by L♥lli
4 May
Summer is around the corner and the masses are coming out of hibernation; an event that is easily witnessed, for example, at street fairs and flea markets which are now springing up around town. One among them – Hester Street Fair; the opening day is this coming Saturday, May 7, from 10am to 6pm, and then every Saturday following until September. This has been one of my favorites in the past and I’m sure this year’s won’t disappoint. And as explained on their website, the opening will be marked by a mini Food festival which means half the Fair will be food and the other half will be “filled with a shopper’s paradise–vintage, estate jewelry, lamps, watches, skincare, accessories, you name it, we probably got it.” – so that’s the deal. Go check it out! (For more info go here.)
Tags: Hester Street Fair, Lower East Side, nyc
by L♥lli
1 Apr
“The Ugly Original” or,
Jolies-laides
Pretty uglies in French. Yes, it is encouraging, it leads us to think that what is beautiful urges us to repeat again and again. Where as “The Ugly Original” open up unknown territories. We desire to be fascinated by what charms and attract us. Indeed, the Medusa was so enamored of her own beauty that she was punished with having it transformed into accursed, unbearable ugliness. Her curly hair was turned into snakes and her head turned the spectator to stone. Beautiful ugliness: Freud observed that the Gorgon was a symbol of the female genitals, since its sight made men hard. It
was Peruses who, by presenting her with his shield which was bright as a mirror he was able to cut off her head and used it to overcome other enemies. He kept it covered with cloth which he lifted when in need. Indeed, this is one of the most beautiful allegories of painting in the West. Every culture establishes norms and precepts which regulate the circulation of values. These are by no means secure. But the entire system of museums, collections and collectors, critics and the public alike act almost as an intellectual police, voluntarily and involuntarily. Only an appeal to other cultures, or historical precedent can shift the paradigm. In the last century much was achieved by applying a unorthodox material and devices. New technique made the need for new norms urgent. Could the car be truly compared to the Parthenon? Of course, it could not. But the “new Spirit” which was just a euphemism for Capitalism invented by a very clever Berlin sociologist: Werner Sombart was immediately adopted by every upstart. At this moment in time we are in a comparable situation.
There is much that we can make use of. Much of it is ugly. But only by allowing ourselves the luxury of helping ourselves to what is “beaautiful” we have the chance to recover our original perception of the world, the world as it has never seen before. Hence “The Ugly Original” is a key strategy which release one from the tyranny of the empirical world, the tyranny of taste and fashion. As George Bernard Shaw says: “no wonder fashion has to be changed every three month as it is ugly.”
New York 16. II. 09
Lele
Passed by this store in Williamsburg, called UGLY ORIGINAL, last week, and thought it was a really interesting clothing store with a unique style and atmosphere; beautiful people just hanging out, sitting by coffee tables, which are conveniently placed outside this tiny boutique. The above statement captures the concept of the store and the creator, Joe H. Kim.
The store opened about two weeks ago but the official opening party is tomorrow and anyone is welcome – it will be a casual street party from 6-9pm.
Bedford ave. & N.6 Brooklyn NY
Tags: Brooklyn, store, uglyorginal, williamsburg
by L♥lli
27 Feb
Welcome to bookworm heaven! - Strand aka “18 miles of books”
This independent bookstore is a New York legend. Open since 1927, this east village jewel holds over five floors filled with an extensive selection of used books, bargain titles, and review copies. Don’t expect any of the workers to offer their help with a smile; you might even experience the stereotypical “Manhattan attitude”. However, if you come in with an open mind and a willingness to rummage you will not leave empty-handed.
Tags: books, old, store, used, village
