Birth of a Bomber

At game 1 of the ALCS, I saw the postseason  resurrection of Alex Rodriguez and witnessed the creation of what may be the new Yankee Stadium sensation. 

Move over "Hip-Hip-Jorge!" chant emanating from the upper deck and bleacher creatures. The "C-C " chant is here. As the 290-pound lefty put two strikes on the latest unlucky Angel at the plate, 49,000 plus fans rose to their feet and chorused in unison in their deepest voice "C-C (clap, clap), C-C."

It made me think, who was the guy who started this thing? Who are the guys who start any of these stadium chants? Freddie Mercury couldn't have come up with them all, could he?

All "Le Reve"

For $175 a person at the Wynn hotel and casino, you can indulge yourself with Godiva chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne while watching the phenomenal acrobatic displays of the human potential.

But I ask, how does one muscular dude arrive into a world where he wants to or can walk around with another dude balanced on his shoulders?

Declawing the Cat

Make the first left from the entrance of the Gagosian Gallery and walk in to see Takashi Murakami’s newest work not so succinctly titled Picture of Fate: I am But a Fisherman Who Angles In the Darkness of His Mind.

            Greeting you as you enter the large room is a mammoth, four paneled painting of mixed styles from Japanese manga, traditional Chinese art and pop. Murakami depicts a large cat resting on a bridge of skulls as waterfalls of streaming blues, greens and reds surround the scene.

            With it’s Cheshire Cat-like smile, the beast looks as if it’s pulled straight from the world of Alice in Wonderland. The cat however is a representation of an ancient mythological creature the Karajisi who was once believed to guard Buddhist temples.

            The piece looks like it would be more comfortable residing on the side of a subway car or painted on the façade of an aluminum gate guarding a small business in Brooklyn. The work is common graffiti passed off as expensive and meaningful art.

            But it works. The colorful cartoon pours over the viewers in an awe-inspiring way. The viewer feeds on the piece, devouring every red, green blue, black and yellow Murakami has to offer.

            The Buddhist origins of the character may be lost to those who neglect to ask reception for the Picture of Fate press release, but even if the cat brings about recollections of reading Through the Looking Glass or memories of watching Garfield after school, Picture of Fate will leave a lasting mark.

Being Frank on Frank

From now through January 2010, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is exhibiting the 50th anniversary of Robert Frank's famed photo collection titled The Americans. 

Frank's black-and-white photos take a look at the American landscape during the mid-1950's. The subjects in the collection virtually ignore Frank's presence as he snaps away. 

As an amateur-amateur photographer myself, I know that it is hard to get people to be comfortable while I take photos of them without their permission (the nerve). I wonder how we evolved into a species who is so afraid of each other and so protected of ourself image.