This is something that I have been meaning to share with you for sooo long! When Carrie McBride sent me this picture and her e-mail:
Hi Elsita,
My trust in MoMA's curatorial judgment was renewed when I saw your Blossom Buddies so prominently displayed in their bookstore! Thought you might like to see it (sorry for the lousy photo).
Best wishes,
Carrie
I felt the happiest girl on Earth. I will tell you why: When I visited the USA for the first time ever in 1996 I was lucky to spend a couple of days in New York City with my dear friend Debra. She took me to the MoMA and we had a little argument with one of the men in charge. There was a sign that said: free admission. So we wanted to see the museum for free but the man said that we had to do our donation anyway. It wasn't that we didn't want to do it, it was just that our money department was so skinny! A single dollar meant everything to us.
We ended up doing the non-voluntary donation so we spent HOURS enjoying the place. Back then I was the most inexperienced girl on planet Earth regarding museums and fancy places like that. I felt like Cinderella after winning the lottery. I really enjoyed every second at the museum and every single thing I saw.
After walking around for hours we ended up in the store as everyone else. Of course, I could not afford anything over there but I was just happy looking at the books and dreaming about taking some of them with me back to Cuba. I must say that I became a living trash can anyways, I took every free printed paper, catalogue or anything that I found on my way. I arrived in Havana with my suitcase full of all that junk that I proudly kept for so many years.
Now, 12+1 years later my little book ends up in the MoMA store. Can you believe it? Isn't that great? I wish that I could go back there and take a picture of myself with Blossom Buddies. All I can say is that I am extremely proud to know that there is a tiny, microscopic piece of me at the MoMA :) Yay!! :)
Love!
Elsita :)
(Thank you so much again Carrie for the picture!)
AWESOME! You've come full circle! Dreams DO come true.
p.s. You should photoshop yourself in the picture. :)
Posted by: Mariella | November 02, 2009 at 03:04 AM
That's wonderful! I am planning on visiting MoMA soon to see the Tim Burton retro and I'll be looking for your book.
Posted by: Mim | November 02, 2009 at 03:22 AM
One day I bet they will have an entire exhibit devoted to the art of elsa mora. I agree with Mariella ( love that name) that you should photoshop yourself into that picture. Perhaps as a tiny you standing on the shelf beside your book showing your gossamer wings. This really is a fairy tale story come true. xxoo
Posted by: margaret Oomen | November 02, 2009 at 03:56 AM
This story brought tears to my eyes. I'm SO happy for you. How blessed we all are to now have you and your talent here with us.
Posted by: kat | November 02, 2009 at 04:37 AM
Oh, what a beautiful journey!
First Anthropologie, now MoMA...I think the only venue left to get on board is the Louvre? Also possibly a very good bakery. It's always nice to have one's book being offered where cupcakes are available...
Well done, dear Elsita!
xooo
Posted by: kirsten | November 02, 2009 at 06:25 AM
That is such a wonderful story. A little like a fairy tale.
Posted by: Dolores | November 02, 2009 at 07:45 AM
how fantastic! and definitely like a fairytale, congrats to you and your lovely book!
Posted by: Elle D | November 02, 2009 at 08:17 AM
You SO deserve it!
Posted by: Ereisa | November 02, 2009 at 10:05 AM
HOORAY Elsita, this story brought tears to my eyes. I'm so proud of you!
Posted by: colleen (bcharmer) | November 02, 2009 at 10:16 AM
congratulations! a lovely story. your presence at moma is very deserved your work is incredible.
Posted by: handmade romance | November 02, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Que bonita historia, me ha encantado que la compartieras aqui.
Posted by: Ana | November 02, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Congrats! Thats such a wonderful story...full circle!
Posted by: Megnificent Made | November 02, 2009 at 04:56 PM
What a wonderful story, Elsa. Congratuations again, friend. jan
Posted by: Snippety Gibbet | November 02, 2009 at 05:07 PM
What a cool story! And I bet you didn't even think of something like that at the time... Felicidades Elsita!
Posted by: Martha (Ayala Art) | November 02, 2009 at 09:16 PM
Yay! That's wonderful. And it says a lot about how cool your book really is!
Posted by: urban craft | November 03, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Enhorabuena!!! que genial poder tener tu libro en un lugar tan emblematico*_*
Besos desde España
Posted by: la casita de wendy | November 03, 2009 at 03:53 PM
ohhhh...that is the coolest story! And I found myself kind of in disbelief at how I wound up back here today via another blog (vintage Kay) that referred me to the hidden seed. Following the link for my main blog, I arrive here again. Amazing really.
Posted by: elizabeth ~ so wabi sabi | November 03, 2009 at 04:10 PM
such a sweet post, elsa. having a book in the MOMA is definitely an accomplishment worthy of celebrating. you've come a long way, baby!
your blog is utter loveliness. i cannot wait to explore some more.
Posted by: cate | November 09, 2009 at 05:16 AM
wow! it didn't take long for you to land at the MOMA. Some folks spend a lifetime trying to have a little piece of themselves there. Congrats.
Posted by: Amy | November 10, 2009 at 04:35 PM