Show Some Restraint July 16, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: AKC, animals, art, Dog collars, Mr. Pepe, Museum of the Dog, NYC, photography
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The Museum of the Dog always has something interesting to see. Identity Restraint & the Art of the Dog Collar did not disappoint (although some of the collars were pretty scary.) Held in conjunction with the National Sporting Library and Museum in Middleburg, VA the exhibition brings together over 60 collars from the NSLM’s collection and 50 artworks belonging to the American Kennel Club and the AKC Museum of the Dog. The combination of the collars and artworks illustrates how they were used and evolved over several centuries. The basic design of the collar has not changed since the time of ancient Mesopotamia but variations on the collar, specifically ornamentation and style, reflect the values of the various world cultures that kept dogs. These subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, alterations to the central design can be quite telling in the role dogs played and how they were regarded in different time periods and cultures. For a brief history of the dog collar click here. This exhibit is on through September 3rd. Oh – by the way…the cutie pictured on top is my little guy, Mr. Pepe, wearing his restraint halter. Who’s a good boy?
Under Cover July 9, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, art exhibitions, JC Leyendecker, NYC, NYHS, photography
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One of my favorite spots is the New York Historical Society.A small exhibition examines the work and influence of J.C. Leyendecker (1874–1951), a preeminent illustrator and commercial artist who helped shape American visual culture in the first three decades of the 20th century through captivating advertising campaigns including the legendary “Arrow Collar Man” and countless covers for the Saturday Evening Post. As a gay artist whose illustrations for a mainstream audience often had unspoken homoerotic undertones, his work is especially revealing for what it says about the cultural attitudes towards homosexuality of the period. J.C. Leyendecker’s favorite model was none other than Charles A. Beach—his life partner. This exhibit close August 13. 
Snug as a Bug in a Rug June 4, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: American Museum of atural History, animals, ants, art, Bugs, butterflies, Gilder Center, Insects, nature, NYC, photography
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The American Museum of Natural History recently opened its very impressive Gilder Centar. The Gilder Center features new exhibition galleries and one-of-a-kind experiences, including an insectarium, butterfly vivarium, floor-to-ceiling collections displays, and more—and connects to the rest of the American Museum of Natural History on four floors. I admit that AMNH is not my favorite space in NYC but I found myself enjoying this visit thoroughly. We were also delighted to find a new yummy restaurant in this space. No more will one have to endure the very loud, crowded cafeteria. I suggest you enter this new space via the Columbus Avenue entrance to get the full architectural experience.
Funk You Too! May 28, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Funk You Too, Museum of Art and Design, NYC, Outsider art, photography, Pottery
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‘ Funk You Too! Humor and Irreverence in Ceramic Sculpture brings together 50 artworks from the 1960s to the present day that highlight clay as a compelling tool of critique and satire. In the exhibition, pieces by artists of the originating Funk Art generation are placed next to work by contemporary artists who are expanding on Funk’s legacy of humor, subversion, and expressive figuration. Funk ceramics first emerged on the West Coast in the 1960s, created by a group of artists who shared an anti-establishment viewpoint towards expectations of “good art.” While conscious of the irreverent attitude and aesthetics of their predecessors, the new generation of artists featured in Funk You Too! are examining the potential for humor in clay through a rainbow of perspectives. Carrying Funk into the future, these artists are tapping into the power of a good joke to address some of the most pressing social and political issues of our day’. The Museum of Arts and Design is one of my favorite places in NYC. There is always something unusual and interesting to see. This exhibit is on thru August 27th. Be aware that there is also a Taylor Swift exhibit at the Museum and it might be overflowing with ‘swifties.’
Sink or Swim May 7, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Carole A. Feuerman, NYC, Park Avenue, photography, public art
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I was walking on Park Avenue last Tuesday headed to the AKC’s Museum of the Dog when I came upon the strikingly realistic work of artist Carole A. Feuerman. A series of nine of her hyper-realistic swimmer sculptures are on display along Park Avenue from 34th Street to 38th Street in Manhattan. Feuerman is credited as being one of the founding members of the hyper-realistic art movement which started in the 1970s. Today, she is the only female artist who creates hyper-realistic painted outdoor sculptures. Bright vibrant colors make the sculpture pop against the streetscape and skyline while metallic and reflective accents make them glisten in the sun. By the way, the Dog museum is closed on Tuesdays. LOL 
Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style April 30, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: 50 years of hip hop, art, FIT, Hip Hop, NYC, photography
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Truth be told I am not a fan of Hip Hop. I was sure 50 years ago when it all began that it was a passing fad. Whoa! Was I ever wrong. Why am I not a fan? Mostly because I never understood a word in the songs. The fashion, however, was definitely something that caught my eye. Not enough to stop my wearing black all of the time but definitely eye-catching. Another truth is that I saw Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style at the Fashion Institute of Technology in February. The photo folder got lost amidst all of the other clutter on my desktop. So even though this exhibit ended last week I thought I would share what I saw. From the website (link above): ‘Over the last half century, hip hop has taken over the world. Its beginning is marked by Cindy and Clive Campbell’s (aka DJ Kool Herc) legendary back-to-school party held in the recreation room of their apartment building in the Bronx on August 11, 1973. Since that time, hip hop has spread around the globe, lending its influence to innumerable spaces. Style is one of the most pervasive and visible manifestations of the culture, and twenty-first century fashion, from luxury labels to everyday dress, owes a debt to hip hop. The genre’s artists and fans transformed and popularized streetwear, athleisure, and logo-mania, to name only a few significant and enduring fashion movements.During the 1980s and 1990s, many brands distanced themselves from the hip hop market. A watershed moment occurred in 2004 when Sean Combs won the Menswear Designer of the Year Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was the first Black designer to achieve this honor and showed the industry that hip hop fashion was not only different from what they expected, it could not be ignored. The status of hip hop in fashion did not change overnight, but in 2023, hip hop references are pervasive, hip hop artists lend relevance and exposure to fashion brands, and designers steeped in the culture, from Virgil Abloh to Pharrell Williams and Rihanna, are well-respected in the industry’. 
All in Good Time March 12, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Clocks, Horological Society, James Arthur, NYC, photography, time pieces, watches
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It is that time of year when we spring our clocks forward one hour. There are lots of opinions about this issue. I don’t have an opinion about changing the clocks – I just love clocks. I have more clocks in my house than I need and I like looking at them. And by the way – I am never late. My sister Terry alerted me to The Horological Society of NY because she knows how passionate I am about clocks. Located in a beautiful old building in midtown Manhattan it is a gem of a find. The collection on view now is from James Arthur. Lots and lots of pocket watches. Wonder if the ladies of the day had watches. Did they even have pockets? Tempus fugit my friends. 
It’s a Small World After All February 26, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Miniature art, NYC, photography, Small is Beautiful
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Run, don’t walk to see this wonderful, fun, inspiring exhibit that opened this week in Manhattan (718 Broadway). Small is beautiful, Miniature Art presents 32 international artists and their work. ‘It is an incredible journey and a unique experience that offers behind-the-scenes access to small-scale universes full of artistry and poetry, whose only limit is the creative vision of their authors’. I left my own reflection in some of these photos so you can see how very small the artwork is. This is a delightful voyage inside creative minds and their worlds. It is suitable for the entire family. Don’t forget to watch the video towards the end of the exhibit. And of course you exit through the fun gift shop. They told me it will be there through August. 
Let Me Entertain You February 5, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, art exhibitions, Entertainment Nation, National Museum of American History, nostalgia, photography, ruby red slippers, travel, Washington DC
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I assure you we were most definitely entertained by this fun exhibit at the National Museum of American History On my recent visit to DC we were fortunate to be there on opening day. ‘Through the National Museum of American History’s extraordinary collection of theater, music, sports, movie and television objects, the exhibition Entertainment Nation will feature a powerful, ever-changing selection of objects and interactive experiences. Through the objects and their stories, the exhibition will explore how, for over 150 years, entertainment has provided a forum for important national conversations about who we are, and who we want to be’. The museum has 1.8 million objects that document our culture. Next time you are in DC I encourage you to visit. It is lots of fun and filled with nostalgia.
Outsider Art January 8, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Amrican Folk Art Museum, art, Morris Hirshfield, NYC, RISD
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I attended art school (RISD) and appreciate the academic side of art but I am drawn to Folk Art for its singular vision, cultural heritage and diversity. NYC’s Folk Art Museum is one of my favorite spots. Their latest exhibit Morris Hirshfield Rediscovered is marvelous. I went when it first opened in September and returned over the holiday season. You can still catch this visionary art thru January 29. Did I mention the museum is free?
While at the Zoo 