Recent Recommendations: August 2012

Now that the Olympics are over, I can return to my life. My days have gone a little something like this the past two weeks: Wake up, watch Olympics, eat, work, watch olympics, swim, watch Olympics, eat, watch Olympics, sleep. Now I miss them. It's so much all at once it's too much, and then it ends, and I feel a little lonely.

The Rape of Europa This documentary details the plundering of Europe's art and culture by Hitler and the Nazis. It's yet another untold, little known story of World War II. Hitler was interested in art, and he wanted all of the greatest art in the world (which, of course excluded the so-called "degenerate" art of Picasso, Klimt, Van Gogh, and others) to be in a museum he planned to build. He also wanted to destroy all cultural evidence of other inferior races--which included not only Jews, but Slavs. He ordered his armies to wipe Warsaw off the face of the Earth, he destroyed the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg (Leningrad), he stole thousands of paintings, and he even ordered the bombing of his ally's historic bridges in Florence Italy out of spite (one of which was designed by Michelangelo). The Americans established the Roberts Commission, whose mission was to preserve all the cultural and historic treasures they could (though they were not always successful). The documentary is very well done, and I found it fascinating (and tragic). See it on Netflix instant view.

See what people are reading on the New York Subway: http://undergroundnewyorkpubliclibrary.com/

The Sartorialist, Scott Schuman recently posted a contest on his blog. Whoever had the best answer to this question: "What is the item of clothing that you dreamed about the most but never actually ended up wearing??" would  win a signed copy of his new book. I didn't read people's submissions, but I would expect some funny stories. One of the winning responses wasn't funny at all, it was sweet and more a comment on the meaning of fashion. Read it here.

This article on a heart shaped meadow in England created in memory of a widower's wife. See more pictures here.

Christian Tagliavini is Swiss-Italian artist/photographer who has created two collections I love. The first is called "Dame di Cartone" (cardboard ladies), in which Tagliavanini creates clothing of cardboard and paper. Inspirations include baroque styles, cubism, and 1950s fashion. The second is "1503," in which he creates photos reminiscent of old master paintings, like those of Il Bronzino, except he adds his own slightly stylized touch (I love the elongated necks). He used fabric and cardboard to make the clothes. I can't wait to see what he does next.

Birdbox Animation
Just watch this:
It's a London animation house. You can see more funny shorts on their YouTube Channel.

the xx. One of my favorite music groups, their minimal style is something I hardly know how to describe. I could listen to the album on repeat without getting tired of it. From London, the group won the Mercury Prize in 2010 for their self-titled debut album. They've just released some songs from the new album, to be released on September 10. Just take a listen. Also from the new album: "Chained"
Some songs from the first album, if you're interested: "Intro" (love this, wish it were longer, and don't forget to turn on the subwoofer), "Crystallized" (first single), "Islands" (cool video)