VT (for all of my design-obsessed peeps)

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: WORLD AIDS DAY / DAY WITHOUT ART / DECEMBER 1 : sourceofimageunknown In memory of ____________, the blog remains dark

sourceofimageunknown In memory of ____________, the blog remains dark

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VISUAL TREATS presents ' ART OUTSIDE WALLS ' / CH... : imagecourtesycalitreviewcom Peeps, Any discussion of artists who exhibit outside the confines of gallery walls, or are bound by the co...

imagecourtesycalitreviewcom Peeps, Any discussion of artists who exhibit outside the confines of gallery walls, or are bound by the conventions of wooden frame, material limitations, or the whims of dealer or market, would be incomplete without the inclusion of Christo (and Jeanne-Claude), the celebrated team responsible for large-scale installations running through mountains and fields into the sea, or wrapping public spaces into objects of extraordinary beauty, clearly intended for all to enjoy, as well as to gently challenge the public's definition of art. Christo and Jeanne-Claude were a married couple (until Jeanne-Claudes' death in 2009) who created environmental works of art, such as the wrapping the Reichstag in Berlin, and the Pont-Neuf bridge in Paris, 'Running Fence' in California, and 'The Gates' in New York City's Central Park. Art dealer Nancy Doyle writes that, 'the pair creates environmental works that span great distances in popul...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: Visual Treats presents ' ART OUTSIDE WALLS ' / Da... : imagecourtesyfak3rcomanddesignboom Peeps, Frequently no one leaves entirely satisfied. Perhaps this the result of simply not knowin...

imagecourtesyfak3rcomanddesignboom Peeps, Frequently no one leaves entirely satisfied.  Perhaps this the result of simply not knowing.  If your family is similar to mine, after Thanksgiving gluttony and cleanup, the debate invariably starts:  do we pursue high culture (and art) at the museum, or should we simply indulge our more base desires, and head for the mall and streets to indulge in window-gazing, bargain-shopping, and people watching.  Another set of cuff-links or wool slacks nabbed at holiday markdowns is always fun, yet never entirely satisfying when I scan the weekend papers and internally chastise myself for having ignored the wide selection of wonderful art-exhibitions at The National Gallery of Art, The Sackler Gallery, and The Hirshhorn Museum.  Sometimes in the contest of wills between various factions of the family, where young adults need to expend energy (and reassert their independence, why?), and the more culturally inclined seek to ...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: Visual Treats + The Peep-show presents ' THE DECEM... : photocourtesyamericanvogueviachungkitblog ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' premieres 5 Dec 2011 Are you ready??

photocourtesyamericanvogueviachungkitblog ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' premieres 5 Dec 2011 Are you ready??

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: So Other May Have/Gifting To: TLDEF (Transgender ... : AlmaSilientaenFuego AnaMendieta,1975 imagecourtesyartnewsorg Peeps, For many T's, life rarely unfolds to the catchy tune of a we...

AlmaSilientaenFuego AnaMendieta,1975 imagecourtesyartnewsorg Peeps, For many T's, life rarely unfolds to the catchy tune of a well-crafted musical score, or seldom culminates in a rousting finale with wide-eyed optimism and open hearts all aflutter at the wonderful way(s) in which justice and equality prevails, as evidenced by supportive spouses, accepting families, and non-judgmental peers.  For many T's, the feel-good extravaganza known as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, remains the cinematic equivalent of a torch-song: unrequited love sung high, held long, felt deep; hopeful, yet hopeless for that is the defining quality of a torch-song.  And a torch-song is not a love-song, and a love-song is not a torch-song, and the latter resides almost exclusively in the repertoire of many T's; for whom, love remains eternally elusive.   The T's (transgender persons and transsexuals) are not simply a group of cross-dressers, drag-queens, lip-sticked divas, butc...

imagecourtesyjjjjound ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' premieres 5 dec 2011 . . . are you ready?

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: So Others May Have / GIFTING TO: Foundation Fight... : Blindman'sBluffbyGoya Peeps, Today (Black Friday), I had no plans of heading to the shops in search of bargains. Instead I spent th...

Blindman'sBluffbyGoya Peeps, Today (Black Friday), I had no plans of heading to the shops in search of bargains.  Instead I spent the morning with an old friend planting tulips and other spring bulbs.  The skies overhead were clear blue and the warm weather permitted us to work without a jacket; on the way home this evening I heard about the ruckus at the Walmart, and wondered why some individuals would prefer to spend their time in pursuit of more stuff, instead of out enjoying nature, biking, visiting the museums, and so forth.  It seems that advertisers and corporate CEO's have shrewdly capitalized on the emptiness -- found within many Americans who blindly pursue every object imaginable -- with the enticing labels of BIGGER, FASTER, CHEAPER, SALE BARGAIN, TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE, or FREE.  The latter always makes me cringe, for as we all should have realized by now, nothing is every free, and the price we will invariably incur comes at a high cost to our...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: So Others May Have / GIFTING TO: 826DC at www.826d... : imagecourtesyitaliancountryliving viaalifesageblog Peeps, Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, and in an ideal world all children would...

imagecourtesyitaliancountryliving viaalifesageblog Peeps, Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, and in an ideal world all children would be gathered with their families around tables groaning under the weight of turkey/ham/sweet-potatoes/green-bean salad/rolls/assorted fruit pies and so forth.  Sadly this is not the case.  Lots of kids will be at home alone (or entrusted to various types of care) because parents are working, in prison, absent due to marital discord, away fighting the war(s) overseas, and various other reasons.  During the year, many of these kids (at least the fortunate ones), can turn to a variety of after-school and weekend programs where caring and concerned individuals act as mentors in tutoring programs devoted to improving math and reading skills.  Some programs help at-risk kids in expressing themselves creatively (through performance and the fine arts); conduct excursions and field trips, as well as coordinate tours of professional guilds...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: CORRECTION TO BLOG ARTICLE DATED 21 NOV 2011 : imagecourtesyjjjjoundblog Peeps, On Monday night, I incorrectly stated University of Penn as the locale of the alleged crimin...

imagecourtesyjjjjoundblog Peeps,   On Monday night, I incorrectly stated University of Penn as the locale of the alleged criminal activities of a certain assistant-coach.  Bernice, our devoted editor (and eagle-eyed fact-checker) was away on holiday leave, and the blog article--regretfully--did not pass across her desk.  She would have immediately corrected our text, to reflect Penn State as the former employer of Coach Sandusky.   My sincerest apologies for this error. Sincerely, Shane

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: The Peep-show presents ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' : imagecourtesychungkitblog ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' premieres at forallofmydesign-obsessedpeeps.blog on 5 Dec 2011

imagecourtesychungkitblog ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' premieres at forallofmydesign-obsessedpeeps.blog on 5 Dec 2011

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: So Others May Have / GIFTING TO: PANDORA'S Project... : imagecourtesypxleyescom Peeps, Lately, we've heard a great deal about the alleged activities of a certain assistant-coach at the U...

imagecourtesypxleyescom Peeps, Lately, we've heard a great deal about the alleged activities of a certain assistant-coach at Penn State University.  As more details emerge, it becomes shockingly clear that the sexual abuse of minors occurred over a prolonged period, and a systematic cover-up of these violations by other coaches, the athletics department, and school administrators created an environment where the perpetrator was able to exploit other victims without any fear of being fired, or reported to the police.  Numerous individuals have stepped forward to recount their experiences, as they attempt to deal with the physical, emotional, and psychological scars of the incident(s).  Others have not been able to take this step towards healing, and instead live in fear of repercussion, or remain silent out of a sense of shame, or feelings of guilt.  Professionals in the mental health service(s) are well acquainted with persons who suffer from flashback...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: The Peep-show presents ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' : imagecourtesychungkitblog ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' premieres 5 DEC 2011

imagecourtesychungkitblog ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' premieres 5 DEC 2011

photocourtesyjjjjoundblog Peeps, If you smiled when you saw today's visual treat (which is quite amusing), you can thank your parents for limiting your consumption of candy and soda-drinks, as well as enforcing daily and nightly teeth-brushing.  Smiling makes us feel good, and shows everyone how happy we feel about ourselves, and the world around us.  And its the easiest way to make friends, get a better table at a crowded restaurant, or send an unspoken message to that dream-boat standing at the bar that you're interested (and interesting, yourself).  Sadly, some kids (and adults) won't and can't smile, this condition the result of facial deformities known as cleft lip and cleft palate.  It is reported that every three minutes a child is born with a cleft, and is often unable to eat, speak, smile, or interact in a society where much of our initial interaction(s) is based on appearance and visual clues.  Sadly, many parents in developing countries cann...

photocourtesyquackedcom ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' 5 DEC 2011

photosourceunknown Peeps, Guest writer Robin McGarry (a respected professional in the design industry) and I share many preferences; we both love bold colors, layered interiors where both style and comfort have been addressed, as well as rooms where the interior designer displays a sound understanding of the principles that enable the production of good design.  We are fond of rooms where the selection and placement of ART has been successfully addressed, as we feel that this demonstrates a thorough exploration and utilization of both the decorative and fine arts, and makes for a more memorable experience (as well as a more complete interior).  We both lament the current trend of the ubiquitous use of mirrors.  In the essay below, Ms McGarry shares her thoughts (on the subject of mirrors). Please enjoy, Shane Once upon a time mirrors were not just the pretty faces at the party.  They were expensive and showed one's status, but they also serve...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: VISUAL TREATS + THE PEEP-SHOW presents THE DECEMBE... : photocourtesykristianschuller THE DECEMBER ISSUE: 5 DEC 11

photocourtesykristianschuller THE DECEMBER ISSUE:  5 DEC 11

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: CEASE AND DESIST / Day 4 -- POLICE BRUTALITY (IN N... : photocourtesynytimes Peeps, Be afraid, be very afraid!! is a teaser line from some popular horror movie that could well describe the ...

photocourtesynytimes Peeps, Be afraid, be very afraid!! is a teaser line from some popular horror movie that could well describe the way I feel on viewing this image recently posted on the New York Times site.  How is it that in a democratic country such as the United States, ordinary citizens in the process of exercising first amendment rights, can so easily and quickly incur the wrath of the police.  I had been led to believe that protesting was a legitimate right, and guaranteed within one's constitutional right.  Recent events at Freedom Park prove otherwise; a line seems to have been drawn by some elected officials acting at the behest at unknown individuals (or corporations) who have decided that it's a them-versus-us scenario with the police standing at ready to dispel protesters through force, aided by batons/tear-gas/pepper-spray.  Looking at the image above, I wonder what could this young man have done to warrant numerous blows to the head by police...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: CEASE AND DESIST / Day 3 -- IS IT LOVE? by Guest W... : photocourtesyofjjjjblog My friends, The question is: Is it real love? Or just the desire to be special? And I mean by this, the pro...

photocourtesyofjjjjblog My friends,  The question is:  Is it real love? Or just the desire to be special? And I mean by this, the process that ends up in the ownership of exotic animals.  Everyone knows of the recent tragedy in Zanesville, Ohio.  This event showed everything that is wrong with the trade, breeding, and ownership of exotic animals.  It should be obvious that owning that 300 pound tiger, or a 400 pound lion is NOT anything close to having a dog.  Dogs have had thousands of years to adapt to, and with, humans, lions haven't!  An exotic animal which has been hand-fed doesn't guarantee domesticity, and there is no way of fully knowing how the animal is going to react to unexpected stimuli, especially once now in the care of a non-professional.  Exotic animals hate being caged or confined, and close quarters make for an unhappy 'pet.' In choosing an exotic animal for a pet, the motives are frequently unclear.  Is it love, or ...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: CEASE AND DESIST / Day 2 -- JUST COFFEE, PLEASE : photocourtesyjjjjoundblog Peeps, I admit to having a love affair with coffee; truthfully more of a love-hate relationship for its ...

photocourtesyjjjjoundblog Peeps, I admit to having a love affair with coffee; truthfully more of a love-hate relationship for its effect on me (both physical and otherwise).  I love a cup of strong coffee in the morning, preferably with sugar and milk.  I'll take it to-go, or quickly sip it while taking in the bright new day, as I mentally review the to-do list, calculate how to accomplish all the errands and chores.  Somewhere before evening, I'll need to make another quick stop for refueling, and at that time perhaps treat myself to a slice of lemon tart, or small flan covered with carmel and a dusting of cinnamon.  I've never understood the ability of some folks to sit for hours, (whether in a coffee-shop or at home) drinking endless cups of coffee until the pot is empty, or the 11 o'clock news signals that the morning is now gone, and preparations for lunch should start. After entering the highly popular coffee-shop/chain (you know the one that is on...