In The Trees

On Saturday night I popped by the reception for the Twin Peaks 20th Anniversary art show at Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria. I've been to Clifton's a couple times and I wasn't terribly impressed with their food (I have been known to be a picky eater), but the atmosphere of the place is great. Much like being up at the Great Northern, it really does set the tone for a Twin Peaks event. I didn't get names of all the artists, but here are some items I found really interesting.

A photo of the floor & the curtain I took, seemed like an interesting composition.

Above by Grace Zabriskie

Above by Margaret Meyer "The Owls Are Not What They Seem"

Above by David Lynch

Above by David Lynch

Above by Ryan Heshka "Wow Bob Wow / Coffee Coffee"

http://inthetreesartpreview.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/DAVID_LYNCH

Art & Keanu Reeves

Yes, it's true. I went with my Keanu Reeves loving friends to go to his book signing at LACMA. That was the first thing that popped in my head when I was told about the event. A book signing? Turns out, Keanu Reeves has released an art book with artist Alexandra Grant called Ode to Happiness. We weren't sure what it'd be like, but we of course had to go. Buying the book wasn't required to sit in on the Q&A session but I did end up buying one. Even for the arts, I think the book is way overpriced, especially for content. It's a cool book, don't get me wrong & I love the way it was put together, but it seriously cost some money. We all got our books signed so that's pretty cool, and hearing the back story to how the book was made really helped me like the book more.

Image: © Alexandra Grant

So apparently it all started out when Keanu Reeves was at a friend's party. As he's noticing that his friends are listening to sad music, he begins to jokingly doodle on a napkin, writing a poem that starts, I draw a hot sorrow bath in my despair room. The friend ends up emailing the poem to an artist friend, Alexandra Grant, who then creates some images to go along with his poem. The two make a book for Keanu (on green paper), and gift it to him to make him laugh. After many requests and interest for the book, they decide to publish it. The publisher, Gerhard Steidl was also at the book signing & as he spoke about the process you can tell he is a man very passionate about art. Overall the book reads as an adult's children's book, but even with the sad context, you get that feeling that it's all very tongue in cheek, funny and sweet.

My friends and I enjoyed the museum for a bit as well, although Katie was hilariously sticking to the room where Keanu was signing books until he left. Fortunately for her and Heather, we got to see him again as we happen to be walking up the street and out he comes from the side entrance of the museum with everyone. On a side note, Alexandra Grant was a very happy, glowing & beautiful woman.

Above, some of Jeff Koons' work. I find a lot of his stuff ridiculous but who knows what pop art is really. I do however, love these pieces. I saw his exhibit when I went to Versailles. That was a really strange thing. The giant dog makes me happy every time though.

We of course spent some time hanging out around the lamp posts. I am not that happy with the photos I got, but I'm not really sure what I was expecting.

http://www.alexandragrant.com/
http://www.lacma.org/

More more more

I just can't stop. My blog is quickly evolving into a PJ Harvey blog. Ha ha... Anyway, her new record was released today in the States & NPR has a really interesting interview with her on their website. It's more in depth than the other ones I've been hearing lately, almost 30 minutes long, so a great listen if you're interested.

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=133749985&m=133749991

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/15/133749985/pj-harvey-on-war-and-the-new-england?&f=13&sc=tw&cc=freshair

Polly's Valentine

PJ Harvey will be performing a live broadcast of her new album, starting in 1 minute!
http://liveweb.arte.tv/fr/video/PJ_Harvey_a_la_Maroquinerie/

*As a post concert note, I am super annoyed that my internet could not handle this webcast. It would play beautifully then kept freezing up. I was very annoyed. This is what I get for paying for the cheap internet. Hopefully it's put up somewhere to watch again. I have to say I really like the new album the more I hear it. It completely infuriates me when I see the occasional comment that her new stuff is horrible. It's progression people. As an artist she keeps pushing her boundaries. If you want the same thing over & over, start listening to different musicians.

"Harry, I have no idea where this will lead us, but I have a definite feeling it will be a place both wonderful and strange."

This weekend is looking to be really exciting! I got to work on a scripted show today, going to a party tomorrow night, going to a reception before that for a Twin Peaks themed art show and going to a book signing on Sunday. All compiled with seeing great friends, getting a couple Valentine's in the mail & a special Valentine's day live web broadcast by PJ Harvey, performing her entire new album. I officially have a smile on my face.

http://www.twinpeaks20.com/details/

Oh! And Underworld is scoring Danny Boyle's Frankenstein play. Um, awesome! I think I have to see this.

http://www.borndirty.org/2011/02/underworld-scores-danny-boyles-frankenstein-play/

And finally, you can get a bunch of free downloads from this year's SXSW artists.
http://www.spinner.com/2011/02/09/sxsw-2011-free-songs/

NPR First Listen - Let England Shake

NPR is currently streaming PJ Harvey's new album, Let England Shake in its entirety. The single "The Words That Maketh Murder" comes out today. (Must go get that 7" soon!) The album comes out in the States on the 15th.

Maybe I'll do a proper review sometime but so far my favorite track has to be All and Everyone. It's really jumped out at me, however there are just really interesting and catchy songs all over the album.

I am dying that she's coming to Coachella this year, on my day off & I have no way to go thanks to Coachella no longer selling one day passes. She's playing San Francisco the Thursday before, which I'd be more than happy to drive up to see, but working freelance means there's no way I can take a day off, a night in my case, or two for Coachella. So my wish to throw out into the world is someone somewhere please grant me a day pass to see PJ Harvey at Coachella. Please?

NPR - First Listen PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

http://www.pjharvey.net/tour.asp

Satellite

Heard the new Kills song on the way home tonight. Really really like it.



http://www.thekills.tv/satellite.php