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We’ve always loved awards shows. The pomp and circumstance, the fashion, the inspiring performances, the potential acceptance-speech meltdowns, and the odd displays of protruding appendages (what was up with that, Angelina?). They rarely fail to give us fodder for discourse. But one of the best things we take away from these events every year is an introduction to new and inspiring works in the field of animation. The Oscar presentation a few weeks ago was no exception.

A couple of the Animated Short nominees this year caught our attention. The first was A Morning Stroll by Grant Orchard. Based loosely on a tale recounted in Paul Auster’s book True Tales of American Life, the film tells the story of one New Yorker’s early morning encounter with a chicken that plays out over 100 years.

We are struck by the use of different types of animation to depict the different periods of time.

Plus, we love the look on that chicken’s face when it turns around.

The Best Animated Short Film winner this year was The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. According to their website, “inspired in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, ‘Morris Lessmore’ is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor.” Sounds pretty cool.

The film is another example of the use of various styles of animation from miniatures to computer animation and 2D animation.

Check out the trailer to see it all come together.

These got us thinking about some previous Oscar contenders. For an example of feature-length animated brilliance, one of our favorites from a few years ago is Persepolis. The film, based on a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, is the story of a young Iranian girl coming of age during the Iranian Revolution.

Not only is the animation (predominantly black and white) beautifully done, the story is totally engrossing and captivating.

But our all-time favorite by far has to be The Triplets of Belleville by Sylvain Chomet.

A gem of a movie that employs a rich, yet retro, animation style, the story slowly and beautifully works its magic on you from beginning to end.

If you’ve never seen it (or heard of it, for that matter), get your hands on a copy as soon as possible. Possibly the most beautiful, funny, touching, heartfelt portrayal of familial love ever filmed (animated or otherwise).

We spent yesterday afternoon on a rooftop farm in Queens (who knew such a thing existed?) dining on a wonderfully prepared meal by ABC Kitchen chef Dan Kluger.  How, you ask?  Thanks to Outstanding in the Field–a unique “roving culinary adventure” started by founder Jim Denevan in 1999.  Jim and his team arrange these dinners on farms, in barns, beaches and museums across the country (and now internationally), usually prepared by a celebrated chef of the region.  Their mission is to “re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.”  This was our third OITF outing, with the previous two being held at the Queens County Farm in Floral Park (another farm in Queens?), but this was the first such event at Brooklyn Grange Farm and we were intrigued. Brooklyn Grange is a commercial organic farm located on a building rooftop in Long Island City.  Check out their site for an explanation as to why they have Brooklyn in their name but are located in Queens.

Arriving on the scene

The events typically start with a wine and passed hors d’oeuvres reception followed by a welcome from Jim and introduction to the hosting farmer.

Founder Jim Denevan with director Katy Oursler

Then they give a tour of the farm.  The dichotomy between being in the midst of this farm, while hovering above Queens, and looking out onto the Manhattan skyline was quite something.  You felt somehow removed from and connected to each element all at once.  It was beyond cool.

Check out the U.S. Open blimp overhead!

Near the beehive area

Wine notes for the staff

Oh, yes please.

Strawberries with Lynnhaven goat cheese, lime & arugula. Heaven.

Chef Dan and his team

Please check out the Outstanding in the Field website for a schedule of their remaining farm dinners in 2011. They may be coming to a farm near you soon.  We can’t wait until the next one!

We knew that waiting until the last weekend to visit the Metropolitan Museum‘s attendance record-breaking Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibit was probably unwise.  But we were running short on time and we really wanted to see it.  So we had a game-plan to arrive once the museum opened this morning and wait on line for a bit.  We thought we were prepared.  We were not prepared.

This is one view of the line from the balcony overlooking the entrance hall

And this is another

The tease is that, once you get into the building after standing on line outside for about 30 minutes, you think that maybe you are halfway there.  Well, that wait was not even a fraction of what you were in for once inside.  The lines wrapped around the main balcony, into and out of galleries, and were directed by museum employees who just did not seem to be prepared for this onslaught.  Madness!  But we did eventually make it in.  Once inside, we managed to get a couple of shots.

Such an amazing artist and visionary.  The exhibit as a whole is truly stunning and continues through this weekend, where the museum has extended their hours to stay open until midnight to accommodate those of us who are master procrastinators.  See it if you can.  If not, buy the book.

We also got a few shots of some other areas of the museum that were refreshingly free of crowds.

We attended the Sia concert at Webster Hall in NYC last week.  And while her performance (and the opening acts) was terrific, we couldn’t stop reveling in the stage set-up and design.

It was challenging to capture all of the details, what with the mobile phone camera and proximity to the smoke machine.  But in this image you should be able to make out the multi-colored, crocheted blankets and quilts covering amps, speakers, and even the keyboard set-up.  The floor and background were a patchwork of stripes also cleverly worked into the band members’ outfits.  To top it off, Sia’s name was spelled out in what looked like clusters of pompoms.  It looked like she had a few decorating her shoes as well!  If you have ever seen any of her videos, it’s no surprise Sia would put as much effort into the visual aspect of her performance as the musical.  She may be coming to your neck of the woods soon, so don’t miss an opportunity to see her live.

Every now and then, there are days when you remove the blinders and set aside the daily routine to appreciate some of the things that New York has to offer.  Today was one of those days.

Governors Island

The official start of Memorial Day weekend and unofficial start of the summer was quite a beautiful one today.  It marked the opening of Governors Island to the public.  Riding our bikes on roads like the one above, while getting a view of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline and metal sculptures by Mark di Suvero was a lovely way to greet the summer season.

Love the bike color

View of Manhattan from Governors Island

And just a few more things…

Battery Maritime Building

On Beekman Street

Yummy!

We have been trying to track this truck down for some time.  Our first taste was The Salty Pimp.  Highly recommended.  Can’t wait for the shop to open next month.

Italian sodas at Eataly

Looking forward to more summer days filled with discovery and an appreciation for what the city has to offer.