I went to see BARDO -  Tibetan Art of the Afterlife at the Rubin Museum of Art on a rainy Friday evening and really enjoyed the exhibition.   I suppose, since we’re all going to die eventually (hopefully not to soon) looking at the 6 states of consciousness or awareness had a meaning to me – as I expect, it could to many who view wonderful show.

.   Buddhists work to embrace impermanence throughout life. By familiarizing themselves with all forms of illusion during life, they can more easily overcome the death visions.

Bardo: Tibetan Art of the Afterlife will present about fifty works of art that illustrate the bardo experiences that confront one upon death. These works from throughout the Himalayan region include paintings and sculptures depicting peaceful and wrathful deities; initiation cards; illuminated manuscripts; a three-dimensional mandala inhabited by afterlife deities; and two shrine room models. Audio-visual devices will allow visitors to view Tibetan death-related ceremonies and rituals.

Every time I visit the Rubin Museum, which is fairly often these days, I’m puzzled by the names of deities and Buddhas that I can’t relate to or even translate into my daily existence – I think that the symbolism is both familiar and alien to me – but then something  popped into my head and it made more sense.

Here’s what I think it all means – at least – as much as I can contain now.

Buddhists believe we have several lives – and each is a manifestation of us – but in each life we are different yet alike – in other words, we are a different manifestation of the same essence and while the forms change – the essence is unchangeable – and beyond human understanding.   Every manifestation of the Buddha or Tara is another way to get to know them.

But why stop there?    Every day – and even in parts of our day – we are different people – we are all made up of many sides, some are seen more often and some are rarely or ever seen – aren’t these also “incarnations of us”.

What the Buddhist approach does  is enable us to contain all the different parts of us – into one container.

Now I understand how the Buddha can have so many aspects and names – they are all incarnations of the same principle – but different, as each incarnation is unique – just like each part of us – and each movement – has a uniqueness of it’s own.

I was at a book signing briefly tonight and, between the nice French soda and a few interesting photo books, spent longer than I planned.

A fun evening, about to leave now

I’m at Dr. Sketchy’s event @Roger Smith Solorium and quite enjoying the crowd and company.

There’s a party for SMartCamp, an all weekend Art and Technology event in NYC that I’m at right now.

I don’t write to ArtNewYorkCity enough – there are so many great events I’m invited to, but lately, I’ve focused on my Analytics work – and yet, at the source of Webmetricsguru.com is an artist.

Why? All the technology I review and use is meaningless without feeling – and in my own analytics work – I seek feeling, release and transformation- that’s Art.

Anyway, I’ll be attenting SmartCamp on Sunday to listen to a social media metrics panel – and I’ll write about it here.

I’m at an art opening tonight where I know one of the artists Lisa Lebofsky from a previous opening at BAG a few years ago.

Her work has evolved, take a look:

I’ve been busy and haven’t posted here as much as I should or want to – there’s so much going on in NYC with Art, but if anything, my focus lately has been on the analytics of Art.

Likely, I’ll be attending SmartCamp or as it is called, Social Media Art Camp the weekend after next at the Roger Smith Hotel here in NYC though I’m not sure I’ll attend all of it.

I suppose you can say, where does the Social Media and Web Analytics part end, and the Art begin – that’s a complicated question – but if you read my Webmetricsguru.com blog I’m combining information and synthesizing it in a way that is unique to me – and I consider that Art, as well.

As far as painting, I haven’t been – but do sketch, from time to time.  I’ll be posting a lot more here, shortly.

Was just at the Met a few days ago – but I had no idea as I passed by the Picasso’s that one of the Metropolitan’s  Picasso paintings was damaged last week by accident – appearently, this happens more often than one would have thought – and there is an article I linked to from the New York Times that describes what the museums do when this happens.

From left, Tullio Lombardo’s “Adam” before it was damaged and virtual images of restoration and of degrees of stress.

Based on all the information we’re hearing about Ice Glaciers melting in this century it’s a no brainer that eventually most of New York City will be underwater – perhaps, by the year 2100, if not before.

A four-foot rise in sea levels would cover more than 80 percent of the Northwest Palisade Bay/Hudson River area in the New Jersey area, including Liberty Park/Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, with water during high tide.

While I can understand that it is nightmare, politically speaking, to build dams around New York City, and lets face it, New Jersey and Connecticut will also be largely underwater – hardly anyone really wants to talk about the future – but that’s not exactly true – in fact, Artists and Architects are thinking about it and they have Re-Envisioned New York to Combat Sea-Level Rise

One team’s vision of a “New Aqueous City.” Image credit: nArchitects

The New York art institutions MoMA and P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center are looking on the bright side of the down economy: “As in past economic recessions, construction has slowed dramatically in New York, and much of the city’s remarkable pool of architectural talent is available to focus on innovation.”

Too bad it’s going to take another 20 years before anyone takes all of this seriously – but if you wanted to take stimulus money and spend in on infrastructure – this would be a very good way to do it.

The problem is the sea level isn’t high enough yet to justify this kind of expenditure – but here’s what will likely happen when the sea level goes up by 4 feet or more this century – I guess “stuff happens”.

Map of project zones. Image credit: Guy Nordenson and Associates, Catherine Seavitt Studio, and Architecture Research Office with Lizzie Hodges, Marianne Koch, James Smith, and Michael Tantala

I’ll go and see this show when it opens as it’s of interest to me – sure, it’s not going to happen in my lifetime, most likely, but if your alive in 50 years or so – well …. you might need to think about where to live next.

I need to post more -  especially here -and as more people contact me to let me know about exciting things that are happening here in NYC in the Arts and Technology, I need to pass them on.

Well, here’s one that just came up recently called NYC Nights (at the Museum) – but not the haunted type that come alive at night – more like the types of places I like to go and often do go to on a weekday night – usually Fridays.

Here’s the list from the NYC Arts Website and my favorites are the Rubin Museum of Tibetan Art – I often go there and it’s a really fun place to hang out – especially on a Friday night.   Some of the other places listed on the NYC Arts page aren’t places I regularly go – but I might consider trying some them for a change, like One Step Beyond at the Museum of Natural History and Get Weird: Experimental and Freaky Jams at the New Museum.

However, I’ll say that I like the Metropolitan Museum and Rubin Museums the best to hang out and if you had to place a bet on where you’d find me on a Friday or Saturday night – and I’m at a Museum instead of somewhere else – it’d probably be one of those two places.

Of course, there are plenty of gallery openings as well – and sometimes, those are more fun, because your not sure what your actually going to end up seeing whereas, in a Museum, you usually know what you get – at least, I do.

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MoMA Nights

Museum of Modern Art

ManhattanThurs, Jan 7, 2010 – Thurs, June 3, 2010

The museum stays open late on the first Thursday of each month. Visitors can stop by after hours to enjoy full access to the galleries and theaters, a DJ spinning dance tracks, a prix fixe dinner and cash bar, and more.  More

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Free Fridays

Rubin Museum of Art

ManhattanOngoing

Every Friday evening, the museum offers free admission to its galleries as well as a full bar in the K2 Lounge (happy hour is 6-7 pm), ticketed soul and jazz music performances, and access to a classic film screening with any $7 purchase at the bar. More

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First Fridays

Bronx Museum of the Arts

BronxOngoing

On the first Friday of every month, the museum offers free admission to a night of film, art, performance, music and other special programming. Previous First Fridays have featured local artists performing spoken word and hip-hop music, and dancing for all. More

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First Saturdays

Brooklyn Museum

BrooklynOngoing

A party atmosphere reigns on the first Saturday of the month at one of the country’s oldest and largest art museums. Patrons of all ages can view the world-renowned permanent collections and special exhibits or attend the evening’s events, which include films, performances and a dance party. More

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One Step Beyond

American Museum of Natural History

ManhattanFri, Jan 8, 2010 – Fri, June 11, 2010

Not that the museum isn’t cool every day, but on one particular day—the second Friday of every month—natural history gives itself over to some highly-evolved partying. This after-hours event features music from live bands and guest DJs, dancing and, of course, cocktails. More

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Super Sábado! Target Free Third Saturdays

El Museo del Barrio

ManhattanOngoing

Once a month, El Museo opens its doors to everyone interested in exploring Latino culture. Through free concerts, exhibitions, gallery tours, art making workshops, walking tours, film screenings and spoken word recitals, Super Sábado showcases traditions, cultural expressions and the latest in Latino art. More

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Get Weird: Experimental and Freaky Jams

New Museum of Contemporary Art

ManhattanOngoing

This monthly performance series features experimental music—anything from dusted-off salsa to psychedelic harmonies—performed on the third Thursday of every month by both unknown legends and young-gun mavericks. More

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Dancing with Darcy

Morgan Library & Museum

ManhattanFri, March 12, 2010

Museum goers are invited to travel back to Regency England for an evening of English country music and dancing in the Morgan’s Gilbert Court. More

Actually, I was at Havana Central West End location at 2911 Broadway (113th Street)  for New Years Eve 2009 as it turned into 2010 -the best place I could imagine for a New Years celebration and the food was fantastic.  Wish my iPhone camera has built in flash, but it doesn’t so the photos were a little darker than they should have been.

At #hcnye10 having Chicken Lollypops!

And here’s the Cuban Rib Eye Steak with Green Rice and a Fried Egg – that was so, so good.  Company of other bloggers and Havana Central employees around me was great and got me thinking about the history of the Havana Central on West End – it seems to have a story all of it’s own, connected to the Beat Generation, back, 60 years ago.

#hcnye10 Cuban rib eye steak with green rice and a fried egg at Havana Central

Then, I had one of the 4 special sauces on my rice that made my tongue tingle and buzz – it was pretty darn hot, I think it was called the Triple XXX Hot Sauce.

#hcnye10 Mango Salsa at Havana Central, there's 4 special sauces, XXX Hot Sauce is one of them ... Mouth tingling

There’s a whole story about the 4 Havana Central Sauces that could be a blog post in itself, but the art on each bottle is a masterpiece, and as an artist, I noticed it.  Turns out the pictures of the beautiful Latin Woman were drawn by a former employee at Havana Central – and the sauces are a unique blend that you can’t buy anywhere else.

Havana Central Yucateco Habanero Pepper Sauce with Mango Salsa in the background

I digress.   I was encouraged to order the Chocolate Rum Cake and while I planned to have a fruit salad, so as to not over indulge – but … it was New Years Eve, the best NYE I’ve ever had, with great people around me, and great food in front of me – what could I do but give in to it.

I am having a classic Mojito and Chocolate Rum Cake while waiting for hot coffee at Havana Central #hcnye10

I’ve been at all 3 locations of  Havana Central and had lunch and dinner at them – and enjoy the music, and I admit, the Mojitos are excellent, and I’ve had the classic and the blueberry Mojito.

What's Happening at Havana Central

The best New Years Eve I ever had, and the best meal on New Years Eve that I ever had, plus great company and a great location on the upper West Side.

… before it closes – or to prevent it from closing – a new Art Book Store by the Art Publisher PHAIDON opened up recently – the very first in the United States.

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled into the PHAIDON book store tonight, December 28th, at 8PM, and it was EMPTY!!!!!   No one knew about this store – or almost, no one …. yes, a few events did happen there recently, but it hasn’t gotton the attention it should.

I think, for this store to be successful, it needs to stay open for at least six months – just so people know about it – it’s open 7 days a week, till 9PM.

I am at an opening and Book Signing: “Patrick Demarchelier” at Clic Bookstore & Gallery in Soho tonight.

On one hand, I enjoy coming to openings here, it’s packed, and I like the photo art. But, I also feel there is a slickness, an ease of the use of exotic, attractive woman in erotic and intimate poses, that feels too obviously commercial.

Not … that there is anything wrong with being commercial … We’d all starve if we were not commercial.

But the assumption is an artist’s individuality will almost always be in an opposed to popular convention, the more original it is.

But … Is that really true?

Don’t think I’ll get a chance to speak with Patrick, I’m not here to buy a book, but I’m sure enjoying the buzz and views, even if I think, in my heart of hearts, they gawk too much at the obviously sensual delight of a photographer who loves beautiful woman.

I was at the Met tonight to see Velázquez Rediscovered which is on from November 17, 2009–February 7, 2010.

Nice painting but I’m having a problem with major exhibitions based around one painting.

I understand Muesums are strapped for cash – but can’t they do better than this?

I’m at an opening at Clic Gallery of Jody Morlock tonight. As I write this, Jon Stewart, of the Daily Show walks in, I guess that tells me a little about the company I’m in.

In fact, that’s me with Jon Stewart, in the photo, below! What’s weird is the how Jon looks like he’s photo shopped behind me, but I’m actually holding his sholder. However, I suspect the reason why I appear distinct from Jon Stewart is that he projects a wall, due to his celebrity – I’m sure that’s it, and the camera picks it up.

I talked with the artist for a few minutes about her obession with numbers and writings on her photos.

Talking to Jody, it turns out her day job as a makeup artist for John Stewart, and he also collects her work.

Jody Morlock says her imagery comes lately from the photoshoots she does, the makeup work, and life in New York.

When I think of my life, now writing for VentureBeat.com, and for Entrepreneur.com, along with my industry blog, WebMetricsGuru, I feel blessed that I don’t have to find out where the party is, my life is the party, and it comes to me, especially when I just “be” and don’t try to make life be anything more than it is.

Getting back to Jody, I go back to her picture of “Lucky” and the other, “Naughty”, prints with writing all over them, but not the face. I asked her why she puts phone numbers and personal info in her photo paintings, and she mentioned there’s no bank accounts on her works, but there is interesting information in Jody Worlock’s work if you take the time to look … I did.

And you know what, she doesn’t usually paint the faces in her photo art, because that’s what she does for a living; however, there are works where she did …. Paint the face.

Jody Worlock … Glad I stumbled into your show.. And Jon Stewart, too.

While I was on London last week, I stumbled upon this poster of Lord Nelson’s victory over the French and Spanish fleets in the Battle of Trafalger, in a hotel in Greenwich.

Noted that several of the ships could carry up to 1200 men, and the combined fleets had over 50,000 navy seaman in battle. amazing!

I often wonder what to do when I’m waiting for a friend, here’s what I did in Photoshop Deleux on my iPhone.

I’m still in London till Sunday and on this Friday evening – decided what was most interesting to attend (since I had no plans for the evening) was the Harmony of the Spheres at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, UK.  Here’s the marketing notes:

Join us on a unique, after-hours journey through the historic home of the Astronomers Royal and the impressive 21st-century astronomy centre, brought to life in a site-specific performance.

Directed by multi-award-winning composer Stephen Montague, Harmony of the Spheres is inspired by the Pleiades constellation, a cluster of sister stars immortalized in mythology. Explore the site to encounter ‘scenes’ created and performed by Trinity Laban students, and (weather permitting) perhaps even catch sight of the annual appearance of the Leonid Meteor Shower.

Part of the Festival of Time & Space

Harmony of the Spheres

The vast sky that surrounds us has fired our imagination from the beginning of Time. The heavens above with the earth below have inspired terror and tranquillity, mythology and religion, and humbled us with infinity.

The 17th-century astronomer Johannes Kepler postulated a grand ‘harmony of the spheres’ for the universe, but on this night we look to more earthbound harmonies. For two hours this historic site will resonate with Harmonia mundi as 70 earthlings animate a small corner of the planet on both sides of the Prime Meridian.

Location:

Royal Observatory Greenwich; Planetarium

I found visiting Greenwich an invigorating experience – it’s a collage town, actually – and reminded me of Berkeley, California, where I lived one, for a year, back in 1978.

The Greenwich Observatory is a trip, the original telescope used by Herschel to discover Uranus was right in front of me, along with many others.   There was several music works being preformed in different parts of the observatory, and while I might have preferred something more classical, what I got was an evening of fun and mystery, right at the time there was an asteroid shower in the sky.

I’ll post several photos and movies I took at the Greenwich Conservatory tonight, later – they’re uploading now.

I just want to say that I got a kick being in the exact center of time, in Greenwich, tonight.

My first day in London was spent mostly, walking around, by myself, and mostly in Hyde Park – plus I met Antoine Tesquier and saw an “exhibition” in the Serpertine that supports Polar Bears, or a particular Polar Bear.

First impressions – and I know this will change – but getting used to the food here is more challenging than I thought.   I’ll let you know as the week progresses -

Anyway, here’s a few playlists I made (videos set up to run in a queue of YouTube) today – some, like my walk around the Serpentine in Hyde Park are made up of several videos – so you may want to go through them at your own speed and leisure.

I didn’t take any videos tonight but plan on taking several Monday and Tuesday – and I’ll be speaking at Monitoring Social Media 09 on Tuesday late afternoon.

Here’s the first playlist with Antoine Tesquier dressed up as a polar bear and setting himself adrift on some white Styrofoam into the Serpentine at Hype Park.   I never quite got why he was doing this – maybe it’s to promote a particular polar bear – not sure which one.

Antoine Tesquier in the Serpentine at Hyde Park.

Also, here’s some footage from the rest of my walk in Hyde Park today

And when I first arrived in London, I was looking for my hotel, The Shaftsesbury Premier London Hyde Park – which so far, is working out very nicely and has good internet connectivity – so I can post to my blogs and keep in touch with friends.

I haven’t taken any video from within the Shaftesbury Premier London Hyde Park, but I probably will before the week is up.

Also bought an OffBeat Guide to London for my trip – though I did not realize till now I could have interacted with the initial PDF and customized it further.  In fact, I could have added a custom chapter and left out some of the one’s that come by default – next time I’ll do it.

I’m at Location One tonight listening to
Melissa Chiu Talking with Richard Bell about Contemporary Aboriginal Art in Australia, from it’s most well known artist in this kind of work.

From the talk tonight, it sounds like aboriginies (forgive me if my spelling is off) don’t have it easy in art, or, in life.

Richard Bell seems to always be protesting against the unfair way Aboriginies are treated, on several levels, in fact, the name of the show is “I’m not Protesting”.

It’s an interesting show and talk, tonight.