Now that you’ve undoubtedly wrapped up all your holiday shopping thanks to the gift guide Erin and I lovingly crafted last week, I think you’ve earned a little you time. Forget the malls, holiday cookies and oh my god please don’t think about swapping another white elephant. You need to decompress! We here at design crisis have pulled together a couple non-holiday adventures that are sure to give you the mental make over you need.
First up:
Bauhaus 1919 – 1933: Workshops for Modernity at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY. Admittedly, I’ve been a little obsessed with the Bauhaus lately, I’m not sure if I’ve been dialing into a social subconscious that’s already decided this for me or if my interest is a strange coincidence but either way, I’d gladly consider donating my right left arm to go check out this show.
Already receiving rave reviews for the breath of work included, the MoMa, which itself is a nod to the Bauhaus movement, is exhibiting works that came out of the Bauhaus before it’s fall to Nazi Germany. The works are carefully arranged alongside historical documentation via photos, letters and films from the school, leading the viewer through an all encompassing journey of, what would become, the most powerful influence on modern design. If you’re within a 100 mile radius of Manhattan go to it and come back to me with a full play-by-play report.
If you’re not in the New York area and don’t have 24-hour access to a charter jet (great holiday gift idea, btw!) might I suggest the documentary Beautiful Losers. Featuring such art and design heavy weights as Geoff McFetridge, Barry McGee, Harmony Korine, Shepard Fairey and the adorably crush-worthy Mike Mills, Beautiful Losers traces the lives of 14 artists as they collectively, and almost accidentally, re-defined the New York art scene (and modern art as we know it) in the early 90’s. Completely unpretentious and accessible, the documentary humanizes each artist while totally and completely inspiring it’s viewers.
Here’s the trailer if you don’t believe me:
Beautiful Losers film trailer from beautifullosersfilm on Vimeo.
I caught this on Netflix on demand this weekend whilst nursing a hangover with my sure-fire hangover cure trifecta: scrambled eggs, V8 and marathon documentaries. I give the combo 5 stars.
Some other random recommendations for your enjoyment, in no particular order:
Book: Creative Space: Urban Homes of ARtisits and Innovators. I received this as a gift from a most lovely house guest recently. It is now completely defiled and covered in my drool.
TV: Ninja Warrior. Everything you could ever want in a television show and more. The new season is starting soon and I can barely contain myself
Music: The new phoenix album is fantastic. So what if one of the songs is on a car commercial? As the lovely Geoff McFetridge points out in Beautiful Losers, the only difference between fine art and commercial art is intent.
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Funny, I had Bauhaus on the mind the other. Can you imagine how revolutionary it must have seemed to eyes accustomed to Victorian excess and the dowdy wood and tile of Craftsman style?
Oooooh, I’m adding Beautiful Losers to my to-do list. Thanks, K-Dawg!
I love this post. I can’t wait to see Beautiful Losers! Thanks for the recommendation. And I’m obsessed with the Bauhaus too. I’ve been Albers (both he and she) obsessed since college.
Great list – you ladies have hit it out of the park this year with the gift guides!
Well, there’s definitely some Bauhaus swimming around in the ether, because it’s my new design inspiration for my fantasy bedroom redo.
Thanks for the docu tip. Maybe in a few years I’ll be able to watch an entire film in one sitting again.
I’ve really been wanting to go see that Bauhaus show, but I never seem to have time. Maybe this will be the kick-in-the-pants I need.
I bought a “beautiful poster” on December 15, 2009 and still haven’t received it(January 7, 2010). Customer service didn’t reply back to my emails and they don’t pick up the phone at the “office”.