Fellows of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
This organization provides something more than a gallery space to local artists. It is an incubator. I recently took part in a group show there called Least Concern, curated by Lorraine Heitzman. A small but inviting space in LA's Chinatown, FOCALA is run by energetic, brilliant staff. I was the show's poet mascot, a real pleasure. I will be back for more shows/events.
When God Was a Woman
This book is life-changing. If you have wondered why there are traces of an ancient, long-suppressed Goddess image shining beneath Western morality, Merlin Stone's case will appeal to you. Before our current set of competing religions, there was a multi-century period when a female deity ruled. She had various names. Her imagery, snakes, fruit (figs, turned to apples), and sexual empowerment took bloodshed and clever narratives to destroy. All of this will make sense to today's women, in the throes of similar ruthless disinformation campaigns. The book is well written and researched. It has been around, but never more relevant than now.
How the World Made the West by Josephine Quinn
Someone told me this is in the category of "Dad Books" and I'm not mad. We are taught (by the dads, usually) a version of history that makes the West seem like it's the furthest evolution of ancient, noble principals emerging from a certain group-- ahem, the dads of antiquity, and that all advanced lifestyles are down to that inheritance. This notion is zenophobic bunk. Josephine Quinn has written a beautiful, fascinating unspooling of history that proves how interdependent, wide-ranging and mutually influential ancient peoples were. No one emerged from isolation with the only epic ideas. We have all always been talking, influencing, trading, and fighting. I was mesmerized by this well-researched, compassionate and humorous survey of life from the earliest records until the time when THE WEST emerged with all its swagger. I wish it were longer.
Franklin Canyon Park
Franklin Canyon Park is beyond a gem. It is a green paradise of trails and water, with a lake, a creek, and other water features that come and go depending on rainfall. It is accessible via the top, off Mulholland, or below, off Coldwater Canyon Boulevard. You can hike in or drive and park. The walk up the hill from outside the south side is lovely, with a sea breeze, coastal views and a close look at someone's haunted chateau with a mouldering Bentley in the yard. Once you access the park, decide if you want to stick close to the beautiful lake, hike in the hilly trails, or wander the road to the pond where the karp keep getting bigger and more angelic with their gossamer fins. (Did someone really dump those guys?) If you choose this mode, try to spot the big, mossy-colored frogs that hide in the muck. Other restorative activities are owl spotting, listening for the bees hiving in the tall light poles, and staying clear of the occasional coyote. There are deer and rabbits, and a fat raccoon who washes in the creek. Some places are almost jungle-like. Others are arid and scrubby. I visit the place often and have never come to the end of the many trails. From the top, the flat blue Pacific reveals how close she really was all along. The park has a visitor's center that is sometimes open depending on budget. Rumor has it Barry Diller and Diane Von Furstenburg are planning to "Little Island" the place, which is unnecessary but who is going to stop the rich from making our lives better. Every single time I visit Franklin, I wonder why more people are not taking advantage of its peace and beauty. It is lovely in all seasons. Sometimes at sunset there are mysterious, vast flocks of crows sitting silently in the trees. The lake is teems with turtles and water fowl. Sure, there are vibey photoshoots and once a booming "yoga weekend" with a horrible DJ ruining the silence with bad dance tunes. But usually this park is almost empty of people. Take advantage of the chance to breathe deeply beneath the live oaks and cottonwoods. I want to see you there!
