A FASHIONISTA'S HOLIDAY IN New York City (c) By Polly Guerin

Art is fashion, fashion is art and the MET roof is alive with monumental sculptures, while antique dealer lectures and lady collectors delight in a spring splurge of openings. The best of New York my friends, The best of New York. Here’s the scoop!!!
SAVAGE BEAUTY, Alexander McQueen Fashion in the extreme!!!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spectacular homage to the late British Fashion designer Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) showcases 100 ensembles and 70 accessories from the designer’s career, mostly exceptional creations, pieces that dramatized a seasonal fashion show’s finale. His couture level artistry included armadillo-shaped heels worn by lady Gaga and his famous ‘bumster” new shape trousers coveted by every fashionista from coast to coast. From May 4 to July 31, the Costume Institute at the MET. www.metmuseum.org.
ON THE ROOF, Cocktails with Anthony Caro’s Sculptures
The most influential and prolific British sculptor of his generation Anthony Caro’s monumental steel sculptures steal the view on The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Roof Garden where the massive forms create a dialogue between sculpture and the unparalleled views of the New York City skyline. See the large scale works during the cocktail hour when the Martini Bar offers several cocktails named after the sculptures such as the Midday Martini, named after ‘Midday’ the giant yellow sculpture; the cocktail Blaze On inspired by ‘Blazon,’ the compelling brick red behemoth, and the After Summer libation named after the breathtaking sculpture ‘After Summer.’ On view April 26-October 30. Next year Caro’s undulating, three- block steel sculpture will dominate the Park Ave. center malls from 59 to 62nd St. Remember you hear it on Pollytalk first.www.metmuseum.org.
COLLECTING MATISSE AND MODERN MASTERS
Henri Matisse called them “My two Baltimore ladies.” Their friend Gertrude stein wrote a poem about them entitled, ‘Two Women.’ The sisters Dr. Claribel Cone and Miss Etta Cone began buying art directly out of the Parisian studios of avant-garde artists in 1905 including Picasso who was virtually unknown at the time. The Cones followed their passion and eventually amassed one of the world’s greatest art collections including Matisse, Gauguin, Renoir, Cezanne and van Gogh. The Jewish Museum presents over 50 works from the Baltimore Museum of Art’s renowned Cone Collection from May 6 through Sept. 25. In addition to masterworks of French art, the exhibition includes textiles and decorative arts, some of which have never been seen in NYC before. www.thejewishmuseum.org.
CELEBRATED LECTURE SERIES AT AADL
The Inaugural Spring Show of the Art and Antique Dealers League of America’s lecture series features lively discussions by prominent international museum curators, scholars and prominent interior designers. Thursday, April 28 at 11:30 am, Le Bon Marriage, The French Alliance of Modernism and the Luxury Trades with Derek E. Ostergard; at 3 pm, Architecture for Animals: Menageries and Aviaries in 18th and 19th-Century England with Tim Knox. On April 29, 11:30 Beauty and Art in the Living Jewel with Ruth Peltason and at 3pm Decorating with Antiques for Today with Mario Buatta. Sat. April 30 at 11:30 am Marie Antoinette in America with Ronald Freyberger. Park Avenue Armory, 67th and Park Ave. April 28-May 2. 11 am to 7:30 pm; and Monday May 2; 11 am to 5 pm. $20 Adm., five-day pass $40. www.springshownyc.com.
Ta Ta darlings!!! I’m taking to the skies on the MET roof and sipping my Blaze On cocktail. Fan mail welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. To view Polly Blogs go to www.pollytalk.com and in the right-hand column click on the link to the Blog of your interest. There are five Blog choices.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY, ANTIQUES, POETRY MONTH (c) By Polly Guerin

Cultural diversity, Live Out Loud, headlines events in the Big Apple this week with Art and Antique dealers salute to animals, April is Poetry Month and a vicarious trip to Vienna 1900. Only in New York my friends, only in New York. Here’s the Scoop!!! ART AND ANTIQUE DEALERS LEAGUE OF AMERICA Immerse yourself in one of the most exciting new fine art and antiques shows which offers every collecting taste from antiquities through the 20th Century at all prices. Of special interest is the selection of animal-motif fine and decorative arts set aside to benefit the ASPCA on opening night. The lecture program includes Architecture for Animals: Menageries and Aviaries in the 18th and 19th Centuries, by Tim Knox, director of the Sir John Soane Museum in London, as well as decorating talk by the always-entertaining Mario Buatta, the beloved “Prince of Chintz.” Park Avenue Armory, 67th St. and Park. Visit www.springshownyc.com. Gen. Adm $20, 5-day pass $40. LIVE OUT LOUD Celebrating ten years of supporting and inspiring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Live Out Loud celebrates its Tenth Annual Young Trailblazers Benefit Gala, on April 25th at The Times Center in New York City with host actor Michael Urie at the podium. Live Out Loud, a non-profit founded by Leo Preziosi, presents programs workshops and panels at high schools and colleges. The Homecoming Project, a grassroots initiative brings successful gay adults to their high schools to share their stories with today’s students. Honorees include fashion designer, Ralph Rucci, Hal Rubenstein, fashion director InStyle; theater producer Daryl Roth and others. Tickets start at $125. Contact 212.228.7446, ext 15 or visit www.liveoutloud.info. CELEBRATING NATIONAL POETRY MONTH Call up your muse and write a poem. National Poetry Month instituted in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets brings poetry to wider public attention through readings workshops and other events. More than 40 American men and women of verse are represented, along with a one-liner quote such as Langston Hughes’ “My soul has grown deep like the rivers.” In the American Poet’s Corner at St. John the Divine on Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side. Edgar Allan Poe lived in New York on West Third Street when “The Raven” was published. Chick on the link for Polly’s poetry: http://www.poetryfromtheheartbypollyguerin.blogspot.com. VIENNA 1900: STYLE AND IDENTITY A time and place of incredible richness “Vienna 190—its intellectual strength, its sensuality and it emotional directness—is the core of the Neue Galerie New York’s exhibition featuring more than 250 paintings, sculpture, works on paper, fashion and decorative art objects. Highlights include the painting Hope II (Vision) by Gustav Klimt and decorative works by Otto Wagner, Josef Hoffmann, Adolf Loos and other notables. 1048 Fifth Ave. at 86th St. Film showing includes A Woman’s Pale Blue handwriting (105 min) on Mon, April 25 and May 2 Free of charge at 4pm in Café Fledermaus. www.neuegalerie.org. Ta Ta darlings!!! I hope to see you at Live Out Loud on Monday, April 25th. Fan mail welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. To access Polly’s Blogs go to www.pollytalk.com and in the right hand column click on the link to the Blog of your interest.

ART VENUES SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS (c) by Polly Guerin

SOFA NEW YORK 2011

As jonquils spring forth nodding their yellow heads towards spring art venues in New York rise to new heights exploring art on a roof garden, Nordic vernissage and historic walking tours. Here’s the scoop!!! SCULPTURES by ANTHONY CARO Soaring to new heights Caro’s steel sculpture installation on the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a breathtaking leap into space. Considered one of the most influential and prolific British sculptors of his generation, Caro has been a key figure in the development of modernist sculpture over the last 60 years and the elegance and wit of the unexpected, delicately colored forms will look marvelous silhouetted against the undulating green carpet of Central Park. Mark your calendar. April 26-October 30 (weather permitting). http://www.metmuseum.org/. NORTH BY NEW YORK New Nordic Art a new installation at Scandinavia House, The Nordic Center in America, presents a condensed overview of recent art from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden focusing on the dynamism and diversity of contemporary Nordic artists. The exhibit includes painting, sculpture, photography and video installations. Opens April 14th, at 58 Park Avenue @ 38th St. http://www.scandinaviahouse.org/. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN MURRAY HILL Touring in New York…The Amateur Comedy Club, a private membership club and America’s oldest performing theatrical society in the country occupies two carriage houses in Sniffen Court area opens its doors to a tour on April 13th at 5pm, including a visit to the exteriors of all ten 1860s carriage houses along the charming, landmarked enclave, plus the de Lamar’s landmark Beaux Arts mansion is also on the agenda. The Space is limited. Contact: http:://www.hdc.org./secretlivetour/htm. SOFA NEW YORK The 14th Annual contemporary design and decorative art fair opens April 14 through Sunday April 17 at the Park Avenue Armory featuring 50 galleries representing 12 countries of the most innovative masterworks in ceramics, glass, metal, wood and fiber by major artists. The event features an acclaimed Lecture Series with prominent scholars, artists, and curators. At Park Avenue @ 67th Street. General admission $25, four day admission $40. Tickets available at http://www.sofaexpo.com/ or at the door.

Ta Ta darlings!!! I’m going Behind Closed Doors for a sneak look at how the swells live. Fan mail welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. Access Polly Blogs at www.pollytalk.com and in the right hand column click on the link to the Blog of your interest.

POETRY IN THE ARTS DOMINATES BIG APPLE VENUES(c) By Polly Guerin

Bold and startling historic ceramics speak volumes on poetry while drawings and illustrator art openings draw the pleasure of your company as does the Cherry Blossom festival. Here’s the scoop!!! POETRY IN CLAY A rare opportunity to see Korean Buncheong Ceramics exploration of the bold and startlingly modern ceramic tradition that flourished in Korea during the 15th and 16th centuries of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), as well as its eloquent reinterpretations by today’s leading ceramists. The exhibition showcases a number of masterpieces, including six registered treasures, such as the stunning drum-shaped bottle with inlaid peony decoration, pictured here. April 7-August 14, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. http://www.metmuseum.org/. R. CRUMB: Lines Drawn on Paper Any adult who is an aficionado of the comic book genre is familiar with R. Crumb, the godfather of underground comics, and now comes a “Don’t Miss” chance to see his work mounted on display at the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators. Nearly 100 of Crumb’s amazing oeuvre, including covers and inside pages from ZAP and Weirdo, as well as drawings of Fritz the Cat and Mr. Natural are a chance to recapture youthful enthusiasm for Crumb’s work. The FREE exhibit runs through April 30 at 128 E. 63rd St. http://www.societyillustrators.org/. JOHN STORRS: Machine-Age Modernist Art Deco enthusiasts mark your calendar for the John Storrs’ exhibit of one of the most important modernist sculptors to emerge in the early 20th century. He adopted the columnar, “building block” idiom in his work, free-standing stone sculptures in both figural and abstract modes that echo the burgeoning Art Deco movement. His work attests to a society enraptured with the sleek aesthetic embodied in early skyscrapers. FREE From April 12 to July 9th, at Grey Art Gallery/NYU 100 Washington Square East. April 12. http://www.nyu.edu/. IN LOVE WITH CHERRY BLOSSOMS They’re petaling romance at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. As the pink petals fall around you the Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most romantic ways to welcome spring during the annual month long event when the 52-acre garden is blanketed in petals. Check their website: www.bbg.org. for the up-to-the-moment progress reports on the blossom-budding of the 42 species of cherry trees. Sit under the trees and write poetry. Ta Ta darlings!!! No need to travel far. I’m visiting the Cherry Blossom Festival in Brooklyn. Fan mail always welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. Visit www.pollytalk.com and in the right-hand column click on the link to the Polly Blog of your interest.