Polka Daughter : Yayoi Kusama

She was more famous that Andy Warhol.


She made a heap of art in astronomical scales, rooms full covered ceiling to floor. She made PENIS chairs. Then she quit art and only did happenings (i guess it's performance art these days). Then she went nuts. In a nutshell, that's it her life. (which i should not dare to be so scant or dismissive of a more complicated life)



The thing is that Kusama is still creating art every day and she's in her 70's, almost 80's! There's nothing I love more than a woman with longevity and passion that spans decades. Guess the story is not old....but she's basically a forgotten pop artist in America although she's one of the most prolific. (hello!? white dudes always get written about in books and get documented in history, others???...notsomuch)



I learned about her after going to MOMA awhile back and seeing her art book on the shelf, Love Forever. Although I still haven't seen any of her work in person. I've become a life long lover of Kusama.
The fellas at Purple Magazine took two seconds from smokin' sherm and OD-ing on tits (i have more to say about this...) to come up for air on Yayoi Kusama. She got some exposure from photographer Chikashi Suzuki. Showing her in her studio in Comme des Garcons..in POLKA DOTS of course, just lovely.
Hope Kusama is making a come back...thinking she's about to come back into view. Saw t-shirts emblazoned with her image at Cynthia Rowley store in NY last week, too. Hope she gets some long due props.

Icon: Yoko Ono

I had the fortune of attending Yoko Ono's Dress Rehearsal performance at BAM Monday night. I swear, it's going to take me a year to process the whole show beginning to end. From the video montage retrospective of her life/work (I cried the whole time). If ever you wondered why this woman does what she does...it's so clear. In the face of EVERYTHING the bastard world has to throw at her she's the ultimate optimist. I couldn't respect any one more. She devastates my heart with her tenacity and positive outlook. You could try to burn her at the stake and she'd offer you a hug. It's the complete re-version/visioning of DISARMAMENT.

Here's the rough outline of the show.
It both lightens and sinks my heart to see "WAR IS OVER...if you want it" lit on top of taxi cabs in New York in 2010.

Nothing's changed but the art still remains.

So there's this dress at the t-shirt booth, that's a mystery to me. Who designed it? What does it mean, man!!?


There's a reason this woman must open her mouth. for the pretty to come out.

There were lots of special guests. (including a sneaky Mark Ronson, I'm pretty sure, Scissor Sisters and Chimera) I know I should have loved Kim, Thurston and Yoko doing "Mulberry" best. But truths be told I loved Justin Bond's "What a Bastard the World Is" so so sososo much. So appropriate, campy, heart wrenching and awesome.





AND they played "Death of Samantha" live for the first time ever???!!

humor break: Bottoms are really at the bottom of everything. "Bottoms" on the bathroom stall....love you yoko.

And I know over time, and by complete cultural saturation of Lennon/Ono's "Give Peace a Chance" renders it totally cheezeballs. But I really don't care. I still think it's powerful to sing together and stand up--so there. (and singing together with this group was really fun and earnest).


Listen to this woman: "Stay healthy this year, and don't get too angry." .......okay, i'll try.

Ride On, Girl. Ride On

So it's official, Marimo is rad. I asked her if she rides. After all, she's got the gear. She sent me these pics on her 50cc "Monkey" and "Ape" by Honda. What the what!? Awesome.

Tale of Langlitz Love from Across the Sea

Seems like many of my stories and projects are drawing to a close these days. Here's one of my favorites: a tale of love of leather in two countries. I found a BEAUTIFUL antique motorcycle Langlitz Leather jacket and pants from the 1950's last month and sold it online to a very rad lady named Marimo (coolest name ever. Look at these little guys eek! algae pets!) [[Sorry, Marimo if you are hating on the precious moss balls, I just love them]]

Today, Marimo sent me pictures of herself in her new leather! And it fits perfect. I'm soooooooo stoked on this cross continental exchange. It's brought together my three loves, vintage fashion, leather and Japan. Isn't this to die for cuteness? I mean cute as is this chick is rolling tough in some serious street armor.

Epic Leather

I gotta kiss it goodbye. This leather baby's off to a country beloved to me, sweet sweet Japan. I love you Japan. I do. Everyday more and more. sniff, sniff. Makes me misty.



I can just picture it now, a mini motorcycle mistress cruising in Langlitz Leathers duds down the streets of Tokyo. I wish I wish I wish.



I really hope to be able to use this money to go back to Japan this summer. Fingers crossed on the economy! Until then I'll hunker down and watch stupid youtube vids until everything settles down.

Punk Rock Yukata

It is SO not summer! It's snowing like a beast today, and I'm snug as a bug in my thick leopard robe with a space heater blasting my toes. So I reminisce on my summer past and remembered these punk rock yukata I saw in Tokyo.


I went into a shop, Tsukikageya in Harajuku (across from Condomania!)and spoke to this woman

using my remedial Japanese about her yukata. These light cotton summer robes are worn to festivals, in ryokan (hotels), to baths, or at night to bed. I'm not into chinoiserie in general, a term recognized as anything Asian-influenced, although it literally means "Chinese-esque". Borrowing dress from Asian cultures-specifically just doesn't translate well in my opinion. Perhaps this is why I did snatch one of these up at around $100 each (without obi sash).

Fuyoko Matsui

She's a good one.

Trip Planning

I'm leaving for Japan in t-minus 12 days. Holy shitpickles!