Style Icons: Male »Mike Kelley

Art Legend

I was deeply sad to hear that artist Mike Kelley took his own life today. A legendary creator, his multimedia performances, installations, films, and paintings have been a huge influence on my generation.

Many people probably know him best for his work featured on Sonic Youth’s Dirty album. Within his varied career, he re-imagined discarded stuffed animals, images from high school year books, plastic knink knacks, and crystal sculptures inspired by Superman. He started out in music as a member of the underground band Destroy All Monsters.

He was 57.

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Posted on February 1, 2012

Books »After the Apocalypse

by Maureen McHugh (2011)

After the Apocalypse has solidified Maureen McHugh as one of my favorite current authors. I recommended her novel China Mountain Zhang a while back and have only grown fonder of it over time.

Her latest, well reviewed collection of short stories is bookended by more well worn apocalyptic scenarios: zombies and refugees walking through abandoned, dangerous suburbs towards (hopefully) a safe place.

With McHugh’s unique prose (she’s got an amazing ability to speak believably from a wide range of points of view) and creative mind, even zombies can be new again.

The other stories, which take on the apocalypse in different ways, are unique, humorous, and very human. There’s a debilitating disease transmitted through chicken nuggets, a woman struggling to get by in a shattered economy by making custom baby dolls and dildoes, a boy who develops amnesia after a dirty bomb explodes in Baltimore, and a group of people that get the unnerving sudden ability to fly.

While the stories are paranoid and frightening, they’re also almost optimistic. Each one is about survival, not in a Rambo sort of way, but how normal people under horrible circumstances just manage to carry on.

I really love this book and want to run out and get more of her work. It’s been truly inspiring to me (especially as I am writing short stories myself) and I’ve even contemplated writing a fan letter (which I never do).

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Posted on February 1, 2012

Movies »Bill Cunningham New York

directed by Richard Press (2010)

Bill Cunningham New York is not a “fashion” movie, per se, but a loving portrait of a man with integrity, individualism and passion.

As one of the original street style photographers – first for Details, then WWD, then the Times, he brought real women and the runway closer together, giving each equal spotlight with his camera.

Still using real (non-digital) film, riding a bike everywhere, refusing to be beholden to anyone, and living in a tiny, cluttered studio – the often cut throat, vain and bitchy world of high fashion has not changed him in the past several decades.

He’s a visual historian of New York and as a person, a true inspiration.

He shows the beauty of a life lived simply, with kindness and passion.

Available on netflix instant.

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Posted on January 30, 2012

Desserts »Edy’s Fruit Bars

Various Flavors

Excuse my absence, Van and I have been in a pit of stomach flu sadness. One of the only things I’ve been able to eat? Edy’s Fruit Bars.

But whaat?? No usage of the words “organic” or “hand crafted”? Yes, Edy’s fruit bars aren’t going to win any yuppie awards for their garish presentation; next to all the fancy stuff out there (that I totally lap up, btw) this box looks like a throw back, a sweet snack you’d have to resort to at your dieting aunt’s house in a moment of desperation.

Except these are surprisingly good! Refreshing, buy not too sweet, they taste like real fruit. And great for sick tummies!

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Posted on January 28, 2012

Spend a Couple Hours »Antony and the Johnsons

at Radio City Music Hall

Since I’d only just emerged from a stomach flu induced haze, I thought twice about taking the free ticket to Antony and the Johnsons at Radio City–but I’m so glad I decided to go!

It was a fantastic performance. The stage and lighting design were constantly changing and challenging my perception: from a blurry scrim concealing all the action to the final, breathtaking reveal of a 50+ piece orchestra, each song ushered in a new visual treat.

Antony himself appears both beautiful and strangely confident while still remaining physically awkward (reminding me of a young girl throwing a fit). He’s an incredible singer; his voice is truly otherworldly and sounds even more lovely in person than any recording. If you’re a fan, nothing can replicate the experience of seeing him sing in person.

My favorite song of the evening (next to, of course, his heart wrenching cover of Crazy in Love) was I Fell in Love With a Dead Boy.

The crowd which was large (even the ticket-holder line was two blocks long): a mixture of teary-eyed die-hard fans, the painfully pretentious (lots of faux accents and “dah-lings”), and oddly enough conidering how hard seats were to come by, a helping of folks that seemed genuinely baffled by what they’d stumbled into.

A one night only performance sponsored by MoMa, even Antony himself admitted it was “so fucking ambitious”, but its unique mix of visual and performance art was a huge success–surely in no small part thanks to my dear friend Shaun who coordinated so much of it.

Also: my first time at Radio City Music Hall. It’s gorgeous!

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Posted on January 28, 2012

Style Icons: Female »Eiko Ishioka

RIP

While I’ve made costume designer extraordinaire Eiko Ishioka my style icon before, with word of her passing, I wanted to revisit her amazing, inspiring career.

I was a fan long before I knew her name as a teen watching Dracula and The Cell and was lucky enough to see her creations in person at the Grace Jones performance.

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Posted on January 28, 2012

Web Sites »Longform

new and classic non-fiction articles, curated from across the web, that are too long and too interesting to be read on a web browser

I am so happy to have found Longform, a site that compiles the most interesting articles recently published.

The Apostate (Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology), The Lost Boys, The Movie Set That Ate Itself, and You Say You Want a Devolution? are all fascinating.

I’m a little worried that I have found Longform because it’s costing me sleep!

Their top stories of 2011 is a good place to start and I’ve been using instapaper to collect interesting ones to read later. (Look at me and modern technology!)

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Posted on January 22, 2012

Movies »A Chinese Ghost Story 1&3

directed by Siu-Tung Ching (1987 and 1991)

The East does weird in a way that the West simply can’t and the fun, crazy Chinese Ghost Story trilogy proves it.

I remember hearing about these films years ago as elusive, cult classics; and with demons, tongue battles (that would be battles fought with giant monster tongues), walking tree spirits, rapping warriors, slapstick beheadings and ghostly seductions, “cult” is the only way to effectively classify these unique films.

The plots are similar between the two: Beautiful ghost spirit is under the control of a tree demon. Kind, handsome traveler stays the night in her haunted temple and falls in love. Must defeat demons to save her.

The original is more romantic and serious, but both include a healthy dose of humor and slapstick–the third almost to the point of tedium. The second… well sadly I can’t tell you anything about it: see, Netflix instant issues dictated a strange viewing order. First I watched what I assumed was the first movie only to find out afterwards that Netflix had mislabeled it and I had actually watched the third. So, not wanting to forgo seeing the original I watched the first movie (which was labeled Part 2 on Netfilx). At that point I thought we might as well finish up the trilogy, but found all three movies were no longer available. So, only reviewing 1 and 3 and no screen captures from me.

It’s a shame they’ve been taken off Netflix because they’re not readily available in the US–but are worth seeking out for lovers of bizarre cinema. I hope to one day see the second installment and complete the trilogy.

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Posted on January 21, 2012

Web Sites »Monster Brains

A never ending celebration of monsters

What a wonderful world. There’s always something new to become completely obsessed with. I give you my latest: Mexican pulp art which is on display at Monster Brains.

But wait! Monster Brains has even more cool stuff for your perusal. Like: grotesque animals, creepy vintage ads, D&D books, sci-fi covers and other generally disturbing, wild or scary pieces of art.

It’s way excellent!

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Posted on January 20, 2012

Hunks »Obama!

Singing Al Green

This is pretty hot stuff.

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Posted on January 20, 2012