The Met Gala, is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. Each year’s event celebrates the theme of that year’s Costume Institute exhibition.

The Costume Institute’s spring 2015 exhibition, China: Through the Looking Glass, is on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 7 through August 16, 2015. Presented in the Museum’s Chinese Galleries and Anna Wintour Costume Center, the exhibition explores the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. In this collaboration between The Costume Institute and the Department of Asian Art, high fashion is juxtaposed with Chinese costumes, paintings, porcelains, and other art, including films, to reveal enchanting reflections of Chinese imagery.

The exhibition is made possible by Yahoo

Additional support is provided by Condé Nast and several Chinese donors.

“From the earliest period of European contact with China in the 16th century, the West has been enchanted with enigmatic objects and imagery from the East, providing inspiration for fashion designers from Paul Poiret to Yves Saint Laurent, whose fashions are infused at every turn with romance, nostalgia, and make-believe,” said Andrew Bolton, Curator in The Costume Institute. “Through the looking glass of fashion, designers conjoin disparate stylistic references into a fantastic pastiche of Chinese aesthetic and cultural traditions.”

Exhibition Overview

This is The Costume Institute’s first collaboration with another curatorial department since AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion in 2006, a partnership with the Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. China: Through the Looking Glass features more than 140 examples of haute couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear alongside masterpieces of Chinese art. Filmic representations of China are incorporated throughout to reveal how our visions of China are shaped by narratives that draw upon popular culture, and to recognize the importance of cinema as a medium through which we understand the richness of Chinese history.

The Anna Wintour Costume Center’s Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Gallery presents a series of “mirrored reflections” focusing on Imperial China; the Republic of China, especially Shanghai in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s; and the People’s Republic of China. These reflections, as well as others in the exhibition, are illustrated with scenes from films by such groundbreaking Chinese directors as Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Ang Lee, and Wong Kar Wai. Distinct vignettes are devoted to “women of style,” including Hu Die (known as Butterfly Wu), Oei Huilan (the former Madame Wellington Koo), and Soong Mei-Ling (Madame Chiang Kai-shek).

Directly above the Anna Wintour Costume Center, the Chinese Galleries on the second floor showcase fashion from the 1700s to the present, juxtaposed with decorative arts from Imperial China, including jade, bronze, lacquer, and blue-and-white porcelain, mostly drawn from the Met’s collection. The Astor Court features a thematic vignette dedicated to Chinese opera, focusing on John Galliano’s spring 2003 Christian Dior Haute Couture Collection.

Designers in the exhibition include Cristobal Balenciaga, Travis Banton, Bulgari, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Callot Soeurs, Cartier, Roberto Cavalli, Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, John Galliano for Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino Garavani, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Picciolo for Valentino, Craig Green, Guo Pei, Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Jeanne Lanvin, Ralph Lauren, Christian Louboutin, Martin Margiela, Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen for Givenchy, Edward Molyneux, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, Dries van Noten, Jean Patou, Paul Poiret, Yves Saint Laurent, Paul Smith, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vivienne Tam, Giambattista Valli, Vivienne Westwood, Jason Wu, and Laurence Xu.

The Lobster at Cannes

Debuting at the Cannes Film Festival later this month is THE LOBSTER, a brand new film from Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos (DOGTOOTH, ALPS), and today we have our first look at some stylish artwork for the movie in the form of two new one-sheet posters.

THE LOBSTER is a blackly funny love story where finding love is a matter of life or death. A love story set in the near future where single people, according to the rules of The City, are arrested and transferred to The Hotel.  There they are obliged to find a matching mate in 45 days.  If they fail, they are transformed into an animal of their choosing and released into The Woods.  A desperate Man escapes from The Hotel to The Woods where The Loners live and falls in love, although it is against their rules.

Rachel Weisz, Léa Seydoux, John C Reilly, Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman and

Michael Smiley also star.

Take a look at the posters below.

THE LOBSTER opens later in the year following its world premiere ‘in competition’ at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in May.

Source: BFI

Novice Buddhist monks in Bodhgaya, India, light candles and offer prayers

for victims of Nepal’s earthquake

Photo Credit AP + view CNN’s Nepal Photos

Dear readers,

Help Nepal – The Earthquake Survivors Need You!

Now read a brief (Ben Whishaw Notebook) update..

Please look at the sidebar and check out the new items posted. For example at the top of the sidebar, is a new

BW Notebook icon I created to provide a cohesive message for this blog. “Dream Big, It’s Okay”

Plus, there is a new listing of all the Ink Spots Arts and Entertainment blogs.

Turning to James Bond, watch a new production vlog featuring SuperCars and

villain Mr. Hinks.

Just a reminder you can find two of Ben Whishaw’s projects now playing at the We Are Colony website.

Here is the (twitter for @WeAreColony).

Watch Director Tim Walker & Ben Whishaw talk about making The Muse.

One more item Coming Soon to Ink Spots Arts and Entertainment (a New Page titled) “Without Reservations”

Here’s the new banner I created for the new page. Merlin will also be added to the Magic Circle at the (Deepest Red) wordpress blog.

Ben Whishaw recently worked with Colin Morgan (Merlin) in Jez Butterworth’s Mojo play at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre.

 Yet again, I had fun creating another new banner.

And I’m happy to say, that Paddington Bear is now on DVD in the US.

Go Here

My Paddington Bear DVD is going to get worn down pretty soon. I’ve been sharing the DVD with friends. One of my neighbors just had another baby. She can’t afford to rent or buy movies for the family right now. So, I let her borrow the DVD. This way her kids can see the movie. By the way, my family and friends are hoping there’s another Paddington adventure in the works.

Finally, I changed the “Welcome, Music Playlist Message’ and will post this one on all the blogs.

Listen here.

Love Shelley

 

Good Morning, Dearest Friends

It is too early in the morning for me. That’s okay. Anyway, I’m beginning my day online with an update.

No. No. Don’t feel sorry for me. Later I’m off to the movies with a couple of friends.

Then, dinner with my best friend, Divina. We have known each other since my son, was one.

She’s from the Dominican Republic and has prepared a delicious sancocho for her dinner guests.

Sancocho is one of my favorite soups. Oh Dominican food is so delicious!

You are missing out, if you don’t try the cuisine.

Now onto the “Ben’s Notebook” update => I added over twenty new

posts for your reading pleasure. And look at the top, there are new pages and you will see the new banner

I created. Plus, I have a couple of new items at the sidebar. Check out more updated items below.

One more thing, I created a new Happy New Year audio message for three reasons.

One – It was time for a new message

Two – I am grateful and wanted to say “Thank You and Happy New Year” to

all my friends (who were generous and kind) each and every day.

Third – Once again, I wanted to wish Ben Whishaw and his loved ones a Happy New Year.

Finally, by making the new message I got another chance to pronounce Ben Whishaw’s name

correctly. Yeah, since posting the old message (many haters) on the internet decided to

target me for mispronouncing his name by saying mean and negative things.

Apparently, bullies have a lot of time on their hands. So, let me tell you all something

about the old message. I mispronounced Ben Whishaw’s name on purpose. That’s right, on purpose.

Why? I was being playful. It amazes me how bothered people are with things that don’t concern them.

Months and months of meanness and cruelty from obsessed haters. Sometimes the bullying gets so extreme

I just stop coming on the internet. Bullies with no life. Wow. Really? (shakes head)

Reality Check

First move closer to the screen. Between us, honestly I could care less because my self-esteem is rock solid.

Not in a billion years can (haters) penetrate my own worth or confidence…

Surely, you’ve read this before “Karma has got my back, and it is a bitch.”

Yeah (believe it or not) Karma and I go way back. Ancient History.

Have a good day. Love Shelley

P.S. Follow Me On Twitter. Thank You For Coming. Fair warning you might encounter text errors or broken links.

Please forgive the inconvenience and keep in mind this is a work in progress.

Happy New Year Message From Me

Check out the New 007 Banner I created for Ben’s Notebook at

Ink Spots Entertainment

Ben’s Notebook At Ink Spots Entertainment

Night Stars in the background and I created the New Banner

for “The Chasing History Gazette” and added new posts.

Chasing History Gazette

Recently, I updated the What’s Hot Front Page with

Entertainment News. In addition, a song by Billie Holiday

is playing on the front page. A new book of the month has bee added.

Plus I created a New Year Audio Message for the Front Page as well.

: o ) Don’t leave without checking out the latest photo of

my beautiful grand-daugther Leeah at the Ink Spots Entertainment homepage.

What’s Hot at Ink Spots Entertainment

A couple of months ago, I updated the Deepest Red sidebar and

front page with new content

The Deepest Red

Recently, I updated “Turtle Dove Harbor”

getting ready to post a few more stories. Especially, the Peru Bear Cholita who

was tortured and rescued.

Turtle Dove Harbor

Recently, I changed the design, added music and new blog posts.

More to come soon..

I Know You By Heart

Recently, I changed the new and logo and I added new content to

the Wedding Pinterest, “Two Rings, One Heart”

Two Rings, One Heart

Getting ready to add a few posts at the World Olympiad

and more content at the sidebar

World Stage Olympiad

Last day for Cinderella, Time for New Movies Update.

New Suffragettes page at The Pencil Kissed The Paper

The Pencil Kissed The Paper

Just finished creating a new banner for “Since Love Began”

because I’m going to add more art and new posts…

Since Love Began

Tumblr Blogs

The “Hungry Soul Market has a design.

New Content will be added to all Tumblr Blogs

Hopping Pot Cafe

Hungry Soul Market

Horatio Travels

Tin Bathe

 

OMEGA Watches has created the limited edition Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M. The blue face of the 41.5mm stainless steel watch features the Bond family coat of arms in a repeatedly interlocked pattern. The symbol is also found near the tip of the second hand.

OMEGA Website

The clear sapphire crystal caseback is cut and shaped to resemble the iconic James Bond gun barrel through which the oscillating weight of the movement is visible. Only 15,007 of these timepieces will be produced, with the individual number etched on the case back.

Huffington Post

While we can see exactly why Monica Bellucci was picked to be the next Bond girl, the 50-year-old Italian actress reveals she was puzzled when called to discuss a role in the upcoming film, “Spectre.” “Why do you call me? I’m 50 years old. What am I going to do in James Bond?” the actress recalled telling director Sam Mendes, in an interview with The Sunday Times.

Bellucci actually thought she was being approached to replace Judi Dench, 80, whose character was killed off in the last Bond film. “I just blurted out: I’m not a girl, I’m a woman, I’m a mature woman,” she said.

In fact, Bellucci is the oldest woman in history to play 007’s onscreen love interest. Before Bellucci signed on to the upcoming film, actress Honor Blackman was the oldest Bond actress, playing Pussy Galore at age 39.

Bellucci continues the trend of women over 50 taking entertainment and fashion by storm. Joni Mitchell just graced the cover of New York Magazine, with gray hair at 71. Dame Helen Mirren is the new face of L’Oreal, alongside actresses in their 20s and 30s.

As for Bellucci, she says sexy is a state of mind. “What is the problem with a man of 30 being with a woman of 50?” she told Event Magazine. “It is a matter of energy and the soul, not a matter of age of the body. True sexiness is in the mind, the imagination, not in the age of the body.”

You might recognize Monica from her role in Passion of the Christ.

Monica as Mary Magdalene

Monica Spectre Press

On The Beach

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Michael G. Wilson and Stephanie Sigman photographed

Filming on SPECTRE has now moved to Mexico City with Producer Michael G. Wilson and actress Stephanie Sigman (Estrella) taking part in a press conference to mark the occasion.

“During the past 53 years, the James Bond movies have been renowned for filming in the most beautiful and exotic locations in the world,” says Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. “For the opening of SPECTRE, we are filming an exciting sequence in Mexico City featuring the Day of the Dead festival.

Mexico City was chosen for the film because of the authentic needs of the story. This is the fourth time Bond has been to Mexico and indeed LICENCE TO KILL was shot almost entirely in Mexico City.”
SPECTRE is in cinemas from 6 November 2015

007 Spectre in Mexico

Day of the Dead Video

It took Christoph Waltz 30 years to become an overnight sensation. The Austrian actor was thrust into the limelight by Quentin Tarantino and before you could say “next Bond villain” he’s bagged two Oscars. GQ opens a file on Spectre, stardom and psychiatry with Hollywood’s secret weapon

Here are some exclusive quotes from the interview with Christoph Waltz in the new issue of British GQ:

Christoph Waltz Spectre Press

Interview In GQ

On whether he hesitated in doing a Bond film:
“I did, yes. I always hesitate… You ask yourself, hang on: what James Bond are we talking about? The thing about Spectre is that it is not the work of hack writers. It does not have a hack director. The actors are not hams. The action sequences in Mexico are extravagant to say the least. The scenes in Austria are traditional Bond action in the snow. These films with Daniel Craig have shifted the tone. They don’t depend on a set formula that forces actors simply to go through the motions.”

On whether he is playing the classic Bond villain Blofeld:
“That is absolutely untrue. That rumour started on the Internet, and the Internet is a pest. The name of my character is Franz Oberhauser.”

Prada Watch

On whether a Bond film can be artistically fulfilling:
“A James Bond film can be artistically fulfilling. Absolutely it can. It can be complex and it can be interesting. I consider Bond movies to be an extension of popular theatre, a kind of modern mythology. You see the same sort of action in Punch and Judy, or in the folk theatre of various cultures, like Grand Guignol.”

On achieving success later in his career:
“I do feel I can say – without smugness – that this feels good. I am entitled. I am entitled to judge the situation and say that yes: it feels good, and that yes, I agree with you. I feel like I served my time. I feel I have paid [my dues].”