CULTURAL COLLAGES IN THE BIG APPLE (C)

Cultural Collages in the Big Apple (c) By Polly Guerin

April 19, 2010

Cultural collages of diverse menus remind New Yorkers’ of their rightful privilege to access world class openings. Picasso is back, the roof at the MET opens; women in photography get their due and rent a gown on view. Only in New York my friends, only in New York. Here’s the scoop!!!

PICASSO: A landmark exhibition presents 300 works by PABLO PICASSO from the Metropolitan Museum’s vast holdings, opening April 27th. The collection reflects the full breadth of Picasso’s multi-sided genius as it asserted itself over the course of his long an influential career. The works range in date from a dashing self-portrait of 1900 (Self-Portrait “Yo”) by the 19-year-old Spaniard to the fanciful Standing Nude and Seated Musketeer (1968) created when the artist was 87. An unprecedented opportunity to view the artist’s collective oeuvre. Through August 1, 2010.

ON THE ROOF twin brothers Doug and Mike Starn have created a monumental bamboo structure BIG BAMBU for the Roof Garden set against Central Park. Not for the timid this once-in-a-lifetime experience is an amazing interactive installation. Be prepared wear sneakers comfortable shoes and slacks. www.metmuseum.org.

PICTURES BY WOMEN: A History of Modern Photography fills the entire third floor Edward Steichen Photography Galleries at MOMA with photographs comprising more than 200 works made exclusively by 120 women artists including works on view for the first time by artists Helen Levitt, Claude Cahun, Rineke Dijkstra along with masterworks by luminaries including Berenice Abbott, Diane Arbus, Dorothea Lange and Yoko Ono. Museum of Modern Art, MOMA. Opens May 7 www.moma.org.

THE ALBRIGHT FASHION LIBRARY: It’s much more cost effective to rent, rather than buy a gown!!! Irene and Marina Albright own a closet that could make any fashionista swoon. Most likely the largest privately held collection, the Albright Fashion Library serves as a lending library for aspiring actors, stylists, editors and celebrities. The showroom holds 15,000 dresses and 10,000 evening gowns by renowned fashion designers including, Dior, Prada, YSL, Chanel to name a few. With tighter shopping budgets, this place is a woman’s dream come true. Located at 62 Cooper Square.

Ta Ta Darlings!!! It’s a glorious day. Polly’s off to the MET’s BIG BAMBU. Fan mail to info@pollytalk. Blogs: amazingardecodivas, thefashion historian and Edgar Cayce.