afghanistan exhibition at the met

Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul
June 23, 2009–September 20, 2009
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall, 2nd floor

“Ancient Afghanistan—at the crossroads of major trade routes and the focus of invasions by great powers and nomadic migrations—was home to some of the most complex, rich, and original civilizations on the continent of Asia. This exhibition will celebrate the unique role of Afghanistan as a center for both the reception of diverse cultural elements and the creation of original styles of art that combine multiple stylistic materials—such as the Hellenized examples from the second-century B.C. city of Aï Khanum, the array of trade goods found in the first-century city of Begram, and the astonishing nomadic gold found in the hoard at Tillya Tepe, which also dates to the first century. It will also commemorate the heroic rescue of the heritage of one of the world’s great civilizations, whose precious treasures were thought to have been destroyed. Among the highlights of the exhibition will be gold vessels from the Tepe Fullol hoard; superb works and architectural elements from Aï Khanum; Indian-style sculptural masterpieces in ivory, plaster medallions, and Roman glass from Begram; and extraordinary turquoise-encrusted gold jewelry and ornaments from the tombs at Tillya Tepe.”

i may be biased but i think this is going to be an amazing exhibit. thanks for the heads up, melissa…

“my brother has the title”

eva lucien, anthony haden-guest and the leader of the mongol hoard

i went out last night with my good friend susan anton. no, not the beautiful blonde who dated dudley moore—my friend has received hundreds of messages from people gushing about their love for the amazonian actress—but the even more famous former club kid and current vegan who seems to know everyone in new york city. she should run for mayor. this city would be much cooler.

we attended the scope art fair at lincoln center. if you have the chance to go this weekend, do it. lots of great art and photography and beautiful people acting as if they understand said art. some of it was disturbing but most of it was pretty straightforward. look for hubert kretzschmar’s fascinating photographs of a young mick jagger, and the dead boys, who were america’s answer to the sex pistols. and try to get to the food before the vultures strike. if you hesitate even a fraction of a second, nothing will be left to wrestle over.

we met up with susan’s friend, the honorable anthony haden-guest, who, when i erroneously called him lord guest, said, “no, my brother has the title.” who is his brother?

yes, that nigel tufnel. spinal tap is one of the funniest movies of all time, one i never get tired of watching. christopher guest’s tufnel is as iconic as humphrey bogart’s rick blaine and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more quotable character in cinema history.

while anthony is the elder son, his parents weren’t married when he was born and, peerage laws being what they are in england, the barony passed to christopher. i don’t think anthony cares since he’s having a grand time squiring around young women, all of whom love him. i do wonder what he was like when he was young. probably would have given george clooney a run for his money…