visual arts

I know, I've been a bad bad blogger. So much architecture to write about (Berlin; Tokyo; Iraq; Dresden and more), cover stories to cover, exciting theater to ... er. Well, actually, I've been going out of town a lot, and that means the weekdays are packed with, gasp, print-related tasks.

As loyal readers know, Chuck and I went to Portland and saw Twelfth Night and The Beard of Avon at Portland Center Stage. I loved the second play and wasn't as into the first one. Then I went to Portland the next week and, after spending holiday gift cards at Powell's, popped into the PNCA to see the Joe Sacco show — which reminded me of why I'd love to teach a sort of alternative forms of literary journalism class at the UO's Literary Nonfiction Progam, from whence I got a master's degree in 2004. Sacco's Palestine (now available in special edition) and Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995 combine journalism and graphic novel skills (or comic skills? There's not a good language for this now — illustration skills?) to create moving and fascinating stories.

Then we went to Portland again (!). And I went gallery-hopping in the Pearl, something I've wanted to do when it wasn't a crazed First Thursday event. My faves of the many galleries I hopped through in one morning: Dennis Zaborowshi at the Blackfish Gallery; Thomas Conway at Pulliam Deffenbaugh (where I had a good time talking with gallery owner Rod Pulliam as well); and finally, though I think the art is a bit too easily accessible in some ways, I did like Carolyn Cole at the Butters Gallery as well.

Now we're on Bainbridge Island after a trip through the UW School of Dentistry yesterday — a cricle of hell I don't recommend — and a long wait for the ferry. Not going to see any theater tonight, sadly; I think people want to see the movie The Savages. Going to recover blogging capacity soon. Still reading Guardian theater blogs and other theater things, still thinking, still reading a lot of books. Reporting on those things to come.

Hey fans, I know you're out there, waiting with baited breath. Hopefully, Molly will liveblog the Oscars tomorrow! Because I know she wants to comment on people's fashion choices ...

Why? Because I'm the performing and visual arts editor, that's why.

1. New museum in Denver. Opening soon, with an emphasis on the kiddies (who will, of course, grow up to become donors! Big donors! Let the private school kids in first!).

2. Oscar winners likely to be depressing. This is news?

3. Holy crap. Best. Sale. Ever.

4. Heads up, homophobic Singapore! Gandalf is after you. Hint: Change your ways. You know what happened to the Balrog, right?

5. Am I just weird? Also, if I read 300 books a year (say), how much does that mess with the average?

That reminds me, I went to see Stardust last night, and it was super. Don't miss it. Especially if you were a fan of Princess Bride.

The Unshelved strip today somehow seems apropos.