Cultural Calendar 77.1
Future-Shock, opened September 5, through October 5.
Graffiti isn’t contemporary. It’s modern. Before Swoon and Banksy came a graffiti artist, ironically named FUTURA, predecessor to a future where the streets of New York have become an artist’s canvas. FUTURA began his abstract graffiti in the 70s, designed the album artwork for This is Radio Clash, and he’s still painting today. View his recent work at this exhibition, opening at Valmorbida Gallery.
GO Brooklyn Voting, September 12 through September 18.
GO Brooklyn is a new exhibit project from the Brooklyn Museum. But this isn’t an exhibit. Why? You choose the artists. How? You visit their studios. September 8 and 9 artists across Brooklyn opened their studios to the public. Five will be chosen through online voting for a late fall exhibition.
The Master, opens September 14.
Paul Thomas Anderson finally debuts his latest project, a film whose story was a closely guarded secret for most of its production. The reason why is simple enough, Paul Thomas Anderson has dramatized the creation of the Church of Scientology, featuring Phillip Seymour Hoffman as an L. Ron Hubbard like figure who emerges in California in the wake of World War 2, and soon adopts a flock, and a reputation. Jouaqin Phoenix returns to major films as a WWII veteran who thralls to him, with some consequence. Arguably the best filmmaker in the world, responsible for such modern classics like There Will Be Blood and Boogie Nights, takes on the most controversial religious group in the world. Welcome Oscar season with this one.
Oslo, August 31, out on DVD on September 18.
Oslo, August 31traces a day in the life of Anders (Anders Danielsen Lie), a drug addict, as he leaves rehab for a job interview in Oslo. The Norwegian film shows Anders’s journey as he attempts suicide and tries to be a part of his former life for a day. Yet nothing is the same for Anders, whose story is loosely based on the novel Le feu folle (The Fire Within). “It’ll get better. It’ll all work out,” Anders’ friend tells him. “Except it won’t,” replies Anders. Prepare for a morbid, depressing, real life tale of hope and renewal.
Bon Iver, Septemeber 19 – 22, Radio City Music Hall.
Justin Vernon brings his woodland heartbreak folk to the vast confines of Radio City. Fortunately for him, the sound of his latest, Bon Iver, comes with a sound built to fill out every corner of a big room, from the slow motion churn of “Perth,” to the multi-tracked harmonizing of “Michiant.” Expect to hear some old stuff as well, for those dying for “Skinny Love” and “Flume.” Don’t forget to bring a hankie.
Metric, September 23, Radio City Music Hall
Metric have consistently been one of rock’s great pleasures the past few years, built on the strength of monster guitar and synth hooks, and Emily Haines’ raw, powerful voice. Their streak of excellent records continues with Synthetica, an album length meditation on culture, computer, and artifice, built around some oddball melodies from Haine’s Broken Social Scene days, and a new krautrock sound, all locked in drum and bass, providing a strong and steady low end. Live they are loud and glorious, to put it simply. Go see them.
Silversun Pickups/Cloud Nothings, October 14th , Terminal 5
Six years ago the Silversun Pickups debuted with a record, Carnavas, that imagined the Seattle sound of Nirvana and Soundgarden recast in a really sunny atmosphere, with a strong dash of The Smashing Pumpkins on vocals. Their grunge revival has taken on a more synth and string driven direction these last few albums, but their latest, Neck of the Woods, still has some polished guitar punch. To be frank, the real reason to attend this show are the openers, The Cloud Nothings, a young, like, really young band from Cleveland whose latest album, Attack on Memory, might be my favorite new album this year, with its absolutely vicious sound. Tracks like “Wasted Days” and “No Sentiment” seethe and thrash and smash and burn, all at once. It’s why we’re young. Go to this.
The Weeknd, October 27th, Paradise Theater in the Bronx.
The Weeknd, a young producer and musician from Toronto, has been giving away all his music for free these past few years, over the course of three full-length albums, culminating in Echoes of Silence. This generosity is made meaningful by the fact that these are all uniformly excellent, if not brilliant records, mixing dub, hip hop, electronica, and a touch of rock and world music to form a potent brew. Tracks like Montreal sound like Idan Raichel gone nightclubbing in the Twilight Zone. Make of that what you will, and catch him live with a full band out in the newly restored Paradise Theatre in the Bronx.
Monet’s Garden, through October 21
Can’t make it to Giverny, France? Not to worry. The New York Botanical Garden has recreated the garden of Monet, the Impressionist who painted the famous water lilies. Monet spent hours painting in his garden, depicting different times of days and different seasons. “All my money goes into my garden,” Monet once said. Now, you can have a plein air painting experience in his environment—from the famous green Japanese bridge to the water lilies, it’s yours to portray.
