The Last Sitting

A little while ago I wrote about the exciting Stanley Kubrick exhibit at LACMA (still showing until June!).  I am planning on going again.  There is just so much to see and I get so involved with every detail (obsessively so), that I really need to take at least three, maybe four hours of my day to enjoy the show.  Honestly, I could spend all day there!  Another exhibit I am dying to see is Robert Mapplethorpe's.  That is going on until March 24th!

I loved those Bert Stern images for Lolita, and I cannot wait to see them up close again.  One thing I touched upon are his photographs of Marilyn Monroe entitled, The Last Sitting.  It saddens me that Stern would then recreate these beautiful and timeless images for another "troubled" actress (she will remain nameless).  To me, Marilyn had much more depth to her character.  She was found dead six weeks after these images were taken.  As a child, I remember seeing some of these photographs in my mom's copy of Norman Mailer's biography entitled Marilyn. Now it sits on my shelf along with the Andre De Dienes book about her as well. Some of the most beautiful images of her that I've ever seen.  She has always fascinated me, since early on.  All this portrait work is really inspiring me to continue my series and take it to new and exciting territories.  More on that later.

your friend,

ava

Hidden Treasure

From The Pictorial Guide To Sexual Intercourse

  

"The sexual consciousness and the teaching of sex techniques to adults are...the bridge into the 21st century."

Alfred C. Kinsey

Jeaux stumbled upon this amazing book on sex in his parent's garage. We didn't bother to ask any questions.

I recommend a good peek inside.  "The Wheel Barrow" seems a bit too uncomfortable, though not impossible (use the power of imagination).   The pictures may seem tame now, but this book was published in 1969. I was really excited to see these images, but not for the obvious reasons.  I was more fascinated about the kind of lighting that was used and that 70's soft focus glow. I truly believe the kissing image above is quite beautiful.  When you click on the link above, it leads to a really fun review by Julia Rothman, from the site Book By Its Cover.  She received this treasure for her bachelorette party. It's really cool to know I'm not the only one who thinks this is an amazing find. Thanks Julia! 


By the way, I just discovered Julia's site and it looks really interesting. It's all about art related publications!  If I had some extra cash, I'd throw down for a couple of coffee table books. In the mean time, maybe I'll just check out her website and make a wish list. 


Here's to curling up with a good, good book!  Oh yeah. 




your friend,


ava