Movie Review: Bill Cunningham New York

"After Memorial Day: White Rules"- so says Bill Cunningham's Facebook page

How did this unassuming octogenarian fashion and society columnist get to be the subject of an indie-esq documentary, and the arbiter of fashion? When you consider too that he hasn't much of a taste for fashion this is particularly remarkable.

It appears the answer is decency. Yes, decency and kindness in NYC no less. And also a laser like focus on his work. This is someone who has devoted his life to covering fashion and society. And remains fully engaged after decades on the job. He lives alone in a small studio at Carnegie Hall, rides a red Schwinn through the streets of Manhattan, and sartorially speaking dons the same uniform daily. Remarkable? Quite!

This is a sampling of the persona examined in Bill Cunningham: New York from Zeitgeist Films. I was initially drawn to this film from some years of enjoying his column in the Sunday NYT. Further intrigued when a good friend, HK, sent her highest recommendation. Added bonus- a trip to Chicago's Music Box Theater.

What did I find? A touching (seriously) portrayal of a gentleman (I use that word in its truest sense), who is utterly devoted to a profession and life that he loves. Elements of his personal life are addressed, and it is done so in a gracious manner. Respectful in every way.

From my own experience, Bill Cunningham's person embodies the best of his generation. That is a commitment to service, decency, humility and relationships. I think there is something for us all to take from this portrayal. One last bit of wisdom Bill imparts- 'If you look closely enough for beauty, eventually you will find it [sic]'.

The verdict: enjoyable in every sense!

Artifacts

As I promised: a blog posting about the artifacts at the UN. For those of you wondering what a post modern 'mo such as yours truly is doing going on about such things, I tell you that esoterica rocks! The previous entry makes reference to the artifacts displayed around the UN Building, so I am brining some of them to you this evening. This will sound trite and public broadcasting like, but they are as varied and detailed as the nations represented at the UN.



One of the first such items I came across is a fresco from an Orthodox chapel in Bulgaria. What is profound about this depiction is that the individuals gaze toward the viewer. I am told that other religiously themed works from the period (17th century?) obscure the facial features.



Next we travel to China to see a highly detailed ivory carving. This explicitly detailed carving details a developing Shino homeland. It features the traditional Chinese landscape, but also depicts a bullet train that slices across the scene. Yes, all carved in ivory.

On to Jordan for the riches of the fertile crescent:




And lastly, the Security Council Chambers is certainly entitled to some modernist decor. This seems to be an ode to man's liberation from bondage.



Today I noted an article in the ">Home section of the New York Times about living in a time capsule. It featured several couples who comfortably, tidily, happily reside in homes that recall decades past. The same thing can be said of the UN.






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