NYC & European Nostalgia: the art of Jacob Kassay

Art can transport us in many ways, but to access other times and places via artistic process and not subject matter is a true feat.

Jacob Kassay's recent work is now on display at Eleven Rivington gallery. According to Joseph R. Wolen for Time Out New York, his works begin as "painted canvases in broad horizontal strokes of color" which are then electroplated in silver, creating pieces that behave like mirrors, "imperfectly" reflecting their surroundings, "at least color and movement". The electroplating scorges unpainted canvas, such that pieces have burnt edges that lead to reflective, color-hinted centers with bits of unraveled canvas here and there "fossilized under paint and silver".

Wolen observes the historic thread of portraiture that Kassay's work conjures: as a mirror it evokes portraiture, which has grown from painted to photographed, film to digital. And so the pieces, "while beautiful, are also melancholic, philosophical objects" that Wolen likens to bronze baby shoes.


"My 1st pair of shoes" by fellowbit

Bronzing baby shoes is an old tradition only practiced by the nostalgic, and perhaps these are the people who will best understand Kassay's work.


Read Wolen's review in Time Out New York >>


Eleven Rivington
11 Rivington St. (between Bowery and Chrystie St.)
New York, NY 10002
212.982.1930
office@elevenrivington.com
www.elevenrivington.com

Wednesday - Sunday, 12-6 pm


Images courtesy of Time Out New York and Chelsea Art Galleries

Jamaica: Climbing water

Last night, Bridget took us to Jamaica on Bridget's Sexiest Beaches, and we must say I am a tad bit jealous. It is our my lifelong dream to conquer the world's waterfalls.



Click here to read more about Bridget's thoughts on Jamaica, including swimming with dolphins, bobsledding, rum (that's what we're talking about) and dancing to the steel drum.

Croatia: blondes & mud therapy

From last week's episode of Bridget's Sexiest Beaches on The Travel Channel - bikini-clad Bridg and Playboy Playmate of the Year 2007, Sara Underwood, enjoy some mud therapy on the Croatia coastline (and the leering eyes of Croatian men):



You can read about her other Croatian experiences in her blog.

The Medieval city of Dubrovnik... cliff dives on the haunted island of Lokrum, learning to fly over the spectacular Golden Horn Beach in Brac... local wines... skinny dipping in a secluded cove... Will the Travel Channel be hiring a new host anytime soon?

East Village, NYC: Satsko & the greenest of green teas

There is much to see and taste at Satsko on Eldridge. Upon entering there is the large, robust wooden door that seems both out of place and time; once inside the small bar and eatery, an atmosphere of zen and beauty immediately overcomes any shadows of doubt or stress that your life was previously holding. There are the whimsical pinwheels and lights strewn every which way and in all corners. On the right wall there is the beautiful, textured artwork of earthy greens and blues (for sale, too). And of course there is always an endearing bartender or two full of character and quirks: clearly Satsko, the owner herself, chooses only the best representatives of youth and creativity to tend to her venue.



And there is the menu, stocked with an impressive variety of sake and full of Asian-based dishes that are set off by uniquely matched western influences. I'm devoted to the guacamole, made "Asian" with the addition of wasabi and crispy wontons. Most impressive for sushi was the Seared Tuna Maki: yellow fin tuna, cucumber, and carrots topped with pistachio nuts - a truly delightful experience of flavor and texture. Equally impressive in flavor was the Pesto Maki - pesto spread on sushi rice with carrot, cucumber and avocado.

Satsko is no less than a truly fascinating border hopping experience, from Japan to Mexico, to Italy, to California - all in singular dishes and out of this world for the adventurous diner.


And... yet...

Most truly spirited in border hopping, to us, was certainly the green tea of a most pungent and vibrant algae shade.



Perhaps unappetizing to some? Perhaps exciting to us few.


Satsko
245 Eldridge Street (just below Houston)
New York, New York
(1) 212.358.7773
satsko.com
Monday - Wednesday 5pm - 2am
Thursday - Saturday - 5pm - 4am
Sunday 5pm - 12am

NYC: New City

New City

Recession makes New York a smaller place.

A stranger place.

I noticed this for the first time about a month ago when my iPod was stolen from the table in front of me at a Starbucks on the Upper West.

"This is what the city used to be like," a long time New Yorker told me when I expressed my surprise at having been robbed so unceremoniously.

With the recession of a layer of Kush and comfort, the city's crazy underbelly is exposed. It was always there of course, but hidden by layers of money and the well suited Wall Street workers who wore it in droves.

Now that they're gone – relegated to their suburbs of origin- the rest of us remain, readjusting to a city stripped of sharp edged suits and the space uncovered when that artificial skin was peeled away.

We're testing waters now, wandering the city, resetting the streets to a new beat. A slower beat. A beat that pulses fluidly.

The city recesses in a cycle, circles back to art. To the living of each day inside each moment. To a romantic non attachment where "goodbye" is said but never meant. Where, "see you around" is meant but never said.

Recession has wrought havoc but it has reclaimed New York. Brought the city back to the size it should be and to the elements that make it a place to fall in love with; art and a sense of relaxed possibility.

—Allie of Hamgirl, wondrous writer & contributing artist of BH

Pisa: antipasti at Antica Trattoria Il Campano

PRIMA:




et DOPO:




Order the tagliere del re - "Big surprise dish" (minimum 2 people) @ 15 euro/person.


Antica Trattoria Il Campano
Via Cavalca 19
Pisa, Italy
(39) 050.580585
ilcampano.com
Sunday - Saturday 12:30 - 3:00pm and 7:30 - 10:45pm

The Travel Channel: Bridget's Sexiest Beaches

Of course you remember Bridget: the aspiring broadcast journalist and one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends from The Girls Next Door. She is now moving on to her own show, "Bridget's Sexiest Beaches" on The Travel Channel. You can catch the first episode tonight at 10PM ET.



What's that? - you don't know who she is? Well you can read about her here.

Tonight Bridget will take us to Australia, and it will be an episode full of Aussia beaches, Bridg-in-bikinis, boomerang throwing, wildlife (maybe a camel ride? our favorite!) and the R&R of seaside spas.


Photo courtesy of Prometheus Entertainment and stylist Joyce Bonelli

Pictured: Rainbow bikini by L Space

BH.net and TheLuxurySpot.com: some Q&A

Steph from The Luxury Spot just might have suggested our new mantra: Travel For Free! in her likewise-titled article about the recent Border Hopping relaunch.

Read "Travel For Free!" >>

China: the photography of Katie Chao

shanghai night


tree


lotus pads

Photography by Katie Chao

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