ARTalk | February 15, 2010
"How to Stop Traffic and Time"
[by Mei Zuo '13]
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone....
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
– W.H. Auden, "Funeral Blues"
How to Stop Traffic 101:
#1 It’s better if you don’t
#2 Wear Heels
#3 Look Fabulous
#4 Buy Insurance
Disclaimer: Don’t try this at home... :)
You see, I live on MIT’s West Campus, Vassar Street—home of everything quaint, serene, and trustee.fund.developmentish (meticulous urban planning!). So coming back from a long day of classes, my walk down Vassar Street tends to be relaxing, mindlessly relaxing.
My thoughts drift to tomorrow’s forecast: moderate with a touch of grey; chromatic chords; corporate elm trees planted precisely 1.5 meters apart.
O, the joys of walking!
Breathe, and I dream of Lord Byron and the Iberian coast.
Of this brutal Lisbon packet.
Now at length we're off for Turkey,
Lord knows when we shall come back!
Breezes foul and tempests murky
– Lord Byron, "Lines to Mr. Hodgson Written on Board the Lisbon Packet."
And so, that was the inspiration for my weekend photoshoot, entitled "Istanbul via Lisbon." The chiffon accordion pleats are clearly baroque, while the pearl headdress and studded metal have Byzantine charm. But, in case you’ve forgotten, it’s FEBRUARY in Boston! The time of frostbite and puffy coats—à la Michelin man. Going outdoors was scary; but the truly frightening part was posing in the middle of the street as the cars line up! Special thanks goes out to Shelby H, my photographer, j’adore!
With New York Fashion Week in full swing, I’m also going to address my favorite trend:
Urban Tribal—post-industrial savagery; strong colors and origami draping. It’s an infectious look for next fall, epitomized by BCBG’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection. In the following outfit, the softly draped tunic of neutral tones juxtaposes fiercely with the rigid belt and patent boots. (faintly reminiscent of Yohji Yamamoto’s FW 09 collection?)
ABOVE: An Urban-Tribal piece from BCBG's Fall/Winter 2010 collection.
And finally, to someone who has been a creative catalyst to the fashion world—Alexander McQueen. Truly genius. Who can ever forget "Plato’s Atlantis?" Everything endures.
May peace be with you, McQueen.
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum....
He was my North, my South, my East and West....
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
– W.H. Auden, "Funeral Blues"
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The author has filed this entry in the "Music & The Arts" section; check it out for further reading on this topic. |
Responses To This Entry:
(Please note that comments are closed after 30 days to reduce spam.)
beautiful xoxo
but aren't most people at MIT slobs? what ever happened to pocket protectors?
Posted by: fashionista '14(?) on February 15, 2010 12:55 PM
diversity in interests. like the allusions. hot pics!
Posted by: brian on February 15, 2010 02:51 PM
fashion ftw!!
Posted by: anon on February 15, 2010 11:07 PM
Vintage feeling pics, but what happened to the comments?
Posted by: Anonymous on February 16, 2010 02:02 AM
How did I end up being the lucky one to dance on your electric field 24/7?
"..What rushes into my heart and my skull
I can't control, think about it
I feel it in my bones.."
- Tiesto ft Tegan & Sara (you guessed it, roomie!)
Posted by: maybe not so anonymous..:) on February 16, 2010 04:30 PM
@maybe...
"I'm knocking on your window"
-Tiesto
great song! perfect for a runway show, or psetting
but chequete: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBvge-c2_Xg
Posted by: tamales on February 16, 2010 04:48 PM
@fashionista
Ignore the slob stereotype; many MIT students find creative approaches to wardrobe issues. And who says pocket protectors aren't chic? I certainly own a hot one ;)
@maybe & @tamales
Posted by: Anonymous on February 16, 2010 06:36 PM
Btw, guys the previous post was written by yours truly....
@maybe & @tamales
Posted by: Mei '13 on February 16, 2010 06:39 PM
you guys shouldn't censor comments, even if they are off topic. (unless it is blatant rapid-fire spam or FIRST!!on1!!)
one of the hallmarks of the mitblogs is that student blogs are uncensored, and censoring comments (when they aren't explicitly causing trouble) goes against that spirit.
just sayin'
-one of the other bloggers
Posted by: Anonymous on February 16, 2010 07:15 PM
@Anonymous
Moderation is good. Excessive irrelevance is bad.
a matter of personal opinion
~just a blogger
Posted by: Anonymous on February 16, 2010 08:36 PM
watch the video, it's really disturbing! in a I, Robot kinda way
Posted by: Eimma on February 17, 2010 01:39 PM
OMG MEI!!!! I didn't know you were blogging!! Yay to you for doing the arts blog :P ur pics are so beautiful!
Posted by: Alden on February 20, 2010 10:25 PM
hmmm... loved the video except fr the robot part. and do yellow and black?? dont no
Posted by: farzan on February 22, 2010 01:58 PM
