Yesterday I went to the Manga! exhibition at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, North of Copenhagen. I found these hands quite fascinating. They are anatomy drawings but could also be seen as an alphabet of expression. I don’t know anything about Japanese art, but I am fairly certain that postures of hands are loaded with different information for an insider. 

This photo also celebrates the fact that I’m going on a business trip to Japan on Wednesday. I hope to bring back loads of wonderful photographs from Tokyo and Kyoto!

/anna

I just returned from a short trip to London where I was dragged (OK, I came willingly) by my sister to see the Viktor & Rolf exhibition at the Barbican Centre. And it was totally cool!

What did I know about Dutch designer duo V&R? Well, the Flowerbomb perfume aaand…H&M collection…and that was it. Turns out they are funny, thought-provoking and creators of sights for sore eyes.

From Bedtime Story , Fall/Winter 05-06.

The exhibition was very large and presented their work from the beginning of their careers till now showing both videos of their haute couture performances and the actual pieces. The dresses were both there ‘in the flesh’ and as miniature copies on dolls in a gigantic doll house.

I was completely flabbergasted by the show and I recommend it highly to anyone visiting London before September 21.

And don’t despair if you can’t go. Viktor & Rolf have the most amazing website where you can dive into their weird and fascinating world – and watch videos from all their shows – go to ‘Collections’ in the Library. (No linking – sorry).

If you’re into something artsy/sort of happening’y watch ‘Russian Dolls’.
If you’re into Rufus Wainwright or Tori Amos go for the ‘Ballroom Collection’ and the ‘Bedtime Story’.
If you’re feeling anti, against or just plain negative watch ‘No’.
And finally if you just want to see fabric dissolve and transform into skies and fields watch ‘Bluescreen’. The politically indignant can go here too.

Now I just have to go to Milan to see their upside-down shop.

/anna

Oh, what a different world it must have felt to this little nun so quietly watching the sartorial wonders of Valentino. I saw her there at the exhibition in Rome. I saw her up against the red gowns and I saw the mannequins entreat her to change her ways.

I must say she has indeed come a long way if you consider her usual shopping paradise De Ritis where the clergy will find anything they might ever need. Strictly materially speaking of course.

Besides from that I found the little nun among the dresses to be such a wonderful picture of sacred and profane love. Just like in Tizian’s painting.

Am I right?

Oh, the wonders of Rome.

/anna