Week Fifty Two

The Empty Bowls Project part two

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:58:41 +0000

On this cold and snowy Friday I thought I’d share the two pieces Matthew and I brought home from the Empty Bowls Project. The green and white one puts me in the mind of spring. (Oh when will she get here?!)

The Empty Bowls Project

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:11:00 +0000

Last night, my husband and I checked out the Empty Bowls Project at the Creighton Lied Art Gallery. He loves soup and I love art so it was a perfect fit. Plus, we’re always down when an event is for a good cause.

We arrived at around 7:30 and, apparently, the event had been so popular throughout the day (which is good) that there were exactly two cups of blue cheese broccoli soup, three rolls and a bag of crackers left. We cruised through the gallery, picked out two bowls and gladly accepted the two cups of soup, which we devoured sitting in the front seat of my car.

There are lots of gorgeous handmade bowls left in the Creighton Lied Art Gallery. The event continues today–it’s going on right, now, in fact–so if you don’t have lunch plans, I’d highly urge you to get your hiney over to the Creighton campus. Here’s the details:

The Empty Bowls project is a grassroots movement that aims to help end hunger and food insecurity. The event raises money and brings attention to the issue of hunger in Omaha. Choose one of hundreds of bowls and sample delicious soup, courtesy of Dixie Quicks. Take your bowl home when you leave as a reminder of the continuing struggle against hunger. Proceeds benefit the Siena Francis House in Omaha. The event runs today from 11:30-1:30 in the Lied Art Gallery, 24th and Cass Streets. Visit http://www.emptybowls.net/ to learn more about the project, or bring it to your town.

Aubrey Beardsley

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:17:45 +0000

I de-camped this past weekend to my in-law’s home in the country. Before I left, I remembered this great book I picked up last year in the Red Cloud Bookstore, Cather & Company (which sadly shut earlier this year.) I first heard of Aubrey Beardsley when I was reading an old copy of Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” and became entranced with the book-plate inside. Beardsley was the artist behind the illustrations. I was so excited to have found this book in Red Cloud, of all places. I pulled the book off the shelf and captured some of my favorite images to share here. I apologize for the semi-funky quality of the photos–my camera seems to be on the fritz.

A collaborative approach

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:35:43 +0000

I am so excited to announce my newest project: Only Style Remains the Same Key Pieces. Many of you may be familiar with my sister’s style blog, www.osrts.com. Because we both love fashion, we decided to launch a sister site (no pun intended) to Lindsey’s main blog, to focus solely on the pursuit of “key pieces:” those wardrobe staples that every person needs. Find the new site at http://osrts-keypieces.blogspot.com/.

Please visit, contribute, comment and, most of all, enjoy!

W52 Style: Catherine Baba

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:31:37 +0000

Style is such a personal thing. It’s an artistic genre in its own right, and certain people just have a way with it. Fashion is one of my deepest loves, and so this is the first of what will likely be many posts about fashion on Week Fifty Two. Art is such a vast subject matter: some people make art, while others dress themselves as art, turning a handful of lifeless pieces of fabric into an eclectic personal statement.

I first learned about stylist Catherine Baba on Scott Schuman’s blog “the Sartorialist.” I constantly find inspiration from his blog–and lots of other fashion blogs–and Baba is simply a standout.

This is the first image I ever saw of Baba, from Schuman’s blog. She’s wearing so many elements here–powerful elements–but somehow they all seem to work. Thick fur coat, embellished belt, patterned harem pants, pumpkin-shaped orange bag, fierce sunglasses. I could never pull it off, yet I love it.

I can’t imagine riding a bicycle wearing either of those pairs of shoes, but how fabulous is the thought of attempting it? And again, look at the genius layering that’s happening in both these outfits. Simple staples still make their presence here: a pair of black leggings is at the heart of both of these looks, and who doesn’t have a pair of those? A kimino-inspired top, a thick waist belt, stacks of bangles and a big pair of sunglasses are Baba staples.

To see more of Baba and her work — she’s a fantastic stylist — visit her Web site.

Images courtesy of the Sartorialist and various other fashion bloggers.

“American Bust” by Dana Rose

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:51:08 +0000

Earlier this month, I curated my first art show. It opened March 5 at Lincoln’s Tugboat Gallery. I never thought I’d have a chance to act as curator, and it was truly a pleasure to work with the Tugboat crew and Dana Rose during the installation and First Friday Opening of “American Bust.” The show continues in downtown Lincoln until March 31. My friend Matt Miller made some photos at the opening. Thanks to him for allowing me to post them here.

Saturday Art

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:47:08 +0000

This morning I went to the first art talk at the new Bemis Underground. Tana Quincy talked about her installation piece “SODZO” (she’s pictured first) and Rebecca Herskovitz spoke about the work in her show “The Things I Cannot Say.” As you can see, there weren’t any chairs and the audience moved through the gallery during the talk, allowing for lots of audience participation and an open atmosphere that welcomed questions.

After the talk, I had myself a lovely solo lunch at one of my favorite places, La Buvette. Nothing like a glass of white wine, a slice of salmon cod loaf, (adapted from a classic Julia Child recipe, so the chef told me) the newspaper and my ever-present Blackberry. Happy weekend!

Reader Cover Story, 2/18

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:16:11 +0000

I wrote the cover story for the Reader this week, and I’m quite proud of it. If you’re interested, check it out here.

Brigitte McQueen is re-launching the Bemis Underground tomorrow night, and it’s looking to be an amazing opening. I’m excited to attend and hope to see lots of familiar – and new – faces there.

An art talk featuring the three emerging artists showing takes place Saturday at noon. Brigitte and the bU need our support, so I hope to see you there.

Doppleganger

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:38:54 +0000

So Sarah Baker – the other Sarah Baker – doesn’t really look anything like me. But we share a name, which I think might be just as important as a face. I’ve written about her before, in my column in the Reader. She’s a performance artist, from the states originally, now based in London.

She first contacted me a while back because we had the same name. Since then we’ve shared a periodic e-mail correspondence, and I find myself keeping up with her on Facebook, where we’re friends. It’s odd sometimes when her posts pop up on my page. Often, I say to myself, “wait, I didn’t post that.” But then I remember.

She invited me into her Facebook group today. Called “Dear JackieCollins,” it focuses, like most of her work, on over-the-top celebrity culture. My favorite post so far is probably “Joan Collins Fashion Forward.” I just love Joan Collins. And fashion.

Check out Sarah and her work here.

Things that are inspiring me right now.

Sarah Baker-Hansen — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:22:12 +0000

Coral lips. Chris Benz “Chris and Tell” via Lancome

www.danaroseart.com

Vera Naumann

Cascade 220 in Ruby, which will soon be around my neck

Vintage Valentines

More to come soon.