It is intended as a resource for those avid swimmers out there who want the low-down on where to go (and where not to go) for some acquatic action in our fair city.
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'Reaching for Zen With Each Stroke and Lap' (Jane Brody in NYT) →
Nice article about swimmin and how awesome or relaxing or exciting it can be.
Brody also mentions this new book called “Swim: Why We Love the Water” by Lynn Sherr. Here’s its blurb: ‘Swim is a celebration of swimming and the effect it has on our lives. It’s an inquiry into why we swim—the lure, the hold, the timeless magic of being in the water. It’s a look at how swimming has changed over the millennia, how this ancient activity is becoming more social than solitary today. It’s about our relationship with the water, with our fishy forebearers, and with the costumes that we wear. You’ll even find a few songs to sing when you push out those next laps.’
This is inspiration for me to get back into the pool, and to get back into my leisure reading! Hooray for summer!
Photoset reblogged from Luca Della Maggiore with 3 notes
Swimming Day 2, eat your heart out Michael Phelps.
My friend Kari’s sweet baby, Luca! He is a swimmer now.
Source: lucadm
Anonymous asked: where are swimming lessons given
Swimming lessons are offered at many of the LA city pools, but unfortunately their website is a tough to navigate.
Go to http://www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/aquatic.htm and on the left hand side there are tabs for ‘Seasonal Pools’ and ‘Year Round Pools’. Click on these to find a pool near you. Once you have found a nearby pool, click on it and under the heading ‘Other Programs’ you will see whether or not they offer swimming lessons. At that point, your best bet is to call the pool and find out details about dates and times, as they are always shifting schedules around depending on the season.
Hope this helps!
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“MAKING WET: THE MAGAZINE OF GOURMET BATHING” BOOK RELEASE PARTY @ LA LUZ DE JESUS GALLERY, 3/28, 6-9 PM
OMG, I really want to go to this event tomorrow, but I can’t!! You should go in my place and report back to me on what I missed. No matter what, I intend to get my hands on a copy of the book!
Here is a bit more info from the LAWeekly (or go here for more info and images):
Splish-Splash, What’s a Gourmet Bath? By Shana Nys Dambrot
Among the many influential contributions of the world-famous community of artists and writers from the genius, sunny fringe of American arts and letters that was Venice Beach in the late ’70s and early ’80s, we will no longer forget to count WET: The Magazine of Gourmet Bathing. A sort of pet project among artists, writers, and innovative graphic designers, the periodical fundamentally celebrated the culture of spas, hot springs, mud baths and the like — with regular excursions into the adjacent realms of written and visual culture. Part conceptual exercise, part art project, and part inside joke, its love of natural luxury was completely serious, as was its impact on new wave design and subsequent purveyors of Postmodern publishing from Ray Gun to Interview. Now a new book celebrates the archive and inspiration for the undertaking, chronicling its inception and execution in a compendium of images and words of highlights and previously unpublished materials that looks not only at its accomplishments but at its legacy. Hot mud not included. La Luz de Jesus, 4633 Hollywood Blvd.; Wed, March 28, 6-9 p.m.; free. (323) 663-0122. laluzdejesus.com.
Photo reblogged from Ace Hotel with 18 notes
INTERVIEW : MICHAEL CHILDERS
Legendary photographer Michael Childers’ lens has captured some of the art world’s most iconic figures for a handful of decades. His work is featured in Backyard Oasis: The Swimming Pool in Southern California Photography, 1945-1982 at the Palm Springs Art Museum through May 27, and we were able to catch a few words with him about his focus on California swimming pools and water culture, and his portrait of painter David Hockney.
Stay tuned for upcoming interviews with exhibition essayist Tyler Stallings and curator Daniell Cornell, and stop by to see the show if you’re in town.
Is the inspiration to photograph in and around swimming pools more metaphorical or physical?
It is physical. It’s about the shade of the blue. It’s about the sunlight reflecting off of it. It’s about the movement of the water. It’s about reflected light. It’s about the bodies in it. It’s about eroticism. It’s about graceful movement, above and under water.
What about this setting distinguishes it from other staged settings, and how does this affect your work and process?
Having lived in California since the early 60’s, swimming pools and oceans have always been an important part of my life. And living in Palm Springs. It is eternal. It is there twentyfour hours a day. Beautiful on a starry night. Translucent during the early morning sun.
Your 1978 photograph “The Hockney Swimmer” is the featured and cover image for Backyard Oasis at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Can you tell me a bit about your iconic portrait of David Hockney (above)?
“David Hockney at Rising Glen” was inspired by one of my favorite photographs taken by Lartigue of his nephew Zazou floating in a raft in a pool in 1911.
Source: acehotel
“Backyard Oasis: The Swimming Pool in Southern California Photography, 1945-1982” at the Palm Springs Art Museum, 01.21.12 - 05.27.12
[Herb Ritts, “Richard Gere-Poolside”, 1982]
I’ve been wanting to visit Palm Springs again and I was looking for a reason to do so this spring. I thought that wildflower blossoms might be reason enough, but now there’s a reason I have to go: Backyard Oasis!
This exhibit, part of the mega art event that is Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A., 1945-1980,showcases images of swimming pools both on film and in photographs from the mid-20th century and appropriately celebrates them as “an integral part of the region’s identity.” Here’s more from the show’s statement: “These images of individual water-based environs in the arid landscape are…a microcosm of the hopes and disillusionments of the country’s post-World War II ethos. As a private setting, the backyard pool became a stage for sub-culture rituals and clandestine desires. As a medium, photography became the primary vehicle for embodying the polar emotions of consumer optimism and Cold War fears.” Ooh, sounds like the beginning of a rad 50’s B movie to me!
But seriously, the show features over 130 images and they are having occasional film screenings and educational lectures for the duration. They already hosted a symposium in November 2011 and on opening day there was a panel discussion, both of which I am sorry to have missed, but I am looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of the catalogue. It features essays by Dick Hegdige and Jennifer Watts (among others), on topics such as dystopia, celebrity and masculinity. Whoa, I think I better stop nerding out at this point.
For more information, check out:
http://www.psmuseum.org/exhibitions/upcoming_exhibition.php?id=49
Photoset reblogged from tumbLAngeles with 62 notes
Obviously I must go and check this out!
BASTIEN LATTANZIO, UNDERWATER PRINTS ARE FOR SALE AT PIÑATA:
EDITIONS OF 5- $250 EACH
9 OF 12 STILL AVAILABLE
UNDERWATER BOOK, EDITION OF 60-$15
OPEN SATURDAY’S, SUNDAY’S AND BY APPOINTMENT
New Los Angeles gallery
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ZERO + MARIA CORNEJO SWIMWEAR: RESORT 2012
This NY-based clothing line has some fab suits and bikinis on offer in its 2012 Resort collection. Unique prints (from designer Maria’s personal photographs), modern cuts and fine materials (polyamide and elastane) come together to create pieces that are functional as well as fashion-forward.
I especially love the Multi Strap Bandeau top and Side Elastic Bikini bottoms in the Nomad print. The colors are super vibrant and playful, while both pieces are supportive and flattering to the figure. Whether it’s time for lounging poolside at the hotel, frolicking at the beach or embarking on an intense lap workout, this combo is a comfortable way to go.
Another cute and casual pair are the Asia Halter top and Tiny Bikini bottoms in the Tile print. This has a bit less coverage (obviously) but don’t be fooled — the fit is just right.
Lastly, there is the Aviva maillot swimsuit with V halter bandeau top, front cutout and empire waist. The cut is elegant – not too high on the hips – and the color blocking (with black on top and Tile print on bottom) has an eye-catching effect. I could wear this anywhere water is involved!
The season is almost over, so hurry to zeromariacornejo.com or to their shop on Melrose Place in West Hollywood to snatch up one of these splendid suits just in time for spring and summer! Prices start at $195.
Photo reblogged from tumbLAngeles with 636 notes
Christmas in the Hollywood Hills in Southern California - 1955
A happy holiday season to you, LA swimmers!
Source: mothgirlwings
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