit, Savage Beauty, but we did get a little taste via these window displays. The cream colored backdrop of the first window is dripped wax which artfully surrounds the poster and collects at the bottom of the window. The second window is a fabulous display of red feathers. While the backdrops are pretty over the top, they did a great job of complimenting the fashion designs of Alexander McQueen. Makes me want to plan another trip so I can see the exhibit ~ it looks pretty amazing!

The three dimensional acrylic flowers combined with a swirly vine gave the Van Cleef & Arpels window a springy look.

I also liked the use of the Rorschach inkblots in the following window display ~ very striking!

I wish we had had more time to window shop ~ always so inspiring! Makes me wonder what kind of budget these stores have for the displays?!

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Are You Afflicted with AAADD?

I think I had an episode over the weekend, but I can't remember. Nice to know there is a name for the affliction! Any of you have this too?

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Sights at Sparks ~ Spring 2011

Things have gotten away from me a bit ~ way too much going on, so I have gotten a little behind as far as my postings! It has been several weeks since the Sparks/White Cloud Flea Market, but since I did take photos, I thought I would share them anyway ~ after all, it isn't too late for you to mark your calendar for the September Sparks Flea Market. At any rate, this time around I ended up with an odd mix of images . . .

{initial brooches}

While these brooches are missing most of their stones ~ which were marcasite, I liked the design of pins. You can't tell from the photo, but the initials are removable, so that one could customize with letters of her own choosing.

{boston terrier cross stitch}

{great graphics on a vintage doily stretcher}

{Queen of Scots picnic basket}

I was seriously considering getting this as it would coordinate so nicely with the Kiltie thermos (see photo at end of post) we already have, but my common sense kicked in and I passed it by. Sprocket & Speck don't really need a picnic hamper ~ even though it would make a great prop for a photo shoot!

{Jello shot server ~ great for parties!}

{Interesting graphics on a seed sower}

{One of a kind wagon ~ beautiful decorative trim!}

{Remco's Little Red Spinning Wheel for girls}

This is probably a hard-to-find vintage toy as I can't imagine it was a hot seller! Even in the 60's, there probably weren't too many girls who would be interested in spinning their own yarn ~ especially as the kit only came with one hank of wool! If she had managed to spin the wool into yarn, imagine how disappointed the girl would be with her finished miniature purse or rug or single sock!

{Loved these extra creepy dolls!}

Aside from the interesting items for sale, Sparks always offers other sights you won't find anywhere else . . .

{Recycled school bus turned into a rustic (and patriotic) food truck}

Then, my favorite . . . misspelled handmade signs!

{Sprocket was not amused!}

{A cool sip of water from his Kiltie thermos at the end of a long day!}

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Memorial Day 2011

{Read about the "Buddy" Poppy here}

Remembering those who have served and those who are serving our country.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

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Crazy Weather Week!

{photo by Scott Cook via The Pitch}

Living in Kansas City for almost 25 years, I am still not really used to the weird weather we get here ~ this week, for instance, 3 tornadoes went through the area around the lunch hour on Wednesday. Lucky for us, no damage was done and everyone emerged safely after the storms passed through. I think that everyone is taking the sirens more seriously after seeing the devastation in Joplin, Mo earlier in the week.

Above is a photo taken (and no doubt color enhanced!) that day by Scott Cook ~ he is selling prints (8 x 10 for $15) through PayPal: scottcookmail@gmail.com with all proceeds going to the Joplin storm victims. Makes me (and apparently others) think I may live on the Ghostbusters set, here.

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Enjoy the Weekend!

Start your weekend off right with some humor! This video makes me laugh out loud every time! Now that you're laughing ~ or at least smiling, have a great weekend!

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