For the last few months, I can only think about one local painter when I hear about abstract expressionism art. Gena Cohen's work is the embodiment of deconstructing shapes into abstract forms. To carry on her craft into the canvas, watching Gena is like having the fortune of spotting a sailor catching ideas and shapes in the thin air.
The Franconia Sculpture garden is one of these things that belong to Minnesota -even if located at the very border with Wisconsin. An untrained eye may be surprised, shocked. "What is this sub-Californication piece of art doing here?" Yet, reasonable thoughts because being at this sculpture garden is like walking in the moon after getting high with a cocktail of cocaine with acetone. Huge monuments made of trash scavenger hunts and treasures of unknown times. Unreal abstract and surrealistic art made of shapes and colors that you cannot find in nature. Hundred of sculpture and resident artist contributing with an community project that began in 1996. This is Minnesota.
Suni Lee is the first American Hmong to become an Olympic gold medal winner. Raise your glasses and join me in chant. To celebrate her, Mwene Kajunju, a local artist from Liberia, painted a mural for the gold medal triumph. A fun piece of work to visit in St. Paul, Minnesota. The mural features Suni Lee in black and white colors with the exception of the golden medal that she holds and kisses with joy. "I made the country number one. I did it for my family, and to inspire all the little kids in my community." These are the words of Suni Lee honoring the legacy and future of the Hmong community in Minnesota, the second greatest settlement in the United States after California.
Now, now is a Minnesotan indie-rock band originally formed in Blaine, MN by Cacie Dalager (vocals, guitar, keyboard) and Bradley Hale (drums, backing vocals). I feel someone should make a movie of them, not only for the quality of their music and the personality of their members but their beginning in a high school marching band, where these two musicians met. This would be the ultimate Midwestern music blockbuster. I love it.
