Crack Open Some Art

The Hammer Museum, a somewhat hidden gem in Westwood, has temporarily taken on not the feel of a bar exactly, but certainly the atmosphere of a friendly party as part of their series called the Hammer Project. For this project, Tom Marioni is presenting his on-going artwork Drinking Beer with Friends is the Highest Form of Art. Along with the bar-like installation, and a list of rotating bartenders/artists, the remaining empty Pacifico beer bottles from these private gatherings actually become part of the artwork.

Attending last evening's gathering, I was served an ice-cold cerveza from artist and guest bartender Chris Burden, the man responsible for, among other things, LACMA's hauntingly beautiful Urban Lights.

Marioni has been working on this project idea for many years now, and has written books on the subject. Not to mention downed his fair share of cold ones.

But who says art has to be so high brow? From the look on the faces of most of the attendees, I would say they don't mind their art occasionally being a little easy to swallow.

Before The Fall

While not officially over, spiritually, summer came to an end yesterday.

But fret not dear friends, for fall, perhaps the fairest of all seasons, is right around the corner and with it comes a splendid bounty of promise. For starters, college football has kicked off to the delight of millions of fans, and when not cheering for their team, students around the country embark on noble pursuits within the halls of academia.

Though sadly no longer dressed like those depicted in the recently re-released and ubiquitous, Take Ivy, fall will always be the time for tweed blazers, weejun loafers and cozy sweaters.

Fall also marks the return of Blowing Sunshine. After a spring and summer hiatus, yours truly resurfaces to embrace my favorite time of year and to bring little bits of news from Southern California and beyond.

Now, I would never profess to be as prolific as the dear Duchess, duchessofcorbin.blogspot.com , or an arbiter of style as The Sartorialist, thesartorialist.blogspot.com or even to have my finger on the Mod and Fashion Forward looks of His Knibs, www.hisknibs.com. But I do hope to bring a little insight to these confusing times without needing to candy-coat the absurdities of everyday life. Please join me, won't you.