Art? Exploitation? Bad taste?

I saw these images for Italian tile company Bisazza in this month's Metopolitan Home and shook my head. I didn't immediately recognize them as the work of controversial photographer Nobuyoshi Araki. The name is only familiar from browsing the former Virgin's bookstore, and remembering the tackiness of his photos in a Phaidon collection. I don't remember finding them particularly offensive, but this ad campaign changed my mind. Why?

We have a Japanese woman tied up like a turkey, posing in sexually provocative positions and looking frightened (OK that may be subjective, but I don't think tears usually signify a sense of feeling powerful). I read in this blog that she is "tied in the ancient art of Japanese bondage or kinbaku". Well, just because something is "an ancient art" doesn't make it acceptable.

Is this just another version of S&M? Perhaps. I really don't care what two consenting adults do in their own bedroom. I guess the images really bother me because of the overt posing of this woman as, not only a minority, but a possible victim of violence. The whole sexualization of violence is disturbing to me. Especially any images even hinting at rape and torture as an "alternative lifestyle"...it just doesn't belong in a mainstream magazine, let alone an ad advertising overpriced tiles!!

This reminds me of the recent trend of "torture porn" films like Saw and Hostel. I know some of my friends really enjoy these films, but I just can't imagine viewing someone getting tortured as entertainment.

I did a quick survey of friends about what they thought of this ad, and most seemed marginally negative about it. Nobody seemed as disturbed as I am. I was a little surpised given the backlash those Abercrombie "wong brothers" t-shirts got a few years back.

Wickedly Good

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Wicked for the first time at the beautiful Orpheum theater last night. I went in with mixed expectations given Clement's rave reviews and a more modulated response from several other friends. The show began in SF, but went through re-writes and recastings before it became a huge hit in NYC. And, as one friend keeps harping, lost the big Tony award to another favorite Avenue Q. The leads were fantastic. Kristin Chenoweth originated Glinda, but Kendra Kassebaum rocked the role last night. Her rendition of "Popular" was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Teal Wicks was scheduled to play Alphaba, but her understudy stepped in last night and impressed the crowd with her vocal range. I didn't even realize it wasn't Ms. Wicks until the intermission.

Oscar winner Patty Duke was having fun playing Madame Morrible, and former Married with Children cast member David Garrison played the Wizard. The standout songs for me were Popular, What is this Feeling? (how can you not like a song with "unadultered loathing" as a catch phrase), Defying Gravity and I'm not that Girl.

The mixing of the "Wizard of Oz" story from Gregory Macquire's novel was fairly inventive, though the third act felt a bit rushed. I heard the original script was tediously overlong so I can understand the cuts that must have been made. The allegory to minority rights was certainly topical given our recent Prop 8 debacle.

Now how can I get "Pop-u-lar" out of my head??

Sugar *****

One of the things I love about films is it's inherent ability to transport you to another world. Sometimes it can be a fantasy world like Lord of the Rings or The Fall, but sometimes it's only a few hundred miles away in Iowa or NYC. Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's new film Sugar did just that: it transported me to 3 places, seeing through the eyes of a young optimistic baseball player Miguel Santos aka "Sugar" (played by soulful newcomer Algenis Pérez Soto ). Not being much of a sports fan, I wasn't as excited about seeing the follow-up to one of my favorite films "Half Nelson" as I should be. Well, I won't underestimate the talents of Boden and Fleck again. They prove again that simple but humane story telling can illuminate any background, whether it be minor league baseball or inner city schools.

Like Half Nelson, which veered off the typical inspiring teacher in an inner city school plot, this is not just another young sports star biography. We get to see the world of young baseball hopefuls in the Dominican Republic, being "groomed" for the US Major Leagues as young horses are raised for the Kentucky Derby. Sugar is one of the better players, but it's not until he learns to master the hook-curve ball, that he gets picked to join the elite few at Spring training in AZ. The directors capture the quiet moments so well here, like when the players get drunk saying goodbye to a fellow peer, who may have been kicked out due to steroids?(foreshadowing). Or the empathic waitress in the AZ diner that gives Sugar a plate of eggs because he doesn't know what "scrambled" or "over easy" means. Or the last phone call to mom, where the banter rings so true to so many of my own calls home. I was never sure where this film was going with Sugar, but I found each step surprisingly logical. The supporting actors are all strong and convincing, but none stand out especially. It's a true ensemble piece.

In the end, Sugar isn't so much about a baseball player's rise and fall. It's about the new immigrant's experience: the departure from home and family, the adjustment to a new world and culture, and the modulation of one's expectations and dreams to reality. It's not as pretty as you would imagine, but there's enough generosity and kindness that it gives you hope.

More good eats in SF

Mel is in SF for a few days, so that means more eating out in delicious SF! I took him to that other great Ramen House Katana-ya and enjoyed the over-abundant special Katana-ya ramen, filled with dumplings, fried chicken, bamboo shoots and more. I love the miso broth as well. The tiny restaurant is always packed, but we got to enjoy the spectacle of two European Don Juans hitting on the waifish waitress/hostess.

We also enjoyed brunch at Grand Cafe in the Hotel Monaco last weekend. I think it's my new favorite. Great food, minimal-to-no wait on Sundays and moderate prices. I had been there for first time last year with Gaby, when we skipped the never moving line of Dottie's, and was surprised by how reasonable it was for a nice hotel. The food is definitely fresh, and you won't see Duck Confit at Sear's. I really enjoyed my omelette with a huge dose of bay shrimps. Yum. Of course, you can't beat the ambience of that huge art deco dining room.

William Kentridge @ SFMOMA

I made a second visit to the William Kentridge: 5 Themes show at SFMOMA yesterday, because I was so impressed with the opening. Kentridge is a South African artist that came into prominence in the 1990's based on his political works on apartheid and colonialism, and best known for his animated stop motion films . I had been a fan of his SFMOMA video installation "Tide table", but never knew much about him until recently. Some of his animated charcoal films are almost hypnotic, showing pieces of his working process in reverse and filled with humor. Kentridge places himself in alot of his work and it didn't surprise me to read that he worked as an actor as well. The centerpiece for me is Black Box, a miniature theater extravaganza of music, animation, puppetry and lighting. The 15 minute program is worth the price of admission. I may be back for a third visit soon.

Best Noodle House in Bay area

I regard a good bowl of noodles about as important as good lighting and world peace, so I was annoyed to find out that one of the best noodle places in the Bay area had escaped my radar for so long (and upset with certain friends who knew of my noodle disposition and did not inform me!). Well, my very decent cousin finally dropped the word that Santa Ramen (1944 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo) was "in a different league" than other noodle places and I should definitely check it out. I was skeptical at first, but needless to say, I was game for the comparison. Clearly she was right. I had the best braised pork ramen I've ever had. The broth was wonderfully fragrant and savory (though I think I still prefer the miso broth over the pork), filled with green onions and fresh made noodles. But it was the braised pork that took me to heaven. So tender and flavorful, I could only think of the term "like buttah" to describe its goodness.

The restaurant definitely stays packed, but orders are taken while you are in line, and so the food arrives fairly quickly after sitting. The friendly hostess confirmed that they moved to this location from their original one in downtown San Mateo, but they plan to open that one again soon. Sorry, no plans to open one in SF.

My other favorite noodle places: Katana-Ya on 430 Geary St, Taste of Formosa on 2428 Clement and Iroha on 1728 Buchanan.

Union Square Retail Changes

Virgin is closing but....
Diesel will be opening on Market St
Bulgari is taking over the old Gucci space
Paul Smith is opening their first SF store!

Some big changes coming to Union Square. Most are not surprised that the Virgin Megastore is closing next month, after 14 years at the corner of Market and Stockton. The one in Vancouver closed a long time ago. A loser in the new digital music world, I will be sad to see this media megastore close. I have fond memories of browsing their huge DVD selection (though rarely buying there after the internet stores became so much cheaper) and previewing new CD's. Is the retail media store concept totally dead?? It sure looks like it. A more troubling issue is WHO will rent this huge space in this economy? My dream: Japan's MUJI store, which already has retail stores in NYC.

On the bright side, it looks like there will be new stores for luxury retailer Bulgari in the old Gucci space; Diesel, which will be opening right across from Apple, and putting into question whether their current store on 101 Post will stay open; and British icon Sir Paul Smith will be opening their first SF store at 46 Geary St, only a block from John Varvatos. I think this will be only the fourth Paul Smith stand alone shop in the US (2 in NYC and one in LA), signifying Union Square as a must have location for top designers.