AMY STEIN PHOTOGRAPHY

I'm a huge fan of The Big Issue http://www.thebigissue.org.au/, I try to purchase a copy every time I cross paths with one of the vendors. It's the most fantastic concept, each vendor has a background of hardship, they sell the Big Issue and keep % of the proceeds for themselves to help them adjust and provide an income which in turn provides confidence and a sense of self-worth back into the community. Support the edition whenever you can. Whilst reading the issue (which by the way is always a great read), there was an article about a New York photographer called Amy Stein, so I visited her website http://www.amysteinphoto.com and am officially a huge fan.

Her work explores our evolving isolation from community, culture and the environment. She has been exhibited nationally and internationally and her work is featured in many private and public collections such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Nevada Museum of Art, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and the West Collection.

The exhibition above is based on a new natural history. Within the scenes above and below, she explores the relationship between human and animal and how as humans we have changed the 'natural history' of flora and fauna through out the world. Animals and humans have to learn to co-exist together there is no choice, and humans need to be tolerant of animals, after all this was their world we invaded.

In another series of portraits, I love the sense of fun in some of the below images titled "Halloween in Harlem"

My favourite is Spiderman, what's yours?

Thanks to the Big Issue for introducing us to this amazing photographer.

NO PANTS SUBWAY RIDE IN NEW YORK CITY

Improv Everywhere estimates some 3,500 New Yorkers participated in the NO PANTS SUBWAY RIDE in New York city in very cold conditions. http://improveverywhere.com company objective is to cause scenes of chaos and joy in public places :) They don't accept money, everyone involved does it because, well ... they can.



The mission was set for Sunday and executed perfectly - the rules: 1) Be willing to take your pants off while riding the subway, and 2) Be able to keep a straight face while riding with no pants and lastly 3) It is suggested that if asked why you are not wearing pants you respond that you forgot to put them on or that "they were getting uncomfortable."



The group was created in 2011 and is based in NYC and has executed about 100 missions to date, all over the world, involving tens of thousands of 'undercover agents' as they call them.

Don't laugh - you could be next ! :)

Thanks to http://guestofaguest.com/ for letting us know that the world sometimes doesn't take itself so seriously :)

MANLY PAVILION DINING ROOM & BAR

During Christmas we tried the conversation piece of 2010, Manly Pavilion Dining Room & Bar http://www.manlypier.com/ . The location and view we have to say is probably the best in Sydney next to Jonah's at Whale Beach http://www.jonahs.com.au/ .

From the time you enter the restaurant, there is a real sense that you are entering another world, where you can forget your troubles and just enjoy life. The interior design is amazing and the building has been beautifully restored. It was originally built in 1933 as a bathers pavilion for the local swimmers and over time has been many things since then, but this would be the best.

What we love about here is that there is no pressure to eat main meals, they have designed the balcony bar so you are able to drop by to enjoy a cocktail and watch the sun set with a nice bar menu to match if you choose, which is handy because the view is amazing.



So what did we eat? An entree of cuttlefish, eggplant, garlic, chilli & lemon salad, which was mouth watering, only down side is you didn't want it to end, only negative for me was small portions but the flavours are absolutely delicious. Then main course pepper risotto: Acquerello carnaroli rice, sage
and Taleggio cheese - YUM!!!



Manly Pavilion is definately for that special occasion but also if you are in the area drop by and enjoy the bar and view.

INDOOR PARK NOLITA NYC

How do you beat the winter blues, open an indoor park of course in the heart of New York City :) A pop-up park opened in OpenHouse Gallery at 201 Mulberry Street bewteen Kenmare and Spring Streets in Nolita over the weekend. The gallery converted three and a half rooms into an indoor park, complete with see-saw and piped in sounds of birds, as well as fake rocks, trees, grass, a "pond" and benches. The park is open from 11-6 everyday until the end of the month.

DESIGN*SPONGE

I LOVE finding new websites that are full of love, life & inspiration! Design*Sponge is a daily website dedicated to home and product design run by Brooklyn-based writer, Grace Bonney. It attracts a core group of 65,000 devoted daily readers (wow) and more via twitter. I've highlighted some of the content that stood out to me and I've subscribed as a daily reader (so that's 65,0001 readers now?). One of the objectives and concepts I love about the website is that they pioneer scholarships to support up-and-comig art & design students, the future of design. Join me in supporting this great website at http://www.designspongeonline.com/

MAD COW @ THE IVY

We went through a phase (like the rest of Sydney) obsessed with anything at The Ivy on George Street in the CBD. Then (like the rest of Sydney) we lost a lot of love for the place due to the treatment of guests/customers at all levels of the establishment. During Christmas we decided to reinvest some love back and we are VERY pleased to say that The Ivy has reverted back to the original 5 star customer service you would expect and the meals are sensational!!

Don't be fooled by the name, whilst beef is the main draw card here, the rest of the menu is just as fabulous, in fact it feels like they have gone above and beyond on the 'other' meals to compensate in case you don't feel like beef.

I had the pan roasted snapper fillet with squid ink linguine, vongole, tomato, parsley & garlic, which was sublime, and I have to say for dessert I had one of the best Pavola's I've ever had!!

If you get a chance check out rest of the menu at http://www.merivale.com/#/ivy/madcow

HIP HOP FESTIVAL

CarriageWorks (located at 245 Wilson St in Eveleigh) opened in January 2007 and is the new home in Sydney for contemporary arts & culture. Its a place for creativity and innovation holding functions, festivals, exhibitions and dance lessons.





For 4 weeks (12 Mar - 2 April 2011) CarriageWorks presents Platform Hip Hop Festival with a massive program that features all elements of hip hop dance styles and performances.

Complete time table and information can be found at http://www.carriageworks.com.au/?page=Platform-3-2228

Don't forget about the all day FREE event on Sat 19 March 2011 from 12noon til late, a massive day of free hip hop style on the dance floor. Breakers, poppers and lockers go head to head in an giant celebration of hip hop dance culture. Heats take place throughout the day with competitions for kids, up-and-comers (NextGen Battles) and heats for the final event, PLATFORM’s Freak the Technique Breaking Battle.

We are SO excited about this!!

FRENCH BISTRO MAGNIFIQUE

Unsure if you get the vibe from our blog, but we love our food!! During the Xmas break we spent a lot of time finding some hidden gems in Sydney that are only just getting some small reviews that we think should receive a lot more. Take Baroque Bistro in the Rocks. After 35 years operating La Renaissance Patisserie in Argyle Street, the Charkos family have realised the dream of patriarch, and renowned French Patissier, the late Pierre Charkos, to launch a bistro in the heart of Sydney.


Wife Sally, together with sons Christophe, Olivier and Jeremy and a team of passionate professionals bring a wealth of experience and a lot of fun to Baroque Bistro, Bar and Patisserie.

The meals are of substantial size (which is surprising) and incredible value for money. The desserts are amazing as you would expect and I was very surprised to say that I had THE BEST Espresso Martini of anywhere in Sydney - now that's a big call! Go bar guy!

Visit their website for full inspiration http://www.baroquebistro.com.au/

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010

The Australian Museum on College Street in Sydney CBD is again host to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010 exhibition. The exhibition is on from now until 13 March and should not be missed! The images are spectacular and at times heart breaking but they tell a very important story that everyone should see and understand. As you admire the images its hard to take in that some of these images were taken by children as young as 10 years of age, capturing the most amazing wildlife and environmental moments. The above image was taken by Thomas P Peschak of Germany. Visit http://australianmuseum.net.au/event/Wildlife-Photographer-of-the-Year-2010 for more information.

WELCOME 2011

Thanks to all the subscribers & readers of our SYDNEY BLOG. 2011 is going to be a great year and we at Rovin Raven wish you all the best for the next 12 months...

PARTY SEASON BEGINS!!

I love this time of year, the city is just buzzing!! It's also about this time of year that one starts to think about New Years Eve pondering questions like "What the hec am I going to wear?" All I know is this year I'm going mega false eyelashes - what do you think? visit http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/ for more information they are sensational (^~*)

FINDERS KEEPERS MARKET THIS WEEKEND

Don't forget the Finders Keepers Markets are on this weekend at CarriageWorks.

A whole weekend of treats and treasures to discover - it's such a great day/night out with music, crafts etc. For more information visit the site http://www.thefinderskeepers.com/sydney_markets.php

ARCHINTEYE

Have found a very cool site http://www.archinteye.com general architecture and interior design site for all things unique and cool. Have to say the Willy Wonka House in Tribeca New York has to be the best interior design I've seen in a while!!!!