Well it is already Thursday and I haven't even been able to tell you about my brush with Tom Hanks...
Sadly, I was in row O and he was onstage, but we were close enough to see one another, and I SWEAR, we might have locked eyes once. Sometimes, you just know these things...
The play is in previews until April 1st, and we saw it on the 3rd night it was performed. It starts very strong, but kind of fizzles out a bit at the end, though they may have fixed that a bit by now. The last scene involves all of the characters reprising a drinking song sung earlier in the play and then they hold hands and bow and poof! they are gone! They did not come back for another round of applause, which I think was very disconcerting for the audience, who kind of wandered out as if in a daze! I wondered if they did this because Tom Hanks didn't want people to go crazy clapping just for him (like they do when he goes on stage for the first time) but I really wanted to clap for all of them!
Given the subject matter - a controversial journalist writing for the New York tabloids in the 80s, I will be honest and say that as a non-New Yorker, and a non-tabloid reader, I was not familiar with all of the characters referred to, though it was clear that folks around me certainly were. Tom Hanks is great, but I think he did not get his needed "big moment" in the 2nd act, the moment required to really elevate the play. The other actors, mostly playing his former colleagues, almost seemed to have bigger moments at times, and I especially enjoyed Courtney B. Vance's performance. Maura Tierney as his wife was good, but not great in my opinion, although my husband disagreed with me on that! Peter Scolari, Hanks' former Bosum Buddies buddy, is in the play and is quite good as well. We had seen him play the Music Man in summer stock in Ogunquit two summers ago. It was only 24 hours AFTER seeing the play that Barry mentioned to me "Wasn't Peter Scolari in Busom Buddies with Tom Hanks?" Well, duh!
The theatre was packed. I mean, really packed! And when we came out of the theatre afterwards, both sides of the street were crammed with onlookers, held back by the police, waiting to see Tom Hanks come out of the stage door. We did not wait, but actress Judith Light and her husband walked right in front of us, getting through the crowd to go say hello to the cast. Remember her from Who's the Boss?
All that big blonde hair from the 80s! Well her hair is NOT that big now and she looked very tiny and quite lovely and I was shocked to read that she is now 64 years old, as she certainly does not look 64, nor does she really look to me like she has had plastic surgery.
Would I recommend the play if you can possibly get a ticket? Absolutely! The play was really enjoyable, Tom Hanks is great and I felt that it was a real privilege to see him do his work. My one disappointment was that there was no sign of Miss Rita Wilson!!!
Judith Light was not the only celebrity we saw on this trip - my son and his girlfriend saw Shia LeBoeuf one day out walking, I saw Lou Dobbs (who I think is on Fox New now, which I would never watch, and used to be on CNN) and my husband saw David Copperfield, the magician, whom he described as "very tan with jet black hair"!
But you didn't think Tom could ever disappoint me, did you???
I also visited the Guggenheim Museum for the first time on this visit (just Barry and I) and was blown away by the architecture and the collections!
Such an amazing space!
The big exhibit, wrapping around the huge circular walkways was Gutai: Splendid Playground. Many of you are much more worldly than I am about art - I had never heard of Gutai, which was Japan's avant-garde art collective of the 1950s onwards. Everything was experimental to them and they were dismissive (from what I could see and read!) of art that was in any way, shape or form traditional.
This was an absolutely fascintating exhibit. The group had its own manifesto and the art was definitely out there, at least to my eyes. The whole objective was to be part of the materials, not separate from them and many of the pieces of art looked less like art to me than big globs on paper. The long plastic tubing in my picture above (you can't take pictures up in the exhibit and you know i am a rule follower) is one of the installations.
The one above is red cube, comprised of wood vinyl and lightbulbs. Some of the art work were simply pieces of yellow cloth cut in huge squares on the wall.
My favourite piece, was, no surprise, electric dress, which you can see below:
I am sorry this picture is in black and white, as each one of the tubes above is a very brightly coloured, like christmas tree bulbs from the 1950s and 1960s elongated. It was spectacular.
So now I am turning to my chum Kathy for guidance. The place was full of young and old hipsters, not so unlike middle aged Wendy and Barry whose feet were hurting (by this point in the trip I was really getting to enjoy avant garde art as I would sit for LONG periods ot time looking at it and resting my toes!) and wondering to myself: "some of these pieces look a lot like installations I have seen in high school art classes. What makes them so special? Was it simply the times and that no one else was doing something similar, especially in Japan?"
I could have bought the book that accompanied the show to get my answer, but I thought I would just wait and ask you, Kathy!
I like art that makes you think and Gutai: Splendid Playground certainly did that for me!
So I am in the Guggenheim, seeing all of this amazing modern art, but you know what I loved best? A beautiful painting by Camille Pissarro called The Hermitage at Pontoise.
I could have looked at this painting all day. I don't know why, maybe because it reminded me of parts of France I have been to, but I just felt like I was there! Apparently, this was very avant garde for its time, but compared to Gutai, it didn't feel like that!
We also went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the umpteenth time, but now my modus operandi is very simple - decide on one section and go just there. This time I actually just went and sat in front of John Singer Sargent's Madame X for half an hour. I had read about the painting in the McCullough book I keep talking about (really, I should be on his payroll! My husband thinks Mr. McCullough and I are having an affair and I think we might be, though it is all one-sided on my part) The Greater Journey.
I may have seen this painting before, but this time, I really looked at it, thought about the story behind the painting and its reception, which you can read about here, and really looked at the the brushstrokes, the colour, etc. It was just a delightful way to spend a half-hour. And then I got churlish because we do not teach our children enough about the arts, but that is another story for another day!
So this post is really the culture part of my trip and each time I visit NYC, it is as if another little pearl reveals itself to me!
So it was stars all around, from Tom Hanks to Madame X!
And you didn't think I would end without acknowledging the new Pope did you?
No I am not Catholic. And frankly I have never heard of Pope Francis before this afternoon. But I wish him good luck and God speed as I think he will need it!
He looked a little stunned, and it was clear that this was no Anne Hatheway and that he had NOT been practising his speech in front of the mirror for weeks in advance. But he has a nice smile and I am sure, a good heart! So God bless!
Have a most happy (and holy if so inclined!) thursday and stay safe out there!
 |
| Source: New York Times |
The play is in previews until April 1st, and we saw it on the 3rd night it was performed. It starts very strong, but kind of fizzles out a bit at the end, though they may have fixed that a bit by now. The last scene involves all of the characters reprising a drinking song sung earlier in the play and then they hold hands and bow and poof! they are gone! They did not come back for another round of applause, which I think was very disconcerting for the audience, who kind of wandered out as if in a daze! I wondered if they did this because Tom Hanks didn't want people to go crazy clapping just for him (like they do when he goes on stage for the first time) but I really wanted to clap for all of them!
Given the subject matter - a controversial journalist writing for the New York tabloids in the 80s, I will be honest and say that as a non-New Yorker, and a non-tabloid reader, I was not familiar with all of the characters referred to, though it was clear that folks around me certainly were. Tom Hanks is great, but I think he did not get his needed "big moment" in the 2nd act, the moment required to really elevate the play. The other actors, mostly playing his former colleagues, almost seemed to have bigger moments at times, and I especially enjoyed Courtney B. Vance's performance. Maura Tierney as his wife was good, but not great in my opinion, although my husband disagreed with me on that! Peter Scolari, Hanks' former Bosum Buddies buddy, is in the play and is quite good as well. We had seen him play the Music Man in summer stock in Ogunquit two summers ago. It was only 24 hours AFTER seeing the play that Barry mentioned to me "Wasn't Peter Scolari in Busom Buddies with Tom Hanks?" Well, duh!
The theatre was packed. I mean, really packed! And when we came out of the theatre afterwards, both sides of the street were crammed with onlookers, held back by the police, waiting to see Tom Hanks come out of the stage door. We did not wait, but actress Judith Light and her husband walked right in front of us, getting through the crowd to go say hello to the cast. Remember her from Who's the Boss?
All that big blonde hair from the 80s! Well her hair is NOT that big now and she looked very tiny and quite lovely and I was shocked to read that she is now 64 years old, as she certainly does not look 64, nor does she really look to me like she has had plastic surgery.
Would I recommend the play if you can possibly get a ticket? Absolutely! The play was really enjoyable, Tom Hanks is great and I felt that it was a real privilege to see him do his work. My one disappointment was that there was no sign of Miss Rita Wilson!!!
Judith Light was not the only celebrity we saw on this trip - my son and his girlfriend saw Shia LeBoeuf one day out walking, I saw Lou Dobbs (who I think is on Fox New now, which I would never watch, and used to be on CNN) and my husband saw David Copperfield, the magician, whom he described as "very tan with jet black hair"!
But you didn't think Tom could ever disappoint me, did you???
I also visited the Guggenheim Museum for the first time on this visit (just Barry and I) and was blown away by the architecture and the collections!
Such an amazing space!
The big exhibit, wrapping around the huge circular walkways was Gutai: Splendid Playground. Many of you are much more worldly than I am about art - I had never heard of Gutai, which was Japan's avant-garde art collective of the 1950s onwards. Everything was experimental to them and they were dismissive (from what I could see and read!) of art that was in any way, shape or form traditional.
This was an absolutely fascintating exhibit. The group had its own manifesto and the art was definitely out there, at least to my eyes. The whole objective was to be part of the materials, not separate from them and many of the pieces of art looked less like art to me than big globs on paper. The long plastic tubing in my picture above (you can't take pictures up in the exhibit and you know i am a rule follower) is one of the installations.
The one above is red cube, comprised of wood vinyl and lightbulbs. Some of the art work were simply pieces of yellow cloth cut in huge squares on the wall.
My favourite piece, was, no surprise, electric dress, which you can see below:
I am sorry this picture is in black and white, as each one of the tubes above is a very brightly coloured, like christmas tree bulbs from the 1950s and 1960s elongated. It was spectacular.
So now I am turning to my chum Kathy for guidance. The place was full of young and old hipsters, not so unlike middle aged Wendy and Barry whose feet were hurting (by this point in the trip I was really getting to enjoy avant garde art as I would sit for LONG periods ot time looking at it and resting my toes!) and wondering to myself: "some of these pieces look a lot like installations I have seen in high school art classes. What makes them so special? Was it simply the times and that no one else was doing something similar, especially in Japan?"
I could have bought the book that accompanied the show to get my answer, but I thought I would just wait and ask you, Kathy!
I like art that makes you think and Gutai: Splendid Playground certainly did that for me!
So I am in the Guggenheim, seeing all of this amazing modern art, but you know what I loved best? A beautiful painting by Camille Pissarro called The Hermitage at Pontoise.
I could have looked at this painting all day. I don't know why, maybe because it reminded me of parts of France I have been to, but I just felt like I was there! Apparently, this was very avant garde for its time, but compared to Gutai, it didn't feel like that!
We also went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the umpteenth time, but now my modus operandi is very simple - decide on one section and go just there. This time I actually just went and sat in front of John Singer Sargent's Madame X for half an hour. I had read about the painting in the McCullough book I keep talking about (really, I should be on his payroll! My husband thinks Mr. McCullough and I are having an affair and I think we might be, though it is all one-sided on my part) The Greater Journey.
I may have seen this painting before, but this time, I really looked at it, thought about the story behind the painting and its reception, which you can read about here, and really looked at the the brushstrokes, the colour, etc. It was just a delightful way to spend a half-hour. And then I got churlish because we do not teach our children enough about the arts, but that is another story for another day!
So this post is really the culture part of my trip and each time I visit NYC, it is as if another little pearl reveals itself to me!
So it was stars all around, from Tom Hanks to Madame X!
And you didn't think I would end without acknowledging the new Pope did you?
No I am not Catholic. And frankly I have never heard of Pope Francis before this afternoon. But I wish him good luck and God speed as I think he will need it!
He looked a little stunned, and it was clear that this was no Anne Hatheway and that he had NOT been practising his speech in front of the mirror for weeks in advance. But he has a nice smile and I am sure, a good heart! So God bless!
Have a most happy (and holy if so inclined!) thursday and stay safe out there!
I have already taken to the new Pope, he was so friendly and down to earth and smiley on TV, and a Jesuit no less, then I read about his simple life as a Cardinal in Argentina, cooking his own meals, getting rid of the chauffeur and taking the bus, his humility will be a breath of fresh air, I think he will do a good job.
ReplyDeleteI love the plaster swirls of the Guggenheim, it's beautiful.
Me too, Tabs.
DeleteMy son was quite upset last night, as the new pope is apparently not a fan of same sex marriage, etc, etc. I did have to remind him that he was an older man and that some systems are slow to change, but this is a man who (from what I have read) embraces the poor and downtrodden and has washed the feet of those with AIDS, so he is a little less of the traditional insider. I think it is hard for those people who want to see some huge change, but I don;t think there was probably anyone in the 115 cardinals that would be willing to open up the church like some want?
DeleteSocial and community liberal, theological traditionalist. I think good that it's someone not closeted in the Vatican and from the growing region of the church. And like Tabs I liked the warmth and simplicity of his balcony remarks. Time will tell, challenging job and at 76.
DeleteI hear you and I wish him all the best!
DeletePARIS MATCH Wow, lotsa topics today WMM. I find it ironic how Sargent scandalised the French (who had seen it all including Manet) and had to retreat to London. But then X was really the making of his career as high society liked the slight tinge of scandal and noteriety. That's kind of a tabloid salon scandal - or the myth anyway - in itself. Whenever I see X - including Hexicon's avatar - reminds me of poor Lady Diana choosing that strapless David & Elizabeth Emmanuel black dress for her first engagement outing, struggling with the top and being helped by the always regal Princess Grace. I also like getting close to X in person to see the mocking two tiny gold threads that are the portrait's dress straps - you never see them in all the repros. Really looking forward to Kathy's insight!
ReplyDeleteOn a modern clothes closet level, I also always admire Sargent for making wearables look so good and timeless, especially his skill in painting "vivid" black which continued to the Balfour portrait etc. etc.
DeleteThanks for the review of Tom's play. Hopefully some of the bugs will be worked out by the time we get there. We are on the second row, so I hope to get a good look! I agree that seeing Miss Rita Wilson would have been a great bonus.
DeleteGF - I do like that tabloid aspect of it as well! Nice linkage!! And you are right - you see things in person that you can never catch in the reproductions!
DeleteOne is never enough - I am sure you will love this play and maybe Rita is waiting to go when you are there!!!! I had Judith Light... Hey - maybe you will get Tony Danza!!!
On the spot here. I'd heard of The Gutai Group, whose work is currently on display at the Guggenheim, but truthfully, knew very little about them, so I had to do some research. I've condensed it down, to the really basic, and anybody who wants more information can get plenty on Google.
ReplyDeleteThe Gutai Group was formed in the mid 1950's by a group of Japanese artists, and they quickly became legendary in their own time (which as we all know, is somewhat unusual)
I'd say they were an early group of environmental and conceptual artists that wrote a manifesto in the 50's as well, about their art and their intentions. The word "gutai" means embodiment. Some direct stuff from the exhibit:
"They had a fascination with the beauty that arises when things become damaged or decayed. The process of damage or destruction is celebrated as a way of revealing the inner life of a given material or object."
So - they were important historically, which the Guggenheim is a great supporter of, and often has great exhibits of lesser known historical art movements. I've seen some terrific ones there.
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of conceptual art, although I respect it, I don't have that much interest in looking at it - but that's me. Like Wendy, I would have seen it (but quickly) out of curiosity and feeling that I "should", but then would have high-tailed it quickly to the Met or MOMA where I can look at various things endlessly, over and over.
But the Guggenheim is an amazing museum architecturally as well, and I would highly recommend anyone visiting NYC to see it.
Although not Catholic, I was fixated on the choosing of the new pope. I find the whole enclave, and smoke from the chimney ceremony amazingly fascinating and transfixing. I know he's from the conservative branch of the church, and is unlikely to make any of the changes that some groups would like to see happen, but he seems like an very humble and honest man.
Wendy - did Nora Ephron write the play with Tom Hanks?
Kathy, thank you for the Coles Notes! I have been wondering if Gutai was an even "bigger deal" because in Japanese culture until recently it is generally much tougher to be non-conformist, rebel against strong entrenched ancient/ traditional ideas of form, beauty, art and craftsmanship. Especially so in the difficuly post WWII decade. Keen to search the 'net more later.
DeleteHey Kathy - thanks for the great synposis and your thoughts!!! It is not necessarily art that I can say moves me, but I appreciate it for what it is!
DeleteI think Norah wrote it, but she and Tom started working on it together and so I think he is was integral to the editing process, from what I understand.
I am with you on the whole enclave thing myself. I have decided to adopt similar methods vis-a-vis making a career decision, and so you may all be receiving your engraved invitations to fly here, where we huddle in my sub-zero gazebo (we will have to move out the lawn furniture stored in there) drink NB beer and then someone can like a cigar once the decision has been made! Made do you think?
Get Fresh - I think it's more the Chinese government that's so tough on it's artists, not the Japanese government really. I imagine part of their decision have this exhibit was that it was an early conceptual art group, and right now conceptual art is very mainstream, particularly in LA and NYC.
DeleteWendy - Yes, let's have an enclave - I'll bring a chiminea which is a very small, clay fireplace for outdoors. We must do it right!
Yes, we definitely need a chiminea!
DeleteAnd something a little more elegant than beer - Martini's?
DeleteYour career conclave is shaping up nicely (champagne toast to start or end?) And Kathy, I think I meant more in terms of societal vs. governmental influence - Japanese culture so particular about form, presentation etc. and this seems kind of opposite to that - the statement and the concept vs. the form.
DeleteGF - very true. And champagne is a brilliant idea.
DeleteI've been resisting, but I'm back for a mini rant. It's not that I don't like conceptual art, it's that it's taken over the art world totally, at least in the US. The word out there is "Painting is Dead" - makes it hard to keep going at times. Many of the artists in my group of studios have switched and keep trying to come up with conceptual stuff so they can get shown. I used to show my work and sell everything - it's all changed in the last 5 years. Curators who come to our studios just walk past painter's studios :( Thinking of a detour plan in my career too. Tired of painting just for myself - it's not giving me the same kind of pleasure.
DeleteProbably the same hipsters I saw at the Guggenheim! That must be frustrating and I don't get it, because conceptual does not appeal to masses. Do you sell much online?
DeleteOkay champagne to begin, massages for all from my personal masseuse Sven mid-way and then we to martinis and finish up with the champagne!
Kathy, especially given the wonderful stuff on your site, so sorry all this trend is making you tired, do a re-think. (Although a re-boot can sometimes be a good creativity thing.)
DeleteMaybe it's bourgeois, traditionalist, "older" (my favourite part of art is actually the history, harbinger of social change) but I love paintings and art that I can grasp and place (mentally) rather than just some "random" collection. So much of the concept stuff has become repetitive, lacklustre, "needs assembly". Plus how many of us can have an enjoy that in our homes (art is for living with, not just viewing in a museum or on a plaza.) IMOO, I know, but don't completely let the canvas go.
WMM, you ditched the beer for TWO rounds of champers, cheers! But the NB 2-4 police will be round to get you (good thing you have a copper in the house.) Will bring gin for the B. in case he retreats to the basement. Although if Ema comes along...
DeleteDO not worry - my Major Domo Barry will ensure that there is 2-4 is available!
DeleteAnd Bourbon for Tabitha.
DeleteFor sure, though I like yo imagine she always has a flask of it tucked into her Hunters....
DeleteInteresting post WMM... I was once in Guggenheim and I was very impressed by the architecture. I have never been taught about art, and I do not teach my son about art... It might very well be him you will drive us there, because he is an artist ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts about art is that it must catch your eyes, your spirit, your soul... It doesn't really matter if the artist is really well known or is not, as long as it speaks to you. During our last trip to England, we brought back a water paint, you can see it here: http://funkysteph.canalblog.com/archives/2013/02/21/26467982.html... The artist is obviously not very well known and is local, but I really, really love the paint as soon as I saw it... I have not invested to be able to make money on it, just because seeing it every day makes my heart smile...
I wish you a lovely day.
Steph
I love that painting Steph! That is the best reason to buy art - because you love it! Was like me with the Pissarro - it just made my heart sing!!!!
DeleteANd I love that your son loves art! I am trying to teach myself, so I am always impressed by those like Kathy who are so accomplished!
Much prefer The Hermitage at Pontoise to the Gutai. Robin Wright is in two of my hubs favorite movies...Forrest Gump and Princess Bride. Just finished House of Cards. The pope looks pretty spry at 76. Tell your son the catholics need to get rid of birth control before they tackle same sex marriage.
ReplyDeleteBB - you are so right!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteWasn't House of Cards amazing??????????
Loved it. *Spoiler Alert* Just didn't think they needed him to kill the guy - It still bothers me. Think if he'd have just committed suicide you would get the same effect.
DeleteI agree! And I think you can give the Emmy right now to the fellow who played Peter...
DeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on Madame X. As you might guess from my icon, I am a long-time admirer, and she has been on my living room wall since a Sargent exhibit went through down about a dozen years ago. I appreciate her as a poster girl for those of us who are raven-haired, ivory-skinned, and well-endowed in the proboscis department. (Although if you look carefully you can see that she has henna in her hair.) If you get a chance, check out "Strapless" by Deborah Davis, which is about Sargent and Madame Gautreau. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Hexicon! I saw that at the Met and didn't buy it (I had bought so much!) but it is on my list of next books to buy!
DeleteHI WMM,
ReplyDeleteSorry I am so late to the party...your review echoed the review my friend had of the play- great start, weak ending. I am impressed that you recognized the celebrities you mentioned. I am so unaware, that I always overlook people, if they are not pointed out to me. I do bring my sons to art museums, and they love the Met and the National Gallery, but were not as fond of the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. Oh well. I am very interested in the Pissaro painting. I love the depth of the buildings, and the use of light. Gorgeous. I am a big Sargent fan, and spent quite a bit of time there , my last trip to the Met. It may be a hackneyed choice, but I love Carnation, Lily, Lilly, Rose. I still have that McCullough book in mind...
Knityarns, if you want a taste, I watched Charlie rose interview McCullough on YouTube and he was so great! I loved the gardiner museum, but I can see where the boys might not have! I was just crazy about the Pissarro!
Delete