full weekend

I did a lot, was lonely, spent a lot, and enjoyed the weather this weekend. I took some slow steps to figuring out how to be friends with my ex, and got props for my writing. So overall good, but there was definitely periods of alone time that got kinda well, lonely.

But that's not why I'm posting. I MUST go to bed, so I won't post photos now of all the loot I got at the Spring Bada-Bing (lame name, cool organizer--the Richmond Craft Mafia (much better name).

Got rings made out of buttons, cool photos, a possible purchase of a real art piece, a sunglasses case, art for my friend's birthday, and a blingy belt buckle.

Here's a fun site I read, they have original art, cool photos, drawings, and music, including this video I've never heard of but enjoyed.

Batzy Shop

We're gonna party like it's 1989

I had a dream last night that I traveled to Ethiopia, except it didn't seem like Ethiopia, partly because I was surprised that people spoke Spanish there and was delighted how well I'd fit in. I think I was visiting an Anthony Bourdain-type traveller, and was staying in a run-down local motel and other people's houses, but the food was amazing and the company was fantastic.

Then we were on a boat, cruising through Europe and then eventually ended up back at my childhood house in MD, where my mom and I were trying to climb out my parents' bedroom window, and my dad was still alive, and it felt like 1989 all over again. There was a mysteroius and powerful man in a white limo waiting for me, clearly designed to take us to something or somewhere important, but my mom couldn't get out of the window fast enough, so I kept telling the man he had to slow down so my mom could catch up.

I woke up to a dead limb--I had slept on my arm so hard that when I realized it was asleep, when I moved it, my brain did not even register that it was attached to me. It was a VERY odd feeling, like moving this heavy thing, and I didn't even know it was mine. Between my black-out, cold-blocking curtains and the cloud cover, the morning came too fast and I couldn't even tell it was time to get up.

Found this cool site for illustration, photos, art: batzy

InLight

InLight was wondrous and fine. It was great to see so many people out for the evening, supporting artists and downtown. Maybe that downtown revitalization we've been talking about for, oh, FOREVER, will actually happen. I even wrote a final class paper about it for Urban Sociology. My acid camera fared quite well, considering.

I have videos, which I'll post shortly.


UR Downtown's building was lit up with moving lights.


There were tons of artists on display. This was my favorite--a series of shoes thrown over the power lines, lit up with lights with messages on the back of the shoe. I thought it was a nice reference to the city, and a simple, yet understandable message about making art out of the everyday. Participants of InLight were able to vote via text message (smart).






The Hula Hoop girls were amazing. I really should have asked how I can join them.


The UR Gamelan ensemble played music for the parade, in addition to these guys, playing traditional African instruments and beat. Love how acid camera makes it look like we're in a Chronic cloud. There was a tall white guy who was totally into the beat and dancing. I know more about African dance than he, but I was not brave enough to partake.



I was so delighted at how many people were there for the 1st annual Lantern Parade. I can't wait for next year.

I missed you, Carpenter Center.


They held up 2 sheets and had fireburners and people with masks dance behind them, providing a nice silhouette.







This was 2 different travelling art squares. The power for the lights was from a computer tower, being dragged along the middle on an unruly platform on wheels. Funny to watch.




This is the lantern I made at 1708 Gallery at First Fridays.

The new Center Stage building looked nice in the dark.

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Holga

I got a HOLGA! Eeee. It was a very nice welcome-home present after a crappy week. Here's a photo of it with my donated film, courtesy of a friend of my friend. Jessica Simpson's creepy eyes on my new Glamour are also there to watch you. Took my first photos on Friday, and I'll get the roll back tomorrow. Holgas are known for being unpredictable in their finishing, with light leaks, vignette framing, saturated colours, and multiple exposures, which makes them very fun, but I don't know how mine will act yet.

Taking pictures of a film camera with a digital camera to put on the Internet--META.

In other, news, I am currently hanging on a wall in a local art show. Wait, how, you ask? Well, actually, this cubist-influenced portrait of me is in the art show. By a guy I used to date, and I had no idea I was in the show, bc the drawing is from 4 years ago, and we lost touch. But I always liked his art, and damn if being in a show isn't pretty cool.

Girl, Cross-Dimensional View

It looks a wee bit creepy (prob the teeth) but I thought it was cool that he sees things in different angles and perspectives.