Toilet art

WHO would have thought of putting this fine art piece above a toilet?
I will give you a few guesses:

It is in a restaurant in Italy.
It is in an American restaurant.
It is in an Italian restaurant in Italy.
It is in a bar in Los Angeles.
It is in an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles.
YOU ARE RIGHT....THE LAST ONE!!!
Is THIS where art is supposed to end up?? Down the drain? OR......
is this one way of getting people to visit an art show?
However you look at it, when you are looking at this piece, you either have finished doing what you have to do, or you are waiting to do something.
And while you are waiting you can enjoy art!

Culture shock here I come

Just what IS culture shock?
I can assure you, I will have a very good dose of it this time, when I got back into Italy after 50 days in L.A. California.
Culture shock.
It's shocking.
Your system expects the sun and good music on the radio, of the newest groups OR of the songs you knew as a child. Instead, you get Italian music, much of which are single recording artists. And not music you really can sink your ears into.
Shock number two. Those streets! So tight that when you get out you have to watch your door, just to make sure you don't bump into the next car, parked millimeters away.
Culture shock! Smiles, here, on the street in the stores, from clerks, cashiers, from people in line to people walking their dogs, etc etc. To serious faces!! Don't smile, you don't know that person!!!
So sad.
And casual living. In Italy there is sort of a way of dressing, getting made up, even to do the simpliest thing. Here, in L.A. even curlers are permitted. Or pajamas, or going out in a robe, or even shorty pj's. Ah, to be casual! It is fun, it is normal, it is so L.A.!
SHOCK. Going from sunny California to rainy Italy. But that is the least.
Here you can do and see and eat and hear just about anything. And when I say eat, any food whatsoever. I stil haven't eaten Chinese, but I did have Peruvian. And I had Thai, and Indian but I didn't have Korean yet. I did have Italian of course, but I still didn't have ribs. Though I did have Waffles but I didn't have French toast...wait, yes I did! At home, I forgot.
I am already preparing for the shock. Here you can find everything and you can do everything.
And being different is being normal here.
Shock, shock shock.
Am I ready for it?
I don't know, but I am feeling the feeling that says time is just about over for this whirlwind of a place, this modern Disneyland, this crazy feeling.
Back I go into time, into the past, into beautiful Italy, which I love to see, and which inspires my photography.

But this time, I will have a more difficult time re-entering. And the shock will be even more so.

7 differences of Italy and Los Angeles

Here is a list of things that I am definitely going to miss about Los Angeles.
They are things that would really improve the quality of life in our beautiful little Italy.
I live in Italy but I was born in California.
Each time I come back I make new realizations. Here are a few of them:

1. Since Oct 5 when I arrived here, I have only TWO TIMES thought, while driving,
"Hey, don't get so close!" and yesterday "What do you think you are doing, trying to pass me in this small amount of space?"
In Italy EVERY TIME I DRIVE, even for just a few minutes, there are several drivers who do all sorts of strange things from parking where they should not, to passing in a dangerous way, to following other cars much too close, to not letting you pass or curve, to honking if you are trying to park. People are very inconsiderate on the whole, and being back here is such a relief to drive and not get upset at the drivers.

2. People try to help you out with suggestions in stores. If they don't have a product, they might suggest another store.

3. Anything you buy can be brought back. They give you your money back. THIS is something that just doesn't happen in Italy. If you change your mind, too bad. If it doesn't feel right or doesn't look good, that is your problem. America is amazing about this and has been for years.

4. Smiles while you walk. You can take a walk on the street, and be greeted by pure strangers who will smile or say good morning. So refreshing!

5. Artists helping artists. I have had several people share their news and suggestions. They will give you leads, help you out. People don't hold onto their good luck and fortune, much more common to share here. Much more a feeling of community.

6. Positive attitude. Italy is now in a low, and rightfully so. Not good times there. But people complain here too. BUT the attitude, the daily feeling is more positive. And naturally, that feels good.

7. People do lots here. Women my age are into lots of activities. People in general are doing a lot of things, and there isn't the feeling that it is too much. The city offers so much and people take advantage of it. This kind of feeling makes me feel good!!

PS -- and by the way, people like to have fun!! And just looking around, it shows!

Fun in the "New Country"

Fun
Lots of it
The American society definitely knows how to entertain people in the society, especially around the Los Angeles (or New York for that matter) area.
Here, at the Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead festivity in the San Fernando Valley (outside of Los Angeles, where I was brought up) it was so much fun!
Lots of old cars fixed up in the most amazing ways. And I LOVE these oldies but goodies.
Here I am, in the month of November actually NOT enjoying the heat because it was terribly hot and I was overdressed.
However, the cars and people and food and music was everywhere, and the enjoyment immense.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

A dancing ritual during the very intriguing Day of the Dead today in Canoga Park, California. A celebration that gives importance and various events to pay respect to the dead.
Thousands of people enjoyed a extremely warm day, all the events, food, music and these colorful costumes and dancers of various ages.

A real cowboy!

I saw a real cowboy today at the airport.
Right when I got off my flight from Portland Oregon, there he was....
A beige leather hat
A beige outfit that included
BOOTS WITH SPURS!!!

BOOTS WITH SPURS?????? AT THE AIRPORT???????
I asked myself, did he really board the plane like that???
Darn, I didn't have the courage to ask to take his photograph. What a mistake. A perfect shot!

At the exit I asked security who this dude was. Who was he and how did he board the plane dressed in dangerous sharp spurs?

"Oh, yeah, the employees today are doing a Flash Mob, they are dressing up for Halloween and probably they are dancing now, there upstairs. You will probably see it on YouTube later on today."

DARN!!! WHAT A JERK I WAS!!! SO STUPID I FELL FOR IT!!!
I should have KNOWN that he was dressed up for Halloween. BOY I COULD JUST KICK MYSELF!

Reception OLD WORLD NEW ART - A VALLEY GIRL IN ITALY

 Amazing evening at the reception this evening with friends that I hadn't seen since highschool like Donna Schultz here together with me in front of the main wall displaying my photographs of Italy

                                        Guests at the reception which took place this evening

                                                    Here with artist friend Michelene

 To the left, dear friend and curator of the show, graphic artist Carolyn Uhri together with her
friends with my photograph of Blu Gondola (all photos displayed were available in smaller version)

                        The main wall where exhibition was installed and two guests to the show

                                                  The main wall towards Moorpark Street

                                         Guests who included several family members coming
                          from cities outside of Los Angeles and some who live within the city.

                           Three friends from highschool and even from elementary school! In the
background two of my larger photographs displayed at the entrance to the Coffee Fix.

                Me, together with my dad and mother, together with dear friends Julie and Drew.

                          The show and refreshments. At the entrance a list of my photographs
 produced on a program of the show. All graphic work produced was created by Carolyn Uhri.

                                                               Together with cousin Barry.

                            Together again with highschool and elementary school friends.

                       The entrance to the Coffee Fix with my Cactus Ladies in the background.

10 things I saw today in Los Angeles

WOW
If you keep your eyes open in a big city like Los Angeles, you can see a LOT of things, and not that "normal", but interesting and fun to observe.
I love watching people, and today was a good one for seeing people and things that they were doing, eating, and how they were dressed......wow once again.
Here is a small list, but it is only part of what I saw in several hours out and about, driving, walking in the malls.....

1. A beautiful girl, absolutely gorgeous, in a black dress with a slit in the front that came up right to where one would imagine would be a pair of well, underwear. She looked stunning in it, confident, like a model or an actress.
2. While having two tacos, I sat and watched other people around me. A woman stood with a huge french fried potato in her mouth, for about a minute, while emptying her tray of dirty food and paper into the bin.
3. A little girl with her mother went into the restroom with a huge pink balloon (with helium).
4. A girl was dressed up like a monster, with scars on her face, with blood, and when young boys came into the shop she greeted them "Hey, hi you guys".
5. A boy had a hair style where the points of the hair in the middle stood up completely, about 15 or more inches from his scalp. He was ready for Halloween, the hair was painted orange.
6. Three girls were getting their hair done, outside in a kind of restaurant area, one had purple hair, the other dark and the blond was having huge curls waved into it.
7. Fancy and rich (they seemed so) women were enjoying getting their hair done in a saloon, a beautiful place with magnificent space, and a sense of elegance and luxury.
8. Another man pushed a car with many of his belongings in it, walking down the hot street.
9. Lots of eating of pizza, Mexican food, Chinese, and Sushi in the piazza of the huge shopping mall, where I had my second Mexican meal in two days.
10. Mixed couples, all nationalities, hand in hand, smiling, enjoying each other's company.
This is America.
And only a part of it.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Los Angeles

A VERY pleasant meeting with members of the staff of the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles.
Here they are having their picture taken while holding the postcard that announces my photography show at the Coffee Fix in Studio City. Reception tomorrow at 5pm until 7:30pm.
Yes, I am excited to see lots of highschool girlfriends, and meet the public there.

Interesting day, normal for L.A.

Took the fast new bus to my friend's house to pick up a car.
Interesting trip!
People got off the bus to make way for a fellow in a wheelchair with one leg that ended at his knee. He told his story on the bus -- someone on a cellphone was the cause of the accident that made him lose his leg. He yelled out to thank Lord, and others on the bus agreed. There was a lot of commotion to get people to get off, but people did leave in order to catch the next bus. Then we continued on our way, people talking and commenting, the guy in the wheelchair telling about his life, smiling and laughing. It was quite interesting.
Tonight, I was in the mood for Indian food. I drove the car to the restaurant where I was almost the only fair skinned person there. The place was filled with dark skinned Indians. The food was incredible! It is one of my favorite places to go in L.A. when I am here. A simple shop and restaurant, very good food, very inexpensive. I even had a mango milk shake. Absolutely wonderful!
So, back to the computer tonight.
But it was a very good and tiring day. Weather is extraordinary and very hot.
Thank goodness for air conditioning in this city.

Getting ready for Saturday

First show in L.A.
I have had pictures shown in L.A. in the past, at a gallery, and another gift shop/gallery years ago
but this is my first "one-woman-show" in L.A. and it feels very exciting!

It was quite a bit of work, developing the photos in Italy, bringing them with me and framing them here.
Taking things from one place to another, organizing how to hang them and having some excellent help to do it LUCKILY, and now, things are just about in order and the show must go on!

Trying to get some photographs on her, but on a computer I am not familiar with. Keep trying, and hope to get them on now and later too.

Come to the show, will be happy to meet old friends and new ones.