Peregrine Honig

Sipping iced tea and doing some reading outside of Vanderslice Hall at KCAI on Thursday while I waited for the Peregrine Honig artist talk. Such a beautiful day!

Mariko Mori

On Wednesday night I teach Gender in Japanese Art at KCAI. Last night's lecture was my last for the semester- contemporary Japanese art. Interestingly this Mariko Mori work Tea Ceremony III from 1995 generated the most heated discussion- the students had very strong opinions about Mori a former fashion model, Mori as part of a wealthy and powerful family, Mori staging herself in a working class job, and how to read this work from a feminist perspective. I'm truly going to miss the students in this class!

Work, work, work

Indian

We've been on an Indian cooking kick lately. Monday night's dinner included Punjabi Red Beans, Saffron-Cardamom Spiced Basmati Rice, Broccoli with Chili and Garlic, and Paneer Bread (store bought from our favorite Indian market).

Easter

Little man's Easter gift, an amigurimi set, handmade by my mom. The two birds fit into the nest, and the flower has a tiny musical chip that plays Brahms lullaby. So sweet and so amazingly constructed.

The Day After Earth Day

On Saturday I was waiting in the car as Joe ran into the Brookside Cosentino's to pick up cheesecloth, watching the multitude of shoppers enter and exit the store. As I observed, I became increasingly disheartened to see that less than a third of the people leaving the store had re-usable shopping bags. Come ON, people. It's the day after Earth Day. Re-usable bags are sold everywhere for as little as $1. You know you are going to the grocery store, so bring some bags! I only wish they would start charging people for using plastic or paper bags. Sure, we get them every once in a while so we have them for cleaning up after the dog on walks, or for use as liners in the bathroom trash can, but when I see people exiting the store with 20 plastic bags I just think about the level of environmental and social irresponsibility that comes with being so careless and thoughtless about our shared surroundings. Bring a bag, be a good citizen.

Firepit

Yay! A firepit for the yard!

Essays in Idleness

Prepping to teach Eastern Civ. on Friday, I spent some time on Thursday reviewing Essays in Idleness, a collection of 14th century Japanese texts written by Kenko, and addressing various topics including aesthetics, Buddhism, manners, solitude, and tradition. My favorite passage is as follows. It made me very nostalgic for Japan!

The changing of the seasons is deeply moving in its every manifestation. People seem to agree that autumn is the best season to appreciate the beauty of things. That may well be true, but the sights of spring are even more exhilarating. The cries of the birds gradually take on a peculiarly springlike quality, and in the gentle sunlight the bushes begin to sprout along the fences. Then, as spring deepens, mists spread over the landscape and the cherry blossoms seem ready to open, only for steady rains and winds to cause them to scatter precipitously. The heart is subject to incessant pangs of emotion as the young leaves are growing out.
Orange blossoms are famous for evoking memories, but the fragrance of plum blossoms above all makes us return to the past and remember nostalgically long-ago events. Nor can we overlook the clean loveliness of the yamabuki or the uncertain beauty of wisteria, and so many other compelling sights.
Someone once remarked, "In summer, when the Feast of Anointing the Buddha and the Kamo Festival come around, and the young leaves on the treetops grow thick and cool, our sensitivity to the touching beauty of the world and our longing for absent friends grow stronger." Indeed, this is so. When, in the fifth month, the irises bloom and the rice seedlings are transplanted, can anyone remain untroubled by the drumming of the water rails? Then, in the sixth month, you can see the whiteness of moonflowers flowing over wretched hovels, and the smoldering of mosquito incense is affecting too. The purification rites of the sixth month are also engrossing.
The celebration of Tanabata is charming. Then, as the nights gradually become cold and the wild geese cry, the under leaves of the hagi turn yellow, and men harvest and dry the first crop of rice. So many moving sights come together, in autumn especially. And how unforgettable is the morning after an equinoctal storm! - As I go on I realize that these sights have long since been enumerated in The Tale of Genji and The Pillow Book, but I make no pretense of trying to avoid saying the same things again. If I fail to say what lies on my mind it gives me a feeling of flatulence; I shall therefore give my brush free rein. Mine is a foolish diversion, but these pages are meant to be torn up, and no one is likely to see them.
To return to the subject. Winter decay is hardly less beautiful than autumn. Crimson leaves lie scattered on the grass beside the ponds, and how delightful it is on a morning when the frost is very white to see the vapor rise from a garden stream. At the end of the year it is indescribably moving to see everyone hurrying about on errands. There is something forlorn about the waning winter moon, shining cold and clear in the sky, unwatched because it is said to be depressing. The Invocation of the Buddha Names and the departure of the messengers with the imperial offerings are moving and inspiring. How impressive it is that so many palace ceremonials are performed besides all the preparations for the New Year! It is striking that the Worship of the Four Directions follows directly on the Expulsion of the Demons.
On the last night of the year, when it is extremely dark, people light pine torches and go rushing about, pounding on the gates of strangers until well after midnight. I wonder what it signifies. After they have done with their exaggerated shouting and running so furiously that their feet hardly touch the ground, the noise at last fades away with the coming of the dawn, leaving a lonely feeling of regret over the departing old year. The custom of paying homage to the dead, in the belief that they return that night, has lately disappeared from the capital, but I was deeply moved to discover that it was still performed in the East. As the day thus breaks on the New Year the sky seems no different from what it was the day before, but one feels somehow changed and renewed. The main thoroughfares, decorated their full length with pine boughs, seem cheerful and festive, and this too is profoundly affecting.

- Essays in Idleness, The Tsurezuregusa of Kenko, translated by Donald Keene

Wescoe Graffiti

My KU office is in Wescoe Hall, probably the ugliest building on an otherwise beautiful campus. It's one of those cement blocks built in the 70s when student riots were still fresh in administrators minds. As a result, there are some spaces of the building that are very unwelcoming, such as the 2nd floor east entrance. This week someone has attempted to cheer up the space with a little graffiti. While poorly executed, I really like the sentiment of the work, especially in such a closed-in and lifeless space.

Tulips again

What better sign of spring?

Wang Guangyi

Monday- seminar presentation on contemporary Chinese artist Wang Guangyi. Standard art criticism comments on his critique of communism and consumerism, but I think there's also an interesting layer of trauma and catharsis when considering his biography and that his coming-of-age was during the Cultural Revolution.

Flowering trees

Spring is such a beautiful time in this part of the Midwest with so many flowering trees!

Back in KC

After a flight cancellation due to weather on Friday evening, I was a day late to return to Kansas City. I love the view of the city when approaching from the north on 169, rising from the flat lands.

Chicago

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I spent Friday the 15th with my parents in Chicago. We went to the fantastic (and free!) National Museum of Mexican Art (below), and enjoyed lunch at the always fabulous Frontera Grill.
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Midwest Art History Society

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Thursday the 14th was a stimulating day of art and art history. I was in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the Midwest Art History Society annual conference, at which I presented my paper, "The Tomioka Silk Mill: Factory Women, the Nation, and Meiji Period Visual Culture" in the session "Art and the Body." I received some helpful feedback from the other participants and thoroughly enjoyed listening to other art historians present their research. The conference was held at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, a beautiful facility. We had the opportunity to tour the sculpture park with the curator of sculpture in the afternoon; I particularly enjoyed the Kenneth Snelson "B-Tree II" (above) and the Alexander Liberman "Aria" (below).
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After the evening conference reception we were treated to a public talk with the artist Jim Dine, which accompanied the exhibition of his work currently on view in the gallery (below).
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Transit

Wednesday the 13th was a day on the move- from home to Lawrence to teach, then to the KC airport, then to Chicago, then on to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the Midwest Art History Society annual conference.

Daffodils

One of the many daffodils that we planted last fall.

Crab Apple

The beautiful flowering tree in our backyard, I believe it is a Crab Apple. The scent is heavenly!

Park time

A warm Sunday afternoon at the park!

Indian Barbeque

Lovely Saturday weather led to an Indian-inspired cook-out, and us breaking being veggie for the night. On the menu- Spicy Seared Indian Shrimp on the grill with a side of Saffron Rice, Grilled Roti, Tanjore Wilted Spinach, Corn with Mustard Seeds, and Veggie Pakoras with Mint and Tamarind Chutney Dipping Sauce.

Winstead's

Friday evening, we finally used our Groupon to try Winstead's, for diner-style shakes and grilled cheese, fries and onion rings. Healthy? No. Cheap? Yes. It's old-school fast food in a place that looks neat from the outside and has that 1980s-inspired-by-the-1960s look on the inside. It seems to be super popular with KC folks, and admittedly, the shakes were really tasty.

Tulips

April 7, a rainy day made better by the tulips in front of Watson Library.

Poetry Day

In teaching Eastern Civ. I used to dread Japanese poetry day. While some of the students enjoy reading poetry, others have a strong distaste for it, and it was always the most difficult topic for stimulating discussion. After a few semesters of pain, I decided to make it into a fun day where we have green tea and Japanese snacks and the students read traditional poetry aloud and then write their own poetry according to the traditional renga format. They then read their poems aloud to the class and the students vote, with the winning group getting an extra credit point for the day. This year it was nice enough to do this outside, simulating hanami.

Voted

Redbuds

The redbuds are about to bloom, a true sign of spring!

Pansies

We walked to the local hardware store on Sunday to pick up some pansies for the porch.

First outdoor BBQ!

April 2nd was one of those spring days with perfect weather, so we grilled out for the first time in 2011. While waiting for the grill we snacked on Smoked Gouda Pimento Dip, and indulged in Apple Sage Veggie Sausages, Fresh Grilled Asparagus, and Herb Potato Salad for dinner, complete with a side of local Boulevard Pilsner. A fab start to the outdoor cooking season.

First Fridays and a data loss

April's First Friday was fun. We didn't see any extraordinary art, but Blue Gallery was nice and we bought a sweet card at Hammerpress. We also had a fantastic time with friends at our own late night after party. The great part about this month's First Friday was the weather. Sunny and warm, it was the first one of the year with lots of people walking the Crossroads, and more than a few bands and street vendors were out.
I had a few photos of the bands and the crowds of people, but my phone crashed on Sunday and I lost all my data. A crushing blow, but a solid reminder to back up data and that a smart phone is more like a computer than a phone. I have been able to re-create most of my photos, but April's First Friday will live on in memory alone.

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The flowering shrub outside our living room window. Any ideas on what it is?

Bus stop

Waiting for the bus in front of Bailey Hall, the building where Helium was discovered, enjoying the flowering trees on a Wednesday.

Crossroads

Haircut on a Tuesday.

A bit of work happiness

I returned to the office on the Monday after break to find a new computer! Hooray! In our shared Eastern Civ. office we had an antiquated computer, so old that it couldn't open docx files or play certain web videos. It took forever to load anything and the keyboard was sticky and gross. It had a CRT monitor. The four of us who share it were really only using it to print things. The excitement of entering the 21st century more than made up for it being the Monday after break.

March Madness

Exhibiting a bit of Jayhawk spirit, even if we did lose the game to an eleventh seed....

Irish Stew and Soda Bread

Saturday the 26th of March. Irish Stew from the slow cooker and home baked Irish Soda Bread. A little late for St. Pat's, but a delicious March dish nonetheless.

Diz @ Czar Bar

Old school Chicago House on a Friday night with DJ Diz at Czar Bar in KC!

Waldo Library

I spent Thursday of Spring Break at the Waldo Library grading and working on an upcoming presentation.

Forsythia

We returned to spring weather in Kansas City. In the four days that we were gone the temperatures were quite warm, so many of the early spring flowers began to bloom. The forsythia in our yard burst into color in just a few short days, such a vibrant sign of spring!

Driving back

Tuesday the 22nd took us back to Kansas City. While most of the drive was flat and dull, we did see a huge rainbow in central Kansas and the first part of the drive, through the Colorado mountains, was quite scenic.
I'd also like to send out a huge thanks to Fran and Steve for their hospitality!

Copper Skiing

The view from near the summit of Copper Mountain, where we spent Monday the 21st skiing.

Rocky Mountain National Park Snowshoe

We spent Sunday March 20 visiting with family and snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you haven't snowshoed, it is quite a workout and a lovely way to view the forest in winter. Luckily we weren't breaking trail, which we've done frequently in Minnesota, and which is really challenging, but an extra 25 pounds of toddler-in-a-backpack (as seen here on Joe) will take a snowshoe workout to the next level. We traded off carrying the kiddo, Joe on the way out, me on the way back. The vistas in the park were beautiful, and the contrast of the pine trees, snow, and blue sky was gorgeous. It was also fun to see the trail signage, usually at eye level, at foot level, indicating that we were floating on about five feet of snow-packed trail.