30.9.14

20,000 Days On Earth

Yesternight I attended a pre-screening of 
20,000 Days On Earth, a film exploring the legend 
and the myth that is the great Nick Cave.

The film combines real conversations in staged environments between the musician and a select group of his friends and collaborators, with the effect of creating a sort of biopic mocku-documentary.  
The story takes place over a 24-hour period of Mr. Cave's 20,000th day on earth, and delves deeply into the mind of the man, his artistic process, the memories, the moments and the people who have shaped his philosophy, and figure so profoundly into his disparate body of work.  Adding to the richness of the film are the interspersed real-time studio song recordings that treat the viewer to a glimpse into his artistic process.

I could go on an analytical tangent about the nuances, freudian subtleties and complex depth of man and film, but there are adequate articles to be read here and here, if one so desires.
On a personal note, I've been a passionate fan of the many faces (and facets) of Mr. Cave for about fifteen years now, and his mind continues to fascinate me.  

I was a bit nervous going into the film, because often I find that pulling the curtain back on a subject that has achieved a mythical standing -- in my view -- can be a bit of a let-down.  Legends so very rarely stand up to their hype.  Not so with 20,000 Days On Earth.  Watching it, I was intrigued, delighted and not the least bit disillusioned; on the contrary I walked away from the theater with not only a greater understanding, but an appreciation and respect for Nicholas Edward Cave deeper than I'd realized possible.

As he himself says in the film, it was, for me, one of those rare and important moments (and I think I'm paraphrasing, here) 
"when the workings of the heart change".



The film opens nation-wide on October 10th.

*
The song Mr. Cave might best be known for: The Mercy Seat, about a man on his way to the electric chair; from the album Tender Prey, 1988.



Some ballads, et al:
Another wonderful film and one of my faves is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, directed by Andrew Dominik and staring Brad "Dreamboat" Pitt and Casey Affleck, with soundtrack by-- you guessed it-- N.C.
Here's Nick's cameo at the end of the film:



... And one of my top 3 favorite books of all time was written by Nick Cave:
And the Ass Saw the Angel. Below is an excerpt read by the author in 1989.
A huge bonus to 20,000 Days for me was hearing stories and seeing a photograph of the tiny cubby room in Germany where he wrote this little masterpiece. The subject matter, of course, is dark, dark, dark -- but intoxicatingly so... if you can handle it.
Hey, I'm a dark girl, what can I say?

26.9.14

PHOTO SHOOT: 26.SEP.14

Photo shoot! Photo shoot! Photo shoot!


{ All leather Native dress with fringe. 1980s? }
*





{ Jackie O-Yes she better did! 1960s linen two piece jacket and dress. }
*


{ Faux leopard print coat, and so much of it!  1970s/80s. }
*


{ Silk, stripes and lace! A gorgeous late-teens-to-early-1920s dress. }
*


{ A fantastic piece of history: late 1800s plaid cotton dress! }
*


{ Antique bloomers! 1900-1910s. }
*

{ A beautiful ball gown in soft whites and blues; 1950s. }
*

{ Bright pink chantilly lace dress with back drape; 1960s. }
*

{ Satin Asian pajamas! ca. 1940s. }
*

{ Lovely mid century ribbed dress with button back and side bow. }
*
Photo shooting today!
Visit again soon for sneak peeks.


MAN RAY


"The Veil", 1930

Man Ray: photographer, painter, artist of the Dada period.
... But have you seen his films?

Below is "The Mystery of the Chateau of Dice".  
At just over 26 minutes, it is the longest film he created.


h/t: vimeo // dangerous minds.






The Hands of Gala and Dali, 1936




Lee Miller, 1930


Barbette, 1926. Barbette was a trapeze artist, high wire performer and female impersonator.






Ray playing chess with Duchamp


Self portrait, 1930


See more Man Ray surrealist films here.

14.9.14

GIFs by Kevin Weir

Artist Kevin Weir of Flux Machine creates amazing GIFs.
Some of my favorite of his works involve the use of images from the Library of Congress.
I love them.

Wait for it...


Countess Mino



Princess Juliana



Mother Jones





Catherine



Hardiman



Cybernetic Anthropomorphous Machine 



Ruins of Roebling's Works



Decoy Howitzer



Ypres, Belgium 



Edison



Przemysl Forts



Comidant Eduard



Peekskill


Subway Fire



Boxers



The Hats of John Philip Sousa



Gen. Michel



Telephoto Graflex SLR



Frontier Taggers



Priest, Valamo Monestary, Karelia, Russia


See some of his "gifotography" here.

credit.

PHOTO SHOOT: 14.SEP.14

TODAY'S MAGNIFICENT PHOTO SHOOT!

 
 
{ A flirty number! Gold satin body trimmed in fringe. 1960s. }
*





 
{ An amazing coat! Lipstick red mohair with softest satin lining and big collar. 1950s. }
*

{ The perfect day dress: sky blue rayon with vented bodice and glass and metal buttons.  Late 1940s-1950s.}
*


{ Fantastic wool dress in mohair with drop waist. 1950s. }
*

 
{ Fabulous rayon dress in southwest/Mexican print. 1940s. }
*

{ Beautiful green geometric print dress with neck bow. 1950s. }
*

{ Dapper autumn hued acetate dress; 1950s. }
*

 
{ Sophisticated linen dress in olive. 1950s. }
*

 
{ Very pretty pink cotton eyelet dress. 1960s. }
*

 
{ Lovely two piece cocktail ensemble. 1960s. }
*

{ Sweet terrycloth dress! 1960s. }
*
*

*
{ ENTER THE SHOP }