Picasso Countdown!

We are in the final week of Picasso and the Avant-Garde in Paris at the PMA! If you haven't seen the exhibition, come check us out. And if you have, come back and show us more love. In the meantime, read this funny blog post about Picasso's penchant for stripped shirts. Maybe you'll be inspired to snap a photo in your hippest boating shirt and send to us on Facebook -- in the sartorial spirit of Picasso. Copycats welcome.

Cubist Makeup Catches On

Continuing yesterday's conversation on how Cubism influences fashion, it's interesting to see how makeup artists translate the trend, too. Using the face as a canvas, experts painted on bold shades, geometric outlines, and interlocking bands of color at recent runway shows. 

To find out if we were onto something major, we contacted Kate Lee, a Chanel makeup artist who takes an artistic approach to maquillage. Here's what she told us: 

Picasso Fashion Statement

Picasso is popping up everywhere these days, even on the runways. Designers like Phillip Lim and Giambattista Valli took inspiration from the artist's style of abstract cubism, combining different shapes, colors, and textures to create fantastic collage-like pieces for their spring collections.

But off the runway, how does one work the cubist trend? For that, we spoke to Cathy Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer's Style & Soul editor. Some helpful hints:

Picasso Tweetup April 30th

All Philadelphia-area mom bloggers are invited to a special Mom’s Night Out at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 30th at 6pm. The first 25 bloggers to RSVP will get one free ticket to the Picasso exhibition, plus a free "Ice Cubism" cocktail and Picasso poster. Those who RSVP after the first 25 can purchase a discounted admission ticket for $18.

Click here to RSVP by Wednesday, April 28. Please include your name, blog URL, and contact info (phone and mailing address). See you on the 30th!

A Cubist Cocktail

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

"Pretty Much Picasso"

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

My Room in the Picasso Exhibition

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.