Hello and a special “HI” to all the new folks. We’ve had a furry of new subscribers thanks to a dear pal sharing the page with her folks. It’s great to have you. As with every edition of the newsletter, I hope you get a boost, some creative uplift, a reminder that there is beauty and innovation and creative spark all around us, all the time. Enjoy!
I’m planning on booking these accommodations whenever I end up in Oaxaca.
Gunjan Aylawadi makes impeccable weavings with rolled paper, a technique she learned in her native India. [On her website, click on ‘projects’ in the menu bar to see a wide selection of work.]
Italian sculptor, Bruno Walpoth uses wood to make human figures. Here’s a longer feature on him and his work—please excuse the cringey AI narration.
Harajuku Girls! Look at this fascinating mini-doc on the rise and fall—and rebirth—-of Harajuku fashion.
From BABA, The Life and Death of Stana, a new opera that just premiered in San Francisco. The multi-media production is inspired by the lives of Balkan sworn virgins, women who live as men after taking lifelong vows of celibacy. BABA is performed by celebrated vocal group Kitka. The harmonies are extraordinary.
Fin, or Bhag-e-Fin, is the oldest garden in Iran. It was designed with the aim of invoking heaven, and it’s extraordinary. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Remarkable. Here’s how librarians used to insure their patrons didn’t run off with the books.
This is a trimmed version of the fashion show from the film, Ziegfeld Girl, and if you’re thinking they were exagerrating, check out this video of an actual Ziegfeld finale:
Yet another fabulous train ride I’m going to need to take someday, this one through Vietnam.
While we’re on the subject of trains: Vhils is a Portuguese artist whose body of work is expansive. He recently unveiled a series of large murals inside the new train station in Paris Orly airport.
I’ve never seen Ken Russell’s Valentino, starring Rudolph Nureyev, but here’s a wonderful clip of a tango he dances with Anthony Dowell. So much beauty: the men, the setting, the clothes, the dance.
In case you weren’t aware, the iconic Diving Lady neon sign outside of the Starlight Motel in Mesa, AZ, has been preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Thought I’d leave you with a little wisdom from the divine Jenifer Lewis.
Wherever you are, I hope there’s AC, or a refreshing body of water, or a cold glass of lemonade or a plate of chilled cantelope... I’m going to the beach today and you can bet I’ll be getting in the water. Until next week. — Chris
Delicious edition, Chris. Thank you!