Bizarre beauty...

inspiration for the weekend...


I am not a fan of clowns and goofy shoes, but the mystique of circus life has always intrigued me. Two years ago I read the famed book, Water for Elephants and a few weeks ago I browsed through the 544 pages of The Circus, 1870s-1950s. I am fascinated with the history of the Circus...I mean how can one not fantasize about chariot races, equestrian elegance, super-humans, wild animals and mustached ring masters etc...But presently, I must admit that I am most in awe over 21st century contemporary-performance-craft and the bizarre couture-like-physique it extracts from its continuous commitment to transform itself into a lasting art form...and of course I am talking about Stockholm's illustrious talent, Cirkus Cirkör. One day I will see a live performance...I must...


IMAGES BELOW: (left):Cirkus Cirkör; photo by TOBIAS FISHER  (right)From the exhibit, Personalities of the circus. Photo by STANLEY KUBRICK, March 1948. (Can also be found in Taschen's circus book.)

Cirkus Cirkör's current piece, Wear It Like A Crown is at the Södra Teatern (Stockholm, Sweden) until the 24th of February. 

Related pics below...1)Inside jacket pages from Taschen's The Circus, 1870s-1950s  2)Photo by Marisol Correa of Cirkus Cirkör performer, Jesper Nikolajeff   3)Cirkus Cirkör poster, photographer unknown. 4)Ensemble for Wear It Like a Crown. (Henrik Agger, Louise Bjurholm, David Eriksson, Jesper Nikolajeff, Fouzia "Fofo" Rakez, Anna Lagerkvist) Photos by Mattias Edwall.

photos below of Cirkus Cirkör's previous piece Inside OUT 
Photos by Kicki Nilsson.  Absolutely yummy...

Tick Tocking chandeliers...

Dresses The Colour of Time is an installation in London's Kensington Palace (the Cupola Room) for the exhibit, Enchanted Palace. The piece was designed by the fashion label Boudicca and it consists of four mechanical (deconstructed : constructed) dress forms suspended from chandeliers...The exhibit runs through January 2012...if only I ...


NOTE: The images for this post were borrowed from various blogs...I do not know their original source. FYI: Official photography was produced by Richard Lea-Hair for the Historic Royal Palaces.


I will be adding Brian Kirkby and Zowie Broach, the creative minds behind BOUDICCA, to my inspiring collaborations list.

Bastille Day. Paris. 1970.

Until about a month ago, I had never heard of Rufus Wainwright.  I stumbled upon one of his songs one evening while listening to KCRW's Eclectic24.  I wrote his name in my sketchbook an then put him aside for later.  A few days ago, Mark and I were at Boite Noire scouting around for films to rent for the week and I came across the documentary, Rufus Wainwright PRIMA DONNA, the story of an Opera.  I rented it out of curiosity.  Seven days later, I realized that we had yet to watch the film and it had come time to return it...well I played it for about five minutes and then I stopped it.  I called Mark at work and told him that I was not going to return the movie because he just had to watch it with me.  We didn't mind paying the late fee the next day because it turned out to be a fabulous film.   I am not going to summarize the film...but believe me...Rufus is a character! (As some of you might already know).  And yes...this "pop" (I use this word loosely) singer did create an OPERA..the real thing...not a music video or movie about an Opera...AN OPERA...rent the documentary.  Better yet, start saving now and let's go to the New York City Opera in the Spring of 2012...hint hint Kelly. I am now a Rufus fan.  If Wikipedia's facts about Mr. Wainwright are correct, we share the same birth date...so he is probably moody, gregarious when he wants to be...but phenomenally an ARTIST...Today I purchased his 2002 album, Poses from itunes...it is lovely.

Synopsis: An opera (with a French libretto) about the diva, Régine Saint Laurent, a soprano who loses her voice and six years later attempts a return to the stage. It is set on Bastille Day in 1970 Paris. 

NOTES

: Rufus Wainwright was born in Rhinebeck, New York but grew up in Montréal. 

: Prima Donna first premiered in Manchester's 2009 International Festival.  NOTE: Why didn't Prima Donna premiere in Montréal?

: Read Interview's article, "Rufus Wainwright, Curtains Pulled"

: Read article from The New York Times, "The Diva has Issues"

: Photos by Clive Barda.  Billboard by I want design.

put a bird on IT...

Charles and Ray Eames put a bird on it years ago (circa 1950's)....

I watched the second episode of Portlandia last night (via itunes season pass)... 

...it reminded me of my friend Elsa's online shop Elsa + Sam...so visit her site and PUT A BIRD ON IT...haha...

(Elsa use to have an adorable store on Hawthorne Blvd in Portland. Now she is a mommy and runs her dishware boutique from home...bonjour Elsa.)

images: (top) I believe this image is a detail from the Charles and Ray Eames film, Powers of Ten. 2. Eames Bird sold by Vitra.  (bottom) ELSA + SAM: 1. Circa ceramics bowl,  2. Fine Little Day Cheeseboard “OK”  3. Wren old-fashioned glasses.

Why not a BURRO?...

hats..hats..hats...happy Friday! 


a little Isabella Blow...I like saying Cirkör...a Chaplin inspired collection...Bourgeois on my mind...why not a burro(donkey)?...I want a colorful crown...clownish hair: pink or white?...
  
for more pics check out: Hat.Sombrero.Chapeau Part 1.

IMAGES: a. Isabella Blow (source unknown)   b. Louise Bjurholm, a Cirkus Cirkör performer   c. John Galliano: Spring 2011 Menswear Collection  d.  French artist, Louise Bourgeois in a 1997 Helmut Lang ad.  e. Vivienne Westwood: Gold Label, AUTUMN-WINTER 2010/11   f. Catherine Deneuve in the 1970 French film "Peau d'âne" (Once Upon a Time and The Magic Donkey.)   g.  Vivienne Westwood: Gold Label, AUTUMN-WINTER 2010/11  h. Photograph by Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello...client unknown  i. Tim Walker: Vogue UK March 2010.

headless creatures...

Fredrik Färg blows me away once again.  
His limited collection Succession will be on display in Stockholm's upcoming Design Week exhibition, 20 Designers at Biologiska. He is truly a Swedish delight...I would love to meet him one day. His RE:COVER collection was polished yet these pieces are too hysterically dandy and delicious...


STOCKHOLM DESIGN WEEK: Feb. 7-13, 2011
Exhibit: 20 Designers at Biologiska
WHERE: Biologiska Museet, Djurgården, Sweden.
Curated by: Fredrik Färg, Emma Marga Blanche and Hanna Nova Beatrice
Open days: 10 FEBRUARY 12:00-20:00, 11 FEBRUARY 12:00-20:00, 12 FEBRUARY 10:00-15:00


images courtesy of Fredrik Färg

where are the tiny people?

Thank you Mr. Sunshine for a beautiful Montréal day. It almost seems like yesterday's squall of piercing snow never happened. I am ready for Spring, aren't you? Before going to bed last night, I checked my gmail.  I opened my weekly update from Pinterest and under the category, boards you might enjoy, I spotted a thumbnail of a tiny house from the ETSY shop, The Oak Leaves...and well...hence this post. The seller is Christina from Fredericksburg, Virginia. I hope she doesn't mind but I just have to share with you a portion of her profile...she writes, 


my name is christina.

i am 26 years old. 

im married to stephen. 

we have three cats and a dog. 

in our little house. 

where i attempt to be an artist. sometimes.


I admire everything about this shop. From the profile, to the care she takes in describing every item she sells, to the whimsical pictures...the Martinelli's apple juice jar, the egg shells...to the specially selected toys...I am beyond delighted.  The tiny houses are perfect for those terrarium projects...all they need is tiny people...lumberjacks, school children, milkmaids...more ideas HERE.

from the top: 1)Apple Terrarium No.103 (sold)   2) Terrarium Accent, City No.3 (sold)   3) Shelf City No.233   4)Shelf City Rowhouses No.1 (sold)   5)Foothill 1(sold)   6)Terrarium No.36 (sold) 7)Terrarium No. 56 (sold)   9)Shelf City   10)Colonial Home NO.25 (sold) 

our candy store...

This past weekend Mark and I went to our favorite neighborhood store, Centre de rénovation St-Patrick.  It is associated with the Canadian chain, Rona (FYI: Rona is like a smaller version of Home Depot) but this particular shop is no ordinary candy store.  The service, the unique merchandise, the knowledgeable staff...it is all exemplary...well its my opinion.  The Lanouette family also runs the Quincaillerie Notre-Dame de St-Henri.  (I recommend the basement level at this location.) 
NOTE:  I have witnessed customers behave extremely rude to the staff...to those of you who do not speak French, please be patient and remember that a brash attitude will get you nowhere.  
The pictures above show the Renovation Centre's lumberyard...super fun.
We purchased 2 beautiful long pieces of pine for a table project.  I will post pictures of the our studio-table sometime next week. 

Water leaks are no fun...

We had a water leak in our newly renovated home yesterday...ahhhhhhhhhh.  We sliced our new citron painted kitchen ceiling in vain, the leak source was not found...ahhhhh. We eventually found the dripping connection...somewhere else.  It was a mechanical pipe joint malfunction....or something like that. Even though it was a very annoying day, I am thrilled that my man lived his Gordon Matta Clark moment. 
More renovation pics here if you are interested. I will be adding more soon.


Pictures:  (left) Gordon Matta Clark, Splitting 1974. (right) my man

Little White Lies...

Do any of you subscribe to this independent "movie" magazine from the UK, Little White Lies?  
I stumbled upon their YouTube video this morning and have been going through their website for a few hours now.  I am hooked.  Another amazing creation from the British...hmm.  The craft put into each issue is admirable.  Check out their FREE digital copies HERE.


prublished by: THE CHURCH OF LONDON, fascinating company.


A few of my favorite covers...