'Art in the Twenty-First Century'
If you occasionally stumble across what other people call art but your inner monologue screams, "What? Someone actually took time to make that?" this week's party is for you. Whether it be welded, painted, sculpted, carved, smeared or fired, art is whatever smarter people tell us it is -- like those kids on Art in the Twenty-First Century, airing Sundays on PBS (check local listings). So grab your sketch pads; we're throwing an art party!
Setting the scene:
One word: dropcloths. Since your living room is about to be turned into Jackson Pollock's studio, you're going to want to Scotchgard everything from the floor to the ceiling. Trust us, art can get ugly. For invitations, order a poster of your favorite work -- perhaps Pollock's "Guardians of the Secret" -- and cut it into geometric shapes that guests must bring to the party and put back into place. To decorate, have art supplies such as easels, canvases, sculpting clay, charcoals, sketch pads and watercolors available for those looking to test their inner artists -- and have one or two local art teachers guide guests toward perfection. (And yes, Popsicle stick art is just as valid as any other form.) Remember, having partygoers paint the guest bathroom is not part of the plan -- unless you're thinking mural.
Attire:
Everyone should be told to wear a smock -- no smock, no party. Note: This does not apply to the nude model (which is optional).
On the menu:
We hate to say it, but this party will take some serious effort in the food department. Think color. Think display. Think "looks too good to eat." Pizzas accessorized in geometric patterns; a cold-cut platter designed after the Mona Lisa; a vegetable platter done like Vincent van Gogh's self-portrait. And all drinks should have paintbrushes as stirrers. By the way, someone should origami the napkins.
On the hi-fi:
"Vincent" by Don McLean, "Mona Lisa" by Nat King Cole, "Colors of the Wind" by Vanessa Williams, "If I Were a Painting" by Kenny Rogers, anything by Art Garfunkel.
The showstopper:
This PBS series is great, but even watching it on a 60-inch plasma TV will pale compared to taking drawing and painting classes in Paris with Antonina Alupi (www.atelieralupi.com), daughter of Romanian impressionist Calin Alupi. Best of all, she speaks very little English, so she can't really tell you how bad you are.
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