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Weekend Review
The week started with a visit to Ross Bleckner’s Studio, the most organized studio I’ve ever seen. The Steinhardt School @ NYU held a fundraiser there. They raise money that goes directly to the students so they don’t incur huge loans while in school. Bravo! Meanwhile, Ross’ paintings were displayed throughout his space, I told him he’s turned into a impressionist painter, and he said it was his “romantic side”.
Speaking of impressionism, I took a field trip with my friend Tony Baratta and Pilar Viladas to the Barnes Foundation, which has the largest group of impressionist paintings in the world. There were works of art I’ve never seen before and never even knew existed. Amongst the paintings, also hanging on the wall were exquisite metal door latches, and below the paintings were pieces of beautiful American furniture. The entire hanging was such an intimate and personal experience that I’m so grateful I got a chance to see the magnificent collection before it moves to Philadelphia, which in my opinion is so sad and ignorant.
Went to see Falcon Cocaine, a documentary film which showed at the Tribeca Film Festival. The movie begins with a man who’s passion for falcons takes him into a world of intrigue: terrorism, money laundering, and Osama Bin Laden. It’s a bold and important film and if you want to know why Bin Laden hasn’t been caught and could be, see this film. I walked away even more disgusted and pessimistic about the state of the world today, politics, and the US government, and I’m a patriot.
One last thing, last night I went to the 30th anniversary of St. Ann’s Warehouse, which has become one of New York City’s most important and compelling live performance destinations. Last night featured the music of Fela Kuti, and the Band from Fela on Broadway. Everyone got up from their seats and was moving to the joyous music from the beginning to the end of the performance. The New York Times got it right, “where new ideas are born” & “an oxygen tank for New York theater”. That’s St. Ann’s. Artistic Director Susan Feldman has created something special, I wish her continued success for the next 30 years. And my friend Stanley Cohen, lawyer extraordinare, thank you for such a delightful and unexpected invite.
Themocracy