Serendipitous Art of Arcimboldo

A few weeks ago, the kids had a day off from school and while I was tempted to get them some “playdates,” Tonka and Paco insisted that we “take the Metro and do ‘something’ in Washington DC.”

Proud of them for that alone, but even more so when they suggested the National Gallery of Art (primarily because they love the moving walkways in the basement there, but hey).

Well, as luck would have it, we ran into two GREAT exhibits. One was the drawings of Edvard Munch (yes, we saw “the Scream”), but also wel earned about the insanely good work of Giuseppe Arcimboldo.

His paintings, almost all commissioned by Maximillian II, the Holy Roman Emperor were exquisite compilations.

For example, he painted a series called the “4 Seasons,” but they were paintings of people, but made up of items like marine life and fruit.

I couldn’t believe I had never heard of him, but was doubly excited to make this discovery with the kids.

Allen Ginsberg, Beat Photographer…

I had a chance to get a sneak peak last week of the Allen Ginsberg photography exhibit at the National Gallery of Art (open through Sept. 6th).

What’s more, I had the chance to talk with the curator of the exhibit for 10 minutes or so understanding how she conceived of, pitched, and then implemented the idea.

I also asked her about the nature of the design of the exhibit (mostly chronological) and her use of the gallery.

Anyway, I had heard of Ginsberg, but frankly…he hadn’t impacted my life very much.

As many of you know, he was friends with Jack Kerouac, among others, and the curator suggested that people can get an insight into Ginsberg’s poetry through the types of photos he took.

Well, I haven’t read his poetry, but I did find his photos captivating, particularly as the chronological layout gave me a chance to see how Ginsberg and his friends of the “Beat” generation evolved and then aged.

This is a picture of Kerouac as a young man, but there’s a picture of Kerouac at the end of his life…and the guy just looks beaten down and worn out.

It’s a startling contrast and gives you some perspective that even the eternal, all-powerful, energetic people of the Beat generation are, well, human…and age and die.

If you have a chance, swing by.

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Aimee Mullins: The opportunity of adversity

I read a great book a few years ago called ".Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities" It really helped me understand the value of adversity in your life. Well, I highly suggest this inspiring video along those line
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Comedian: Movie Review and Business Tool

Image by Getty Images via Daylife It's not often that I can point to a movie and say, "this really helped my professional life."

And you certainly wouldn't expect that from a documentary (Comedian) about Jerry Seinfeld's efforts to re-invent himself from scratch back on the comedy circuit.

But, it did.

You see, I come from the school of thought that presentations are really performances, as Ben Zander would say. That when I stand up in front of an audience to talk about Marketing that yes, they want to be informed.

But, they also want to be entertained.

Seeing how Jerry and the younger comic whose rise (sort of) was profiled, Orny Adams, attacked their jobs made me look more critically at my own.

For example:

1. Never open with new material.
   If you have new material, test it in the middle of the show, see how it goes and if it works, then you can put it first. (This was actually very timely, since I was giving a presentation, er performance, the next morning and had planned-but switched-on starting with new material.)
   
   
2. Take every chance you get.
   When you are working on your "act," you should be willing to get up in front of any crowd at any time to try it out. That's the only way to get better. You look at each performance as both a game and a practice round. I do this, but Jerry helped put it in a different perspective for me. Any speaking opportunities for me out there?
   
   
3. Be HyperCritical and Practice
   Watch yourself on video (I admit, I don't like to do this). Look at nuances. Words that are used as fillers. Mannerisms. Put yourself under the microscope.

 Professional life aside, it was a great movie. Showed that Jerry, even though he's "made it," shares the same concerns and fears that we all do. Puts even more of a human face on him.

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Movie Review: Adaptation

Image via WikipediaWhen you have 3 kids, it is not uncommon to have not even heard of an Academy Award winning movie. 

That is the case with Adaptation.

I suppose between the kids, NFO, and dedication to career, I missed it.

Which is both a shame and a relief. Had I missed it entirely, it would have been a shame, because as I watched this film, I said, "THIS Is what movies are supposed to be. A story that envelops you, transports you, brings you in."

A relief, because I did see it and it is one of the best films I've seen in a long time.

Super simple plot, a writer is struggling to write a screenplay for the movie you are watching.

Got it?

I didn't. Well, I did, but figuring out how to say it took a while.  Or better this: You are watching a movie about a writer struggling to write the screenplay for the movie you are watching.

And, the story that he is struggling (Nick Cage playing TWO roles, btw) is just a great one. It's got intrigue, drama, great acting (Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper) and a nice subtext of NYC high society vs. 'real people' as well.

Great, just great. If you haven't seen it, please do.

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