Finding Pablo (Picasso at the Met)

Picasso Photo taken by Brittany Natale for The Gypsy Musings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

Art Crush: Pawel Althamer at the New Museum

Pawel Althamer's Exhibition 2014 "The Neighbors": Image via the New Museum, Photo by Nick Hunt

Last Thursday I was determined - determined to take the B39 into Manhattan after work and go to the New Museum (something I have been putting off for ages, sadly). On Thursdays the New Museum is open late (until 9PM) and if you have great patience for crowds you can also gain entry on a donation-basis from 7-9PM (I arrived at 6:30 and could not wait the extra 30 minutes, I was too excited to get into the exhibit that I said "screw it!" and paid the regular admission price). 

Photo by Brittany Natale for The Gypsy Musings

Anyways, Polish artist Pawel Althamer has an exhibition going on at the New Museum through April 13, 2014 called "The Neighbors", which includes "Draftsmen's Congress" - a blank white space located in the Fourth Floor Gallery where visitors are encouraged to paint and draw on. 

Hotel Wishlist: The NoMad Hotel NYC

All images from The NoMad Hotel website

Because sometimes you want to wake up in a different bed. Because sometimes you want to wake up to a tidy room. Because sometimes you just want to open your eyes and be greeted with new surroundings. Or sometimes you probably just are traveling and need a place to stay, that too.

I am almost sad that there is not another NoMad Hotel further away from me so I can have a legitimate excuse to stay there. Located in NoMad (get it?) on 28th St & Broadway, I feel The NoMad would be a place where restless travelers and magical gypsies choose to rest their tired bones at night.

Fantastic Haunts: Yaffa Cafe, St Marks Place

Photo: Yaffa Cafe website

I have to be honest, I am not a HUGE restaurant-loving person. Of course I enjoy the occasional meal out and going to an eatery is a great place to socialize with friends, but often times I prefer to make my own food at home (it can be quite fun plus you have a better idea of what exactly is going into it!). However, I still have my restaurant picks.

Photo: Yaffe Cafe website

Photo: Yaffa Cafe website

One of my most favorite cafes is Yaffa Cafe in St Marks Place and I feel like if humans had spirit restaurants (kind of like spirit animals) I would be this one (weird thought). The decor is reminiscent of the aforementioned Molly Gunn's bedroom crossed with a gypsy den and I wouldn't have it any other way. Not to mention that the food is also quite simple yet delicious (try the Chicken Club Sandwich or the Yaffa Salad, yum!) Plus Yaffa Cafe is open 24 hours so you can stroll in whatever time you please. 

Photo by Brittany Natale for The Gypsy Musings

Places with Character: Evolution, NYC

Photos by Brittany Natale

Countless times in the city I have passed along places of potential interest - whether it is because I am on my way to work or simply do not have the time to stop. I choose to keep walking instead, mentally making a note of this little gem. However, thanks to my friend I was reminded of a store that I have (sadly) been postponing my visit to for ages. Evolution, a quaint shop that upon a very quick glance I wrote off as some kind of gallery or edgy clothing boutique, completely blew me away. Happily overwhelmed from walls lined with a spectrum of butterfly wings, rarities such as bear skulls and ostrich eggs and copious amounts of fossils, I had seen nothing like it before. Within minutes I was lost among the items that were before me and my experience can be summed up in few words - an amazing sensory overload. 

THE EVOLUTION STORE. 120 Spring Street. NY, NY.

Now You See Me, Now You Don't: Emma Hack at Rebecca Hossack Gallery NYC

Photoa via Emma Hack

Australian artist Emma Hack, who previously collaborated with Gotye for his "Somebody That I Used to Know" video, has a solo show going on right now at Rebecca Hossack Gallery in SoHo, NYC from February 19th through March 12th. Using body paint to camouflage her subjects' bodies into patterned backgrounds, it can take Hack between 8-15 hours of painting depending on the intricacy of the design. Hack's work is part disguise but totally wonderful. 

Photo via Emma Hack

The Art of Ballet

Image: JR-art.net 

At the age of 14, I went from living with my art-student-rocker-mother to instead moving in with a grandmother who sweared by Tchaikovsky and ONLY ever used fine china (cue the wire hanger scene from Mommy Dearest except substitute the metal hangers with disposable plates, okay not that bad). The evening background noise usually included the volume from PBS 13's showing of "The Nutcracker"  mixed with my grandmother practicing scales on the upright piano in the living room. From a young age, I was exposed to the world of dance, most specifically ballet, and even had it as an after school hobby for a good 10 years of my life. I still remember excitedly bouncing around the dance shop after my dance teachers broke the wonderful news to me: "You are now strong enough to join pointe!" I even once wore my Capezio ballet slippers as actual shoes (why why why?!) while in the city taking a Theater class during Sophomore year. I can still almost feel the grainy NYC sidewalk beneath my soles. 

So you can only imagine my excitement upon reading that French graffiti artist and 2011 TED prize winner JR was invited by the New York City Ballet not too long ago to create a very large scale art installation as part of the New York City Ballet's 2014 Art Series. Although the JR/NYCB collaborative "Art Series" performance tickets are currently not available online any more, the large art installation installed on the promenade's floor will be open free to the public Feb 2-9. A huge vinyl photograph of the dancers will adorn the promenade floor - inviting all to literally step into the art. Street artist meets ballet - the surprisingly perfect combination. 

//Cutlog

*All photos belong to Brittany Natale unless otherwise noted.* 

May is not only only wonderful because it means that summer is just around the corner but because it also means art fairs galore. Although I intended on going to more (such as NADA, Bushwick/Ridegwood Frieze Night, Parallax...okay, you get the idea) I was very pleased I made it to Cutlog. Cutlog, a French art fair that debuted in the Lower East Side this past weekend, included an extensive list of exhibitors from all over the world. Systematically set up in an old school (The Clemente on Suffolk Street) fair goers were able to easily browse through art of all kinds. Bring on the art!

Photo property of House of the Nobleman

Ryan and Trevor Oakes, "London City," Ink on cotton paper, linen tape, 7"x9"x12", 2012 shown at Cutlog NYC 2013.

Filling In

   Due to my lack of internet (new apartment = no web, eeee!) I was not able to note down my current adventures. But here we go:

My backyard 11 year old birthday party (complete with a pinata and oodles of candy)

And look at how sweet:

Pamela Love. 

Pamela Love, the mother of wonderful creations which in turn are the (literal) objects of my affection. With a penchant for creating extravagant jewelry from various materials, such as gold to precious stones, the pieces her imagination births are simply magical. The most current one that I find myself pining after is the ellipse necklace & ring (I may have a minor addiction), which I came across on ShopBop's website. Not usually being one for jewelry, I cannot help but be drawn to these pieces that take me to another world. I guess I just cannot help but love Love!

www.PamelaLoveNYC.com