Posted by The G on August 16, 2011 under Celebrities | 
Photo and autograph courtesy of the G Archives.
Madonna
People have been asking me to tell my Madonna stories for years and since it’s her birthday, here’s one of them. When the movie Dick Tracy was new and Madonna was filming Truth or Dare, she was part of a special benefit concert in Los Angeles. As I have encountered so many times with her, she arrived and walked right past me without acknowledging that anyone around existed. Madonna was rehearsing the song “Vogue,” which was brand new at the time. During a break from rehearsals, one of her dancers (and I am not telling who) came outside to get some air and we started talking. I explained what a huge fan I was and how it was so upsetting that Madonna completely ignored me when I was one of the only people trying to get her autograph. He took pity on me and said “let me see if I can get something signed for you.” I waited and waited and finally he came back and said “the timing is not good right now. If you give me your address, I’ll mail these items back to you.” I gave him a few things and my address and fully expected never to see my Madonna stuff again. Several months later, I got an envelope in the mail containing the above pictured item and a few others! WOW! There’s always the off chance that this signature is not real, because I rarely trust an autograph I didn’t get myself, however, the fact that I received anything back is a good sign, right? What do you think?
Also born today: Charles Bukowski! Speaking of Bukowski, one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever received is on Amazon.co.uk’s page for my book “Sketches of Verbal Alchemy.” A fan compared my writing in the same sentence as Bukowski and George Carlin (another of my idols). Whoever you are that wrote that, you’ve brought infinite smiles to my face and I thank you so kindly!
Posted by The G on August 11, 2011 under Artsy Fartsy |
Photos by G. Art by Olek.
"The Bad Artists Imitate, The Great Artists Steal" By Olek. Now showing at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in NYC through August 27, 2011
The goddess of crochet is back! When we last wrote about Olek, she had just completed an exhibit where she crocheted over the contents of an entire studio apartment. The exhibit was such a success that it’ll be featured at the Smithsonian next year in a travelling show! Olek’s latest exhibit “The Bad Artists Imitate, The Great Artists Steal” at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery finds Olek exploring new territory. As you walk up 20th street in Manhattan towards the LeVine Gallery, you’ll find street art that Olek has left for art aficionados to admire and for tourists, objects such as a crocheted shopping cart and crocheted cherry picker make for great photo ops!
Crocheted Cherry Picker by Olek
In the top photo, Olek crocheted the contents of a living room as an installation tribute to Keith Haring, where Haring famously camouflaged himself in a black and white room. You’re going to have to see the exhibit in person to experience the full magic that Olek has created. She also pays tribute (or steals from – per the quote that titles the exhibit) to artists such as Louise Bourgeois and Banksy, who once carved the Pablo Picasso quote “The Bad Artists Imitate, The Great Artists Steal” into stone and then crossed out Picasso’s name and put his own in its place.
You should not miss this exhibit under any circumstances! “The Bad Artists Imitate, The Great Artists Steal” by Olek is showing at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery (located at 529 West 20th Street #9E) in Manhattan. The exhibit runs through August 27, 2011.
See another photo of an artist Olek “steals” from after the break as well as Olek herself looking radiant at the opening night reception. Read more of this article »
Tags: "The Bad Artists Imitate, 2011, Art Show, Artist, Banksy, Crochet, Exhibit, Gallery, Jonathan LeVine, Keith Haring, Madonna, New York, Olek, Photos, Street Art, The Great Artists Steal"
Posted by The G on July 22, 2011 under Artsy Fartsy |
Photos of other people’s photos by G.
Laura Levine: Musicians / Rude and Reckless: Punk, Post-Punk Graphics 1976 - 1982. Now showing at Steven Kasher Gallery in NYC through August 19, 2011
Fans of the modern golden age of music will not want to miss two great exhibits showing simultaneously at Steven Kasher Gallery in New York. First up is “Musicians” by Laura Levine. On display, you’ll see rarely seen photos of musical legends from The Clash and Joey Ramone to Boy George, Madonna, Siouxsie Sioux, Bjork and Run DMC.
Annie Lennox by Laura Levine
In the other portion of the exhibit, Rude and Reckless: Punk, Post-Punk Graphics 1976-82, you’ll see rock and roll posters and ephemera from some of the best bands and singers to ever grace the stage including David Bowie, The Sex Pistols, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, The Stranglers, The Cure and Joy Division.
Partial Gallery View
Madonna by Laura Levine
Partial Gallery View
Both exhibits are showing until August 19, 2011 at Steven Kasher Gallery in New York (located at 521 West 23rd Street) so don’t miss your chance to see so many great rock and roll artifacts housed in one place!
Tags: Annie Lennox, David Bowie, Exhibit, Images, Joy Division, Laura Levine: Musicians, Lou Reed, Madonna, NYC, Photos, Post-Punk Graphics 1976 - 1982, Rude and Reckless: Punk, Steven Kasher Gallery, The Cure
Posted by The G on June 1, 2011 under Artsy Fartsy |
Photos by G. Various Artists.
Tony Ward by Christoph Schmidberger
Los Angeles! One of the most gorgeous men to have ever walked among us, Tony Ward, is being immortalized in an exhibit entitled “Ward of the State” at Rivera and Rivera in West Hollywood. 18 artists (including Greg Gorman, Steven Klein, Patrick Hoelck, Patrick Martinez, Herb Ritts, Estevan Oriol, RETNA, Tony Ward, Paul Rusconi, Bruce Weber, Robert Standish, Michael Gregg Michaud, Jules Muck, Rick Castro, Christoph Schmidberger, Ray Turner and Maya Mercer) have paid tribute to the man and the muse who Paris Vogue called “male icon of the century.” Fashionistas will recognize Tony Ward from his appearances in ads for Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana and Calvin Klein. He has also been prominently featured in Madonna’s racy “Justify My Love” video as well as her “Sex” book.
Pure Hustle by Patrick Martinez
The exhibit is great as you’ll see tributes to the man in paintings, photography and video. You’ll see sides of Tony Ward that you’ve never seen before and you’ll also see sides of him that you’ll want to stare at over and over again.
RETNA
“Ward of the State” is showing at Rivera and Rivera (located at 454 North Robertson Blvd.) in West Hollywood through June 20, 2011.
See a bonus image of Tony Ward in his birthday suit after the jump.
Read more of this article »
Tags: 2011, Bruce Weber, California, Christoph Schmidberger, Estevan Oriol, Exhibit, Greg Gorman, Herb Ritts, Jules Muck, Los Angeles, Madonna, Maya Mercer, Michael Gregg Michaud, Model, Naked, Patrick Hoelck, Patrick Martinez, Paul Rusconi, Penis, Photos, Ray Turner, Retna, Rick Castro, Robert Standish, Steven Klein, Tony Ward, Ward of the State, West Hollywood
Posted by The G on March 16, 2011 under GNN |
Photo by G. Art by Mr. Brainwash.
Sark
Today is Sark’s birthday. If you don’t know Sark, you’re missing out on hanging with a world traveler whose middle name is fun. Sark and I have been through more adventures than you can even imagine. Happy birthday my brother and have a wonderful day!xo
How will you celebrate National Sark Day?
