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Is Matthew Barney the George Lucas of art film? He devoted years of painstaking toil to a cycle of films, completing them, as Lucas did with the Star Wars franchise, in nonsequential order. They are also populated with exotic creatures, some of whom might not be out of place in a Star Wars flick. But … Read more

Maybe the Fishing Hat Bandit could have picked up a dame if he hadn’t had such a dumpy fashion instinct. Because, according to the movies, girls go for bank robbers in a big way (see Bonnie and Clyde, above). French director Benoit Jacquot does an erotic thriller take on this attraction with the story of … Read more

Even on her deathbed, Eudora Welty was a classic Southern lady. When her doctor asked if he could do anything for her, she replied, “No, but thank you so much for inviting me to the party.” As genteel as she was in life, however, in her short stories Welty created some of the strangest and … Read more

Bakelite was invented in 1907, cellophane in 1913. Thus emerged the age of plastic, a substance that has since thoroughly invaded our kitchens, cars, and body tissues. But utilitarian doesn’t have to mean ugly. The best designers have used this medium, in its seemingly endless variety of forms, to create sleek, colorful gadgets that bring … Read more

This is what you get when the kitchen chemistry works out just so. Three women who once worked at the Loring have opened a jewel of a bakery/café that achieves a sweet balance between contemporary and cozy. Its apple-green walls and substantial chairs invite you to sit down, relax, and get to know one of … Read more

Pining for a lazy river day? Since 1867, people who want to spend time with the languid St. Croix have headed to the Afton House Inn. The casual Catfish Saloon and Café serves hearty burgers and pizzas to fuel an impromptu stroll along the river. Also on the premises is the Wheel Room, a white-tablecloth … Read more

It’s awfully tempting to be a diva when you’re born with such a sweet soprano. But the Twin Citizen Janis Hardy has managed to become a key opera export with minimal incidence of temper tantrums. She regularly takes her pipes on the road, performing with the Houston Grand Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Boston … Read more

Midway Contemporary Art, through August 20 Hot stuff from both coasts. While lots of artists do cheeky or ironic or deadpan-cool takes on fashion models and magazine culture, New York painter Katherine Bernhardt has been getting acclaim for her caustic, expressionistic approach to these topics, which has a whiff of early eighties punk about it … Read more

These days, jazz is rarely performed on a truly large scale, but the eighteen-piece Count Basie Orchestra isn’t really about these days. Basie’s orchestra (sans Basie, who died in 1984, in case you didn’t know) still swings, loudly and enthusiastically, keeping the music hot. And there appears to be no slowing down–this outfit still wins … Read more