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Santa Barbara International Film Festival: “The Great Huki”

January 30, 2012 in Giving Back, Media, Sustainability, Videos with Comments Off

We are proud to announce the world premier of “The Great Huki” at the 27th Santa Barbara International Film Festival. This is our debut film, a short documentary that is also officially accepted to the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival.

Here’s a link to the SBIFF Program Guide

Photo: Celeste Dudderar Link to IMDB Trailer

“The Great Huki” (huki is the Hawaiian word meaning “pull together, gather”) tells the story of how a tiny community organization took a huge first step toward saving a beautiful Hawaiian bay, by attacking the invasive alien algae (mudweed) that was killing it.

Maunalua Bay was a dying bay. Malama Maunalua, a tiny non-profit, was started by a small group of concerned residents to restore it. After identifying invasive alien algae (mudweed) as one of the top threats to the Bay, Malama Maunalua enlisted and trained community volunteers to begin removing it. One bag at a time, the community began to take care of its Bay. Then, Malama Maunalua was awarded a NOAA grant for a ‘shovel ready’ project and accelerated their efforts for the restoration of the Maunalua Bad. They hired a contractor to remove the mud weed and thus began ‘The Great HUKI’.

During the 18 months of “The Great Huki”, full-time crews removed 3.0 million pounds of invasive alien algae and cleared 26 acres of precious near-shore area.

Today, the 26 acres remain cleared of silt and mudweed. All of the removed mudweed is being used as composts. Scientists are finding that the removal of the mudweed is indeed improving the health of the Bay. And the community continues its work –knowing that even such a large step, was only the first step. MalamaMaunalua.org for more information about the great work of this organization.

SCION AUDIO VISUAL Presents: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY

November 14, 2011 in Art, Media, Videos with Comments Off

Our good friend, Lisa Schulte, has her latest neon creation installed in a group show at the SCION. Here is a link to RSVP to the opening on Saturday November 19. The show runs through December 10. Also, check out the other artists represented in the show on curator Kenton Parker’s Video.

“A Conversation” 10′ x 20′ Neon Symbol Installation by Lisa Schulte

Artist Statement:

Neon is a unique and remarkable medium. It does not operate at a 2D or even 3D level. It is multi-dimensional alchemy. It is light extracted from air – and manifested into form. One could say that working in neon is akin to bringing sky to touch ground – harnessing the spiritual to the earth.

I have been blessed to work in this multi-dimensional medium for thirty years, creating works of light for others and expressing myself. Light, in one form or another, has been the only way I know how to express myself. I have always felt that light tells a story: it fills in the blanks, reveals the dimensions, and communicates feelings, but at some point in my work, something was missing for me in each piece I created. I had changed- and my world went dark – neon no longer filled in the blanks or communicated my feelings. My story was gone. It was if someone had turned the light switch off.

“Processing” by Lisa Schulte was installed at “A Certain Slant of Light” an exhibition at The Church in Santa Barbara. Photo: Cyndee Howard

These neon pieces have evolved out of my personal struggle to move from darkness back into the light and to recreate my voice as an artist. Augustus Hare said, “Light when suddenly let in, dazzles and hurts and almost blinds us; but this soon passes away and it seems to become the only element we can exist in.” This is absolutely true for me. Light — dazzling, soft, dappled, and dripping from every surface and in every person, finally found its way back to me. Neon–extracted from the air, abundantly found in the universe, yet elusive on earth, is giving new vibrancy to my life, my art, and self again. To bend light, manipulate it, control it, and make it beautiful, when you once had the fear that it would never return to you, is truly a gift. My inspiration comes from the world around me and the transformative quality of light in and on land, sky, sea, and city. In the right light, seen from a certain angle, everything becomes extraordinary. I feel extraordinarily lucky to be able to devote myself to this work that brings illumination into a world truly in need of it.

Check out Lisa’s Website what a talent!

A Perfect Weekend in New York City. Broadway to Broad Street.

November 6, 2011 in Architecture, Art, Luxury Travel, Media with Comments Off

Gregg and I had the perfect weekend in New York City. We attended the wedding of two women I have known since the 80′s who have been a couple since 1972. One of my favorite stories about these remarkable women is that they are literally responsible for the very first artist loft conversion in SoHo, on Crosby Street. Congratulations ladies! Gregg and I hosted a family breakfast for them at our hotel also on Crosby Street, The Mondrian Soho.

The Mondrian Soho opened in March. We were given a corner room on a high floor (24th) and we had iconic views of Manhattan looking north and down onto all of Soho. We could see all of the fabulous penthouses and gardens built on top of all of those early twentieth century buildings. We walked down to The Frank Gehry Apartment Tower on Spruce Street in Lower Manhattan. Check out HotLuxe.com and Departures

Photo: John Maienza

We took in a couple of great shows: In a word, Hugh Jackman was Terrific. A wonderfully talented Broadway Star…Clearly his passion. Here is the official Site

Jackman was gracious to his audience and his other performers. It’s truly an uplifting show.

On the other hand, another show we both highly recommend is not so uplifting but is a watershed dramatic performance for all five stars who perform in it:’Other Desert Cities’. Written by Jon Robin Baitz, with possibly a Tony coming for him…just a prediction.

I loved the mid-century architecture of the set of “Other Desert Cities.’ Along with the mis-matched Palm Springs kitsch furnishings, it seemed a fitting backdrop for the characters and the drama created on the stage. To me, the set evoked a completely believable absence of taste. The Tony- worthy performances of each of the actors may well result in it’s being the play of the season….in our humble opinion.

The Cast: Thomas Sodowki, Judith Light, Stockard Channing, Stacy Keach, Rachel Griffiths. Here is the New York Times Review. We had time for one museum. This time we had to see the much- talked- about Maurizio Cattelan Exhibition “All” at the Guggenheim.

Courtesy NYTimes.com Great article. Check it out.

In all, it was a perfect weekend in New York. Great Architecture, great Broadway performances, great Art– three great days in great New York City.

World Trade Center Freedom Tower & Memorial

September 10, 2011 in Architecture, Design, Luxury Travel, Media with Comments Off

Beautiful Photos and great article about today’s service at the WTC Site by: Daily Mail

I don’t know about you, but all week it seems as if I’ve been completely inundated by the horrific images of 9/11. Seeing The World Trade Center on fire and then evaporating before our eyes, I was reminded of the scorched smell of lower Manhattan weeks after the terrible events of September 11th 2001. It has made me wonder how the progress is going on the reconstruction of the site, the memorial and the new Freedom Tower. Just wanted to pass it on. I was surprised by a few developments that I was not aware of. It feels good to look forward now after remembering the tragedy, the fallen and and the heros.

Rendering Courtesy Silverstein Properties: See This Update from Larry Silverstein.

Studio Daniel Libeskind or SDL created the design study that was selected in 2003 for the master plan of the rebuilding of the World Trader Site.

Photo Courtesy: New York Observer. Also See Construction Updates Courtesy: LowerManhattan.info.

The skyscraper is being built according to a revised design released in June 2005. The new design retains essential elements of the original plan– soaring 1,776 feet into the sky, its illuminated mast evoking the Statue of Liberty’s torch — but features a smaller, cubic base set back further from West Street to protect the building against future attacks. Below are artist renderings of the WTC Memorial. See NewYorkCurbe.com for more.

See Also: Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Corporation for more information.

I LOVE NEW YORK and I LOVE GAY MARRIAGE

June 25, 2011 in Giving Back, Media with 1 Comment

Gregg and I were married in California on September 13, 2008. Ther were many New Yorkers in attendance. We are so happy for the News out of New York State this weekend. We applaud Governor Cuomo for Championing the cause. Gregg and I, to be very honest with you, are not totally sure of the state of our marriage in California. We believe it to be a valid marriage even as Propostion 8 is still be fought in the courts. The marriages that were made that summer were not declared invalid, nor have they tried to forcibily divorce us, yet. New York has always been a champion of civil rights and frankly the “shit show” that has occured in California needs to be resolved soon. Let’s look to New York for inspiration and leadership. Meanwhile follow the Prop 8 Trial Tracker put up by the Courage Campaign. I Love New York!

Fabulous at Any Age

June 8, 2011 in Design, Fashion, Media, Videos with 3 Comments

Many of us fear getting older. I for one, thought that on my 23rd birthday my life was over…I‘m a bit dramatic. However, how are we suppose to embrace getting older when we live in a culture that places so much importance on staying youthful by any means necessary. When I flip through the pages of Vogue, it is hard for me, a twenty something, to relate to the 15 year old models. No woman is ever going to look the way she did when she was a teenager, and why should she want to? If I remember correctly, my teen years were filled with braces and bad fashion choices. Sure, my body was as thin as a rail, but I feel more beautiful now than ever before.

My hope is that we as a society can change our perception of age and aging. If you, men and women, are not embracing your wrinkles and learning to love those gray hairs then I would like you to meet the inspiring women featured on the marvelous blog, Advanced Style. This blog has completely lifted my spirits and has gotten me excited about my own aging process. These women have maintained their individualism and sparkle over the years and I personally think they have never looked better!

Believe it or not, this fashion- forward woman is 99 years old! Her fun use of accessories and groovy print blouse is a look that works for every age.

Here is our girl again, rocking a menswear- inspired look accessorized with a silk scarf and gold earrings which add feminine touches. Mixing and matching masculine and feminine pieces is an easy way to achieve a chic look.

Damn, girl! 90 year old Edith Drake is sporting a mini skirt and fishnets. Take notes girls, I see many a youngin’ try to wear this same look; however, it usually lacks the conservative yet sexy and fun vibe that Ms. Drake wears so nicely.

My all time favorite style icon: Little Edie of Grey Gardens.

So what have I learned about growing older? By the looks of the women above, I’ve learned that it’s totally awesome! Lastly, I would like to leave you with this video. It gives me chills and fills my heart will happiness! Enjoy!