Hidden Spaces

I got a chance to go to Seattle for Coffee Fest a few weekends and stayed with my dear friends Ben and Leesa. They not only showed me one hell of a good time but also took me to the SOIL gallery for the Sensoria exhibit. Ben worked with two other artists Iole Alessandrini and Ed Mannery to produce Hidden Spaces what I like to describe as an experiential, interactive art-exhibit playroom.

The room is painted black with five green laser lights that run the full expanse of the room creating a laser "plane". Each of these "planes" is off kilter slightly and has blocks of sound hidden inside. The subject, player, monkey - whatever you want to consider yourself when you enter - activates the different sounds by entering the laser light. There are about nine sounds per plane. As you play in the space you begin to realize that you are able to activate different sounds depending on where you enter the plane. Each plane is composed of different sounds. If this all wasn't enough, you also have the added component of visual distortion of the person moving through the plane. This can be captured on camera by leaving the shutter open in order to catch the images of all the people that might live inside of one person.




I think Hidden Spaces will only be in the gallery through November but I am hoping that the crew will bring it to Spokane in January...... any word yet? The gallery link is http://soilart.org/. The other installation Free Dissociation floored me as well. The artists who collaborated on this piece are Thom Heileson and Wyndel Hunt. The combination of enclosing projection layered upon itself with disjunct sound composition, held me captive for quite some time.

You can check out more of Ben's artwork and music at http://www.listenfaster.com/news.shtml. If you don't know Wizard Prison - then you haven't really had a conversation with yourself.

Anjou Bakery

If you haven't had a chance to take a trip on Highway 2 recently - out to the center of Washington state - put it on your list. If for no other reason than to visit Anjou Bakery http://www.anjoubakery.com/ in Cashmere, WA right between Wenatchee and Leavenworth.

I spent three summers in Wenatchee some time ago and had the pleasure of delighting in this bakery more times than I should admit. I also got to see the bakery go through several transitions and this most recent visit completely floored me. The space itself has always been comforting and begs you to stay and recline for as long as you can. The pastries and bread are what brought me back time and again, but this time the bread - oh my god the bread - seemed to stop time for me!

My mom and I ordered the baguette with brie and tomatoes - I must admit - this was perhaps the best baguette I have eaten in this state hands down. The scoring on top created perfect "ears" - as they say - and the coloration of the crust was near perfect. The whole experience from start to wonderful finish was more than memorable. I would argue that this bakery could awaken even the sleepiest of appetites! The photos might do enough justice to entice you to make the trip!

San Francisco

I am going back to San Francisco for baking classes at SFBI. Pastry I and II. Excited would be an understatement. I love the city and the school even more. Not only will I be seeking out Della Fattoria this time - near Petaluma - but also the Fat Chance Bellydance Studio! I can't wait. Pastries and Bellydancing? Perfect combination.