Larry Sultan (canine series)

My friend texted me this iPhone shot. It immediately reminded me of late Larry Sultan's valley porn series (1990s). Towards the end of his career, Sultan turned his saturated, frank style to the San Fernando Valley McMansions rented out for porn flicks.



Such a fantastic, vivid juxtaposition between constructed sexual fantasy and decrepit economic promises. Larry passed away on December 14th, 2009 at the age of 63.

Poppies

Our flowers for the holidays.

Bow Tie

My friend Ryan needed some help with his bow tie for his 1920s New Year's party. I got all excited and learned how to tie my very first bow.



A well-knotted cravat is the first serious step in a man’s life.
-Oscar Wilde

A brief history:

Ties (or cravats) were first inspired by the scarves Croatian soldiers used to close their shirts in the 1630s (men's fashion was predominantly militaristic in origin between the 17th and early 20th century). When the soldiers were enlisted to assist King Louis XIII, the French appropriated the look under the name "cravat" (derived from "Croat") and from there, it spread throughout Europe. Varying tie styles proliferated (including the Bow Knott) while the English eventually solidified its permanent role in social aesthetic etiquette.

To its devotees the bow tie suggests iconoclasm of an Old World sort, a fusty adherence to a contrarian point of view. The bow tie hints at intellectualism, real or feigned, and sometimes suggests technical acumen...But perhaps most of all, wearing a bow tie is a way of broadcasting an aggressive lack of concern for what other people think.
-Warren St. John, The New York Times