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Let it Rain! Rain Room at the MOMA is on my list!

Posted April 29, 2013 By babesta

So I was just chatting with my daughter about what she was planning to make for her science project (she’s studying inventors & inventions). She was describing a personalized weather machine she was seriously considering (biting off a bigger meatball than I would do!) and I asked her who would choose rain? She countered: think of the pairings – I want sun, you want rain, together: Rainbow!  Touché: it’s “you’ve got your chocolate in my peanut butter” thinking. Better together.

Pondering how we would create such a thing, I stumbled upon the MOMA’s new exhibit Rain Room that begins May 12. While I doubt we will be busy at home tinkering with some GPS based weather contraption, (what I wouldn’t give today for some yesterday-like weather), we will definitely wait in line to check it out next week at the MOMA.

The room is designed by Random International, and it’s taking place in a lot next to the museum. Basically it’s pouring, but when it detects you, the rain opens up to let you by, giving you the feeling of ‘controlling the weather’. Sounds super fun!

Moma exhibit by Random International, "Rain Room" (2012) starting May 12, 2013 in NYC

Moma exhibit by Random International, “Rain Room” (2012) starting May 12, 2013 in NYC

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DJ Spooky at F.I.T. on Sustainability

Posted April 9, 2013 By babesta

So I was lucky enough to go to F.I.T.’s 7th Annual Conference on Sustainable Design today and got to listen to D.J. Spooky speak about the his art and music exploring the intersection of urban culture and the environment; where nature, art and design converge. His new book, “The Book of Ice,” is based off of a 6 week trip he took to Antarctica where he was clearly struck by the vastness and the depth of “archival” material nature has provided. With a whirlwind of swipe (yes, lots of ice & penguins, photos, inspiration, movie clips & music, he danced around some very interesting topics. He even  ’sampled the landscape’ using an algorithm based upon  the fluctuation of temperature during his trip…

Part of what was interesting, especially for us city folk, is his demonstration that hip hop, traditionally urban, is affected by and is not worlds away from the natural world. At the end of his very interesting, pretty heady, a bit disjointed but definitely thought provoking presentation, he declared: “It’s the Era of the Remix.”

DJ SpookyPaul D. Miller's 'The Book of Ice'

photo: Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky that subliminal kidPhoto by Mike Figgis from http://www.scaddistrict.com/blog/2011/03/01/dj-spooky-redefines-the-portrait/

It was a pretty cool way into the topic of sustainability and it definitely put him on my ‘ones to watch’ radar (or rather someone who I probably should have been watching for some time now!) He is the first Artist in Residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art -I’ve booked myself for May 10 to hear/see his next special event at the museum based on the Civil War. http://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/concerts-and-performances/dj-spooky-photography?eid=4084

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CANstruction at the World Financial Center

Posted February 3, 2013 By babesta

Got to visit CANstruction yesterday night at the WFC — it was pretty impressive–a host of large scale sculptures created out of canned goods, from SPAM to tunafish to Goya beans. Constructed by design teams, the exhibit raises interest and money for fighting hunger.At the end of the exhibit, all cans will be donated to community food banks. I think Babesta should do one! It doesn't look easy but it sure looks fun! www.canstruction.org

Balloon dog main

Lots more pics to follow

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Out-N-About Pick: Chuck Close Artist Talk at the MOMA December 1

Posted November 21, 2012 By babesta

I sat by my computer refreshing until registration opened for the Chuck Close artist talk at the MOMA, part of the family program. Close, who is behind the book Face Book, a popular one at Babesta, is a truely inspirational artist who creates large photo based portrait paintings. Diagnosed with facial blindness, he paints people's faces in an attempt to boost his recognition. Close was paralyzed due to a very rare spinal artery collapse, and creates his art using a brush holding device that is strapped to his forearm. To sign up for the artist talk, go to the MOMA's Family Programs. 

Date: December 1

Time: 1-2pm; preregistration required

Chuck close

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Mad for Plaid at Babesta!

Posted November 15, 2012 By babesta

Wintertime calls for loads of plaids–somehow the print feels so warm and cosy. Here are some super-cool iterations of the check print that we have on our racks at Babesta. Loving the (clock wise) Baby Lady dresses and Goorin hats, Munster cardigan, A for Apple shorts and Mini Rodini Coat. Check them out here.

BLOG - PLAID

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Project Kittenwalk! Get her designer on with The Fashion Class NYC

Posted October 18, 2012 By babesta

So I recently read about "The Fashion Class" in midtown, where kids can learn fashion illustration, hand sewing, crafting using sewing machines, draping, accessory design and more. This byproduct of the Project Runway generation seemed like it would be a great way for girls to explore their creativity and personal style.  I signed my own girls up and for the past few weeks have been popping up to midtown every Saturday. The course started with developing an idea for a line, a logo, a mood board and figure drawing, proportions and more. There's even a fashion show & exhibition at the end of the course.

Even if you are already scheduled out, there are also some cool one-off workshops as well – for instance, on October 27, The Fashion Class is hosting an afternoon workshop on Making Your Own Halloween Costume – $100 per child. The costumes look pretty cool – girls choose between a mermaid costume, a gothic princess costume and Cleopatra. Not too spooky but definitely neat for them to be able to say they made their own ensembles!

The classes are suitable for ages 6-13. Make Your Own Halloween Costume will run from 12:00pm-3:00pm on October 27 at The Fashion Class Headquarters, 21 West 39th Street 4A btwn 5th and 6th avenues. For more info & for more classes, go to www.thefashionclass.com.

Halloween12-Costume-Workshop

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Newark Museum and BASF Partner to Make Kids’ Science Learning Lab

Posted September 20, 2012 By babesta

Newark museum

We thought it pretty cool when BASF announced that it is partnering with the Newark Museum to create a Kids' Science Learning Lab at the Museum. As the daughter of a chemist, experimentation is in my blood. I can just imagine how much fun it would be for kids (under supervision) to try out these fun interactive classes on Saturdays. Here's a list of classes:

Sept 29 (Water Loves Chemistry: Operation Filtration), October 6 (Playful Polymers), October 13 (The Rainbow Connection), October 20 (A Hair-Raising Experiment), November 3 (The pHun Factor), November 17 (Happy Hands), December 1 (Hold Everything), December 8 (A Hair Raising Experiment) and December 15 (Playful Polymers)– at 1pm and 3pm. Get on your safety goggles folks! This will be fun!

For children aged 6-12

Participation: Free, but space is limited

Reserve in advance by calling 973 596 6563

www.newarkmuseum.org

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Book making at Scribble Press

Posted November 2, 2011 By babesta

My mother-in-law just introduced me to a pretty cool thing on the UES & UWS – Scribble Press. Kids can write and illustrate their own books  and then have them professionally bound on site. With a wall of markers, pens and inspiration, kids can set their creative minds free on the pages, whether it be a 8 page board book or a longer "chapter" book they have in mind. I definitely made may share of books as a kid (though they were decidedly less "professional" — we bound them ourselves with cardboard, contact paper, glue and string). This will definately be a holiday go-to for a fun afternoon. They also do classes and parties. www.scribblepress.com.

 

Scribble press

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Natural History Mystery

Posted October 28, 2011 By babesta

I am a huge fan of the AMNH in New York. I can always count on the museum with its butterfly exhibits, gargantuan dinosaurs, animals and minerals to entertain an afternoon away. But they've upped the ante lately, hosting clue-collecting mysteries on museum floors for families with kids 10 and up. They call it a puzzle meets a walking tour meets theater. It definitely looks like a blast! $40 each, until December 31. Find out more here. 

Mystery_ProgramCalpic_02

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Being Elmo

Posted October 20, 2011 By babesta

I never thought I'd be saying this, but I'm strangly drawn to the new movie, opening tomorrow, called "Being Elmo." Although that chirpy voice is decidedly behind me and my kids cringe at the mention of his name (that's so bayyybeeish!), I'm curious to find out more about that man behind the phenomena. 

The film documents the journey of the puppeteer and creator, Kevin Clash, and has been acclaimed at a slew of film festivals including Sundance and SXSW. Playing at IFC in NYC starting tomorrow, Friday, October 21.

Watch the trailer for BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEER'S JOURNEY.

 

Being elmo

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