Celebrating The Holiday Season in New York (c) By Polly Guerin

I’ll take Manhattan where Home Sweet Home is in its final week; the Holiday train shows up in the Bronx and the yuletide Christmas tree debuts at the MET, Picasso’s guitar sculptures at MOMA. Here’s the Scoop!!!

HOME SWEET HOME

The Scandinavian American Theater Company’s riveting drama may be about a dinner for a Danish comrade recently returned from Iraq, but if truth be told, the play makes Danish sound like an American tragedy. A pleasant evening turns into a fatal encounter when the three characters, Kim and his girlfriend Iben welcome Carsten, recently returned from service in Iraq to their new home for dinner only to reveal the traumatic experience of war in riveting consequences against a film backup that effectively augments Carsten’s anguish. At 9th Space, PS122, corner of 1st and 9th St: Mon./Tue. +Fri. at 7:30 pm, Sat. Nov. 27 at 4:30+7:30 pm, Sunday Nov. 28 at 4:30 pm. Purchase tickets online at: www.9thspace.org or call 212.352.3101.
HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW

Winds its way through The New York Botanical Garden through Jan.9th. Wrapped in the glow of twinkling lights, model trains pave their way through an enchanted world featuring replicas of more than 140 New York landmarks, including this year’s new addition: JFK Airport’s complete with planes. Catch “The Little Train That Could” puppet show beginning Nov. 30th, and warm up indoors and decorate gingersnaps at Gingerbread Adventure. Bronx River Parkway at Fordham road. Metro North Harlem line to NYBG. For tickets: http://www.nybg.org/hts/#yourvisit.
CHRISTMAS TREE AND NEAPOLITAN BAROQUE CRECHE

A long-standing yuletide tradition in New York the Christmas tree at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Medieval Sculpture Hall is on view from November 23, 2010 through January 6, 2011. The brightly lit, 20-foot blue spruce reflects the spirit of the holiday season with a collection of 18th-century Neapolitan angels and cherubs that hover among its boughs with groups of realistic crèche figures flanking the Nativity scene at its base. Christmas music accompanies the daily lighting ceremonies: Tues./Wed./Thurs/Sun at 4:30 pm; and Fri+Sat. at 4:30, 5:30+6:30 pm. www.metmusuem.org.
PICASSO: GUITARS 1912-1914

Focuses on Pablo Picasso’s cardboard and sheet-metal Guitar sculptures bringing together 70 closely connected collages, constructions, drawings, mixed-media paintings, and photographs assembled from over 30 public and private collections worldwide. The exhibition takes as its point of departure Picasso’s first Guitar construction, a sculpture made in 1912. The artist’s silent instrument resembled no sculpture that had ever been seen before as its creation coincided with Picasso’s embrace of a wide range of what were then unconventional materials. February 13-June 6, 2011. At The Museum of Modern Art, MOMA, 11 W. 53rd St. www.moma.org.
Ta Ta Darlings!!! The Christmas tree at the MET is a “must” on my holiday list. Hope to see you there at one of the lighting ceremonies. Fan mail always welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. Polly’s Blogs can be accessed at www.pollytalk.com, simply click on the blog link of your choice in the right hand column.

The Big Apple's Holiday Pot Pourri (c) By Polly Guerin

Cultural adventures in the fast lane of the Big Apple present a cornucopia of venues to titillate your holiday meanderings from fashion exhibitions to art opens and a Home Sweet Home play. It’s a pot pourri. Here’s the scoop!!!

HIS & HERS The Male/Female Divide THE MUSEUM AT FIT’S new exhibit explores the changing perceptions of “masculine” and ‘feminine” dress including so-called unisex and androgynous dress with side-by-side comparisons of men’s and women’s clothing highlighting their differences and similarities. A pinstriped navy blue woman’s pantsuit designed by Yves Saint Laurent, will be shown alongside a Saint Laurent man’s suit in velvet. While skirts are generally regarded as “feminine” garments in Western culture, garments such as kilts and sarongs are common attire for men in other parts of the world. Opens Nov. 30th, Seventh Ave. at 27th St. www.fitnyc.edu. Due to the popularity of “Japan Fashion Now” the exhibition has been extended through April 2, 2011.
HOME SWEET HOME: Scandinavian American Theater Company Riveting Performance!!! A pleasant reunion becomes a fatal evening in Andreas Garfield’s play, a timely commentary on a welcome home dinner. Inspired by interviews with Danish soldiers “Home Sweet Home” reveals the traumatic experience of war and the unsympathetic indifference of home as refracted through a Nordic country. English translation by Lisa Pettersson. To order tickets go to www.satcnyc.org. or call 212.352.3101. Evenings at 7:30 pm, Sat+Sun at 4:30 pm. Fri. Nov. 19th at 7:30+10 pm. Run ends Nov. 28.
THE HANUKKAH PROJECT

Three major sculptural installations related to Hanukkah are on view at the contemporary gallery at The Jewish Museum, Nov. 19th to Jan. 30, 2011. View works such as Alice Aycock’s Greased Lightning, a motorized kinetic sculpture featuring an oversized moving dreidel, the small, inscribed top that children play with during the Hanukkah holiday which begins at sundown on Wed ./Dec. 1 and continues until sundown on Thurs./Dec. 9th. These works are presented in conjunction with Daniel Libeskind’s bold and dramatic installation featuring 40 Hanukkah lamps. www.thejeweishmuseum.org/hanukkah2010.

ON LINE, DRAWING THROUGH THE 20TH CENTURY

Explores the radical transformation of the medium of drawing through the last century, a period when numerous artists critically examined the traditional concepts of drawing and expanded the medium’s definition in relation to gesture and form. Works of a wide range of artists brings together over 300 pieces that connect drawing to selections of painting sculpture, photography, film and dance. On view from Nov. 21, through Feb. 7, 2011. In conjunction with On Line, five choreographers and performers will stage works with the Museum in January 2011 including Trisha Brown, Ralph Lemon, Marie Cool, Fabio Balducci and Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker. At MOMA, 11 w. 53 St. http://www.moma.org/.

Ta Ta darlings!!! I’m off to His & Hers at The Museum at FIT with my friend Dickie who will wear a kilt and I’ll don the pants. Fan mail always welcome pollytalk@verizon.net. Go to www.pollytalk.com and scroll over to the left hand column list of Polly’s Blogs, just click the one of your choice and Voila the link takes you there. Enjoy!!!

Photo Opportunities Focus in the Big Apple (c) By Polly Guerin

Photographic treasures by masters of the 20th Century art form headline openings this week while Art for Science’s Sake peaks into dioramas and Material Poetry celebrates works by Irish artists. Only in New York my friends, only in New York. Here’s the scoop!!!


NORMAN ROCKWELL
"Behind the Camera!" Little known fact, beginning in the late 1930s, Norman Rockwell adopted photography as a tool to bring his illustration ideas to life. Working as a director, Rockwell staged his photographs, orchestrating every detail. Behind the Camera presents these photographs alongside his paintings, drawings, and related tear sheets to offer a look at the artist’s working process. Pictured here "Tatoo Artist." Organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA, just hop on the train to the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway. Opens November 19th. www.brooklynmusum.org.
THREE MASTER PHOTOGRAPHERS
Three giants of 20th century photography---Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen and Paul Strand---share the spotlight at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, opening November 10th. The diverse and groundbreaking work of these artists will be revealed through a presentation of 115 photographs drawn entirely from the Museum’s collection. On view will be many of the greatest photographic portraits including Stieglitz’s famous portrait of Georgia O’Keeffe. Steichen rivaled the scale, color and individuality of painting in works such as The Pond—Moonrise (1904). Strand incorporated the new language of geometric abstraction into his interest in photographing street life and machine culture. 1000 Fifth Ave. www.metmuseum.org.
ART FOR SCIENCE’S SAKE
The natural history diorama of the early 20th century continues to regale children and their parents at many museum institutions, but leave it to Kevin Avery, associate curator in the Dept. of American Paintings and Sculpture at the Met will shed light on the subject. In a review and illuminated art he will discuss how these dioramas evolved from traditions of both scientific and art entertainment reach back to the late 18th century. FREE Nov. 9th, 6pm. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Chapter of The Victorian Society in America, at The New York New Church, 114E. 35th St. events@metrovsa.org.
MATERIAL POETRY
Irish Eyes Are Smiling at the American Irish Historical Society where an exhibition of Contemporary Objects from Ireland highlights the best of the new wave of design and craft emerging from Ireland. International curator, Brian Kennedy, focuses on Irish makers whose works are infused with a poetic simplicity and a material honesty. Influenced by ancient Irish architectural forms and the majestic Irish landscape the artistic works reveal a deep rooted respect for techniques and a true understanding and love of material in ceramics, furniture, jewelry, glass and wood. At 991 Fifth Ave. Contact: tracy@causeycontemporary.com

Ta Ta darlings!!! Love those Rockwell’s. I can’t wait to see the artist’s photo/painting technique. Fan mail welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net and visit www.pollytalk.com and select Polly’s Blogs in the right hand column.

Cultural Whirlwind Sweeps Into Town (c) By Polly Guerin

As the chill of winter sweeps into town the whirlwind of cultural events in the Big Apple invites you to hunker down indoors. On the scene: Global Artists, an Ancient Egyptian General, the Inventor of Basketball and Weimar Cinema, but bundle up outdoors. Here’s the scoop!!!

ARTIST TALK: KRISTAPS GULBIS >>>>
As we welcome this year’s group of ArtsLink Fellows to their residencies in the US, they return the favor by giving us a glimpse into their own working methods and the contemporary art scenes in their home countries. Kristaps Gulbis, a Latvian artist and sculptor, (photo above) will discuss his public art practices and recent international projects and tell us about his residency experience at LMCC’s New Arts Center at Governor’s Island where the artist maintains a studio at Building 110 through Nov. 17th. The Artist’s Talk, Free and open to the takes place Thursday, Nov. 4th, 6-8 pm, at the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, 125 Maiden Lane, 2nd floor, followed by wine reception.
HAREMHAB, THE GENERAL WHO BECAME KING
One of the most fascinating pharaohs of ancient Egypt, Haremhab was a strong leader in a time of political and religious transition. As commander-in-chief of Tutankhamun’s army, he oversaw important military campaigns and later as the last King of Dynasty 18, he instituted laws that secured the rights of civilians and curbed abuses perpetrated by powerful groups. Haremhab is the inaugural presentation in a series of exhibitions that will spotlight masterpieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of Egyptian art. 1000 Fifth Ave. Opens Nov. 16th.http://www.metmuseum.org.
BASKET BALL INVENTOR
“Sotheby’s to Sell the Rules that invented the game of Basketball.” Sports enthusiasts and historians check this out. The game “Basket Ball” was the invention of a 30-year old physical educator teacher named James Naismith, who in December 1891 posted a two-page typed document comprising a set of 13 rules to a new, game at a Springfield, Mass. YMCA gym to entertain a restless class of students during the winter months. The two-page typescript started it all with more than an estimated 450 million playing Basketball today. The document on view at Sotheby’s, 72nd St. & York Ave. At auction Dec. 10th it is estimated to bring more than $2 million.
WEIMAR CINEMAS, 1919-1933
MOMA presents the most extensive exhibition of Weimar cinema ever mounted in the United State. Daydreams and Nightmares, Nov. 27-March 7, 2011 surveys the extraordinary fertile and influential period in German filmmaking between the two world wars. The 4-month series includes over 80 films, many rare—a mix of classic films and many motion pictures unseen since the 1930s opens with “Into the Blue” (1929). A selection of original Weimar movie posters and photographs augment the film presentations at The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater, 11 W. 53 St., www.moma.org.
Ta Ta darlings!!! By the way if you haven’t seen the movie, “Inside Job,” DO! This riveting movie tells the story of the economic collapse of 2008 with interviews with key players who perpetrated the debacle. Fan mail always welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. For a list of Polly’s Blogs go to: www.pollytalk.com and in the right hand column find the link to the Blog of your choice.

Innovative Vernissages For October's End (c) By Polly Guerin

Andy Warhol's Pop Art
Sculptural installations, impressionist and modern art, innovative furniture…all this and a square meal makes October’s last week a treasure trove for museum hopping and auction previews. Here’s the Scoop!!!

KATRIN SIGURDARDOTTIR AT THE MET This Icelandic artist, known for her detailed renditions of places, both real and fictional often incorporates an element of surprise, draws the viewer into a fantasy experience. Entitled Boiseries, the installations are full-scale renditions of 18th-Century French rooms preserved at the Met. Visitors are invited to walk among panels based on the Hotel de Cabris period room and looking through surveillance mirrors, they will be able to see inside the rooms Katrin has created with replica furniture based on the Hotel de Crillon period room in the Met’s Wrightsman Galleries. Simultaneously on exhibit is Innovative Furniture by American designer Charles Rohlfs, which combines elements of Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau. Recently opened. www.metmuseum.org.
SOTHEBY’S IMPRESSIONIST AND MODERN ART
Auction previews offer a superb opportunity to see first hand art works, not in museums, from an early painting by Eugene Boudin from 1868 to a Pablo Picasso canvas from 1970s. The preview prior to the autumn evening sale Nov. 2, also includes important works; Amedeo Modigliani’s nude, Nu assis sur un divan (La Belle Romain), estimated in excess of $40 million and Le Bassin aux Nympheas, a spectacular canvas from Claude Monet’s iconic water lilies series, estimated $20/30 million and Andy Warhol’s Coco-Cola, an icon of the Pop Art movement, estimated at $20/25 million, among others. On view starting Oct. 19th. York Avenue at 72nd, www.sothebys.com.
SQUARE MEAL
I don’t often recommend restaurants, but finding a nice place to have lunch without breaking your budget is of prime concern when one is uptown museum and gallery hopping. One such place is SQUARE MEAL, at 30 E. 92nd St. just off Madison Ave. This restaurant’s weekly lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11 to 2:30 pm has reasonable price points on its rather substantial and original menu. I ordered $10 omelet with twice-baked potato and toasted cornbread and my companion took the Square Meal burger (5 oz.) with oven fries and homemade ketchup $14. Check out the menu at www.squaremealnyc.com.
THE GREAT CRASH OF 1929
This unique annual guided walking tour of Lower Manhattan commemorates the Great Crash of 1929, the Panic of 1907 stock market collapse, and delves into the political, financial, real estate and architectural history of Wall street and New York City. The tour shows that despite such adversities as the Great Fires of 1776 and 1835, and the financial panics and the 9/11/01 terrorist attach and the financial crisis of 2008, New York and Wall Street have always recovered their position as the world’s financial capital. Tour meets at the Museum of American Finance, 48 Wall St., Oct. 30th, 1 to 4 pm. Cost: $15. Email lseeger@moaf.org or call 212-908-4110.

Ta Ta Darlings!!! I think I’ll check out the preview art works at Sotheby’s. Fan mail always welcome at: pollytalk@verizon.net. Do look at Polly’s Blogs. Go to www.pollytalk.com and click on the Blog of your choice in the right hand column.

Manhattan's Rich Cultural Diversity (c) By Polly Guerin

Tomaselli's Bird Collage>>>>>>>>















I’ll take Manhattan and all its cultural diversity from art and magic to looking back on life in Morocco and Porgy & Bess’ anniversary there are enough venues galore to keep score and improve one’s mind. Only in New York, my friends, only in New York. Here’s the scoop!!!

HOUDINI: ART and MAGIC Examines the renowned magician and daring escape artist’s life through 163 objects, including 26 recent works of art inspired by Houdini. His gripping theatrical presentations and heart-stopping outdoor spectacles attracted unprecedented crowds, and his talent for self- promotion and provocation captured headlines on both sides of the Atlantic. Born Ehrich Weiss in Budapest, Hungary, Houdini (1874-1926) was the son of a rabbi who against all odds became an international performer. A recreation of the famous Water Torture Cell is included in the exhibition. Opens Oct. 26, at the Jewish Museum, Fifth Ave. at 92nd St. www.thejewishmuseum.org.

FRED TOMASELLI’S SOLO SHOW Focuses on the trajectory of Tomaselli’s career, from works from the late 1980s to the present including 40 collages and paintings created specifically for the Brooklyn Museum’s presentation. Tomaselli’s work reveals a uniquely American vision. He creates richly decorated surfaces that are composed of hundreds of found objects that move with psychedelic precision in images that amass prescription pills, along with images of birds, plants, flowers and anatomical illustrations. Two new captivating artworks, Night Music for Raptors and Starling, are large-scale painting collages. The former represents an owl composed of hundreds of cut-out eyes. Through Jan. 2, 2011. www.brooklynmuseum.org.

LOOKING BACK: JEWISH LIFE IN MOROCCO This engaging xhibition enlightens the visitor on the beautiful history and culture of the Jewish people and Jewish life, as it once was in Morocco with an overview demonstrating how Jewish communities lived among, and were influenced by, various peoples including the Berbers, the Spanish, the Arabs and the French. Artistically designed textual displays, documents, lithographs and engravings, historic photos, replications of historic documents demonstrate the life of the Jews living throughout this North African country. At the American Sephardi Federation, 15 West 16th St., part of an ongoing year-long program. www.americansephardifederation.org.

THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF PORGY AND BESS Stars from some of the world’s premiere opera companies will perform highlights of the celebrated 1935 opera. Incorporating a wealth of blues and jazz idioms, George Gershwin conceived of Porgy & Bess as an “American folk opera.” He considered it his finest work, but it was not widely accepted as part of the standard opera repertoire until a triumphant 1976 production, long after his death. On October 28 at 7pm, Elebash Recital Hall, The Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Ave. (at 34th St.) Tickets phone: 212.868.4444, $24 and $18.
Ta my darlings!!! Life in Morocco, Houdini, Porgy and Bess, Tomaselli…all this in one week, a rich cultural diversity. Fan mail is always welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net and for Polly’s Blogs go to www.pollytalk.,com and just click on the link of the Blog of your choice at right on the home page.

A MUSUEM RESTORATION, HEROES AND PURE BEAUTY (C) By Polly Guerin

The Morgan Library & Museum Rotunda
The plethora of cultural events in the Big Apple leaves one no other choice than to set priorities to attend the rich choice of October openings. Only in New York, my friends, only in New York. Here’s the scoop!!!

THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM Celebrates with a state-of-the-art face-lift of the J. P. Morgan landmark McKim, Mead and White building at Madison Avenue and 36th Street. Considered one of New York’s great architectural treasures, it underwent a $4.5 million restoration, the first major interior restoration of the architectural gem since its construction in 1906. Revitalized historic spaces of the Morgan include the library’s main rotunda, (photo by Graham Haber)which features figures from literature while the office of Morgan’s original librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, includes the earliest works in the Morgan collection. The public opening/celebration on Oct.30th will feature lecture, guided tours and musical performances. www.themorgan.org.
HEROES: MORTALS AND MYTHS IN ANCIENT GREECE
While Achilles, Odysseus and Helen continue to fire the popular imagination, the very word ‘hero’ has a different meaning in society today than it did in an ancient Greek world when people treasured their Greek heroes and heroines. This rare exhibition casts light on the continuing human need for heroes today and brings together about 100 exceptional artworks focusing on the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic period ranging from large-scale architectural sculptures to beautifully decorated pottery and miniature carved gemstones. At the Onassis Cultural Center, entrance on 51st St. between 5th and Madison Avenues, FREE Admission. On view: Mon.-Sat. 10 am-6pm.
JOHN BALDESSARI’S PURE BEAUTY
Widely renowned as a pioneer of conceptual art, American artist, John Baldessari, one of the most influential contemporary artists of the last 50 years, steps up to the limelight in an exhibition of his innovative work, as well as his videos, artist’s books, and large-scale installations. In his ground-breaking work of the late 1960s, he challenged historically accepted rules of how to make art turning towards photographic images, transferring the snapshots he took of banal, Southern Californian locales onto his canvases and combined these images with words and painted text. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, through January 2011 at 1000 Fifth Avenue. www.metmuseum.org.
WOMEN POP ARTISTS: SEDUCTIVE SUBVERSIVE
While men have dominated the pop art scene, women pop artists have their due, at the Brooklyn Museum, where 50 works of 25 female artists exhibit their collages, photorealist paintings, psychedelic works and sculptures. Artist on display include familiar pop artists such as Marisol, Niki de Saint Phalle, Yayoi Kusama and an opportunity to discover iconic pop artists’ works including Martha Rosler’s photomontage “Vacuuming Pop Art.” Through Jan. 9, 2011. www.brooklynmusuem.org. 200 Eastern Parkway.

Ta Ta darlings!!! I’m determined to see Women Pop Artists, yet Pure Beauty is a ‘must see.’ Fan mail welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. Take a minute, please do, and check out my blog with 45 amazing women: http://www.womendeterminedtosucceed.blogspot.com. Which was formerly called amazingartdecowomen.blogspot.com.