DSTRY//RNW

A day in Houston

2011-05-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

I should be doing more productive things now that I am a college grad (!) Instead, I'm uploading these to every platform on the webs. My short trip to Houston started as a sort of spiritual pilgrimage to the Rothko Chapel. These were all taken at the Museum District, with a Minolta Maxxum 5.

I am an extraordinaire poseur.

Linda Ridgway, The Dance, 2000

Cullen Sculpture Garden in Houston, TX

Ellsworth Kelly, "Houston Triptych," at the Cullen Sculpture Garden in Houston, TX

Barnett Newman, Broken Obelisk, outside of the Rothko Chapel in Houston, TX.

Detail of Barnett Newman, Broken Obelisk, outside of the Rothko Chapel in Houston, TX

Chapel of St. Basil at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX

Detail of Mel Chin, "The Manila Palm," outside of the Contemporary Arts Museum, CAMH in Houston, TX

Skull

2011-04-28T00:26:00.000-07:00

Slacker with a camera

2011-04-01T01:02:00.000-07:00

I was incredibly lucky to be able to attend this year's SXSW (more like I was there when it happened -no badge/wristband). I saw an incredible amount of amazing music (for free!) and had the chance to walk around a bit before shows. Other than the fact that Richard Linklater's Slacker was filmed and inspired by Austin, I knew virtually nothing about the city. I was pleasantly surprised to meet a lot of nice and genuine people and discovered that Austin is indeed a bit weird, although absolutely amazing. These were taken with my digital point and shoot.

In the early 80's, a young, unknown and slightly mental Daniel Johnston performed his heartbreaking melodies for passersby in the streets of Austin.

Austin, and perhaps all of Texas, has a number of catholic churches and hacienda-like buildings, architecture that reflects their lingering Mexican heritage.

At the SXSW interactive, couldn't resist.

Tears of Joy, located on Austin's famous 6th st. is a hot sauce shop (A.K.A heaven). They make their own sauces but they also sell almost every brand of hot sauce to be found in the country.

The Vegan Yatch, in Austin's east side was closed this day and, sadly, we didn't get a chance to try their food. Next time.

Since we were in Texas for a week, we figured we should go to Houston for the day to see the Rothko Chapel, given that I missed "the Rothko tower" exhibit at the NGA. It probably goes without saying but the chapel was incredible, to say the least. Houston reminded me of Mexico City (as depicted in novelas, of course) and although we were only there for a couple of hours, it became one of the highlights of our trip.

Barnett Newman's Broken Obelisk, outside of the Rothko Chapel in Houston, TX.

Chapel of St. Basil at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX

From what we could make out, there aren't too many art galleries and museums in Austin. The city's devotion to art perhaps stops at their huge music festivals (sx and Austin city limits). However, there are a couple of notable spots, namely the Blanton Museum, the Mexican Museum of Art and Women and their Work, which we were unable to visit.

Teresita Fernándes' Stacked Waters, 2009 at the Blanton Museum of Art

Jorge Eielson's Quipus 58 B, 1966-68

Adolph Gottlieb's Cadmium Red Above Black, 1959

Ellsworth Kelly's High Yellow, 1960

Walter Darby Bannard's Yellow Step, 1963

Romulo Maccio, Vivir: a los Saltos [To Live: By Leaps and Bounds], 1964

Helen Frankenthaler's Over the Circle, 1961

Franz Kline's Black and White No. 2, 1960

Cildo Meireles, Missao, Missoes, 1987

El Anatsui, Untitled, 2007

Miguel Angel Rios, Sueño de las Alturas, 1989

Richard Long, Summer Circle, 1991


Anselm Kiefer's Sternenfall, 1998

Adriana Corral's installation at the Mexic-Arte museum in Austin, TX entitled "Voces de las Pérdidas [Voices of the Lost ones]" is a homage to the women (students and maquiladoras) in Mexico who are often victims of the violence caused by drug trafficking.

AAdriana Corral's Voces de las Pérdidas, 2011

Adriana Corral's Voces de las Pérdidas, 2011

Did you guys know that the Whole Foods headquarters are in Austin?

Daniel Johnston's Frog personal cake at the Whole Foods in Austin's West end.

As Amber and I realized, there aren't many veg friendly places in Austin (those Texans sure love their bbq, I suppose). However, we did find some awesome places to stuff our veg faces with. Since we were staying close to the UT campus, we ate steam buns and bubble teas from Veggie Heaven on the Drag, daily. We also visited Beets Cafe, an all vegan, all raw restaurant on W. 5th st. I got their delicious enchiladas with lentil salad.

The Texas State Capitol

That is all for now, I will post my film pics and my own take on "what to do/how to do sxsw on the cheap/without a badge or wristband" in the near future.

Something and nothing

2011-03-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

These were taken with my Minolta Hi-Matic G camera, using Ilford HP5 Black and white film. I was told to go to Action Photo on Ellwood Ave. by the folks at Richmond Camera (who apparently stopped developing film earlier this year). Action Photo is by far the best place to get film processed in Richmond. I've been going to some pharmacies around the city and they're not nearly as good. The pictures are printed on super sturdy paper and they even include a CD. The best part is that their prices are pretty good/comparable to anywhere else.

Keith Lemley's installation at the 1708 Art Gallery in Richmond, VA

Sainte Patronne de Rien

2011-02-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

Another set of pictures from my unending stack. I've gotta get my hands on a film scanner.

Apparently there's a big community of "yarnbombers," perhaps the cutest/craftiest form of vandalism (?) in the world.

These following were taken with my Minolta Hi-Matic G, which, on very rare occasions, will actually take ok pictures. I figured the light meter's broken (though there's a huge chance that I just don't know how to use it).

I love my friends.

35mm of fun.

2011-02-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

I've collected hundreds of pics in the last couple of years. I'm scanning all of them in small batches. These were taken with a number of different (mostly thrifted) cameras.

Kodak BW400CN, what's sweet about this film is that it can be processed anywhere. Depending on the camera though, some prints might look off black (deep green?).

Whartscape Z010!

MoMa

Minolta Vectis 200

2011-01-24T22:52:00.000-08:00

The camera was already loaded when I got it. These were the only discernible pictures out of 24 prints.

New York, you're cold, I love you.

2011-01-15T01:32:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, Sabrina and I took a 2 day trip to New York. We took the Megabus from D.C., which turned out to be a pretty sweet deal (if you buy your tickets a couple of weeks ahead, you can get a round trip for less than $20 --they have free WiFi!). These are my first digital pictures in a while (yay christmas presents).
As soon as we got off the bus, we trekked through the snow to the creperie in the lower east side.

The creperie is way smaller than I imagined but their menu is pretty impressive. I went with my staple and had one with bananas and nutella. I absolutely need to learn how to make better crepes. Somehow I can never get them to spread around the pan before they settle.
We made it down to Park Slope where we did some shopping and had a delicious vegan lunch at the V spot (lulz).


SERIOUSLY the best freaking salsa in the whole world.

Curried chickpeas with tofu and Quinoa.

Sabrina's Chick'n

Fortunately for us, we got free Friday night admission into the MoMa.

Gordon Matta-Clark, Bingo, 1974. photo cred

Sabrina intensely watching Paul Sharit's Ray Gun Virus, 1966.

Sergej Jensen, Untitled, 2008.

Hey! Ad Reinhardt's Abstract Painting, 1957.

We wanted to go to bars to hang out with the aging Williamsburg hipsters/yuppies but we were too exhausted so instead we grabbed bagels and coffee at Boneshakers the day after. Boneshakers is a quaint and cozy "biker" cafe. The walls are covered with vintage bicycling paraphernalia and their menu is mostly vegan.

We raided all the thrift stores and the infamous Beacon's closet (in park slope and Williamsburg, get it). Not surprisingly, Brooklyn is probably the best city in the world for thrifted treasures. This is what I found:

Elbow Pads!

I also found my new favorite store in the whole world, Uniqlo. If I had to compare, Uniqlo seems to be similar to AA, although more accessible and conservative.

Part wool, part cashmere, all awesome.

I'll post my analogue pics when I get them developed.

Best Albums of 2010

2011-01-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

So here they are, in alphabetical order:

Beach House – Teen Dream

Probably one of the best this decade too.
Even though albums should be heard all the way through, there's a couple of songs that were my fav:
2. Silver Soul
8. 10 Mile Stereo

The Bitters – East General

Punk and raw but still catchy and fun, The Bitters is Aerin Fogel and Ben Cook from Fucked Up.
Favorite tracks:
4. No Anchor
7. East

Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

Probably their most concise album yet.
Favorite tracks:
2. Don't Cry
7. Basement Scene
11. He Would've Laughed

El Guincho – Pop Negro

“Solo yo te pido que te quedes donde puedas encontrar lo que quieras conseguir.
Y en cambio tu me pides que me quede donde puedas vigilarme hasta que te canses de buscar.”
This has happened to me too many times in my life. Experimental and tropical, MIDIs at their best
Favorite tracks:
1. Bombay
3. Ghetto Facil
6. FM Tan Sexy

Future Islands – In Evening Air

A great mix of musicians and killer vocals, it's a cocktail of chillwave and Tom Waitts. You ought to also check Moss of Aura's tunes.
Favorite tracks:
1. Walking Through That Door
5. Swept Inside

Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me

Joanna no longer sings in the particular style which first attracted me to her music. Regardless, she manages to craft this 2 hour piece to be as characterictically epic yet gentler than ever.
Favorite tracks:
3. 81
11. Go Long

Lower Dens – Twin Hand Movement

I had the chance to see these guys (and a bus load of other amazing acts) at last year's Whartscape. Since, these guys have gained a ton of well deserved attention.
Favorite tracks:
5. I Get Nervous
8. Rosie

No Age – Everything in Between

Noise-d out.
Favorite tracks:
3. Fever Dreaming
12. Shed and Transcend
13. Chem Trails

The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt

Seriously, there’s so much good music from Sweden.
Favorite tracks:
5. The Drying of the Lawns
9. A Lion’s Heart

Titus Andronicus – The Monitor

Mid 20’s anxiety, delightfully presented as a Civil War metaphor.
Favorite tracks: This one is particularly hard to dissect.
5. A Pot in Which to Piss
10. The Battle of Hampton Roads.

Wavves – King of the Beach

Lighthearted and fun, probably my favorite from this wave (lulz g3t it).
Favorite tracks:
6. Take on the World
8. Convertible Balloon

Wild Nothing – Gemini

Seriously one of my fav this year. Ps. FYEAH VA.
Favorite tracks:
1. Live in Dreams
10. Chinatown

Wolf Parade – Expo 86

I don't think I should try to describe this one.
Favorite tracks:
3. What Did my Lover Say?
4. Little Golden Age
6. Ghost Pressure
11. Cave-o-Sapien

Women – Public Strain

I’m still kicking myself for missing these guys in DC a couple of months ago (especially after hearing they’re not doing too well). Shoegazy, with magnificent build-ups.
Favorite tracks:
2. Heat Distraction
8. Drag Open
9. Locust Valley
11. Eyesore

Some other awesome 2010 realeases:
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Daughters - Daughters
Liars - Sisterworld
The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a Scheme
Tamaryn - The Waves
Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Happy 2011, world!

2011-01-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

To recoup from these past NYE's festivities, we had a delish lunch at the 14th st. Busboys and Poets. I had their absolutely delicious (and vegan) tempeh panini.

Not surprisingly, most of my resolutions for this year are food related. I need moar deliciousness in my life.

2011-01-03T23:00:00.000-08:00

Yay new blog! I'll keep it clean and detached this time.