The last total lunar eclipse until 2010 occurred last night, with appearances by Saturn and the bright star Regulus, on both sides of the moon. It is said that many individuals with telescopes were actually able to see the rings of Saturn. Here in Chicago we were able to spot the glorious eclipse in the sky. From beginning to end the eclipse lasted about 3 hours across areas of the globe. It was a tremendous sight to have seen and I hope all of you were able to witness the total lunar eclipse. There were two full eclipses last year, just this one for 2008 and then as I said earlier the next is in 2010. If you missed it I have inserted a time-lapsed video from YouTube below, it is Amazing.
February 20, 2008
Total Lunar Eclipse
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Being from a large family with a fairly mixed background, as is the case for many people from Hawaii, I have had the opportunity to take part in many cultural occassions. My Grandmother has raised all of her grandchildren to practice our Chinese heritage and culture as she always has throughout her lifetime, in Hawaii each year we celebrate Chinese New Year as a family through participating in the production of a large Chinese banquet and attending festivals in the Chinatown area. We also get together at the home of my Great-Grandmother, Popo, as she instructs us on how to make a traditional steamed New Year's pudding called Gau. Since moving to Chicago, not once have I visited Chinatown for the annual New Year celebration. However, yesterday I finally made it out there to celebrate. I must say, it was a different experience compared to the one back home, but much of that had to do with the awful weather Chicago endured yesterday. I was accompanied by Esteban and his parents to witness the Chinese New Year parade held on Wentworth Street here in Chicago's Chinatown. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2008 is the year of the Rat which began on February 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, 2009. The year of the Rat is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous and enterprising person. The parade began with the raising of the Chinese and American flags, followed by a procession of children playing handheld drums, Chinese Lion Dancers, and a number of city organizations that took part in the celebration like the CTA and the Chinatown Fire Department. A reminder, the parade was outdoors and the temperature was a high of 2 and a low of -10 degrees Fahrenheit, wind-chill not included. Everyone who gathered to celebrate were bundled under layers and layers of clothing, blankets, and fleece. Not to mention all faces were hidden under piles of scarves, it was a cold day for us all.
The beginning of the parade ringing in the YEAR OF THE RAT!
The lions swerved in and out of the crowds dancing to the beat of the drums.
After the parade we decided to get some hot tea at Saint's Alps Teahouse on Archer Avenue. The variety of teas offered there continues to amaze, me I decided on the almond tea. We sat inside and stayed bundled in our winter garments, for our bodies took so long to warm up after enduring such a long period of being out in the cold, it was a bit intense for Esteban's parents who were visiting from California.
Bundled up and still not warm enough to be outside.
After tea we decided to take a stroll through the shops in Chinatown Plaza, we purchased a number of ceramic bowls, money trees, chinese candies, and a variety of teas. While shopping in one particular store a Chinese Lion came in and was fed Licee by the owner. Chinese Licee is a small red envelope contained with money inside, the envelope is typically fed to the Lion for prosperity and good-luck for the New Year.
Store owner feeding the lion.
In Chinatown square Esteban and I stood beside our zodiac sign, the TIGER.
Our day ended with a delicious meal at Lao Sze Chuan Restaurant, serving gourmet Chinese delicacies, it is my favorite restaurant in the area. Gung Hay Fat Choy Everyone, Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year!
The beginning of the parade ringing in the YEAR OF THE RAT!
The lions swerved in and out of the crowds dancing to the beat of the drums.
After the parade we decided to get some hot tea at Saint's Alps Teahouse on Archer Avenue. The variety of teas offered there continues to amaze, me I decided on the almond tea. We sat inside and stayed bundled in our winter garments, for our bodies took so long to warm up after enduring such a long period of being out in the cold, it was a bit intense for Esteban's parents who were visiting from California.
Bundled up and still not warm enough to be outside.
After tea we decided to take a stroll through the shops in Chinatown Plaza, we purchased a number of ceramic bowls, money trees, chinese candies, and a variety of teas. While shopping in one particular store a Chinese Lion came in and was fed Licee by the owner. Chinese Licee is a small red envelope contained with money inside, the envelope is typically fed to the Lion for prosperity and good-luck for the New Year.
Store owner feeding the lion.
In Chinatown square Esteban and I stood beside our zodiac sign, the TIGER.
Our day ended with a delicious meal at Lao Sze Chuan Restaurant, serving gourmet Chinese delicacies, it is my favorite restaurant in the area. Gung Hay Fat Choy Everyone, Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
100th Annual Chicago Auto Show
Yesterday I attended the Chicago Auto Show. The first Chicago Auto Show was held in 1901. The Chicago Auto Show is the largest in North America and it has been held more times than any other auto expo in the entire continent of North America. This year Chicago celebrated it's 100th Auto Show at McCormick Place located at Lake Shore Drive and 23rd Street. I had never attended an event at McCormick Place and was amazed to see how grandiose the inside of the building was. The Chicago Auto Show utilized 1.3 million square feet of the McCormick Place complex which is a little under half the amount of exhibition hall space offered there. Within the show there were a number of world and North American introductions with a complete range of domestic and imported passenger cars and trucks; sport utility vehicles, experimental and concept cars. Esteban's parents were in town this weekend and his father's love for cars is what brought us to the Auto Show. Most impressive were the antique and collector cars which were given a rather small amount of space. Nonetheless some of my favorites included the Lotus Esprit sportscar driven in the film Pretty Woman and the Mercedes Benz G-Class. I must admit many of the cars on preview were a bit offensive, especially the lack of environmental care/conciousness in the MUMBO JUMBO SIZED vehicles. The U.S. Army had a booth of it's own where individuals could hop into helicopters, watch a soldier operate a tank, and participate in indoor rock climbing. The show was filled with surprises.
An image of the U.S. Army helicopter on display at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show
Similar to the FORD EXPLORER AMERICA, this vehicle was disappointing to have seen. The anti-ozone machine is more like it.
One of my favorite moments included the young and dashing Indian man who hopped on to a Harley Davidson, pretending to do a sharp turn for the photographers around him.
I was also surprised to see NBC news doing a short 1 min. shot of children enjoying there time spent at the Auto Show. Esteban, Ximena, George, and myself somehow got caught in the back corner of the intense filming which took nearly 20 minutes to film, this was probably because the children were exhausted and not quite THRILLED to be there. Nonetheless the scene was bright and exciting to observe.
News stars.
We spent approximately five hours at the Auto Show and by the time it was over we all needed a moment of rest. The day was pleasant and it was interesting to have been exposed to a world of machines. Later everyone!
An image of the U.S. Army helicopter on display at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show
Similar to the FORD EXPLORER AMERICA, this vehicle was disappointing to have seen. The anti-ozone machine is more like it.
One of my favorite moments included the young and dashing Indian man who hopped on to a Harley Davidson, pretending to do a sharp turn for the photographers around him.
I was also surprised to see NBC news doing a short 1 min. shot of children enjoying there time spent at the Auto Show. Esteban, Ximena, George, and myself somehow got caught in the back corner of the intense filming which took nearly 20 minutes to film, this was probably because the children were exhausted and not quite THRILLED to be there. Nonetheless the scene was bright and exciting to observe.
News stars.
We spent approximately five hours at the Auto Show and by the time it was over we all needed a moment of rest. The day was pleasant and it was interesting to have been exposed to a world of machines. Later everyone!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
THAW-Opening Night Estudiotres Gallery Chicago
Last last night I attended the opening of a group show that I was a part of at a cool, new space in Andersonville called Estudiotres. Despite it being away from the traditional gallery district, it is a very hip, young gallery. The show was entitled THAW and themed around the fact that "Winter won't last forever". The director, Michael Newman, chose to exhibit my piece, Conjoined Snowman (We all fall down) as well as my work Scratching Peace Symbols on Your Eyes. Also included in the show were Rob Bondegren's spicy, saturated collages, Nate Wolf's paintings of dirt biking and summer fun, Davin Young's poetic Tillman-esque photo display, and Andrew Winship's humorous drawings of sun bathers and their inadvertent tan lines. It was a very fun evening and a very packed opening with hardly any room to move around. It was so nice to see so many people at the opening despite the chilly night. Thank you to all of those that came out. And for those of you who haven't seen the show yet, it is up until March 7, 2008.
A photo of myself standing beside Conjoined Snowmen (We all fall down). One of two paintings by Nate Wolf is seen in the background, while a number of Rob Bondgren's collages hang on the adjacent wall.
For more information on this exhibition and the artists please visit:
http://www.estudiotres.com/gallery
Estudiotres
5205 N. Clark Street
Gallery hours: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Saturday and Sunday: 12-4p.m.
and for more of my work please refer to the following website:http://www.samiamirza.com
A photo of myself standing beside Conjoined Snowmen (We all fall down). One of two paintings by Nate Wolf is seen in the background, while a number of Rob Bondgren's collages hang on the adjacent wall.
For more information on this exhibition and the artists please visit:
http://www.estudiotres.com/gallery
Estudiotres
5205 N. Clark Street
Gallery hours: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Saturday and Sunday: 12-4p.m.
and for more of my work please refer to the following website:http://www.samiamirza.com
Friday, January 18, 2008
Las Vegas
I am finally back in Chicago after a five day visit to the city of Las Vegas. As a class we visited all the must-sees of Las Vegas, as we walked up and down the strip many times. I found the strip to be most enjoyable during the day as opposed to the evening when all the lights flashed signs of casinos and money to be won. The shape of the Luxor casino and hotel was the most enticing of all because of it's elegance (not including the main entrance). On some days we chose to take the local bus also known as the Deuce, a double decker machine that bussed around tourists from all places of the world, while on other days we simply walked. It was on the deuce that we made some of our most treasured discoveries.
Esteban is seen here photographing the Luxor hotel casino and hotel.
I stayed at the Stratosphere hotel which stands between the old strip and the new, and helped to distance me from the nonsense of Las Vegas. Upon our visit to the old strip where I was exposed to the "Fremont Experience", I witnessed impersonators, spray-artists, a pianist on the bed of a truck, ignorant protesters against all beings of this world, and finally the taste of deep-fried Oreos! I enjoyed the old strip because of the lack of diversion within the casinos as well as elaborate facades. Old Vegas put up no barrier, we walked in and there it all was; no lions in cages, no magic acts, just gambling. It was raw, it was honest, it was Vegas.
The Fremont Experience
The deep fried Oreos and Twinkies were available at Nathan's inside of Mermaid's Casino Las Vegas.
Through the arrangement of our teacher, we were able to visit the Grad studios of current UNLV MFA students, all of whom have studied under the wing of world-reknowned art critic, Dave Hickey. They shared with us the pluses and minuses of their studio practice and more importantly for those local to Nevada, they shared the influences that such a city has had on them.
We also had the opportunity of visiting Dust Gallery. The show entitled On It, featured a number of works by the collaborative German duo Venske & Spanle. The sculptures, which were made of solid marble found by the artist's themselves, appeared to be made of something closer to marshmallows than of solid stone.
A piece by Venske & Spanle installed at Dust Gallery, Las Vegas, Nevada
After gallery hopping, we visited the home of Las Vegas artist, Angela Kallus. Angela spoke highly about an education received at UNLV and her experience of being an artist in Las Vegas. She also spoke at length about her experience with Dave Hickey and his better half, art historian, Libby Lumpkin who just curated her work in the exhibition Las Vegas Diaspora: The Emergence of Contemporary Art from the Neon Homeland. Angela gave us strong advice in regards to grad school and she showed us her collection of paintings; some were her own, while others belonged to close friends such as artist, Tim Bavington, who she went to grad school with.
On the other end of the spectrum of Fine Art was a museum filled with glitz, glam and shazam! L-I-B-E-R-A-C-E!!!!! That's right everyone, we visited the Liberace Museum. We took a glamorous tour bus out to the Liberace Museum which unsurprisingly was located in a strip mall. The museum had tons of pianos, outfits, gems, jewels, diamonds, photos of dogs, beds of fur, st. christopher statues, and old ladies whose job it was to keep this museum running. All of these older ladies generously volunteer their time to keep the spirit of Liberace alive for those who remembered him and for the new generations of Liberace admirers to come!!!
The Liberace Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada
Ohhhhhhhhhhh Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Las Vegas.
That summarizes most of my visit to the city. On our final day there, Esteban and I used up all of our complimentary vouchers that the Stratosphere had given us for staying with them. We went up to the top of the tower for free, the view was spectacular and allowed us to see the entire city. We decided to ride one of the "thrill rides" entitled insanity. The ride strapped us into our seats and dangled us off of the edge as we were spun in a counter clockwise direction. I did not like the ride at all. But Esteban chose the Stratosphere based on the novelty and absurdity of the roller coasters atop of the highest point in the state of Nevada. On our final night we attended the American Superstars show where impersonators from Britney to Christina to Rod Stewart performed their hearts out for us. And let me not forget a heartbreaking performance by a chubby Tim McGraw.
It was spectacular! ;)
American Superstars advertisement; this poster was found on every wall of our hotel as well as every other billboard on the strip.
Insanity Thrill Ride at the Statosphere Casino and Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Having spent five long nights in the city of Las Vegas I am thankful to return to Chicago.
Esteban is seen here photographing the Luxor hotel casino and hotel.
I stayed at the Stratosphere hotel which stands between the old strip and the new, and helped to distance me from the nonsense of Las Vegas. Upon our visit to the old strip where I was exposed to the "Fremont Experience", I witnessed impersonators, spray-artists, a pianist on the bed of a truck, ignorant protesters against all beings of this world, and finally the taste of deep-fried Oreos! I enjoyed the old strip because of the lack of diversion within the casinos as well as elaborate facades. Old Vegas put up no barrier, we walked in and there it all was; no lions in cages, no magic acts, just gambling. It was raw, it was honest, it was Vegas.
The Fremont Experience
The deep fried Oreos and Twinkies were available at Nathan's inside of Mermaid's Casino Las Vegas.
Through the arrangement of our teacher, we were able to visit the Grad studios of current UNLV MFA students, all of whom have studied under the wing of world-reknowned art critic, Dave Hickey. They shared with us the pluses and minuses of their studio practice and more importantly for those local to Nevada, they shared the influences that such a city has had on them.
We also had the opportunity of visiting Dust Gallery. The show entitled On It, featured a number of works by the collaborative German duo Venske & Spanle. The sculptures, which were made of solid marble found by the artist's themselves, appeared to be made of something closer to marshmallows than of solid stone.
A piece by Venske & Spanle installed at Dust Gallery, Las Vegas, Nevada
After gallery hopping, we visited the home of Las Vegas artist, Angela Kallus. Angela spoke highly about an education received at UNLV and her experience of being an artist in Las Vegas. She also spoke at length about her experience with Dave Hickey and his better half, art historian, Libby Lumpkin who just curated her work in the exhibition Las Vegas Diaspora: The Emergence of Contemporary Art from the Neon Homeland. Angela gave us strong advice in regards to grad school and she showed us her collection of paintings; some were her own, while others belonged to close friends such as artist, Tim Bavington, who she went to grad school with.
On the other end of the spectrum of Fine Art was a museum filled with glitz, glam and shazam! L-I-B-E-R-A-C-E!!!!! That's right everyone, we visited the Liberace Museum. We took a glamorous tour bus out to the Liberace Museum which unsurprisingly was located in a strip mall. The museum had tons of pianos, outfits, gems, jewels, diamonds, photos of dogs, beds of fur, st. christopher statues, and old ladies whose job it was to keep this museum running. All of these older ladies generously volunteer their time to keep the spirit of Liberace alive for those who remembered him and for the new generations of Liberace admirers to come!!!
The Liberace Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada
Ohhhhhhhhhhh Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Las Vegas.
That summarizes most of my visit to the city. On our final day there, Esteban and I used up all of our complimentary vouchers that the Stratosphere had given us for staying with them. We went up to the top of the tower for free, the view was spectacular and allowed us to see the entire city. We decided to ride one of the "thrill rides" entitled insanity. The ride strapped us into our seats and dangled us off of the edge as we were spun in a counter clockwise direction. I did not like the ride at all. But Esteban chose the Stratosphere based on the novelty and absurdity of the roller coasters atop of the highest point in the state of Nevada. On our final night we attended the American Superstars show where impersonators from Britney to Christina to Rod Stewart performed their hearts out for us. And let me not forget a heartbreaking performance by a chubby Tim McGraw.
It was spectacular! ;)
American Superstars advertisement; this poster was found on every wall of our hotel as well as every other billboard on the strip.
Insanity Thrill Ride at the Statosphere Casino and Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Having spent five long nights in the city of Las Vegas I am thankful to return to Chicago.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Hoover Dam: Nevada/Arizona
The winter interim has begun and I have been taking a course for the past few weeks now entitled, Learning from Las Vegas. Kym Pinder the head of the Art History department has organized this class that I am very excited about. The class is structured in a manner which allows us to go on numerous field trips, one being a culminating visit to our subject matter itself, Vegas. Esteban and I are both enrolled in this course and we just arrived in Nevada today, we have chosen to stay at the Stratosphere. Because of the close proximity of which Los Angeles is to Las Vegas, Esteban's friend, Paul, came to join us for the weekend.
Today Paul took us on a drive outside of the city and into the open desert. It was nice to take a break from the glitzy, bright metropolis of Las Vegas not to mention the cold and windy weather of Chicago. It was a warm and sunny day. When we arrived at Hoover Dam I could not believe the immense size of the dam itself. Apparently, there is enough cement within the dam to build a two lane highway from Los Angeles to New York! I had anticipated that the dam would be large but I really was taken by surprise at the sight of it's greatness. While lingering around and taking photographs of the dam, Esteban and Paul met a young boy with a peculiar and extremely cool pet. Upon a thin leash, the young boy carried a lizard who distracted many from even looking at the dam. The lizard is said to be the boy's best friend, the two posed regally for numerous photographic shots that were taken of them.
A bird's eye view of Hoover Dam, located on the state border of Arizona and Nevada.
Pet Lizard
Esteban and Paul head towards an observatory point.
At the conclusion of our day we headed back to Vegas and enjoyed a dinner buffet at the Sahara casino and hotel. The three of us could not resist the $6.99 all-you-can-eat dinner buffet, which of course was only made possible with our "Sahara Cards" haha! We anticipate a lot of excess here in Vegas and I suppose this initial buffet will be just one of many experiences of consumption, excess and waste here in Las Vegas or as one of our textbooks calls it, The Last Honest Place in America!
Today Paul took us on a drive outside of the city and into the open desert. It was nice to take a break from the glitzy, bright metropolis of Las Vegas not to mention the cold and windy weather of Chicago. It was a warm and sunny day. When we arrived at Hoover Dam I could not believe the immense size of the dam itself. Apparently, there is enough cement within the dam to build a two lane highway from Los Angeles to New York! I had anticipated that the dam would be large but I really was taken by surprise at the sight of it's greatness. While lingering around and taking photographs of the dam, Esteban and Paul met a young boy with a peculiar and extremely cool pet. Upon a thin leash, the young boy carried a lizard who distracted many from even looking at the dam. The lizard is said to be the boy's best friend, the two posed regally for numerous photographic shots that were taken of them.
A bird's eye view of Hoover Dam, located on the state border of Arizona and Nevada.
Pet Lizard
Esteban and Paul head towards an observatory point.
At the conclusion of our day we headed back to Vegas and enjoyed a dinner buffet at the Sahara casino and hotel. The three of us could not resist the $6.99 all-you-can-eat dinner buffet, which of course was only made possible with our "Sahara Cards" haha! We anticipate a lot of excess here in Vegas and I suppose this initial buffet will be just one of many experiences of consumption, excess and waste here in Las Vegas or as one of our textbooks calls it, The Last Honest Place in America!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Years Eve! Happy 08'
Happy New Year Everyone!
Last night here in Hawaii we were one of the last places in the world to chime in 2008! My family gets together every year to burn fireworks and ring in the New Year. In Hawaii we are really lucky because the use of fireworks have always been legalized, therefore my New Year celebration back home has always been loud, smoky, and filled with pyromaniacs! hahaha
Getting ready to light a long line in the driveway.
We had a grand potluck with lots of Hawaiian and Japanese food. We hung out and played a bunch of games while sporadically running outside to burn fire crackers in our driveway. At midnight, the entire neighborhood went crazy lighting aerials and chinese firecrackers. Each year we string together tons and tons of red chinese firecrackers while my grandfather, or one of the brave individuals in our family hold a long pole that the lit firecrackers are tied to. It was loud and exciting!
Midnight Lighting!
We all stayed up late and enjoyed my last day at home. It is sad that I must depart from here since I have had such a great time. I am taking a winter class that begins tomorrow and o' so cold Chicago awaits my presence! I hear that it is 4 degrees there...I think I am going to go outside and try to hold as much sun in my pores while I still can!
Saying Goodbye...
Happy 2008 everyone!
Last night here in Hawaii we were one of the last places in the world to chime in 2008! My family gets together every year to burn fireworks and ring in the New Year. In Hawaii we are really lucky because the use of fireworks have always been legalized, therefore my New Year celebration back home has always been loud, smoky, and filled with pyromaniacs! hahaha
Getting ready to light a long line in the driveway.
We had a grand potluck with lots of Hawaiian and Japanese food. We hung out and played a bunch of games while sporadically running outside to burn fire crackers in our driveway. At midnight, the entire neighborhood went crazy lighting aerials and chinese firecrackers. Each year we string together tons and tons of red chinese firecrackers while my grandfather, or one of the brave individuals in our family hold a long pole that the lit firecrackers are tied to. It was loud and exciting!
Midnight Lighting!
We all stayed up late and enjoyed my last day at home. It is sad that I must depart from here since I have had such a great time. I am taking a winter class that begins tomorrow and o' so cold Chicago awaits my presence! I hear that it is 4 degrees there...I think I am going to go outside and try to hold as much sun in my pores while I still can!
Saying Goodbye...
Happy 2008 everyone!
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