Vol. 21 — July 24, 2020
WHAT’S NEW
This week we’re sharing in season veg to buy at the farmer’s market, highlighting glass artists to check out and introducing you to a new cool friend: Susan Alexandra.
CULTURE CORNER
VIEW
American Artist’s newest work is a powerful looting of the Whitney’s entire collection. Temporarily, the whitney.org catalog was replaced with images of plywood and the background changed to black and the text faded. The artwork symbolically and literally boards up the museum and its website in an act of both redaction and refusal. Learn more and see the work here.
COOK
It’s summer in NYC and all of the farmer’s markets are (still) bustling with veggie eager New Yorkers - but this year with longer lines and more restrictions. Nonetheless, it is still our favorite way to stock up on locally-grown goods for the week. Here are three must haves at the market this weekend and what to do with your foods when you bring them home.
- Squash: Grab some summer squash or zucchini and make this zucchini salad with pecorino basil and almonds by Alexa Weibel for NYtimes Cooking. (G is allergic to almonds so we’re gonna find a different nut)
- Tomatoes: This recipe for mango salsa doesn’t necessarily have tomatoes in it...but we think it should. Grab a couple of peak season toms for the perfect riff on this mango salsa by Marian Burros for NYtimes Cooking.
- Flowers: Obviously the most important market purchase is flowers for your home. We usually go with a big bouquet of marigolds because they will last up to two weeks and always smell like a dream. We also recommend grabbing a bunch of gladioluses. They won’t last as long as Marigolds but they are $1 a stem and look amazing by your bedside.
SHOP & SUBSCRIBE
We heart newsletters!!! (And not just ours). Out of Office is a New York-based newsletter focused around how our lives outside of work influence our creativity overall. Check out the monthly newsletter for resources and tips on how to transform your daily work/life balance AND head to getoutofoffice.network to buy their sweet hats :—)
LOOK
Right before the pandemic hit in early March, coolstuff.nyc co-founder Anna B. redeemed her Christmas present of a glass-blowing glass at Brooklyn Glass. Although no glass was able to be blown (because germs), she got to make a load of cool sculptural glass pieces. Having just been able to pick up said pieces (because pandemic), and having a newfound appreciation for glass art post-class, we wanted to share some of our favorite glass-blowing artists we’re obsessed with right now.
- SeungJin Yang: creating balloon-animal-esque glass chairs
- Julie Richoz: designing colorful vases begging to be filled with marigolds
- Helle Mardahl: making other-worldly lights and catch-all dishes
COOL FRIENDS
Susan Korn of Susan Alexandra
Meet Susan, an NYC based accessory designer making some of the most whimsical and covetable handbags. Her beaded pieces go straight from her Chinatown studio to the hands of the COOLEST New Yorkers.
What led you to your career as an artist?
I have always created. Since I was very little, I would craft fantasy worlds. As I grew up, the fear and scarcity set in and I pivoted to pursue a career in business instead, squashing the artist's voice within me. The artist won-but the business person won too. It's really rare that someone can be both at once. I moved to NYC and worked for other designers for years before ever attempting to do my own thing. Once I started making jewelry, the wheels were set in motion and I've just followed this crazy path ever since.
What's your favorite part about the New York creative community?
The support. That there is someone else who gets exactly what you're going through. It is SO healing to not feel alone.
Could you tell us about how you used your platform and skills as a designer to raise money for G.L.I.T.S?
The world is messy, it's been messy and will probably continue to be for a while. It feels daunting. It feels like our voices are not being heard by our leaders and people with accessibility and influence are the ones who are targeted to make change. I am learning every day about what I can do to make this world better. In the spirit of hope and in the spirit that every small bit counts, I am donating percentages of our proceeds to GLITS. GLITS is a charity that provides support, housing, education and resources for LGBTQ BIPOC folx and I'm extremely moved by their work and mission.
Follow along:
www.susanalexandra.com
@susan_alexandra on Instagram
PALETTE
Dinner for Two, Brooklyn, NY
