Recently in Arts Category

One of Olafur Eliasson's three New York City waterfalls, this one visible from the Promenade. On display through October 13, 2008. I haven't gotten super close to any of Eliasson's three waterfalls, but any thoughts on this public art project? I want to be able to get closer. I suppose I could always hop on a Circle Line boat. Is it worth it?

Here's some exciting news. Brooklyn's very own TKTS booth opens at MetroTech Center (outside of Jay Street-Borough Hall subway station) in downtown Brooklyn on Thursday. You'll finally be able to pick up discounted tickets to Broadway, off Broadway, music, dance and Brooklyn performing arts events without leaving the borough. The booth will be open Monday through Friday from 11am to 6pm. The same deal applies, it'll be same-day evening performances and next-day matinees. Credit cards, cash and travelers checks will be accepted.

You may have noticed some different artwork in the windows of businesses along Smith and Court streets. It's all a part of Windows Brooklyn. Two personal favorites--the "how much is your rent?" (my title) installation at Brownstone Treasures/Yesterday's News, above, and the "old-photo peepholes" (my title) at Hasker.

Snapped in front of Area Play on Smith Street.

Ah yes, how much do Brooklynites like to eat. Probably just as much as they like to talk about how much they like to eat. This Tuesday, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., drop by DUMBO's Powerhouse Arena to hear from local food/drink authors Kara Zuaro ("I Like Food, Food Tastes Good"), Phoebe Damrosch ("Service Included") and David Wondrich (writer, mixed drink expert). The talk will be led by Gabrielle Langholtz of Edible Brooklyn. The event is $15 and proceeds benefit P.S. 107. Buy tix here.

Being as Dennis is impossibly hard to buy presents for, this year I bought him a series of classes to UrbanGlass for his birthday (his interest in glass-blowing having been piqued by a demonstration at one of the Red Hook artist open studio series). Turned out to be a great investment, at least as far as Christmas presents are concerned, as one of the easier, yet prettier, things to come out of his Sunday afternoon visits are Christmas ornaments.

If you've ever admired the glass work at Swallow and want to know what it's all about, I'd recommend buying (or buying someone else) some classes. Pretty cool stuff.

As I've posted about before, I'm doing occasional interviews for The Atlanta Creatives Project, a photo and interview documentation of artists from Atlanta. (All photos by the wonderful Neda Abghari.) This week, I talked to fashion designer Laurel Wells, who ran her own line for several years, but is now designing for one of my favorite Brooklyn boutiques Hayden Harnett. So be sure to check out my interview of super-cool designer Laurel.

I had heard of the little girl in Park Slope who got in trouble for playing with chalk, but looks like Ellis G. recently got arrested for chalk work, too. A little common sense here, people.

Though you should never need an excuse to check out all the great art and design going on in Gowanus (and surrounding neighborhoods), the Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour does give you a good one. Today and tomorrow, between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., artists open their studios and pretty much every medium is represented. There's a printable map on the website, or you can pick up a brochure at one of the stops.