From One to Many

The Philadelphia Museum of Art West Entrance 

Artwork done with Silkscreen on Polished Stainless Steel

Inserting myself in the composition.
Shirt: Simply Vera Vera Wang, Pants: Zara,
Boots: Nine West Vintage America 

Hello, friends.  Today, in this photo-heavy post, I am doing something I rarely do; I am posting about an experience the same day I had it (a public service, if you will).  Today, finally, I made it to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the Michelangelo Pistoletto: From One to Many exhibit.  Unfortunately as much as you might like to view this exhibit after I tell you about it, today was the last day to see it.  Hopefully you made your way down to the Museum Circle any regular non-Monday in the past 3 months, viewed it, and are happy to be reading my review.     

As you know, whenever I have a chance, I enjoy looking at art, but find modern art, with the exception of pop-art, (wow this is a long sentence) a bit over rated.  Pistoletto, on the the other hand, made modern art awesome.  Beginning with his shiny, metallic, or lacquered canvases and continuing with ever evolving "mirror images" executed with painted tissue paper, photographs, and silkscreens on polished steel, he studied the relationship between the viewer and the composition.  He also made interesting sculptures, and films/performances with his troupe Lo Zoo that left me thinking: "What??" and shaking my head at the explanations provided.  Nevertheless he made some really great art.  One day, when I am decorating my apartment, it would be nice to install on of his pieces in a prominent spot in my living room.
  

Snood and Coat: J. Crew, Bag: Hype

This outing was fallowed by a great lunch of mushroom and barley soup and half a grilled veggie sandwich with a chocolate almond latte at the Regency Cafe.  Feast your eyes.  Hope you have a happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

George Condo

1. Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Album Artwork

2. “Smiling Woman with Pearls” (2008)  3. Adam Kimmel FW2010 inspired by Condo, masks by Gabe Bartalos

4.&5. Masterpiece Theater: Vogue December 2007

They other day, I was listening to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West.  Anyone who has purchased this album could not have missed the colorful, interesting album artwork.  It called to mind the work of an artist who was featured in a Vogue editorial a few years back.  Sure enough, the artist was George Condo, whose work has had a quite an influence on fashion.  His style is very distinctive and has even inspired fashion collections.  This was one of my favorite editorials in a beautiful issue of Vogue that featured Penelope Cruz on the cover, accompanied by the most attractive matador in the world.  Anyway, you may want to explore Condo's work further, especially if you are snowed-in as I am.  

*Editor's Note: Condo's show at the New Museum began Wed. Jan. 26 and runs through May 15.  Read more about it here.   

Free to Roam, Make a Home Out of Everywhere I've Been

Sweater: J. Crew, Pants: Zara, Shoes: Tahari, Cami: Kohls   

So, I bet you've been wondering, "what will Caroline wear today?"  I know I wonder this everyday (usually when I wake up or in the early morning hours if I am just climbing into bed).  I will now return posting photos of my outfits, not only because of my vanity, but also because I received a camera for Christmas and I haven't documented a single look since forever.  I believe this outfit is indicative of the influence New York City had on me, as I never wore an all-black outfit when I lived in Philly.  

In other news, if you a feeling bored on this Thursday afternoon, you could always venture out to your nearest art museum (although if you are reading this now, you probably don't have time to make it before the museum closes).  I went to the Met a couple weeks ago and found that the Damien Hirst shark had been replaced the sculpture seen below.  Here are some photos of some other pieces I had not seen before and as well as familiar sights:  

1.  Me, Central Park, & Sculpture, 2. & 3. Modern Art Pieces in the 2nd Floor Modern Art Galleries,

4. Petrie Court, 5. The Met 

I also viewed the John Baldessari: Pure Beauty exhibit and the Miro: The Dutch Interiors exhibit.  Both are will make you think and contribute to a great afternoon.

Randoms and Such

1. View of Empire State Building from Madison Square Park,  2. Shake Shack: Madison Square Park, 

3. Fountain: Madison Square Park,  4.&5. Museum of Natural History 

As fall gets underway and chills begins to creep into our bones, some nice shots of late summer scenes in NYC.  

Stay tuned to Mainstream Misfit as I will be posting my rundown of Fashion Month shortly!

The American Wing

1. Diana by Augustus Saint-Gaudens 2. Tiffany Window 3. Evening by Frederick Wellington Ruckstull

I don't know why, but for some reason I had never ventured into the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  I figured that it was about time I set foot in that gallery and I'm glad I did.  It has quite an array of beautiful sculptures, Tiffany windows (sorry I forgot the name of the one I posted) and a cool little period rooms.  Plus if you get hungry you can grab a bite in the cafe.

Gold Gardens

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Shirt: Loomstate, Tank: American Eagle, Shorts: American Eagle, Sandals: Franco Starto, Bag: Juicy Couture 

The weather in NYC has been just beautiful the past few days.  Perfect days have included wandering around the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and just sitting in Bryant Park.  Add some fresh fruit, rosemary and lemon sorbet from the farmer's market and some good friends and you've got the best afternoons of your life.

Great Graffiti

http://blog.vincentmichael.com//

If you live in the Philadelphia area I suggest checking out the current exhibit at the Vincent Michael Gallery, PaperMonster Ate That Little Boy, featuring the work of street artist PaperMonster.  There will be an Artist Talk and Presentation on Saturday and I think it would be awesome to see his work up close.  I haven't been to a museum in a while and am experiencing an extreme need to see something new, unique, and really cool and I think this work fits the bill.  For more info check out the Vincent Michael Gallery website  and the PaperMonster Blog.

Be Attentive

As school winds down, I feel it's important to show you the reason I excel in school, my note taking ability.  

Arte por el Arte

This sculpture and the silver tree I photographed for A Tree Grows Part II are both located in the sculpture garden of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. If you figured out that the the other trees were not growing in Brooklyn, I'll tell you where they were growing. The 1st photo was taken from the backseat of the family van when we were leaving Jones Beach in Long Island NY, the 2nd photo was taken while riding shotgun on my way back from Ithaca College in Ithaca NY where there is no shortage of beautiful trees in Fall, Numbha 3 is inside a canopy covered walkway in Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton NJ, the one underneath was taken during the BLizzard of 2010, and the final photo is of two trees on the roof of a building across the street from the Met on 5th Ave NYC (click to enlarge the photo and look at the architectural details). So these photos basically document a year in my life through trees. cool.

A Tree Grows Part II

Spring Fever

My dad said yesterday, "Isn't it amazing that it can reach 70 degrees in winter?" Now it is Spring and a beautiful day to get free water ice at Rita's! This was such an amazing week, weather wise (besides Monday) and today is no exception since it's going up to 72 degrees in my area! If you happen to be stuck inside today, here's some cool modern art for you to enjoy. I am generally not a big fan of modern art but I LOVE pop-art and I loved this painting that I saw at the Met. I'm so sorry that I forgot who it's by. The colors are so vibrant, happy, and perfect for Spring.

The Formerly Title-less Post!

Blazer: Proenza Schouler for Target, Yellow Tank Top: Loomstate, White Tank Top: Mossimo Target, Jeans: Levi's, Shoes: Payless, Necklace: J. Crew, Earrings: Gift
The weather here is so rainy and dreary. I tried to pick my spirits up by wearing this outfit to a musical my friend was performing in last night. It was amazingly and so funny. One of my friends was wondering when I was going to wear these jeans again and I wore them the day after she was thinking about them. I love them so much.


When people think of art, the sometimes fail to think of the artistic qualities of furniture or fabric. This is a photo I took at the Met in the mirror of a cool vanity with what I believe to be a Paul Poiret textile in the back, though I'm not too sure I read that correctly. I love how the mirror is held up by two silver peacocks. Got to go, have a great weekend, even if you're stuck in the rain.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Today I am highlighting a certain building across the street from the Met. The facades of the 5th Ave. buildings are so beautiful and unique and I love how they pop up between more modern looking buildings. The architectural detailing is so ornate and adds to the charm of the Central Park area. Sitting on the steps of the Met, Gossip Girl style, and just looking out onto 5th and taking in all the sights and sounds of one of the most stunning areas of the city is something I revel in. In the midst of all this hustle and bustle, I felt calm and at ease, peaceful, tranquil. I didn't want to leave.

*Alexander McQueen's final collection was shown today. It was one of the most beautiful collections I have ever seen. The fabric and prints of 16 looks call to mind the days of well dressed, opulent royalty, but the gilded cuts are totally modern. It was a fitting tribute to McQueen. The collection can be seen here.

New York I Love You

Blazer: J. Crew, Vintage Silk Blouse (Stolen from my mother): Sunny Leigh, Lace Trimmed Tank Top: American Eagle Outfitters, Jeans: Paige Premium Denim, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Necklace: H&M

Today is the first day of a series of posts about my field trip to one of my favorite places in the world, The Metropolitan Museum of Art! Naturally I begin with the obligatory outfit post. I love this blouse that my mom wore back in the '80s. It's so light and the perfect thing to wear underneath a heavy velvet blazer. The necklace complemented the blouse's neckline while cascading down between the blazer's lapels. The weather was beautiful and I saw some great art and architecture so check back all this week for some exclusive photos and commentary.

*Oh and if you see a close up of the Prada dress I loved at the Oscars, it's covered with mini scissors and kitchen utensils!

If You Could See It Then You'd Understand

Blazer: J. Crew, Shirt: American Eagle Outfitters, Jeans: Paige Premium Denim, Shoes: Made By Elves, Bag: Juicy Couture, Stole the scarf from my mom

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Yesterday I visited the Perelman Building of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the Inspiring Fashion Exhibit. This exhibit consisted of 17 looks from many design houses in tribute to Philadelphia fashion great Tom Marotta, former vice president of couture for Saks Fifth Avenue who died 2 years ago. The fashions were all contemporary, the oldest one a black Oscar de La Renta dress from 1995. The exhibit also featured video interviews with Carolina Herrera, Badgley Mischkca, Ralph Rucci, and Peter Som. If you can, I encourage you to visit the museum and view the beautiful pieces as well as the surreal designs of Marcel Wanders in the Daydreams exhibit.

To learn more about the exhibit and Tom Marotta follow these links:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philly.com Article

Monday Madness

This photo I took of King Leer by: Seward Johnson at Grounds for Sculpture earlier this month reminded me of the spectacular Givanchy Haute Couture Show. If you haven't already seen it, it is amazing. Hopefully these photos will inspire you to take a look.



Photos By: Style.com

Saved it For a Rainy Day

Yesterday I was finally able to go to New York to see the Model as Muse exhibit at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After racing from the bus through the cold sheets of rain that poured down on the city (thank God for waterproof handbags!) I entered the dry museum and spent hours gazing at the photos, magazince covers, ads and editorials, and beautiful clothes shown in this exhibit. It covered the very beginings of modeling in the days of Dior and ended with the famous models of today. The exhibition runs until August 9th but if you can't make it by then click here to view videos and photos from it.