Mundane Mondays

"I'm an environmentally created cynic with an unmatched, and hypocritical desire to believe in moments of incorruptible beauty."

- A. Esmaili

WOMEN, all belong in mo-seums

WOMEN
A RICHARD AVEDON EXHIBIT

I remember the first time I stumbled upon an Avedon photograph, it was circa 2005. I was charmed by Audrey Hepburn and as a result, I was in dire need to find photographs of her that were outside of the common ones posted by my girlfriends on their MySpace pages.
 
After what seemed like an endless search, I came across the fashion photography of Richard Avedon. The more I began looking into his pieces from the 1940s well into the 90s, the more shocked I was that these images weren't used and abused by every girl who was utterly into old Hollywood starlets (Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Iggy, etc.). Despite my shock, a great part of me (almost all of me) was thrilled that his work wasn't being acknowledged by my peers at the time because it felt like I had made my own neat discovery.

So, when I heard the Gagosian Gallery was going to showcase his work for all of November, I knew I had to make a trip out to the west side of town. Being able to see his original work, images I had only starred at over a pixelated screen was an utter treat, to say the least. It was fantastic to see the negatives of the most captivating stars from the early 50s to well into the 90s. Even with the beauty found thru his work for Bazaar and Vogue, my personal favorites were the ones of the women he captured from his personal life, particularly photographs of his sister. 

Ultimately, I feel like my story with Avedon came full circle after enjoying this exhibit. I can now say that I’ve come to the realization that every woman belongs in a museum. Also, more importantly, that every visible flaw in every woman alive should come accompanied with a man who has the ability to capture it and make it look effortlessly beautiful (I know, pretty damn demanding).

For information on planning your own visit, see below:

Avedon

Women
November 1 - December 21, 2013

456 North Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
T. 310.271.9400 F. 310.271.9420
losangeles@gagosian.com
Hours: Tue–Sat 10-6
Gallery Information
Gallery Map



Unmatched Selfies

 

Apollo 12′s Pete Conrad is visible in the helmet of crewmate Al Bean during their moon landing in November 1969. Credit: NASA

 

Self-portrait of Expedition 36/37 European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano during a July 2013 spacewalk. Credit: NASA

 

NASA astronaut Mike Fossum grabbed this self-portrait in July 2011, with space shuttle Atlantis visible in the background. Credit: NASA

 

Perfect

I'm humble, I swear



There's a lot of things I'm good at. I can eat ice cream like it's no one's business, I know how to properly laugh at people who fall, I can time my commutes perfectly, to ensure I'll be five to fifteen minutes late, and I am an absolute professional at convincing my co-workers that donuts are good for the soul. Oh, there's a lot I'm good at, but there's only one thing I'm better than good at, something that I can confidently say I'm a perfectionist at, a trait I will forever have confidence in and that's LOVE. "Why," you wonder? "How," you ask? Well, it's simple; as simple as how good I am at things.

When I love someone/thing I'm able to do a few things better than most people who haven't quite perfected the art of loving and that is [drum roll please]: 

I don't allow the people I love to forget their beauty when they are feeling ugly. 

I don't permit them to neglect their wholeness when they are feeling broken. 

I don't let them emphasis their flaws when they've made a mistake. 

I don't ignore their innocence when they're guilty and ...

I sure as hell don't let them disregard their purpose when they are confused.

Now, don't even try to compete with me because I told you I'm good at a lot of things. 

Gotta stay loose up here ...