Random International. Rain Room. 2012. Photo via
Have you heard about the Rain Room at MoMA? I read a really sweet story about it the other day and blogged about it for Burnside. You can read it here.
Tag Archives: MoMA
Abstract Expressionist New York @ MoMA
8 AprAs I mentioned, I recently went to the MoMA thanks to the generosity of a friend of mine. One of the reasons I’d been wanting to go was to see the Abstract Expressionist New York exhibit that’s running through April 25. The writers of the Beat Generation used to hang out in bars with the abstract-expressionist painters, so I’ve been fascinated by how the literature and visual arts of the 1950s have influenced each other and have done some writing on the subject.
I like this line that was posted on one of the placards in the museum:
With a grave intensity and sense of responsibility the Americans who would later become known as the Abstract Expressionists set out to make art that would reassert the highest ideals of humankind.
It reminds me of how Jack Kerouac said that “beat” stemmed from the biblical beatitudes.
Spring Break ’11 Recap: I Got Sick
7 AprIt’s been go, go, go for the past few months. When spring break came around, I was so excited for the opportunity relax and have some fun. I imagined I’d read in the Egyptian room at the Met. I’d buy fresh veggies at the Union Square greenmarket. I’d invite friends over for dinner.
Instead, I got sick. I guess my body knew it could finally take a rest from the manic pace I normally put it through.
Before I got sick, though, I did have some fun.
I went with my sister and my friends Rachel and Fred to the FXB Speed-Networking for a Good Cause event at Sidebar, where I met some really cool people. FXB, which has been around for twenty years, works to support children affected by poverty and AIDS. They organize a lot of fun fundraising events for young professionals.
Afterward we met up with our photographer friend Annie and Carly, who was visiting from out of town. We went to an amazing Japanese restaurant. I seriously could not get enough of the green beans and corn.
The next day I spring cleaned my apartment. Woot! Then my friend came over and we ate pizza and chocolate and watched Paper Heart and The Virgin Suicides (which is of course based on the book by Greek-American author Jeffrey Eugenides).
That kick-off weekend I also hopped on the bus and headed over to New Jersey, to have lunch with a friend. I hadn’t seen her for a few months so we had one of those really good, drawn-out lunches and talked about everything. So therapeutic.
Monday I met up with a friend and fellow Scripps alumna who works at MoMA. We had lunch and then she gave me a tour of the Pictures by Women: A History of Modern Photography exhibit. I learned so much more from what she told me than if I had been there by myself. It was such an inspiring and monumental exhibit.
Then I went to the New York Society for Ethical Culture to hear what all the hoopla was about over Rob Bell and his new book.
By Tuesday I was sick and spent the rest of the time watching films like The Runaways on Netflix and reading Lydia Davis‘ The End of the Story.
Yiasou!
Stephanie Nikolopoulos is a writer, editor, writing teacher, and speaker based in New York City.
She is the coauthor, with Paul Maher Jr., of "Burning Furiously Beautiful: The True Story of Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road.'"
You can email her at stephanie_701 {@} yahoo.com
Stephanie Nikolopoulos 