San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Speaking of observing the world around you, I spent a lovely afternoon during my last week of San Francisco exploring the SF MOMA. I played around with slow shutter speeds, resting my camera on benches or ledges and just seeing what developed.
Book Recommendations
I recently set up a feature on the right side of my blog that lists book recommendations for people interested in account planning. Honestly, I would love to finally monetize this blog and had very little luck with Google Adsense on my last blog Wandering & Pondering. I mean let's be honest - unless it's for something super duper cool that you're looking for at this very moment, you're not going to click on an ad. And since I write about advertising and strategy, I can't imagine what physical products Adsense could recommend that my readers would want.So, I'm going to try Amazon Affiliates. The truth is, you're going to buy a product via Amazon anyway so why not click on my recommendations. Now the extra exciting part is that because I don't want to lose your trust as a reader, I'm not going to recommend a book or a product that is crap. Okay, books are open to interpretation but you get the idea. I may not have worked as an account planner yet, but over the course of 10 weeks in San Francisco, I took copious notes and got book recommendations from "industry heros," i.e. senior level account strategists from around the country at agencies such as Grey New York, Goodby, Silverstein, BBDO, Venables Bell & Partners and a slew of others.
As someone on a limited budget, I'm slightly obsessive when it comes to researching big electronic purchases and for every $150+ product purchase, there's probably an excel chart somewhere on my computer weighing the pros and cons of one product vs. another. And I have a knack for meeting new people from all different backgrounds and occupations, allowing me to expand my perspective and absorb a wide range of information like a sponge.
That being said, I'm going to start with my first recommendation that has nothing to do with advertising and everything to do with simple curiosity - a book I'm reading now, [amazon_link id="184809101X" target="_blank" ]The Monuments of Men[/amazon_link]. The book chronicles a special task force within the American Army during the end of World War II whose mission is to save monuments and priceless art from both the Nazis and destructive powers of war. Enjoy!
The Mona Lisa Curse
My photography teacher told us about a great series of videos by Robert Hughes that discuss what the art world has become. It's become all about the money instead of the love of art. It's an incredibly interesting eye openner. I have often toyed with the idea of taking a year long certificate program at Chrissy's or Sotheby's only to conclude that it would only be about money and may not put me into the art world that I'm interested in becoming a part of. I have never really understood the gravity of pop artists such as Warhol, taking every day objects and painting them, etc. And Robert Hughes seems to agree. The series shows how the entire art world has skewed what's important based on its market value, led by investors rather than art lovers, and culminating with artists like Damien Hurst. I thought that the parts 11 & 12 were particularly enlightening where he interviews a buyer who can't fully articulate why the art work he's paid so much money for is brilliant. I saw this at the Armory show two weeks ago and even at the AIPAD event, well dressed couples, clearly wealthy who are looking for art simply as an investment.
And finally, Robert Hughes believes that "Art should make us feel more clearly and more intelligently. It should give us coherent sensations which otherwise we would not have had." "If art can't tell us about the world we live in, then I don't believe there's much point in having it."
The Mona Lisa Curse
My photography teacher told us about a great series of videos by Robert Hughes that discuss what the art world has become. It's become all about the money instead of the love of art. It's an incredibly interesting eye openner. I have often toyed with the idea of taking a year long certificate program at Chrissy's or Sotheby's only to conclude that it would only be about money and may not put me into the art world that I'm interested in becoming a part of. I have never really understood the gravity of pop artists such as Warhol, taking every day objects and painting them, etc. And Robert Hughes seems to agree. The series shows how the entire art world has skewed what's important based on its market value, led by investors rather than art lovers, and culminating with artists like Damien Hurst. I thought that the parts 11 & 12 were particularly enlightening where he interviews a buyer who can't fully articulate why the art work he's paid so much money for is brilliant. I saw this at the Armory show two weeks ago and even at the AIPAD event, well dressed couples, clearly wealthy who are looking for art simply as an investment.
And finally, Robert Hughes believes that "Art should make us feel more clearly and more intelligently. It should give us coherent sensations which otherwise we would not have had." "If art can't tell us about the world we live in, then I don't believe there's much point in having it."
Miniature New York
The Sandpit from Sam O'Hare on Vimeo.
One More and Then I'm Out
by John Alber
Seth Godin's "Linchpin"
Just came across an interview with Seth Godin in CoolHunting.com here about his new book, Linchpin. Looks like I'll probably pick up the book. I don't think what his thoughts about creativity being the salvation to the working man is totally revolutionary. "Thought leaders" have been saying for some time that in order to get ahead in the age of technology, outsourcing, etc. one must think creativity and break free from following the crowds. Even my alma matar tag line is "Creative Thought Matters," jumping off of that very idea.
"A linchpin makes a difference, changes people, does something that needed to be done that no one else knew needed to be done. So Pablo Picasso was a linchpin, Bob Dylan is a linchpin, and Jonathan Ive at Apple is a linchpin. Donna Sturgess, the woman who invented Aquafresh toothpaste, is a linchpin—they’re in most successful organizations."
But what Seth touches on, and I think is a new thought, is the idea that when you create these unique ideas, you're essentially giving people a "gift." Which goes back to the questions of my portraiture class and the whole idea of creating art in the first place. Is a successful artist one whose art is no longer simply an expression of themselves, but who inspires and enlightens others? Can we do a side by side comparison of a "good" photographic portrait vs. "bad" and see that the good one offers insight, gives us a gift?
You encourage people to "start giving gifts that change people," which seems like a huge shift in thinking, almost bordering on spiritual.
Well, let's start by breaking this into little bits. What’s a gift? If I see a Chuck Close painting in a museum, I didn’t pay for that painting, I just get the benefit of seeing it. If I see a Karl Lagerfeld outfit walking down the street, it didn’t cost me anything to see it. If someone takes the time to use a beautiful Bodoni typeface kerned properly, it doesn’t necessarily communicate the words more clearly, but there was a gift element associated with it. We need to start with this idea that there isn’t just a transaction every time—I do something, I get money, we move on. What gifts do is they create a connection, because they’re not even. Someone gave me something, I couldn’t give them anything in return. We're not even-steven.
Naturally, just some thoughts to ponder.
Weekend Recap
I know. Finally. In between watching the second season of Californiacation (thanks J., I'm now obsessed with the show), I had some mini adventures. On Friday, I won the battle that every girl wishes she could win with her boyfriend: we saw "New Moon." Okay. I didn't want to see it that badly and there was no trickery involved- just a desperate need to find a movie not sold out in the Union Square, East Village area. But here's where the experience led to being one we both enjoyed - Heather Graham sat 2 rows behind us with her 3 blond, giggling friends. I think everyone in that theater could have been high. A huge group across the isle laughed at every poignant moment, thus ruining any potential that New Moon could have had. It was better than the first movie- direction, cinematic photography and special effects but nothing can still help the acting skills of Kristen Stewart or Robert Pattison. I implore some finer actors to take them under their wings.
Then on Saturday, I had my portrait painted downtown by the very talented, interesting a lovely artist Kristen Copham. She's attempting to paint impressionistic, 45-minute portraits of one thousand people within 2009. She's nearing her goal and has already amassed a collection of portraits that are vibrant, character-revealing and successful, in my opinion. It was a super cool experience knowing that my image will become part of the art world in some capacity along with my parents and eventually my sister and hopefully my bf.
I had arranged a girls' night at an undecided location downtown for later that evening and had to kill time somewhere inside while I waited to hear if at least one of them could still make it. So I sat in Inoteca, drinking a delicious glass of dry, Italian red wine while attempting to read "The Fountainhead" in the dimly lit, romantic light. The food was fantastic but one of those places that in order to satiate your hunger, you have to eat an appetizer, main course and dolci. Forty-two dollars spent on a date with myself where, as usual, I managed to avoid any awkward silences and UM, stuttering. Slightly buzzed and completely freezing, I took the bus back uptown towards my apartment while successfully convincing my friend to meet me at a wine bar around my corner. Hey, the night was young! An hour later, I sat with my lovely roommate and friend around a bottle of red wine in the cozy wine bar Vino, getting tipsy and recapping our funny adventures. And finally, we ended the night with a trip to Hot and Crusty for some indulgent chocolate chip cookies. All and all, a lovely weekend and I'm still debating what to do today. I've realized over the last few months that despite liking uptown and being near the park, I'm a downtown girl at heart. Hmmm. Perhaps a trip DT is in order for today.
Inspiration
On my last day of my "staycation," I'm chilling in my apartment reading Dan Brown's latest novel. I went outside a few hours ago and noted that it's quite beautiful out.. but I'm just going to ignore that fact. And off I go, dreaming, once again, about a career in art history where I will presumably discover lost works of art, learn about ancient symbolism and gain a better understanding about life by studying the past. And then the GRE's loom over me, $1,000 prep classes, months of studying, remembering high school MATH.. and then eventually I get back to my own reality. But then I see things like this and my excitement is reignited - a painting thought to be from the 19th Century is actually a Da Vinci!