Brazil!

A few weeks ago, we all thought the NYU students had all been shopping and had hair extensions, but it turned out that a bunch of Brazilian models had moved in to Sama Tower.

Then, a Brazilian professor spoke with them and the story seems to be that they were hired by the government to mix in a the fancy parties and hotels in conjunction with the Formula One race weekend.

I guess giving me and my friends free drinks at the Intercontinental on Mondays wasn't helping enough with the beautiful people quotient!

ear rape

We have a health club on the 46th floor of the building (basically the roof). They tried to have "ladies hours" which was a concept that we scoffed at a bit as outmoded. It was inconvenient because when we'd both go up to work out, Kevin would be asked to leave and it seemed stupid.

Well, that was until yesterday. Mind you, I need a great deal of encouragement to put on my outfit and go up the elevator, so once I get there I want to actually exercise..... and that was my intention. Until....

I was on the treadmill and there were two other guys in the room. One guy was in the same area working out like a normal person. Then, from the other side of a mirrored wall partition, the sound began.... with each, uh, thrust of the barbell, I start hearing sounds like, oooh, ah, UNGH. Blogging really doesn't do do me any favors to express the grunts, sighs, and, well, grunts coming from the other part of the gym. I clocked out at 12 minutes and went home.

more new work

Possibly the culture is affecting my children....

found this laying around a few days ago.

American University Beirut

any art faculty openings???

Intercultural Cooperation

Clementine style...

Lebanon

Lebanon, as it turns out is fantastic!

This picture was taken in Byblos, past site of the Phoenicians, the Romans, the French (including Brigitte Bardot in the 1960's) and many others who my historical imagination can't even grasp.

Beirut is now one of my favorite cities of all time. Not completely sure I can articulate it, but here's a partial explanation:

- nothing better than Mediterranean weather

- nothing more beautiful than dilapidated French and mishmash of modern architecture

- very friendly and fun Lebanese people

- hearing both calls to prayer from the mosques and churchbells from the christians

- who needs to obey traffic lights and lane markers? Thats for patsies.

That said, I hope the remarkable renovation and sense of prosperity there continues.... evidence of the civil war and recent troubles with Syria and Israel are everywhere and the fragile balance we saw may not last.

More pics to come...

the eternal present

Ok, I know that the temperature has dropped (from about 115 to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit). The inferno that was October is over, but this is really good training for why I will never move to Los Angeles. The unchanging sunniness of the weather is driving me nuts.

It seems like one long day since we arrived here. Some days there is more fog in the morning some days less. The other night it was windy with the first thunder lightening (and did it rain?) we've seen. Other than that, sunny. All the time. I am hoping it has also stalled the aging process.

Its really odd. Aside from the fact that the summer clothes I moved here with are now rags, it seems like nothing has changed. Like Captain Kirk's uniform in one long "away"mission.

Bo-ring.

Body Mod Gulf Style

These are the labels for the 3rd collage in the Halal series we are working on....

the hall

reverse view

from left: , Mark Tribe, Michael Mandiberg,David Grubbs,Karen Yasinsky

Installation of our exhibition in Abu Dhabi

in this view: MTAA (on the wall), Melissa Dubbin and Aaron S. Davidson, Thom Lail (window), Vito Acconci (sound player on table), Jennifer Dalton and Susan Hamburger (shelf), and Jonathan Schipper (briefcase of money on table).

The Sequel

" I have been told by a Japanese person that I am quite good with chopsticks."