Engaged with art at LACMA

I arrived at midday, having caught the Metro 20 bus from downtown, stopping at almost every junction of Wilshire Boulevard along the way! I was greeted by the classic Urban Light exhibition (by Chris Burden) which includes rows of 202 cast iron antique street lamps. I had considered planning my visit through the website for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and had been slightly overwhelmed by the number of exhibitions that were interesting to me! So I decided to be flexible and let my visit evolve.

As it happened, I thought I was going to see the Carravagio exhibition first, but ended up catching the elevator up to the third floor of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum. I was sad that the fog made it impossible to see the Hollywood sign from the landing - but that has been the theme of the last week... Anyway I became entranced by the Surrealist drawing exhibition on the second floor. Having enjoyed some recent encounters with the Surrealists beginning last December in Vienna, I was keen to see the lesser known drawings. I loved the concept of automatic drawing, letting the pen flow and I really loved the way Joan Miro personified his squiggles - this was so liberating for me...perhaps I can be more inspired with my doodling!

However, one of the treats of this exhibition is that I found surrealist drawings of some of my favourite artists, of course I expected to see some Rene Magritte, but I was impressed to see a small Rothko, a tiny Giacometti drawing and several drawings from Louise Bourgeoise. So after this little indulgence, it was almost time to attend the free Docent Lecture about Caravaggio and his Legacy.

It was wonderful to have the real Caravagios demonstrated on slides and hear the stories behind them all, while learning about the defining features of a real Caravaggio. I do love the way this young artist rejected making the classical paintings that were expected of him at the end of the 1500's. He painted with such reality and clarity that it was like enhanced photographs with light either emphasised or selectively withheld. I learned a lot about the challenge between the holy religious world of classical painters and the reality of brothels and card dens.

It was great then to see the actual exhibition and compare the real Caravaggios with the other Carravagio inspired artists who painted similar classical scenes of the betrayal of Peter, Christ throwing the mercenaries out of the temple, and the placing of the crown of thorns of Christ's head. And then I enjoyed the pottery sculptures of Ken Price, also displayed in the Renwick Pavillion. This man's blobby sculptures are so impressive in style, colour and texture.

So I walked out of the Renwick Pavillion past the Walter de Maria "The 2000 Sculpture", which is comprised of hundreds of white wooden blocks positioned on the floor. By now it was time for sunset drinks! Then I had time to visit the operational Metropolis II, also by Chris Burden. This reconstructed city was populated by toy cars on constructed freeways and functioning toy trains; totally mesmerizing. So by now I was running out of time. I had missed seeing the outdoor installation of the gigantic Levitated Mass. I was confronted by Robert Mapplethorpe's XYZ black and white photographs - his artistic and sexual expression of black men! I just had enough energy to enjoy the very interactive and very LA Stanley Kubrick exhibition. Sadly, I realised that I had not seen any of his classic films, but this did make me want to revisit that...

Finally, I had to leave as they closed the museum. It was good to catch the express bus Metro Rapid 720 back downtown, to then catch a train back to my hotel...what a day, what a plethora of cultural experiences!

a space experience at the LA Science Centre

I remember hearing that the final journey of the space shuttle Endeavour was through the streets of LA, after trees had been lopped and telegraph lines and poles temporarily moved. So I was impressed when I realised that the new home of Endeavour, the LA Science Museum, was less than 5 minutes walk from my hotel. Being awake early, I did not need to queue for very long to book my timed visit. We were ushered through an interactive display, and encouraged to watch the video of its journey through the streets before being allowed into the giant 'shed' housing this monster. I was impressive with how educational and interactive the displays were and there were lots of proud parents sharing great stories with their children.

Later I decided to visit other areas of the Science Centre - loved the living kelp forest. A giant aquarium filled with fish and several divers. One diver was having an educational chat with a staff member outside the aquarium, eagerley watched by lots of children! The classic walking tunnel under this aquarium meant that you could see a small shark swimming above you!

And i really loved the flourescence of these jellyfish - there were so many educational exhibits...impressive

Interpreting mexican food in Los Angeles

I guess it is logical that most offical signs and public announcements in LA are in English and Spanish. There seem to be a lot of people who have strong connections with neighbouring Mexico. This is also very evident in the number of Mexican restaurants. It seems that mexican food can be served fresh in a similar process manner to that used by Subway for its freshly made rolls.

Last night I visited the rather hip Freebirds World Burrito eating house just by the USC student village. 60's psychedelic decor, groovy music, hip staff and more choices than I usually make in a typical week shopping for food! So I had to brush up on my knowledge on different tortillas - and then having chosen a quesadilla, I could choose between plain, spinach and tomato. I opted to try the very green spinach and quite enjoyed the eating experience. I then made a direct contrast with another chain Chipotle, who claim to be a gourmet grill for mexican food. Their decor is certainly clean and crisp and their range of choices much more reasonable - they seem to concentrate on burritos and tacos, which makes it much easier to order!

Loving the intimacy of Amour

This film had great reviews, together with slight warnings about its emotionally challenging content. Both strengthened my resolve to see Amour. This was no classic love story - in fact it showed the deeper intimate side of love that is rarely seen in films. An educated and elderley couple were having lunch together in their Parisian apartment, when Anne had her first TIA. As statistics would suggest, she had one and then another stroke. We see Georges caring for her basic daily activities and continuing to manage their household. He agrees to Anne's desperate promise to keep her out of hospital, but at a great cost to himself and without the support and understanding of their only daughter, Eva. The film spirals downwards and inwards, with all activity in the darkened apartment, and often focussed on the bedroom. Despite Anne's expected frustration, Georges is amazingly attentive and respectful of his wife. There is no way this film can have a happy ending, but it is one of truth and integrity which really fits in with the depth and complexity of this insightful movie.

Trying to master The Master

It was an elongated, twisted and repetitive tale of 2 damaged men, dependent on each other to fulfil their own ego needs. Yes it was an impressive relationship that lasted through time but for what purpose? The Master continued to brainwash, manipulate, and re-programme a man that seemed on the surface to show progress, but underneath stayed true to himself, while achieving an improved day to day existence from being the teacher's pet.
Was it really inspired by Scientology - even if it was, it would not seem useful to admit it.. So we are left wondering, but in the end, not caring whether this particular form of brainwashing is one that is in anyway related to that used in Scientology-to me it really does not matter!
So I am still slightly frustrated that I endured 2.5 hours waiting for something profound to happen, I guess it shows persistence and the willingness to trust that there could have been a moral message...guess I was too trusting on this one...

Rust and Bone - passion without emotion

I was ready for a film about misfits connecting amidst the daily drudgery. Rust and Bone is another brilliant french film that has impressed at so many levels. Superb music, great scenery along the southern French coast, superb cinematography and special effects and so many inter connected story lines.

Party girl Stephanie (Marion Cotillard) meets novice security guard Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) when he rescues her from a fight in a nightclub. The next day Stephanie returns to training killer whales and is involved in a tragic accident. Later, depressed and reclusive, she contacts Ali on a whim. Somehow his casual yet frank approach to sex and bare-knuckle fighting attracts and alarms her. It seems that Ali is both interested and indifferent. Themes of emotional damage are pervasive but there is a chance for deep awareness and redemption...

still loving James Bond

Adele's theme song Skyfall impressed me several weeks ago, and even more when I realised that she had written it! I must admit that the hype for this movie is quite over the top and very un-English. Perhaps it is the 50th anniversary of James bond, or the 23rd film in this amazing series that warrants it. I did enjoy the classic chases and stunts - we have seen so many fights on the top of trains, but it was the motorbike race across the rooftops of the Grand Bazaar that really made me laugh.

This time Bond investigates an attack on MI6, or perhaps M herself, by a former MI6 operative, Raoul Silva, played by a very blonde Javier Bardem. It has all the usual elements with beautiful places and people across the globe - but this time there is a very real contrast between the old style of glamorous and international spies with the new computer geek led cyber espionage. Age was a recurring theme and the willingness or not to change strategies was a constant threat for M and James. So it was brilliant when James uncovered his old Aston Martin to drive to his old family home in Scotland (strangely named Skyfall Lodge) via the starkly stunning Glencoe valley. So I shall say no more except that the other big recurring question was could James really trust M?