The sun’s out, the birds are singing, it’s the lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer and I know a fine place for relaxing surrounded by great art. The place? I don’t think you’d guess. It’s the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s roof garden. The garden offers unparalleled views of the Manhattan skyline and the unsurpassed Central Park. For the last thirteen years it has also featured single artist’s installation. This year identical twin brothers, Doug and Mike Starn, have taken over with their new work, “Big Bambú.” The exhibit is a soaring, ever-changing and mind-bogglingly complex bamboo structure reaching heights of forty feet. A special guided tour is available where a built-in pathway allows museum-goers to reach the installation. It’s like a giant jungle gym on top of the city’s largest museum. Obviously the twin brothers are not conventional sculptors. “Big Bambú” is a perpetual work-in-progress, flexible, ephemeral, permissive. If you opt to tour the exhilarating walk-in, walk-on sculpture, wear appropriate shoes. A word to the acrophobic – don’t look down at your feet because the spacing of the bamboo allows glimpses of the roof’s floor below. I am partial to twins, even if they are not sculptors like the Starns. My daughter, Jolie, gave birth to Rachel and Melissa eighteen years ago and, in their own way, they, too, are talented. Both are fine writers – genetics? They write for their school papers – one in Syracuse and the other in Michigan. Oh, yes, some years ago when I was on the Met’s roof garden, an Asian tourist asked if he could take MY picture. That’s what I call role reversal. I chuckled inwardly and, of course, acquiesced.
You gotta love her! You gotta be able to handle constant profanity. If your reaction is positive, then go see the documentary “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work” because that’s exactly what the lady is – a piece of work. The comedienne and show biz icon has led a storied career and it is evocatively deconstructed in the film. It also chronicles her latest re-invention. The stand-up dynamo looks different from her Johnny Carson days what with all her face lifts, but she does look good. I admit that somewhat begrudgingly because you have to have guts (or no brains) to submit to constant elective surgery. Ms. Rivers has what appears to be boundless zeal and a relentless need for the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd. She is at once prey and predator who has endured and survived Pagliacci-sized heartaches: her husband Edgar’s shocking suicide, Johnny Carson’s blackballing. In “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work” she lets us peek at her propelling self-doubt and bravado behind the practically surreal mask. Her famous “Can We Talk?” provides a cutting-edge look at people, places, and things. And, speaking of things, she divulges her proclivity for expensive trappings as she lets us look into her over-the-top mansion. When Ms. Rivers was asked to sum up her philosophy of life in 25 words or less her answer was, “I never say no to nothing. You don’t know which is the one that will work.” Brazen, opinionated, arrogant, and rude, Ms. Rivers’ fame spans several generations. Balancing all the heavy stuff, the movie in parts is also very funny. That said, I’m not a fan. If YOU are, you’ll applaud “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.”
Remember that fabulous dancing couple, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers? It was frequently said that she gave him sex appeal and he gave her class. I thought about that when I read a headline for a revue of another talented two, jazz guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli, and his wife, singer/actress Jessica Molaskey. The headline read, “He gives her swing; she gives him soul.” Actually I’ve watched John Pizzarelli grow up. In my jazzy days I was a fan of his guitarist father, Bucky. In fact a 1985 concert called “Jersey Jazz Guitars” held at Rutgers University featured Bucky Pizzarelli, Les Paul, and young John who added his vocals. Fast forward to the present and, if you’re lucky, you can see or just hear the endearing John and his wife. The duo’s cabaret act is as good as it gets in any entertainment. John has been hailed for “invigorating the Great American Songbook and repopularizing jazz.” The two present cool jazz flavored with brilliant playing and singing. They have impeccable taste and acute wit. If you listen to Jonathan Schwartz on NPR Radio you are bound to hear some Pizzarelli/Molaskey tapes. He loves them and I do, too. Their music swings, bounces, and provides happiness for any lucky listener.
Now if driving into New York City doesn’t appeal to you, I have a suggestion, but you need to be willing to take an hour-and-fifteen-minute drive to Hamilton, New Jersey. Huh? Where is that? It’s close to Princeton and trust me, it’s worth the trip. When I was driven to Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, I had no expectation nor any knowledge of the place. I didn’t even know what a sculpture park is. It sounded to my ignorant ears pretentious. It’s not easy to describe the glorious Grounds for Sculpture but I’ll try. Picture grounds literally populated with large-scale sculpture of all kinds in a very lush and green park-like setting. It’s like a huge park and modern museum rolled into one. Grounds for Sculpture displays works by American and international sculptors in a variety of styles and media. I found myself happily walking in the beautiful outdoors – some manicured gardens plus wild woods. Among many discoveries were a lily pond, an enclosed Japanese-style garden, a bamboo forest, and much more. After all, there are 35 acres to explore. And what did my wondering eyes see? You’d never guess – a whole family of gorgeous peacocks walking around or simply appearing to be lounging. Grounds for Sculpture is an amazing playground for adults. It’s kid-friendly, too – lots of space for running around and most sculptures can be touched. The sheer number of beautiful experiences is easily overwhelming. You need to devote at least half a day here. There are some fifty sculptures to happen upon. One in particular made me feel as if I were in Monet’s “Woman in a Parasol” painting. Pick good weather, wear your comfortable shoes. There are plenty of tables and chairs, and an upscale restaurant (interesting in itself but I’ll tell you about that another time), a snack stand, and a café. Am I gushing? Yes, I am! So venture forth and see for your self.
Contact June at intunejune@optonline.net.