Ultra Vivid Dream

Arthur Magazine has an article titled “The Soma of Madness” in its newest issue that will surely take your imagination to far off places.  It tells of Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky’s encounters with Japanese zen monk Ejo Takada and Surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, who in my opinion blows every Surrealist painter out the window.  Born in England in 1917, Leonora Carrington was educated by governesses, nuns, and tutors and was expelled from school for her rebellious behavior.  She was sent to several art schools as punishment, but little did anyone know that she would later become one of the most influential painters of her time.  After seeing the work of German artist Max Ernst in 1936, she became attracted to him and went on to become his mistress after meeting him in 1937.  The two collaborated for some time, until Ernst was imprisoned by the Germans during WWII, which led to Leonora going mad and becoming institutionalized.  After recovering, her reality became difficult to separate from her dreams.  She escaped Europe and fled to Mexico where she later married and had two children.  She was know to have a mythic reputation among Mexican painters.  Luis Buñuel, Mexican filmmaker, once proposed to Leonora Carrington that she become his mistress. Without waiting for her answer, he gave her the key to his secret studio that he used as a love den and told her to meet him there the next afternoon. Early the following morning, Leonora went to visit the studio alone and found it completely tasteless. She took advantage of the fact that she was on her menstrual cycle, covered her hands in blood and made hand prints all over the walls to add some character to the room. Buñuel never spoke to her again.

I can imagine what kind of an influence Leonora Carrington has had on Jodorowsky. His films are so surreal and visually appealing and just so, so cool. They’re so ahead of their time, as is Leonora Carrington’s work. I can’t help but think that Kiki Smith is influenced by her. Maybe, maybe not. But go pick up the new issue of Arthur. The story will blow your mind and will make you a fan of two epic artists, if you aren’t already. Below, some photos of Leonora Carrington and her paintings.

Cut and Paste

I discovered these images on Tiger Magazine today and totally freaked out.  They remind me of Mr. Potato Head.  You know, all that mix and match- removing his moustache and placing it where his eyes should be.  I’ve always loved collages and piecing random things together.  Great for birthday cards, fyi.  I especially love how these images use models set against nature sceneries and then completely muddle the luxury and seriousness of fashion and editorial by throwing in body parts and silky manes that remind me of horses.  They automatically become mixed media and have less to do with fashion and more to do with art.  The way the human elements cover up the models and act as shields make the images seem slightly perverted, but in a good way.  Someone please buy me Mr. Potato Head.

You’re Gonna Break Hearts In That Outfit

If you’re anything like me and can watch Before Sunrise and Before Sunset over and over and never tire of honest conversations, heartbreak, and angelic scenery, you need to check out the greatest indie film of 2008–In Search of a Midnight Kiss. A love letter to Los Angeles, the film tells the story of two lost souls who meet online and are both searching for something meaningful in life, all set against the backdrop of downtown Los Angeles. Paying homage to the history of a city filled with hope and disappointment, it’s a film almost everyone can relate to and will leave you wanting more. My best friend, Sara Simmonds, plays the lead and will have you convinced that she’s a total psycho, only to make you love her in the end. Yes, I’m bragging. But only because I’m so proud. And yes, I am biased. But, if Gene Siskel were alive he’d totally give it a thumbs up.

Shine On

Sometimes I just don’t get it. Today I realized that I’m kind of naive. But naive can be good, especially when it works in your favor. It’s good after you think really hard about it. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I think that’s pretty awesome. Anyway, stuff has been getting in the way of my inspiration and motivation the past week. I’m not going to let that happen anymore. I’m over the haters. I want beams of love and light to shine down on me. And I want my light to take me to a magical place where all my dreams come true. Beams of light kind of like this:

Or like this

Or maybe something like this

Eikelberger Residence

My rad friend Matthew Eikelberger recently had his home featured on The Selby. If you haven’t checked out Todd Selby’s site you definitely should. You won’t regret getting addicted. He seems to be blowin’ up quick and he deserves it. Todd was recently in LA to shoot people in their humble abodes and I suggested he shoot Matt’s place. It’s like a cabinet of curiosities at your grandma’s house–medieval grandeur and a treasure trove of knick-knacks unearthed from the attic. You can check out the photos on his site along with other amazing people in their dwellings.

Black and White Czech

The only thing I dislike about Los Angeles weather is the lack of rain.  I miss the thunderstorms I grew up with and the hard rain that forced me to stay indoors and daydream.  These photos remind me of that.  The black and white, the thick raindrops, the dreariness, the books, the coffee–they have a melancholy mood that resonates with me.  These are the kind of photos that I love.  They tell a story.  The backdrop of the Czech Republic, the tram with writing in Czech, the sophistication, the seriousness–it’s a perfect introduction to the clothes.  These photos tell a story of intellectual lives being lived by people who aren’t afraid to cover up in long sleeves and long skirts.  There’s an old world quality to them, yet it’s still difficult to define the era.  They’re timeless,  which is something I’m very much into with fashion.