Rain room

This week, the new interactive exhibit Rain Room opened at the Museum of Modern Art. Heavy rain pours down in an enormous room, but when you step into the rain, the area directly over your head dries up. So you can walk, dance and kiss in the rain without getting wet!

"The overall effect is mesmerizing," reported Gothamist. "A semi-blinding white klieg light at the back of the room disorients your field of vision while highlighting the millions of individual raindrops showering down around you on all sides. The motion sensors are so sensitive that you can sweep your arm through the deluge and still keep your shirt dry. Move too quickly, however, and you can get good and soaked if want."

The lines are going to be insane, especially since only 10 people are admitted at a time, but it would be worth waiting. Since MoMA members get priority access and exclusive viewing hours, it might even be worth joining.

How cool is that?!

P.S. Cool art exhibits: Swings, slides and marrying Prince William.

(Photos by Random International, MoMA and Katie Sokoler/Gothamist)

Lost love

Oh my goodness, this video is so moving and electrifying. The artist Marina Abramovic did a 2010 performance art piece at the Museum of Modern Art, where she sat in a chair, and, one by one, people could sit opposite her and look into her eyes. It was a powerful experience even with strangers, but then her former love Ulay arrived without her knowledge. This video shows the moment she sees him. Apparently they had had a passionate love affair back in the 70s, but when they felt the relationship was fizzling, they decided to walk the Great Wall of China, each from one end, meeting in the middle for a last hug and never seeing each other again. Here they are, meeting once again.

P.S. Old loves.

(Via Swissmiss. This video is edited footage from the documentary, The Artist is Present)

Tilda Swindon sleeping at MoMA

Actress Tilda Swinton will be sleeping in a glass box at MoMA at unannounced times between now and the end of the year. It's part of a performance piece called "The Maybe." “Those who find it chance upon it for themselves, live and in real shared time," the museum said in a statement.

This is definitely one of those "is this art?" moments. What do you think?

P.S. More awesome art: Swings, indoor playground, whispering secrets, and marrying Prince William.

(Photos by Gothamist, via Kottke)

Heart print

20x200 was a great place to shop for affordable art, but they recently closed. So I was happy to learn about Banquet, which sells this heart print. Wouldn't it look pretty in a foyer or bedroom?

(Via Size too Small)

Affordable art: Framing magazine pages

When I first moved to New York, more than ten years ago, I fell in love with a New Yorker magazine cover that arrived in my mailbox. The illustration showed a young couple kissing on a busy street. I felt like it captured my twenties—or, at least, how I wanted my twenties to be:) I contacted the artist to see if I could buy the print, but needless to say, it was out of my budget.

That following Christmas, I was visiting my family in Michigan, and my mom brought out a gift for me. She had framed the cover of the magazine, along with a lovely pink mat to complement the illustration. How sweet is that? To date, it's one of my favorite gifts I've ever gotten, and it has hung in every apartment I've had since.
Then, recently, I spotted this beautiful Beatles photograph at my friend Elizabeth's house. When I asked where she'd found it, she revealed that it was actually from an article in The New Yorker! She had simply clipped it out and framed it. On her bookcase, doesn't the photo look like fine art?

Anyway, I love the idea of finding gorgeous art in magazines and making it your own. The only real cost is the frame!

Swing art installation

I'm a huge fan of interactive art exhibits (like the Grand Central secret and the New Museum playground), so my jaw dropped when I heard about the current Ann Hamilton show in Manhattan. Her installation features 42 swings, which, in turn, move an enormous billowy curtain. "When the swings are in action, the curtain, made of a lightweight silk twill, rises and dips, and the air is stirred, causing further billowing and fluttering," writes the New York Times, "Pigeons and an actress provide a soundtrack." Some people glide on the swings, some lie on the ground under the curtain and some sit on benches to take it all in. The show runs through January 6th at the Armory. I can't wait to take Toby!

(Photos by Philip Greenberg for the New York Times)

Fall Challenge #2

Our family used to drive six hours to visit our cousins for the holidays, and to help pass the time, my mom and I would nerd out and memorize poems. The first one we chose was this picker-upper from Emily Dickinson. I still remember every word.

So, for the second fall challenge, let's each memorize a favorite poem by next Thursday. How amazing to have beautiful words bouncing around your head. What do you think? Are you in?

P.S. Rudyard Kipling's If and Mary Oliver's Wild Geese are both beautiful...

(Photo by the wonderful Kari Herer; graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)

Paris daydreaming

Who's daydreaming of Paris this fall? The city feels extra dreamy when everyone's bundled up in wool scarves, ducking into cafes for thick hot chocolate. Well, here are seven pretty pieces to inspire some romance at home...

1. Eiffel Tower plush, $68.
2. Paris print, $30.
3. John Derian plate, $48.
4. Saint James shirt, made in Normandy since 1850, $90. (See one on a model here.)
5. Metallic flats, $125.
6. Tea candies, $14.
7. Map tote, $20.

(Graphic design by Rachel for Cup of Jo)