Archive for March 30th, 2012

JUST AN OBSERVATION

Friday March 30th

 

The big news this week is that the whole country seems to be in the grip of a, very early, summer fever. Cloudless skies, sunshine and soaring temperatures have all contributed towards the feeling of summer resulting in a general lifting of spirits and an easy transition from winter. Actually the change in the weather could hardly have been more extreme as last Saturday the air was thick with a rolling fog then during the night-shortened by the putting forward of the clocks- was replaced by a heatwave which has yet to abate although we have been warned it is due to diminish over the weekend to be replaced by something more typical of this time of year. Until that time, however, I am determined to make the most of the glorious outdoors and so far this week has been taken up with long, lazy picnics interspersed with healthy activity which has, so far, managed to involve staying away from the pub which seems to be the main activity which springs to mind in Scotland as soon as the sun breaks rank and makes an unscheduled appearance. The weekend is nigh though and I doubt I shall be able to maintain my clean living lifestyle indefinitely.

This week, in-between sun worshipping, I managed to see an amazing film about New York photographer Bill Cunningham which was inspirational on so many different levels. Previously I was unaware of his existence but after his name was mentioned to me he seemed omnipresent in everything I undertook during the days leading up to me viewing the film about him, including an envious tribute from Andy Warhol in his diaries which I just happened to be perusing casually. The importance of this man in the fashion world cannot be underestimated as he is responsible for capturing street style in its infancy and natural habitat for at least five decades now. Not driven by material gain, financial reward or recognition his philosophy and perspective on life was refreshing in the extreme, shaming the culture we live in without ever dismissing or criticising it. Here is a man in his eighties who derives satisfaction from the simplest of pleasures and is more than happy with his place in the world whilst those surrounding him strive towards the unattainable in a misguided attempt to improve themselves or, more importantly, their status and standing. It is a film in which the central subject matter has a genuinely permanent smile warming his features and is an intriguing and fascinating insight to a life actually being enjoyed. If you can catch a showing of this film then I strongly suggest  you do. A full review can be found here.

The Apprentice is now in its second week but it is still to hit its full stride as there are still too many contestants to despise one in particular. This is always the best part of this show although I am becoming more attuned to the clever editing which sort of manipulates you into a certain way of thinking usually drawing you in being able to decipher who is about to be fired or, on occasion as a red herring, who should be fired and will be going very soon just not yet but far enough in the future for us to keep watching, if only to see the moment they do actually receive their marching orders. A full dissection of this weeks episode can be found here.

At least this week Laid In Chelsea returns-probably my favourite of all the terribly named ‘dramality  series’ clogging up the schedules- where there is no shortage of people to despise in equal measure. The sight of these over privileged, chinless and whinnying inbreeds –all to the Aga born- complaining continually about, well, nothing really is somehow fascinating TV, although spinning it out for a third series inside a year is probably  stretching things and difficult to sustain so perhaps this is one series too far. No doubt the Caggie and Spencer fauxmance yawnathon is still going on though I reckon they will have been engaged, married and divorced then reconciled since they finally got it together on the Xmas special.

Elsewhere this weekend it is the always great Neu Reekie this week featuring music from Withered Hand, spoken word from Ryan Van Winkle and Jenny Lindsay as well as the usual juxtaposition of animation and contributions from the house band Emelle. Later this weekend I am attending my first Salsa class mainly as an accessory to my newly acquired Mediterranean colouring- acquired courtesy of the heatwave- although I ,probably misguidedly, feel I have enough natural Latin rhythm that I shall indeed be taking the class by my second lesson complete with essential cha–cha heels. Adios!

2012
03/30
CATEGORY
JUST AN OBSERVATION
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BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK

Bill Cunningham New York

 

Admittedly when it was first suggested to me that I might like to see this film about New York photographer Bill Cunningham, I had no idea who the central subject matter actually was. In the few days leading up to actually seeing it however his name cropped up frequently in the unlikeliest sources and then the night before the films screening I was reading the Andy Warhol diaries and the particular instalment I reached mentioned bumping into Bill Cunningham and Warhol’s subsequent envy at how anonymously Cunningham biked around New York capturing anything that caught his eye with his omnipresent camera with astounding results. Naturally my interest was even more piqued by this intriguing character and I can state after viewing the film it is a fascinating insight into an intriguing character whose attitude towards life and his rejection of conventional material values and positive outlook could serve as a lesson to us all.

From the very outset Cunningham’s amiable nature is apparent to even the most casual observer. Claiming he believes that ‘the best fashion show is on the street’, his photos bear this out as they are seldom staged affairs with most of his models unaware they are even being photographed. It is an interesting insight into how fashion works its way down from the magazines, catwalks and stores to take on a life of its own via the general public who parade it on the streets. It is this that Cunningham sets out to capture attending not only glittering parties with socialites and celebrities in his role for the New York Times who run his column weekly-the latter incidentally are of no interest to him as they have been given their clothes free so therefore have not created their own identity- but simply scouring the streets astride his bike pausing only when inspired by something which captures his imagination.

What an incongruous figure he cuts as well, it is no wonder Warhol was envious as Cunningham possesses none of the cool, mannered iciness of the image the artist projected. He, instead, is chatty, intelligent and outgoing with a seemingly genuine smile permanently warming his features. His own plastic cape-similar to those worn by the refuse dept.- held together by tape may not be high fashion but it is instantly recognisable as his own style whilst his love, knowledge and fascination about others fashion and clothes are inestimable. His response to those who dismiss fashion as frivolous is telling in that he describes it as’ an armour for every day life’.

This is the man  even, notoriously haughty, Vogue editor Anna Wintour rates as having an intrinsic knowledge even deigning to add ‘we all get dressed  for Bill’. This is the man who can sense a style evolution as it occurs on the street and Wintour is not alone in her effusive praise with author Tom Wolfe, David Rockefeller and Brooke Astor all making appearances to garland him with respect and praise. This is the man described during Paris Fashion week-‘A laboratory of ideas’ according to Cunningham- as ‘The most important man in the world’.

The best scenes however are at his apartment block within Carnegie Hall where he and several other residents have resided for decades but are now required to leave. The scenes with his neighbour Eddita are hilariously funny and full of warmth as they recall events through the misty haze of nostalgia and topsy-turvy wigs wearing Cunningham designed hats from his previous employ as milliner to the stars.

Director Richard Press has done a great job in assembling the footage which makes up this film and although Cunningham is now in his eighties he still crackles with youthful vitality and energy. Part of this is down to his rejection of the financial aspect of life which usually creates ego driven monsters propelled only by their love of money. A man who lives simply-he doesn’t even indulge in the free food and drink offered to him at parties, something else which fascinated the constantly freeloading Warhol in his diary entry- he seems happy simply in the fact he has his own place in the world.

2012
03/30
CATEGORY
FILMS 2012
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