If the world was invaded by zombies right now, the only perfect safe haven I can think of is Martha Stewart’s studio. I am not kidding. My mom and I were watching Martha Stewart just minutes ago and I have to say, 25 minutes into her “Organizing Special” episode and I totally went craaazy. She has tips on almost every imaginable thing in the world! From storing extra earring backs (you know, the part of the earring that locks from the back- I mean who would actually keep stocks of those?), to a dozen eggbeaters, to an accordion envelope for your sand paper- it totally cracked me up.
The show had a way to organize everything (duh, hence the ‘organizing special’), even memories. There were tips on how to make your pictures last forever, and how to document all your trips and vacations. But when we think about it, who would actually spend all his time doing these things? Face it, we’re human beings that lead finite lives and we’re not going to be able to hold on to all these things forever. Sure, as self-absorbed and purpose-driven beings that take pride in the supremacy of our accomplishments, it is a natural desire to leave one’s legacy by means of these mementos. But we can only hold on to so much, and in the end, we will leave all these things behind.
Going back, the main reason I have for saying that Martha Stewart’s studio would be the perfect zombie sanctuary is that it keeps tons of stock of every imaginable thing in the planet. If I were Brendan Fraser in Blast from the Past, and got stuck in a bomb shelter that resembles this studio, I would have enough stocks for food, color-coded towels, picket fences, paper flowers, fancy buttons (with labels indicating which outfit the button was for) and I can make a whole scrapbook detailing my entire life in the bomb shelter while I’m at it.
I have no personal anger against the show, but I find it so hilarious that the episode focuses on the tiniest details that a normal, sane person would never actually do. It’s not realistic! It basically goes against the laws of entropy in this world. Being way too organized and compartmentalized is just not normal. We need space to let loose, and possibly lose things so we can find them again. A perfect world is static and lifeless. On the other hand, the beauty of nature and real life is that it is erratic, and changeable.
Sometimes, we just need a little bit of chaos in this world.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
On an Appreciation and Tolerance for Art and Fashion
Art, being a creation molded in a specific context and frame of mind, is very personal and individualistic; but at the same time, being under this massive umbrella we call life, no matter how personal it can be, it can speak to thousands of people in many ways. This is why I enjoy looking at art-in museums, in books, in film. Without even ever knowing who the artist is, a piece of art can evoke emotions in me and connect with me in a special way. I grow fond of art pieces without really finding a logical explanation to them, except that it makes me feel something. For instance, my favorite painting is that of Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles. Every time I see it, it gives me such a “home-y” feeling that I just want to be in it. Nothing really impressive in the explanation there. I enjoy Piet Mondrian’s Composition of Red, Black, Blue and Yellow, without really knowing the exact reason why- I just do.
I am not an art expert. I am not aware of the various elements that make up such pieces of art, nor am I well versed in art history. While I would like to know more about those things as I believe these will further heighten and enrich my appreciation of the arts, I am but a simple admirer. That being said, I know what I like and I know what I don’t. When I go to museums, you would not find me as one filled with oohs and aahs about everything. With regard to art, I have a certain degree of tolerance, no matter how open I may want to be. I still find myself muttering, “WTF” when faced with what seems to be doodles on scratch paper, glorified for everyone to see. But who am I to complain? In this way, I really believe Andy Warhol when he says, “art is what you can get away with.” If this person considers his creation as art, then it is. Which makes me think, where do you draw the line between art and just plain bullshit? For me, something can be considered genuine art when it has meaning attached to it.
When it comes to fashion, I cannot be as open as I am with other forms of art. Fashion is intimately intertwined with the human body, and thus I cannot avoid appreciating it with respect to the body and how it makes the body look and feel. For instance, I can’t appreciate something that makes the body look like an overgrown tomato- it just doesn’t feel right. It’s hard for me to appreciate designs that just have like these misplaced holes in the abdomen. Where’s the thought process in that? What I do appreciate are designs that seem to understand the contour and composition of the human body, are well thought of and cleanly executed. However, since fashion is an innovative field, no matter how crisp and clean the design is, staying in the safe side will also not do. I guess this is what makes fashion tough- you try to expand the bounds of your creativity, wrap it around the human body in such a way that you will not make it look like your lola’s tablecloth, a giant peacock or an overgrown sponge with millions of holes in the wrong places.
Whether it is painting, literature or fashion that we are looking at, it all boils down to one thing: art is a slice of life that can be shared with everyone. Though once in a while I will encounter pieces which I will never know if it is genuine or just plain bull, the entire journey of seeing flashes of people’s creations, is a vicarious experience that is very much worthwhile.
I am not an art expert. I am not aware of the various elements that make up such pieces of art, nor am I well versed in art history. While I would like to know more about those things as I believe these will further heighten and enrich my appreciation of the arts, I am but a simple admirer. That being said, I know what I like and I know what I don’t. When I go to museums, you would not find me as one filled with oohs and aahs about everything. With regard to art, I have a certain degree of tolerance, no matter how open I may want to be. I still find myself muttering, “WTF” when faced with what seems to be doodles on scratch paper, glorified for everyone to see. But who am I to complain? In this way, I really believe Andy Warhol when he says, “art is what you can get away with.” If this person considers his creation as art, then it is. Which makes me think, where do you draw the line between art and just plain bullshit? For me, something can be considered genuine art when it has meaning attached to it.
When it comes to fashion, I cannot be as open as I am with other forms of art. Fashion is intimately intertwined with the human body, and thus I cannot avoid appreciating it with respect to the body and how it makes the body look and feel. For instance, I can’t appreciate something that makes the body look like an overgrown tomato- it just doesn’t feel right. It’s hard for me to appreciate designs that just have like these misplaced holes in the abdomen. Where’s the thought process in that? What I do appreciate are designs that seem to understand the contour and composition of the human body, are well thought of and cleanly executed. However, since fashion is an innovative field, no matter how crisp and clean the design is, staying in the safe side will also not do. I guess this is what makes fashion tough- you try to expand the bounds of your creativity, wrap it around the human body in such a way that you will not make it look like your lola’s tablecloth, a giant peacock or an overgrown sponge with millions of holes in the wrong places.
Whether it is painting, literature or fashion that we are looking at, it all boils down to one thing: art is a slice of life that can be shared with everyone. Though once in a while I will encounter pieces which I will never know if it is genuine or just plain bull, the entire journey of seeing flashes of people’s creations, is a vicarious experience that is very much worthwhile.
New Leaf
Though I will always remember fond memories 'frozen in time' in my past 2 blogs, I believe it's time to make a new one. High school, the height of idealism, youth, and simple joys will always be remembered, as well as college (despite all those emo entries). Here's to more memories and crazy ideas, hoping that in time, my rusty writing skills will improve once more.
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