February 2009

Their story is a bit of a New York artist’s fairytale; it’s a bit Kerouac.  Jason Fox and Alexis Rockman, both born and raised in New York, have little in common stylistically.   However from 1998 to 2002 both shared a studio space that was separated by an 8-ft high wall.  Neither saw the other’s art.  But they did chat.  They talked for hours and hours— about life and art, and all that falls between. 


The economy is not the only thing to take a hit because of the recession.  According to a report released February 20th Mayor Bloomberg’s approval ratings have dropped 7% since November, bringing it to the lowest ratings since June of 2005.


This ‘trippy’ and very neon exhibit of different mediums (video sculpture, light paintings and “drawing in the digital age”) views as a modern synthesis of primitive websites fused with the old board game Shoots and Ladders.

Because intelligent, thought provoking children's films at the other festival are wonderful indeed. But sometimes Mommy and Daddy need to hire a sitter and get their freak on.


City Council Speaker Christine Quinn held a fundraiser Tuesday night to support her bid for re-election later this year. Over a hundred supporters gathered at a swanky Jane Street location to contribute to her upcoming campaign.


The NYICFF is seemingly intuitive with the films it chooses.  They understand what is uplifting, what is fun, and what is enhancing. 

OSO Restaurant at the Southampton Inn continues its Dinner and… series, a night of fine food and conversation with Hamptons luminaries. On deck is Bob Zellner, author of The Wrong Side of Murder Creek, a stirring look back at his life during the civil rights movement.


Andreas Fischer has long used exaggerated proportions, oversimplified palette and strokes, and unexpected perspectives to create a straight to the point aphorism of class, culture and identity.  He’s brilliant.  Fischer’s latest solo exhibition “Until the Moss Had Reached Our Lips and Covered Up Our Names” is a shadowy collection of portraits and landscapes.

She has become the darling of the "Hate Party of America," a blonde dragon lady who sells venom at lucrative prices then slouches towards the nearest bank, laughing all the way.

Ann Coulter, a take-no-prisoners author of the far right, has converted her vitriol into huge capital gains by churning out best-selling (if often hysterical) books, writing mean-spirited columns, and making outrageous speeches before hate crowds that adore her.


This is cram weekend for procrastinating film buffs. The Oscars will air in less than 48 hours and chances are pretty good that you—like the rest of us—have not seen every film nominated for a major award. Instead of trying to get the last seat for a screening of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, we'd like to recommend Waltz With Bashir, Israel's submission for Best Foreign Language Film.


As the Monty Python players famously remarked, “No one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition.” Similarly, in the Hamptons economy, which is driven by real estate, no one ever expected the kind of financial problems like those in California and Kansas. Still fewer expect the kind of dire financial problems about to hit.

Tanglewood is the summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and this winter a trio of its best musicians will bring its sounds to 92YTribeca.  The performers are cellist Owen Young, violinist Lucia Lin, and pianist Sergey Schepkin.  Along with their idyllic Tanglewood inspired sounds they will broaden minds with open discussions.  Plus there is wine and cheese.