Muhammad Ali (nee Cassius Clay), turns 70 years old today! Thinking that today was the last day, I stopped by the Artworks Gallery in Pasadena to see the photography exhibit, Muhammad Ali: 1977. It features several black & white photographs by renowned photographer, Michael Brennan, showcasing "The Champ's" career highlights. Also shown are images of some of his past opponents: Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, Joe Frazier and George Foreman to name a few. The above image, titled "1977," was taken by Mr. Brennan early in his career, when he was given full, backstage access to Ali. Upon seeing this iconic image, which was introduced to the National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institute) last fall, it's been reported that the world-renown pugilist remarked, "I can feel the texture of all the sweat and hard work. I can feel my life."  I had time to speak with the gallery staff,  Chris and Vedra, who proved to be, not only friendly and welcoming, but most informative. Chris said that because of the public's response, he expects the vieiwng to run for at least another 2-3 weeks. Trust me, it's worth stopping by to see this knockout of an exhibit.

NOTE: If you're looking for a gift for that special someone-who-has-everything, Artworks has a 48" x 63" signed copy (by both Ali & Brennan) of "1977" for a princely sum of $20,000.00. Did I mention that it's signed?

Artworks Gallery
59 West Del Mar Boulevard
Pasadena, Ca  
626-229-0700
www.muhammadaliphotographs.com

(Video via Youtube & image below via Ali.com)

These two images were not part of the exhibit, but they're some of my favorites of The Greatest, so...

rookfield, the latest home collection by Ralph Lauren, is definitely a must see. What I particularly like about this collection are all of the rich earthy leathers and honey-toned woods. The subdued plaids, shown on the sofa, as well as the bedroom walls, really help center both rooms. One day I'm going to cover my bedroom walls in fabric. One day...

Sure, there are plenty of other designers doing home collections, but very few seem to always get it just right. Kudos to Mr. Lauren.

(All images & video via Ralph Lauren.com)

Season 2 of Downton Abbey is set to return, this Sunday, January 8th. If you saw last season, then i'm rather certain that, like me, you can't wait for Sunday evening to get here. I remember seeing PBS's Upstair/Downstairs, as a teenager, and while I enjoyed it, (as much a thirteen year old can appreciate an adult drama), the Crawleys offer us an updated feel to a period piece and a world most of us will never know. Downton Abbey shows us that no matter how economically disparate our lives may be, our basic nature, sensibilities and human instincts are often quite similar: greed, duplicity, love, anguish, pain, etc.

(All images via Google; video via Youtube)

The one good thing about being called to serve on jury duty last week, just three days after holiday, was being allowed to park at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. (and NOT being selected; bringing the total to two, actually) After sitting in the jury selection room till nearly noon, before finally being released, I trudged back over to the Concert Hall and decided, since I had free parking for the day, to go inside and take advantage of their FREE audio tour. (a guided tour was  also offered) Being a germaphobe, I was reluctant to don the provided headset, but I gave into my fear of death by microorganisms and put them on. And boy, am I glad I did. This iconic Frank Gehry designed structure is amazingly beautiful to say the least. The outside, while reminiscent of its predecessor, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa, Spain, is a gravity-defying, structural phenomenon. As expected, the audio tour (narrated by Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane and actor, John Lithgow) gives you the full background on how the house that the mouse built came to be.

I had not been inside the hall since it opened in the fall of 2003, when I attended a concert by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, so it was definitely a pleasure going inside today for the tour.

Video via Youtube.com;
All images by N.D. Harrington for The Sophisticated Gentleman