Kaws: What Party! Street art sculptures exhibit at Brooklyn Museum. Fotografiska New York, Tom of Finland photos.
Party on, Kaws! Very glad I took a leap and went to NYC last summer. Travel is increasingly difficult to plan these days…
I spent my time in New York outdoors and at museums (I’m playing it safe, and keeping masked and distanced). One of my favorite memories: seeing the pop-perfect street art exhibit “Kaws: What Party” at Brooklyn Museum.
You may recognize Kaws’ skull-headed and X-eyed Companion: the cute character features prominently in his artwork and merchandise. In this 2021 exhibition, his newest figures have distraught poses and emotions, which reflect our era of disease and collapse.
Read on for my review of Kaws: What Party, as well as a tour of the Fotografiska NY, which has become one of my favorite museums in Manhattan.
Outfit credits: Botanic mini-dress by For Love and Lemons, shoes Anthony Wang,
The Brooklyn Museum greeted me with a “Yo”! It’s easy to arrive by subway from Manhattan; the museum is at the corner of Prospect Park, near the Botanic Gardens. Look for an enormous Beaux-Arts building built in 1895, which holds 1.5 million works of art.
(PS: You can find my sunglasses and other clothing from my wardrobe for sale, on my @lacarmina Depop shop.)
The Brooklyn Museum contains both ancient and modern works, and has rotating exhibits starring leading contemporary artists — like Kaws. In the lobby, guests are greeted by a giant wood statue of two Companions, posing arm-in-arm. (Masks and timed entry tickets are required.)
(My off-the-shoulders dress is by For Love and Lemons. More dresses from this designer below:)
Also known as Brian Donnelly, Kaws is a Brooklyn-based artist famous for his cheeky twists on cartoon icons and pop culture.
His cute characters include Companion (left), a Mickey Mouse type figure with X-ed out eyes and skull-and-crossbones features. On the right, he also created Chum (a spin on Michelin Man) and BFF (who looks like Sesame Street’s furry Elmo).
The Brooklyn Museum’s enormous galleries were perfect for showcasing Kaws’ bright and bulbous characters. Many spaces seemed set up for Instagram, reflecting the theme of blurred lines between art, consumption and appropriation.
(Photos by Joey Wong)
Kaws: What Party includes the artist’s works in all sizes and media, including life-sized sculptures, from the 1990s to today. Here is Gone Companion Grey, carrying BFF Pink.
Kaws’ cute yet subversive characters are (not surprisingly) immensely popular in Japan and Hong Kong, where they feature in a variety of vinyl figures, fashion, and other collectibles.
Kaws decapitates The Simpsons, mixes up the XX-eyed heads and seats them back on their iconic couch. Fine art, mass culture, or a bit of both?
He puts similar spins on The Smurfs, Peanuts, SpongeBob, Star Wars, Pinocchio, Astroboy, and Sesame Street.
Kaws works with bright flat colors and simple shapes, which are unexpectedly resonant. Pretty much anyone can recognize these Simpsons characters from the top of their heads alone. (I added my long purple hair to the mix.)
Kaws (Brian Donnelly) produced poignant new works for his What Party retrospective at Brooklyn Museum. The crying “Separated” statue reflects our days spent in isolation, while “Tide” shows Companion struggling to stay afloat in a dark ocean.
The uncertainty of 2020 inspired “Urge,” which shows Chum with hands all over his face. The 10-canvas piece is colorful and humorous, yet communicates the fear of touching and spreading disease.
It’ll be interesting to see how lockdown and instability will inspire works from a generation of artists, like Kaws.
No hugs or touching. No eyes for him, no mouth for me!
(My Botanic floral embroidered nude dress is For Love and Lemons, see more below:)
Kaws has collaborated on a number of vinyl toys and other collectibles. Quite fitting that his Star Wars figurines are a hit (as the film series has perhaps the most successful merchandising ever). Darth Vader and Stormtroopers get the Companion treatment, with strong attention to detail and textures.
On the left, his Gang sofa is a collaboration with Brazilian artist, Estudio Campana. Many kids grow up sitting on the couch watching Sesame Street, so why not sit on stuffed toys of Ernie, Bert, and more?
On the right, Blue BFF has a wooly texture and looks like Elmo from the children’s show.
Kaws started out as a graffiti artist, tagging his name around Brooklyn and NY. What Party includes some of his earliest works such as manipulated poster ads, as well as pencil sketches of his kawaii characters.
Kaws is sometimes described as a pop artist. Is this a snap from the museum’s art exhibition, or the gift store catalog? And is there a difference?
The “Flayed Open Companion” comments on whether there is anything substantial beneath the glossy surface. (Looks like there are some guts and sinew involved.)
Snoopy and other Peanuts characters get deconstructed. Uniqlo released a popular clothing and plush toys line with Kaws, which again breaks apart the hierarches of art and commerce.
The pink entryway matched my Botanic Strapless Dress in Nude Floral dress, by For Love and Lemons. More designs below:
Although I was glad to travel again, there remain so many fears and ups-and-downs, with no end in sight. Kaws’ sculptures reflect the zeitgeist; quite a few are slouched or bawling.
The Michelin-esque Chum is usually depicted running, or in poses that convey energy.
Now, the party is over. Chum is bright red and bows his head in a stoic posture, reflecting the disillusionment and stand-still of our times.
I particularly loved Kaws’ Godzilla-sized works. The exhibit included video of a 121-foot-long inflatable Companion, who floated on his back through Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour in 2019.
When Mickey Mouse faces disarmament… This one is called “The Nature of Need.” (Kaws once worked as a cartoon background illustrator for shows like Daria and Doug.)
The Kaws show has now closed, but there are other exciting exhibits on the horizon at Brooklyn Museum.
In addition to contemporary art, you can easily spend a day here seeing African, Asian, Islamic, classical and other works from various centuries.
Many Kaws vinyls have become rare collectibles. Above are concept drawings, and a Holiday Space silver figure.
Kaws scaled new heights by sending an astronaut Companion to space (well, the stratosphere) in a sounding balloon. I can’t wait to see what he does next.
Follow me to Brooklyn Museum for encounters with art that will leave you feeling inspired.
(The bright yellow Oy/Yo sculpture by artist Deborah Kass stands at the entrance, and is oh-so NY.)
And now… follow me to the Fotografiska NYC, one of best photography museums on the planet. The ever-changing installations focus on boundary pushing photographers from diverse countries and backgrounds.
I was keen to see “Tom of Finland: The Darkroom” — a collection of portraits that served as reference images for his iconic homoerotic drawings.
During the mid-century, Tom of Finland (aka Touko Laaksonen) risked imprisonment for his art, as homosexuality was considered criminal. He courageously took photos of gay men in uniforms, rubber and fetish gear, staring defiantly at the camera.
Perhaps you’ve seen his racy and highly masculinized drawings, which he had to hide during most of his lifetime.
As the Fotografiska puts it, “Tom’s depictions of queer culture thoroughly challenged contemporary society, and solidified his place as one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century.”
Each floor of the museum highlights a different photographer. This one was dedicated to “Miles Aldridge: Virgin Mary, Supermarkets, Popcorn” — displaying his vivid, cinematic photos from the past 20 years.
Miles is known for his stylized portraits, often with celebrities as the models. He shoots exclusively in film, and is a talented colorist with a knack for bringing out acidic hues.
Miles’ imagery often hints at a sinister underbelly to the flawless facade of domestic bliss.
On each floor of the Fotografiska New York, you’ll discover a photographer with a distinct and thought-provoking point of view. Pixy Liao: Your Gaze Belongs to Me was a personal favorite.
The Chinese artist challenges our ingrained notions of gender and gaze, in a series of self-portraits with her submissive Japanese boyfriend. (This one is called “Start your day with a good breakfast together” — how can you say no to that!)
In the exhibit, Pixy Liao (aka Yijun Liao) shares photos from her ongoing project called “Experimental Relationship.” She stares at the lens, and portrays herself in dominant roles next to her younger male partner. The images are a warm, playful and often surreal subversion of gender expectations.
Pixy Liao’s films are equal parts entertaining and provocative. She created a “breast spray” bottle, inspired by a woman who robbed a store by shooting breastmilk into the cashier’s eyes.
Pixy explains, “When the breast is shooting out milk, it is both feeding and attacking, which are almost opposite behaviors. My boyfriend is enjoying/accepting/enduring the milk coming out.”
In her words: “What will happen if man & woman exchange their roles of sex & roles of power? Because my boyfriend is Japanese, and I am Chinese, this project also describes a love and hate relationship.”
“I am interested in the mundane life, in finding things and making fun of it, liberating it from what it is.” Hail Pixy Liao!
At the Fotografiska NY, even the elevator is an opportunity for expression. The funky wallpaper and seats are an extension of Hassan Hajjaj’s exhibition.
The British-Moroccan photographer Hassan Hajjaj has been called “the Andy Warhol of Marrakesh.” He shoots vibrant portraits in a mash-up of street style, couture, kitsch, and urban culture.
“Vogue: The Arab Issue” features Marrakesh locals wearing traditional Moroccan clothes, but in eccentric patterns and color combinations, along with faux designer label insignia. The result is a joyful celebration of personal expression.
Hassan’s works come to life thanks to the staging, which includes picture frames made from Moroccan canned goods, and an energetic soundtrack.
Each floor’s design captures a different feeling. Adrienne Raquel’s Onyx takes an intimate look at exotic dancers, documenting sisterhood, self-transformation and strength in a world that is typically stigmatized.
The dark lighting and booming dance music makes you feel as if you’re inside Houston’s Club Onyx, where she shot these photos. Raquel’s photos reveal the fantastical glamour of the industry, as well as candid moments with the women both on and off the stage.
Every time I visit the Fotografiska NY, I discover new photographers that leave a powerful impression. If you’d like to see more, check out my article about my 2019 visit to the museum, as well as this review of the Fotografiska in Sweden.
Victory-fingers for art museums in New York. A last look at my outfit that day — wearing Anthony Wang platform sandals, and a dress by For Love and Lemons (click for more below):
PS: My latest travel article has dropped on Fodor’s Travel, with more to come. Read about 15 monuments around the world that hail the sun, including ancient sites in Egypt, Cambodia, Thailand, India, and Mexico that I’ve visited. Thank you for reading!
Finally… if you’re in the mood for a devilish dinner… The Satanic Chef (Adam Dodge Ostrofsky) published an impressive Satanic cookbook called “Devil’s Food!” It’s filled with creative recipes with a dark twist — from Dracula Red Velvet pancakes to long pig ribs. With full color photos, and stories about his work with The Satanic Temple, and more — find the book here.
I’m wearing a fuzzy pastel blue crop top by Fashion Chingu — They have an enormous selection of stylish clothing inspired by Kpop stars and K-idols! I’ll be featuring more of their fab designs soon. (And dreaming of going back to Seoul sooner rather than later…)
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Cordoba, Spain travel tips! Kipkalinka Goth skull rings & fine Gothic jewelry. Mosque-Cathedral, Jardines del Alcazar.
Hello, 2022! I’ve been taking some time offline (I’m currently busy with a major project, which I’ll announce soon). But I promised you more fashion and travel stories from Spain… so let’s go!
First up: an introduction to Kipkalinka Gothic jewelry, and my travel guide to Córdoba. In November 2021, I visited this historic city in Andalusia (south of Spain) and loved everything about it.
Cordoba is only a 45 minute train ride from Seville, making it the perfect day trip. The ancient city of learning is known for its Moorish aesthetics, stately royal gardens, and impressive structures (particularly the Roman bridge, and Mosque-Cathedral).
Elegant Cordoba was the perfect place to debut my skull and bones rings by Kipkalinka! I’ve long adored Christine Kipka’s work, and was thrilled to wear her creations dedicated to dark goddesses and mythical women of power. Her Goth jewelry is exquisitely handcrafted, and edgy yet subtle. As she puts it in her manifesto, “they can help you, a beautifully strange and unusual individual, to sense that you are not alone in your otherness.”
I paired her accessories with this “Wednesday” dress by The Apiologist, a London-based indie Goth fashion label. Fit for a ghost-lady, the design has antique touches such as gathered sleeves and buttons down the front, and an embroidered bee. It’s also made with 100% Lyocell, an eco pulp-made fabric.
Here’s a closeup of my Kipkalinka stack. From top to bottom: Wandika ring in white gold with aquamarine (with a skull on either side of the gorgeous gemstone). Kitsune in London blue topaz (inspired by a fox bone, and the Japanese spirit). Morena tri-skulls (love the expressions!). She works with nickel-free sterling silver, platinum, and gold alloys of at least 14K.
I’m on the rooftop of Torre De Calahorra, a tower built when Cordoba was under Islamic rule. It’s a stellar photography spot, and houses the Museo Vivo de Al-Andalus. (Photos by Joey Wong.)
My Satanic nail art (by Glam Nail Studio in Vancouver, BC) matches the fine blue gemstones of my Kipkalinka rings. Based in Leipzig, Christine Kipka runs her small business with her assistant Jana; both are natural born witches and professionally trained goldsmiths with 25 years of combined experience. Using age-old techniques and noble materials, Kipkalinka creates exceptional jewelry inspired by myth and lore.
In addition to a variety of skull / Gothic rings, Kipkalinka offers handmade earrings, pendants, and necklaces with dark and witchy elements — such as these black onyx and skull dangle earrings.
On her website, she has a customizer that lets you create your dream wedding / engagement set. Christine can customize her rings in a variety of fine metals and gemstones. Since she works directly with every customer, you can be assured that the finished design will be a perfect fit for you.
Furthermore, Kipkalinka is conscious of the impacts of extracting metals from the Earth. She says, “To keep resources in the ground, all precious metal we use are sustainably recycled from old jewelry, and we collect all scrap to return it to a perpetual reuse-circuit.”
Her rings fit like a glove on me, and aren’t bulky or heavy (they won’t catch on your clothes). The detail and quality of her work are incomparable.
Please take a look at Kipkalinka’s site and Etsy to see more of her jewellery. (And keep reading for additional close-ups!)
Speaking of astonishing designs… anyone who visits Córdoba, Spain cannot miss out the Mosque–Cathedral, or Mezquita. Built around 784-786 ACE, the Great Mosque represents the pinnacle of Islamic Umayyad architecture with a minaret, intricate mosaics, and rows of arches.
After the Christian takeover of Andalucía (the Reconquista), the new rulers built a cathedral inside the mosque while retaining most of the original structure. As a result, the Mezquita is a unique fusion of Islamic and Catholic architecture.
The place of worship has changed over the years. These dramatic Gothic choir stalls were crafted out of dark mahogany, in the mid-18th century.
Anyone who wishes to visit Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba must get advance timed tickets through their website.
(Wearing a long Goth dress by The Apiologist, and of course a face mask as required indoors.)
Do look up, at the glorious Renaissance ceilings. The nave and transept are the work of Juan de Ochoa, completed in 1607.
The light from the windows illuminates the mihrab and multifoil arches (the scalloped design found in the Moorish architecture of al-Andalus).
Praying to the Prince of Darkness in my The Apiologist dress, and large gold Eddie Borgo Safety Chain choker necklace. I’m fond of black neoprene face masks, as they don’t smudge my makeup or tug on my ears.
The Mosque-Cathedral’s main altar features a large canvas of the Assumption.
Look closely, and you’ll see some devilish details in the surrounding carvings.
Here’s the episcopal throne that tops the choir, with a life-size representation of the Ascension.
In contrast, the Islamic hypostyle prayer hall has 850 columns with red and white stripes on the arches.
The mix of styles is dazzling, especially with the play of light.
Be sure to plan ahead and reserve tickets, so that you can see the Mosque-Cathedral (aka Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption) in person.
Outside, there is a lovely Court of Oranges lined with the fruit trees. It frames the bell tower, which encases the mosque’s former minaret.
Walk around the historic district of Cordoba, and you’ll come across other eye-catching details — such as this memorial plaque to Cordoba poet Luis de Gongora, and Eastern style doors.
For a view of the city, go up to the terrace of Calahorra tower (Torre de la Calahorra). The Islamic fortress is located at one end of the Roman Bridge.
From this viewpoint, you can see Cordoba’s famous Roman Bridge, which was erected in the early 1st century BCE, and reconstructed over time (the arches have an Arabic feel). A statue of the angel Raphael (San Rafael) guards the passage over the water.
Cordoba’s centuries-old artisanship harmonizes with Kipkalinka’s approach. Jeweler and owner Christine takes up to 50 hours to perfect the prototype for each design. She executes them directly in metal, which allows her to create details (such as the skull faces) in microscopic scale. Then, everything is refined, polished, and filed to perfection.
Above: Wandika, Kitsune, and Morena rings in a stack.
Her graceful, Gothic designs stand out — even at a distance.
A Goth travel tip: visit Cordoba in the colder months, as this is the hottest area of Spain. If I were here in the summer, I wouldn’t be able to go around exploring.
Onward to the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (Castle of the Christian Monarchs), another top Cordoba attraction. The exterior looks like a military fortress, but the interior is a splendid garden that shows a mix of cultural influences.
The Alcazar was one of the primary residences of 15th century Spanish monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The grounds are resplendent with stone statues, fountains, and groves of bitter oranges (which are also seen throughout Sevilla).
Wouldn’t it be nice to be the Queen, and loiter in these magnificent gardens and courtyards all day…
The gardens include this stately Promenade of Kings, with tall hedges and fountains…
… as well as fruit trees, flower gardens, and ponds filled with koi fish.
Alcazar’s four towers include this rectangular one, which has gargoyles in the shape of lions up top.
I could have spent hours in the Gardens of the Alcázar (Jardines del Alcázar) enjoying the sounds of the water, scents of the flowers, and changing light throughout the day.
The sunlight radiated off my Kipkalinka rings. Her jewelry is both classic and edgy, with a touch of the macabre — perfect for anyone with a Gothic disposition.
If you’re inspired and intrigued, check out more of Kipkalinka’s jewellery on her website and Etsy.
Cordoba is an extraordinary destination for anyone who loves art, history and culture. In these increasingly difficult, unpredictable and restrictive times (“The Collapse”), I’m forever thankful for opportunities to safely travel. (I was in Spain in Nov 2021 as part of a press trip, and mainly stayed outdoors / always masked indoors.)
PS: I leave you with a close-up of my Satanic nails by Glam Nail Studio in Vancouver, BC! (I hadn’t gotten any gel nails done professionally in two years.) My nail art has pentagrams, brimstone and Lucifer sigils, 666 in binary numbers, Baphomet… Hail to the team for nailing it.
LA CARMINA
