Video / Maya Deren
In recent years, Maya Deren is probably the artist who has influenced what I do the most and two DVDs — Experimental Films (above) and In the Mirror of Maya Deren — are the best window you can find into her world. Experimental Films is a collected body of work while In The Mirror is a great documentary on her life and art. She transfuses film with dance and myth to create a personal vision of poetry on film. She focuses on all the elements of film — light and shadow, rhythm of editing, and the architecture of the frame, to create a choreography of film which includes the camera as a dynamic element to lay out a mythological groundwork, the focus of the inner reality turned outward. Her films make me froth at the mouth.
Also by ORVAR - MUM
Julian Cope’s book Japrocksampler gives you a strangely clairvoyant view into Japanese rock n’ roll, something that had before remained a puzzling enigma to me. Reading this book made me envious of Julian Cope for having had to do all this research — it sounds like taking a bath in sweet wasabi. The book reads like cross between a fascinating history tome and a crazy story some drunk tells you in a bar. [see also Laura Veir's favorite book, The Motel Life]
My parents gave me the Madame Bolduc 3-disc set L’Anthologie for Christmas after having heard her singing by chance in a record shop in Canada. The many photos on the cover of a classy, strong lady are of Mary Roseanna Travers, or la Bolduc, who is considered to be Quebec’s first singer-songwriter. It’s hard to put your finger on this music, it has a rootsy American folk feel to it, it may be even slightly Irish, but it comes with beautiful French vocals and jaunty accordion playing. It makes me happy. [see also singer-songwriter Regina Spektor]
Magnus Mills’ Explorers of the New Century
I bought this book because of it’s cover featuring bearded adventurers on the icy polar caps waving their arms in fright. And I got what I asked for in multiples. It’s a windy novel, a classic adventure tale, with an undercurrent of black humor that morphs into a surreal ethically twisted fairytale. I can’t say too much, but I am happy to be able to judge a book by it’s cover, at least once in a while. [read also Toby Nathaniel's take on A Song Of Ice and Fire]
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If I was a fashion photographer instead of an illustrator, I would probably be Maki Kawakita, or at least be like her. Read more
Man, I remember shaking my tail to Come on Eileen many moons ago — when rat-tails were a right of passage and Molly Ringwald held both the lock and the key to my tiny pitter pattering heart. Back then it was all ice-skating and fairy floss; skateboards and trading cards. It was bags of chips by the rusty school fence and sunburnt faces on crackling summer days. It was Pepsi and Milo; showbags at the Easter show; and games of Twister by the electric heater. And all the while a soundtrack of pure musical and lyrical indulgence played on and on and on. Mighty props to the 80s. If it weren’t for the misdemeanors and feeing of unbridled potential that pervaded that decade like a bad New Romantic haircut, then every year since wouldn’t have made any sense at all.
Listen to Nouvelle Vague’s version of Come on Eileen.
Andrea Innocent’s work is heavily influenced by Japanese art and culture. Themes range from investigations into the cult of Otaku, to traditional Japanese folk tales and textiles. Read more
With her collection of Skinover gloves, Rotterdam-based artist and sculptor Silvia B has taken a somewhat natural approach to the task of keeping hands warm — warts and all.
Oh man! To be young enough to bop, groove and scratch like these kids. For Japanese superstars DJ Sara (8 years old) and DJ Ryusei (5 years old), there’s no such thing as tomorrow. Read more
DJ Spooky — That Subliminal Kid — is just about the deepest crate digger around, trawling the barrels of long-lost record stores for choice vinyl to spin in his wickedly dubby sets. He gave us the inside word last week on his eight favourite songs right now via our sister website, My Secret Playlist. This is what he had to say about Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Panic in Babylon: ‘If there’s anything that the twenty-first century has told us, it’s that dub is the real original hip-hop. Lee Scratch even had to make it clear in 1965 by adding “Scratch” to his middle name. Take that, Grandmaster Flash!’ Read the rest of DJ Spooky’s Secret Playlist.
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Barack sweats it out on Election Night
While the rest of the world spent election night biting fingernails whilst glued to the TV set, it’s kinda nice to know that President Elect, Barack Obama, was doing exactly the same thing, as these wonderfully low-key insider snaps from David Katz reveals. Read more
These stylish hoops of bronze have a profound effect on me. I’m seriously left singing If I Were A Boy Beyonce-style whenever I see them. Made by Stannard Inc, William the Brave bronze rings are stunning and the raw look exudes an air of individuality. But the cool thing is that you can actually get away with wearing them if you’re a chick, too. They’re made uni-sex in various sizes.
Florida-based artist, Andy Espinoza, studies at the Ringling College of Art and Design, majoring in Illustration. His paintings are beautifully conceptualised, rich in narrative and technically impressive. Of his work, he says: ‘I see each human figure as a unique challenge. I am coaxed to find the unique relationship between the shapes and tones that give the particular subject its subtle appeal and unrepeatable vitality. My paintings are not photographic representations of my subjects, but rather are my elaboration of what I find to be of value in them’. Read more
I like Roots Manuva because he tells stories. I know that sounds simplistic, but honestly, have you noticed how rappers, certainly American rappers, have stopped narrating their lives and are purely focused on how great they are? I know, I know, hip-hop is all about word play, slang, and blah blah blah. Read more
Christine Callahan’s colourful photography
There is magic in these photographs by New York photographer, Christine Callahan. The vibrant colors and the beauty in the everyday give me the feeling that everything is going to be just fine. Read more
We have a stack of CDs and DVDs to give away to a lucky new subscriber who signs up to receive our free weekly email publication between now and New Year’s Day. There’s 50 new CDs in the pile, along with a handful of DVDs. So sign up now and leave a message here telling us what album you hope will be in the pile!
Australian fashion label Das Monk is my new favourite t-shirt label and this shirt is more comfortable to wear that a thousand pairs of Ozone socks. Super soft 100% cotton. Grab one now from the Lost At E Minor store for $35. Read more
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