Mixing it Up

A grocery store sign that reads "novelty flower" doesn't typically win me over. I'm usually partial to more natural things. But before the sign caused me to hesitate, I found myself drawn to the summery, 70s vibe of what looks like the chartreuse love child of a dahlia and a daisy. (My hydrangea on the left is a little sparse but distinctly home-grown.)

[Ivory chair, carved and painted, India, about 1785, Museum no. 1075-1882. V & A.]

A much grander hybrid is the V & A's 18th-century carved Indian chair. Handcrafted in Murshidabad, it represents a remarkable fusion of eastern and western styles. Some perceive it to be classic while others find it flamboyant. The museum recorded a great conversation about the piece, available here.

And more reminders about some southern happenings: John Folsom's exhibition, Summering at the End of Empire, a show that explores contrasts on Georgia's Cumberland Island, is in its final days at the Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art. (Click here for more.)

In Birmingham, the party is just getting started. There was a tremendous turnout for last week's premiere of Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present at the Birmingham Museum of Art. And Starting July 7, the BMA introduces First Thursdays, offering visitors a chance to explore Rock & Roll, Faces of India, and all of the galleries after hours from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission to the permanent collection will be free on these nights, so this is a terrific date activity.