Georgia O'Keeffe, Janet Planet, and secondhand Farm Rio

The Week That Was

Jul 02, 2024

*Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)*, ca. 420-400 BCE, attributed to the Woman Painter, via The Met

This weekend I learnt the joy that can be had from you and your girl friend agreeing to go golfing with your partners and then sitting in the golf cart for five hours chatting (and occasionally stopping to clap for their swing). I like to think of these weekly weekend posts as the type of things we would talk about if we were sitting together in a golf cart. The art we have seen, the books/films we have recently watched, the things we are learning, doing, obsessing over, and the small moments from our lives.

Here are some things and thoughts from the week that was:

Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit: In my last The Week That Was post, I mentioned that I was off to see the new Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit “My New Yorks” at the Art Institute in Chicago. And, as expected, it was delightful. The first exhibition to focus on O’Keeffe’s paintings, drawings, and pastels of urban landscapes presented what was (to me, at least) a whole new side of O’Keeffe’s work. While largely known for her work in the southwest of the United States (particularly New Mexico, where her namesake museum is), in the 1920s, she was living in New York, attempting to capture the feeling of the city as well as the significant amount of rapid change. That resulted in abstract cityscapes, silky charcoal drawings of buildings, and paintings of Brooklyn that look very different from how it is today. The exhibit is on until September 22nd and I highly recommend a visit if you are in Chicago. The museum’s YouTube channel also has a great short video about the exhibit for anyone who is interested in learning more about this period of her art.

*East River from the 30th Story of the Shelton Hotel*, 1928, Georgia O’Keeffe via The Art Institute of Chicago.

A unique history of women: Out of the corner of my eye, while meandering around a bookstore, I saw a bright and beautiful redish- orange hardback with a pink capitalized title A History of Women in 101 Objects. Inside is a fascinating curation of 101 objects that speak to the hidden history of women. Each object has a photograph and a three-page essay that explains its context and history, as well as what it tells us about women’s lives in that era. Objects include the Sappho Papyrus from the 7th century BC, a glass dildo from the 16th century, a metal corset from the 17th century, and Chanel No.5 from 1921. A perfect book to dip in and out of and to use as a starting point to deepen your learning about certain topics. (It is worth a purchase just for the bibliography alone!) I also think it would be a fabulous gift, and I don’t mean just for yourself.

What to watch: As part of my Cinema'/Chicago membership, I saw an advance screening of A24’s Janet Planet, the debut film from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker (it is now out in theatres). Anything A24 does is worth a watch, and this film is no different. Set in 1991 in rural Western Massachusetts, 11-year-old Lacy begins to understand the world and her place in it while spending the lazy summer months with her acupuncturist mother, Janet (Julianne Nicholson), in their home in the woods. It is a quiet film with beautiful cinematography, impressive character study, and moments of hilarity, as well as deep contemplation. Another recommendation - the new Diane Von Furstenberg documentary (streaming on Hulu), an incredibly informative look at the life and career of DVF and a reminder of how significant her wrap-dress design was for women. Other films on my radar:
- Fancy Dance, with Lily Gladstone, was just released on AppleTV and spotlights the important issue of missing Indigenous women in the United States.
- Last Summer, by French director Catherine Breillat, a provocative film - after her husband goes away on a business trip, Anne (Léa Drucker) begins an affair with her stepson, Théo.
- Kinds of Kindness, the new Yorgos Lanthimos film featuring Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Jesse Plemons (in theaters). “Each actor plays different characters in three different stories — which all involve someone going to extreme measures to regain something they've lost.”
  For starters: radishes, carrots, celery, carrot-top pesto, sunflower oil, fried shallots, and onion blossoms.
Community dinners: Not only has our new Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box brought us fresh veggies straight from the farm to our home, but it has also introduced us to a community of individuals who are passionate about improving local food systems, advocating for food justice, and supporting local farmers. Recently, we attended a pop-up community dinner where all profits go to a mutual aid organization that helps to provide fresh food across the South Side of Chicago. The food for the three course meal was sourced from Illinois farmers, makers, and grocers and we savoured it while sitting at long communal tables with new friends. Can there be a lovelier way to spend a summer evening? Sharing a meal with strangers, supporting necessary work in our city, and delighting in each bite of food soaked in care and love.

The beginning of a love affair between me and this dress.

Secondhand Farm Rio: Aside from the two jewelry purchases I mentioned in this newsletter, my one clothing purchase in June was a secondhand Farm Rio dress from The Real Real. Over the past few months, I have saved several of their dresses, only to see them sold as quickly as they were listed. When I saw this long blue and white cotton one with beautiful embroidery and patchwork detailing, I knew I could not let it go. It arrived Thursday night, and I wore it out and about on Saturday with a green and pink basket bag from Mexico, some colourful jewelry, and my nude ballet flats. Upon leaving the house in this get-up, I said something along the lines of “I feel very much like me,” which is the goal every time I get dressed…and I think we are getting closer.

What is interesting in your world? Would love to hear from you!

Georgia O'Keeffe, Janet Planet, and secondhand Farm Rio

The Week That Was

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