Watch and Discuss.....

I haven't forgotten about y'all, my beloved Snobbers!!
Under deadline and hustlin to get some thangs done.
Greatness is in the works.....
In the meantime watch this clip of My So Called Life, take a shot of Colt 45 each time Claire Danes gives a dramatic blank stare then say I-LOVE-JORDAN-CATALANO!! ten times as fast as you can.

Watch and Discuss!!

Une Style Moment

Hey Snobbers,
While I sometimes comment and praise the fashion choices of others, and by comment I mean trash, I would never consider Critique de Culture a FASHION blog. There are millions of those out there in the blogosphere and I'd figure I'd leave that to the professionals like this one and this one and oh yes this one.

But I must acknowledge my humble beginnings in the fashion rag world. For the major portion of 2006, I slaved away as a fashion intern at NYLON MAG. Yes, back when the interns really had to work and didn't have TV shows. Anyhoo, I interned under some pretty amazing people, one of them being Aya Kanai.

This was the first shoot that I assisted Aya on:

The Denim Issue Ashley Olsen August 2006 cover.

Here at Critique De Culture We heart Aya.Just chillin in the tub like its a Tuesday

Peep this Style Profile that The Sartorialist did on Miss Kanai.
Also check out The Selby when he invaded the beautiful house that she grew up in.

Oh Lord, Why won't Blogger Let Me Be Great?

Hello Critique de Culture readers and non-readers.

I write to you today with a heavy heart.
My aspirations of grandeur and blogging-success have once again been thwarted by Blogger. While I'm not blaming Blogger for my fits of laziness, I will blame them and their formatting-nonsensical-red-tape-bull shit for hindering my creative output.

Exhibit A: the post below "Once Ripe, Now Luminous" was written about 10 days ago. My first attempt at publishing was unsuccessful because one paragraph magically dissapperard off the page and would not return. Also note, the first paragraph is in a different font from the rest of the post.....long story short the devil is busy.

Please bare with me whilst I wrestle this demon. We will be victorious Snobbers.

Sincerley yours,

Culture Snobette

New Reasons for Living

Hey Snobbers,

So I been semi uninspired of late. And as I'm sure you've noticed haven't posted anything recently. Since I've started this blog, I've encountered a steady stream of supporters/whip-crackers telling me "You need to update your blog" or asking "When are you gonna write something new?"

For anyone who really knows me you know that:

A) I'm lazy

B) This blog is a labour of love...emphasis on labour

and

C) I'll NEVER blog simply for the sake of blogging.

Blogging for the sake of blogging and, for that matter, doing anything without the true motivation or inspiration produces half-assed shit. And I ain't never been about half-assin' it, except, maybe when it comes to sex.... Just kidding.

As a Cultural Critic, I feel that too often people "create" without possessing any real love for what they do. And without love, there is no respect for the craft. Hence, people will stamp their names on any-old shit-in-a-box and keep it moving.

Well there will be none of that here at Critique de Culture, where we blog with integrity and put our heart and souls into each tiny morsel of hate and snobbery.

With that being said here are my new reasons for living:

Reason #1

MOMA's Atlantic Pacific Installation

The good folks at the Museum of Modern Art have bestowed on us lucky Brooklynites reproductions of over 50 pieces of art to be plastered all over the Atlantic Ave/Pacific trainstation.

Check out this adorable excerpt from their mission statment:.

"We know you’re moving at warp speed to get from here to there, but take a
breath and take a look. We hope what you see in the station changes the way you
see the world today, if only for a moment. And it’s a reminder that the real
MoMA is only a short ride away."

How amazing is that?!? Now I get to enjoy the works of Kara Walker, Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollack, Picasso, and Roy Lichtenstein while I wait for that 2 train that will never come.

Reason #2
This Why You're Fat.com

Dubbed as the place "Where Dreams Become Heart Attacks", this website features the most gluttonus, artery-clogging, bulemia-inducing delicacies to ever grace the earth.

Feast your eyes upon the Bacon Cheeseburger with Chocolate covered Bacon

Gravy Covered Pizza

or the Spaghetti Meatball on a stick

Strands of cooked spaghetti worked into a meatball, dipped in dough, deep-fried, then topped with marinara sauce

For my Ramen lovers, get into the Romellette, an omlet made with Ramen noodles.


YUMM!!!

Reason #3

The scaffolds are coming down at Topshop!!

Rejoice Retail Whores, the Brits are (finally) coming!!

Yes, I am a Deadbeat Blogger

Hey Snobbers,
So I know i've been hella delinquent with my blogging lately.
Everytime I fall behind and neglect my blog, I always feel this sense of immense guilt and horribleness...sort of like those parents who leave their 3 year old children home alone. Or better yet, one of those parents who drive their car with a baby in their lap....


And then to make matters worse, I feel like I need some amazing and totally justifiable excuse when I actually do return....
Well, f%ck that.
I'm back. No excuse needed...no sob story....no promise that I'll be a better parent next time. Nope.

Remember Snobbers: There is always redemption for the fallen. Roll the Tape!!

Do you recall this debacle in 2007?

Now lets look at 2008

She looks just as confused as the rest of us!! Prolly has no idea where she is or what she got these awards for....

Anyway,
I'M BACK!!

PS: And thanks to all of y'all for checking in daily to see what the hell up been up to. I see you, supporting a sista!! Appprec!

Your Daily Dose of Irony

Magazines do not put Black models on covers because we don't sell issues.
In the face of rampant criticism and questions of racism, Italian Vogue does an
"All Black Issue" with 4 different covers of Black models and over 100 pages of editorials featuring black models.
The "Black Issue" hit US newsstands last week.
It sells record breaking numbers in a time when print media is rapidly waning.

I head into the newsstand today shortly after noon. The issue price has gone up a whole $10, from $15.99 to $25.99.

At 9:30pm this evening, I walk back to the same newsstand, the magazine is sold out again.

To this I say 2 things:
Black is the new Black
C.R.E.A.M .........Cash Rules Everything Around Me

"Dolla Dolla Bill y'all!"

Book Report Time

Growing up I always dreaded book reports despite the fact that I was obsessed with reading.
For someone who loved the entire process of reading (IE:Shopping for a new book, Picking just the right one, Getting into the story line and characters, The ultimate pleasure of finishing the book and The agony of ending a really good read); Book reports meant that I had to squeeze a marvelous love affair into a page or two of chicken scratches with a cute conclusion. Torturous, I say.

But now that I'm older I look at book reports as a sort of advertisement or sometimes a warning label for the books that changed the way i view life and for the books that made me question my shopping instincts, respectively.

So here are a few of the books I've been thumbing through lately:

The Beautiful Fall by Alicia Drake
I didn't quite finish this book, maybe this isn't the best book to start with... Either way Drake's book examines the rise of Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld. The book tracks their humble beginnings in the fashion design world from young apprentices to the height of their decadent 70's mogul days. A must read for anyone interested in Fashion, Semi-Biographies, and Glamorous Parisian Life.

The Private Lives of the Impressionist by Sue Roe
One of the classes in my final semester of college was an art course about the Realist, Impressionists and the Post Impressionists. The class truly opened my eyes to Impressionists art, and this book provided the insight to lives of the artists that I craved. Roe's book shows the real inspirations behind some of the most notorious Impressionist paintings (for example: Le Dejuener sur l'herbe, Olympia, and Monet's Water Lilies series). This book will increase anyone's interest in 19th century French Art and shows the true meaning of the term "Starving Artist".


The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
This is the most recent book I've read, actually I'm in the final pages of it as I type.
I really enjoyed this book and will forever be grateful to it for keeping my company as my flight from London to New York was delayed for 3 1/2 hours. Diaz's writing style makes this book an easy and immensely entertaining read. Diaz frequently slips from proper English to Spanish slang in his prose in a witty and charismatic manner. I love his style of narrative and anachronistic story telling. Definitely Culture Approved.

Jet Laggin'

Hey Snobbers,
I know its been a minute seen I've posted anything on this poor forsaken blog...
But like a Jay-Z farewell album, ya know i'll be back soon.


(Disclaimer: Culture Snobber does not support Jay Z's tired-ass career (his best work is about drugs, the exact same topic as his first album), nor American Gangster (I know glorification when I see it;... I do have a Bachelor's in Media Studies dammit!!)

So I arrived in London this morning. (super excited, any who knows me, knows that this I where is come to cheat on Brooklyn...sorry BK. It's not you, it's me. I just gotta do me. Truthfully, it's all them damn Condos popping up, but whateva...) And after jet laggin' my tired backside around my family's house, I decided that it was time I pick up my lovely little blog.


I'll be keeping you guys updated about this trip, my cultural findings, possible complaints and new obsessions. This week is shaping up to be something official!!
New Museums, Book Reports (i'm probably the only excited about that one), Restaurant Reviews, and Field Trips Galore and UK Culture with a Capital C!!



London's Calling and Culture Snobette is not afraid to pick up!!


And PS: My UK Cousins are NOT HAPPY about BET being in the UK. See y'all I come from good stock, all The Dyers know what time it is!!

l'Homage: Part Une

So I was supposed to start this segment of the blog a while ago... but i'm just getting around to it now.

Anyhoo, I watched MAHOGANY the other night starring the fly-ass Diana Ross and her smoooove co-star Mr. Billy Dee Williams.

Now while Mr. Williams is more known for his thespian endeavors (Lady sings the Blues, Star Wars & 227); I first met him as a little girl growing up in Brooklyn as

"MR. COLT 45"

( Side Note: A can Billy... a Can!! couldn't spring for the WHOLE 40 oz. )

As a curious youngster I did not understand Colt 45 nor did i get why it "Worked Every Time", but none the less, this image was forever embedded into my memory along with countless episodes of the Price is Right and the taste of Quarter-Waters.

PS: the kicker for me was the not-too dry, not-too greasy jheri curl he rocked...
Every woman loved them some Billy Dee in the 70's and 80's. Even my mom liked Billy and she didn't even like me.

I guess it really did work everytime...if it ain't broke then don't fix it!!

Catch-Up

No, not that stuff silly!! This is where I fill all you Snobbers in on whats been going down since my last post.

• Word on the street is that Cakeman Raven has re-opened for business... Hope he hired a Public Relations rep (to lie properly on his behalf) and fired his cleaning lady (more like cleaning Aunty or nephew, they got serious staffing issues!). And Contrary to popular belief, (Rhonda), my post about Cakeman wasn't intended to be evil, just super critical. I mean thats what I do here. Rather than just bitch and moan to y'all in person, I've taken it to the net where everyone can hear my big bitchy mouth( of course under the guise of this blog I also get people more involved in the music, fine arts, culinary arts and culture as a whole. But most importantly I want you all to be more critical of the nonsense that people try to pass off to us. I want us all to be more critical ) okay...enough with the After School Special, back to dishing the hate!!

• In Local news, The former Williamsburgh Savings Bank of Fort Greene Brooklyn,

Has officially been regentrified/ reincarnated as The Amazing One Hanson Place.




On Wednesday January 16, the first tenant officially moved into the now Hi-Rise Condo and its famous clock tower resumed its time telling functions after being out of commission for roughly 17 months.

*** The Condo Will Kill Brooklyn!! Don't buy into this people! Fort Greene has like 1 Crackhead left. The Milks gone sour!! You saw how they turned out Williamsburgh, or "WillyB" as its now known. Granted the take over started a while ago, but not High Rise Condos!! Have you no decency people ?? ***

But check out this amazing picture that was featured in the Times (hey, its art).


Speaking of Crakheads: After having her photo taken...while SMOKING CRACK, Amy Winehouse actually went to rehab.




While I remember Amy's first album, you know when she actually sang, not slurrred her way thru performances and most importantly when she actually hid her drug use( I'm not that naive, she looks quite comfortable maneuvering that pipe).

I pray she gets it together for real for real and avoids the ominous fate of our beloved Gator

• In the Political world, Obama took South Carolina in the states Democratic primary this past weekend.

While I don't know much about politics (sad, but true), I am Black (good and true).

• And Last, but most definitely not least......I graduated from College on Thursday January 24, 2008 at 3pm

..So you know what means right?.... I've been officially armed and licensed to distribute my propaganda!! (all in the blessed name of Journalism)

Watch out Mofos!!! Here I Come.....

Incase You Need to Brush Up on Your Gayness...

I don't know if i'm more shocked that this even exists or the fact that the University of Michigan thinks they can sum up homosexuality in 2-3 credits...
But Nonetheless if you feel your gayness slipping enroll in this English 317 class at the University to reinforce your homo.
I personally couldn't believe it till i viewed the entire course description on their online catalogue.
This class, entitled How to Be Gay: Male Homosexuality and Initiation, will introduce you to the cultural tenets of homosexuality: "Hollywood movies, grand opera, Broadway musicals, and other works of classical and popular music, as well as camp, diva-worship, drag, muscle culture, taste, style, and political activism.".......ahh this is too much for me.

Honestly, if you have to learn how to be gay...then maybe you're not gay, (hey, i'm just saying...)

We must also take into consideration that this is an english course, so, more so than taking field trips tp the gym, tanning salons and cruising strips, they'll probably just observe the portrayal of homosexuality in literature.

Feel free to pass this on to your cousin, neighbor, or any friend that you feel is struggling in their drag get up and simply having a hard time owning their "gay".

Please Snobbers, Discuss I can't wait to hear what y'all have to say.

Gimme Some MO......MA

So i finally made it out to see the Seurat Drawings exhibit at MOMA yesterday...damn near a whole 2 months after I initially set out on my journey.
And while Seurat was an amazingly prolific artist; He created a shitload of these amazing pieces


And While he is a technical genius; Seurat did 'studies'(smaller detailed works) before all of his large canvas pieces. Most of them using the Conte Crayon and Michallet paper as the medium of choice.

Study


Large Canvas Piece

(Note the study figure is featured in the center of Bathers at Asniers.)

...Unfortunately I really wasn't able to sink my teeth into the works as I originally had hoped. For at the Museum yesterday there was an over abundance of this creature, so native to museums, exhibits, concerts and other cultural happenings....
Old White People.


No don't get me wrong, I am by no means racist, but Old White People have a tendency to move at an alarming slow rate and due to poor vision, get really close to the paintings taking all the good viewing space, therefore rendering you to the perimeter of any feasible viewing distance.

Now, While i realise that they probably contribute the majority of the funds that support museums...they don't have to hog all the good space like that!! Come on Son!!

...so Whatever. My Travel companions and I decided to mosey on down to Cafe 2 where we took a break (ie: 5 mins for art & 40 mins for Food) and sipped on delicious earl grey tea (hello free refils...get into it!) and nibbled on gourmet treats.
By far the star of the day was Danny Meyer the executive chef behind Cafe 2, Terrace 5 and The Modern, the trio of delicacies that are housed in the MOMA.

I ordered this lovely number
.. known as Affogato. Its an Italian dessert that combines Vanilla Gelato and Hot Espresso. I know what you're thinking, that just equals brown soupy/goo..
Quite the contrary, the consistency of the gelato holds up against the heat of the espresso yielding a softer gelato and a great dessert to add to your rotation.
It's super easy to make and a great way to impress dinner guests.

So next time you can't keep up with all of the hustle and bustle of museums, chill out take breather, and get something to eat.
PS: they also have wine and great imported beers...major plus!!