L O V E: 1 GIANT MEDITATION xx
This past weekend I had the great fortune of meeting with 1 Giant Mind and Dr Paul Zak (The Love Dr.) to participate in A Mass Meditation experiment at the Center for Neuroeconomic Studies at Claremont Graduate University in California. If you practice regular meditation, then I need not say more- you love it and you know how it has transformed your life, so have a click here to follow this wonderful organization and if you want to learn more about the study and help spread the love, check this out. If you don’t practice, watch the video above- it should help inspire you. Need help connecting with a teacher? Shoot me an email: katia@thevedacenter.com and i’ll connect you with the next Vedic Meditation training in your city! Love yourself, give yourself the gift of meditation and take your mind to the next level. Enjoy xx
P O L I T I C A L: JAY Z xx
Here’s a link to a new Jay Z track in response to the criticism he and wife Beyonce received after their recent trip to Cuba. The mural above by NY artists José Parlá and JR resides in Havana- can’t wait to see it in person xx
W A T C H: Sir Ken Robinson xx
I first saw Sir Ken Robinson give a brilliant talk on education on Ted Talks. Yesterday a friend turned me on to an animated adaptation of his seminal lecture that further illuminates his ideas surrounding the issues with our antiquated education system. Please watch, please share- let’s spread this seed and get more people talking about the changes necessary for our children’s future xx
A R T: Wednesday xx
This piece came in my top three of most inspiring work from last week’s art safari xx It’s by Los Angeles based artist Stas Orlowski, who was born in Kishinev, Moldova but fled the Soviet Union and settled in Toronto by way of Tel Aviv and Paris. He studied art in Toronto, receiving a BFA from York University and then went on to complete his MFA from the University of Southern California. Love this combo of light, painting, drawing, collage- ‘mixed greens’ xx
A R T: Brian Dettmer xx
One of the most interesting sculpture artists I’ve come across is Brian Dettmer- known for his artwork that involves the alteration of information media. A large body of his current work is created by altering vintage books and assembling sets of books into intricate and innovative sculptures. With the perspective of an archeologist, vision of an explorer and precision of a surgeon, using scalpels and x-acto blades, he selectively only removes, exposes and seals existing images and information from his carefully chosen source to propose new conceptual contexts and map new visual journeys. See his work this weekend at VOLTA, represented by Kinz Tillou Fine Art.
A R T: John Baldessari xx
It’s an exciting week ahead with The Armory Arts Show in town (and all the auxiliary fairs set-up!) attracting the world’s most important art collectors and showcasing for us all to see, the most important contemporary and modern art of the 20th & 21st centuries. In honor of this week (that always falls on my birthday:) and an artist I adore, John Baldessari, watch the short-film narrated by Tom Waits above. Enjoy xx
M A K E: an environmental difference xx
If you had a choice would you continue to burn costly, polluting fossil fuels or switch to clean, renewable energy? Seems like a no brainer yet those with a Con Edison account that have not signed up to make the switch are guilty of the former!!! ConEdison Solutions Green Power is generated from 35% wind power and 65% New York run-of-river hydro power and costs 1 cent per kilowatt hour (kWh) more than our Standard Power. For just a few dollars more (depending on your usage) you could make a huge difference!!! If you are the primary holder of your account, then you are eligible to make the change (no sign up or switching fees) right now, click here!!! As more people sign up for this program, more wind energy projects will be built to help create a cleaner environment! Make the switch, make a difference xx
*If you have any questions, you can also call Jonah Hachman (631-428-3858), the friendly Williamsburg neighbor who helped me make the switch yesterday:)*
D O N A T E: To Educate Sex Slavery Survivors xx
The video above features Joe Sampieri and highlights his connection to The Somaly Mam Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to ending modern slavery and empowering its survivors as part of the solution. In affiliation with this organization, The Joseph Sampieri Renzo Gracie Muay Thai Scholarship Fund has been created to provide access to education for survivors of sexual slavery, ranging from supporting the program Voices for Change- designed to empower survivors to take action, to basic English classes and potentially a university scholarship. Joe, my Muay Thai instructor:), has a big heart! Share your big heart by clicking here to donate to this cause xx
R E A D: Why Prince Became An Icon xx
I’ve been a huge Prince fan since diapers (the result of a significant age difference with our older brother who’s music taste greatly influenced my own)! Now I am thrilled to share the upcoming arrival of an intimate look at Prince’s life by author and dear friend Touré. In his new book, Touré demystifies the artist and his music to demonstrate how the Icon defined a generation. I Could Die For You: Why Prince Became An Icon is available for pre-order here. And for your listening pleasure, the book title’s namesake. Enjoy xx
