FILM REVIEW: In The Realms Of The Unreal Dir. Jessica Yu

This film explores the life's work of "outsider" artist Henry Darger (1892-1973). Darger was born and died in Chicago IL. He was orfaned at a young age and separated forever from his younger sister when his father was forced by extreme poverty to relinquish both children and move to a poor house, the very same poor house which by an unsettling geometry of fate Henry himself would eventualy inhabit shortly before his own death. This break, and the sudden news (shortly thereafter) of his fathers' death while Henry was just beginning what would become seven years of captivity at an Illinois institution for 'mentally infirm' children that was actually called the "State Farm", was such a formative experience of grief and abandonment that the lonliness and habitual isolation of his later life and his secret creative obsession with defending the purity and innocence of children which fueld his artwork... that only after his death when neighbors unearthed his work could his own story begin to make his volumious works of art only slightly less a surprise.

Henry lived as a "reclusive janitor by day, visionary artist by night, (his) 15,000 page novel details the exploits of the Vivian Girls, seven angelic sisters who lead a rebellion against godless, child-enslaving men"..."IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL explores outsider art from the inside. Eschewing expert opinion, it reflects the uniqueness of its subject, employing vivid animation and experimental elements to immerse us in Darger’s world and all its strange beauty."..."Darger lived a virtually friendless existence, but his imaginary life was as exciting and colorful as his real life was tedious. By day, he scrubbed floors, attended Mass, rummaged through garbage cans. By night, he ruled a world in which the forces of innocence and good fought a bloody battle against the forces of treachery and evil." (see above site, 'about the film').

I highly recomend this film.

EVENT REVIEW: Dine Out LA JANUARY 26

This isn't really an event review, since the event hasn't happened yet--I guess it's an event PREview.

Next Wednesday, January 26 nearly 60 of your favorite Los Angeles area restaurants are banding together for a Tsunami relief fundraiser. They're all donating a portion of their sales for that day to Operation USA, an LA based relief organization. Doesn't that warm the cockles of your heart? I'm trying to plan my day--lunch at Real Food Daily, a snack at Elixir, dinner at Grace, then a wine tasting at Silverlake Wine. Is it possible?

Sponsored by LA.com, the complete list of participating eateries is on the Operation USA website.

ART REVIEW: DANNY JAUREGUI MONTES at BANK

First off, the Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk is great (http://www.downtownartwalk.com/).

I wended my way 'au pied' east through downtown, eventually reaching my destination at 400 S. Main (between 4th and 5th). The Bank gallery is right next to Pete's Cafe & Bar (http://www.petescafe.com/) which has some tasty items like blue cheese fries on the bar menu. The bar also has excellent selection of beers on tap (rare in L.A.). Also Pete's is veggie friendly.

Anyway, there were these three great 22" x 29" pieces by an artist named Danny Jauregui Montes. They aren't on the Bank website but you can read his bio. At the center of these pieces are subtle line drawings of suburban homes which, are enveloped in abstract root systems. These organic life-forms are hued in pale but sunny watercolor. The work is spare but causes me to feel a sudden nostalgia for a more essential, safer, happier, formative moment. But ultimately I know that moment isn't truly remembered and is part of a shared suburban mythology. Contemplating my own mythological origins I walked back out onto the street.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Vegan Glory

This is my new favorite place. Located just blocks away from my office, this all vegan thai restaurant better be around for a while. I got the lunch combo with Pad Thai which came with vegetable soup (mixed veggies in a light broth), a fried spring roll, salad & some steamed rice for $7.95. It was way more than I could eat, and utterly delicious.

For most of the Thai staples, like curries, noodles, and stir fries, they offer a choice between Tofu, Soy Chicken, Seitan, Pepper Steak, Soy Fish or, for an extra dollar, fake Shrimp. I don't really care what anyone else says about fake meats, I like them--not because they taste like meat, but because I like variety.

Anyway, they serve more than just Thai food at Vegan Glory, they've got several sandwiches and wraps on the menu, plus my all time favorite food--lentil loaf!!

The service was quick and courteous; the open kitchen adds excitement to the otherwise dreary mini-mall location; and everything else about the place is charming.

Yay for Vegans!

Vegan Glory
8393 Beverly Blvd (at Orlando)
323-653-4900

...and they deliver!