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DG Education Blog
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21
Feb
I had my first shot at combining my "passion for fashion" with another passion - dance - when I wrote a paper on the history of dance costume for a class for my Costume History Master's degree at New York University three years ago. When I presented the paper orally in class with a PowerPoint presentation, I contrasted, side-by-side, the very elegant but very covered up dance costumes that women wore to dance at the lavish balls of Louis XIV in the 17th century, with the very beautiful, but very sexy and very revealing costumes that today's professional ballroom dancers wear on the hit television show Dancing with the Stars. Though this got roars of approval from my fellow students, my professor reprimanded me by saying, "I certainly hope this comparison wasn’t the whole point of your paper! This is supposed to be a serious paper!" No it wasn’t, thank God. I just like to inject a little excitement into my class presentations to keep everyone from falling asleep!Read more: Reflections On Fashion in the Competitive Ballroom Dancing World
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19
Feb
The first weeks of February may not be everyone's dream time for a visit to central Europe but with Ball season in full swing and with lots of delicious sweets (and porcelain) on offer I'm well chuffed to have made a little pilgrimage to Vienna.
The current capital of Austria and from 1526 to arguably 1918 the capital of the Hapsburg Empire, Vienna is a treat for all of the senses. The incomparable art and architecture along with -14C temperatures and a light dusting of snow worked together to create a sublime experience. That and dancing until bandages were required at 3 am made for a great mid-winter excursion.
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22
Jan
The “Jewel in the Crown” of New York's Winter Antiques and Americana Week season has long been the New York Ceramics Fair. Caskey Lees of Topanga California have been at the forefront of the international ceramics calendar since their first foray in 2000.
The Fair is now in its 13th year, the second in the Grand Ballroom of the Bohemian National Hall, on East 73rd Street in New York City. The move is a welcome reprieve from the biting wind that would greet visitors at the door of the National Academy Museum coming across central park from the west. The BNH also has large bright windows that allow the sunshine to reflect on all the shimmering glass and ceramics. Though some may miss the intimate rabbit warren floorplan at the National Academy, the BNH offers an aspect of openness more in-line with the collegial atmosphere.
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15
Jan
The Casa Blanca Museum (White House) is located on a piece of land that was purchased by Juan Ponce de Leòn, a Spanish explorer who became the first Governor of Puerto Rico appointed by the Spanish crown. He led the first European expedition to Florida, which he named and he is associated with the legend of the Fountain of Youth, reputed to be in Florida.
A structure built on the site in 1521 burned down. That same year Ponce de Leòn died from a poisoned arrow after an expedition to Florida, as such, he never got to live in the property. His son-in-law, Juan Garcia Troche, who had married Ponce de Leòn’s daughter, Juana, began construction of a new stone building in 1523. Ponce de Leon’s descendants continued to live in this house for more than 250 years. In addition to being the residence of Ponce de Leòn’s family, the house served as the first military fort of the city.
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24
Dec
Painter John Wollaston in Historical Perspective
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the newly emerging middle class in England and the Americas, embracing their newfound social and economic significance, began to sit for formal portraits of themselves and their families. Previously the exclusive province of the aristocracy, personal portraiture became a coveted status symbol among the emergent 'middling sort'.
In 1749, painter John Wollaston emigrated from England to New York and brought the latest style of English portraiture to America. He introduced the wealthy merchants of New York and Philadelphia to his painterly talent; later, he would carry these skills to the affluent planter class of the Southern colonies.