Oct 29, 2012

Jon Cronin and son Miles Prepare For Sandy


Jon Cronin, left, with his son Miles, 4, sealed the entrance to his wife’s - Amelie Chabannes - art studio near the Red Hook waterfront in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Credit: Kirsten Luce for The New York Times — at Brooklyn.


This photo was featured on the front page of the New York Times Print and Digital Editions before Sandy the SuperStorm hit. 

Jun 15, 2012

Amelie Chabannes Latest Work

I had the great pleasure of stopping by Amelie Chabannes's studio in Red Hook, Brooklyn last week to see her latest work. Her latest project pictured below will be shown in Rio, LA, and New York starting from September. Stay tuned for more information. 

"Double Portrait, Marina, Ulay and Iconoclast #2" 2012. Traditional Gesso, transferred Crayon and Vandalsim (40x50")

Feb 29, 2012

31 Flavors of Mayonnaise on THE FIVE


 Over In Brooklyn's Jon Cronin and this blog's author writes about everyone favorite condiment - mayonnaise! If you haven't heard their is a "Mini-Niche" revolution here in Brooklyn and this post on THE FIVE breaks it all down for you. 

Money making bloggers have always known that people search for super specific things. If they tailor their blog content to answer the specific need of the searcher, they can ensure that their post will be among the top five search results. This hooks the searcher in and then targeted ads drive them further down the funnel, providing Google with a click and the advertiser with a potential customer or sale. They call these super-focused sites “Mini-Niche” and they are everywhere online. The offline equivalent of this would be walking down the street and on the way you ask someone - “Excuse me? - Where is the nearest  grocery store, I need to buy some mayonnaise?” and they smile and say “You don’t need to go to the grocery store, because there is a mayonnaise store right there and they have every mayonnaise flavor you could dream of!”  Wow! Who knew that mayonnaise came in different flavors? and that there were stores that sold just mayonnaise. For most of you the thought of 31 flavors Baskin Robbins Ice Cream store for mayonnaise may be scary, but for others this would be a dream come true. The truth is that this mayonnaise store is real and is soon opening on Vanderbilt Ave in Brooklyn. Yes, I know that Brooklyn is a “Mini-Niche” lovers paradise, in fact the sign coming over the bridge says “ Welcome to Brooklyn, Name it... We Got It”, but that’s not my point...or is it?

Read the rest of the post on THE FIVE

Jan 30, 2012

Best New International Bookstore in Brooklyn



Brooklyn continues to expand and the latest addition to the mix is IDLEWILD. IDLEWILD Brooklyn is part international bookstore & part language course. If you have been to their location on 19th street in Manhattan than you know that this is the spot for international literature. 
They offer French, Spanish and Italian courses that last 10 weeks. They all focus on speaking and comprehension.  People can register for courses online or in person (http://www.idlewildbooks.com/2009/07/brooklyn/).
Next door to the language courses they have the bookstore which holds 5,000 titles in all three language with everything from the classic Tintin to popular contemporary titles, chick lit and lesser-known authors. You will still find, however, some books in English and dual language books for learners of all ages.
IdleWild Brooklyn
249 Warren Street (x Court)
Cobble Hill, Brooklyn


Jan 10, 2012

Best Midnight Brunch in Town



Over In Brooklyn's friend Emily Cavalier is hosting her latest Midnight Brunch on Jan 21st and we are not sure if there are any tickets left, but you can try here: http://mb4.eventbrite.com. If you are not familiar with Midnight Brunch they feature curated menus and cooking by Emily herself and the talents of guest contributors in the cocktail, culinary and arts communities. The event begins with a cocktail hour at 11 p.m., followed by an ethnic-inspired meal showcasing the cuisine of one or several countries at a time. This is a not to miss event!

Dec 8, 2011

7 Reasons why Prospect Heights is the Best Neighborhood in Brooklyn

1. Vanderbilt Avenue Food - This street is on fire! From the newly opened Chuko Restaurant , to the soon to open Sam Mason Empire Mayonnaise Shop, and anchorpoints Vanderbilt Restaurant and Milk bar, this street is now a top destination for foodies 7 days a week.
2. Access to Culture - Prospect Park, Brooklyn Museum, Botanical Gardens, Prospect Park Zoo and Carousel, BAM, Barclay’s Center, to name a few! You name it Prospect Heights has it.
3. Relative Affordability - compared to neighborhoods like Fort Greene, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens, Prospect Heights offers a range of homes options and a lot less clutter.
4. The Sidewalks are huge! Vanderbilt street is like a four lane highway for people, you don’t have to battle baby strollers like you do on Court or Smith Streets.
5. The Light! - You have wider streets and open spaces that give the neighborhood an unforgettable feeling at dawn and dusk that is unparalleled in the area.
6. The People! - The people in Prospect Heights are just cool. They are not trendy or hipsters or boring, but a perfect mix of cultures, countries and styles, all blending together around the beauty, the history, and the future of the neighborhood.
7. Growth - Everywhere you look in Prospect Heights you see things growing, trees, businesses are popping up, established businesses are updating their image, institutions like Mitchell's and Tom’s Restaurant are expanding and Washington Avenue is ripe with action and opportunity.  

Nov 1, 2011

Best New Brooklyn Restaurant


The best new restaurant in Brooklyn, is Chuko in Prospect Heights.

On the corner of Dean and Vanderbilt Chuko is a vibrant, delicious and exceptional addition to this booming neighborhood. The staff is super friendly and passionate and the overall vibe feels relaxed yet beaming with energy. The food. The food. The food - That is why you come here after all. The menu is simple, yet sophisticated, flavorful, yet refined, progressive, yet familiar, feels expensive, yet economical. Overall, Chuko is a spot not to miss and you will be coming back again and again. How else will you learn about the blackboard specials?

May 12, 2011

Best Place to See an Interview With Moby TODAY!


      Yes,  Moby is still going strong out there and tonight you get a chance to see him up close and personal in Prospect Heights Brooklyn. Moby will be sitting down with WYNYC's John Schaefer to discuss his new album. If you haven't seen the latest video by Brooklyn based director Evan Bernard check it out before you go.


and the behind the scenes video with interview with Evan Bernard


  • Event Details
  • Where: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238
  • Date: May 12, 2011
  • Time: 7:00pm
  • John Schaefer, host of WNYC's Soundcheck and New Sounds, interviews the techno musician Moby about his new album and book of photography. Tickets, which include Museum admission, are $10 ($6 for members and cultural colleagues). Seating is limited; advance purchase recommended.

Best Wine Event, Edible Brooklyn Uncorked at BAM


In case you missed the Best Local Wine and Food Event of the year!
Lest we let the entire New York Metro region forget that a world-class wine country is barely two hours from its front door, we will be hosting our annual, massive sipping soiree called Brooklyn Uncorked at the beautiful BAM building in downtown Brooklyn. With help from the Long Island Wine Council, naturally.Our original event always features the best of New York State wines, plus pairings from some of New York City’s best chefs and foodmakers. Here’s what’s in store for your taste buds.
Among the wineries who will be pouring are: Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard, Bedell Cellars, Bouke Wines, Brooklyn Oenology, Brooklyn Wine Co., Channing Daughters, Croteaux Vineyards, Gramercy Vineyards, Grapes of Roth , Jamesport Vineyards, Long Island Merlot Alliance, Macari Vineyards and Winery, Martha Clara Vineyards, Mattebella Vineyards, Old Field, Osprey’s Dominion, Palmer Vineyards, Raphael, Roanoke Vineyards, Scarola Vineyards, Sherwood House, Shinn Estate, Sparkling Pointe, Suhru Wines , Waters Crest and Wolffer Estate. Brooklyn Uncorked was originally conceived as a way to bring Long Island wine country to the Big Apple. And it was a natural collaboration for Edible East End (with its wine community) and Edible Brooklyn and Edible Manhattan (with their communities of eaters and drinkers). So, we squeeze as many wineries into the room as we can–it’s a selection you won’t find anywhere else–and pair what they pour with a star-studded cast of New York City restaurants and food makers. The result is that the room is a little bit like a stroll (on foot) through a magical place where you can taste dozens of Long Island wines, from cool-climate merlots, to steely sauvignon blancs, from fruity chardonnays to varietal roses. And between sips, you get to nosh on food from the likes of: applewood, Buttermilk Channel, Cleaver Co. & The Green Table, Dressler & Dumont, Gramercy Tavern, Les Trois Petit Cochons, McEnroe Farms, Palo Santo, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Rose Water, Savoy, The Good Fork, The Vanderbilt, Vandaag.

May 11, 2011

Amelie Chabannes – Fragments Galerie Hussenot, Paris April 28th to June 6th 2011

Amelie Chabannes - Fragments - Galerie Hussenot, Paris

New York City Based French Artist Amelie Chabannes takes her latest exhibition to Paris.

“FRAGMENTS”
From the 28th Of April to the 6th of June 2011

Opening thursday the 28th of April 2011
5 pm

Galerie Hussenot
5 bis, rue des Haudriettes
75003 PARIS
T : +33(0)1 4887 6081 – info@galeriehussenot.comwww.galeriehussenot.com

Amélie Chabannes / Fragments
Texte de Julie Boukobza
La première exposition personnelle d’Amélie Chabannes à la galerie Hussenot à Paris est constituée d’une somme de « Fragments ». Dans « l’Archéologie du Savoir », Michel Foucault évoque « ce qui transforme les documents en monuments ». Chabannes empreinte les façons de l’archéologue, cherche et devient l’objet de sa quête. Elle évoque les grottes de Chauvet, comme Paul Thek en son temps les catacombes de Palerme. Sculpture après sculpture, strate après strate, elle enfouit, dégage, excave et replonge les matériaux, animaux, traces et vestiges. L’identité, plus que la quête de l’autre, est le prétexte utilisé par l’artiste pour expérimenter et forger une pratique protéiforme. Entre sa fascination pour le Lagerstatte, lieu de conservation des fossiles, et son obsession pour le couple que formait le peintre Kokoschka et Alma Mahler, femme à hommes du XIXème siècle, Amélie Chabannes réalise des oeuvres à sa mesure. La biométrie est transformée en arme pour préserver l’identité de l’artiste à travers ses sculptures, dessins et installations. Les amours tempêtueuses de Kokoschka et Alma font l’objet de dessins au calque ou les corps se mélangent, où l’artiste s’immisce dans ce pas de deux, quand la fusion prend le pas sur le sentiment amoureux. Les visages en plâtre décomposés rappellent les travestissements multiples et autres brouillages de pistes de Leigh Bowery, contenus dans un carré de plexiglas. L’artiste décrit ces boîtes comme des « espaces mentaux ». Même espace dans lesquels évolue une autre forme, le clitoris, l’organe féminin par excellence, libéré de ses fonctions. Au creux d’une sculpture on découvre parfois des apparitions de Betty Page ou Linda Lovelace, des visages de femmes archétypales des années 50 à 70. La notion d’identité sexuelle ne cesse en effet de rattraper l’artiste et de questionner l’aliénation qu’elle représente pour les femmes. La méduse, forme libre, nageuse et sexuée, fait aussi partie de ce bestiaire empêché, présence impossible à définir, tout aussi animale que végétale. Des chapelets dégoulinent de plâtre sur le carcan de l’identité religieuse. Amélie Chabannes vit à New York, ville en passe de devenir un vaste terrain de fouille, avec l’influence de Urs Fischer, Matthew Day Jackson, David Altmedj comme fiers étendards d’un retour à l’ordre antique. Identité sociale, sexuelle, religieuse, ou le « get over yourself » répété par Thek à maintes reprises dans ses carnets. A Chabannes de sacrifier le lustre et la porcelaine familiale pour en finir avec les conventions sociales liées à un milieu figé. Un index en cire pointe l’une de ces sculptures stratifiées, la main de l’architecte semblant avoir remplacée celle de l’artiste l’espace d’un instant, afin de constater l’œuvre déjà accomplie.

Amelie Chabannes, Fragments, Galerie Hussenot, Paris

Posted from Jon Cronin's Stream Of Consciousness

Apr 22, 2011

New York Times: Living in Prospect Heights Brooklyn




















Recent Article in New York Times showcases what's its like to live in one of Brooklyn's hot new neighborhoods. Prospect Heights is the spot for anyone looking to live the best that Brooklyn has to offer. The food, the mix of cultures, the bars, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Museum, Vanderbilt Street, Washington Ave, the soon to be Barclay's Arena, Botanical Gardens and most important the beautiful trees and sky!