Remembering Helen Frankenthaler

My condolences to the family and friends of artist Helen Frankenthaler, who passed away right after Christmas in her home in Darien, Connecticut at the age of 83.

Encountering Frankenthaler's masterpiece Mountains and Sea at the MOMA in the summer of 1989 was a keystone event in my life.  Returning to the museum as the exhibition was being dismantled, I  had the chance to stand alone in the gallery with the painting, and for the first time experienced a visceral, awe inspiring connection with a work of art.     

Mountains and Sea, 1952 - National Gallery

Here is great video introduction to Frankenthaler and her art.  Art history being what it is, Frankenthaler is often lost in the transition from the revolutionary Abstract Expressionists, including her shaman Jackson Pollack, and the Color Field painters.   Atlantans can experience her work in the painting Sagittarius in the permanent collection of the High Museum.

 

The Best of 2011

Thanks for reading View from Inman Park. 

Best wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season!

 

Addiction of the Year – One Up Me! 


Favorite New Old Thing – Miles Davis Live in Europe 1967


Atlanta Lunch of the Year – Octane Coffeehouse, Salami and smoked provolone with chickpea salad and iced coffee

Blog of the Year - Who Eats That Stuff?


Top Celebrity Moment – High fives from Southern Culture on the Skids at the Inman Park Festival Parade

 
Foursquare check in of the Year – Opera Main Room DJ Booth


Favorite Book – The Thank You Economy


Tweet of the Year – Via @kristinhersh

Pleasant Surprise of the Year – Dollywood


Favorite Pedantic Indulgence – Slate Culture Gabfest


Top Weather Anomaly – Snowpocalypse

Best Secret Place in Atlanta – Passage under the High Museum 

Coolest New Thing About Atlanta – Historic Fourth Ward Park


Favorite YouTube Video – Nardwuar does TED



 

Gadget of the Year – FitBit


Favorite Kid Moment – Sharing my Weather Channel birthday cake

Best New Atlanta Restaurant – One Eared Stag


Coolest Free Thing – Godiva Chocolate Rewards Club 


App of the Year – We&Co

 

 
Best Family Outing – Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum


Poem of the Year – Read House Blues



 

Looking for marketing and digital media insights?  Please check out my new Tumblr blog.

The Race to the Pole, Remixed

Need a distraction from holiday operational planning?  To commemorate the 100th anniversary of  Roald Amundsen's successful trek to the South Pole, a team of two pros and an amateur pick-up loaded into the world's coolest SUV this morning with the intent of smashing the current record for overland travel to the pole (about 3 days).

This is my kind of adventure.  Watch it all go down on the map site for the expedition.

Marketing Talk on Tumblr

If you keep up with my digital marketing work, you may have noticed that the URL for my old consulting practice now links to a new Tumblr blog.  I am excited to use this forum for my own writings and the best articles on integrated marketing, social media and mobile commerce I encounter on the Web.

More interested in my views on Atlanta best tacos?  Keep an eye on View from Inman Park and look for the annual Best of newsletter later this month.  Click the subscribe button on the widget bar to be sure you are among the first to get my take on the year that was.

Thanks for reading!

Thank Every Day of the Year with We&Co

Happy Thanksgiving! While you are coming down from the feast, take a few minutes to check out We &Co, the smartphone home of all things thanking. This start up powers an iPhone app and website allowing customers to recognize great service and good vibes from the staff of a business. 

 Here in Atlanta, We&Co is in full swing in many restaurants, coffee shops, bars and independent retailers.  We and Co's app is fueled via the Foursquare API, with a user interface that is fun and endearing (look for the magic moment that seals each of your shout outs).  While I believe We&Co is a brilliant outcropping of the new business ideals spilling out of The Thank You Economy and We First, it is foremost just a great way to give a little appreciation to folks working hard in your community.

So, who did you thank today?

Medeski, Martin and Wood in the 'Hood

Masters of the universe Medeski, Martin and Wood bring their 20th anniversary tour to Inman Park tomorrow night with a show at the Variety Playhouse.  Atlanta is MMW's second home, with many of their early gigs outside of New York City taking place in Little Five Points.

Come out expecting a cameo from  brother Oliver Wood, lots of friendly frat boys in the balcony, and amazing music on stage!