Fascinated by the Clothes and their Owners In This Documentary

I can understand why the clothes featured in this documentary are THAT expensive. It's mainly because they're all handmade from scratch, right from the design and up to all those artisans and other workers who have contributed to make them. And as long as you have the means, you can always get these clothes, and wear them if you're a woman (or probably a transgender, which is really no problem).  

These clothes remind me of those awesome old, used clothing pieces I've seen many years ago, and they're all hand made. I've seen so many of them kept in wooden chest cases. And I recall having been in one of those exhibits of the late Ramon Valera, a Filipino haute couture designer, and recalled being awed by his works. It is both sad and a happy event that we've seen how we humans have progressed much in our endeavors, including in the way we make our clothes. Most clothes these days are made by machines. But I know from experience that hand-made clothes feel a lot more better to the skin, as I had pants specifically made for me when I was growing up. I know and remember the tailors who made them. And they always look good on the body, for they've been fitted on the person who would wear them before they were made. 

Such a feeling could be in the minds of those women who wear those wonderfully made clothes. I admire them for sticking to something that's not usual these days. They look snobbish, as a result. But they could do more by endeavoring to make it very fashionable to the general public to always choose to wear hand-made clothes. Indirectly, this will lead to more work for people who have the dedication, the heart, the endless inspiration to create such wonderful works of art that are meant to be worn and be seen on the human figure.

Interested in architecture? You may want to read & study 'Lectures on Architecture'

Lectures on Architecture by Eugene-Emmanuel Viollet-Le-Duc
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book (and the other volume) from HousingWorks here in NYC; I told myself that if it's being recommended by the eminent Frank Lloyd Wright as the only books worthy of reading (and learning from) about architecture, then I should find the time. And yes, I have to say it was, even if it took me some time to finish reading it (as I would usually read many other books within the same period). I have to say the author's style is rather sonorous---you have to help yourself to stay awake while reading at least 5 pages at a time particularly if you're not an architect. Look at this comment in the context of being with someone like myself who once dreamt of becoming an architect (but changed plans midway).


I love studying structures generally, and I would usually tell myself questions on how people go about constructing, building edifices and having them last lives of most people. They're quick symbols of what is great and awesome in the human spirit---just take a look at the pyramids both in Egypt and in South America. And I remember having been in awe just walking on the terraces that were built by 'uneducated' tribes of pre-Spanish period people in the uplands of Luzon island in the Philippines---and I'd learn about how these ancient people taught themselves how to make terraces that would last for thousands of years.


And with this book, I learned, among so many detailed facts, about how the Greeks are considered the most talented artists in the world, particularly in the field of architecture (encompassing a lot of areas, actually, including drawing, design, logistics, construction, finishing, etc. etc.). Their influence continue to be felt when you see structures that were put up during the Byzantine period, which to most have been not known.


I also learned about how the Romans were among the most grandiose when it comes to architecture --- they built massively well using their armies of colonized people, such that up to these days, professionals refer to their works when they want to construct something really grand and humongous looking. Just study why the Coliseum in Rome make curious onlookers gawk at its details these days after its builders have been gone thousands of years.


The book brought some laughs from me as I read about the author's disdain toward the rather stupid styles of a number of French architects he studied and thought their works are all 'on the surface' works that are meant to impress but not really designed for people to live, do their work and go on with the other activities in their lives.  Many chapters in this book got me into thinking about the florid-ness in design built into old (as well as new) buildings that are actually useless and do not contribute to the integrity of the buildings themselves. All these because their architects foolishly wanted to emulate what's found on the surface and would not study underneath what's conveniently seen by the eyes.


The book got me into thinking about the primacy of architecture among the arts, whereas I'm biased because I love writing and the cinema. Yes, come to think of it, the most excellent, most moving samples of artworks (although they were not meant to be such, except that their designers took pains to recognize what's innately beautiful to human senses --yes, there are, indeed, such things in our lives!) in our midst are those that recognize our common needs and wants that begin from the need to create something beautiful and functional (hopefully, at the same time) in the confines of spaces where we can do what we want and seek for. We experience these emotions when we something as elegantly beautiful as the Chrysler Building in NYC. We see other samples all around us, which we don't even recognize as art works, per se. We just recognize them as great looking. By reading this book, I got my eyes more open about all the other important but generally unappreciated details found in structures in places I've been to.


I'll really have to work hard for now so that I'll get to read, understand and finish the second volume.


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Ever Been to Governors Island Across Manhattan by Less than a 10-minute Boatride?

I just did! Grateful to have been invited by friend Alan, and a new friend, Tom to join them in their visit to Governors Island. We were there two weekends ago. Thankful, too, that they waited for me, as I had to go all the way from my side here in Stapleton, Staten Island. I took the SI Ferry, and then walked a very short distance to the Governors Island ferry terminal. Take note: they'd still check and inspect your bags before hopping into the free-fare ferry. The ride's less than 10 minutes (it could have been 5 minutes actually). And they also have ferry service across Brooklyn---got to check on that, some time.

It's another haven for people who love to walk, just like myself. You can also engage in taking pictures from all the scenes and set-ups found in this island. It reminds me of some old, former US military bases back in the Philippines (like Subic Bay Naval Base, Corregidor Island, John Hay Air Base in Baguio City). And you can do biking, all over the island. Tom's telling me, he had once experienced being in a Governors Island ferry full to bikes (telling you in effect that you have to prepare for you bike schedule if you'd like to include this island in your itinerary, especially on a weekend).

It's lovely being in this island. Now I know what's the story all about those buildings I see on my view whenever I find myself on the ferry crossing to Staten Island (which is often, depending on my schedule).

Some pics here: (your valuable feedback will be greatly appreciated! :-D )
the terminal's grander than that of SI Ferry Terminal

apparently, there's a lot of things happening in the island

one of those ubiquitous red, metal park seats in the island

the Staten Island ferry now close to its downtown Manhattan ferry terminal

a view of the prominent Castle Williams usually seen from most pictures of Governors Island

they even have archaeological diggings here of a previously lived in village before Governors Island became a military base---you got to pay extra to view the diggings


the man's metallic feet made of recycled material, upclose

the artist's note on the artwork, google it for more details!

this,"Steel Neal" [be sidetracked by viewing this YouTube vid in Nihongo LOL] didn't really interest me at first, before I finally decided to take a closer look into it---it's one great piece of artwork!



this markers says, in so many words, that Governors Island used to be the originating point of warship boats that engaged into battle, or provided logistics to other warships, in recent war years

seeing one of the cruise ships, the Caribbean Princess, docked somewhere in Brooklyn from the island

just like seeing one of those Rockefeller Center Christmas trees, with this one still alive!

that's downtown Manhattan view from this island


there are other tiny churches located here, but not anymore functioning as such---whatever that means! i peeked inside, & saw leftovers of [what looks like] some previous art exhibit on the walls.



reminds me of some houses built during US period back in the Philippines, mostly of those residences of the elites who would be having lazy, sunny filled weekends, complete with servants in tow

you'd feel like walking through, literally, a time-worn passageway through this arched entrance

go fly your kites here, too!

inside the chief officer's residence

one of the canons in front of the chief officer's house, now out of service

the former official residence of the highest ranking officer in the island

"CUCHIFRITOS" - Be Delighted by an Art Gallery Inside a Traditional Market at the LES

These are 2 art pieces that are as intriguing and fascinating as they're creating an image of harnessing "electricity" to convey an artist's creative expression to the curious viewer. It reminds me of some characters in old Frankenstein's movies!




Somewhere in this posting, you'd be led to a photo that's almost white, except for some dark colored parts, inside its framed borders. Can you see the forms of two white, low-flying birds from the photo (inside a photo)?


Imagine my delight at seeing in person the one who's actually the main subject of a photo in this current exhibit. I was glad I noticed the similarities in an instant. when two visitors glided in the small gallery where I do volunteer intern gallery work mostly on alternate Mondays for over 8 months now. Deciding fast, I asked the visitor to pose for a photo beside his portrait (on the opposite, in a role fitted in another costumed attire), and he agreed without much prodding; looking just as cool! He was even asked to make the same pose by his companion, but he thought another pose would be more fitting. Look at what can be seen as similar between the two subjects (one in photo set against in contrast to his photo on another portrait!).

Given the quality of some of the photos in this posting, you'd surely fail to give notice to those shots that are almost blurry (which could have been almost a mistake when I decided to post them here...what can I say to explain these photos? poor technical capabilities of my equipment ha ha ha ha!). They're actually jelly-like creations made out of used water bottles. They're clear plastic rehashed to look like the dreadful jelly fish, that are themselves opaque when you see them swimming in the open sea (most probably getting nearer to bite you!), ready to prey to their desired targets. These hanging plastic jelly-fish-like pieces are much safer, than the real thing, which I know bites and causes terrible wounds if treated badly out of panic.














Have you also noticed the etchings in black with CUCHIFRITOS more about it here! written backwards? They're of mylar tape, that prompted a regular visitor, who's an Italian sculptor (I figure he's traditional, in approach) based in Brooklyn, who visited that day, to remark: "Fantastic!" The creation excited him, and reminded him of decaying outcomes of industrialization, and the dehumanizing ill-effects of the use of technology in various aspects of human activity. He's always sounding profound to me, which can be utterly confusing to me whenever I ponder on what he shares me while I attempt to just listen to his opinions on the artworks he'd be seeing in other previous exhibits in the same gallery. He's been actually not as generous in his praises for some of the artworks he's seen here.



Another friend liked the photo on a forest with all the foliage showing all through out, and with a bloodied naked body with its back against the viewer. It could just be interpreted with about any idea related to something on the apparent wanton denigration of our ecosystem.


You'll also notice somewhere along this posting a photo showing weird looking wooden used tobacco boxes with some cute looking objects inside. elaborately mounted. Look at the individual photos, and you'd see more closely what's inside each box. Looking like stuffed laboratory specimens in 9 different wooden boxes, these are actually parts of skeletons of various animals and insects. Look more closely on each photo, and let your imagination be reminded of what kind of animals these could be?


This exhibit has been so far my favorite among all exhibits I've helped work for in presenting to an interesting mix of curious visitors, and guests inside a traditional market in the Lower East Side (LES). Last Monday, I remember two women, who could be a mother and daughter team (they looked Indian to me), pored with studied curiosity on the photos and the hanging objects. They never realized that there is a big number of art galleries at the LES, as I gave them a brochure of a listing of galleries, as they're more aware about the bigger and well known ones located in Midtown Manhattan. We got into a conversation on how these artists get themselves be exhibited in that small gallery. I remarked that these artists are basically those who are still working themselves out to be noticed by a market that's as finicky and unpredictable. The older woman remarked that these artists are certainly better, as they're "hungrier," which quality shows and get depicted better, as these creative expressions come from the gut (as she points to her tummy), and which has got me to thinking of artworks such as those shown here in this posting: more to the core of us human beings; more visceral; and more in touch with the artist's inner passions, creative longings, and desires.

Come, take time to visit and support art galleries like this!