airline food

Japan Airlines First Class (Photo: Y. Sonoda)

American Airlines Economy Class (Photo: Paul Leduc)

As I took a cross country flight recently, I made sure that I brought my own food as I wasn't about to nibble on the cheese spread and crackers they give out on the flight. I actually remember a few good meals on international flights but most were just awful. Despite the negative experiences, I'm still ever so hopeful that some magical airline will decide to show off their proud meals, even to a domestic economy passenger. Until then, there's airlinemeals.net where I can drool over Air France's first class meals and be reminded of pathetic "snacks" on a lot of flights I've been on.

Brooklyn around the world

An intriguing exhibit that I saw at Sonnabend Gallery, 536 West 22nd Street, photos of buildings around the world that recreates the look of the original headquarters of Chabad- Lubavitch. At first, I thought the ethos of corporate franchising was influencing this uniformity (McDonalds, Starbucks, AppleStore) but as it turns out, religious denominations have been using this kind of branding for centuries. Obviously, there are distinct differences between a Buddhist Temple and a Muslim Mosque, but it's also pretty easy to spot the difference between an Episcopal Church and a Greek Orthodox Church. Never the less, these sets of prints are interesting, perhaps because of the wonderfully awkward but sincere architectural references...

The Original, Brooklyn  Andrea Robbins & Max Becher 2005

Kfar Chabad, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Andrea Robbins & Max Becher 2005

São Paulo, Brazil, Andrea Robbins & Max Becher 2005

[from TimeOutNY] New York over there
Is there a less likely icon than 770 Eastern Parkway, the drab Tudor-style headquarters of the Chabad- Lubavitch in Crown Heights? Yet thanks to Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, leader of the Hasidic sect until his death in 1994, 770 has become a global presence, proliferating in replica form from São Paulo to Melbourne. The building started out as a women’s clinic, but was purchased in 1940 by Schneerson’s father when he brought the Lubavitchers from Poland; Schneerson made it the focus of an international messianic movement. That worldwide reach is the subject of “Brooklyn Abroad,” an exhibit at Sonnabend Gallery by the conceptual-photography duo Andrea Robbins and Max Becher, who’ve documented 770’s many clones. The images offer a deadpan testament to religion as a kind of branding. See also Art listings, Chelsea.—Howard Halle

Out of the Past

Saw a thrilling Noir film starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas and directed by Jacques Tourneur. The dialogue was punched out elegantly and the plot really tight. The story felt like a template for "A History of Violence" released recently, which I also enjoyed.

humbling photos

Check out these delightful shots by grade school kids in Chelsea, all done with disposable cameras. Goes to show you how ridiculous it is for me to learn how to shoot like the "masters" and obsess over the latest and greatest cameras. Note to self: turn off that "inhibition" switch on my next shoot. (Link for the whole set of photos)

[Kamron, age 6]

[Taffy, age 10]

[Shamar, age 5]

[Briana, age 8]

[Corinne, age 7]

-- The Friends of the High Line gave cameras to kids and sent them out to photograph Chelsea-- the shots are surprisingly good.

(Via Gothamist.)

Alison Elizabeth Taylor

 

[ALISON ELIZABETH TAYLOR Swimming Pool, wood inlay, polymer 70x48inches]

[ALISON ELIZABETH TAYLOR RedRock, 2006, wood inlay, polymer 77x47 inches]

Some intriguing pieces I saw at James Cohan Gallery today. From afar, they look like elegant illustrations but when you look at them up close, you start to see the wood grains in intricate shades. These large pieces are fascinating to observe but they're not just technical achievements. The warmth of the wood adds  soul to the otherwise vacant characters. Check out the show at 533 w26th Street, near 10th Ave. Ends September 30th.

dn adverts

Ads for a Swedish paper. According to swedesres.se, the headline reads "Do you see the world as the world sees you?" I think it's smart for a paper trying to win the hearts and minds of people who pride themselves for knowing what it means to be Swedish. I wonder how a USA Today version of this campaign might look like... overweight, fast food gorging, semi-automtic toting and fake tanned? 

[from garbergs.se]

dn adverts: "

[quoted from swedesres:] Four adverts for Swedens largest newspaper Dagens NyheterGarbergs. See larger images here. The copy goes ’Do you see the world as the world sees you?’ showing what non-Swedes would describe as typical Swedish. (Daily News) by advertising agency

"

(Via swedesres.se.)

pillow madness

...and while we're talking about pillows. Some nice fall colors.

[Quoted from pillow madness: " photo:: design public


i tried"]

(Via red.house.)

good morning sweetheart

Quite an intruiging idea for a pillow I saw on Swissmiss. I'd personally get one that's embroidered "just 5 more minutes. Please."

good morning sweetheart: "

[Quoted from SwissMiss:]

As you rest your head on the pillow for those valuable last few moments before you wake the words Good Morning Sweetheart are gently pressed onto your cheek. Even though you may feel tired and drowsy your loved one can see how you feel.

Good morning sweetheart pillow.

B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T!

(thank you emily!)

"

(Via swissmiss.)

once.upon.a.forest

Found on redhouse.com. Beautiful.

[quoted from red.house] once.upon.a.forest: "

photo:: once-upon-a-forest.com

(Via red.house.)

pantone matching | a flickr set

This tickles the design geek in me....

pantone matching | a flickr set: "

'Everything has a Pantone color. It's just a matter of finding it.'

(image orginally uploaded by marketing_drive)

(via coudal)

"

(Via swissmiss.)

Dalai Lama's Letter to President Bush: The day after September 11, 2001

Here's a heart felt letter from the Dalai Lama to President Bush on the day after September 11, 2001. I remembered this being passed around 5 years ago and decided to dig it up from my e-mail archives. It's especially poignant knowing what actions President Bush and his administration has taken since then.

** MESSAGE FROM THE DALAI LAMA***

September 12, 2001

His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush

The President

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

USA

Your Excellency,

I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks that took place involving four apparently hijacked aircrafts and the immense devastation these caused.

It is a terrible tragedy that so many innocent lives have been lost and it seems unbelievable that anyone would choose to target the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. We are deeply saddened. On behalf of the Tibetan people I would like to convey our deepest condolence and solidarity with the American people during this painful time. Our prayers go out to the many who have lost their lives, those who have been injured and the many more who have been traumatized by this senseless act of violence. I am attending a special prayer for the United States and its people at our main temple today.

I am confident that the United States as a great and powerful nation will be able to overcome this present tragedy. The American people have shown their resilience, courage anddetermination when faced with such difficult and sad situations.

It may seem presumptous on my part, but I personally believe we need to think seriously whether a violent reaction is the right thing to do and in the greater interest of the nation and the people in the long run. I believe violence will only increase the cycle of violence. But how do we deal with hatred and anger which are often the root causes of such senseless violence? This is a very difficult question, especially when it concerns a nation and we have certain fixed conceptions of how to deal with such attacks. I am sure you will make the right decision.

With my prayers and good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

The Dalai Lama