How Philly Moves

I'm gonna get my groove on, why won't you join me?? How Philly Moves will have its first photo session TOMORROW!

How Philly Moves’ is a proposed public art installation celebrating
Philadelphia dance. We plan to host citywide photo shoots over the coming
year and every dancer in the city will be invited to come show us how they
move. Participants will have access to the images of themselves afterwards.
The resulting images will be used to create a photographic and sculptural installation in the newly renovated SEPTA station at 46th and Market Streets. The installation will include a changing digital display component, so all participants will be represented in the final piece.

The project, envisioned by photographer JJ Tiziou and sculptor James Peniston, is one of five finalists under consideration for the commission.

less

I bought a box of granola bars when I was in Canada. When I opened the box there were only 5 bars inside. I thought, "Humph, that's a hot tranny mess. I thought there were at least 8 in here." I considered several explanations. Maybe in Canada they give you less. Maybe I had a memory of a box of 8, but really it's just that I wish there were eight. The box could easily fit more than 5 bars, at least 8 comfortably, so I then thought that the box could be redesigned.

Most of all I considered that the company might possibly be trying to trick me. Use the same packaging, charge the same price, but give me less. Oh... I must be just making stuff up. But then I saw this: both bags of Lays cost $1.49, one is different from the other.

One bag has a quarter of an ounce less of chips, but you probably wouldn't notice because they have the same packaging. I think this is so butt. I want my granola bars, and a full bag of chips, yo. Is this a trend? Have you seen this?

love letter

I went searching for a piece I left behind.

When I was in high school I took a jewelry class. As one of the projects we made talismans out of aluminum foil, plaster and paint. I have a memory of rolling up little pieces of paper with messages on them. I wrote something, but I can't remember what. My memory was that I rolled up the paper and tucked it into the aluminum.

I decided to destroy the pieces and find out what I wrote to myself. I went to Indianapolis and shared this destruction with Ian. We found a random parking lot and we busted them open with my super cute hammer. Much to our disappointment, we didn't find anything. I searched frantically through the mess I had created. Did I put them into the plaster? Did I decide not to put anything inside at the last minute?

I found nothing.

Today, however, I found a letter. It's one of those I wrote to myself to find at a later date. It was written about 3 years ago. The best parts of what I told myself:

Dream bigger. Do more. Let go of things that hurt you and don't make you happy. Love more. Try to express more compassion.

Art will always love you, and so do I.

I found exactly what I needed to hear.

The Seoul Connect: 12x36

My girl Haelan from Seoul is showing her work in Philly at 222gallery. I love the concept for the show, 12x36: 12 artists, from 3 different cities, take 36 pictures, show them at 3 galleries.

A diverse group of artists from each city will be asked to explore the theme of local space vs. local culture through the use of traditional photography. The exhibition seeks to compare the direct, tangible experience of three different urban spaces through gallery shows in each city as well as an online exhibition.

Healan is a designer and a very fashionable lady. Can't wait to see what she came up with.

The opening in Philadelphia is on Friday, April 4th from 6-9pm. They are at 222 Vine St., phone: 215.873.0750. If you can't make it to the opening, the show is up until May 30th so you can just stop by and check out the work during their regular gallery hours, M-F 11-5.

out with the trash

I continue to try to make my life lighter. The destash projects continue. I consciously don't collect as much as I used to; I haven't even gone shopping for clothes in like over a month. Today, I deleted my myspace account. I feel like the majority of the people I know on there are my friends on facebook too, or know how to reach me anyway. I never use it, and the only messages I ever get the occasional invite to a party in a country I no longer live in. It feels good. One less password to have taking up space in my head.

when you can't toss it

I found the perfect place to put all the stuff I've been holding on to for silly reasons but can't give away or throw out--art pieces!

Three pairs of worn out jeans --> trivet that I'll never use ---> breast!

I'd like this piece to spin, I'm thinking there's something about it being a wheel of fortune...

I decided to make a massive floor piece, titled Fresh Kills after the landfill on Staten Island. I've started the nipple and thus far I'm really happy with it. It's a massive de-stash project--absolutely covered with stuff and eye-popping candy colored tidbits. I'm going to make the body of the piece out of yarn. I love love love it. I can't wait to start crocheting the main part of it.

you reek

I came across this in my uncle's office. Apparently my uncle, the math professor, wrote a note, commenting on the quality of the text, in a math book. When my grandfather found it, he thought it deserved a response.

phea jean

 

My new favorite person of the week is Amber Zaraza, designer and creator of phea jean (pronounced fee-ah jean, jean as in blue jeans that you wear). From the moment I saw her I wanted to know more about her. Amber's sassy/funky style and light-hearted easy going vibe spills over into her designs and gives them a truly unique edge.

Though she proclaims, "Fashion is so not serious," it is clear that her creative process and the materials she chooses to work with make her hats and bags more than just accessories. Most of her 22 designs were created as a result of a person close to her requesting a certain type of bag, and then she names the style after them. The Addy, for example, was made for her brother Adam. This bag, like many others, is reversible, so you get two bags out of one.  I love the handle, the pockets all over and the boxy shape.

One of the most interesting elements of her pieces is the wild combination of fabrics, colors and textures she mixes together. This is the show-stopping characteristic that makes people ask, "Where did you get that bag?" When asked where she buys her fabric, she replied that she hasn't really bought fabric in years as a result of the many donations she receives and the fact that she likes to work with deconstructed vintage garments. Bag patterns don't require a lot of fabric, so it's easy for Amber to turn just about anything--from an old frock with a hole to fabric shower curtains--into fabulous funky accessories. Phea jean bags take upcycling to a whole new out-of-control level; you might find grandma's vintage tablecloth with a leopard trim!

The reuse of materials is what draws in most of Amber's custom orders. Clients give Amber clothing they love but can't wear anymore for whatever reason and she creates something new for them. For me, someone who gets unnaturally attached to objects for the memory and history they hold, this was the most brilliant part about what Amber does. I loved that the energy, memories, and stories woven into the fabrics could be kept in tact, sewn together to create a new life that could be useful and go out and collect more adventures.

Memory, experiences, and their relationship with objects come up a lot in my own work, so Amber and I had a lot to discuss when we met up at a cafe this past week. She was willing to give me great sewing tips, and shared a lot about her crafty history with me. As she dumped her 5th pack of sugar, followed by yet another half & half, into her coffee, we talked about the great craft community of Philly. My attention trailed off for a moment as I thought about how fortunate we are to have a designer who is willing to share stories and teach tidbits of what she knows. I giggled about how she likes it light and really sweet. I had no concept of time but wanted to talk about everything and ask a million questions. Our conversation went on for hours, but ended too soon. So... if you see her at a craft fair or trunk show definitely go chat her up and ask about her bags. Every one seems to have a fascinating story and she's pretty fabulous as well.

For more phea jean, check out the website, www.pheajean.com, and a selection of Amber's designs at her etsy shop. If you're interested in having a custom bag or hat made, contact Amber at pheajean@gmail.com.  Updates on what phea jean, and other members of the Philly etsy team, are up to can be found on the team blog: http://phillyetsy.blogspot.com

getting peeped

Well, well, well, look who got peeped on the street AGAIN, Ms. Eleni in her ELENI VLAHAKIS sweater. I'm quite proud to say that I had some little part in the creation of that piece. That means this is the second fashion blog with Eleni, in that sweater. Here she is at Seoul Fashion Week:


And for all of you wishing you had her sweater, she takes special orders for her couture knits, but be ready to pay high fashion boutique prices.

Eleni you have so much style. Keep workin' it lady!

recipe #2: matzo ball soup

My dad has some kind of cold or flu.  He's sick, so that means it's time to make matzo ball soup. For every recipe in my mother's arsenal there's a story that goes along with it.  This dish on the other hand seems to have a whole chapter, volumes of tales.  For now, here's my mom's recipe. 

Roll over Notes for details on each photo.

CHICKEN SOUP WITH MATZO BALLS

1 chicken (cut up)
low fat, low sodium, chicken stock (32. oz.)
1 whole onion
2 stalks celery cut in large chunks
4 carrots, sliced in similar sized pieces
3-4 cloves garlic
a few sprinkles of hot red pepper flakes
fresh parsley
fresh dill
Salt & pepper
4 eggs
matzo meal


In the midst of all this, which took about 2 hours to make, she some how also managed to make meatballs and bbq chicken.  I used to be mostly a vegetarian.