Where to go in the Capital Region when you're asked to direct a country music video? Saratoga, of course! This proved to be a good call, as I joined musician Joey Sontz for some filming in the resort city's scenic Congress Park yesterday. Honestly, country music isn't normally my cup of tea, so I was a little wary about taking on this particular video project when Sontz first approached me about it. What finally convinced me was the idea of supporting a fellow musician/performer in the area, and Sontz's own enthusiasm (Rachel Wellington, his co-star in the video, admired the fact that "he doesn't give up on his dreams"). It also helps to be open-minded when it comes to music—his new album, It All Begins with a Song is actually quite well-produced (Jeff DeBusk of Tennessee's The Music Sanctuary at the helm), with some strong support from Nashville session musicians.
Joey Sontz on the set of his new music video. Photo: Jeremy Clowe
It's been a busy end of the week at Norman Rockwell Museum, as we prepare for the opening of two exhibitions this Saturday: Masters of the Golden Age: Harvey Dunn and His Studentsand Love a Vet: Honoring Our Veterans. Both exhibitions are exceptional displays of talented illustration art; the Harvey Dunn exhibit, in particular, blew me away... You can preview the show through a photos I took and posted on the Museum's Facebook page.
Hot off the press! "Portfolio," NRM's members magazine, November 2015-February 2016 issue. Courtesy: NRM
Looking to get further in-depth? Tune into WDEL Radio's "Saturday HotSpot" show tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET, to hear me interviewed by host/comedian Frank Gregory for a full half-hour about the Museum's current and upcoming exhibitions and programs. I was a guest on Gregory's show (based in Wilmington, DE) a year ago, and he is quite the character...of course we hit it off. You can listen live here.
Finally, the latest issue of Portfolio, the Museum's member magazine, has arrived... my first as Editor-In-Chief! Designed by the talented Toni Kenny, with some writing provided by your's truly, I think it turned out great. I realize that I have been suitably prepared to manage the magazine, after all my years creating zines and comic books. If you're a Museum member, it should be in your hands soon. Interested in becoming a member (and who wouldn't want to be)? Learn more here.
Future's so bright...looking McFly outside WAMC studios. Photo courtesy Jim Levulis.
Although we're setting our current clocks back, it's official: the events taking place in the Back To The Future trilogy are now firmly in the past (or some alternate version of it). I know, this is heavy!
No, flying cars and hoverboards have yet to be mass-produced for an eager public, and the Cubs didn't quite sweep the World Series. However, the movies did get quite a few things right (flat screen TVs, video conferencing, drones, voice and fingerprint recognition), and the last week reminded us of our timeless appeal.
What a week it has been. I started "Future Day," October 21, 2015, with an early morning interview at Berkshire radio station Star 101.7, to promote Norman Rockwell Museum's "Back in Time" family festival. The host, Evan Valenti, is a fellow BTTF fanboy, so I quite enjoyed speaking with him at great length about the event and movie series. To honor the occasion, my colleague and I were decked out in our best Marty McFly outfits; as Evan started the segment (speaking into the mic with his back to us), I quickly donned my 80s-style Ray-Bans, and he burst out laughing when he turned around to greet us..."rock and roll!" If you have "the time," you can listen to the segment here.
After the interview, I posted some quick selfies and checked into my work email by phone (who saw that coming 30 years ago?). There was a new message from another area radio station looking to do their segment about the family event, in celebration of "Future Day." This was suddenly turning into quite the press tour!
Prior to learning about this request, I had tagged my selfies with the movie-referencing line, "to the clock tower!" By complete coincidence, that is literally what I did—WAMC's Berkshire Bureau is actually housed in Pittsfield's Clocktower Business Park. I enjoyed speaking again with reporter Jim Levulis about our upcoming festival, and why the Back To The Future films continue to resonate for me and many others. "Jeremy Clowe is a, uh, big fan of the trilogy" joked Jim, as he introduced me, still clad in all my stonewashed '80s glory, during the segment. You can give it a listen here (no flux capacitor necessary).
But the real reason for my getup had more to do than just radio interviews that day. The previous week, I had read a somewhat "dubious" post about Back To The Future on Facebook, offering the chance to attend a Future Day screening of the second movie and talent Q&A(!) in New York City. The invitation pointed to a rather non-descript Google doc, but I RSVP-ed anyway. Reading comments that there was a limited seating of 750 made me further question my chances, but since I was taking the rest of the day off, I figured "what the hell?"
"Look me up when you get there": "Back To The Future" cast reunion in London, July 2015 Courtesy: Lea Thompson (Twitter)
With no flying cars in sight, I took the train. My excitement grew as I sat back and watched a segment with the movie's stars, MIchael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Lea Thompson, broadcast on the Today Show that morning. I was really touched to see these actors together again, looking great and talking about the movie's legacy (and what did or did not come true for 2015). My only wish, at that point, was that my entry into the evening's screening would be filed in the "did happen" column.
So, a couple hours later I arrived in the city to find a souped-up DeLorean and sizable crowd already winding it's way around Lincoln Square's AMC Theater...sizable, but not overwhelming (thank God!). I quickly staked my place in line, and began chatting with others, who also confessed to some uncertainty about the Facebook invite. After a while, it looked like this was indeed happening; I began to see other "Martys" (from 1985 and 2015... a pardox!) take their place in the queue. It was interesting to spoeak with other fans, and learn about the own affection for the films; I was surprised to hear several comment about how the much "darker" Part II was actually their favorite of the series. Different generations seem to respond in different ways—I was an early teen when the first movie came out, so that one still holds a special place for me (more on that later). An independent film crew was also on hand, and even interviewed me in costume... it gave me a chance to practice my improv, while waiting: "Doc was ahead of his time...many times, actually!" Honest to God, at exactly 7:29 p.m. (the time Doc, Marty, and Jennifer arrived in the future/present) I received my bracelet to go into the theater. My new friends and I made our way into the beautiful, vintage-tinged AMC movie house, and were delighted to learn that not only was the screening/Q&A complete free, but also as many complimentary beverages and snacks as we wanted (As Lorraine would say, "an absolute dream!").
The Future is Now! Left to right: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Huey Lewis, Bob Gale, at AMC Loews Lincoln Square, NYC, October 21, 2015. Photo: Jeremy Clowe.
After the full crowd settled in, an announcer welcomed us all, and began to introduce the cast and filmmakers: Donald Fullilove ("Mayor Goldie Wilson"), Claudia Wells ("Jennifer"), and Alan Silvestri (whose stirring musical score for the trilogy still inspires me to this day)... the crowd went wild, and then it was time to welcome the group taking part in the Q&A: musician Huey Lewis (his hit "Power of Love," featured in the first movie, still gets me going), screenwriter Bob Gale, and actors Lea Thompson (Lorraine), Christopher Lloyd (Doc), and Michael J. Fox (Marty). A standing ovation...and rightfully so! All involved seemed to be having a blast, and I had to pinch myself that I was actually witnessing a live reunion of my favorite movie series of all-time. There were some fun questions, including Fox talking about playing his daughter Marlene in the second movie, and "riding" the hoverboard. I'm still looking for the full talk, but you can view a short, edited version here.
One last look into the future, courtesy of "USA Today." AMC Loews Lincoln Square, NYC. October 21, 2015. Photo: Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.
All this set the stage for a screening of Back To The Future II, which I hadn't seen on the big screen in about 25 years. As the music swelled, cast appeared on screen for the first time, or bad guy Biff slammed into another manure-filled truck, the theater cheered. It was great fun seeing the film with other fans, as enthusiastic as I was. After the screening I spent time chatting with other fans, took photos of those dressed up as characters from the films, and handed out flyers for our BTTF-themed event at the Museum. However, the late hour reminded me that where I was going I needed roads. My train and car ride delivered me back home at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m., but it was absolutely worth it. A memorable experience, capped off by the front cover of USA Today the next morning, made to look like it did from the second film (great marketing move there).
But no rest for the weary... I still had to finalize details for the Museum's weekend festival, including the transportation of vehicles; the framing of our signed Drew Struzan movie print, donated by the artist; preparing of display items and a Powerpoint for our speakers; and continuing press outreach. There was certainly a lot of excitement in the air surrounding the event, and it propelled me forward (despite my lack of sleep).
Where these guys are going, they don't need roads! Jeffrey Rothenberg (DeLorean) and Jeff Chabotte (Griff's actual flying BMW) at Norman Rockwell Museum's "Back In Time" festival. Photo: Jeremy Clowe/Norman Rockwell Museum
The day of the event arrived, and I drove to the Museum while listening to a live, rebroadcast of the BTTF-themed MyExit show I had created for WEXT (perfect timing!). The entrance to the Museum unfolded to reveal a handful of classic, vintage cars, which really did make it look like you had traveled "back in time." I greeted car and BTTF enthusiast, Jeff Chabotte from Connecticut, who I had discovered lived an hour and a half away and owned an actual car used in the movie series; I told him how I had just seen Griff's flying BMW on the big screen during the New York City screening. Jeff very personable with fans and visitors, and even let me take Griff's hover-converted car for a spin; I was excited, but a little cautious, since the vehicle was up for auction later that day (it sold for over $32K We also had to have a DeLorean (the signature car in the movie series), and local owner Jeffrey Rothenberg was equally gracious with his time, letting kids (of all ages) sit behind his "time machine." There were a number of other beautiful cars on site that day—from the early 1900s to 1980s; you can view an album of some of my photos on Norman Rockwell Museum's Facebook page. As if that wasn't enough, we also had Halloween arts and crafts for kids, and I invited my friend, DJ/musician Mike O'Brien to spin some golden oldies and karaoke for the crowd (my "Elvis" made a return to the grounds of the Museum, literally feet away from my office).
Celebrating the art of cinema, with Robert U. Taylor, production designer, "Back To The Future: The Ride," and donated sign print from Drew Struzan, during "Back in Time" festival at NRM. Photo: Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.
Later in the day, I presented my own Q&A with Berkshire-based filmmakers, Robert U. Taylor and Dai Ban, who worked on Back To The Future: The Ride with special effects wizard, Doug Trumbull. It was great to make that local connection, and the full crowd seemed to enjoy learning about and seeing what went into this pre-CGI immersive experience. Taylor mentioned that it would sometimes take a full day just to film less than a minute of stop-motion footage: you can see the impressive results yourself on the 30th anniversary of the Back To The Future series, which was just released on DVD and BluRay. From there I hustled to prepare for our main feature: a screening of the new Back To The Future documentary, Back in Time. The film looks at the cultural impact of the enduring movie series, and offers interviews with cast, crew, and filmmakers, as well as fans and artists inspired by Back To The Future.
Prior to the screening, I spoke to the crowd about my own fondness for the films, and how they had inspired me. My talk and the screening was complemented by a small display of some of my BTTF collectibles, the donated Drew Struzan poster, and a room filled with Norman Rockwell's entire 323 Saturday Evening Post covers, evoking the mood of the first movie. It was a wonderful way to cap off this memorable day, where I was able to get creative while celebrating the art of the cinema I have enjoyed for many years.
I'll wrap things up by describing one of the unexpected highlights of the "Back in Time" day for me. As part of my Marty McFly costume, I wanted to pay tribute to skateboarding, which the main character does throughout the series. I actually started boarding as a teen, after seeing that first movie (I even had the brand of skateboard Marty used); I wasn't bad, and remember being able to do a handful of impressive moves. I decided to pick up a used board to bring along to the event.
It had been nearly 25 years since I tried out my skateboarding skills, but I gave it a go during the event. The ground surface wasn't perfect, but I started to get the hang of it. Before long, a group of kids started running alongside me, impressed with the activity and wanting to give a go on the board themselves. I felt like a pied piper, as several mini-Marty McFlys took their own spin at skateboarding, and one adorable little boy said to me, "you're my favorite." Back to the future, full circle... could it get any better than that? Last night I retired my McFly outfit (for now), by singing some of those 80s "golden oldies" with friends at Mike's karaoke bar for Halloween. As Huey Lewis sang, "don't take money, don't take fame, don't need no credit card to ride this train..." That's the power of love, and I wouldn't change a thing about this past week.
This past month marks my fifteenth year at Norman Rockwell Museum. Originally starting as a docent, giving talks about the Norman Rockwell's life and career, I now serve as one of the Museum's chief spokespeople in my role as manager of media services. Time flies, and I can't believe how much I now know of the artist and the field of illustration.
So, as I'm often asked, what's new at the Museum? Well, our exhibition, We The Peoples: Norman Rockwell's United Nations was a big success at the United Nations Headquarters. I am particularly proud that this exhibition came out, since it is my video about Rockwell's 1953 United Nations drawing that caught the eye of the peacekeeping organization, and inspired the show to mark its 70th anniversary. Nearly 70,000 people, including important delegates, are estimated to have viewed the exhibition (which included my video) during its run.
Celebrating the "Golden Rule": Pope Francis and United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon share a Norman Rockwell moment at the UN. Photo courtesy: Samir Afridi/UN
Although the exhibition officially ended on September 15, the Museum continued to loan Rockwell's drawing and Golden Rule painting, in order for the UN to share the works with visiting dignitaries. High on that list was Pope Francis, who stopped by the UN this past month during his first visit to the United States. Alerted by my UN counterpart to his planned visit earlier in the week, I was charmed when he finally sent us photos of the pontiff admiring this beautiful painting from our collection. Just the day before the Pope referenced the concept of "the golden rule" during his historic address to Congress (I like the guy!), so it seemed a fitting backdrop. Days later, President Obama was introduced to the United Nations drawing during his visit, and apparently was impressed (remarking that he would like a copy). All in all, a great way to cap off this historic opportunity for the Museum; I felt honored to have played a part.
Fearless: with Rockwell model, Marjorie Coulter, "Freedom From Fear." Courtesy: Norman Rockwell Museum.
The concept of "we the peoples" works so perfectly with Norman Rockwell's work, as he seemed to capture the hopes and aspirations of the general public from the twentieth century to this day. Since my earliest days at the Museum, I have taken it upon myself to document the stories of those people who worked with the artist. People were the focus of Rockwell's work, and so his models played an important role. As I told the website BerkshireStyle, "he made all the models very at ease, even the young children. He was a very personable individual and was able to get the expressions he wanted."
Over the years I have captured nearly 100 videotaped interviews with Rockwell models, that now serve as an important document for the Museum's archives. I have heard many stories over the years, yet still can be surprised...as I was back in 2009 when a woman named Marjorie Coulter visited and informed us that she was one of the young children in Rockwell's Freedom From Fear, part of his iconic Four Freedoms series:
Every first Friday of the month, the Museum holds a "Meet Rockwell's Models" program, where visitors have the opportunity to meet the figures presented in his work. Marjorie joined us in September, and for October I invited a woman named Pauline Adams Grimes to share her memories.
I had first met Pauline back in 2001 during a big Rockwell models reunion that we held at the Museum; that is when I started videotaping models' oral histories, yet only managed to film a few remarks of her remarks. Eight years later, I traveled out to Arlington, Vermont, with one of my colleagues to attend a model reunion being held in the town that Rockwell called home, before moving to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and finally managed to sit down with Pauline and capture her story.
Pauline and her siblings were introduced to Norman Rockwell back in the early 1950s, by folk artist/neighbor Grandma Moses, who knew that Rockwell was looking for a multi-ethnic crowd to appear in a sketch he was working on about the United Nations. The family posed for several photos in Rockwell’s Arlington studio, and Pauline ended up pictured in the bottom right of the drawing. Although traveling to the UN’s headquarters to conduct research and photograph actual delegates to appear in the illustration, Rockwell eventually put the image aside (and revisited the concept for the painting Golden Rule in 1960, which featured Pauline's brother Paul).
Rockwell model Pauline Adams Grimes exploring NRM's archives, Oct. 2015. Photo: Jeremy Clowe for Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights reserved.
Prior to the opening of We The Peoples, I tried to contact Pauline to let her know about the exhibition. I wasn't sure if she ever received my phone or post card, until I finally heard back from her at the end of the summer; she was thrilled to learn about the show and the existence of the drawing, and ended up visiting the UN with her family to view the original illustration for the first time (and meeting the UN's Deputy Secretary-General); "It was beautiful," she later remarked. "More than I ever dreamed it would be."
This aspect of my job has been one of my favorites: seeing the joy that Rockwell's work creates for people, and being able to help facilitate that and even introduce to new audiences. The fall is our busiest season, and as I helped greet the dozens of tour buses that arrived daily to view the vibrant art and foliage, I couldn't help but remember my start giving gallery talks at the Museum over a decade ago.
One of my newest tasks is being appointed editor-in-chief of our members' magazine (who says print is dead?), and so I continue to play an important role at the Museum, through my knowledge, creativity, and own passion for the arts. If only my father, an admirer of Rockwell's work and artist in his own right, could see me now.
As if there wasn't enough to do around the Capital Region this weekend (LarkFest, Lake George Jazz Festival, apple picking!), this afternoon the Albany Institute of History & Art will be presenting a family day with an area theme (their new exhibit, "Capital Region in 50 Objects" opens today). Check out the program listing on their website (with photo taken by yours truly)... sounds like a fun afternoon! They'll be presenting scavenger hunts in the galleries, art in the studio (inspired by Iroquois History and Culture), face painting, traditional Native American storytelling, and a Nipper Look-Alike Contest (I'm trying to get our pup to master that cocked head pose). The event is free with regular museum admission. AIHA is a great museum—be sure check out their sculpture galleries, and current 3D photography exhibition. Here are some promo photos I took recently of their equally impressive education program (what fine instructors!):
July is a good month for anniversaries (love you, Sarah).
This year I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention The United Nations. Actually, June 26, 1945 was the date that the original charter for the peacekeeping organization was signed in San Francisco.
Nearly 70 years to the date, I had the honor of attending two special events held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on June 30. The occasion was to celebrate We The Peoples: Norman Rockwell’s United Nations, a new exhibition organized by Norman Rockwell Museum to commemorate the UN’s 70th year, and I played an active role in coordinating an on-site press conference, and documenting and representing the Museum during an evening reception.
UN's "Golden Rule" mosaic (even more impressive in person). Photo by Jeremy Clowe.
But it gets better. It turns out that I actually played a significant part in the inspiration for the exhibition. A couple years ago, Samir Afridi, the UN’s senior communications officer, was giving a tour of the New York headquarters to his six-year-old nephew, who was particularly struck by a large mosaic of Norman Rockwell’s iconic Golden Rule illustration (a gift to the UN from the United States back in 1985). After trying to answer questions from the young boy, he turned to the internet to see if he could find any connection between Rockwell and the organization. What he came across was a 2009 exhibition video I created and posted for Norman Rockwell Museum, detailing the conservation of United Nations, a little-known drawing created by Norman Rockwell. Inspired by the founding and goals of the organization, the artist began work on the drawing back in the early 1950s, going so far as to travel to New York to visit the then newly founded organization to conduct research and take reference photographs. Ambitious in theme, Rockwell never finished the work, but revisited his illustration of a group of world citizens for the Golden Rule painting in 1960 (removing the UN delegates, who they initially watched over in the drawing). Both the drawing and painting are part of the Museum’s permanent collection, but the drawing had spent years in desperate need of repair, as you will see in the video (one of my favorites I have created over the years). Don’t try this at home!
My friend at the UN then decided to reach out the Museum, and discussions were underway between the two organizations about exhibiting the drawing at the UN’s Visitor Centre in time for its 70th anniversary. I first learned about the interest when Jan Eliasson, the UN’s Deputy Secretary-General, was slated to visit the Museum in Stockbridge last year to view the drawing and the rest of our collection. I was on-hand to photograph his visit, and it was nice to learn of his admiration for the video, and delight in viewing Rockwell’s artwork in person.
United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon tours the "We The Peoples" exhibition with Norman Rockwell Museum Director, Laurie Norton Moffatt. Photo by Jeremy Clowe for Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights reserved.
So, the last year has been spent preparing for the exhibition, which is now on view at the UN Headquarters through September 15, 2015. I don’t know if I have ever been so busy at the Museum: conducting press outreach, creating content, and working with the UN to coordinate our efforts. My work is not done, but I was pleased with how well the press conference and reception came together. I was pleased to have my wife on-hand to help me take photographs and share the experience in New York; we are both members of area peace action groups (I had previously filmed Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks during a New York Peace Action event five years ago), so it was meaningful for both us to be there. I also appreciated Secretary General Ban's remarks in recent essays that, "Rockwell’s United Nations, as the UN itself, remains an unfinished work." How fitting.
With civil rights era icon, Ruby Bridges at the United Nations, June 29, 2015. Photo by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.
Also in attendance for the opening was Ruby Bridges, whose historic walk to integrate Southern schools back in the late 1950s inspired Rockwell’s The Problem We All Live With painting; I had interviewed Ruby over ten years ago for the Museum, and enjoyed meeting her again (I was especially interested in talking to her about her cousin, Leon Bridges, a talented soul musician who is generating a lot of buzz lately!). Everyone seemed in good spirits about this event, and it was certainly great outreach for the Museum.
Peaceful display at the UN. Photo by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.
Regarding the exhibition, our curatorial team has done a great job with the display, and I was really pleased to see my video included in the exhibition. There have been many meaningful efforts that I have been involved with at the Museum over the years, but I must say that here is an instance where it all came together (creativity, communications, artistic appreciation) and supported a cause that I wholeheartedly believe in. Peace.
One of the most memorable events for me this past year was taking part in the People's Climate March in New York City on September 21. The largest climate march in history, an estimated 400,000 people took to the streets to show concern and support for measures to combat the threat of a changing climate.
In addition to the good will, there was an incredible amount of creativity on display. Enjoy the slideshow (below) of some of my photos from this historic day, which I was proud to take part in.
This week I learned that Norman Rockwell Museum has been chosen as one of the finalists for a Berkshire Trendsetter Award in the area of "Public Relations"—it's been a busy year, so it's really nice to be recognized by the collaborative 1Berkshires for my efforts on behalf of the Museum! We were nominated "for efforts associated with their 45th anniversary celebration, which involved utilizing their in-house public relations staff to connect with local, national, and international media, and secured coverage in/on the NYTimes, Wall Street Journal, Jeopardy, CBS News, and others." Winners will be announced during a special awards ceremony to be held (in the Berkshires, of course) on Tuesday, September 9. Speaking of managing the media, this summer has kept me on my toes. We have had some special visitors stop by, including a stop from the celebrity participants of Kiehl's LifeRide to support HIV/AIDS charities. Last Sunday it felt like HOG heaven, as over a dozen gleaming motorcycles descended on the Museum, en route during their nationwide tour. I didn't really recognize any of the celebrities, but several of my friends were jealous that Katee Sackhoff, an actress from the new Battlestar Galactica, was along for the ride. You can view some of my photos from the event here. Even more satisfying for me that day: a visit from a veteran producer from ABC News, who had helped us with an update of some of our video production equipment. Along with my friend David, who sits on the Museum's National Council and has a background in the TV business, we walked around to look at the Museum's galleries and figure out any additional lighting or production considerations for a new promotional video for the Museum, which I am working on. It was quite helpful, and these two gentleman have been so supportive. I have been doing some filming around campus with our new Sony PMW-100 camera, and loving the results. I mentioned in a previous post that I have been doing some freelance work for WMHT, the Albany, NY, PBS-TV station's new show, AHA! A House for Arts. The producers have asked me to create a segment on the Museum, and it's proven to be a bit challenging—in addition to trying to squeeze in the time to film, among other obligations, it is also a little daunting... since I am also the press manager, and want to show the Museum in the best light. I will keep you posted.
More immediately, the Museum has been featured on a number of TV news programs in the last week, including New England Cable News, which featured us on a segment broadcast live from Stockbridge (the Museum's town); WRGB-TV, the CBS affiliate in Schenectady (where my Mom used to sing); and Albany's Time Warner Cable News, which interviewed me last week regarding a generous grant the Museum just received from the George Lucas Family Foundation, to support our educational efforts (in addition to being one of the greatest storytellers of our time, the Star Wars creator is also an avid collector of original Norman Rockwell art). If you are a Time Warner Cable subscriber, you can watch the interview here.
#TripleSelfie! with radio host, Garrison Keillor. June 2014.
Speaking of other celebrities, who meant a lot to our families over the years: Garrison Keillor, the host of the long-running radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, paid a visit to the Museum last June, following a taping of his show at nearby Tanglewood. It was a pleasure to meet Keillor, who I remember my father enjoying so much back in the day. I took some photos during his tour of our galleries, and my wife and I did manage to have him sign one of our books (Love Me, one of my favorites) and chat with him a little bit about the anniversary of his show, which just celebrated 40 years (he stressed that it was a "celebration," not an anniversary!). The noted humorist was just as charming as you would imagine.
Today continued to be busy with visits from reporters from The Boston Globe and Albany Times Union, so there never seems to be a dull moment at the Museum, which continues to celebrate its 45th anniversary. Anyway, the weekend is here and I look forward to some R&R... although exciting, a welcome change of pace from all the PR!
Happy weekend. Just a few odds and ends to share here on this sleepy Saturday morning.
Yesterday, The Springfield Republican printed a lengthy interview I conducted about Norman Rockwell's Stockbridge studio, which is located on the grounds of Norman Rockwell Museum, and right outside my office window. As I mention in the article, having Rockwell's original workspace "is an extraordinary gift to understanding the artist’s process and literally being transported back in time to the space where he created some of his most iconic works,” You can read more here.
A peek at the beautifully-designed Hopper exhibition. Photo by JC for NRM. All rights reserved.
Speaking of visiting another time, the Museum's new exhibition, The Unknown Hopper: Edward Hopper as Illustrator is an interesting show, showcasing a little-known aspect of the realist master's career; truth be told, Hopper despised the time he spent working in illustration—contrast that with a young Norman Rockwell, who was just starting his career around the same time (early 20th century), and always aspired to follow in the footsteps of such visual storytellers as Howard Pyle and J.C. Leyendecker. I appreciate that the Museum is not shying away from these facts, as the contrast is an interesting note to share, as I pitch the story to members of the press. This past December both artists set records at auction for American painters, showing how their art endures in popularity a century later.
Now that's an entrance! Photo courtesy B. Docktor Photography. All rights reserved.
For the opening of the exhibit and to celebrate our 45th anniversary, the Museum presented a gala party, which was quite successful. The theme of the party was the "Roaring '20s," and many of us dressed the part. I have to say, Sarah made a lovely flapper, and I enjoyed playing my best Jay Gatsby, as I hopped around the party, photographing and engaging the various guests.; we even made the "society pages," as our photos made it on to two fun, Berkshire culture sites. You can view some of my own photos on the Museum's Facebook page.
Puttin' on the ritz! Photo courtesy Amy Krzanik. All rights reserved.
The 1920s are a fascinating era, full of change and new ideas for society—I watched a couple fine documentariesearlier this month to research the styles of the period, and it raised my interest to learn more about how American culture transitioned from World War I to a more modern age (and right before the big crash!). After the gala, the wife and I decided to finally check out a real-life speakeasy that we had heard about in Albany—the directions were to leave a reservation on their website, which was followed up by a phone call from their staff to confirm; we arrived at the appointed hour to a mysterious, red-lit entrance and after identifying ourselves, were buzzed in by a bearded man who seemed transported from the era! The interior decorations and wait staff furthered the vintage feel, and I have to say the Prohibition-era drinks seemed all the sweeter. We attracted several approving smiles as we found our way to our table, and settled in to enjoy a three-piece jazz combo. It was a wonderful way to cap off the evening.
Lee @ night. Photo by JC. All rights reseved.
Speaking jazz, I heard good things about the rest of the Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend—my documentary on George Shearing was aired once again following the June 6 concert by members of Shearing's original Quintet, and both members of the audience and band were amused by the anecdotes captured by the jazz pianist's wife, Ellie Shearing (many inquired about buying copies of the video). Copacetic, as they say... and certainly nice to bring home a little extra bacon.
