madness

When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the desire to mate every second of the day. It is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every part of your body. No... don't blush. I am telling you some truths. For that is just being in love; which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over, when being in love has burned away... (Iannis to Pelagia)


From Captain Corelli's Mandolin Film directed by John Madden and based on the novel of the same name by Louis de Bernières

Film @ Malba

Malba Museum, Buenos Aires.


A film is an art form based on the present. It’s also an experience that we are unable to process 100%. A good film has the virtue of making us think. It contains stories, poetry and images that we can often relate to. This is what the critics that organize the Simultaneous Film Festival 4 + 1 say.

The idea of this festival is original. The project consists of presenting the same films simultaneously, in different countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Spain. The idea is to approach the audience with these amateur films that have been awarded but have not had enough diffusion.

For the curious minds interested in good films- regardless of their popularity - head to Malba from October 26th to 30th.

Buenos Aires Jazz

Jazz is to Americans what tango is to Argentinians (uhm… or some say its country music?)

Jazz was born in New Orleans (that’s right, not Chicago, not NYC) just as tango was born on the banks of the Rio de la Plata in Buenos Aires. Like tango, Jazz is also a product of diversity. New Orleans was French, then it was Spanish, then it went back to being French until it finally became American (although, you know what they say in Nola: “third world and proud of it”). Anyone who has been there, has probably noticed how different NOLA is from the rest of the US. In many ways, it's more like Argentina.

New Orleans Jazz was created by immigrants from Africa who met to sing religious hymns, but in the process, their voices started to merge generating different harmonies. Thus, variations on these melodies came to life.

While European music requires careful listening and who interprets it must remain faithful to the score - even in the execution of the expression, in jazz, there is a kind of game. Musicians follow certain rules, but mostly improvise and put their own vibe into the music.

To those who are eager to expose their ears to the sharpness of this genre and also those who simply want to enjoy the pleasure of hearing this music without much thinking, we invite you to the Fourth Edition of the Festival de Jazz de Buenos Aires. Advance ticket sale starts today, while concerts start the following week.

Enjoy!

Punta del Este Food & Wine

José Ignacio, Uruguay.


Since last year, Punta del Este is part of the world’s circuit of haute cuisine: next month, a weekend with 5 unique events will take place, where chefs from the United States, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay will present their best dishes with the finest Wines of Uruguay.

Based on the success of the first edition, for the 2011 edition, the Festival will be in November again, the perfect excuse to visit Punta del Este in this exceptional time of year.

Opening day: November 11, 2011 Their message: “Escape to the best flavors of the world”

Ok, I’m there. I just booked my flight :-)

Have a nice weekend!!

Buenos Aires Photo 2011

If you love photography, this month, don't miss Buenos Aires Photo. It's an opportunity to check out some of the best photography in Latin America and the world. The exhibition will take place from October 27- 30; hosted by Palais de Glace in Recoleta.

Photos kindly provided by: Gachi Prieto Gallery & Elisi del Rio Arte Contemporáneo - stand 19 - featuring works by Carolina Magnin, Gaby Messina, Lena Szankay, Arturo Aguiar, Daniel Kiblisky and Simón Altkorn.

Enjoy! xo

October

The course of true love never did run smooth.
- William Shakespeare

happy friday!

Visual Arts Prize

One way for Argentinian artists to become known is to win the Visual Arts prize that the Salon Nacional awards each year in any of its 8 categories (painting, etching, sculpture, drawing, photography, ceramic arts, textile arts and installations).

Salon Nacional was founded in 1911, with the idea of fostering Argentinian artistic development and this is what they've done for the last 100 years. Salon Nacional has always been recognized as a very important space where pieces of art are legitimated and aesthetic parameters are set.

Only a few days remain before the exhibition of the works of this years winners are taken down (October 16), if you have time, it is worth a visit.

Where? At the Palais de Glace, Libertador Avenue 1248.

Enjoy!

living it up

Photo: "hot springs" by Ryan McGinley



The concept of a bon vivant is associated with the idea of leading a good life, to live well. But what is to live well?

The other day I read an article on LNR where they talked about the good life with Argentinian chef, Mallmann.

For some, the concept of a bon vivant is overly idealized. It means having a life of luxury, 5 star travels, eating at expensive restaurants, buying big brands, a socially important status and collecting art.

For me, that sounds about right, but I also think a good life is related to living life with passion and intensity. To find the beauty in whatever you do. Whether it’s appreciating a painting, feeling the music with your eyes closed, reading, enjoying a good meal, the smell a flower, dancing, visiting a new place, laughing with a friend, reaching a goal and celebrating the love you receive and that you give every day.

That's also happiness.

In this article that I read, Mallman said something that I'd like to share:

A bon vivant "is a person who tries to live romantically, a person who likes to live each day the best way possible. It has to do with your mood, with who you are, with the time of the year, the clothes you like to wear, where you go, what you eat...”

When I was writing this post, I also ran into this definition: "a bon vivant is someone who can say, I live very well, my children are alright, I am not the richest but I can still do pretty much everything that I want to do; I have a partner who has always loved me and who I love and have fun with, I have achieved most of my goals and I'm satisfied"

Finally, I leave you with the definition that Coco Chanel gave when they asked her: "what is fashion?"

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

Well said Coco! I love this definition of fashion and I find that it has much to do with the concept of a bon vivant. But more importantly, what is it to you?

Enjoy today!




Post by: Valeria Mendez Cañas

Happy Mother's day!

Although as a grown up, I don't spend as much time with my mother as I'd like to, I do have the best time ever when we are together. We love to travel, spend long hours at cafés, just talking about life and catching up, going shopping, going to the movies, going to see a play; to the beach.

I could write a book about my mother; But I'll try and be short. I feel that today is a day to be thankful. I am thankful for the mother that I have and for all the things that she taught me: the importance of family and friends; being true to myself and always following my star. I also have her to thank for my love of art - I remember growing up, our homes were always filled with art, books, flowers, music and often a beautiful smell of food.

Aside from the fact that my mother is a great cook, what I love the most is how she has always insisted that having a meal was a moment to be enjoyed. It was a moment of sharing, the family moment. I always think about that, and how I will try and reproduce that moment when I become a mother. I remember it so vividly. I think it's fair to say that I don't cook as well as she does!! but it's the idea behind that memory that warms my heart.

From her I also learned a great deal about generosity and compassion. She has made it a point in her life to not only be a loving mother and a wonderful wife and friend to my father, but also a loving, caring person. She has always cared for those less fortunate and gone to great lengths to help anyone who is in need.
Her love is unconditional and strong;
When asked what do you do? She (even today) has always said: “I am a mother" and... "a grandmother of 4" she adds now...
Happy mothers' day, mom. I love you.

Plato's cavern

I'm reading Laurent Gounelle's "I Will Not Leave Without Telling You Where I go" and have come across a few passages that deal with something that we sometimes resist: change. The translation is mine because the version I'm reading is in Spanish.

"Today a lot of people live in Plato's Cavern without even realizing it. They are afraid of what is unknown to them and reject any sort of change that affects them personally. They have ideas, projects, dreams but they do not fulfill them because they are often paralyzed by fear. Their feet and hands are held by handcuffs to which they only have the key to unlock. Keys hang in their neck but they never take them.

Life itself is made up of continuous change. It would not make any sense to hang on to the status quo. Only the dead remain still. We not only have to accept change, we also have to start it in order to be able to evolve in the sense that is most convenient to us.

[...] Resistance to change is what makes adults and children differ. Children feel like evolving while adults often do everything they can not to. (perhaps not at a conscious level)
When we no longer feel like evolving, we start to die very slowly...

[...] If you want to be young all your life, continue evolving, learning, discovering, don't lock yourself up in habit that makes your mind get stuck nor in the comfort of what is already known to you because before you know it you could become numb."

Plato's Allegory of the Cave remains a powerful metaphor for understanding the limitations of human perception and the transformative journey towards true knowledge and enlightenment. 

Remember that destiny is also an excuse for not making things happen. You create.

closed doors and open hearts

Almacén Secreto



A few years ago closed- door restaurants began to open in Buenos Aires.

Young chefs began to open the doors of their houses with the idea of treating guests with a delicious home-made meal, sharing nice conversation and allowing people to interact with people they don’t know. Sometimes, guests can also enjoy wine tasting, acoustic music shows and art exhibitions before, during or after dinner.

The first one we went to is Casa Saltshaker. We enjoyed a delicious dinner in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. There were just two or three tables, so it was a nice opportunity to meet and chat with strangers from other places. We shared a table with a couple from Chicago and had a very nice time chatting with them.

These closed door restaurants are accessed by recommendation, naturally.

The proposals are varied. Some open weekends only and others on weekdays. Reservations are required.

If you have not been to one these closed- door restaurants yet, here is a list we put together.

Treinta Sillas
Freire y F. Lacroze, Belgrano.
15-4492-7046

Diego Felix. They like to experiment with exotic flavors, spices and Latin-American scents.
4555-1882

La Cocina Discreta
4772-3803
15-6571-1002

Casa SaltShaker

Almacen Secreto. North West, Argentina cuisine.
Aguirre 1242, Villa Crespo.
4854-9131

Caracoles para Da Vinci
Hidalgo 878, Villa Crespo
15-5526-6918

Casa Coupage. Haute Argentinian Cuisine
Soler 5518, Colegiales.
4777-9295



Enjoy!! xo

routes

"If there were dreams to sell, what would you buy?"
- Thomas Lovell Beddoes