Picasso blogger Jaime Bramble on the art of the cocktail...Happy weekend.
You don’t need me to tell you that the Picasso exhibition is a feast for the eyes. But what you may not realize is that beyond the galleries, a feast of a whole different kind awaits. I’m talking about the specialty cocktail that was created in honor of Picasso's legacy: the Ice Cubism. I just sampled one (or two...) with Tia Triplett, General Manager of Restaurant Associates here at the Museum. Tia is in charge of all food and beverage outlets and catering; she's also the creative force behind some truly masterful libations. A blend of Absolut raspberry vodka and DeKuyper peach schnapps, the crystal clear Ice Cubism is at once refreshing and substantial, with just the right amount of sweetness. As Tia describes it, it’s a lot like a cherry lifesaver. The finishing touches are three “ice cubes” (they’re actually jello cubes); one blueberry, one strawberry, and one pineapple, representing the three primary colors - the blue and red also harkens to Picasso's blue and rose periods. The challenge in creating the Ice Cubism, Tia told me, came not only from experimenting with and finding the perfect blend of ingredients, but also in developing something that would stand up to sitting out. After all, real ice cubes melt. And as far as we know, Picasso didn’t have a muddied purplish period. After trying a variety of herbal infusions, fruits, and juices, she thought of jello shots. The result is visually arresting, palate-pleasing, and, I dare say, appropriately avant-garde. Friday, April 16, 2010
Grow your own Picasso? Yes, you can. Check out the "Supertunia Pretty Much Picasso" hybrid petunia created by plant supplier Proven Winners. This beauty took home the Innovation Award at the International Plant Fair in Germany recently. And it's racked up 14 awards to date at various planting trials around the world. Gardening buffs praise its unique combination of colors--the violet bloom piped in green, which has a cool tie-dye effect. Apparently, it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, but deadheading is not necessary. Oh good! So who's up for some planting this weekend? Image: Accuweather
Picasso blogger, Erin Cameron, tells us why the Salon Cubism is her favorite room in the Picasso exhibition.
"By far, my favorite part of Picasso and the Avant-Garde was the room about cubism in the French Salon. In case you don't remember, this room was a bit larger than most and painted terra cotta red.
Curator Michael Taylor discusses Juan Gris' Still Life Before an Open Window, Place Ravignan. It's the first Cubist painting to blend the interior and the exterior worlds together. Sadly, a computer screen doesn't do the colors justice -- the palette is strange and mystical, and definitely worth seeing in person (find this work in the Synthetic Cubism gallery). What do you think of it?
Taking the kids to Picasso? Check out this post from mom blogger Melissa Agnert on her fun day at the Museum, and see how you can win a copy of this imaginative children's book written by Mil Nieplod and Jeannyves Verdu, which we love and highly recommend (for adults, too).
