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There’s nothing like looking back on a year of blog posts and pictures. I must say, it’s been a really fun year. This blog has allowed me to experience many wonderful things. It was hard to narrow down, but here are some memorable moments:
Funniest Gallery Show: “There’s Always Money in the Banana Stand”, Gallery 1988
Let’s face it, if you’re a fan of Arrested Development, you can’t get enough of it. So, the fact that Gallery 1988 threw AD’s rabid fans a bone by hosting this amazing show, it gave us all a little taste of Bluth before the binge worthy bonanza beginning in May 2013. I can’t wait for the new season and the movie!
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Best Unexpected Surprise: “Incognito, 2012”, Santa Monica Museum of Art
Yes, getting an opportunity to shop for art with the “Mentalist” was a pleasant surprise, but the unexpected surprise of the evening was walking away with a piece by Rena Small. My husband scored big by trusting his instincts and we love this piece in our home.
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Best Opportunity to Shoot a “Selfie” : “Os Gemeos”, Prism Gallery
“How do I ‘self-ie’? Let me count the ways…” There were so many opportunities to take pictures “with” art at this show, it’s hard to pic just one example… Let me say, this is one of the only opportunities where you could get away with taking pictures with art and not look too ridiculous doing so…
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Most Awkward Encounter: Art Platform Preview Event, Private Residence, Brentwood
I was graced with the fortune of attending a few “insider-adjacent” art events this year that I didn’t write about or photograph, but the one that sticks out in my memory took place at the home of a music producer in Brentwood. It was an beautiful cocktail party hosted by Art Platform and Merchandise Mart. Most Angelenos get star struck, but I get Art struck… There were a lot of people there, so as I’m socializing and doing my thing, being a good “networker”, I catch a glimpse of a piece of art across the room. It was a bunch of tea bags mounted on a canvas painted with the phrase “Black WAS Beautiful”… “WAS?”
I was the only black woman in the room. Here was my expression:
o___O
So I went up to the painting to inspect it more closely and struck up a conversation with a random group. One person seemed to know a little bit about the artist (Felandus Thames) and we got into a spirited debate over his interpretation of the piece. I was incredulous. There was no amount of esoteric hyperbole that was going to convince me that there was nothing offensive about this work, but I kept the debate civil -at the time I knew nothing about Thames and didn’t want to cast aspersions on him or his work. After a few minutes I quickly realized that the person who I was playfully arguing with was the host of the party and owner of the home! I quickly went into damage control mode, changed the subject and diverted his attention to another piece to talk about. Awkward. Mind you this all took place after one of my earrings broke and I spilled my martini after kneeling down to get my broken accessory. Not one of my graceful moments.
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Happiest Moment: Anything involving my dogs Chloe and Khan
There were some great moments of 2012: Learning to Paddle Board in Maui, spending Thanksgiving on the Beach with my close family, my husband releasing two albums and producing tracks on 2 other albums (all while making partner at his firm)… When we rescued our 2nd dog Khan in January we never realized how happy this little guy would make us. Our lab Chloe adores him and Khan is a hit with others the minute we take him out anywhere. He still has some work to do to “play nice” with other dogs, but he is just a love. I realized today that I’ve now turned into one of those women who talks to dogs… Yes, I’m one of those people (and I love it).
I especially love the fact that so many people have reached out to me to encourage me with this little blog of mine. I really appreciate those of you who take the time to read my posts! I’m looking forward to seeing this grow and taking Culture Shock Art into new territory.
Thanks for joining me on the ride, and I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Culture Shock Art 