Vanness Wu Live

Happen upon the Taipei Metro Street Dance Competition yesterday... Was meant to play with Juju outdoors but the sudden downpour caused us to ho underground...

What luck as the Press Conference was just starting... And Vanness Wu of the F4 fame was the event's spokesperson... Besides the obligatory photo shoot with the organizers and the events' sponsors, he wowed us all with a couple of numbers... Can't say am a fan of him or his singing, but can this boy dance! I actually feel he is one if the best around but he dies not get enough materials to showcase his strengths.... Not forgetting to mention, he is not bad to look at.. Not bad at all....

This is the 2nd time I have seen him perform live and i have to admit, am thrilled watching him dance.....

Artful Week

A favorite pastime of mine, ART WATCHING...   it is GREAT stress relieving....  and inspirational...  if you are someone like me whose taste in Art and Exhibition is sooooo varied, then you will never run out of things to see....  And one of the BEST things about living in Taipei is that, everywhere you turn, you are exposed to something artsy and/or art related....  Well after all, they did say that ART IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER!

 

First up was taking in the Barbie Exhibition, as it was ending by the 27th of this month....  over 100 Barbie dolls and accessories - from Vintage (1959) to Modern) - all on loan from local Taiwanese Designer & Personality (and a personal friend) Goji Lin...   It was GREAT seeing the exhibition...  seeing so much Barbie & Friends out on view....  sadly, for someone like me, it was quite unorganized....  no real rhyme or reason for the way all was displayed... I saw and heard quite a few oooohs and aaaaahs from many visitors - young and old....

See more of the Photos Here: Barbie Fashion Box

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Next up for me was the LEGO Exhibition.... in one word: AMAZING!!!  This is not your childhood LEGO art, of course... instead, they are all AMAZING WORK intricate work of art by Nathan Sawaya - already all his LEGO work that has been exhibited worldwide.  And it isn't just that each pice consists of hundreds, and thousands even, of LEGO pieces - each ARTWORK is well thought of and even comes with such sentiments behind their creations....

The Three Pieces I Love Most from the Exhibition!

COMPLET PHOTOS HERE: LEGO-tastic!

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And Sunday, after Church, I decided to make is a Sunday Art Stroll by heading to the Zhongshan Underground MRT Station  Area all the way to MOCA....  always have great installations from local artists - both up and coming and well known....  the sliding gate from each shop alone are great canvases...

PHOTOS COMING SOON!

ART Day

That is just what my day was today!!! Right after this Sunday Mass, with no Babysitting duties... All alone... And no good movie to see - I decided to escape the midday heat of the sun by taking in some art exhibitions... And what better place than one of Fave Art Museums in Taiwan, MOCA... Always something good, contemporary, and cool to see... And of course, the surrounding areas are an added bonus....

First up was a walk through the long strecth of the Zhongshan UNDERGROUND MRT/MALL...   which offers just about anything you could think of:   Rows and rows of shops selling clothing, books, DVDs, shoes, toys, magazines, abounds...   and in one of the BEST SECTION  the MOCA STUDIO...   an off shoot of MOCA...  cool exhibitions are always on view here....   artwork, interactive art, film festivals, performance art, etc.....   this time around three sections of Film Exhibitions - both Live Action and Animated films done by local artists....  one can spend hours watching all these shows - not only are they FREE of CHARGE, it also helps that the Underground Mall is much much cooler than being on the streets....

And the whole Underground Mall is quite an Art Space - at any given time, you can see photographic exhibitions or paintings of different genres....   even the store front gates are works of art, as each one are painted/graffitied by artists and regular folks alike....  it was an added treat to see a brand new section of Mural artwork today - this one taking the Alice in Wonderland theme and utilizing all the areas of the section to tell the story...  interpretations of the popular storybook adorns walls, doors, columns, and just about anything - masking their commonness and making them parts of the canvases....

After feasting on the Underground art exhibitions, it was time to check out what the real MUSEUM has in store for me....  and boy was it a pleasant surprise....  the main exhibition is about the work of renowned filmaker, King Hu....  one of the forefathers of the Chinese Kung Fu cinemas...  His numerous films (a personal fave, DRAGON INN, included)  had been studied, copied, and praised by many other famous Chinese Directors - Oscar Winner Ang Lee, included....   He also boasts garnering the Grand Prix price at Cannes back in 1975 for his epic film, Touch of Zen.... 

The exhibitions boasts countless video screens showing almost all his films....  sections of the museums were made to recreate some of the most essential parts/scenes for his numerous films...  A section also shows interviews of famous producers and directors  who had nothing but praise for Mr Hu...  a section was also devoted showcasing his many illustrations - being a talented illustrator, as well - with two major Animation films in the 1990s: Golden Monkey and The Boiling of the Sea.  Many of his original illustration art from both films were on display - so it was an added treat for me....  sadly, photographing them were prohibited - and this section was very much guarded....  intentional or coincidental - I really could not say....

Was amazed with the overall exhibition, I had to walk through it all for a second time....  Overall, it was a GREAT ART DAY FOR ME, I would say.... no, correction - I WOULD BOAST!!!

Balancing Act!

This is going to be March Madness, indeed - and it all started since the 29th of Feb!!!  My cousin Jhay is here visiting for the 2nd time - His first time was back in the  Spring of 2010......  so, in between Babysitting, dealing with Mom's ever changing moods, and of course, all the hassles of work lately - am playing TOUR GUIDE once more!

PHOTO LEFT: We are Cousins alright....   even in clothing we matched without knowing - LOL!

Am not complaining... am HAPPY to see my cousin here again... I do not get a visit from family or friends that often - so each and every time is MOST WELCOMED!!!  Just a matter of time management and making the most of things....   making it all work out.....

Since his arrival the 29th, we have been on the go...  with Jewel in tow...  First day, after I met him at the bus drop in the SongShan Airport, we took in the view at the Airport's Observatory Deck....  and had a lite lunch in MOS Burger.....   then  we went back home, waited for Jewel to be dropped off and headed to Miramar area to take in the buildings....  the views... and of course, ride the Taipei Eye on top of the Miramar Mall.....     This is my 5th or 6th time riding this Giant Ferris Wheel and I still am scared of it...LOL....even Jewel was a lot more  at ease on her 2nd venture on this ride...  not sure what it is, I really cannot get over this, somewhat, fear of heights...... 

Right after, we window shopped a lot.....  enjoyed the little rides for Juju....  and then we had a Japanese Dinner - Tonkatsu, Sushi & Sashimi, Oh My!....    it was culinary Heaven!!!!    we were all so stuffed right after, we did not even have room for dessert.....  IMAGINE ME saying NO to Desserts....   not a common thing.... hahahahahahahaha...

It was already night when we headed back home.....  tired but happy....   and even happier as we got to see the night lights of MIRAMAR before heading back home....  such a pretty sight!!!

Complete Photos of First Day Here: Feb 29th, 2012

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Fay 2: March 1st

Today was Museum day.....  I went for a morning run... then Jhay and I got ready and went to the market to look around and pick up something light for Lunch....   Pancakes and Taho....  as we were still stuffed from the steamed PORK BUNS for breakfast.... 

After JUJU arrived, we right away took the 307 bus and headed on to the MOCA district....   I know that I have not brought Jhay there yet and it is such a place that is always worth visiting - for the cool, modern exhibitions - and even cooler area to walk about.....

  we had such a GREAT TIME taking photos of/and with the different art pieces sprinkled all around the area of the Museum....  Cool, Colorful & FUN!  Even prettier and brighter on this sunny day.....

Then it was onto the Museum to take in the AUSSIE EXHIBIT: WONDERLAND....various installations from many of Australia's cool and popular artists - in different mediums.....   as always, it is a GREAT SELECTION of pieces exhibited....

Tonight's Dinner Choice was Shabu Shabu....  Always a FUN and Filling Choice!  Something for everyone... including Juju!!!

Complete Photos of Day 2 Here: March 1st, 2012

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Photos of the WONDERLAND EXHIBITION Here

WORLD AIDS DAY

Let Us All Remember:  December 1st is World AIDS Day...   Let us all remember all the friends, family, and love ones we have lost to this Terrible Disease

and Help however we can in Fighting It! 

If In Taipei, be sure to visit MOCA Taipei, to show your support and see the exhibition:

Love.AID.Start & Blissful Quilt Installation - the first ever exhibition on this subject with many local artists contributing their time and talent to this cause & fight. 

These Coffee Mugs made by MonkeyCookie will also be available for purchase, with proceeds going to AIDS Foundations.

MOCA Goes FASHIONISTA!

Yesterday, I took in the "Fashionista" Exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art - Taipei, Taiwan. As you already know, this museum has got to be my most FAVE one in all of Taiwan - as it showcases a lot more contemporary, current, & fun exhibitions.... with this one not any different.

Fashionista showcases local top (familiar names such as Isabelle Wen, Jasper Huang & ) and some up and coming designers - all oozing with so much talents and visions. The exhibition focuses on the designers current/contemporary thinking and views, interpreted in all aspects of fashion: clothing, shoes, accessories, and even a bit of interior designs...

Great pieces are on display... intricately and exquisitely designed clothing... Bustiers made of solid wood... gorgeous gowns made of mesh materials.... some of them are TRULY worthy of being worn down the fashion runways of Paris, London, Tokyo and/or New York.

The way the collections are presented leaves a lot to be desired as well.... very contemporary setting.... and one that is very outstanding is the area where a bunch of white tops lined the ceiling, like clouds lining up the skies.... it was just heavenly looking.... in the same room, creations by different designers are showcased in their individual spotlight, a blurb on the design, and even a wide screen TV with designers taking about their designs...FASHIONISTA runs thru the 13th of November, 2011
MY COMPLETE EXHIBITION PHOTOS HERE!

MOCA INFO:
39 Changan West Road, Taipei City
台北市大同區長安西路39號
☎: 02 2552-3720

MUSEUM DAY

Another rainy wet day yesterday - so what could be BEST than taking a break from WORK and going to the MUSEUM... at least you get to go out, but still not out in the rain.... and you get to enjoy, be awed, and be inspired by so many FAB ART on exhibit....

Always a pleasure going to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Taipei.... I mean, even before you get into the actually museum - you get to enjoy all the wonderful, fun things surrounding the Museum.... sculptures that actually leads you the the MUSEUM.... and then right at the very front of the MUSEUM - always something happening... another exhibit unto itself.... and you do not even have to pay to see it all... so you get to enjoy some art already - FREE!!

Not that it is expensive to go in...actually one of the CHEAPEST MUSEUM ENTRANCE FEE I have ever known.... only NT$50 (less than US$2.00) to get in and enjoy the exciting & fun installations - usually, at least two or three exhibitions going at a time... this time I enjoyed the two main exhibitions:

Invisibleness is Visibleness Exhibition

PERSPECTIVE

You can view Complete Photos of the Exhibitions in these albums: MOCA 1 & MOCA 2

Zhongshan Linear Park

This BLOG is loooong overdue.... meant to BLOG about it but completely got sidetracked till I came across the back issue of Discover Taipei magazine, which used the Zhongshan Linear Park area as its' cover story....

Back in April of this year, Juliana and I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art to see the David LaChapelle Exhibit sit.... we took the MRT - as it was quite convenient.... walking through the station to our designated exit (Exit #1 on the Zhongshan MRT Station), we were already treated to a few art work hanging - that actually tells one/leads one to the proper exit for MOCA.... one after another, colorful wall sculptures, amazes all passersby - the two of us included....

After we got up the stairs and actually exited the station, we were once again treated to a bit more colorful sculptures & figures adorning the little park area, around the museums.... Red and White Robots (called BigPow), which are quite interactive as you can plug in your MP3 or iPod and instantly share your fave downloaded music with other passersby; big sized ducks, rabbits, chicken made, in mosaic styles, utilizing ceramic tiles.... colorful giant snails climbing up the walls; brightly colored balloons on top of a little foliage covered Kiosk wows people on the Chang An exit of the MRT station.... Each and everyone of them, just too fun to see.... and will totally bring out the kiddie in you...

Me with BIGPOW!!!

I read that these creations were completed February of this year alone, quite new!!! The project initiated by Taipei city's Department of Cultural Affairs and costed a whopping NT$21 million!!! The management of MOCA oversee the whole project and they turned to 4 local artists for the all the works created.

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

David LaChapelle: World Tour Exhibition

What a Perfect Day to take in the Asian Premiere of David LaChapelle's World Tour Solo Exhibition at Taipei's MOCA on Wednesday April 28th - after all, Wednesday is always dubbed as a HUMP DAY - and the exhibition was oozing with so much SEX APPEAL.... from the naked sexy images.... to the star/celebrity power (Courtney Love reenacting the Pieta; Michael Jackson as Archangel Michael; Madonna as Hindu Goddesses; Leonardo DiCaprio channeling Marlon Brando; Paris Hilton as Herself; etc..).... right down to the VIVID colors of each and every frame exhibited.

Though a lot of the photographs on display I have seen in various fashion and celebrity magazines over the years, such as VOGUE (just about every single International Editions), Vanity Fair, GQ, Rolling Stone, etc.... - it is sooooo wonderful to have a large collections of them in one place..... to be able to take them in in a much bigger version and in a place where one can truly step back and admire the intensity and vividness of each one.... some of his more famous subjects -- from the world of music, movies, television, fashion, and tabloids -- were on display: Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Amanda Lepore, Lady Gaga, Pamela Anderson, Uma Thurman, Paris Hilton, Lil Kim, just to name a few... some of these celebrity shots I have seen in magazines at one time or another, not even knowing it was shot by Mr LaChapelle - but seeing them here, one can see that they just scream: "BY David LaChapelle!!!"... a section was even devoted with in showing on continuous loop, some of the music videos he has directed ("Everytime" by Britney Spears, "It's My Life" by No Doubt, etc...) just as Powerful, colorful, fun and thought provoking as his photographs...

A FAVE Piece of mine is the very large "The Deluge", his take on Michelangelo's great fresco in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. A video montage is even shown on the making of this particular piece.... from casting call to the actual shoot.... Just Amazing!!!

Part of "The Deluge" panel.
Another favorite section of mine is the "Jesus is My Homeboy" series, done during the early 2000's... here Mr LaChapelle envisions Jesus Christ reborn in present day, preaching his gospel. Mr. LaChapelle placed him as a man of the people and the streets - preaching and caring for the downtrodden and not the high society elite.

There were so many more favorites - so much more that am feeling a second or even third visit is necessary to be able to really take it all in... those of you in Taipei - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking in the exhibition -- TRULY a worthwhile experience - I know both Juliana and I enjoyed it tremendously...

EXHIBITION PHOTOS HERE

David LaChapelle in Taipei!!!

well his artwork, anyway..... Currently ongoing at Taipei's Museum of Contemporary Art - this exhibition is the first leg of Mr. LaChapelle's Asian Exhibition Tour.

The Exhibition runs from the 9th of April through the 30th of May. Museum Hours: 10AM thru 5:30PM Everyday.

MOCA

www.mocataipei.org.tw

Exhibition Info In Chinese

http://mocataipei.pixnet.net/blog/post/25112138

David La Chapelle in WIKI

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_LaChapelle