Lolita

My favorite thing at the Kubrick exhibit (at LACMA until June!), were these sun kissed, Bert Stern images from Lolita.  I still haven't seen Lolita, and I've never read the novel, but I know that it is about a man's obsession and love for a young girl (controversy).  Kubrick is one of my all time favorite directors and a visual master.  Love that he started out as a photographer.  It makes so much sense now.  Bert Stern shot these photographs of young Sue Lyon for Look Magazine. The original slide film is so vibrant and rich with warm color.  These images I found online, so you will just have to pretend they are brighter.

As for Bert Stern, while searching online I found this.  I guess they made a documentary about him which I would be really interested in seeing.  His Last Sitting with Marilyn Monroe are some of my most favorite photographs of her, ever. 

your friend,

ava

The Shining

I am obsessed with Shelley Duvall's yellow jacket and moccasins

LINK

LINK

  This just means that I am excited for Halloween and fall clothing.  I wonder if I can find a southwestern pattern similar to this one?   

  Just FYI, try not to fall asleep while watching The Shining.  You may wake up the same way Wendy Torrance wakes up; to a disturbed child shrieking, "REDRUM!  REDRUM!!"  ***shudder***

  The colors and patterns in this film are visual candy.  Kubrick was a master.

L O O K

Behind the scene continuity polaroid
LINK

um...

your friend,

ava

  

Happy Monday!

Look at this image of Lucille Ball!

source

your friend,

ava

The Art of Pretending

  I've been thinking about transformation a lot.  Transforming into an entirely different person, maybe. For instance, what would it be like to be someone else, have someone else's life?  Or better yet, how can one achieve the best "self" they can be?  I take inspiration in a lot of images I find, and have been drawn to old glamour and style.  Growing up watching I Love Lucy, I loved when she would put on costumes as a part of her many schemes to get into show business. I also watched a lot of Hitchcock films in my teens.  I love the idea of transformation.  Transforming from a girl, into a woman.  A worm into a butterfly or moth.  Having a crush, and then falling in love.  Transformation. Changes. 

  I'm working on the idea of an art project where I transform into one of my favorite musicians (more on that later).  Cindy Sherman film stills come to mind, as do these images by Richard Avedon.  Back in 1957 he took portraits of this beautiful woman, portraying various sex symbols in Hollywood history.   Can you guess who??

Jean Harlow

Theda Bara

Clara Bow

Lilian Russell

Marlene Dietrich

  

 Here is a little web article I found about the project with Avedon.  

 Speaking of pretending, I'll be at Comicon, San Diego all day this Sunday.  It will be my first time, and I am going as....wait for it......myself!  Stay tuned for photos from that weekend.  It's going to be scary/crazy/fun?  We will see. 

your friend,

ava