Your Chexy attended the L.A. Photo Show held earlier this month, where this photo absolutely floored me — from the wonderful mind of photographer Liz Steketee (pronounced “Steketee”).
Liz uses images from her own family’s history, digitally manipulated with other images, to rewrite her own history as it suits her. The idea fascinates me. The above photo is one of her relatives (an aunt, if I recall correctly), with her son’s face superimposed on the image. It is so stunning and arresting, I had to stop to talk with her. Here is the description of her “Reconstructed Memories” series in her words, from her website:
“Reconstructed Memories is a unique print series that uses my personal family photographs to rewrite history from my vantage point. By choosing unrelated images and digitally manipulating them into unlikely combinations, I build new memories. I forge new relationships, address old confrontations, imagine difference experiences, and face old demons. I disrupt linear narratives and recompose events, establishing my family history as a construct. Once these new snapshots have been finalized digitally, they are printed, aged and weathered according to their appropriate time period. This rebuilding of memory has allowed me to establish my own version of reality, as I prefer it. Reconstructed Memories takes the form of a unique print series as well as a series of reconstructed “false” family photo albums that adhere to my revisionist history.”
The above image is another breathtaking shot from the Reconstructed Memories series. The idea of manipulating one’s own visual history is so compelling! What would you do with yours?!
See the rest of this captivating series by Liz Steketee here. Be sure to check out her “American Snapshots” as well.
It’s the Buddha Naga sculpture, which depicts the Buddha meditating just before attaining enlightenment, as seen in a small town in Thailand near the border of Laos. How big is it, you ask? I’ll bet you ask that of all the boys.
Kitty of Cambridge will become a volunteer with the Scout Association to fill her idle rich hours, teaching boys ages 6-10 how to do useful things like erect tents and light fires. Hopefully, she’ll be required to wear some type of goofy hat like this one she wore on Christmas.
Unlike other royals, following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Kitty will take part as an active volunteer, rather than as a ceremonial ribbon-cutter. We’ll also be seeing more of the latest royal as she works on Action on Addiction, and a children’s hospice, plus several art projects.
In a related, personal note, I was a Cub Scout for exactly an hour. They wanted me to glue macaroni on paper plates in Mrs. Brenner’s basement and spray paint them gold. I told my mother I had better things to do. I was 8.
Chexydecimal Studio City Bureau Chief Andy (also former London Bureau Chief) spotted the catastrophic lamp (I think it’s a lamp) at the Pasadena City College Flea Market this morning. It might have been owned by Andy’s favorite drag queen, Isolde Thandirt. But I doubt it.
If you’re going for the Retrocious look, this mess is for you.
The shade is a lullaby of something someone once thought was a good idea. Imagine it lit. Just don’t eat first.
The base, which I suppose could be said has a sub-Saharan feel to it, includes plenty of nooks and crannies for dust to gather, or for adding smaller decorative items.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (center), with her mane freshly clipped and shellacked, poses next to an illustrated horse (right) — that she painted! She’s so talented!
The horse (illustration) was for an exhibition called “War Horse: Fact and Fiction” held at the National Army Museum on Wednesday in London.
We haven’t seen our dear Camilla for many weeks, and she’s looking rested and happy. So there, naysayers. And neigh sayers.
