31.3.23

Gego — Gertrud Goldschmidt — Retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in New York to Open on March 31, 2023

In this post, I write about going to the opening night of the Gego: Measuring Infinity exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
On Thursday night, I saw a new retrospective exhibition at the Guggenheim, the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed museum building on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Two artists' had openings — Sarah Sze and the German-Venezuelan artist, Gego (Gertrud Goldschmidt).
Do you see it? I was drawn in by the small square
dangling in the left corner of one of Gego's
trippy geometrical pieces — on view at 
the Guggenheim Museum.
       Another example of Gego's geodistic fever dream —
       can you imagine being shrunk and navigating
       you way through this three-dimensional maze?

Gego's work spans decades and includes small-scale paintings from the '50s to trippy geometric mobiles from the '70s. I particularly liked her drawings without paper — such as a wire mashup that appears to be graph paper đź“ť and a series of interconnected wires that, when you step back, look like spherical shapes strung together. Thanks to @rguimaraes100 for letting me know about his wife’s associate curatorial work — brava to Geaninne GutiĂ©rrez-GuimarĂŁes. You curators do amazingly awesome work: e.g., putting together such an impressive exhibit that spans the Guggenheim's spiral.

#exhibit #guggenheim #art #show #gegomeasuringinfinity #guggenheim #curator
First image: Sphere; Second Image: Sphere; Third Image: From left, “Sin TĂ­tulo” (“Untitled”), 1977, bronze; “Siete Icosidodecaedros” (“Seven Icosidodecahedra”), 1977, steel and copper; “Sin TĂ­tulo,” 1977, bronze; and “Reticulárea Individual NÂş 2” (“Individual Reticulárea No. 2”), 1969, steel, aluminum and iron. Credit...Karsten Moran for The New York Times

27.3.23

Griffins & Mythological Creatures: Architectural Motifs in the Jackson Heights Neighborhood of Queens

A stone Griffin stands guard a "Garden Apartment" in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens.
New York City neighborhoods are rich in history, and Jackson Heights is no exception. Situated in a rectangular swath of Queens, with Northern Boulevard, the expressway, Roosevelt Avenue, and Junction Boulevard as its perimeter borders, this neighborhood boasts a charming collection of beautiful pre-war residential buildings, many of which feature intriguing architectural adornments, including the presence of mythological creatures like Griffins.
     Griffins, fascinating creatures that are half-lion and half-eagle amalgams, grace the façades of numerous buildings in Jackson Heights. These majestic beings typically possess bird-of-prey talons for feet and lion-like tails. Although occasionally depicted without wings, or even as wingless eagle-headed lions, these figures bear a striking resemblance to Griffins. Interestingly, even the neighborhood's local school, Garden School, an independent nursery through twelfth grade, has adopted the Griffin as its mascot.
Some of the stone sculptures are more lion-y than Griffin-y.
While some of the statues in Jackson Heights may resemble guarding lions more than take-flight griffins, there is undoubtedly a family resemblance. However, I must confess that I am not a pedant when it comes to classifying mythological creatures, and their presence in the neighborhood adds to their unique character and charm.

The abundance of griffins in Jackson Heights has a historical significance that traces back to the neighborhood's early days. When the Inter-Borough Rapid Transit company constructed the 7 elevated line that runs over Roosevelt Avenue, Jackson Heights and much of Queens were mostly undeveloped farmland, with only a few notable features such as the waterfront natural harbors in Flushing and Long Island City. However, the arrival of the elevated subway sparked a wave of housing development. The Queensborough corporation, whose remnants can still be seen, particularly at the corner of 79th Street and 37th Avenue, decided to build "garden apartments," forever altering the area's landscape. The apartment buildings were billed as convenient upper-middle class residences for the white, non-Jewish, non-Catholic, white-collar set. One brochure for one of the apartment buildings, The Towers, reads, "The people you find at Jackson Heights are only those people you want to associate with." Anyway, after the Second World War — with the advent of white flight in the 1960s and 1970s, the demographics of the neighborhood shifted — but the garden apartments remain — in their unsullied glory. And the griffins. Talons out! 

If you take a stroll through Jackson Heights, you can spot various griffins and griffin-like statues in specific locations. Here are some approximate locations where you can find these captivating figures:
  • 72nd Street and 35th Avenue - Griffin
  • 75th Street and 35th Avenue - Griffin
  • 81st Street and 37th Avenue - Griffin
  • 81st Street between Northern Boulevard and 34th Avenue
  • 34-48 81st Street (between 35th and 34th Avenues) - Stone carving of two Griffins above the doorway
  • 80th Street between 37th and 35th Avenue
If you happen to discover any additional griffins or statues not listed here, please let me know in the comments. Jackson Heights continues to be a treasure trove of fascinating historical and architectural delights, and the presence of these mythical creatures only adds to its allure.
Works Cited
Antos, Jason D., and Theodosiou, Constantine E. Jackson Heights. United States, 
    Arcadia Publishing, 2013.

Clip Art: School-Aged Girl with Glasses and Braces

The school-aged girl with glasses and braces is studious and determined yet often self-conscious despite her intelligence and kind-hearted nature.
Source: Created by Stones of Erasmus, coloring page (with digital elements added by open-source artificial intelligence). This image is created and made with love by Stones of Erasmus (stonesoferasmus.com).

17.3.23

Clip Art: Surprised Teen Boy Close-Up

Caught in amazement — digital art of a surprised teen boy: looks directly at the viewer.

Image source: Created by Stones of Erasmus (with digital elements added by open-source artificial intelligence). This image is created and made with love by Stones of Erasmus (stonesoferasmus.com).

16.3.23

Yellow Day: A Series of Portraits in Yellow and Pink (Plucked from the Multiverse)

Today is Yellow Day, a day to celebrate optimism, happiness, and warmth. In honor of the occasion, I used DALL-E-2 to create several versions of myself in yellow and pink, embodying the spirit of the day. 
Which version of me plucked from the multi-verse do you like the best? Let me know with a like and a comment.

15.3.23

Clip Art: Endymion Sleeping on Mount Latmos

Endymion (some say it's Adonis) wears a hat, a Roman tunic, and sandals and naps on Mount Latmos. The original marble Roman sculpture dates from the 2nd Century C.E., where the drawing is based and is located in the British Museum in London. 
Source: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. "Ancient styles of hats" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1845. This image is in the public domain. 

14.3.23

Clip Art: A Winged Griffin About to Take Flight

This public domain image depicts the mythological creature the griffin — part lion and part eagle. A griffin is a legendary creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. It is said to be a powerful and majestic beast, capable of flying great distances and possessing great strength. In many myths and legends, griffins are depicted as guardians of treasure or protectors of sacred places. 
This particular image is in the public domain, which means it can be used for any purpose, including commercial use, without restriction. This is because the image's copyright has either expired or was never copyrighted in the first place.
Find more of creations on TpT!

Organizing Main Ideas: Basic Skills Practice in a Writing Workshop for Middle and High School Students in the English Language Arts Classroom

In this post, I discuss how I teach organizing as a writing skill in an English Language Arts writing class.

Hey there, writing enthusiasts! As an English teacher, I often ask this question - "How do you teach writing?" And the answer is more complex than you might think. However, I teach concrete skills that can help you improve your writing. Writing is like any other skill, it gets better with practice, and with the right approach, you can attenuate the slog of the work and create something beautiful.

Good writing is more than crossing your t's and correctly placing your commas. It's about being well-organized, and that's where I start with my students. I often notice that students struggle with organizing their writing, so I created a simple worksheet to help them.

It's similar to following a recipe when cooking. You need to follow the steps in the right sequence, or else you won't be able to bake a cake. I've had my share of experience with this, so trust me when I say that mixing up the order of adding wet and dry ingredients can ruin a perfectly good cake.

Writing, however, is more complex than following a sequence of events. Sometimes what happens last is written first, and what happens first is written last. You'll know what I mean if you've seen the movie Memento. However, with practice and guidance, you can learn to organize your writing in a way that makes sense and is enjoyable to read.

The key to good writing is practicing good habits. When I teach writing, I focus on these habits that can help students develop their writing skills and make their work stand out:

  1. Start with a plan: Before you start writing, it's essential to have a plan. Think about what you want to say, and organize your thoughts into a clear structure.
  2. Be clear and concise: Good writing is not about using complicated language. It's about being clear and concise. Choose your words carefully and avoid unnecessary details.
  3. Edit and revise: It has yet to get it right the first time. Editing and revising are essential steps in the writing process. Take the time to review your work and make changes where necessary.
  4. Practice, practice, practice: Writing is a skill that gets better with practice. Set aside time daily to write, whether in a journal or a blog post. The more you write, the better you'll get.
  5. Read and learn from others: Reading is one of the best ways to improve your writing. Read widely and learn from the work of others. Pay attention to how they structure their writing and use language.
  6. By practicing these habits, you can develop your writing skills and create well-organized and enjoyable work to read. Remember, good writing takes time and effort, but you can achieve great things with the right approach.
In conclusion, writing is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice. Good writing requires concrete skills and good habits, like being organized, clear and concise, and practicing regularly. By following these tips, you'll be on your way to creating writing that stands out and gets noticed. So, keep at it, and happy writing!

Here's a straightforward worksheet for sale on my TpT store that I designed to help students think about how ideas are organized in a piece of writing. Use it today as an enrichment part of your middle or high school English Language Arts and Writing class!

13.3.23

Meme: Ross Matthews and Otho Share an Uncanny Resemblance

Do Ross Matthews of Ru Paul’s Drag Race fame and the character Otho from the 1988 movie Beetlejuice (played by Glenn Shadix) share an uncanny resemblance? I think so. Share if you agree. 
Ross Matthews and Otho are in the image against a purple background with Ru Paul and the sand snake from Beetlejuice
Memes We'd Love to See: © 2023 Stones of Erasmus
If we take a closer look at Ross Matthews and Otho's appearance, it's hard not to see the resemblance. Both have a similar facial structure, a prominent chin, and an expressive gaze that instantly draws you in. Ross Matthews is famous for his role as a judge on Ru Paul's Drag Race, where he has become a fan favorite for his endearing personality and quick wit. Meanwhile, Otho, portrayed by the late Glenn Shadix, is a character in the 1988 Tim Burton-directed film Beetlejuice. Otho is an interior designer who helps the ghostly couple who haunts a house to scare off the new living inhabitants.

While Ross Matthews is a real person and Otho is a fictional character, the idea that they could exist in the same movie universe is more plausible than it seems. Both Tim Burton-directed movies and Ru Paul's Drag Race are known for their campy, colorful, and often outrageous aesthetics. In fact, the idea of a drag queen and a flamboyantly styled interior designer crossing paths in a fantastical cinematic universe would make for an entertaining and hilarious movie.

Whether or not Ross Matthews' and Otho's similarities are intentional or coincidental, it's still fun to imagine the two coexisting in a shared universe. As pop culture enthusiasts, we can't help but look for hidden connections between our favorite shows and movies. And who knows, maybe we'll see Ross Matthews and Otho team up for an unforgettable adventure that will leave us laughing and cheering from start to finish.

12.3.23

Clip Art: A Griffin Plays Basketball

A griffin plays basketball. Improbable? Probably. But we like it anyway. 

Source: Created by Stones of Erasmus, block print (with digital elements added by open-source artificial intelligence). This image is created and made with love by Stones of Erasmus (stonesoferasmus.com).

Clip Art: Classical Sculpture Depicting Poseidon (Neptune)

The image is of the Greek God (in Roman myth known as Neptune) holding his legendary trident and standing on a craggy precipice overlooking the sea, his domain.


Source note: From Bilderbuch fĂĽr Kinder : enthaltend eine angenehme Sammlung von Thieren, Pflanzen, Blumen, Fruchten, Mineralien, Trachten und allerhand andern unterrichtenden Gegenstanden aus dem Reiche der natur, der Kunste und Wissenschaften. (Weimar, Germany : Industrie-Comptoir, 1792-1843) Bertuch, Friedrich Justin (1747-1822), Author. Content: Written on border: "1. Neptune ; 2. Ceres ; 3-5 Apollo ; Drawn 1801s." Originally scanned by the New York Public Library (Digital Collections). The image is in the public domain.

10.3.23

Throwback Thursday: Pictures from Senior Year in High School (And Others)

With nostalgia in my heart, I look fondly upon the photos of me as a child  more specifically as a senior in high school. With joyful memories and contentment, I reflect on how far I have come. How much would I give to go back and speak encouraging words to my younger self? To remind them it's okay to be who they are; that their uniqueness is something to be celebrated with pride! Remind them not to worry about what other people think  they're just jealous. And if you're going to grow into an amazing adult one day, make sure you own it! Don't forget your retainer either — no matter how annoying it may seem now — because straight teeth don't stay that way forever without proper maintenance.

1.3.23

Clip Art: School Girl With Moppish Little Orphan Annie Hair

This clip art image perfectly represents nostalgia and classic school days for a girl. It's an endearing illustration of a schoolgirl with a timeless look, giving off Little Orphan Annie vibes. The line art and details make this image unique and sure to be a conversation starter in any home, classroom, or office. With the potential to create lasting memories, it's sure to bring smiles to anyone who sees it! 

This image is created and made with love by Stones of Erasmus (stonesoferasmus.com). Find more of my stuff on TpT.
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