I'm sorta annoyed that my ardent attempt at constant cynicism is being continously derailed.
Like today, I got to go to the press preview for Philagrafika -- a citywide festival celebrating the print medium and its impact on art and culture.
The curator for the main exhibit was from Spain -- the second he opened his mouth I was like, "Of course you're European -- you are wearing jeans that fit and a well-cut blazer." But what was more arresting was that as he spoke you could feel his passion for art and his desire to help everyone have access to it.
He ended his speech with "One of the questions people always ask is: Why Philadelphia for this festival? And the answer is because something this massive could only be accomplished by a community that truly believes in brotherly and sisterly support and encouragement."
And I got that hard on for Philly I always get when I'm reminded how randomly beautiful this city can be.
Afterwards, I went to see one of the exhibits at The Print Center and it was one of those moments that makes me realize this is exactly where I want to be in my life.
On the second floor of an old row home in an alley tucked away on the fringes of center city, is a yert made from recycled cloth and PVC pipes. This collective of artists called 1026 constructed this thing as a throwback to tribal and nomadic cultures and are using the space as a "reading room" for Philagrafika.
I'm sitting on a couch made from found objects in an adult's version of a blanket-walled fort talking about collaborative art and group expression with three attractive and paint-smeared men and I remember thinking about these guys, "I wish this could be my life -- sitting around drinking coffee and talking about art." And then I realized: this is my life. I've spent the day sitting around drinking coffee and talking about art.
WTF!? Who knew life works out sometimes?
The curator for the main exhibit was from Spain -- the second he opened his mouth I was like, "Of course you're European -- you are wearing jeans that fit and a well-cut blazer." But what was more arresting was that as he spoke you could feel his passion for art and his desire to help everyone have access to it.
He ended his speech with "One of the questions people always ask is: Why Philadelphia for this festival? And the answer is because something this massive could only be accomplished by a community that truly believes in brotherly and sisterly support and encouragement."
And I got that hard on for Philly I always get when I'm reminded how randomly beautiful this city can be.
Afterwards, I went to see one of the exhibits at The Print Center and it was one of those moments that makes me realize this is exactly where I want to be in my life.
On the second floor of an old row home in an alley tucked away on the fringes of center city, is a yert made from recycled cloth and PVC pipes. This collective of artists called 1026 constructed this thing as a throwback to tribal and nomadic cultures and are using the space as a "reading room" for Philagrafika.
I'm sitting on a couch made from found objects in an adult's version of a blanket-walled fort talking about collaborative art and group expression with three attractive and paint-smeared men and I remember thinking about these guys, "I wish this could be my life -- sitting around drinking coffee and talking about art." And then I realized: this is my life. I've spent the day sitting around drinking coffee and talking about art.
WTF!? Who knew life works out sometimes?