YOSHITAKA AMANO ART EXHIBIT OPENING IN LOS ANGELES. FINAL FANTASY, VAMPIRE HUNTER D ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR.
Yukiro and I got kowai-kawaii (scary-cute) for the art gallery opening for Yoshitaka Amano’s latest works. The Japanese artist is best known for designing the Final Fantasy characters, as well as masterminding the designs for Vampire Hunter D, Guin Saga and Front Mission.
The themes in the newest paintings: giant round heads, multicolored eyes, pouty lips and star-stamped space helmets. “As an ode to his childhood love for American comics, culture and automobiles, Amano’s latest breathtaking and vibrant pieces are boldly coated with auto paint and metallic glitter.”
Shannon Cottrell photographed us for LA Weekly. I outlined my lips in black and added pale blue in center, dabbed bright blue eyeshadow below my eyes, and wrapped around several scarves. Yukiro’s eyebrows make him look so pitiful — don’t you want to pet the flowers on his head?
There was a great turn-out of cosplayers — many of whom dressed as Amano characters. On the downside, the guests received a miserable ration of wine (one thimbleful per person!).
Anime and pop art enthusiasts, you’ve got to stop by Yositaka Amano’s exhibit at LeBasse Projects in LA to see the claw-handed, glittery cuteness for yourself.
My latest and greatest CNNGo articles:
† Gallery of spectacular spectacles: The most stylish glasses in Asia.
† I had fun writing about superstar tutors: In Hong Kong, tutors are like slick rock stars! Cute Japan idols teach English to nerds!
† Las Vegas MAGIC clothing tradeshow: my report on Asian designers. What are the latest styles?
Thanks for your touching words about Per (Pelle), the 24-year-old Swedish Goth who was stabbed to death, most likely because of his appearance. Latest update: the fifth teenager was arrested and all are awaiting charges. I’ll keep you posted when I hear more.
Keep the Akina riddle answers coming — I’ve got your emails; sorry I can’t reply to every one! I have so much LA and Vegas coverage to sort through, as well as the NYC Tokyo Fashion Festa…
Song of the Day #311: Nega (ネガ) – Idle
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AKINA SPOOKY FAIRYTALE BOOK GIVEAWAY! RIP PER NORDKVIST, SWEDISH GOTH STABBED & KILLED BY 5 TEENAGERS.
Hooray for a new giveaway! My friend Lang Leav of Akina is releasing a long-awaited “novel picture book Not for children” on March 5 — and we’re giving you the chance to win book #13 out of a limited run of 100.
Charlie’s Widow continues the story of Akina, who once crept into the pristine world of fairytales and nursery rhymes, leaving behind a devastating trail of destruction. After years of plotting and scheming, she is set to invade Charlie’s chocolate factory, turning sweet-as-cotton-candy girls into bloodthirsty, button-hungry villains- before setting them on a murderous rampage!
Charlie’s Widow features all new artworks and stories and is printed on linen paper, using archival inks and hand-bound with cloth, using an age-old accordion method. Incorporating a date stamped and hand embossed seal certificate, Charlie’s Widow is finished with her signature button closure, complete with rivet detailing and ornate metal corners.
None of you figured out the riddle to Yukiro’s standout hair — but if you’re able to decode this puzzler, you’re eligable to win!
Pressed to sweetness
Dark as night
Seeks a handful
Catches light
Your entry to
Such great delights
What do you think is the key to the riddle? Go on and email me the answer (gothiccarmina [at] gmail)
Please also subscribe to Akina’s mailing list and mine (on the top right of the sidebar, or above the Comments box). Good luck!
On a serious note… have you heard of the Sophie Lancaster murder, in which a UK Goth couple was attacked for the way they dressed? The sad story has repeated itself in Sweden: a Goth boy was brutally murdered by five teenagers. Last last Saturday night, Per Nordkvist was taking cash out of an ATM in Göteborg, when he was attacked by five boys between the ages of 15 and 18. Per managed to get away and jumped into a monorail, but he was stabbed badly with knives. Eight hours later, he died in the hospital.
Per didn’t know the teens who attacked him, nor did he provoke them. The Swedish media speculates that he was targeted because of his Gothic appearance. It’s frightening that such social intolerance and violence still exists towards alternative cultures; the victim could have been you or me…
You can see more about Per on a Facebook page in his memory. There are no news reports of this sad story in English, so please share this post to let others be aware.
La Carmina’s latest articles on CNNGo (see all eighteen pages of them here):
† Ancient designs get a modern makeover: samurai underwear? Yes please!
† Videos: Asia’s offbeat travel shows. Who are the Bourdains of Asia TV?
† Videos: UFOs and unexplained mysteries in Asia. Oooowweeeeoooooweee.
PS: I dig Charlie le Mindu’s autumn/winter 2010 collection. The mad wig-maker’s blue/black/crucifixes are very Mana-sama. See more photos on Dazed Digital.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain
Song of the Day #310: Enya – Orinoco Flow (suggested by Lemon)
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Akina contest ends midnight Pacific Time on Sunday, Feb 28, 2010. Maximum one (1) entry per person. Open internationally. To enter, follow the instructions above. You must include a valid email address (it will not be visible). Winners who provide the correct answer will be chosen with a random number generator; the order of entry determines your number. Winners will be contacted via email. The prize will be shipped by the manufacturer to the winner’s address; La Carmina is not responsible for lost or undelivered prizes. Contact Carmina if you have questions about the contest.
LA CARMINA
