But Bonnie McCarvel, the MACA executive director, was not so diplomatic in an e-mail forwarding the letter to MACA supporters and members, in which she said: "While a garden is a great idea, the thought of it being organic made (us) shudder."

More than 100,000 people have signed an online petition supporting Mrs Obama and asking MACA to stop its "propaganda about pesticides".

"Stop asserting that the First Lady is somehow disserving our nation's citizens by encouraging them to grow their own food locally, sustainably and without your industry's chemicals," the petition says. "We know better and you should, too." 

I guess the previous administration was run by "big oil", this one will be run with "big soil".

Collector Sues Louis Vuitton Over Handbag Fabric Sold As Art

Posted Apr 23rd 2009 11:02PM by Deidre Woollard/Times

Usually Louis Vuitton is on the suing end of lawsuits but it currently finds itself as the sued. Clint Arthur, who purchased several works by Takashi Murakami at the Vuitton boutique set up at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, is suing both Vuitton and the MOCA. Arthur first filed a lawsuit a year ago over a lack of proper documentation in regards to the two limited-edition prints he bought for a total of $12,000 in 2007. But now Clint Arthur considers himself the victim of a fraud after finding out, through an interview that the show curator Paul Schimmel did with ARTINFO in 2007 tthat the prints are made from the same materials as Murakami handbags. Basically Arthur could have bought himself a handbag for around $1,000 with the same fabric and some bonus hardware too.

Louis Vuitton says the blurring of art and commerce is part of the Murakami experience. Vuitton points out that Arthur has declined an offer of $12,000 plus interest which Vuitton alleges shows that the suit is just a bid for publicity and profit. Arthur for his part seems to be angry and driven by an urge to get to the bottom of the motives of both Murakami and Louis Vuitton. A hearing is scheduled for Monday on the motion to dismiss from Louis Vuitton.

Murakami Craze the Latest Victim of Recession?

Posted Oct 20th 2008 7:02PM by Jared Paul Stern

Has the craze for Japanese artist and Louis Vuitton collaborator Takashi Murakami's work become the latest victim of the looming recession? In May, art world observers were astounded when Murakami's onanistic sculpture My Lonesome Cowboy, estimated at $3 - $4 million, ended up going for $15 million at a Sotheby's auction. Many expected a similar result Saturday evening when Phillips de Pury put another major Murakami work up for auction in London. However, the 21-ft. sculpture Tongari-kun (above), estimated at $6 - $7.8 million, did not draw a single bid, Bloomberg reports.

Moreover, Murakami himself was in the auction audience, no doubt wanting to witness the windfall in person. He took the snub well, however; as nothing but silence answered the auctioneer's calls, the artist burst out laughing. Some insiders said Murakami had been considering staging a big bucks solo auction like the one so successfully run by Damien Hirst, but he may rethink that now, at least until the economic picture improves. Hirst of course looks even more brilliant for staging his $200 million sale right before the financial markets really went to hell in a handbasket.

Saw Adventureland yesterday.  Loved it.     A lot of really high waisted pants, bad hairdues and Lou Reed love in this film.  Written and directed by Greg Mottola.  Kristin Stewart from Twilight stars as the love interest, but the supporting cast steals the show.   I think a lot of young stars will be lauched here.  If you liked Fast Times or Reality Bites, check it out. 

  A comedy set in the summer of 1987 and centered around a recent college grad (Eisenberg) who takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park, only to find it's the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.   (IMdb)

In the last few months Michelle Obama has emerged as the new archetype for the progressive contemporary woman.  

  For the first time ever, I have a role model in the white house that says it's OK to have a fancy education and love a fancy dress.    She makes it OK to wear makeup and still be taken seriously.    She represents the new intellectual freedom.   A feminist in the digital age.









Her grace and poise, her honesty, and elegance.    A family she hangs out with, and does "normal" things with.     To have a husband that loves and is her lover.   They try and do date nights.   We haven't seen that in a political couple, possibly ever.     

Looking over all the photographs of her, I see real happiness.    Jackie O was chic and gorgeous, but you can't look at her and say, "Wow, she looks happy."  We all know whom JFK was sleeping with and it wasn't always his wife.     

She dotes on her family, yet still has time to focus on her causes and interests.         Michelle supports the arts and young emerging talent. She has become America's new fashion ambassador.   How radical to wear a completely unknown Jason Wu to the inauguration ball.


I can't wait to see what artists she adds to the white house collection.

Being the techie nerd I am I also love that she has a blackberry, and both the Obama's had their official portraits shot with the Canon 5D.   Hello, we do live in the digital age.

Michelle leads by example. She ushers in an era of openness and inclusiveness.  I don't feel like I'm being talked down to or being manipulated by some PR machine.  The Obama's do more for family values than any other first family ever has.     After 8 years of political secrecy, mystery and non- disclosure, Michelle is a breath of fresh air.  GO GIRL.



.