art – Happens For A Reason

5 Ways to be Happy NOW!

August 18, 2017August 30, 2017Posted in CT Fashion Mag, FashionTagged art, Beauty, Fashion, feelings, happiness, happy, health, life, lifestyle, lifestyle blogger, love, quotes, reflections, relationships, style, summer style, thoughts, Travel2 Comments

Written for CT Fashion Mag. Article here.

How many times have you heard the phrase that life is too short to be unhappy? If you’re like me, then you’ve heard it probably one too many times. Everything in life is continuously changing. Nothing remains constant; it’s basic physics. Although my career as a scientist ended at the high school level, the most important thing I learned is that everything is constantly in motion. Simply put, one’s life can change in an instant. We all have good days and bad days, but at the end of the day, we are in control of our own happiness.

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset — Stephanie Cowan 2017

Being human, we all get sad, stressed, irritated, upset, angry, etc. for a brief or even extended period of time. Recently, it took me almost two months to get out of one of the most creativity-blocking ‘funks’ I have gone through in my life. I felt like I was just going through the motions of life without actually living it. This experience made me thoroughly reassess what was holding me back and forced me to stop and regroup.

Over the years, I found that one of the easiest ways to be happy right now is to bring yourself back to living in the moment. We are constantly looking for the next life event or big-picture happening to take place, however, life also consists of the ordinary everyday moments that come in between these bigger occurrences. Every single moment makes up your life, so if your currently sad, angry, confused, or just feeling ‘blah,’ why not be happy in this moment, right now? So here are my tips on how to be happy NOW.

Just Breathe. The first step is simply to breathe. Inhale the good, exhale the bad. Whatever it is that is troubling or making your feel sad, just let it go with each out breath. Take five long, deep, and slow breaths like this: Inhale for four slow counts, hold your breath for four slow counts, and then exhale for four slow counts. Repeat these steps. Anytime I am stressed, I tend to hold my breath or breathe shallowly, cutting off proper circulation to the rest of my body. This is a huge no-no for trying to calm oneself down. If you can become aware of your breathing, you can start to ground yourself, begin to relax and focus on the moment. The simple, natural process of breathing is very calming and can dispel your anxiety and make you feel more relaxed and less stressed.
Take a moment to ground yourself. Even if you have to set your timer to exactly one minute, take that exact minute to recompose yourself. For me, this is closing my eyes and meditating in silence. I’ll even repeat a phrase like “you can do this, Marisa” or “you are so much stronger than you think.” Try it. I swear it works, even just for one minute.
Visualize your “happy place.” For me, I don’t have one exact “happy place” that I constantly resort back to in times of need. Many people have that one place, but I have many happy places because it doesn’t have to be limited to a physical place or time in your life when you were genuinely happy. I always think back to a joke a friend of mine once told me or simply the smile of a loved one. It’s not rocket science, just a memory that makes you feel good inside and a visual that can’t help but make you physically smile.
Step outside (unless the weather is bringing you down, of course, then just step away). Get some sunlight and reconnect with nature. I always find it so difficult to not be happy when I’m sitting or standing outside in direct sunlight. If you’re in an office or at home just take a step outside, or at the very least, step away from your desk. Go on a quick walk to recharge and to experience the serenity and beauty that is all around you. Whether you are in a big city or a small town, there is always a piece of nature that can’t be ignored or underappreciated.
Turn on your favorite song. Once you’ve brought yourself back to living in the moment, choose a song. For me, this probably entails a dancy/hip hop song from the early 2000s. Pick something that 1. Isn’t sad 2. That you can sing (or rap) aloud 3. Reminds you of a person you love or a great time in your life 4. That you can dance to or at least bop your head to. Moving your body in general can shift your mood and increase your happiness immediately as well.

No one’s life is perfect, and the unfortunate truth is that we aren’t going to be happy in every single moment of our lives. However, when we fall off the wagon and become consumed with negativity or sadness, these five life hacks certainly come in handy for reassessing our current state of mind. Just remember that you are in control of your happiness, and if you can slow down your thoughts, become present in the moment, and change your attitude from negative to positive, you can essentially become happy in any given moment.

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Photography by Stephanie Cowan theblondwiththesmile.com @stephaniecowan

Criss cross backless swing dress by SheIn!

Xx Marisa

It Ain’t Me

July 27, 2017July 27, 2017Posted in Fashion, TravelTagged art, blog, Fashion, fashionista, feelings, hamptons, health, life, lifestyle, photography, quotes, reflections, relationships, reviews, style, summer, summer in the city, Things to do, thoughts, Travel, trends, vineyard, wine, womenLeave a comment

Hi friends! It’s been quite a whirlwind over the past few weeks in the best ways possible. In my last post, I shared with you a few personal struggles I have been going through. It occurred to me that I have been feeling stuck because I was surrounding myself with people who were only holding me back, not helping me to move forward.

Since I let go completely of a couple of negative relationships, my world quickly changed. Almost immediately, I began to think differently and more decisively. A huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. My creative thought processes began flowing, I became more focused, and I ultimately began to feel inspired. I finally got the ball rolling once again in the right direction, and I began to take the initiative to revamp my blog and to take my ideas to the next level.

This morning I read a quote by Gabrielle Bernstein that she posted on her Instagram page: “The Universe will always remove what is no longer serving you.”

This certainly rings true for me. If you don’t take the time to remove what is no longer necessary from your life, the world will do it for you. It’s the natural flow of life.

Other than working on my blog, I have been enjoying life in the Hamptons the past few weekends. Two weekends ago, my friends and I had the chance to grab a glass of rosé and explore the gorgeous Wölffer Estate Vineyard. There’s no better summer pleasure than sipping on a glass of rosé while soaking in the warm summer sun on a Sunday afternoon! This picturesque vineyard is absolutely gorgeous, and if you’re ever in the Hamptons, I suggest stopping by! It’s a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

Just last night, I stepped outside and realized that the days are getting shorter. I can’t believe how fast this summer is flying by, but I’m super excited for the fall and its cool air & beautiful foliage. I understand that there will always be ups and downs in life, but I feel like everything is moving in the right direction for me, and I’m so excited to share my positivity and my journey with all of you.

P.s. Adorable sundress by AMI Clubwear! 🙂

Xx Marisa

Always Love

May 14, 2017May 16, 2017Posted in Fashion, Street ArtTagged art, Fashion, life, lifestyle, love, love wall, new york, new york city, soho, spring, spring styles, Street Art, Street artists, style, summerLeave a comment

This super cute, white romper is from AMIClubwear. Rompers are a must have for the Spring and Summer seasons, and you’ll be seeing a lot of tops, dresses, and rompers with unique cut-outs and sleeve trends. This outfit can also double as the perfect beach coverup. These colorful pom poms make this romper pop! Now I just need to get my hands on a pair of espadrille wedges with pom poms!

All photography is by Josh Lobel (@jlobelphoto) and shot on the corner of Kenmare & Mott in SoHo

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I am also in love with these Spring booties from AMIClubwear! I’m a believer in wearing booties all year long–I love an edgy summer dress paired with cute booties. You’ll be seeing a lot of shoes with clear or see-through mesh or plastic material during the upcoming seasons. Definitely reminds me a bit of the Spice Girls and the 90s in general, but hey, fashion trends always recycle right?! You’ll also be seeing a lot of shoes, bags, and other accessories with fun prints and patterns like these. Who doesn’t love emojis?!

Thank you for the collaboration AMIClubwear! This brand is super fashionable, chic, and outrageously affordable. It has everything you’re looking for and more. If you want to stand out this season, look to AMIClubwear for the next addition to your wardrobe. You will not be disappointed! You can shop here!

P.s. my hat is from H&M! Hats always make a great accessory to complete a look 🙂

Xx Marisa

Falling Into Place

May 12, 2017May 12, 2017Posted in Fashion, UncategorizedTagged art, blog, Fashion, feelings, health, life, lifestyle, love, photography, quotes, reflections, relationships, reviews, style, thoughts, trends, womenLeave a comment

A year ago today, I was in a really bad place. I was lost and confused. I was frustrated and stuck. I had zero confidence and no sense of who I was as a person. I had no idea which direction to go in. I was overwhelmed and let my anxiety run my life. The simplest of tasks seemed difficult, and I felt like nothing was going my way.

It’s all about perception, and during this time, I chose to look at life with a negative outlook. It seemed easier that way. I was vibrating at such a low frequency and living in a mundane fog. The more negatively I thought, the more negativity I attracted into my life. I was trapped and claustrophobic to the point where I had to physically remove myself from the situation and leave the city in order to gain clarity and just a mere sense of who I was again.

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the past year is that your thoughts create your life, and if you change your thoughts, you can change your life.

So much can happen in a year—it’s wild. Over time and with a lot of gratitude, forgiveness, and self-love and care, I successfully changed my life because I changed the way I viewed my world around me. Like attracts like, and positivity attracts positivity. My life now and the way I live it is completely different compared to a year ago.

Today I was catching up with one of my close friends over the phone, and she told me that everything is falling into place for me. I have been thinking this for the past few months now, but it’s so much more rewarding and satisfying when you hear it from someone else. Not everything in my life has fallen perfectly into place, but I’m not striving for perfection. It’s all about the journey, and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be right now in this given moment.

Xx Marisa

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Dress: AMIClubwear, Bracelet: C.Wonder, Earrings: Forever 21 Forever 21, Lipstick: Kylie Lip Kit “Maliboo”

All photography is by Josh Lobel (@jlobelphoto) and shot at NoMo SoHo

Poptails and Pop Art!

April 18, 2017April 18, 2017Posted in Events, new york cityTagged art, art exhibit, art gallery, artist, blog, drinks, Events, health, lifestyle, new york, new york city, Things to doLeave a comment

Hi friends! If you follow me on Instagram or like my Facebook page, then you are probably familiar with FrutaPop, a beverage company that has reinvented the ice pop with a boozy twist. Yes, these alcohol-infused ice pops or “poptails” exist, and they are so delicious. FrutaPOP also specializes in detox and coffee pops. All of their pops are made out of natural fruits and juices, and they offer seasonal flavors so your can have your pops year-round. With a poptail in hand, you’re brought back to your childhood days, with an adult twist of course.

Throughout the month of April, FrutaPOP has been proudly sponsoring The Art of POP: An Ode to Andy Warhol exhibition located at 548 West 28^th Street in Chelsea. Until the end of the month, this POP up exhibition will highlight work from artist and co-founder of FrutaPOP, Laurance Rassin. Rassin is also the artistic director and founding member of The New Blue Riders, a twenty-first century contemporary art movement. This POP up exhibition pays tribute to POP icon Andy Warhol. Pop Art is one of my favorite art movements, and I was delighted to see pop art pieces with a modern twist. If anyone wants to buy one of these pieces for me, please let me know 😉

Every Thursday during the month of April, FrutaPOP will host a series of poptail parties. Come join us on the 20^th and 27^th of this month. You’ll have the chance to try FrutaPOP’s limited edition, alcohol-infused “Andy POPs,” which feature some of Rassin’s Pop Art works from this exhibition on the label.

Please visit Eventbrite (click here) to get your free tickets to one of the next poptail parties!

The POP up exhibition is open until April 30^th, 2017, and hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10am-5pm.

Also, these pops make the perfect beverage at any event or party, especially now that Summer is around the corner—talk about refreshing! Click here to read more about their flavors and how to order a batch today.

Please follow FrutaPOP on social media!

Instagram: @frutapop

Twitter: @Fruta_POP

Facebook: FrutaPOP

Hope to see you on the 20^th and 27^th6-9pm!

Xx Marisa

Bleeding Love

April 13, 2017April 13, 2017Posted in art, Fashion, new york city, Quotes of the Moment, Street ArtTagged art, Fashion, feelings, life, lifestyle, love, love wall, model, new york, photography, quote, quotes, reflections, relationships, soho, spirituality, spring, style, Things to do, thoughts, Travel, trends, womenLeave a comment

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” -Maya Angelou

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” -Dalai Lama

“The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides” -Audrey Hepburn

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This stunning white, off the shoulder dress and lace up sandals are from one of my favorite boutiques, AMIClubwear. Off the shoulder and bell sleeves are two trends that you’ll see a lot of over the Spring and Summer, and I’m obsessed! You can find me in dresses and tops similar to this dress all summer long. These lace up sandals are perfect for every occasion! The heel is only about three inches high (not too tall) so you can definitely pair these with shorts, dresses, rompers, and skirts either for day or night. Not to mention, nude goes with everything! It’s a staple item you need in your wardrobe. You can shop these looks here and here.

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Street art by jgoldcrown found on the side of Seamore’s (Broome & Mulberry in Soho)

@jgoldcrown #lovewall #bleedinghearts #seeyouatseamores

Xx Marisa

Untitled Unalignment

February 28, 2017February 28, 2017Posted in art, Street ArtTagged art, culture, current thoughts, graffiti art, law of attraction, life, lifestyle, love, Miami, Quotes of the Moment, reflections, Street Art, the universe, thoughtsLeave a comment

For the past week or so, I have noticed myself being out of alignment with the Universe (hence my lack of blog posts). This happens to be occasionally, usually just for a day or so, however, this time was a bit longer. I feel as if I’m living in a fog and just going through the motions of life. Negative thoughts tend to cloud my mind, even if I’m just doing something monotonous. This out of tune feeling usually begins when I wake up and hit the ground running, filling my day with things to do and forgetting about or putting off my daily “practice” or meditation that centers and grounds me.

I typically shake this gloomy mindset by working out, meditating until I feel better, and getting an extra dose of caffeine (not particularly recommended, although it’s typically my first go-to method). This is my magic solution, although not necessarily in that order.

Other than feeling both mentally and emotionally dull, the Universe gives me other signs that I am out of alignment.

Enter the daily hassles of life: the petty, day-to-day, pain-in-my-ass irritations that drive us insane.

I was recently chatting with a friend who felt as if he was out of alignment because he was attracting these daily hassles. He made me quickly realize that my past week has been filled with these miniscule annoyances.

The biggest one for me is running late. I used to be notorious for running late, and once I moved to New York, I readjusted and adapted to NYC travel time. I was forced to quickly learn how to manage my time much better and prepare for delays, yet I have noticed that as my thought process has changed over the past year or so now, I have been much better with being on time.

It isn’t necessarily my time management that is off now. The obstacles that get in my way along my journey (i.e. the ACE train is running with delays, my Uber driver cancelled after I was waiting for 6 minutes, traffic on 9th for literally no reason) cause me to be delayed.

Yes, these are things that are out of my control, yet they are still things that I am attracting. I’m attracting them because I am out of alignment.

I have a couple of different tests that I use to see if I am out of alignment. One of them being catching the time 11:11 AM or PM on the reg. Repeated numbers or repetition in general are signs that your are in tune with the Universe. I typically catch 11:11 once a day, and have been doing so consistently for the past 10 months. This is actually something I have been doing my whole life, I just never knew what it referred to. When I don’t catch these numbers, I know I need to do some realigning.

Today for example: this morning I caught the time at 11:12AM. I use this to gauge how out of alignment I am. If I’m one minute off, I’m close, but not yet there. Something within me is still out of alignment. Although this morning I was very close, I’m not exactly on the right path in some way or another (probably because I haven’t had the chance to meditate and center myself yet). To my surprise, I did, however, catch 11:11PM last night for the first time in probably six days, so it’s safe to say that I’m doing much better than last week.

So what is off in my life? Well, probably something that I am refusing to admit to myself. Smaller scale, I know that when I forget or put off grounding myself (the one key necessity for me to be in tune with the Universe), I immediately get thrown off and become consumed with these daily hassles. I wake up, hit the ground running, and start rushing through my life without centering myself first. Even if it’s just closing my eyes and taking a long, deep breath before I begin my day–it helps me tremendously. If my mind is scattered from the start, I’ll attract things that will interrupt my life.

When your world gets a little rocky, you know it it’s time to regroup and take a look inward. When you’re in tune with yourself and the world around you, everything will flow naturally and you will be receiving the positivity and abundance you are supposed to be attracting in your life.

Xx Marisa

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Art by Peter Tunney

Photos taken at the Peter Tunney Experience in Miami, FL //Wynwood Art District

Let It Go

February 9, 2017February 9, 2017Posted in BeautyTagged art, Beauty, blog, feelings, jewelry, life, lifestyle, love, manicure, model, nail polish, nyc, photography, products, quotes, reflections, reviews, spirituality, style, thoughtsLeave a comment

January was an amazing first month of 2017 for me. I am so excited for the year ahead, yet I’ve noticed that my excitement has lead to trying to force situations and experiences into my life. Because of this, I thought it might be time to write a post about surrendering.

I have been trying to trust the flow of life for some time now. Although it can be extremely difficult in the moment, I believe surrendering to the world around you makes for a happier, less frustrating life.

Growing up as a perfectionist, I spent years micro-managing every aspect of my life. Now, I spend my free time trying to undo all that I have taught myself. Every situation I experience or person I come in contact with is an opportunity to use my new surrendering tools and rethink how I am going to react to a situation or person.

Have you ever forced a situation to happen or chased after someone? Did you realize that the more you force or chase, the more they run away? Well, if it doesn’t open, it’s not your door. It’s as simple as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole—it’s just not going to happen.

Instead of forcing something to work out, ask for guidance and surrender the situation to the Universe. Surrendering is neither giving up nor defeat. Although it may not feel like it, you still remain in control of your life, as you are consciously choosing to go with the flow of life.

With practice, surrendering can become empowering—you are choosing to surrender to a higher power/the Universe/the world and acknowledging that some things are just not meant to be (right now). Don’t forget that “no” doesn’t mean “no” necessarily, it means “not right now.”

Letting go may be upsetting at first, but the feeling of knowing that there is something greater for you out there is certainly more uplifting than trying to control and micro-manage every aspect of your life yourself. The rush of relaxation and calmness that surrendering gives me is far better than the anxiety that comes with trying to force something or someone into my life.

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This stunning jewelry is by Anne Koplik Designs, a handcrafted jewelry brand based in NY and designed with crystals by Swarovski. You might have caught some of their pieces on the T.V. show Dancing with the Stars, as they have been the exclusive provider of jewelry since Season 5. If only I could constantly wear this jewelry and samba with Derek Hough!

Their jewelry has also been featured at the American Music Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards, Tony Awards, The Wendy Williams show, The Home and Family Network, Entertainment Tonight, and The Insider.

Anne Koplik has a wide variety of jewelry styles–I’m talking every color, crystal, and design imaginable on necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. I got a sneak peak at their new line for Spring, and I narrowed my favorite choice down to a delicate choker with a sparkling pendant and earring set. You’ll be able to shop these new spring styles in the upcoming weeks. If you love this look as much as I do, check out more chokers here.

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Being a model (and a lot of times a hand model), I have to keep my nails freshly manicured at all times. Enter the gel-manicure which is hassle free (until it starts to chip) because it lasts for two weeks. Although I get bored with the color usually after week 1, I get my money’s worth and stick it out. I hate the process of taking a gel manicure off at home, I find myself going to the salon every two weeks on the dot.

After bopping around on the internet one day, I came across Red Carpet Manicure, which is the first at-home LED Gel Manicure system, and boy, is this product a game changer. Red Carpet Manicure sent me their Portable LED Light and a bunch of LED polish colors to play with. This light is so easy to use, and you can give yourself a gel manicure in the comfort of your own home (i.e. while watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). Not to mention, Red Carpet Manicure was also the official nail sponsor of the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion show! You can also find a bunch of other products, including nail kits, one-step gel polishes, and nail treatments on their website. Shop these products here!

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Thank you Anne Koplik Designs and Red Carpet Manicure!

Xx Marisa

P.s. These make great Valentine’s Day gifts for your sweetie 🙂

I Don’t Want to Blink

January 20, 2017Posted in FashionTagged art, blog, Fashion, life, lifestyle, photography, style2 Comments

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“Be happy in this moment, for this moment is your life.” – Omar Khayyam.

Far too often are we caught up in our next move in this game of life. If you’re like me, then you’re constantly thinking about the next item on your to do list, your next meal, your next sleep, your next paycheck, your next free weekend, or maybe even your next Netflix show to binge watch.

We trick ourselves into thinking that we are living in the future, when in fact we have to remind ourselves that we live in the present. We live by the words “tomorrow” or “next time.” My favorite is “when ___.happens, then I’ll ___”…you finish the sentence. How many times a day do you find yourself living in the future, wasting away the present?

Pause. Take a second. Breathe. Slow your pace. Why are you rushing? What are you running away from in the present?

Be present in this moment. Acknowledge how you feel, both physically and emotionally. Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions. Be conscious of the environment around you.

Be grateful for what you have, and appreciate this moment. Fully live in this moment. Own this moment. Feel as if you don’t want to blink. These moments are your life.

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Shawls & Scarves: Orange Scarf

Jeans: Express

Turtleneck: H&M

Boots: Forever 21

Orange Scarf, founded by Diane Sabato, is a fabulous brand that sells women’s scarves, ponchos, and shawls. Orange Scarf is committed to giving back, and sales support organizations and causes that empower women. No matter how big or small, one can always contribute to changing the world around us. Whenever Diane or one of her four sisters would ask their father “how do I look?” he would reply “all that outfit needs is a nice orange scarf,” hence the creative name of this line.

Thank you, Orange Scarf, for the fabulous pieces! Xx Marisa

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Photography by Tiffany Chen @photosbytifff

Beautiful Vulnerability

January 11, 2017January 11, 2017Posted in art, Events, MuseumsTagged art, artist, culture, current thoughts, Events, feelings, LES, life, lifestyle, manhattan, New Museum, new york, new york city, Pipilotti Rist, quotes, reflections, relationships, reviews, spirituality, the universe, Things to do, thoughts, vulnerability1 Comment

There is something beautiful about being vulnerable. A friend told me this about a year and a half ago. I remember cringing as he said this to me. The person I was at the time responded very differently to these words back then.

At the time, we were sort of dating, and he told me this statement in order to get me to loosen up a bit. He was asking all the tough questions, attempting to break down walls I had spent years building up. I dodged his questions (successfully…so I thought) and chose not to self-disclose. That’s when he said, “You know, Marisa, there’s something beautiful about being vulnerable.”

I remember my body physically responding to that statement—muscles tightening, jaw clenching, body overheating—I was resisting in so many ways. It makes me think about what else I was resisting at that time in my life. I was so closed-off and afraid of being vulnerable, even to a person who was completely open and receptive to my vulnerability. I felt so awkward, and it was so obvious. All I could think was how do I get out of this conversation? Somehow, probably with a bad joke or some kind of lame humor, I escaped the conversation. He knew he was pushing me to my limits, but I just wasn’t ready to answer the tough questions. I maybe couldn’t even answer them for myself. It was safe to be transparent, but I couldn’t do it. I felt attacked, although he was coming at me from a loving and caring place.

A year and a half later, I still struggle with times like these, although now, I wholeheartedly believe that there is something beautiful about being vulnerable.

It’s straight up frightening to be vulnerable. I used to see it as a sign of weakness, but that’s so far from the truth. I shake my head at my younger self for thinking that. Yes, you feel exposed and yes, exposure is scary, but if you own that exposure, nobody can use it against you. Not one single person. Trust me.

So, as part of owning my own vulnerability, I really want to start writing more, specifically about my life (more personal and meaningful topics) and how I live it. This blog is a great creative outlet for me, and I’d like to take it to the next level. #WatchThisSpace for what’s to come in this new year 😉

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All of these amazing photos are from Pipilotti Rist’s exhibit titled Pixel Forest, which is now on display at the New Museum (located in the LES, 235 Bowery). I have seriously been trying to go to this exhibit since it opened in October, but just never found the time! Due to all the press and hype, the exhibit was extended, and I finally took the opportunity to go yesterday.

Rist is a Swiss video artist known for her mesmerizing and hypnotic video and multimedia installations. Her video, film, and image projections incorporate themes of gender, sexuality, and the human body.

Pixel Forest occupies the main three floors of the New Museum. The exhibit includes works that span over the artist’s entire career, emphasizing the progression of technology and how this evolution has affected her art.

The kaleidoscopic projections, soothing audio, rhythmic lighting of each piece make you feel as if you are transported from your everyday, monotonous world into a tranquil, dreamlike environment.

I love entrancing LED installations, so naturally my favorite piece was Looking Through Pixel Forest, a hanging LED installation and video projection piece (pictured above and below). The hanging LED lights changed to all colors of the rainbow in a rhythmic pattern while two videos played on the adjacent walls. The video, audio, and lighting combination made me feel like I was in a pixel forest, straight out of the movie Avatar or something. I felt like I was in a completely different world, and I loved every moment of it.