November 2004 Archives

Harold's End
Teenage Prostitutes, Codependency and a snail named 'Harold'

On November 13th, Deitch Gallery celebrated the upcoming release of J.T. LeRoy's latest novella, Harold's End, with The Origins Of Harold. This new exhibit, which includes pieces by Lou Reed, Herman Bas and the book's illustrator Cherry Hood, is inspired by the writing of J.T. LeRoy. The soft-spoken LeRoy attended the opening wearing one of his trademark Cindy Sherman-esque disguises - a disheveled platinum wig, dark sunglasses and bright red lips. Following the opening was a performance by J.T.'s band, Thistle, and a reading of LeRoy's work. Lending their voices for the evening were J.T.'s usual celeb-endorsers including Tatum O'Neil, Susan Dey, Thora Birch and Shirley Manson of Garbage who wrote the song 'Cherry Lips' about the androgynous LeRoy.

Some welcome what has come to be known as street art, others see it as another form of vandalism and call the police. Over the past few years, like it or not, street art has slowly slipped into mainstream culture. Absolute Vodka has used street artists to design national ad campaigns. Both MTV and Comedy Central take full advantage of the esthetic, in particular the latter whose logo can be found dripping paint on the bottom right hand corner of your television on all of their programming. Though their audience tends to be on the younger side, there is still an audience.

By Mikal Saint George

When was the last time you looked at yourself, I mean really looked? If you got up right now and looked in the mirror, what would you think? Would you be proud? Would you be horrified? Time can be cruel. I was once what many called beautiful but I have morphed into "attractive" and "interesting." I have grown to the point where I have character, a style. It was easier when I was beautiful. Drinks were always free, tables were easy to score in the best restaurants and I could stay awake for 72 hours straight without showing it. I am happy to say that when I look in the mirror I love what I see. I am still pretty good to look at and I am loved by people too good to be true. I walk into the world every day and I am privileged to meet some of the most astonishing people put on this planet. So let me tell you about Antony Zito.