Music vs Style -- A Killer Combination

Anne and Nancy Wilson of Heart

Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie & The Banshees 

If there ever was a match made in creative heaven it is the existential marriage that exists with music and fashion. This union is undeniable because you're dealing with two very strong creative "minds" who are both rooted in image (and movement).

The Annenberg Space for Photography

The perfectly curated exhibition on view now (which has been extend until October 21, 2012) at The Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City entitled "Who Shot Rock & Roll", takes us on a journey through musical history and its co-habitual friend "image", as seen and captured by the top photographers who have been called upon by the music industry to not only document by to image-make and expose the personal side of our favorite musical icons.

Beginning with Elvis Presley, who changed the music business by knowingly exposing the "other side" and giving a "face" to rock and roll and turning a whole new generation on to the swing and sway of not only the music but of their own personal expression (via music, and style), he did  this expertly so by enticing us through the photographic and moving image, and in one sweeping move, turning viewers into fanatics. Yet he wasn't the only one to do so; many many others followed suit and today, music and image are synonymous with each other (just like fashion and image are as well) and the most lasting and indelible music acts are those who have embraced this combination to its hilt and have left us with equally indelible impressions through the image of music.

Tina Turner

The Rolling Stones

The Police

The exhibits moves you through these ideas and more, from the image factory itself to artistic collaborations between photographer and music artist [Anton Corbijn and U2's music videos featurette, Grace Jones and Jean Paul Goude's composites of the fantastic "Island Life" album cover, or Maripol and Madonna's complete image package (fashion styling and costuming) from her early 80s oeuvre for example], to the viewpoint of the fans (an interestingly casual and emotional section, I thought), to the culmination of the exhibit, an engaging 12 minute documentary produced exclusively for the Annenberg.

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"Who Shot Rock & Roll: The Film" teaser trailer (via Annenberg Space/YouTube)


Who doesn't remember perusing the record store and looking at the album cover and letting that bold, frontal image coerce you into buying the record and going on an aural journey (or in today's modern speak, doing the same thing by looking at the thumbnails of covers on Amazon or iTunes) and getting just that much closer into the mind of the recording artist? Or seeing a music video or concert film, movement and sound and image all rolled into one, and being taken on a truly visual journey?
A thoroughly enjoyable and definite don't-miss, go check out "Who Shot Rock & Roll" at the Annenberg before it closes on October 21, 2012, and as always, rock on!!

-fggofstyle
(all photos taken by me from images displayed in the center's courtyard/exterior)

**Mark Seliger, chief photographer for Rolling Stone magazine (1992-2002) and whose work is  featured in the show will be speaking at the final live lecture series in conjunction with the exhibition on Thursday Oct 18, 2012. 
For more information please visit the link below.




RELATED LINKS

Exhibitions: "Who Shot Rock & Roll" | The Annenberg Space for Photography

Strike The Ultimate Pose

On the afternoon of March 20, 1990, I secretly skipped sixth period to go to my best friends house and witness the world premiere of the most anticipated music video to air on MTV that season (and, well for the rest of that decade). Little did I know then that this music video would become an iconic event for me and would shape my future in its delicate way. It revealed to me that art, in its infinitely vast shape, could come together and create an entirely new depth of form to its newest art form (then, music videos) and bridge the past through homage, shape the future through imitation, and bring to the masses a long-thriving underground gay dance culture.
That day my ears danced to the progressive beat, my body moved to the rhythm, my eyes devoured the imagery, and my heart was touched. To this day, that song and especially that music video, continues to move me in joyful ways and it has been such a delight to watch its evolution through the myriad of numerous performances over the years. Back in 1990 I was witnessing the beginning of the next best thing, I was witnessing the moment something becomes a classic, an icon, and comes to an apex from which it has never come down from.
In honour of not only that moment but to the person who created this wonderful piece of art on the day they came into creation, I will share with you what has become my real piece of joy, and, for me strikes with the ultimate in style. And like a call to the sea, let's heed the words and follow suit: "strike a pose, there's nothing to it...", I give you "Vogue":



  Madonna, "Vogue" directed by David Fincher



Madonna as Marie Antionette performing "Vogue" at the MTV Video Music Awards, 1990



"Vogue" from the Blond Ambition Tour 1990 Nice, France; wearing costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier


from the Girlie Show 1993 Sydney, Australia; wearing costumes designed by Dolce & Gabanna

from the Re-Invention Tour 2004/film "I'm Going To Tell You a Secret" directed by Jonas Akerlund; wearing costumes designed by Arianne Phillips and corset by Christian Lacroix


from the Sticky & Sweet Tour 2009; wearing costumes designed by Ricardo Tischi for Givenchy and Arianne Phillips



from the Super Bowl Halftime Show January 2012 ("Music" performed with LMFAO); wearing costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier


from the MDNA Tour 2012 Milan, Italy (followed by "Candy Shop"); wearing costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier

The classic endures and thrives on. And may you continue to do the same, Madonna. Happy Birthday and may you forever be in Vogue.

-fggofstyle

(all videos via YouTube and are in the public domain)

"Beauty Culture": A Photographic Exhibition

"Christy Turlington" by Albert Watson, as seen in the Annenberg's "Beauty Culture" exhibition
(photo via www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org)

I recently had the pleasure of viewing the Annenberg Space for Photography's latest and extremely riveting exhibition, "Beauty Culture", an interesting look at photography's role in shaping our myths and notions of beauty. Showing various and diverse viewpoints on the subject, and showcasing some of fashion's and beauty's most famous photographers and their iconic images of the celebrities, models, and campaigns we have come to love, this exhibit is definitely not one to miss. There are over 170 photographs, along with a documentary film featuring some well-known figures in the industry, and an interactive section in which you yourself can alter your own idea of beauty. Thursday evenings are Lecture Series nights, with many featured photographers and industry professionals bringing the series to life with commentary and insight on the art of photography, fashion, beauty, and the like. And if you need further convincing, the exhibit is worth it for the "Model Wall" and the side-by-side Herb Ritts/Leonard Nimoy "Supermodels of the 90s" photos alone!

Click here for more information and location details for the Annenberg in Century City: Welcome to The Annenberg Space for Photography, and Beauty's Sharp Edges for various images from the exhibit.
Go and enjoy this great exhibit before it closes.

-fggofstyle

"Brothers of Arcadia"--a short film presented by Mugler Menswear

Nicola Formichetti brings his bad-ass-ness back and this time its for the guys. Combining myth, legend, and lore and titillating imagery, Mugler Menswear brings us "Brothers of Arcadia" a provocative conceptualization for Spring 2012. Formichetti says about the film:

 “I was interested in the idea of fantasy, dreams and voyeurism. I was looking at Italian Neo-Realist cinema and then, post-that, where Fellini and Pasolini become more about myth and fantasy. At the same time, I loved the idea and accessibility of pornography and everyday voyeurism on Xtube. Fashion is always referencing pornography, so there was an element in doing this film of just ‘cutting out the middleman,’ but it is an erotic fashion film nonetheless.”


Call it what you will--guerilla marketing or digital art or cinema sexualite--one thing is for sure, you have our attention Mr. Formichetti. The film, to me, is a moving and lyrical fashion ballet of sorts, moving its way from classic beauty to our new hyper-ideal of it. Its varied references of "Caligula", Madonna's art book "Sex", vintage homoerotica, and 1990's underground/downtown/club fantasy world all come together in an interesting and definitely provocative way. It pushes an envelope without losing the focus on its focus: Mugler Menswear (albeit without showing much of the collection itself). Instead, the ideals and essence of the collection is showcased. And its not really about sex, its about the sensuality of style, in my opinion. See for yourself and enjoy.
-fggofstyle


"Brothers of Arcadia", a film by Branislav Jankic presented by Nicola Formichetti/Mugler Menswear
(video via New York Magazine)

Related articles

• Mugler | Paris Menswear Spring/Summer 2012 (modedimitri.wordpress.com)

MOCA presents "Rodarte: States of Matter"

Rodarte: States of Matter from MOCA on Vimeo.

Recently, M and I explored the first art presentation of fashion and costume designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy, also known as Rodarte, at MOCA Pacific Design Center. This video perfectly captures the exhibit, which is very impressive for its small/large scope and for the up-close details you get to experience in Rodarte's fantastic and intricate design work. Definitely not a show to miss if you are in Los Angeles and a purveyor of design, fashion, and art. And what better way than to witness fashion as art, for what it really is, through the focused and genius eyes of Rodarte.
Enjoy!

-fggofstyle