Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Selfies by Jackie Kennedy and Andy Warhol

Just found out that Warhol and Jackie Kennedy have something in common. The other day I saw this mirrored image Jackie Kennedy took with husband JFK and sister-in-law Ethel. That same night we went to a private art collection (as ya' do, darlings) which featured Andy Warhol -  who of course was the master of the selfie, way before it was Zeitgeisted. In fact our selfie culture is the realisation of his vision.
Ethel, Jackie and Robert Kennedy

The private Fisher Collection at the Gap Headquarters in San Francisco. All these pictures are being donated to MOMA so you can see them there soon.

The Warhols were part of the Fisher Collection,  described as one of the greatest private collections of modern art in the world. It's chockaful of Alexander Calder, Chuck Close, Anselm Kiefer, Roy Lichtenstein, Agnes Martin, Gerhard Richter, Richard Serra, and Andy Warhol.

We had "won" - i.e. paid for -  this evening for eight people at a fundraiser for the Oakland Museum. You've probably noticed there are fundraisers galore here in the US  -  nothing here is paid for including proper education.

Inspired by the Kennedy linen-arama I wore my old linen trou made by Gwen Stefani (with her own fair hands I'm thinking)

Me, Ron and Amber

The foot dude says I need to wear sneaker-like shoes from now on what with me bunions. These ones are MaxMara bought in London (and as you can see already need a scrubdub)

Great chance to see a wide range of work from Chuck Close, the hyperrealist artist, who despite achieving fame as a portrait artist, suffered from "face blindness" where he is unable to recognise faces. Then unbelievably one day in 1988 he had a spinal artery collapse and overnight lost most of the use of his limbs. He taught himself to paint with the brush strapped to his arm with tape.  The paintings look like photos from afar but close up you can see the squares.


Close continued to paint with a brush strapped onto his wrist with tape, creating large portraits in low-resolution grid squares created by an assistant. Viewed from afar, these squares appear as a single, unified image.


Then we walked across the road to the  Pier 24 photography exhibit (open to the public) which I had never heard of.  You would never know it's here. You literally go through a whole in the wall. See the Bay Bridge overhead as you go in?

Pier 24, you can see the Bay Bridge looming over


He we all are: Kevin, Mike, Kenny, me, Ron, William, Amber and Rachel


The screen shows old music videos. Look at Amber sitting in the stuffed dolphin chair

Amber loves animals - she volunteers at a dog shelter. She would rather like this stuffed dolphin chair


 Sisters Rachel and Amber. They were Kevin's "little sisters" at Penn State. (It's a fraternity-sorority thing apparently)

They provided wine and a Mediterranean platter. Naturalement I scoffed all the stuffed vine leaves. Mike and Amber looking out the Bay Bridge to Oakland. You feel as though you are floating on the water


This looks deceptively easy, like "I'll just stick some magazine images together" but it took forever apparently

They have a collection of old work I.D. badges

And finally a whole room full of photos that you are allowed step all over. An artist printed out all the photos uploaded to Flickr in one day. You might find something from your camera here.


A room full of photos uploaded in 24 hours to Flickr


Then onto Waterbar and seafood.



Nothing is new and everything is.

30 comments:

  1. "Jackie Kennedy took with husband Robert" ummm I thought Jack had the roving eye LOL

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    1. Think from all that I've read it was both of them, Vicky!

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    2. I caught that too!! Jackie did have both of them:)

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    3. Pretty sure that man in the photo is JFK, not Robert Kennedy.

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    4. Oh my goodness even after you wrote Vicky and I googled President, I STILL did not change it. In my mind I said Bobby and that is the same as JFK.
      NOw you can see the inner workings of the peri menopausal mind. HOrrifying. Thanks Vicky, Jennifer and Antonia. I should not be allowed OUT!!

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  2. This reminded me of my last drivers license...itty bitty head with a ton of blue background...just like the work button. Oh how I have missed you and your sexy dorkiness. Always brighten the day baby.

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    1. Thanks BB. My drivers license has the bluntest hair cut you ever saw, I look like central casting for Cell Block H (did you ever have that show up your way. Classic Australian).
      I once read that Courtney Cox has her driver's license photo styled and photoshopping - I did not thing that was poss

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  3. Replies
    1. I know, I asked if I could slide down the pile on the other side (there's always one isn't there) but no.

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  4. Fabulous pile of photos...I stopped dead at your very cool shoes!! My bunions needs them.

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  5. "nothing is new and everything is": so true! So interesting and what a good-looking group of friends you have, I feel like I can hear you all laughing just looking at these pictures. Sorry about your bunions but those are nice sneakers.

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    1. Thanks Dani. Tallulah says I look like I'm trying to be a teen boy. I wonder if that is better than trying to be a teen girl.

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  6. Replies
    1. I never studied French but always somehow made up in my mind what French expressions mean. now I just found out what that means...will be using it toot sweet

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  7. Replies
    1. Ha! we haven't invented all the stuff we thought after all..

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  8. this post has made me inexplicably happy, thank you!

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  9. Not crazy about modern art, I'm very plebeian in my art taste. Loved the idea of all the Flickr photos thought and my gosh, what a view of the Bay Bridge.

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    1. I love modern art to the extent where I am not really great with anything old. Unfortunately I walker quicker through the Victorians etc than I should.

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  10. We just got back, and now I feel the need to go back again to see all this beauty!!

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    1. Oh I must hop over and see your SF snaps. I think you must have had glorious weather - unless you caught that storm on the weekend

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  11. What a fun outing with the grown ups!I need to experience that WATER BAR spot.I need to see YOU and hear about SPAIN..........I bet your tired of chatting about it by now.......does it feel like years ago?

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    1. It feel like YEARS ago andLC am now freed up to meet.
      Waterbar is slow service and pricey but gorgeous views and glam.
      Also thanks for writing. I see Blogger refused to sent out my last three posts (they kept telling me the files were too big) and now has sent out five of them together. Le sigh....Apologies to everyone subscribed.
      I never get tired of talking about the Camino. I have been really shocked at the interest in it!

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  12. This looks like a fab evening out. Makes me want to go on a fab evening out and mooch about some galleries.
    Sx

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  13. That really is a great selfie of Jackie who allegedly didn't have a 'waist' but certainly does here. Chuck Close is also well represented at our Art Institute and had assumed his disabilities were lifelong. Great shot and view from inside overlooking bay and bridge overhead.
    Good looking group and looked to be a fun night!

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    1. Interesting - the waist thing would explain why she always opted for shift dresses - and looked great in them. But yes here her waist looks wasp-y thing.

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  14. I love galleries. What a fantastic opportunity! You look lovely as always.

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  15. Super post. Relieved I was right re Jack/ Robert. Don't J and J look so young and innocent?
    Your group look so chic. Linen trousers are a favourite and trainers/ lace-ups are a god send these days. You'll feel the benefit later on.

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