Lars von Trier’s Melancholia is a visually spectacular film and the most enjoyable I can remember seeing in ages. Lead by Kirstin Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg, two greats, it is an emotionally stunning and entirely capturing story of the distruction of Earth which begins on the evening of a lavish and enchanted wedding in the countryside. Securing the film with performances as the husbands to the pair of sisters are Alexander Skarsgård and Kiefer Sutherland. Enjoy the stills.
I have memories being mesmerized by a slightly haunting and bizarre production of CATS recorded to VHS that I occasionally watched as a child. Last week I saw a live Broadway performance of T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. My childhood instincts proved to be quite keen in interpreting the concept musical scored by Andrew Loyd Webber. The gathering of cats each perform at the annual Jellicle Ball, making their case to the group elder as to why they should be chosen to “Journey to the Heaviside Layer,” where they will be reborn.
Most are left slightly baffled as to whether the work has undertones rooted in Christianity or was simply inspired by a long night on the opium pipe (perhaps near a junk yard). I say a bit of both and found great pleasure in the delightful feline costumes and wild acrobatics. The catchy tunes are the show’s greatest treat. Opening in London’s West End two years before I was born, CATS is one on the longest running and most acclaimed musicals. Eccentric bodies of work are right up my alley so it made for a brilliantly entertaining evening, a true treasure of our times.
Please enjoy a performance by the cat Rum Tum Tugger (he does not win the coveted spot).
To the girl who will forever have the biggest eyes, biggest smile and biggest heart— Happy Birthday!
“People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.”
Iris Murdoch, author and philosopher
photograph Ida Kar
Cheers to Damien Hirst, a website is born.
From my favorite Butterfly Series:
Untitled, 2001
photograph Gareth Winters
Mario Testino’s living room in his Hollywood Hills home.
photograph Vogue
Artist Rita Akermann wearing designer Kai Kuhne.
photograph unknown
