“Martin Kippenberger: The Problem Perspective”

As is the sad truth for countless artists, Martin Kippenberger did not receive wide recognition until after his death from liver cancer at the young age of 44.  Known for his “live fast and drink hard” life style, this German artist created a vertiginous range of works that have been since featured at prominent art museums such as the Tate Modern in London and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.  

Now Kippenberger’s pieces are being featured as a new retrospective exhibition in the Museum of Modern Art.  Starting March 1st the 6th floor of the MOMA will be filled with Kippenberger’s paintings, sculptures, works on paper, installations, multiples, photographs, posters, announcement cards, books, and music.  Make your way up to see all the brilliance and don’t forget about Target Free Fridays.

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Tags: Art, free, German Artists, Martin Kippenberger, Museum of Contemporary Art, museum of modern art, Retrospective Exhibitions, Target Free, Tate Modern

Amazing Baby

 Amazing Baby was started last Jan. with former band members from Diamond Nights, Lions and Tigers, Nebula, Heavy Hands, and Stylophone.  Their noise is indie rock all the way, if David Bowie were dead this Brooklyn based band could resurrect him with their tunes. The band’s single Pump Your Breaks was sitting at number 2 in Spin’s August 2008 issue one of the “Songs You Must Download Now.”  As it turns out you can download the Amazing Baby’s entire debut album for free on their website.

Do your stretches, and get ready for some dance inducing, fist pumping music, Amazing Baby plays at The Mercury Lounge Saturday, November 29th with Tigercity, you do not want to miss this show.

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Tags: amazing baby, concerts, dance, free, indie rock, live music, Music, november 29th, saturday, Spin, the mercury lounge, tigercity

Magnet Highlights: The New Museum

235 Bowery is home to one of New York’s most intriguing museums.  The staggered structure, visible seven box shaped floors and rainbow sign proclaiming “hell yes” give the visitors a good idea of the kind of adventure The New Museum is about to take them on.  The New Museum is the very first museum to be built from the ground up in downtown Manhattan, and this December marks the one year anniversary of it’s opening.

The New Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday and admission is 12 dollars or 8 bucks if you are a student.  Target sponsors a couple free hours every first Saturday of the month between 10 am to 12 pm.  

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Tags: Art, contemporary art, free, Free Saturdays, Museum, Target Free, the new museum

National Design Week, A Must See

1967 marks the initiation of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, a branch of the Smithsonian, whose entire collection focuses soley on design.  Cooper-Hewitt is located in the cornerstone Andrew Carnegie Mansion on 5th Avenue and 91st Street in Manhattan.  On the grand staircase you will find large, almost eerie portraits of Carnegie and his wife Louise Whitfield.  The couples’ eyes seem to follow you as you ascend or descend the ruby red carpeted staircase.  Browsing through the museums incredible displays and exhibits I couldn’t shake the feeling that any moment I would bump into Andrew Carnegie himself.  

Ghost or no ghost, the Cooper-Hewitt is improperly lost in the shadows of New York City’s more popularly known art museums, but an absolute must see.  Fall is prime time to drop in at the innovative mansion. October 19th marks the 3rd annual National Design Week which offers FREE admission and hosts a series of public programs. As a viewer, participation is encouraged through an online vote for the People’s Design Award.  Trophies, certificates, and ribbons will be issued on the night of October 23rd at the National Design Awards Gala.  Tickets are available online for the Gala After-Party with music by Cosmo Baker.

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Tags: 1967, After-Party, Andrew Carnegie, Art, Awards, Cooper-Hewitt, Cosmo Baker, Design, free, Gala, Louise Whitfield, Mansion, Museum, National Design Museum, National Design Week, New York City, october, Smithonian

Ting Tings, Black Moth Super Rainbow, MGMT

Walk through the gates, grab a free bright colored towel, and run for your life.  If this sounds familiar then you have been to a concert at McCarren park pool.  Sadly, this past year is supposedly the last year they are going to use the pool as a venue for live music, out door theatre, and movie spot and they are going to turn it  back into a community pool.  McCarren Park Pool is known for putting on some of the best concerts in the NYC metro area.  Not only are a lot of the concerts rockin but (another perk of living in the city) tons of these shows are free.

Its sad to think about the pool actually being filled up with water instead of indie hipsters.  This past summer had a ridiculous line up.  Unfortunately I only made it to one of the Sunday Pool Party shows but, in my opinion, it was the best one.

 

The Ting Tings opened up and kicked some major tunes my way.  At one point there were 3 young men jump roping on stage while Kate White, lead singer, played a large drum with a malet.  It was impossible not to jump around and I was not the only one feelin it.  After waiting about an hour for a storm to pass the Ting Tings were well worth the delay.  

 

 

 

 

 

The Black Moth Super Rainbow hit the stage next with a super sleepy, extra short mix.  By the time I came back from visiting the most disgusting port-a-potties in the world, black moth was playing their last song and I could not have been more excited about it.  I do enjoy me some Black Moth but I prefer a bath tub and a glass of wine while they are playing rather than a rainy unruly crowd and a plastic cup of beer.

 

 

 

 

 

To close out the show MGMT rocked my mind, body and soul.  The band members all had on 70′s style outfits which helped get everybody into the groove before they even played.  The show surpassed my expectations and my expectations were pretty high.  As if it could get any better MGMT played Kids for their encore song.  There is a small line between amazingness and so good I want to take my clothes off and jump around like a mad person, and I was ready to cross it.

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Tags: Black Moth Super Rainbow, concerts, free, mccarren park pool, MGMT, Music, Ting Tings