tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170421412024-03-14T07:55:51.004+01:00My So-Called Life in FranceHalf ramblings and musings, half straight to the point, take it or leave it, play-by-play commentary on my life in France.
<br>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.comBlogger374125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-29288199255600762942012-08-27T10:39:00.002+02:002012-08-27T10:39:29.052+02:00Less Talk. More Art: A Sneak Peek from my Studio.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;"> "</span><a href="http://keshabruce.com/theguardians.html" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #336699; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;" target="_blank">The Guardians</a>" <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;">are watching!</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-55463110344416140672012-08-21T16:56:00.001+02:002012-08-22T08:08:04.836+02:00Hot Frogs<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zky4B6xQUJI/UDOcot0j7RI/AAAAAAAAAz4/FkHbb2u2B0M/s1600/hot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zky4B6xQUJI/UDOcot0j7RI/AAAAAAAAAz4/FkHbb2u2B0M/s1600/hot.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">I’m writing this post
from inside my refrigerator.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">(Or at least I wish I was.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">This has become
necessary because, at the moment, France is experiencing its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_European_heat_wave" target="_blank">first heat wave in almost 10 years.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The whole country is on
red alert as if the sun is a fucking terrorist.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">There are hourly
messages on the TV warning the entire nation of the dangers of dehydration. In
this message there is always an image of a person drinking a bottle of
water, as if we need instruction on how to do it properly.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mBXCu7bA08o/UDOcvOuRS3I/AAAAAAAAA0E/XeXWUttAYQA/s1600/hotwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mBXCu7bA08o/UDOcvOuRS3I/AAAAAAAAA0E/XeXWUttAYQA/s1600/hotwater.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Now just hold the bottle to your lips, open your mouth a little bit, and tilt your head back. <br />Yeah, that's it! Good job!"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Every evening on the
news there’s a report that includes at least two of the following elements:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">- A shot of some really
sweaty bastard walking down the street.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">- An 120 year old lady
being re-hydrated at the hospital emergency room</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">- </span><span style="color: black;">An incredibly bored French doctor, in a
white lab coat, calmly explaining how most people are too dumb to realize they need to
drink water.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The frenzy over the heat</span><span style="color: black;"> has
reached the stage where the police have been ordered to go door-to-door checking
on elderly folks and making them ingest copious amounts of fluids,
by force if necessary, to make sure they don't stroke out. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">I am not sure about
the logistics or legality of this, but it’s happening none the less.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Not really. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPCpmvGkAdY/UDOcurjV-cI/AAAAAAAAA0A/Okag4cdScdw/s1600/drink+this+green+stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPCpmvGkAdY/UDOcurjV-cI/AAAAAAAAA0A/Okag4cdScdw/s640/drink+this+green+stuff.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Drink this creepy green liquid Granny. Drink it now!"</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Meanwhile, the streets
in my neighborhood are so quiet, it feels like the beginning of the zombie apocalypse.
My entire block looks like the set of a spaghetti Western film---complete with
tumble weeds. I expect </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Clint Eastwood to arrive on horse-back any minute
now.<span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">For all of these
reasons, and the fact that nearly 15,000 people died from heat related deaths
during the last heat wave, I think the entire country needs to go over to the
dark-side and just effing give in to the concept of air conditioning. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M5ZJGy8DrFQ/UDOcwIF8YzI/AAAAAAAAA0U/EtjIowC24oE/s1600/vadershit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M5ZJGy8DrFQ/UDOcwIF8YzI/AAAAAAAAA0U/EtjIowC24oE/s1600/vadershit.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">No? No good? Global warming? Fine. No A/C.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Somebody come up with a
better solution and fast.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">Until
then, I’ll be here waiting, sweating, and sippin’ this here glass of luke warm
Perrier.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">p.s.
If anyone has any suggestions on how I can remain cordial with my next door
neighbor after having accidentally witnessed him watching TV in his underwear
through the window in his living room, please do send advice. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">Because although
I’m generally a rather “C’est la vie” kinda girl, it’s hard to look someone in
the eye once you’ve seen the glory of their enormous, hairy man-boobs.</span></span></div>
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Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-85703227058912299422012-05-07T12:41:00.000+02:002012-05-07T12:41:54.692+02:00Buh-Bye Now. Y'all Take Care.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf7H_ogmmQQ/T6eY4QNo7sI/AAAAAAAAAzs/iJU7i6immtA/s1600/byesarko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf7H_ogmmQQ/T6eY4QNo7sI/AAAAAAAAAzs/iJU7i6immtA/s320/byesarko.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-28095505412247987652012-02-28T19:57:00.002+01:002012-02-28T20:02:50.824+01:00And The Oscar Goes To......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7VsFRxMR8M/T00aztDLduI/AAAAAAAAAzc/q8PH1AcA-0A/s1600/thismustbeajoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7VsFRxMR8M/T00aztDLduI/AAAAAAAAAzc/q8PH1AcA-0A/s640/thismustbeajoke.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Are you effin' kidding me?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seriously?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I heard on the morning news that Jean Dujardin won an Oscar, I immediately had the following two thoughts in rapid fire succession:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Oh snap! Someone must have slipped a some wacky drugs into my last batch of Nespresso capsules and I am now having a crazy, laced coffee-induced hallucination.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Holy F*ck. I've had a mild stroke in the area of my brain that controls language because I could swear the TV lady said "Brice de Nice" won an Oscar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As it turns out, I was neither drugged or stroking out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like George Clooney, I spent the next 24 hours in a bitter, hazy cloud of shock, disbelief, and disgust. And then it dawned on me: Of <i>course</i> the Academy loves him. They don't have to suffer through his crappy french TV show and they've clearly never seen any of his other work.</div><br />
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<br />
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-NRlUiRrKck" width="420"></iframe></center><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I dare you to make it to the 5 minute mark without thinking to yourself: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>"This dude won a frickin' Oscar? For realsies?"</div><div><br />
</div><div>End rant. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's fast forward to the part where I give you my 2013 Oscar picks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My pick for <span dir="ltr">Best Actor in a Leading Role: </span></div><span dir="ltr"><br />
</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span dir="ltr"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span dir="ltr" style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: black;">Boooyah!</b></span></div><br />
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<span dir="ltr"><b style="color: black;"> </b><br />
</span>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-30529757613449771462011-11-16T20:56:00.001+01:002011-11-16T20:58:56.213+01:00Top 10 Ways You Know You've Gone Froggy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bAMDVdX-PIc/TsQUNrk48iI/AAAAAAAAAzM/lzGf3P94uAQ/s1600/littlefrogdude.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bAMDVdX-PIc/TsQUNrk48iI/AAAAAAAAAzM/lzGf3P94uAQ/s320/littlefrogdude.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Now that I'm back in France, and I've conquered my jetlag, I've had some time to reflect on more than a few things. Being in the states--specifically--in Brooklyn for such an extended stay has made me realize something.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've become terribly French.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nothing like a trip back to the US to make you understand just how much your sensibilities and ways of thinking have changed. There's really no fighting it: I am a complete AmeriAngloFranco Hybrid Freakshow. The Proof?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #274e13; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Top 10 Ways I Know I've Gone Froggy. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. I very strongly believe that lunch should take at least 1.5 hours. There should be a law. Seriously.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. If you invite me to your house and within the first 10 minutes you haven't offered me a a drink, preferably a glass of wine, I will likely write you off as a heathen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. During casual social gatherings in the US I have to constantly remind myself to just say "hello", but <u>DO NOT lean in for a kiss</u> unless I want to get some <i>very</i> confused and slightly horrified reactions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. (And speaking of casual) I'm terribly over-dressed for almost every occasion. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. <b> </b>If you add up the price of the 300 bottles of perfume and over-priced facial moisturizers in my bathroom closet, the resulting number would FAR exceed what I paid for my first car.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. I only smile when absolutely necessary. It prevents wrinkles. I do however enjoy a trip to the tanning salon where I pay good money to be baked until slightly crispy and I have reached a bronze color that I refer to as "Will Smith". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">7. I iron all of my clothes, including my socks and undergarments...and resent those who do not.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">8. If I'm at a restaurant and the waiter brings be my check before I ask for it, I subtract 2.5% from said waiter's tip. Mean...but true. (Please refer back to item #1 on this list.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">9. If I don't have coffee after every meal I become intolerably grumpy. I'll even drink that swill that Starbucks calls coffee if necessary. Just gimme the f*cking coffee!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And last but not least, on the list of ways I know I've gone froggy....</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">10. I find very politically incorrect and/or inappropriate sexual jokes totally acceptable as polite dinner conversation. Don't believe me? Invite me over for dinner sometime and I'll tell you the one about the really tall lady and the midget.</div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-68237475392614706382011-10-22T09:17:00.000+02:002011-10-22T09:17:00.040+02:00Anybody in the Washington DC Area?<div style="text-align: justify;">6x6 is barely finished and I'm already prepping for the next leg on my 20111 exhibition tour.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next stop: Washington D.C.!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I haven't been to Washington DC in over a decade and this is my first solo exhibition there so obviously I'm thrilled! Also, I'm so sick of NYC right now that every time I see a bearded Brooklyn hipster in orange skinny jeans I have to close my eyes and count quietly from 1 to 50 in order to keep from throwing myself onto the F train tracks just so the pain will stop. Oh the glorious glorious pretentious PAIN!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, if you're in the DC area. Come meet me in 3D. One rule: Don't be creepy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The deets:</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14pt;">As part of the FOTOWEEK DC 2011 FESTIVAL you are cordially invited to the opening reception for</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; font-weight: bold;">(Re)calling and (Re)telling</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14pt;">An exhibition of work by Kesha Bruce.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14pt;">November 5–November 12, 2011</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-943olygW8g4/Tp3SsNwBQRI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Ti_BvI5Bw-Q/s1600/keshabruce_thattheymightbelovely2-424x547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-943olygW8g4/Tp3SsNwBQRI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Ti_BvI5Bw-Q/s640/keshabruce_thattheymightbelovely2-424x547.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">Artist Talk and Opening Reception:<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14pt;">Saturday November 5th, 2011.<br />
2 - 5 PM.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">(Re)calling and (Re)telling uses maps, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">drawings, found documents, and family </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">photographs to create new, hybrid </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">narratives that address aspects of </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">African-American history and </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">experience through memory </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12pt;">and storytelling.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 114%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 35%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 114%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Morton Fine Art</b></span><br />
1781 Florida Avenue Northwest<br />
Washington, DC 20009-2647<br />
(202) 628-2787<br />
www.mortonfineart.com</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is my LAST exhibition for 2011 and my last stop before heading back to Frog-land.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Be there or be square.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Werd.</div><br />
</div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-80669951651894235802011-10-18T21:17:00.000+02:002011-10-18T21:17:40.360+02:00Wheelin' and Dealin'!I'm sorry I haven't been posting much here about my New York City adventures. The past few weeks have been the most <strike>fun and drunken</strike> challenging period of time I've experienced in a recent memory.<br />
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I've been busy every day at the gallery selling art and busy every evening <strike>drinking rhum cocktails at tiki bars on the lower east side</strike> doing follow-up and marketing work.<br />
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At least 3 nights a week you can find me at <strike>the local bar slamming over-priced cocktails and playing drinking games</strike> a non-profit art space attending a workshop or networking event. Meeting new people and <strike>getting drunk with them</strike> discussing art with them is pretty much my life's core focus at the moment.<br />
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My <strike>party</strike> work schedule is so tight that I can barely keep up.<br />
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So forgive me if I seem <strike>hung-over or perhaps still drunk</strike> a bit frazzled or distracted.<br />
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God Bless Art and God Bless <strike>Tequila</strike> America.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ycd529o654/Tp3QN-_VfVI/AAAAAAAAAyc/AaZDDj32qmE/s1600/drinking+fire+with+friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ycd529o654/Tp3QN-_VfVI/AAAAAAAAAyc/AaZDDj32qmE/s1600/drinking+fire+with+friends.jpg" /></a></div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-78589507576443126492011-10-04T18:49:00.000+02:002011-10-04T18:49:49.897+02:00Meet Me in NYC.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSwmRetZuPE/Tos4799mGCI/AAAAAAAAAyY/Oko-vT5TrsY/s1600/6153794512_639b275266_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSwmRetZuPE/Tos4799mGCI/AAAAAAAAAyY/Oko-vT5TrsY/s640/6153794512_639b275266_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Part of the reason I've been so AWOL from blogging is that instead of having fancy lunches and taking photos of all the glorious French food I've been eating, I've been planning this <a href="http://www.baangandburne.com/6x6NYC/6x6NYC.php">6 week art even</a>t. The whole project only lasts 6 weeks, but it took my business partner and I the better part of a YEAR to plan, organize, and fundraise for this baby.<br />
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And now that I'm in NYC, of course, every day of the week is moving at absolute lightspeed x 10. I have appointments and places to be, I forget to eat meals, and half the time I don't know what day of the week it is.<br />
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Good Stuff!<br />
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I'm an experience and intensity junkie, so this is my sweet- spot. Sure I miss France, but I've barely had time to think about it.<br />
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Art has officially taken over my life, but that doesn't mean we can't still be friends!<br />
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How many of you live in the NYC area? I'd LOVE to meet y'all. Why don't you find a way to make it to our next gallery opening? It's not every day that I make it to NYC, or to the US for that matter. Plus my gallery throws the best openings in town. <br />
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A few sexy pics from the opening of <i>Please Standy By</i>: new work by artists Stacia Yeapanis and Readymade777.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_DdSBqrfw0/ToscStJL1kI/AAAAAAAAApE/QObTTKO3d2I/s1600/Please+Stand+By+179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_DdSBqrfw0/ToscStJL1kI/AAAAAAAAApE/QObTTKO3d2I/s320/Please+Stand+By+179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aobwFTPwhKc/Toscihv247I/AAAAAAAAApM/1IegY7rqwcU/s1600/Please+Stand+By+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aobwFTPwhKc/Toscihv247I/AAAAAAAAApM/1IegY7rqwcU/s320/Please+Stand+By+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/baangandburne/sets/72157627692378783/" target="_blank">Click here to see the full Flickr photo set.</a></div> <br />
Couldn’t make it to last week’s opening? No Problem! Come to the next one:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://baangandburne.com/ViolentlyHappy.html"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-syqnL370LNA/Tosc5fQFUGI/AAAAAAAAApc/SSrZlnwFqX8/s1600/violentlyhappy.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://baangandburne.com/ViolentlyHappy.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Violently Happy</b></i>: </a><b><a href="http://baangandburne.com/ViolentlyHappy.html" target="_blank">New work by Jacqueline Norheim and Cara Lynn Kleid</a>.</b><br />
October 6 -12, 2011<br />
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<b>Opening Reception: Thursday October 6th, from 6-8 PM.</b><br />
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Baang and Burne Contemporary Art<br />
547 W 27th Street suite 309 (3rd floor)<br />
Btwn 10th & 11th Ave.<br />
New York City<br />
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Be there or be square.<br />
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Seriously. All the cool kids are doing it.<br />
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</div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-87847898935365434742011-09-11T08:52:00.000+02:002011-09-12T01:00:16.451+02:00I Love New York!<div style="text-align: justify;">For those of you who haven't been keeping up on <a href="http://www.keshabrucestudio.com/">my other blog</a>. I'm in New York for the next 2 months for <a href="http://www.baangandburne.com/Events.html">my big fat art project</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's incredibly bizarre to be back in Brooklyn---especially today. It's been 10 years since I left New York for France. What to say? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maybe just a photo.</div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/239315659/" title="Photo Sharing"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="view" height="394" src="http://static.flickr.com/93/239315659_8d9c5164f9.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">The view from my first apartment in Brooklyn.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />
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</span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/240270448/" title="Photo Sharing"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="loveny" height="464" src="http://static.flickr.com/91/240270448_877703fee6.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> </span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-78510311156670243622011-07-15T19:55:00.001+02:002011-07-15T20:40:47.410+02:00My Big Fat French Life.<div style="text-align: left;">So many thing, So many thing So many things!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">There’s so much stuff going down in my so-called ‘hood these days that I barely know where to start. Screw it, I’ll just start with the things I’m most excited about:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. I gotz de flowers! After 2 years of awful summers, I’ve actually managed to get a little rooftop garden growing at the Barbie Dream House.</div><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OlxHmliZUBg/TiB4Y6v82AI/AAAAAAAAAyM/lQkGXapaPk8/s1600/terrace_summer_2011%2B013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629631903695689730" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OlxHmliZUBg/TiB4Y6v82AI/AAAAAAAAAyM/lQkGXapaPk8/s640/terrace_summer_2011%2B013.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yM18rv8mJBs/TiB4YgMxEGI/AAAAAAAAAyE/DbnKvsNwIEk/s1600/terrace_summer_2011%2B001.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629631896568795234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yM18rv8mJBs/TiB4YgMxEGI/AAAAAAAAAyE/DbnKvsNwIEk/s640/terrace_summer_2011%2B001.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWOhROf5HH0/TiB4YVTNldI/AAAAAAAAAx8/I0asLJgUmfE/s1600/terrace_summer_2011%2B014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629631893643040210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWOhROf5HH0/TiB4YVTNldI/AAAAAAAAAx8/I0asLJgUmfE/s640/terrace_summer_2011%2B014.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">It is truly awesome! Special thanks to French Mother-in-law and French Father-in-law…who basically did all the work while I stood around and grimaced and moaned.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. I have new artwork! I’m in the middle of working on a new series called “The Coronation” for my September exhibition in NYC. (more on that in a minute. Just hold your horses.) Wanna hear me talk about it? Take a look at my promo video in which I am wearing my super-fly pink star earrings.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://youtu.be/zOAVcr1wvko"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TeJFhs3GMk4/TiB59jpjXwI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/KhbCEv26yYo/s640/keshabruce_coronation_screenshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. And last but not least—the thing that’s totally taken over my life: For the last 8 months I’ve been planning and organizing an incredible art event that kicks off September 8th in New York City. It’s called <a href="http://www.baangandburne.com/6x6NYC/6x6NYC.php">“6x6”</a> (pronounced six by six) and it is going to be totally RIGHTEOUS.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Basically 6x6 is the art version of a music festival with six back-to-back exhibitions sandwiched between a whole slew of events aimed at bringing artists and art lovers together in a totally “no art snobs allowed” way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Long story short, I met artist <a href="http://www.charliegrosso.com/">Charlie Grosso</a> in 2009 when we were in an exhibition together. Eventhough she lived in Los Angeles at the time, we stayed in contact….and voila---a year later we had formed <a href="http://www.baangandburne.com/index.html">Baang and Burne Contemporary Art</a>. A kind of freestyle curatorial gallery project that stages short term exhibitions in New York City.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the moment we are in FULL-ON fund-raising mode to pull off this event. We have 20-something days left in our fund-raising campaign over at kickstarter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_634186126"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://kck.st/lb7d0L"><b>If you really love me, you should go over there and become an official backer. </b></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It’s pretty easy and takes about 2 minutes. We’ve raised $6400 so far. But I just need a little push to cross the finish line. Please watch the video if you want to see me hopped up on 3 double espressos:</div><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="410px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/849806275/6x6-an-art-version-of-a-music-festival/widget/video.html" width="480px"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">If you can back my project for $10 that would be great, but if you’re willing to back me for $25 or more you can score some really cool rewards! The $200 reward is actually one of my limited edition, hand-pulled lino-cut prints from the coronation series. (That's about half the regular gallery price.) Click here to become an Art Hero: <a href="http://kck.st/lb7d0L">http://kck.st/lb7d0L</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So that about brings us up to date I think.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh wait, also, I lost 25 lbs. But that’s a story for another post.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wicked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Your beloved, Madame K.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x400B3TBSZs/TiB7hVQB61I/AAAAAAAAAyU/q4wDYFdyqqE/s1600/keshabrucesmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x400B3TBSZs/TiB7hVQB61I/AAAAAAAAAyU/q4wDYFdyqqE/s1600/keshabrucesmall.jpg" /></a></div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-584266500129151702011-05-13T20:57:00.001+02:002011-05-13T20:59:21.268+02:00A Blast From The Past: Why I Heart France: Reason # 5<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6674/1633/1600/new%20blog%20images%20014.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6674/1633/320/new%20blog%20images%20014.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> The French mother-in-law is a much maligned creature. Much like her American counterpart, <em>La Belle Mere</em> (literally translated: "Pretty Mother") is often accused of being overbearing, demanding, and have been known to coddle their sons to the point of co-dependency. More than a few of my friends have told me their Belle Mere horror stories, so it appears I have hit the French Mother-in-law jackpot.<br /><br />Today my own French Mother-in-law stopped by for coffee on her way home from her weekly "soin de visage" (Fancy french facial treatment). Not only did she fold the mountain of laundry that was piled on our bed, she took all the wrinkled items home with her to iron. She then proceeded to dry & put away all the dishes I had just finished washing. Oh and did I mention that she just happened to bring along a hot baguette from the best boulagere in town and a fresh green bean salad topped with her nearly legendary sweet vinaigrette?<br /><br />...And some people ask me if I'll ever move back to the states.</span> <span style="font-size:130%;">Well let me tell you now, that living under these conditions makes it highly unlikely.<br /><br />What can I say? I married well.</span>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-80873991452506157432011-05-03T13:01:00.000+02:002011-05-13T20:37:35.323+02:00Why I Heart France Reason #20: Pimps.<div style="text-align: justify;">If you ever happen to be at the Novotel hotel in Metz, be sure to stop by "Le Bar" and order a "Pimp in Soho".</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfsBCU1pwP4/TZBrN2o7JnI/AAAAAAAAAxg/6GnMZeswfDI/s1600/food%2B003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589085023316420210" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfsBCU1pwP4/TZBrN2o7JnI/AAAAAAAAAxg/6GnMZeswfDI/s400/food%2B003.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589085029325416770" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-08eRVoZ4Ovk/TZBrONBlKUI/AAAAAAAAAxo/qFqeFaAJom4/s400/food%2B005.JPG" border="0" /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br />Extra credit points if you do it with a straight face.<br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>I bet you can't do it.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-21943357859052837412011-02-27T12:04:00.012+01:002011-02-27T13:50:43.345+01:00Why I Heart France Reason #19: Fungus.<div style="text-align: justify;">At the request of blog commenter <span style="font-style: italic;">'Tired of Snow</span>', Saturday night Frenchboy and I managed to get a table at one of the cities best restaurants, <a href="http://www.cartesurtables.com/metz/restaurant_au-pampre-d-or-334.htm&lng=fr&stndln=true">Au Pampre d'Or</a>, without a reservation.<br /><br />It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.<br /><br />It's true, <a href="http://www.cartesurtables.com/metz/restaurant_au-pampre-d-or-334.htm&lng=fr&stndln=true">Au Pampre d'Or</a> happily lost it's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide">Michelin star</a> recently, but after ordering and being absolutely charmed by the 5 course <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truffle_%28fungus%29">Truffle</a> Menu I have no effin' idea why.<br /><br />Now, before we get to the food porn, can I just say how much I adore the French for their love of mold and fungus? Before moving to France, I had only heard of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_truffle">chocolate truffles</a> (although I don't think I'd ever eaten one of those either). So naturally I am absolutely fascinated by the idea of eating a spore that costs nearly €2,000 for a kilo.<br /><br />Last night we must have eaten at least 50 grams of truffles and I won't lie to you:<br /><br />It was Divine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481910388/" title="FOOD 002 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5481910388_2d720441ff_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 002" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">An <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amuse-bouche">Amuse-Bouche</a> fit for Royalty.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481910448/" title="FOOD 008 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5481910448_66352a11b7_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 008" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love when they bring your food under a cloche. (What do we call that in English?)<br />The French do have a flair for the dramatic---even in their food.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481910520/" title="FOOD 010 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5481910520_be98395791_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 010" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I wish had stolen a copy of the menu because describing this first dish as<br />"scrambled egg soup with truffles" doesn't really do it justice.<br />It was amaaaazing.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481310925/" title="FOOD 013 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5481310925_c1099aed38_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 013" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481311097/" title="FOOD 016 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5481311097_f0bef09b8b_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 016" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481910830/" title="FOOD 024 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5481910830_01a12d0cbe_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 024" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pigeon with truffles!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481311349/" title="FOOD 031 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5481311349_a82387809f_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 031" width="640" height="398" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">How is it that I've lived in France for 7 years now yet I had no idea that you're supposed to eat your Munster with light sprinkling of cumin? Seriously? I'm just finding out about this heavenly combination now?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481311419/" title="FOOD 033 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5481311419_e151cd217c_z.jpg" alt="FOOD 033" width="640" height="478" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481311489/" title="FOOD 036 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5481311489_0894d24dd7_z.jpg" alt="FOOD 036" width="640" height="478" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love when they bring you two platters filled with<br />what can only be describes as"pre-desserts".<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481311541/" title="FOOD 040 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5481311541_6997889728_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 040" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481311609/" title="FOOD 046 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5481311609_aaf1c30016_z.jpg" alt="FOOD 046" width="478" height="640" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The cutest mini pistachio muffin on earth.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481911314/" title="FOOD 049 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5481911314_267c9e6642_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 049" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Insane chocolate soufflé that what so perfectly light and fluffy that I felt like I was eating chocolate and mandarin flavored air.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481311797/" title="FOOD 068 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5481311797_c4216630b8_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 068" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481911364/" title="FOOD 065 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5481911364_13903e27f4_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 065" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And a bit of Meringue for good measure.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/5481310683/" title="FOOD 056B by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5481310683_a5cf0c2cf4_b.jpg" alt="FOOD 056B" width="598" height="800" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Take that André Michelin!<br /></div><br /></div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-35534323824763455192011-02-08T15:20:00.007+01:002011-02-08T16:06:48.782+01:00I Survived the Snownami.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TVFVjT_pPyI/AAAAAAAAAuI/VFWXo4r-je8/s1600/snowpocalypse%2B2011%2B001.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TVFVjT_pPyI/AAAAAAAAAuI/VFWXo4r-je8/s400/snowpocalypse%2B2011%2B001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571328279185014562" border="0" /></a></div><br />I'm writing this from the great state in Indiana visiting me mum. I booked this trip to the US because I have not one, but three exhibitions planned back to back and I had planned to attending at least the closing reception for the first one near Chicago last week.<br /><br />Unfortunately my reception got canceled by the Snowpocalypse.<br /><br />Two days before the reception, Chicago got pounded by a storm system that pounded them with with 2 FEET of snow. Here in Indianapolis we didn't get snow, instead mother nature treated us to a 3 inch coating of ice that paralyzed the entire state and left many without electricity or heat.<br /><br />How's that for a homecoming party?<br /><br />We were all but trapped in the house for nearly 3 days. Luckily my friend Danielle managed to make it to our house on the 3rd day. She helped me dig out my car and my mom's car. No, No. Let me rephrase that. She helped me chisel my car out of an effin' glacier with a hammer. A frickin' HAMMER!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TVFWIG8ADJI/AAAAAAAAAuY/KAcAZevYHdE/s1600/snowpocalypse%2B2011%2B010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TVFWIG8ADJI/AAAAAAAAAuY/KAcAZevYHdE/s400/snowpocalypse%2B2011%2B010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571328911335230610" border="0" /></a><br />Once we had liberated the cars we were feeling quite triumphant. Here is me with my mini shovel and my nearly 18 inch tall and 3 inch thick Ice trophy. The bugger weighed nearly 15 lbs. No kidding.<br /><br />But besides that, all is swell. In spite of being technically out of the office, I'm getting a TON of work finished, and more importantly I was here to help out my mom. I was like a gladiator shoveling out her car.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TVFWHwhONJI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/2APV_7jnzRU/s1600/snowpocalypse%2B2011%2B009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TVFWHwhONJI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/2APV_7jnzRU/s400/snowpocalypse%2B2011%2B009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571328905317332114" border="0" /></a><br />I am a total bad-ass.Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-28686792235260921602011-01-22T11:30:00.008+01:002011-01-22T12:01:54.437+01:00New Year, New Ideas, New Focus, New Fun!<div style="text-align: justify;">Those of you who e-mailed to check up on me are just too sweet. There is no cause for concern, I am doing just fine.<br /></div><br />No, no, to be more correct: I am doing frickin’ awesome! See, don't I look happy?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.keshabrucestudio.com/" title="kb_studio portrait 2011_LARGE by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5377105995_4a95ee5675_b.jpg" alt="kb_studio portrait 2011_LARGE" width="659" height="431" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Just when you think life can’t get any more juicy and interesting, well, it does.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What I’ve been up to:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://baangandburne.com/">Baang and Burne</a> has been keeping me busy!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7PTuf9vpn6I/TNl_CQHTReI/AAAAAAAAASo/JQoPgTHXoKI/s1600/73500_157648930940836_143582012347528_277826_5986163_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 580px; height: 435px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7PTuf9vpn6I/TNl_CQHTReI/AAAAAAAAASo/JQoPgTHXoKI/s1600/73500_157648930940836_143582012347528_277826_5986163_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">With 2 exhibitions under our belt we’re planning an event for Chicago, another psychotically enormous 6 week project to take place in NYC in September. If you're in the NYC area, <a href="http://www.keshabruce.com/downloads">join my invite list</a> so I can...well invite you.<br /><br /><br />In other news:I gave up coffee and have become a tea junkie.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TTq0eqw58RI/AAAAAAAAAtk/hqPBW-imotc/s1600/vampireghostwerewolf_tea.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 191px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TTq0eqw58RI/AAAAAAAAAtk/hqPBW-imotc/s400/vampireghostwerewolf_tea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564958728538157330" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Which may or may not be related to the fact that I’m watching Being Human. A show about a ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf who constantly drink tea.<br />(Why can’t France have an equivalent of BBC3?)<br /><br />Also, <a href="http://www.keshabrucestudio.com/">I’ve been cheating on you with my Art blog</a>. For those of you who don’t what I do for a day job, go on over and check it out. I just gave it a ginormous overhaul and a new focus. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In the past year I’ve published a few articles about <a href="http://www.keshabrucestudio.com/2010/12/advice-for-artists-who-dream-of-fancy.html">art school loans</a>, <a href="http://www.keshabrucestudio.com/2010/12/5-questions-every-artist-should-ask.html">juried shows</a>, and <a href="http://www.keshabrucestudio.com/2010/11/how-to-understand-difficult-art.html">understanding difficult art</a>. But now it’s time to take off the training wheels and really kick things into high gear.</span><br /><br />I’ll still be showing off <a href="http://www.keshabruce.com/recallretell1.html">my own totally bad-ass Art</a> , but I’ll also be helping other artists get their sh*t together and get their careers on track. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For years I’ve been helping artists rework their resumes, write their artist statements, and put together exhibition proposals. Believe it or not, that type of stuff is fun for me.</span><br /><br />Seriously, if you’re and artist who is struggling to create, show, and sell your art, <a href="http://www.keshabrucestudio.com/p/work-with-me.html">you really should be working with me</a>.<br /><br />So you see, I haven’t been kidnapped, nor otherwise imprisoned. I simply got carried away living my big fat juicy life.<br /><br />Oh how the time does fly when you’re having fun.<br /></div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-84492015439194504802010-10-07T14:06:00.001+02:002010-10-07T14:06:00.729+02:00Look on the Bright Side. It Could Be Worse!<div align="justify">I just got an e-mail containing the following message from the US Department of State. When I read this stuff I always feel really helpless. I happen to be American. I live in Europe. It's not like I can cut my holiday short and fly home to avoid any possible dangers. I'm not a tourist. This is my home. </div><br /><div align="justify">So instead of sitting here feeling all panicky and helpless. I thought I'd entertain y'all. Now, don't be skeered, but ask yourself....</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524538262699323842" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TKsaR5g_McI/AAAAAAAAAtI/j2XvcywT9XQ/s400/zombie-attack-poster.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Travel Alert<br />U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE<br />Bureau of Consular Affairs Europe<br />October 3, 2010 </strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for Zombie attacks in Europe. Current information suggests that al-Zombi’ia and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks. European governments have taken action to guard against a Zombie attack and some have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions.<br /><br />Zombies may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests. U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for Zombies to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Zombies have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services. U.S. citizens should take every precaution to be aware of their surroundings and to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect themselves when traveling. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524538264535740690" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TKsaSAW0sRI/AAAAAAAAAtY/8esgjcIVCnA/s400/zombie23.jpg" /><br /><br />We continue to work closely with our European allies on the threat from international Zombie-ism, including al-Qa’ida. Information is routinely shared between the U.S. and our key partners in order to disrupt Zombie plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524538263163616082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TKsaR7Pru1I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/WUo_SK_8iSk/s400/zsurvival+guide.jpg" /><br />We recommend U.S. citizens register their travel plans with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website.<br /><div align="left"><br />This Travel Alert expires on January 31, 2011. </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><em>(Wait. Serously? WTF for? Is this the date world peace starts? Oh, Awesome!)</em></span></div><br /><div align="left"><br />United States Embassy<br />American Citizen Services Unit<br />4, avenue Gabriel<br />75382 Paris Cedex 08<br />France </div><div align="left"><br />Telephone in France: 01 43 12 22 22<br />Telephone from U.S.: (011 33) 1 43 12 22 22<br />Website: http://france.usembassy.gov<br />E-mail: citizeninfo@state.gov </div></div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-15840855005667854342010-10-06T18:03:00.001+02:002010-10-06T18:03:00.277+02:00Bringing Art Back to "Everyday" People.<div align="justify">Through the process of organizing <a href="http://baangandburne.com/">Baang and Burne Contemporary’s first event,</a> I’ve been asked time and time again ‘So who are Baang and Burne?’ To answer simply—they don’t exist. Instead our gallery takes its name from a cold-war era espionage term for covert demolition and sabotage operations. We altered the spelling slightly to make a tongue in cheek reference to Big-name art galleries that take their names from their celebrity directors. When I came across the term ‘Bang and Burn’ it seemed perfect considering that our whole approach is about doing away with all the barriers that come built-in to the traditional art buying experience.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://baangandburne.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519125492470173714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7PTuf9vpn6I/TJffZNF80BI/AAAAAAAAARo/kjnw6EGIzX8/s400/B%26B+photo.bmp" /></a><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So let’s take a moment to talk about the biggest barrier shall we?<br /><br />I’ve been on the ‘inside’ of the art world for quite some time, but not so long that I’ve forgotten how confusing and intimidating it can be to shop for art. I’m not too proud to admit that there was a time not so long ago that even I was afraid to go into certain galleries in New York City. Let’s face it folks—the art snob intimidation factor at many galleries is quite high. I was reading an article not to long ago where even world famous/fabulous fashion designer <a href="http://www.wmagazine.com/artdesign/2007/11/marc_jacobs">Marc Jacobs was too intimidated to go shopping for art. </a></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">If Marc Jacobs found the experience of shopping for art intimidating, how on earth can a non-art, non-millionaire “everyday” person be expected to enjoy the experience? And buying art <em>should</em> be an enjoyable experience, no? I refuse to believe that the fun only begins when you unwrap and install it in your home. The buying is an important part of the process. When asked, most people would say that the main reason they don’t buy art is because if the price. In reality, I think at least 50% of the problem is the actual process.<br /><br />The traditional model of selling art in galleries has removed people from the experience of art, let alone the experience of buying it. Aside from those people who are especially motivated to take a drawing class or enjoy painting as a weekend hobby, very few people feel connected to art in the same immediate way that they feel connected to music for instance. The whole experience of viewing, understanding, buying, and just interacting with art and the very real people who make art has become almost completely alien. And this alienation has become the norm. Am I the only one that finds this fact tragic?<br /><br />So I'm just throwing this out there:<br /><br /><em>What can be done to make the art buying experience less foreign?</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em> </div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><div align="justify"><em>What should be done to make art more accessible to would-be collectors? </em></div><div align="justify"><em><br />What can be done to demystify the art buying process?<br /><br />What can be done to make the entire idea of “art” less foreign to the “everyday” people of the world?<br /><br />Who the hell are “everyday" people anyway?<br /></div></em>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-42625638173696278012010-10-04T17:49:00.002+02:002010-10-04T17:53:18.701+02:00I Came, I Saw, I Baanged, I Burned.<p align="center"><a title="August- September 095 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/5044584352/"><img alt="August- September 095" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5044584352_c02a2ff714.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></p><br /><div align="justify">I blame my lack of posting on my massive case of jetlag. Just in case you’ve lost track, I spent the entire month of September in the US, shuttling between NYC and the grand state of Indiana. Now that I’m home, back in the studio, in France, I wanted to post a short and sweet wrap up of <a href="http://keshabruce.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-create-unique-art-experiences.html">Baang and Burne Contemporary’s </a>first NYC event. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="August- September 093 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/5044583868/"><img alt="August- September 093" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5044583868_0505a4c9f3.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br />In short, it was fabulous. <a href="http://baangandburne.com/JaneZweibel.html">Jane Zweibel’s</a> work filled the space perfectly and it was a real pleasure to have the chance to see it again. The guests were intrigued and enchanted by the art, the food, the environment, and by the very concept itself. I know I’m biased, but our event was one of the best art event’s I’ve ever been to. However next time I will put someone in charge of documenting the entire event from start to finish because I was so busy with the guests that I barely took any photos!<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="August- September 100 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/5044585368/"><img alt="August- September 100" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5044585368_9ed6aa325e.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br />What surprised me is that almost every guest spent time in the flat files room handling and touching the works on paper. Even more surprising was how many people went back in to see and touch the work a second time after they’d made the rounds once. As it turns out, I’m not the only one who loves white art handling gloves. I think everyone put on a pair at least once.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="August- September 097 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/5050861609/"><img alt="August- September 097" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5050861609_53b1b3b7c2.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="August- September 098 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/5044584946/"><img alt="August- September 098" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5044584946_19a937e522.jpg" width="500" height="375" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br />By 6PM the lasts guest had all said their goodbyes. An hour after that the entire exhibition had been uninstalled and packed for transport. No muss, No fuss. And that, my friends, is how you Baang and Burne.<br /><br />The next Baang and Burne event will be <a href="http://baangandburne.com/Events.html"><span style="color:#333333;"><em>Every</em>DAY: Recent Artwork by Charlie Grosso and Todd Squires</span></a>, and takes place in NYC on Thursday October 21, 2010 from 6-8 PM.<br /><br />Unfortunately I won’t be there. I can't get on a plane for fear that I might actually be the first person in history to actually die of jetlag. But if you're interested in seeing soem great artwork and actually meeting and talking to some great artists, I know a guy, who knows a guy, who can get you on the invite list. *wink wink* If you’re in the NYC area and you want to attend, just drop me an e-mail, or you can just go directly to the website and sign yourself up to the <a href="http://baangandburne.com/Contact.html">invite list </a>.</div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-48648646481649877422010-09-29T11:03:00.003+02:002010-09-29T11:17:08.535+02:00Five Years of Bloggy Wisdom.<div align="justify">Maybe my jetlag is making me all goofy and euphoric, or perhaps it’s just the absolute joy of waking up in my own bed for the first time in almost a month, but I feel absolutely celebratory. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522259030797261890" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ooMCgR8BOXE/TKMBVJBdHEI/AAAAAAAAAtA/_Jt4EJpMX58/s400/cakepinkrgb.jpg" /> <p align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc33cc;">Happy 5 year blog-aversary to me!</span> </p><p align="center"></p><p align="left">That's right. I've been whinging for 5 whole years now. Click here to read my first, very whingey post titled: <a href="http://mysocalledlifeinfrance.blogspot.com/2005/09/france-not-all-its-cracked-up-to-be.html">"France: Not all it's cracked up to be."</a> </p><p align="left">My first blog post was just dripping with disappointement in regards to France. Five years later my feelings for France aren't nearly as dramatic. What I feel now can only be described as... a light-hearted indifference. </p><p align="left">But like I said then: At least the food is good.</p>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-63412904318445298372010-09-16T15:45:00.001+02:002010-09-16T15:47:25.053+02:00How to Bang & Burn.<div align="justify">Hot on the heels of my guest post about <a href="http://keshabruce.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-i-learned-from-running-my-own.html">"What I Learned From Running My Own Art Gallery"</a>, I figured this would be the a perfect moment to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">segway</span> into telling you about my latest big project.<br /><br />A few months ago I got the idea for a traveling, no-walls gallery while listening to an <a href="http://www.artheroesradio.com/">Art Heroes Radio</a> podcast. <a href="http://www.artheroesradio.com/2010/04/diy-fund-raising-and-shameless-selfpromotion-a-conversation-with-philip-huang.html">Philip Huang</a> was talking about how he opened a theatre in his spare bedroom because he <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">couldn't</span> find an affordable theatre where he could produce his one-man shows and performance works. I thought to myself: “<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Uhm</span>, I should do that.”<br /><br />My partner in crime, and fellow artist, <a href="http://www.charliestudio.com/charliegrosso/CGPFA_index.html">Charlie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Grosso</span></a> and I have been wanting to work together on a project for about two years now. The idea of producing our own exhibitions and events seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Last month while I was in New York we decided to put our heads together and just do the thing. Less than six weeks ago we officially formed <a href="http://baangandburne.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Baang</span> & <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Burne</span> Contemporary.<br /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="http://baangandburne.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514179328947135954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7PTuf9vpn6I/TIZM4mGyJdI/AAAAAAAAARQ/dvFgNZmiHkE/s400/B%2BBscreenshot.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><br />Our plan is simple yet ambitious: To produce 4-6 exhibition events a year in cities in the US and Europe. I say it’s ambitious because the goal is to pull off each event with a minimal budget while putting together a quality exhibition. The ‘Big-Picture’ goal of each event is to introduce each of the artists to possible new collectors in a new geographic region, or just a new group of people even in their own backyard. In other words, each event is not just about showing the work and adding a line to a CV, but about promoting increased future sales by engaging new audiences through relationship and community building.<br /><br />Now here’s where it gets really exciting. Instead of using the traditional “pop-up” gallery that takes over a commercial space or store front for a limited time, we’re going to create a series of private “one night only” events with a much smaller cozy guest list of individuals. Most of the events will actually take place in a private home and will be by invitation only. Of course invitation only <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">doesn</span>’t mean exclusive. Anyone has the chance to be invited simply by getting onto our invite list.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Baang</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Burne</span>’s first event will take place in New York City on September 26t<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">h, 2010</span> with New York City artist Jane <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zweibel</span>. To say the least, we are excited! As usual more details will be forthcoming.</div><div align="justify"><br />In my next post I’ll answer the question: “Who the hell are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Baang</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Burne</span>?” </div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-11825461522310045342010-09-07T16:46:00.003+02:002010-09-07T16:51:04.525+02:00"Hey, Whatever Happened to the Art Shop?"Unless you too happen to be an artist, most of you reading this might not know about Alyson Stanfield’s <a href="http://www.artbizblog.com/">Art Biz Blog</a>, but you should. And I'm not just saying that because last week <a href="http://www.artbizblog.com/2010/08/bruce-galleryspace.html">I was the featured guest post writer</a>.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 359px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509384003774826642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7PTuf9vpn6I/THVDj7w3yJI/AAAAAAAAARI/naIgZSzarKE/s400/Alyson+Screenshot.jpg" /><br /><br />Most of you know that back <a href="http://keshabruce.blogspot.com/2008/08/enjoy-view.html">in 2008 I set up and shared a gallery space</a> in my city with another artist. The whole experiment lasted about a year or so before I pulled the plug. If you want to hear my take on what I learned from the experience of running my own gallery, you should definitely <a href="http://www.artbizblog.com/2010/08/bruce-galleryspace.html">head over.</a>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-64082834881217452042010-08-26T11:32:00.005+02:002010-08-26T11:32:00.042+02:00Magic Garden Update: You Bring the Bamboo, I'll Bring the Booze.<div align="justify">It's been <strike>pissing</strike> pouring rain for 4 days, so I haven't been able to get outside on the terrace to take any photos before now. Finally, the storm let up for a few minutes this morning and I was able to get outside and take a few quick shots.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="terrace 023 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/4922584445/"><img alt="terrace 023" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4922584445_d5e81b90ab_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="terrace 013 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/4922585741/"><img alt="terrace 013" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4922585741_46751897a6_z.jpg" width="425" height="640" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br />As you can see <a href="http://mysocalledlifeinfrance.blogspot.com/2010/08/magic-garden.html">my mail-order bambou</a> is happily in its home. We found these gigantic plastic planters made by some slick Danish company at the local yuppie garden center. They are super lightweight and are guaranteed to resist UV fading for a hand-full of years. I have complete and blind faith in Les Danoises.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="terrace 010 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/4922572391/"><img alt="terrace 010" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4922572391_26a6c21be0_z.jpg" width="425" height="640" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br />The same weekend we potted the Bambou, French Father-in-Law and FrenchBoy installed this lovely and colorful straw material stuff that I found on sale at Leroy-Merlin. It's synthetic, so it should hold up a bit better than the real stuff we had installed on the terrace at our old apartment. The best part, besides finding it one sale of course, is that it makes the whole space seem more defined and dare I say cozy? I mean who wants to <a href="http://helipad.com.sg/v2/index.html">hang out and have cocktails on a Helipad</a>? Ok, I would, but it would need to be dressed up pretty nice first. </div><p align="center"><a title="terrace 004 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/4923164646/"><img alt="terrace 004" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4923164646_9ab99d4ff5.jpg" width="500" height="332" /></a></p><p align="justify"><br />You bring the bamboo, I'll bring the booze! p.s. That metal armiture to the right of me in the photo is a hammock that I might eventually use if it ever stops raining.<br /><br />And just last week French Mother-in-Law called to tell me that Lidl was running a promo on lavender for less than 3 euros a plant.<br /></p><p align="center"><a title="terrace 026 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/4922584613/"><img alt="terrace 026" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4922584613_3f085b0095_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" /></a></p><p align="justify"><br />I promptly drove over to my nearest location and bought their entire stock. OK, I left one plant in the store. I didn't want to look <em>too</em> greedy. (My apologies to the grey-haired old lady that I drop kicked in order to score an entire case of 6 plants, but lady, you had it comin'.) When we bought the planters from the garden center, I saw the exact same size of Lavander plant for about 10 bucks per plant. I don't exactly know which type of lavander this is, but I couldn't pass up that deal. Now my only hope is that they somehow manage to survive the psychotic Lorraine winter and don't end up as 6 flower-sicles.<br /><br />Anyone who has tips on how the hell to protect Lavander from frost and <strike>pissing</strike> pouring rain for months on end, speak up in comments.<br /><br />Oh, and for those of you in France who want to order your <a href="http://mysocalledlifeinfrance.blogspot.com/2010/08/magic-garden.html">own magic garden in a box</a>, I bought my bambou here: here's the website: <a href="http://www.bambouweb.fr/">http://www.bambouweb.fr</a>. The selection, information, and pricing is nothing short of amazing. Order now, have your plants in 4 days. Insane!</p>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-7596457829523286282010-08-24T11:14:00.005+02:002010-08-24T11:21:04.048+02:00Ask and You Shall Receive.So, in conclusion: The best way to get what you want--Ask for it.<br /><br /><div align="justify">For those of you who have been playing interweb tag with me on and off for the past week or so, this will not be new information for you, but I'm thrilled to announce I’ve managed to <a href="http://mysocalledlifeinfrance.blogspot.com/2010/08/small-nyc-space-needed-finders-fee.html">find a location for the art event I wanted to organize</a>. The event will take place September 26th in New York City. The project's official launch is September 1st, so I'll have to try to contain my excitement for another week yet. The website isn't quite done yet so I don't wanan give the URL out just quite yet.</div><div align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508646046516556658" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7PTuf9vpn6I/THKkZKv6s3I/AAAAAAAAARA/fFtOBsx4Ru8/s400/thankyou-note.png" /></div><div align="justify">For now I just want to thank everyone who stepped up to be a real Art Hero. I never could have pulled this off without the crazy magic of the internet. Those of you who jumped on Twitter and Facebook and spread the word about my request...well, you're just awesome. <BR></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><BR>At the same time, I’m not at all surprised. I've always had faith in the power of a small group of people to get things done. *insert off-color joke about Germany here*</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><BR>More details coming soon.</div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-74233176294322850222010-08-13T15:28:00.000+02:002010-08-13T15:28:00.667+02:00The Magic Garden.<div align="justify">One of our main goals for this year was to finally do something with the Barbie Dream House terrace. It’s been nearly 3 years since we moved in I think and we still haven’t done anything with the space. You see the problem with having a 130 square Meter terrace is…where the hell do you start? Not to mention the obvious question such as how much is this project gonna cost. In the end we gave ourselves a modest budget to work with for this year. Little by little we’ve been ordering everything on our list:<br /><br /></div><div align="justify">Salon and coffee table? Check! </div><div align="justify"><br />Over-priced planters? Check!</div><div align="justify"><br />Ginormous Parasol? Check!<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Plants? Oh Fer f*ck’sakes I knew we forgot something!<br /><br /></div><div align="justify">So after much deliberation and research we took the logical next step. No we didn’t go to the garden center and pick up some trees; instead we ordered some bamboo on the internet. The place came well recommended by a friend of French-Mother-in-Law so I wasn’t really worried about quality. I don’t know exactly what I thought it would look like or how it would arrive. I guess I imagined it would come on a truck or something. Instead, what actually arrived was so much better:<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="bambou 001 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/4862877146/"><img alt="bambou 001" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4862877146_92d8501596.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="bambou 003 by My So-Called Life in France, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28199967@N03/4862877278/"><img alt="bambou 003" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4862877278_ea5604ba9f.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br />Voila! Say hello to my gorgeous little garden in a box delivered by regular express mail.<br /><br />My 8 baby bamboo plants came wrapped in saran wrap and packed in white packing peanuts inside a medium-sized cardboard box. (Seriously dude. Who the hell still used packing peanuts?) Much to my delight they are in perfect health, and very, very pretty.<br /><br /><br />Bamboo in a box. Who knew? </div>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17042141.post-62612443910010784602010-08-11T15:21:00.001+02:002010-08-11T15:21:00.484+02:00New Work in Progress and One Naughty Drawing.<div align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">Leave it to me to fly all the way to another continent to take a technical workshop on printmaking and encaustics, only to come home and start making sculptures. You really never know what part of your brain will get tickled when you let new info in. I can't be bothered to make drawings or paintings at the moment. I'm way too interested in making three dimensional objects that I can touch and hold. Oh, and I'm making them in concrete.</span></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">Why concrete? Two reasons: </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">1. Beautiful and incredibly flexible material (surprisingly enough) with so many options and ways to form it.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">2. It costs practically nothing and can be bought at nearly any common hardware store. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">(You know how much artists love hardware stores, right?)</span></p><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">3. Concrete is hard, heavy, and tough i.e., it's bad ass.</span></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></p><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">At the moment 3 sculptures are curing in my garage. They aren't done yet since I still have finishing work to do, but still, this is exciting stuff. I have no photos, but here are the idea sketches from my sketch book.</span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="Concrete Sketch 1 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/4859830450/"><img alt="Concrete Sketch 1" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4859830450_1d7909feb2.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="Concrete Sketch 2 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/4859209903/"><img alt="Concrete Sketch 2" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4859209903_58cce831e1.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="Concrete Sketch 3 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/4859209761/"><img alt="Concrete Sketch 3" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4859209761_d60145255e.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="Concrete Sketch 4 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/4859209641/"><img alt="Concrete Sketch 4" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4859209641_63d65d22e5.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="center"><a title="Concrete Sketch 5 by Kesha Bruce, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86629980@N00/4859238185/"><img alt="Concrete Sketch 5" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4859238185_53456c9b63.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br /><br />Of course the actual objects look nothing like the drawings. I made the sketches before I'd ever even mixed my first batch of concrete. (Wishful thinking?) As soon as I started applying my mix to my armature everything changed. But hey, that's half the magic!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">p.s. Thank You to my friend Mr. Aaron California for pointing out <span style="color:#666666;"><span style="color:#000000;">the perverse implications of the second to last drawing.</span></span></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="color:#000000;">Perve!</span></p><div align="justify"><br /></div></span>Madame Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10711262100071626133noreply@blogger.com3