The Half Century Mark Hotel at Sixty North

An Imaginary Space about Becoming Real

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  • Theater Reflections

    Theater Reflections

    July 19, 2013

    I visited the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis recently. I was there visiting family and taking an encaustic photo workshop with the wonderful Clare O’Neill.

    Clare introduced me to so much in the three days we worked together: art, color, self-reflection, and loads of wax. On the third day we went out shooting and explored the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis’ Warehouse District. The theater–thanks to French architect, Jean Nouvel and others–is a marvel. Stretching more than half a block (178 feet) from the building face, there’s this 30-foot-wide space called the Endless Bridge. It towers over the West River Parkway and provides the most amazing views of the Mississippi River Dam, and the surrounding mills and cityscapes. The interior walls of the Bridge lobby are set in this amber-colored glass; the exterior of the building is a deep blue with ghostly images of past performers. And then there’s this one red wall. All amazing: the light, the views, breathtaking. But it was the people we met that were the true highlight of the day. Some literally danced their way into our thoughts; others shared their music, creative lives and even their sorrows. And I took my first self portrait in 27 days. Thanks to Clare and all her creativity and encouragement, I’m back. Will share more soon on the encaustic process and why it so appeals to me.

     

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    Nice article about the theater and the architect here.

     

    guthrieSir Guthrie himself.

     

    44.983334 -93.266670

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  • Hotel Tumblr

    June 19, 2013
    Waiting by p. christakos

    Half Century Mark on Tumblr

    “If my hotel was real, I would fill it with the people, places, art, words and dreams that I post here, some of them my own” is the way I described the Hotel’s new venture on Tumblr. Tumblr is like a blog only briefer and more visual, they call it a micro-blog. For me it’s a place to exhibit interesting artwork and invite real people to imaginary dinners.

    This all started because last week because I created a Tumblr for the Cazenovia Public Library called Mr. Hubbard’s Salon. It’s really fabulous, if I do say so myself. Please go visit. But don’t stray too far. I want to tell you about the Hotel’s Tumblr.

    I’ve played around with Tumblr before but I could never really figure out what to do with it. And then it hit me, Tumblr can be an exhibit space for my imagination and the Hotel. (I hope I’m not beating this hotel metaphor to death, but it so makes me smile).

    Here’s what happens. I’m sitting in the Hotel thinking, Who do I want to invite for coffee? How about the poet Elizabeth Bishop? I find a sweet article about Bishop’s time in Manhattan from The Paris Review by Laura Mallonee accompanied by a lovely watercolor  by Bishop. l ‘re-blog’ this and voila, Bishop’s painting is hanging in the hotel. By the way, Bishop lived in six apartments and seven hotels in NYC. She wasn’t the happiest of people but her poems and paintings are delights.

    Okay so I didn’t think of Elizabeth Bishop out of the blue. She came to me because I subscribed to The Paris Review on Tumblr. I’ve also subscribed to Maria Popova’s Brain Pickings. Maria sent me this: a 1955 love letter from the artist Ray Eames to her husband Charles. All three will be Hotel artists and guests. I even invited me to hang at the Half Century accompanied by our tagline:

    “The most important thing i can tell you about aging is this: if you really feel that you want to have an off-the-shoulder blouse and some big beads and thong sandals and a dirndl skirt and a magnolia in your hair, do it, even if you’re wrinkled.” ~maya angelou
    Kinda like a Magnolia: self portrait by p.christakos

    And guess what happened next in Tumblr land?  The sweet micro blogger Jasmine re-posted my photo to her Tumblr beneath this quote by Maya Angelou: If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be. How much does that make me smile?

    It’s all such a curious adventure. I heartily recommend dipping your toes into some kind of amazing newness now and again. Happy Dipping, fellow travelers.

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  • Finding Wonderland

    Finding Wonderland

    June 14, 2013

    I am thrilled to announce that I will be having my first photography exhibition in September  with my dear friend and watercolor artist Ann Cross. Ann and I discovered awhile back that our work was taking on similar qualities. My street photography was somehow reminiscent of her darker abstracts; her seascapes were my abstract cedar trees. My self portraits were well…my self portraits. Over many cups of coffee and Ann’s ridiculously delicious tuna salad sandwiches that she cuts into perfect triangles, an exhibition scheme for the gallery at Cazenovia Public Library was launched. My working title for this show is Finding Wonderland. To me photography is a wondrous exploration of light and story, creativity and self-expression. I feel so fortunate for those  moments when I am able to fall down the rabbit hole and lose myself to my subject. And to be able to share these experiences with a friend and fellow artist is the most wonderful find of all.

    Will keep you posted as to times and such as we draw nearer to show time. Here are some photos I may exhibit: get closer self portrait day 127 Me Holding Flowers

    self portrait

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  • Becoming

    Becoming

    March 25, 2013

    curtain

    The truth. Dumbledore sighed. It is a beautiful and terrible thing and should therefore be treated with great caution. ~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

    This person really wanted to be included in my previous post on self portraits. She illustrates a mirror shot, the beauty of cropping, and what happens when you lose the turtleneck.

    I love her 

    March 23, 2013

     as she travels 

    curtain

     to become 

    the handsomeone else. 

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