Wonderland Art in Los Angeles

Wonderland Gallery is Kat Von D's latest venture, which she opened in 2010 right next door to the LA Ink space. For those of you who don't know who Kat is - she is an incredible tattoo artist and has become quite a celebrity. Watching some of the LA Ink TV show will give you a better feel for her presence than any words or slick, airbrushed photographs can portray. Adept at realistic rendering, Kat's portraits on flesh are excellent as well as her design sense - she can merge a new image within previous tattoos very gracefully and cleanly. She has a very engaging way about her, a friendly and warm manner, enthusiastic about great art, fashion and music. She is very young to have so much success and the shallow pressures of the cosmetic Hollywood image are taking their toll on her. I hope she can rise about it all and concentrate on what really matters in life, retaining the attitude and integrity that made her unique, a kick-ass woman in a tattoo art world previously dominated by men. 

Tattoo by Kat Von D

Tattoo by Kat Von D

Tattoo by Kat Von D

Tattoo by Kat Von D

"Lady Kat Von D" by Patrushka

The current exhibit at Wonderland is Kevin Llewellyn's - "The Unsaid", which Eclectix previously posted about (link here.) This excellent exhibit has been up for a very, very long time and there doesn't seem to be any news on their site about future shows. Disappointing, as I have been secretly cheering Kat on - to kick some newbrow ass into the LA art world.  The exterior has great circus-like signage (top foto) which looks like it came from an old amusement park, right out of the neon boneyard. The gallery itself is a nice space, decorated in Victorian-vintage-Goth-salon style. Beautiful and lush antique furnishings with incredible frames on all Kevin's  art. A small shop area in the front contains a solid selection of art books, fierce glittering platform heels, taxidermy relics and other one-of-a-kind accessories for the tragically hip.  

The whole ambiance of the space was right up my alley - lots of red and black, velvets, carved gold and interesting, creepy fringe items. We had 4-5 questions about the art and merchandise while we visited - sadly, none of the employees could answer any of them and didn't offer to refer us to someone who could. Wonderland obviously has a creative and imaginative vision behind it, the window displays were a funky and surreal treat and the overall experience was chock full of arty inspiration. Just one last question- Kat, when and what is the next show?

Window display, Wonderland Gallery

Window display, Wonderland Gallery
We ducked into LA Ink next door to check out all the fantastic art on their walls. A veritable gallery itself, the folks were nice enough to let us wander around the tattoo area to eyeball the abundant imagery, lots of great originals by some of our favorite artists. Really loved the "The Four Agreements" text (bottom image) that was gorgeously framed on the wall - wonderfully perfect words to live by!

Victorian Meets Peep Show, The Collages of Vahge

New York based artist Vahge creates wondrous collages, most with more than a touch of Victoriana-meets-modern-girl. Other influences invade with hints of girly magazines, steampunk, anthropomorphic critters, fashion hazards  and skeletal elements. They almost feel like historical documents,  tattered and worn snapshot tapestries. With delicate yet strong imagery, they are wise and sullen ladies who dare. Her work is all cut and paste, old style. Unlike most newer digital works, the tactile collage feel survives, popping the edges through-out her imagery.

“Vahge celebrates oddity with elegance.”

Some images cropped to show detail.

Vahge's website - LINK

Originally published in Eclectix, May 2011 with the "Paper & Art" Issue, Volume 7

Paper Fashion, Nakao's Runway Art Attacks

Brazilian based Jum Nakao makes incredible dresses out of vegetable paper (papyrus or parchment.) They are light, lovely and delicate fashions that contrast well with the dark, robot-like, hard edged models. 

From Jum- “A term used by John Calvin: “The precise use of the vague” - which allows the reading of a more playful universe.”

He creates artistic events or happenings along with his shows. At the end of one - Desfile, the models tear the dresses off themselves, destroying them while the audience gasps in horror - LINK. In another, rats slowly tear and feed upon the dresses LINK.

“That is why we destroy everything, to show that there is something more important, something much more lasting than what people see and value at first sight.”

For an interview and overlook at some of his work - PingMag LINK And a backstage look at Jum setting up a show - LINK

Pulp Fashion Exhibit at the Legion of Honor

The current exhibit "Pulp Fashion" at S.F.'s Legion of Honor is beautifully executed and laid out. All the costumes are created out of paper by the artist Isabelle de Borchgrave and her minions. For info and more photos of the garments, as well as some of Isabelle working, click here.
Isabelle hand-makes the paper, manipulates the pulp, stretching, crinkling and puckering. And then she tears, sews, wrinkles, folds and pleats. If you look closely you can even find the inner structures of cardboard boxes - as in one of the intricate lace collars. Spotted some shredded packing materials in there as well. Multitudes of textures abound- delicate rice papers for gauze veils and petticoats, shiny satin-like papers and matte hued thicker papers. She paints detailed patterns and backgrounds, paying historical homage to the likes of the Medici family, Coco Chanel and Marie-Antoinette. From buttons to bows, beads to lace, corsets to belts (even the coolest little Aladdin-like slippers) no detail was left out. Many of the mannequins were also layered in paper bringing a tactile uniformity to the displays. Every outfit is an incredible assemblage, really makes one wonder just how many hours it took to complete this huge collection.

Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave, 
February 5, 2011 - June 5, 2011

Best Dressed at the Grammy's 2011, The Artistic Ones

Foto: Pumpsicle

It's been awhile since a fashion-related post and there is nothing like a new dress from Jean-Paul Gaultier to get me going. After looking at all the boring "best dressed" picks, I decided Eclectix had to have a say! The look this year (and every year) seems to be the Vegas-hooker-meets-boring-sequins or the cheap-tart-animal-print. Thankfully, there was the streamlined, ruffled and peek-a-boo masterpiece that Rihanna wore. It was just simply a work of art. I would love to have seen Rihanna sport the black hair and cut from Uma in Pulp Fiction with this dress, for some reason the red hair just didn't work that well.
Then to top it off, out she came out in a fantastic Christian Dior dress for her performance with Eminem. Both dresses were and are- wearable art, beautiful breathtaking masterpieces and cutting that needed edge.

Foto: BeautyIsDiverse

Runway fotos

Also sporting some very cute and stylish dresses were Hayley Williams from Paramore and actress Pauley Perrette. Both had a rocker, 1960's kinda' flair, upbeat festive little party dresses, no pretense or sleaze, just fun and pretty.

Hayley Williams, Foto: JustJared
Once again. I would like to have seen a hair color change here for Hayley (above). Just imagine her hair (and lipstick) matching that hot pink neon of her feather skirt!

Just loved the musical embellishments on Pauley's hot lime green. Her hair was done up in a great retro do as well, enhancing that elfish expression in a sweet n' sassy way.


Other Grammy Notes:
The Lady Gaga egg was fun but her "new" song was so much like Madonna's "Express Yourself"  that I was very disappointed. Was so looking forward to a great NEW song by the GaGa. Congrats to Eminem for the well deserved win on his Recovery album, just please, stop the silly sagging already! And we know you have a great vocabulary, just use it more! Trash some of those over-abused cuss words and step it up a notch.

Foto Fix: Beheaded by Phil Poynter

From Phil comes a fun digital work of a cool, calm and collected model beheading herself. His site is mostly fashion photography, the coolest series being his Vogue Italia Flea Market. Wish there were more like this one... maybe there are, somewhere?

His site 

Jonesin' For Jean Paul Gaultier's Torso

Blazing my way thru Bloomingdale's (to get to the Westfield mall) the other day and was side swiped by the perfume display out of the corner of my eye. Usually I book it thru fast because I have a very sensitive sense of smell and most the garbage they sell for perfume is just that. Stench of moldy patchouli mixed with bathroom deodorizer.

Yet, here were the most awesome little torso bottles, just sittting there all pretty. So Madonna inspired, headless and wonderful to just look at. Already my brain was racing as to how great they would look in a window all lined up in their various colors, designs and editions. Too bad the smell was not something I liked. If they had been lemon, jasmine or authentic plumeria, then maybe...

Of course when I looked at the bottle's label, it was the grand master of fashion himself, Jean Paul Gaultier. He is one of my fave fashion designers of all time. Just chock full of outlandish artsy designs and cool looks, full of originality and extremes. So easy to appreciate on just a visual level, even if you aren't dying to trip around in those 15 inch heels. Or bare your bum to the world at large. Can't miss the opportunity to revisit some old Gautier and share some new (Lady Gaga following in Madonna's footsteps).