Gigantic Snow Skullpture

Looks like some folks are having a bout of Halloween nostalgia. This enormous snow skullpture was spotted on Macon Street between Throop & Marcus Garvey.  As you can see, the artists even placed a blue light in the interior.  SCARRRY!!! If you get a chance, stop by and take a picture beside this attraction.


Kudos to the BedStuy Michelangelo! 

Sundance: Focus Features Acquires 'Pariah,' Buys Filmmaker's Next Project

Bedstuy Modern would like to congratulate Dee Rees and Nekisa Cooper on the acquisition of their film "Pariah" by Focus Features. 

Sundance: Focus Features Acquires 'Pariah,' Buys Filmmaker's Next Project

EXCLUSIVE: Focus Features has closed an acquisition deal for worldwide rights forPariah, the Dee Rees-directed coming of age story of a 17-year old African American teen from Brooklyn trying to find her place in the world, and coming to terms with her identity as a lesbian. Besides the acquisition, Focus has also engaged Rees to write another script with an eye for her to direct. The deal was in the seven figure range.

The film, which stars Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell and Aasha Davis, created much buzz since its premiere last Thursday at the Eccles Theatre. It is a handle-with-care first film, but it showed enough promise that Rees has been courted by agents since the film's premiere and many feel she will be an emerging artistic voice. The picture was exec produced by indie icon Spike Lee, and produced by Nekisa Cooper. John Sloss at Cinetic Media closed the deal with Focus' Avy Eschenasy. At least two other suitors were also in the mix. It is the first deal at the festival for Focus, which last year acquired The Kids Are All Right, the Lisa Cholodenko-directed feature which became a breakout indie hit, grossing over $20 million domestic and nearing $30 million worldwide. The film this week received four Academy Award nominations including Best Picture.

Sit-Read.com Launch Party This Friday in Williamsburg

New Unis Chair

RISOM UNIS CHAIR

The waiting is over people. Sit-read.com has finally launched. sit-read.com. Their opening party will be Friday @ 7pm. 487 Driggs Avenue. Hopefully some of you will be able to make it.  

As a treat, we have included the above video of the Risom Unis Chair being assembled. This amazingly dope chair is available for purchase at Unis (226 Elizabeth Street in Manhattan). 

Renovations Couple Style

John & Christina are a couple of "creative-types", who met at Hampshire College in 2001. Christina graduated from Hampshire in December of 2003, and John graduated in 2005, after he transferred from Hampshire to NYU. They have lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn since 2003, and have been living in this same spacious but inefficiently configured railroad apartment since 2004. And today- they've decided to take action!


After-Dinner Design: Just a teaser...: "Yes. That's me. Disguised as a plaster-coated-sanding-spackling ninja of the night. More on this subject later."

Brooklynite Gallery: Moving Onward and Forward

Late 2010 Exhibitions

Rae & 

STEN & LEX • GAIA "PORTRAITS" (2010)

http://vimeo.com/15793428

Bedstuy Design Dreams

I'm not ashamed to say that I have frequent daydreams of a Modern Bedstuy. What if one day instead of vacant abandoned brownstones on multiple blocks, those brownstones would be revitalized to look similar to the following: 

Okay so maybe its a stretch, but all of these brownstone renovations were done in the borough of Brooklyn. So if modern design can reach Brooklyn Heights, Parkslope, and Williamsburg, I know that soon it with creep over the Bedstuy.  


In fact there are already some homeowners who have renovated their brownstones with the best in modern architecture and design. In the next few months we will spotlight some of their homes.  If you know of anyone in Bedstuy with a super unique pad, please notify Bedstuy Modern as soon as you can. 

Triathlons and the African American Community

You know that friend that is always on some new ish?  That friend that makes you look at yourself and feel as if you're standing still?  This friend is always setting the benchmarks higher and higher for themselves. Well, this person to me is my friend Brian.  Some of you may have followed him when he had a food and drink blog called Life in the Food Lane. Check it out: http://www.discovertaste.blogspot.com/.

Now Brian is on to bigger and fresher things. Here is a letter he recently sent friends and asked us to share.

___________________________________________

All,

12 months ago, I made a decision that has changed my life.

As you know, I, Gershon and Steve completed the inaugural Ironman 70.3 in Miami last year.  I have personally found the triathlon to be incredibly rewarding, as it has created lasting memories, experiences, and life-lessons that truly transcend the sport itself. However, you may not know why I decided to take on the challenge . 

I was informed by a friend that although the triathlon is the fastest growing sport in the world, African Americans comprised of only 0.5% of the triathlon community.  Motivated to address this disparity he challenged himself and others to complete an Ironman event. 

Because the experience was so life altering, the three of us have since made it a personal mission to encourage awareness and diversity of the sport amongst our community.  Our story and experience have been documented by Affiliate Media, and I would love if you could support us by sharing the link to the trailer with friends,  anyone you know who may be in sports or fitness media (news, blogging, etc), posting it on your FB page, and uploading it to Twitter. Given Black History month is nearby, now is as appropriate of a time as any.

Attached is a one page overview that provides further context around the race. The full documentary will be released next month.  Please help us get as much attention on our story as possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIw3kmbcQeg

I thank you in advance for your support.

Best,
Brian 

The Modern Saraghina

Most of us by now are aware of the love affair between Bedstuy residents and outside visitors with Saraghina Restaurant located at 435 Halsey Street.  www.saraghinabrooklyn.com

But here is a look at one stylists take on Saraghina, the character in Federico Fellini's famous film "8 1/2" .

I've included a clip from Fellini's film to satisfy your curiosity. The portrayal of sexuality in films sure has changed. 

film style :: The Modern Saraghina

The woman in this photo by The Sartorialist from Millan could perfectly play the part of the modern Saraghina, don't you think? With her dark, full look and edgy tattoos mixed perfectly with a femininity...she even has sandals on perfect for the scene in the sand!

Saraghina, the character in Federico Fellini's famous film "8 1/2" who was the symbol in this semi-autobiographical piece for his childhood feelings on sex originally played by Eddra Gale.


She's the (shall we say) big-boned, make-up smeared woman who dances a seductive version of the rumba for the boys on the beach after they pay her and yell "La Saraghina! The rumba!" while clapping and jumping up and down. She makes you kind of cringe but also become even more intrigued as you watch her expressions during the dance .

Then in the 2009 musical version of the same story in the film Nine, Fergie played the part of Saraghina with a bit more modern look - but still no less of the sultry inappropriateness.





If we could remake this film into a street-style type tribute, my modern Saraghina would where something like this (especially the Chanel faux tattoo garters):

Layered Rosette Sheen Dress :: Forever21.com
JILL Golden Sandals :: pret-a-beaute.com
Maeve leather shoulder bag :: net-a-porter.com
PEARL&IVY MEDIUM MULTI COLOUR HAIR BAND BLUE/PURPLE MULTI FEATHERS :: Farfetch.com
MAC Lipstick Matte :: Maccosmetics.com
LES TROMPE L'OEIL Chanel Temporary Tattoos :: Chanel.com

Federico Fellini's film "8 1/2" featuring Eddra Gale

Let's jump right in to this.  A few months ago I noticed this handcrafted shoe company which is based in Bedstuy. I was floored.  Here's some info on the company.  If you are like most BK residents, you love the look of overly worn boots.  Enjoy!  

Bed|Stü's Beginnings

Fundamentally based in nature with a thorough understanding of craftsmanship and endurance, Bed|Stü footwear is handcrafted of the finest materials available. With three lines to choose from – Bed|Stü Cobbler, Roan, and Bed|Stü – the company offers a broad choice of styles and price points. Starting in an old building converted into an office, design studio, and warehouse the brand began with the purpose of creating footwear inspired by the tough and resilient streets of Bed Stuy, Brooklyn.

Over the years the company has grown into a diverse, creative, and fiercely independent group of people. People who intentionally don’t have job titles; they just do whatever it takes to get the job done.Boasting a cult following with fans, the brand offers classic styles with attitude. Each piece possesses the craftsmanship that Bed|Stü is known for as well as the diversity and identity of those wearing the product. Check out more here: http://bedstu.com