Photo essay by Nastassia Brückin
A Profile of Artist Mary Little
May 7, 2018
Text by Kyle Beechey and Images by Kyle Beechey and Tiff Payne Malkin
Mary Little is a breath of fresh air.
The Irish-born, Los Angeles based textile artist could not have been more welcoming when she took the time to meet with us a several months ago at her downtown Los Angeles loft. She greeted us with a warm smile at her light-filled work/live space that she shares with her husband, Peter. We quickly learned that Little is the real deal -- The rare combination of talent, sans ego or pretense. Not to mention a softness of voice that mirrors her preferred sculptural medium of textile.
In creating work that is so singular, the question of her influences and process come to mind. She cites landscape as having the greatest weight in defining her work. This wasn’t something she noticed until she returned to Ireland to visit her family a few years ago. She took note of the similar patterns her canvases had with the country’s rolling hills and came to the revelation that her work had been subconsciously influenced by her childhood environment. To contrast, she has always been aware and had a very specific method of working. When asked about her process she cites the philosophy of “Intent and Serendipity” as key to achieving her style. Little devises systems in which to create but allows for “happy accidents” to occur. She meticulously measures her cloth, but when an element that she doesn’t foresee comes into play, she makes a judgment and sometimes she allows it to intervene and other times she does not. No fighting the circumstance. She allows and looks forward to the interplay of the opposing forces.
Little’s work has given her quite a nomadic existence. It has taken her from Northern Ireland to London with stops in Milan, San Francisco, Connecticut and for the past four years, she has called Los Angeles home. Her artistic trajectory began with training in furniture design, but recently she has seen a shift to create objects with less inherent functionality, large-scale canvas sculptures. The mid-career creative pivot from furniture to abstract art object has left her operating in a new space. Her pieces are finding a new home outside of the domestic sphere and on the gallery wall.
Her transition from furniture designer to fine artist has brought into the question the notion of the distinction of art versus craft. Why does a relationship to functionality cause an object to be viewed and consumed in a different context? It is a question that is central to The Arc. We believe that art and object do not need to be mutually exclusive. Everyday life is enriched when we choose to surround ourselves with items whose design is considered beyond functionality. Striking, aesthetically minded dinnerware, woven goods and, ceramics has the ability to dot one's home with joy.
As we happen to be avid fans of art history, we couldn’t help but draw the connection between Little and other female minimalist masters. Immediately, her work called to mind the oeuvres of Agnes Martin and Eva Hesse. Her choice of palette and devotion to clean lines bares resemblance to Martin’s canvases, while her choice of atypical materials and examination of three-dimensional space recall Hesse’s sculptures.
Little’s work has been acquired by The Vitra Museum in Basel, Musée des Objects Décoratifs in Paris and is currently on view until June 2nd in Mary Little: The Shape of Cloth at The Craft in America Center, in Los Angeles.
As Coachella season is in motion, we thought it fun to put together some of our favorites from this year's lineup mixed with some songs from the past few years. Enjoy!
After all the parties have ended and extended family have gone their separate ways, it’s typical to feel a bit exhausted. The holiday season is a fun, magical time, but can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re the person responsible for most of the planning or travel. I like to recover from the excitement by slowing down the pace and taking some time for myself. If you’re feeling burnt out like me and crave solitude, I suggest you pour a sizable glass of wine, grab a cozy blanket, and get comfy on the couch with a few excellent films.
The films I recommend below have been chosen because of their exceptional production design, carefully considered mise-en-scène, and transportive sense of place. They won’t stress you out or make you overthink plot or character motivations, but they’re not vapid. They exude the sense of tranquility that I crave most and watching them helps me feel centered and ready to take on 2018.
Set in 1818 England, this film chronicles the last three years of John Keats’s life and relationship with Fanny Brawne. It’s beautiful, sweeping, lush, and my ultimate crush, Ben Whishaw, is in it. Every single frame is drop-dead gorgeous, a testament to Campion and Greig Fraser, the director of photography. “Bright Star” will remind you of warm summer days spent lying in the grass, lost in a good book.
If I could live in one house from a Meyers movie, I would choose Erica’s (Diane Keaton) palatial Southampton estate from “Something’s Gotta Give.” This house actually sold for $41 million in 2014, which makes me sad. I used to daydream about winning the lottery, buying it, and drinking a glass of Côtes-du-Rhône in a white turtleneck with confidence on the wraparound porch.
This simple, melancholy film makes me nostalgic for the friends I grew apart from after college. It’s weird to go from incredible connections and inside jokes to weird, forced small talk. Embarking on a camping trip set to Yo La Tengo in the magical, verdant Pacific Northwest is the perfect way to reflect and come to terms with the past. “Old Joy” makes me want to abandon my current life and move to the Pacific Northwest immediately.
This short, black and white film is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Commissioned by the Cultural Olympiad of Great Britain, it follows a young man’s journey along the coastline of the British Isles. Weirdly enough, I think I’ve dreamed about this film before. It’s deeply meditative and reminds me how much better life is when I’m doing something that connects me to nature.
Without a doubt, this is Coppola’s best feature film and I could watch it 5,000 times without ever growing sick of or bored with it. Tokyo is dazzling, scary, and exhilarating, but lonely and otherworldly at the same time. Seeing the city through Charlotte’s (Scarlett Johansson) eyes as her life and perception begin to change is like being on the edge of a skyscraper and looking down for one stomach-churning second.
Sandy Powell is one of my favorite costume designers and her talents are on full display in this film. Orlando (Tilda Swinton) travels through several centuries of British history and lives many different lives, but never in a crummy outfit. Whether he’s in a white shirt with a high collar and ruffled cuffs or she’s wearing a huge ball gown, the clothes perfectly complement each scene.
If you need more films to help transport you on a virtual vacation, check out Le CiNéMa Club. They stream one film every week for free and generally have great content. Mubi is also a wonderful resource for finding new, cool films to watch. I’ve been steadily working my way through this list with zero regrets.
The holidays are now in full swing and with that comes the pleasant, yet somewhat daunting list of social obligations. The Cookie Exchanges, Tree Trimmings, Sophisticated Dinner Soirées or Festive Brunches. What to wear, how to get there and most importantly, what to bring? A bottle of wine perhaps? But which one? Red or white? Sparkling? Something local or far-flung? And now to add another dimension, should it be natural? We’re here to help and inform you that organic & natural are words that should no longer be reserved for just discussing your produce.
To get some further insight into this new, yet centuries old phenomenon, we turned to some experts in the community and quickly learned that there are some brilliant females shaking up the wine world. But before we get to what to pour this season, what is natural wine?
To start, the bottle of wine off the grocery store shelf is as processed as a box of Fruit Loops. Large commercial conglomerates produce wine and for standardization purposes add stabilizing additives. They include fungicides and herbicides in the growing process as well as Acetaldehyde and Isinglass (dried fish bladder) in the bottling. On the vine, the chemicals ensure that the crops will have a certain yield and in the bottling, they are to preserve color, prevent sedimentation and ensure a certain expected flavor.
To contrast, natural wine is free from chemicals. This brings a welcome vibrancy and unpredictability to each bottle. That bottle of Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc might not be the exact same every single time, which adds a level of excitement and vibrancy. The wine is alive. Drinking natural wine, from a consumer standpoint, helps support smaller, family-run establishments. The producers use more of an artisanal approach or centuries old back-to-basics methodology in the crafting of their products. There is a face or family of faces who are behind these bottles, rather than a corporation. The natural wine harvesting methods are more environmentally sustainable and our bodies can process the wine far better than their commercially produced counterparts.
In speaking with winemakers and other experts in the community it became clear that their attitude towards wine is one that The Arc shares in our sourcing of goods. We love to see the handmade philosophy disseminating across industries. Wine has a story that imparts a quality to it, like the hand that weaves the textile. Your glass of Chardonnay tells a story, just as the Hmong tribe textile that hangs on your wall does.
How did you get into the traditionally male world of wine writing? What was it that peaked your interest?
It was kind of by accident. I never set out to be a "wine writer," I was a comedy writer that just really loved wine and I really wrote about it for myself. It was my hobby. No one read it. I just loved that I could sit down with a wine and it could take me somewhere else, it's like a daydream serum for me. And still is.
You’re an expert on making wine approachable, what are your best tips for not sounding pretentious? Especially around family this holiday season.
People usually come off like a jerk when they decide they have to tell someone what something is. Instead of talking at people, talk with them. That's one of the things that makes wine so wonderful, its ability to inspire conversation. Be engaged, ask questions, remember that we all started somewhere, don't judge.
What are some gateway bottles to introduce those around our holiday table to? Particularly those that have more traditional tastes.
Gamay. Always Gamay. It's extremely food friendly and it's an easy jump from Pinot Noir. If your guests or host skew real traditional, go for a 2015 Gamay from Beaujolais. The 2015 vintage was very warm, making the wines a bit heavier and less tart than other years.
What are some regions and varietals that you’re excited about right now?
Right now, I'm very interested in what's going on in Italian natural wines, particularly in Umbria and Abruzzo. I'm also keeping a close eye on the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Austria. There has been a lot of really unique and fun wines coming out of those regions this past year.
Why natural wine? Why is it different from commercially produced or organic wine?
Conventional wine is mass-produced, using plenty of additives (more than 70 are permitted for use in winemaking, though only sulfites have to be listed on a label), and the goal is for it to taste exactly the same, year in and year out. Organic wine must be made with organically farmed grapes, but there are no additional regulations on what can be added in the cellar. Natural wine approaches the whole idea from a different perspective; small, hands-on, additive-free production from fruit farmed in a sustainable way, with each vintage tasting differently because each growing season is different. It's like an artisan sourdough loaf from the farmer's market and a bag of white bread from the grocery store; they're both bread, but they're not the same.
What drew you to wine? Was it a difficult space to enter as a woman?
About 10 years ago, I tasted a wine that spoke to me in a different way than I had experienced before. It had a sense of place to it; an energy that made me instantly understand that it came from somewhere special, and since then, I've been on a pursuit to drink and make wines that translate their sites in that way. My husband and I embarked on this as a team, and we were welcomed into wineries and cellar crews as we sought to learn the ropes. In talking with solo women winemakers who are just starting out, though, I have heard that it can be a challenge to get some growers to take you seriously.
Since you worked as a part of a husband and wife team, do people often assume what your role is in the business?
When we're together at events, there is often an automatic assumption that my husband is the winemaker, and I'm just there to help pour! It's interesting, because there are more women winemakers now than ever before, from some of the largest wineries on down. I think it just takes time for perception to catch up with reality.
How did you come into wine? I think it is fascinating that both Kismet’s sommeliers are young women. We’ve been meeting a lot of fantastic women in this community lately, do you think a shake-up of the male establishment is coming?
NM: I concentrated in Food Studies at NYU and took a beverage class. Wine was a whole new frontier that I had very little knowledge of. For me, it presented a more academic/knowledge-based career path but still kept me in restaurants. From there I fell in love. When I moved back to LA, I had the opportunity to work for Kathryn Coker of the Rustic Canyon family. She was really my first role model in the wine world. She nurtured an environment at Ester’s that allowed for learning and growth. By the time I got to Kismet, I was hooked on natural wine and really wanted to pursue this particular arena. Again, I was surrounded by a mostly female support system, but also just a general group of people that believe in pursuing excellence while still nurturing curiosity.
Kae and I have an ongoing conversation about shaking up the wine world not just in terms of gender, but also race. It’s important to us that women of color find their way into this industry as well as white women. Any sort of hegemony, be it gender or color, needs to be diversified across all industries.
KW: I started waiting tables in college and had a fairly basic, functional knowledge of wine until I started working at Diner in New York. Lee Campbell was the Beverage Director at the time and introduced me to the idea of terroir — the sense of place in a wine — and I was hooked. With this context, learning about wine became more than the sum of its parts — less about tasting each wine in a vacuum and more about connecting wines to their history, soil, climate, and the people who make them.
As with any industry, there is a ways to go in terms of representation. The wine world is overwhelmingly white, and I would love to see not just women, but more women of color. We need to look around as an industry and ask why that’s not already the case.
Why is the world so late to arrive to the natural wine? We’ve been obsessed with organic, non-GMO produce & meat for over a decade.
NM: Most non-oenophiles don’t realize that there is anything else to wine other than grapes. There are tons of additives that go into wine starting with chemicals in the vineyards, and finishing with chemicals/additives in bottling. Because wine consumption isn’t built into our culture the way it is in most European societies (and many others), it is not considered part of a meal, so significantly less consideration is directed toward it.
Increasingly, people are becoming aware of the importance of knowing what is in your food, but wine is still a luxury item for most. Even those wanting to eat sustainably might choose to pinch pennies when it comes to purchasing wine, not realizing that it’s a potentially highly manipulated food product. As with anything, it comes down to educating the public and that’s what we’re trying to do here!
KW: I don’t know that the world is late so much as people are starting to market natural wines differently and the U.S. is starting to catch on. There are winemakers in France who have been farming bio-dynamically for decades and estates in Georgia who have been making skin-fermented “orange” wines forever. What’s interesting to me about this moment in wine is how much it seems to be changing people’s tastes. There are still plenty of folks who are closed off to anything that’s not an oaked Chardonnay, but so many more guests are open to challenging their palates and perceptions, which is great not just for the wine world, but from an environmental standpoint too. These wines are interesting AND made responsibly, so people can really have it all in that respect if they’re open to it.
The holiday season is here! What are you pairing with dinner? What are you bringing to the holiday party?
NM:For every holiday party, I try to bring something sparkling. Many people shy away from off-dry wines--wines with a little bit of residual sugar, i.e. sort of sweet--but I think a sparkling rose with some extra body and a bit of RS is perfectly dynamic when it comes to pairing with a lot of different kinds of foods. If you’re not a fan of anything even remotely sweet, I’d get a Lambrusco-style (sparkling red wine).
KW:Sparkling all the way. Especially to start, I don’t want to dive in with something big, so a nice easy, low-alcohol pet-nat is always great. I love this sparkling Gamay d’Auvergne by Domaine La Bohème, “Festejar” (which literally translates to “celebrate”) for its brambly, cranberry notes and a hint of alpine, holiday spice.
What are some of the easiest wines to pair with holiday food?
NM: I default to skin-contact/orange wine. I prefer drinking chilled wines, but often I need some extra complexity and depth when it comes to pairing a single wine across an entire meal. I tend towards a more savory flavor profile, I love it if there are some notes of oxidation and nuttiness. A little smoke never hurt anyone either. If I’m feeling fancy, I’d choose something like the “T” from Vodopivec that we carry here at Kismet.
The holiday season beckons and for many of us that can mean a little more family time to enjoy. Hopefully we all can take those vacation days, long weekends and extended breaks from the everyday. That might mean occupying the kids over winter break, entertaining in-laws or sneaking away for a romantic weekend escape. If you’re looking for some ideas and happen to live in the Los Angeles area we’re here to help! Even if you don’t, keep them filed away for future road trip inspiration.
One of the best things about LA is its proximity to the natural wonders. The number of day and weekend trips the region provides can seem endless. Just a few hours to the east is the magical, mystical Joshua Tree and the midcentury design haven of Palm Springs. Head to the coast and you’ve got some of the most bucolic beaches in the nation. The north holds the rustic wilderness of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear; where we Angelenos can, depending on the season, pretend we’re in the mountains of Colorado. And we haven’t even mentioned the perfectly quaint, ever popular Ojai.
Currently, our preferred escape has to be to the Southern Central Coast. A place where wonderful wines, delicious food, a perfect beach or two and sublime vistas are in no short supply. It has some of the gifts that Northern California has to offer, only much, much closer.
We’ve put together two introductory guides, one of the Santa Barbara area and another if you’re willing to venture slightly further afield to Solvang & Los Alamos. They include a little something for everyone, from the vacationing family to the hungry traveler to the avid shopper. You’ll find new arrivals to the region as well as old standbys. Every type of adventurer should find a little something!
We hope you enjoy; but as with any great road trip we always recommend getting a little lost. The journey is as important as the destination. Stop at the farm stands, the antique markets and the scenic lookouts. Just don’t forget to pack lots of snacks.
Nestled in-between the Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific Ocean is the paradisiacal Santa Barbara. The self-proclaimed "American Riviera" is typically, a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. You'll find it sprinkled with historic adobe-style buildings and the simultaneous offering of the mountains, the ocean and a gourmet’s utopia. Santa Barbara’s charms lie much more in the luxurious than the rustic. So, kickback and indulge.
If you’d like to revel in the whole luxury experience we’d recommend the Belmondo El Canto. You’ll find it quietly tucked up in the hills and with a touch of Old Hollywood glamor. The property has many amenities, but is known for its spa. Take the time and book that long overdue facial or massage. If you’re looking for something a little more hip and fun, check out the stylish Wayfarer. Right downtown with a large pool. It is within walking distance of some of the best bars and restaurants.
There is no shortage of exceptional food to be found in Santa Barbara. Restaurants abound in this city. Some of our favorites can be found in the “Funk Zone”. An ideal evening could start at Les Marchands Wine Bar, with a local wine flight, followed by a seasonal California dinner at The Lark.
If you’re longing for something sweet, post dinner, head to McConnell’s on State St. The legendary creamery was started in Santa Barbara and remains committed to using local dairy in all of their products. We’d recommend sampling some seasonal flavors, perhaps a Burnt Caramel Apple or a Pumpkin Pie?
If you’re looking for a quick bite, a few of our favorite places include La Super-Rica Taqueria. Initially, made famous by a glowing Julia Child recommendation. The grande game of French cuisine named this humble restaurant as her preferred place to dine later in life. As one would guess, the line is often long, very long, so if you need a faster alternative head to Lilly’s to satisfy the taco craving. Grab coffee at Breakfast, the ultra cool surf themed café where they pull a mean espresso.
The Public Market is our favorite stop on a SB shopping tour. It is an easy place to spend an afternoon, grabbing sandwiches and salads for a beachside picnic from Flag Stone Bakery. Why not pick-up a couple of sweets from Enjoy Cupcakes for dessert? If you’re looking for gifts to take home, il Fustino, Oils and Vinegars, has a great selection of local products that you can sample before you buy. A wine tasting? Wine + Beer has got you covered. They carry an array of bottles from the area’s breweries and wineries to take home as well.
Searching for something a little less perishable? Warbler Records and Goods has what you need. They carry both new and used vinyl as well as a selection of clothing, letterpress and goods for the home.
You can’t leave Santa Barbara without a wine tasting. You’ll find them available at most wine shops and restaurants around town. We suggest heading to Municipal Wines and trying a flight of their red or white. All made from local handpicked grapes.
Interested in something a little less urban? Head up to the Santa Ynez Mountains for a short hike or drive. The region is home to some of Southern California’s best vistas. For a little more adventure try to find the cave paintings at Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park at the top of the mountain range.
If you’re headed back to LA and looking for a beach, Carpenteria is the spot. Proclaimed, the "Safest Beach in the World”, it is a lovely place for a swim or walk. A stroll along their main street will transport you to a simpler time. A perfect little beach town. If you’re in the mood for a latte, coffee or matcha, stop into the Lucky Llama. They also happen to make the best acai bowls in town.
Montecito is another option to pass an afternoon. Home to two sophisticated shopping plazas filled with high-end fashion and home goods stores. For our clothing needs, we look to Wendy Foster. She has been the go-to woman for the past 40-years in providing that classic refined, yet laid back approach to luxury fashion that the region does best. Mate Gallery is another great option if you’re looking for gifts. They carry a variety of New England centric goods, from candles to oddities to clothing.
If you want to grab a quick bite before settling into the inevitable traffic, pop into by Bree’osh for the pastries with the best lamination this side of Paris. Or, stop for Happy Hour at Honor Bar, for something more substantial. Sip on a local pint and split one of their legendary chicken sandwiches. They have a gourmet market next door to replenish your road trip snack supply should you need.
If you happen to have more than a night or two to escape, continue up Highway 154 to Solvang. You’ll feel like you’ve landed in Denmark by way of Disney. Danes settled this odd little town in the early 20th century. If you truly want to get into the Danish spirit, stop by the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, yes the town has one. Or if you’d like to sample some regional cuisine, pop into Paula’s Pancake House and eat some aebleskivers, traditional Danish apple pancakes.
Spending the night? Look to one of Shelter Social Club’s hotels, The Hamlet Inn. Tasteful, yet keeping within the Scandinavian theme, it offers bike rentals if you’d like to peddle around town. The hotel also provides packages for local beer and wine tastings. If you’re looking for something slightly more upscale, The Landsby is a new 50-room boutique hotel. Elegantly designed with neutral tones and a contemporary vibe. It is home to Mad & Vin, Solvang’s best restaurant.
A mere 20-minute drive to the north, is the perfect single stoplight town of Los Alamos. Technically lacking official “town” status as its size renders it a “census designated place”. It has everything you’ll need for a fantastic food and drink filled 24 hours. Check-in to The Alamo Motel on Bell St. It’s newly renovated in an elevated ranch style and the town’s best or rather, only option. They have a welcoming fire pit to gather around at dusk and watch the stars. The caliber of restaurants in Los Alamos is staggering for its size; with almost more culinary choices than residents. We'd suggest grabbing a sandwich from Bell Street Farm and in the evening, stop in for dinner at Pico in the General Store. You’ll be greeted with both delicious food and wonderful hospitality. No shortage of charm in this town.
We’d be remiss not to tell you what to have for breakfast when one of the best bakeries in the region is right across from your hotel, Bob’s Well Bread. You can’t go wrong with anything in their pastry case, but the pain au chocolat is a strong choice. To conclude your Los Alamos adventure, pop into the antique mall at the end of Bell St. You’ll find a smattering of goods that include vintage glassware, furniture and cookware. All before embarking on the drive home along a highway lined with picture perfect farms and vineyards. There are certainly worse ways to spend a weekend.
A short and meditative reflection of our recent trip to the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada. We’re happy to bring you this escape and pause from the hectic pace of the everyday.
If you have any journeys planned for the fall, by car, plane or train, these songs will help you get there. Even if it is just to stay smiling through traffic while running errands. We believe that good music can fix just about anything.
Here are a few of our current favorites, new and old. Enjoy!
Ceramic Artist
September 30, 2017
Text and Images by Kyle Beechey
Dora De Larios is a tour de force of a woman. At age 84, she is in her studio and at work every day. “It is what has kept me alive”, she says with regards to her daily practice and her two battles with cancer. Her relentless perseverance and unwavering desire to create have allowed her to push past many an obstacle that has stood in her path. De Larios’s is now finally able to see the fruits of her labor as her work is currently included in LACMA’s Pacific Standard Time, an ambitious investigation of Latin American art in dialogue with California throughout the twentieth century.
De Larios’s near six-decade career began when she was a sophomore at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles. She was introduced to ceramics through art class. Possessing a natural aptitude, she would often stay well after school to devote extra time to her work. Her journey into taking art beyond a teenage hobby was established when a teacher, unbeknownst to her, entered her work in a nationwide competition. De Larios took home the top prize and received a full scholarship to Cranbrook. She was eager to attend, but unfortunately her family’s traditional Mexican values prevented her from doing so.
College kept her closer to home at USC where she studied ceramics with Vivika and Otto Heino. A self-described “odd duck”, she surrounded herself with a diverse group of friends consisting predominantly of exchange students. Upon graduating she established her own studio on Irving Place with fellow USC alumni Ellice Johnson. It became a creative hub for Los Angeles throughout the 1960’s.
The next chapters of her life were marked by travel that spanned from remote Tahitian islands to Tokyo. She was fortunate to spend two months in Japan that have had a long lasting impact. The culture’s reverence for nature, the kindness of the people and exceptional food all culminated to an important source of inspiration for her work.
These travels and her Mexican American heritage have influenced her work and have often motivated her to explore mythological and botanical themes. Formally, her work has taken many shapes, from functional ceramics to large-scale sculptures, from figurative to minimal and a spectrum of colors and glazes. One attribute that has remained constant is her devotion to keeping everything handcrafted. So much so, that her creative process can occasionally be guided by the hand to clay connection. The medium’s behavior continues to have the ability to surprise her.
In 2012, De Larios embarked on another stage in her career. With the encouragement and support from her daughter, Sabrina Judge and son-in-law, Aaron Glascock, Irving Place Studio was reincarnated. The objective was to serve as a studio for De Larios, but also produce a line of functional ceramics. The now coveted collection began with a simple drinking bowl and has now gone on to include dinnerwear, vases, and decorative vessels. Due to the popularity of the collection, there is constant pressure to produce a higher quantity, but IPS' devotion to quality has kept the collection in limited production. Their technique requires each piece to be worked on 12 times by hand.
De Larios’s iron-will has been a determining factor in her success. It has allowed her to continue to make work even with setbacks. She witnessed her male counterparts have meteoric rises at the outset of her career and yet that did not deter her. She became her strongest advocate. A role which led her to march into a prestigious gallery and pitch her own work, as well as correct those who mistook her art as her husband’s. Even today as the representation of female artists in museums continues to be dwarfed by men, De Larios can at times feel powerless in her ability to make change. Despite this, she presses on and continues to make the work, hoping that with time this will change. She can see small changes afoot and sees some promise that it will continue. Let’s hope it is sooner than later.
De Larios’s work is included in Found in Translation: Design in California and Mexico, 1915–1985, a branch of Pacific Standard Time at LACMA in Los Angeles from September 17th, 2017 to April 1st, 2018.
Here at The Arc, we like to think that we’re ahead of the curve, although it seems our summer 2017 vacation destination was right on trend, Portugal. The Algarve, Lisbon and Porto were on everyone’s list, Instagram feed and mind. The country has been a long time favorite vacation destination of Europeans, with the Algarve being the ultimate stop. The region runs the country’s southern coast and is home to many of its most picturesque beaches. Think sweeping cliffs, pristine blue water and this compounded with over 300 days of sun annually, how did it take North Americans so long to discover?
Landing in Faro with stops in Olhão and Lagos, we were looking forward to experiencing a little more than the beach. We’re always interested in a little culinary tourism to immerse ourselves in the local spirit. A visit to the town’s markets was planned with the objective of cooking a Portuguese feast. Tucked countryside was our little casita that came equipped with an outdoor grill.
The market was our guide in menu planning. After a survey of its offerings, we picked up sardines, clams, special Portuguese greens (that had a mild resemblance to kale) and an array of fresh produce.
Cooking in a rental or Airbnb kitchen can pose some challenges…dull knives, flimsy plastic cutting boards and certainly no mandoline in sight. It can push creativity and prompt one to look to outside forces for inspiration. Literally in our case.
The little house was situated on a small plot of land where chickens grazed and was home to a variety of plant life. We rolled up our sleeves and did a little backyard foraging. Our salad dressing included grape juice straight from the vine and local honey from the owner’s apiary. The herb sauce that garnished our vegetables included fresh almonds plucked from the tree.
In the midsummer Algarvian dusk, we feasted on grilled sardines, steamed clams, grilled Mediterranean vegetables, stewed greens, simple green salad and fresh bread. A meal and a trip that will be remembered far beyond any of the coast’s Michelin starred restaurants.
If you should be so inspired on your next holiday to get in the kitchen here are some tips and simple recipes.
• Rental property kitchens generally leave much to be desired. Keeping it simple is key. Avoid recipes/ideas that involve many ingredients or fancy kitchen equipment. You don’t want to bother building a full pantry for a stay of only a few days. You’d be surprised how difficult even the simplest mince, chiffonade or dice is in the given circumstances.
• When building a pantry for a short weekend trip or midweek getaway, stick to a couple versatile basics. Include something for a pop of acid, subtle burst of heat/spice, some umami and fat. For us, that usually means picking up lemons & limes (don’t be afraid to use the zest!), red chili flakes & back pepper, either a Dijon mustard/soy sauce/olive tapenade, tons of fresh herbs, garlic, shallots and good olive oil (!!). You’d be surprised the number of flavor combinations these ingredients can yield. Oh and salt, good salt, that iodized stuff at the back of cupboard won’t do. Maldon, Pink Himalayan or Fleur de Sel, is preferable.
• Let the market be your guide. Everything is worth trying once, whether it be fruit, vegetables or fish. Let your senses lead the way.
• Sample, vendors love to let you have tastes of fresh produce and cheese. Take advantage especially when you are somewhere new or unfamiliar.
• When you’re grilling vegetables be aware that they all take different amounts of time, greens being the fastest and starchier produce taking longer. Just keep your eye on things.
• Marinate, toss and season every step of the way. Don’t be afraid of extra oil. Now is not the time to skimp.
• Experiment with whatever is in season. Cabbage, lettuce and winter squash all fare well on the grill.
We were fortunate to use the grapes from the backyard, but if you don’t find yourself with a grapevine out back feel free to use a store-bought verjus. Nothing will be lost. Verjus is popular with chefs since it doesn’t conflict with wine as vinegar does.
Yield - Makes ½ a cup
• ⅓ cup fresh white grape juice or verjus
• 3 tablespoons grapeseed or olive oil
• 1 scallion, minced
• 1½ teaspoons finely chopped fresh green herbs - chive, chervil or parsley work well
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
1. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, aside from the herbs and whisk until emulsified.
2. Finish with herbs and additional salt & pepper to taste.
This sauce is versatile. It is similar to a chimichurri or salsa verde, but with fewer specific ingredients. It can be used to garnish fish, meat, vegetables or even as a spread. Feel free to use whatever herbs you have on hand. We prefer the rustic feel of a hand chop, but it can also be made in a food processor, if you happen to have one at your disposal.
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 bunch flat leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup lemon juice or red wine vinegar
• 1 lemons zest
• ⅓ cup finely diced shallot
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• kosher salt
1. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, basil, parsley, oregano, red pepper and shallots. Slowly mix in the oil, lemon juice/vinegar, and finish with salt.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, although longer is better. Bring to room temperature and spoon over grilled meat, chicken, seafood, vegetables or serve alongside bread.
Leftovers work well the next day, stirred into eggs, salad dressings or yogurt.
In mid-May an email arrived in one of our inboxes at team The Arc that granted us the opportunity to pass a couple of months in the city of light, love and all things art related. We happily traded in our North American existence for quite a substantive pied-à-terre in the Marais with very few questions asked.
Eager to maximize every French minute, we did a little research into the art offerings of the season. We found the Musée des Arts Décoratifs’s curiously titled “Travaux de Dames ?” (Women’s Work?). Those of you that know us understand that at The Arc we are in relentless pursuit of all things women in the arts related, so needless to say this was going to be high on our list of priorities.
A little context to the museum, it’s a branch of the organization Les Arts Décoratifs. Conceived in 1882, on the principle of prizing functional, yet beautiful objects. Since its inception it has also been a champion of women – philosophies that could not be more inline with our collection and perspective. It composed a committee of women who had the responsibility to hold classes, competitions and even guided museum acquisitions. The goal of this committee was to ensure female involvement in the applied arts. Evidently, France was a little ahead of the curve on female representation in the arts.
The US and UK have recently become more focused on increasing the amount of female artists shown with large group shows at Hauser & Wirth, The Rubell Family Collection and Saatchi Gallery all within the past year or so. These shows and others like them have brought to light bodies of work that have been previously overlooked like Helen Frankenthaler, Carmen Herrera and Lygia Pape.
To return to the show, we fought off the lobby crowds and arrived at the peacefully empty 5th floor and to the prolific retrospective. The exhibit only occupies three small rooms, but it manages to cram in over two hundred works that span nearly 150 years. There is a taste of everything from textiles to photography to fashion design. A nice mix of familiar art/design stars, their lesser-known foremothers, as well as emerging & mid-career artists. A list that includes, Rei Kawakubo, Sheila Hicks, Hélène Henry and Matali Crasset, among many others.
Unashamed and satisfied to say, the show exposed us to some new artists, potentially household names in the European art world, but who haven't had much exposure in the US. Many of the show’s standout pieces were from our “new discoveries”; the hand woven textiles of Hélène Henry and the work of modernist architect Eileen Grey as well as monographs from lesser-known Man Ray contemporaries Germaine Krull and Laure Albin-Guillot.
After spending an hour clumsily attempting to translate the placards from French to English, we left inspired and a little elated to find such a progressive show in a city one often associates with large-scale French masterworks and male dominated impressionist painting. Don’t get us wrong, we have a warm place in our hearts for Raft of the Medusa and Déjeuner sur L’herbe, but now we can also take inspiration from some female French masters who don’t often find themselves on postcards. Amen to that, Amen.
Travaux de Dames ? is on view until September 17th at Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.