Byootiful!

The Northern California Bead Society is having a Bead Bazaar in downtown Oakland this weekend. Why should you care? You think beads are shiny and pretty. More than that, though, you want to see what this Precious Metal Clay thing is about... and some people from my class, including my friend Lesley whose lovely work is shown here, will be staffing a table there and demonstrating this magical stuff. (And if you only care about beads, well, you can make beads in PMC!)

April 1, 2006
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Oakland Mariott City Center [map & directions from Google]

Posted by katherine at 02:46 PM | Permalink

International Arts and Crafts: William Morris to Frank Lloyd Wright

This major exhibition is the first to explore the Arts and Crafts movement from a truly international perspective. It traces the development of the movement from its flourishing in Britain in the 1880s to its interpretation and development in America, continental Europe, and Japan. The Arts and Crafts movement was arguably one of the most far reaching and influential design movements of modern times. It laid the foundations for international approaches to design and lifestyle in the 20th century through new attitudes toward work, design and home. Until now, no exhibition has brought together Arts and Crafts from around the world, and none has included Japan.

It sounds fabulous. Furthermore, the exhibit originated at the equally fabulous Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The De Young is getting good shows, and making up for lost time.

• Learn more about this show

Posted by katherine at 01:30 PM | Permalink

A long time ago, I got into a bit of a snit via email with an ex-boyfriend. A big fan of cult movie The Matrix, he emailed me waxing rhapsodic about how "the combination of love and technology is such a powerful combination." I snottily emailed back, "The only thing I got out of that movie is that Keanu Reeves looks hot in black leather!"

Ahem.

I mean, I enjoyed the first Matrix well enough, even if I didn't quite get The Big Message, but the second and third installments convinced me that the whole thing — and its creators — were full of s**t.

But then again, maybe I should give the Weirdo brothers another chance. The new movie, V. for Vendetta, has been earning decent reviews. Beyond that, though, I think this is simply the most attractive movie poster I've seen in some time. I love the typography, with its invocation of Soviet-era graphic design.

(And the Keanu-free cast? A definite plus.)

Posted by katherine at 04:36 PM | Permalink