l'etoile magazine: Agoraphobia

Editorial

Editor in ChiefBeth Hammarlund

Managing EditorAmy Roark

Creative DirectorMolly Roark

Marketing DirectorKate Iverson

DesignIzaak B

Nathan Hinz

Senior Beauty EdiorsJen Hughes

Truc Nguyen

Contributing Beauty AssistantOlivia Brown

Associate Style EditorMichelle Butterfield

Production AssistantValerie Townsend

Staff PhotographersKrista Oakes

Colin Simmons

ContributorsAmy PierceChris Hajny

Aaron Wojack

Special thanks to Amelia Biewald, Lili Jackson, Brandy LaChapelle, Anna Lee, Charles Miller, Gina Reid, Holly Schroder, Caleb Hinz, Michelle Skally Doilney, Erin Smith, Steve Wolf, Aaron Wojack, Pam Arcand, Clement Shimizu, Nick Golfis, White Chocolate, James Lindbloom, KHS, Jon Bradley, Esther Park, Grain Belt, Shakers, Ben and Emma, Bill and Meg and the dungeon masters, Sally Spencer, Colleen Jean

Johnson, Dan and Jeff

For Advertising [email protected]

L’étoile Magazineletoilemagazine.com

All content © 2006 l’étoile Magazine except were noted. No part of l’étoile Magazine may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent.

Spring Fever 2006, Volume 2, Issue 1

14TH & CENTRALOffiCE CONdOs

fOR sALE

A new urban workplace,

powered by the sun,

energized by people.

Purchase your piece

of the square.

(612) 706-5600REdsQUAREMPLs.COM

L'Etoile Add.indd 1 4/17/06 10:18:43 AM

ContentsSpring Fever 2006, Volume 2, Issue 1

Letter from the Editor 06Contributors 07Everyone Knows its Windy 08Only Human 14Whirl–Wind 18 Cliché 24Candy Eye Factory 26The TV Sound 28Labrador 30Agoraphobia 42Where to Buy 58Opinion 60l’étoile Nightlife 64

�

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Contents

�

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Volume2Issue1

Letter from the Editor

Thegroundhasthawed,thetreeshaveblossomed,andthewinterdoldrumshavemeltedaway.Finally,springhasreturnedtol’étoilédunord.Andjustaswinterisatimeforrest,springisatimeforgrowth.Itiswiththisphilosophyinmindthatwebringyouanewl’étoilé,featuringexpandedcoverageoflocalart,design,culture,andevents.

Althoughit’sbeenaseasonortwosinceyoulastheardfromus,we’vehardlybeenhibernating.Wespentourwintermonthscreatinganissuewithfashionandbeautyeditorialsthatrivalthoseofnationalpublications,aswellascoverageoflocalartexhibits,music,andnightlife.Withthesenewadditions,andfurtherexpansiontocome,welookforwardtobecomingyourfavoriteTwinCitiessourceforallthingsbeautifulandinteresting.SpringFevermarksanewdirectionforus;wehopeitinspiresyoutotakesomechances,aswell.

Inadditiontothepublicationofthisissue,l’étoiléandAPrettyMindStudiohaveworkedtogethertohostmultipleeventsthroughoutthewinterandearlyspring.ThisnewtraditioncontinuesonMay19thwhen l’étoiléhosts theopening festivities forNEMAA’sArt-A-Whirl.Can’tmake it?Well,keepyourearspeeled,kids,becauseourjam-packedsummerissuemightjustmeritapartyofitsown.

Wehopethatourmagazine,events,andupcomingwebsiteencourageyoutoexperiencetheTwinCitiescreativecommunityandallthatithastooffer.Getinvolved.Getinspired.Andmakesomenewfriends.

BethHammarlundEditorinChief

�

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Contributors

Contributors

AmyPierce–Photographer,Agoraphobia.NYC

AmyPiercewasborninYonkers,NewYorkwhereshemademovieswithhersisters,thefamilyvideocameraandlotsoffakeblood.LatershemovedtoConnecticutwhereshegotmadefunofforherweirdaccentandlearnedtotakepictures.AmynowresidesBrooklyn,butherfavoriteat-homeactitiviesstillinvolvelotsoffakeblood.

ChrisHajny–Illustrator,Labrador.Minneapolis

Chris rocks black denim and blazing white kicks. As a freelanceillustratoroutofMinneapolis,and1/3of the illustration/design trioDrawlGraphic,Chrisspendsallofhis timemakingart.And that’sthewayhelikesit.

Check the work at www.drawlgraphic.com or has his personalwebsite,www.hajny.com

AaronWojack–Photographer,EveryoneKnowsitsWindy.Minneapolis

Aaron is a Minneapolis native who doesn’t much care for writingabouthimself.Hedoeshoweverenjoytakingpicturesandalsobikesandtigers.


Everyone Knows its Windy

Our forecast for Spring calls for scattered thunder clouds ofcascadingcurl.Gettheselightningfastresultsbycreatingtwistersinthehair,lockbylovelylock,thendry.ThelookismadeeasybreezywithasprinkleofHairPotioninthecrownforvolumeandastrongmistofAirControlthroughout.Deepradiantredsrecalltherainbow’swarmest hues and beckon the Summer sun. When the advisorywarrants more treacherous conditions, fasten the coils aroundribbonsandpinthehairawayfromthefaceforafinish“that’slighterthanair.”Thiswillcreatemoreeleganceandpreventloosecurlsfromblowingintheface.

Afterall,everyoneknowsit’sWindy!-Jen

�

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Style:Beauty

�

Thistimeofyeartheweatheristemperamentalatbest,sobepreparedforeithersunorstormswitharangeofcolorsthatspanthemeteorological possibilities. Our girl may have “stormy eyes,” buttheusualsmokeandcloudshavebeenreplacedbyrichjeweltonesthat still define but now add complementary color to your irises.Speakingofflowers,juxtaposeyourdarkgazewithanunexpectedlipshadeworthyofthebestspringroses.Whilewaitingforthestormtopass,comfortyourselfwiththefactthatcolorsareregisteredasbeingbrighteronovercastdays.-Truc

PhotographybyAaronWojackArtDirectionbyMollyRoarkHairbyJenHughesHairColorbyLindseyYozampMakeupbyTrucNguyenModel-MonicaShotontheRooftopofDensityStudio


10


11

InMonica’shair:BeCurlyCurlEnhancingLotion,AirControlHairspray,andPureAbundanceVolumizingHairPotion.AllbyAveda.


Monicawears:ArtjamPaint,PinkedMauvePigment,SweetWilliamBlushcremeandProLongWearLipcolorinLover’sLust.AllbyMACCosmetics.

AllclothingMonica’sownLaminatedeyeglassnecklacebyTwoBitBling

12


13

ByBrandyLaChapelle

Iwaseatingstringcheese.Yes,stringcheese.Shut-up,youeatittoo.Inoticedtheawkward,non-biodegradablewrapperandwondered,whydoIopenpackagesoffood,fullofunrecognizableingredients,processedinwaysIcan’timagine,actuallyeatitandthenwonderwherethatlittlegnawofguiltcomesfrom?

DavidHamlowbroughtthisconflicttothesurfaceathisrecentshowingattheMinnesotaMuseumof American Art (MMAA). His Dodecahedron is a deliberate confrontation of the colorfullypackagedandultimatelymedicateddailylifeofacultureundertheinfluenceofcorporatedesignandtrendymedicine.Thiswork,inthecontextofportraiture,lefttheaudiencewiththeunsettledfeelingwe’redenyingoursubstance,blindlysubsistingonthemostappealingandconvenientofcrap.

Why?Weareonlyhuman.AttheMMAA’srecentexhibition,OnlyHuman:ExploringContemporaryPortraits,manyartistscontemplatedthehighsandlowsofoursharedhumanitywithanhonestappreciationforourtortured,deliciousconflicts.

Tosayweare“onlyhuman”implieswecanimaginesomethingbetter,besomethingbetter,thanwhoweare.Weareallacutelyflawed,weigheddownasmuchbyourfantasiesasourtyrannicalself-inflicted standards. The art in the exhibits ran the gamut from prejudice to obsession,lazinesstofanaticismandreallygavevoicetoanarrayofuniversalfears.Idecidedtoreviewthisshowfromtheperspectiveofafellowartistratherthanacritic,becauseIsharetheirfascinationwithourconstantneedtotrytochangeourselvesandeachother.Ibelievetheexhibitwasanadmissionthatwesecretlyloveourflawsandfrankly,withoutthemwewouldn’thavemuchtomakeartabout.

TheresaDowning,curatorof theshow,explains,“Our identitiesareconstructedofmorethanoursimplefaces.”Thetraditionalportraitremainselusiveaswewanderthroughafunhouseofcharacterdimensionsthatsomehowbothreflectanddefineus.Fromtheperspectivesofsuchaprofoundlydiversegroupofartists,Icouldn’thelpfeelinganembarrassedhopeforthebuddingcultureofmyadolescentcountry.

TheArtists

AnthonyMarchetti servedup juicymorsels tosatisfyour innervoyeurand reacquaintuswithourinnervandal.Hisportraitsareoflivesleftbehindandtheycapturedthatpoignantmomentaswetakeonelastlookattheplacewecalledhome.Itiswhatourbackseesasweturnaway,andmovesonfromourmessyweaknesses.Onlyanartistwithanextreme“empathy”forobjectsthathavebeenusedup,abandonedandforgottencouldfindthegrotesquebeautyinourmostshamefulmoments.


Only Human

14

Visionsofmy fourthgrade trapper keeper and its shield-likepower flashed tomindas Imetthe penetrating gaze of Jay Wittenburg’s Sylvia Plath, clutching a book to her anatomicallyquestionable breasts. The paintings are awkward and a bit little creepy, and his obsession,itwouldbeagloriousoneifonlywe’dseenthewholecollection.Butintheend,IbelieveJayWittenburg‘sfantasiesaboutfemalewritersareasromanticasmyown.

BenOlson’sexpressivelyrenderedpaintingsofhimselfandhisbelovedfiancée,Emmaweresoraw,atributetotheoverwhelminghappinessofdesiresmet.Eachfluidbrushstrokewasloadedwithcolorandbroughtoutthesecretdesiretobeladeninthetexturesofanother.Olsonknowswhattodowithpaint,andInowknowhowI’dwanttobepainted.

SusanKosmalski succeeded indisturbingmypersonal archiveof sharpandflawless imagesof movie star beauties in black and white. She captured our desperate struggle against theinevitablewithherportrait ofMarleneDietrich, tapedunder herwig, amereghostof herselfbeforeherdeath.Noonecanfightthepassingoftime,nomatterhowmuchmoneywespend.

XavierTavera’sthreelargerthanlifeExtremeFighterportraitsexposedourbasestnature.Hair,sweatandspittleglistenedonthesurfaceofthreepredatorymen.Theygazedatmewiththeselfassuredpowerofalion,tiger,andbear.Instrikingcontrast,Xavier’sportraitsofKoffi,ElAbuelo,andDr.Choudepictedthedisenfranchisedofourworld,thosepeopleonthemarginsofsocietywhomwerelyontomakeourworldrich.Theygazewithmorepower,strengthandconfidencethananyofotherthefeaturedsubjects.

EarnestBryantIIIflattarplikecanvasesrepresentedourblackculturaliconswithagarishlyair-brushednobilityandanexplosionofcolor,humorandirony.Theyremindthecontroversiesthathavebothseparatedandbroughtuscloser.“NineMonologues,”playedwithgenderperspectives.InPeterB.BeckerNelsoninterviewswithninewomen,representingawiderangeofageandcircumstance,hedeftlyrevealedastunningandsimpleexpressionofthegenderconflict.Boy’sv.s.girls,whatdowereallyknowaboutit?AsNelson’sexpressive,boyishmouthrecountedthethoughtsofasavvyyounggirlonthesubjectof“whataboyshouldbelike”,Isimplycouldnotlookaway.Itisnotthefirsttimetheideasofawomanarepresentedbyaman,sowhyisthisspecial?Nelsonisnottryingtopullthewooloveroureyes,weknowwhoseidestheseare.

KatinkaGalanosleftmehanging.Herlayerednegativescertainlyaddeddimensiontoherimagesof individuals, yet theoverall voice remainedawhisper.Herpieceswere themost traditionalportraits in theshow,despiteall the technicalmanipulation.However, I canstill appreciateabeautiful,mysteriouspicture.

L’étoile SpringFever2006 OnlyHuman

1�


1�

L’étoile SpringFever2006 OnlyHuman

1�


ByHollySchroeder

What inspires you? Visual arts like painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, printmaking?Perhapsit’spottery,weaving,woodworkingandjewelrymaking?Whataboutfurniture,ceramics,fabric,multimediaorperformancebasedart likemusic,danceandacrobatics?Whateverit is,you’llfindallofthisandmoreattheannualNEMinneapolis“Art-A-Whirl”festival.

ForthepasttenyearsinMinneapolis,thethirdweekendofMayhasbeenallaboutart.Over20,000visitorswillattendthisopenstudioartcrawlinNortheastMinneapolis,whereover400galleries,studios,convertedwarehouses,privatehomes,industrialbuildingsandrehearsalcentersopentheirdoorstothepublic.Thisyear,abikemapshowingroutestothegalleriesandstudioswillmakeiteasiertopedalandparticipateinthisspring’sflingwithart.MapswillbeatlocationsalloverthecityaswellasatArt-A-Whirlinformationboothsthroughouttheneighborhood.TheBikeMapisalsoavailableonlineatwww.alteredesthetics.com/bikemap.

Whirl–Wind

1�

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Whirl–Wind

JamieSchumacher,artist,curatorandownerofAlteredEstheticsGallery, is involved inmanyorganizations, like the Arts Action Plan, that benefit the Northeast art community. She’s aNEMAAvolunteerandartsadvocate.Shealsowastheprimaryforcebehindthisyear’sfirstArt-A-WhirlBikeMapsponsoredbyPeaceCoffee.AlteredEstheticswillopentheirnextgroupshow“BikeArt”overArt-A-Whirlweekend.

HowisNEMAAhelpingmakesuccessfulartistsoutof‘starving’ones?

Is that really NEMAA’s responsibility or mission? I think NEMAA works hard as a facilitatorforpromotionsandsomeconnectionsbut ifyourart isthoughtlessandnotevenaestheticallypalatable,allthepromotions,connectionsandmarketingintheworldaren’tgoingtohelpyousellyourworkinadistrictwhereevensomeoftheremarkableworkisn’tselling.NEMAAhelpslinkartistsupwithgrantwritingworkshops,credit cardprocessing forbusinessesandotherlikemindedartists.Theseand theeventsareallpositive thingsandmostartistsaregrateful.Butifyourartisn’tfeedingyouyet,bitethebulletgetadayjob.Ifyouexpectsomenon-profitcomposedofotherartiststobeabletodothatforyouforameasly50bucksayear,you’resadlymistaken.Toanswerthequestioninalessharshway,NEMAAishelpingartistsoutbyprovidingthemwithsomeusefullinksandresources,butintheendIthinkitisuptotheartiststofeedandcareforthemselvesandtakeownershipoftheirartandArtDistrict.

Jamie,whatisArtonQuincy?

ArtonQuincy,byrawdefinition,isanorganizationofartistsandstudiosonQuincyStreetworkingtogethertobettertheirpartoftheArtDistrictandconsolidatelimitedresourcesforpromotingthebusinessandartiststheyrepresent.ForAlteredEsthetics(andQuincyStreetasawhole,Iwouldsay),ithasbeenagreatwaytohelpwithdrawingpeopleintoanoftenoverlookedportionofthedistrict.Ithasalsobeenagreatopportunitytomeetandworkwithourneighbors.KateIversonfromDensityStudiosfirstcontactedustobeginthesegrouppromotionsbeforelastyearsArt-A-Whirl.Ithinktheconsolidatedefforthasreallyhelpedallofus.

Howisthisyear’sArt-A-Whirldifferent?

ThisyearsArt-A-Whirlwillfeaturesculpture,performanceart,painting,photography,comicart,music,andfilm.The“BikeArt”groupshowbringstogetherthecyclingandartisticcommunitiesin an engaging and unique juxtaposition. From the feedback I’ve been getting from the bikecommunity, it looks likewemaybe reachinganaudience that isn’tnormally thegallery-goingtypeofcrowd.Beingabletodrawsomebodyintotheartcommunitythatisn’totherwisesuper-interestedandhavingthemwalkawaywithapositiveinterpretationisexcitingtome!

JamieSchumacherAlteredEsthetics1300QuincyStNE626-318-7019info@alteredesthetics.comalteredesthetics.comartonquincy.com

1�


Well-knownasthatquirkyartgalleryinNordeastMinneapolis,FUNKtionallArtparticipatesintheannualArt-A-WhirlopenstudioeventeachMayandtheFallFineArtsShoweachNovember.OwnersLaurieSvedbergandFaithFarrell love tomeet folkswhoshare their impish attitudetowardartandlifesotheyshowindividuallyatlocalvenuesandtheirworkisalwaysonviewatColumbiaGroundsCoffeeShopon33rdandCentralAvenueNEinMinneapolis.

Laurie,canyougiveusabriefbioofyourself?I’maretiredhighschoolartandphilosophyteacherwitharesidentialstudio/gallerythat’sbeenonHGTVandhometours.Ihaveawhiteshepherdnamed“Wonder”whoinspiresmeandI’velivedinNEfor26yearswhereIstillmarvelatthemixofarts,cultureandgrittiness.BesidesFunktionallArt,IshowregularlyatAlteredEstheticsandColumbiaGrounds.IalsodesignedthebannersonCentralAvenueasatributetothisgreatarea(buttheyneedsomefresheningup!)HowdidyouandFaithcometogethertocreateFUNKtionallArt?

Yearsago,beforethe“craftcraze”hit,Istartedfunkifyingmyhouseholdfurnishings.Apolelampbecameatree,stereospeakersmorphedintorocks,andclocksturnedcuckoo.AboutthattimeImetfellowfunkstress,FaithFarrellwholiveddownthealley.Wedecidedtolaunchagalleryoffunkyfurnishingsthateveryonecouldenjoy.FUNKtionallARTwasborn.Ourmissionwas,andstillis,tofashion“fun-of-a-kind”artpiecesfromusefulobjects.FaithandIcreate“serious”artasseparateentities,butFUNKtionallARTremainsagreatoutletforoursharedsenseofhumor,ironyandpopculture.WhatareyourplansforArt-A-Whirl?

FunktionallArtissponsoring“BattleoftheBrushes”atColumbiaGroundsonSaturdayMay20from2-4pm.Itwillbeaspeed-paintingextravaganza,withNEMAAartistsandlocalcelebritiescreating5-minutepaintingsoftopicstossedoutbyspectators.Think“Pictionary”meets“BeattheClock.”We’vegotM.A.RoskoofFOX9MorningNews,PaulOstrowoftheMinneapolisCityCouncil,L.K.HansonaStarTribuneillustrator,BenHeywood,theSoapFactorydirectorandJulieSwenson,“SkywayGirl”lineduptobecelebritypainters.RichKronfeld(a.k.a.“Dr.Sphincter”)ofTV’s“Let’sBowl!”famewillbetheemcee.ThepaintingswillbeauctionedwithaportionofproceedstobenefitClareHousing,anorganizationthatsupportsfolkswithHIV/AIDS.And,ofcourse,FUNKtionallARTGallery(34thandTylerNE)willbeamust-seestopduringArt-a-Whirl.JudithWestergard,FaithFarrellandIwillhavelotsoffunkyartworksforshowandsaleatreal-peopleprices.It’sdelightfultowitnessthegiggles,gaspsandguffawsofvisitorsandWonderhopeseveryonewillstopbytopethimandgawkathiswackyhouse!Sostopbyandexperienceagalleryunlikeanyyou’veseen!

LaurieSvedbergandFaithFarrellFUNKtionallART3359TylerStreetNE612-789-8616lsved@ties2.netwww.funktionallart.com

20

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Whirl–Wind

MikeandIreneMenascoareownersofthefineartgalleryandframingstoreArtisticIndulgence.BothareselftrainedartistswhocreateANDsellart,representingabouteighttotennationalandlocalartistsatatimeintheirgallery.MikehasbeenaCertifiedProfessionalPictureFramerforsixyears,soinadditiontothe50orsooriginalpiecesdisplayedforpurchaseinthegallery,theydoconservationcustomframing.Theyalsoofferarangeofartistmaterials.Mike,yourownartseemstobeallovertheboardinregardstostyleandcontent.Isthissomethingyouspecificallysetouttoachieve,ordoyousimplypaintwhatyoufeel?

Ipaintsolelyformyself.Iamnotanartistwhojustproducestosell.IpaintwhatIfeel,whetheritsellsornot.Iworkinmanydifferentstylesandmediumsincludingacrylics,oils,coloredpencils,riverclayandpastels,etc...I’lltryanything.Forme,that’sthegreatthingaboutart.Youaretheonlyonethatlimitsyourself.Howdoyoufeelaboutshowingyourmorecontroversialworkinyourowngallery?Galleries likeAlteredEstheticsarewonderful formebecause it allowsme toshowmymorecontroversialworkwithoutthejudgmentsofclosedmindedpeople.Unfortunatelyasweknowinbusinessitisnotalwayswisetowearyourpoliticalorpersonalbeliefsonyoursleeve.Wepreferourbusinesstostandaloneasaplacewhereanybodycancomeandenjoywhatwehavetoofferbasedonqualityandprofessionalism,notwhatourpersonalbeliefsare.IfeelIgetthebestofbothworlds.Igettodomoreofarangeofsubjectswithoutbeingcategorizedintoonestyle.Doyoufindmaintainingthebusinessendofyourgallerytobechallengingwhenyou’remoreofacreativetype?Not at all.Yes, youhave tobeboth,businessandcreative. Irene iscompletely thebusinessside.Iamlearningalittleafteralltheseyears.Butshedoesanincrediblejobandsheisboth,business–mindedandcreative.Therearen’tmanypeoplelikeherandthat’swhyitworksforus.DoyouthinkArt-A-Whirlhasincreasedsalesorawarenessorboth?I feel it has increasedbothandgetsbetterevery year.Weget the trickledown from theArtDistrict.It’salljustgettingthepublictorealizewearehereandtoremember.Thiswillbethe2ndyearthatwehaveourNortheastArtBuyingIncentive.Tosupportthelocalartsandartists,ArtisticIndulgencewillgive25%offofframingorreframingofanyart,thatisboughtfromanyartistinNEparticipatinginArt-A-Whirl.

MikeandIreneMenascoArtisticIndulgence302EastHennepin612.746.4508Wereiartm@aol.com

21

www.roguebuddha.comwww.roguebuddha.com

Fine ArtMusic

FilmDance

Theater

"Susanna" by Nicholas HarperNow on Display"Susanna" by Nicholas HarperNow on Display

357 13th ave . ne . mpls 612.331.3889

ROGUE buddha GALLERYa contemporary place to view art357 13th ave . ne . mpls 612.331.3889

ROGUE buddha GALLERYa contemporary place to view art

Thedayswhenyouhavenothingtowear,whenyoufeelasifyou’vebeensuckedintoafashionblackhole,aretheidealdaystoventuretoClichéon24thandLyndaleinMinneapolis.Ananswertoyourstylingwoescansurelybefoundinsidethenarrowboutique,nestledsnuglybetweenacoffeeshopandamusicstore.

Clichéoffersit’scustomeralargeselectionofclothingandaccessoriesencompassingawealthofdifferentstyles.Itsfilledwithenoughvarietytodelightnewwaversandbohos,alike.

TheduobehindCliché,husbandandwifeJoshandDelayneSundberg,shareagreat loveoffashion. Both grew up in the Twin Cities and are excited to support the burgeoning fashioncommunity.TheirboutiquecarriesfashionfromlocaldesignerssuchasDeGenyRecycling,KerryRileyandLessThanPerfect.

However,theymakeitquiteclearthattheywillnotcarryalinejustbecauseitislocal.“Wewanttocarrycoolstuffthathappenstobelocal,”Joshsays.

TheyinitiallywantedClichétobeavintagestore,butwhencityzoninglawsandpermitsstoodinthewayoftheiroriginalvision,theydecidedthattheywouldopenaboutiquethatofferednew,mass-producedclothingandaccessories,inadditiontolocalpieces.“Wewantedthestoretobeanalternativetothelabelstores,”Joshsays.

Delayne,Cliché’sbuyer,scoutedtheglobefornewclothingcompanies.Sheshoppedspecificallyfor pieces that looked like nothing else she had ever seen. The result of her scouting is aneclectic,affordablemixofAsianbrands,Americanbrands(includingsweatshop-freeAmericanApparel),andlocaldesignersontherise,suchasCorrineLohman.Joshsaysoftheaffordabilityoftheitems,“DelayneandIfeltitwasimportantthatitbereasonablypriced.Wealwayswantedittobewithinacollegekid’sbudget.”Therearetopsandskirtsavailableforunder$30,aswellasoneof-a-kinddressesfor$150.

Thechoiceforthelocationwaspurelyaccidental.“Wesawanadinthepaperandwecamebytocheckitout,”co-ownerJoshSundbergsays.“Weimmediatelyfellinlovewiththeearly1900’stinceiling.”ThelocationhasturnedouttobeablessingasLyndaleAvenuehasbecomeashoppinghotspotinthepastfewyears.

“UptownusedtobetheplacetogoforedgierclothingwhenIwasakid,butnowit’sallGapandExpress,”Joshsays,“LyndaleiswherethepeoplewholiveinUptowncometoshopnow.”

ByVictoriaA.ZumpanowithadditionalreportingbyBethHammarlund


Cliché

Photo:KristaOakes

24

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Cliché

As for the future of Cliché, Josh and Delayne intend to continue to support and offer localdesigners,whilemaintainingabalancewithmass-produceditems.Iftheircurrentsuccessisanyindication, their redandwhitestoresignshouldbeannouncingCliché’spresence toLyndaleAvenueformanyyearstocome.

2�

Candy Eye FactoryByLiliJackson

Film often stimulates fashion and style. Klute set off the shag haircut. Clueless inspired big-skirtedsuitsandknee-highstockings.BeastieBoysvideosrousedthe loveofoversized, fakemustaches.ForJoEllenMartinsonandWilliamScottReesofCandyEyeFactory,itisfashionthatinspirestheirfilms.

Theduostartedexperimentingwithclothinginelementaryschool.Theynursedtheircreativitybydiggingthroughbarrelsfullofvintageclothing,wigsandfakebloodtoworkonschoolprojects.When they began making films, their work rarely contained stories, but the characters werealwaysstyledtoperfection.ItwasnotuntilafterstudyingMediaArtstogetheratMCADthattheystartedtofocusonthenarrativeaspectoffilm.However,theystillrelyonthestylingoftheirfilmstoexpresswhatwordscannot.Martinson,who focusedonanimation incollege,alsocreatesgraphicsthatenhancetheatmosphereandmood,particularlyintheirfilmsDigitsandTheDriver&theDoe.

Digitsisaperfectexampleoffashionasmuse.WhileflippingthroughabookabouttheBaader-MeinhofGang(RedFactionArmy),MartinsonandReeswereintriguednotonlybythepoliticsofthemilitantMarxist/Maoistorganization,butalsobytheirterroristchic.Armedwithanarsenalof70’svintageclothingandaneyefordesign,CandyEyeFactoryconceptualizedandcreatedastoryofkidnappingandbetrayalthroughaKinoeye.InTheDriver&theDoe,theduotoldataleofexploitationandcruelty,challengingtheviewertoreconsiderthewaythatanimalsareusedtosatisfyourownconsumerism.

TriandExpectorantsaretwomorenon-narrativefilmsontheCandyEyeFactoryDVD(availableat Design Collective, Robot Love and Day-Lab.com). Both delve deeply into interpersonalrelationships, but have extremely contrasting moods. Although they both contain an elementofstrife,Expectorantscreatesanatmosphereofloveandconcern,asacoupletriestocureamysteryailment.Triiscomposedofthreecomplimentaryshorts.AsCandyEye’smostabstractfilm, starring Martinson and Rees, it has a modern dance-like quality that is enhanced by itscreativeediting.

ColorandcharacterripeninbothTheLegendofSantaSusannaandBetsyBenson&theBowtieBoy(s). As their longest and largest film to date, The Legend of Santa Susanna transformsMinneapolisintoasleepysouthwesterntownfromthepackagingofthemaincharacter’sfavoriteUnpasturizedGoat’sMilkcarton,downtotheTexMexthreads.TheLegendhasanairofmagicrealismwhirlingthroughoutwhilethenarrator’stwangsetsthetone.BetsyBenson&theBowtieBoy(s)isnarratedaswell,butshotasaveryinventivereclamationofanoldchildhoodstoryasthenarratorrecordsitherself.


2�

Withanintenseworkethicandattentiontodetailthatenablesthemtomakethesefilmswithoutaproductionteam,MartinsonandReesstillgetexcitedaboutthesmallthings,suchasdiscoveringcool and amusing tags on vintage clothing. The idea for their recent film The Mallory’s GoBlackMarketwasinspiredbysillylabelswithnameslikeDaddy’sMoneyandtheimportanceofbrands.

CheckoutCandyEyeFactory’swebsiteatwww.candyeyefactory.com,andstaytunedtoPBSandvariousfilmfestivalsforachancetoviewtheirupcomingworks.

L’étoile SpringFever2006 CandyEyeFactory

2�


The TV SoundByAnnaLee

AnyonewhoattendedVoltage:FashionAmplifiedatFirstAvenueinMay,2005cantellyouthattheclubwasbrimming,ifnotoverflowing,withlocaltalent.ThesurprisehitofthenightwasTheTVSound,abandthatseemedmadefortheevent.

StevenHutton,keyboardistandfrontmanfortheTVSound,adistinctfigureinthelocalfashioncommunity,isknownforhiseclectic,80’sinspiredmenswear,currentlysoldatCliché.Hutton’srunway showsare entertaining and innovative andoften involve recordingsof originalmusic,human“mannequins”anddancingthatonecanonlydescribeas“Hutton.”

Minneapolis music enthusiasts may recall Audrey, a band who made 80’s music lovely evenbeforethecurrentretro-revival.MaxMileski,bassistandfounderofDatalystStudios,andJoshLemoine,houndstooth-jacket-wearingdrummer,weretwoofthatband’smembers.MileskiandLemoinearenowkeymembersoftheTVSound.JoiningthemisBrandonDalida,whotaughtguitarlessons,andworkedonhisownelectronicmusicprojectsbeforecomingtotheband.

TheTVSoundwasoriginallyconceivedin1997whenHuttonansweredanadrunbyMileskiinalocalnewspaper.Thetwomusiciansspenttheirfirstfewyearsasaduo“recordingthesongsthatwouldbecometheir21stcenturystatementforthereturnofpopmelody,danceswagger,analog influence, and digital technology”. They did not appear on the local music radar untilwinter/springof2005.

Hutton got more involved with visual arts and clothing design, while Mileski performed withAudreyin2001-2003.Inspring2004,theywerejoinedbyLemoineondrums.Thatfall,Dalidajoinedthegroupafterseeingaperformance.

Recently, I spent some time with the band’s Minneapolis residents, and Steve Hutton joinedusviaspeakerphone,havingrecentlymovedtoChicagoforhisjobwithH&M.Huttonsayshemissesrehearsingandplayingwiththeguys–itiswhatkepthimsaneinMinneapolis.Thoughhehastobeatworkat6a.m.,hestillloveshisnewjobandhasbeenabletoletgoontheweekendsandgettoknowthecity.Hehasbeenscopingoutnewvenuesthere,andI’mhappytoreportChicagocanexpectaTVSoundshowinthenearfuture.

MovingtoChicagowasgoodforHutton.Theshoppingdistrictisvibrant,andheisgettingalotofinspiration.Hehasbeenstylingforshowsandgettinginvolvedwithmarketingandevents.WhenpressedforhistitleatH&M,hehalf–jokedthattheydon’tbelieveintitlesthere,butbeassuredheistheonewhomakestheirwindowssoeye-catching.

OutsideofTheTVSound,therestoftheguyshavebeenkeepingbusy.Mileski,whennotworkingonfinishingtheTVSound’snewCD,hasbeenworkingonotherrecordingprojectsandfixing

2�

L’étoile SpringFever2006 TheTVSound

uphisnewsailboat.LemoinehasbeenplayingwithlocalmusicianBeight,andDalidahasbeenplayingwithelectro-pop/newwavegroupMercurialRage.

Duringourconversation-inthemidstofaheateddebateregardingthefinerpointsofgauchosandcroppedpants-Irealizedhowcloselytheseguysworktogether,despitetheirlong-distancerelationship.Theiraestheticsandinterestsarevaried,yetstilluniquelyinlinewithoneanother’s.Songwriting,performance,andfashionareimportanttoanyband,butTheTVSoundapproacheseachdetailwiththemostartisticofintentions.Theresultisanexperiencethatmakestheaudiencedance,andleavesthemwithafeelingof“that’showthisshouldbedone.”

Thereleasepartyfortheirnew12-song,self-titledCDissetforMay19thattheVarsityTheater.Theywillbe joinedbyTheAlarmistsandThisWorldFair.Thenightpromisestobefilledwithfashionandexcellentlivemusic,eachbandprominentlyfeaturingkeyboards.

Photo:ColinSimmions

2�

It’sonethingtowearyourheartonyoursleeve.It’squiteanothertowearyourideas.Labrador,a Twin Cities brand and collective of fashion designers, models, stylists, and photographers,produces clothing inspired by and rooted in politics. These pieces, ranging from casual toluxurious,blendaesthetics,function,andideology.

In 2000, chief designer Barrett Johanneson was spending a semester away from HamlineUniversitytostudyinSouthernCalifornia.FrustratedwithOrangeCountyandLosAngelesstyle,Johannesonandafrienddecidedtopurchaseasewingmachineoverspringbreakandspendthefollowingtwoweeksteachingthemselvestomaketheirownclothes.“Theideareallycameaboutfromanintensedissatisfactionwithsuburban,SouthernCalifornia.Labradorbeganasaresponsetowhatweknewwedidn’tlike,”Johannesonsays.

ThenameLabrador,isaproductofthesamelogic.“Ididn’tlikedogsatthetime.AndLabradorsaresohappyandstupid.Wedecidedtogowithsomethingthatwedidn’tlikeandturnitintosomethingthatwedid,”Johannesonsays.“Andwereallylikedthename.Labradorsortofrollsrightoffthetongue.”

TheNovember2003andAugust2004Anti-FashionDistrict showsat theFineLinebroughtLabrador to the forefrontof theTwinCities fashionscene. Johanneson’sambitiousgoalsandgeneralphilosophycompelledhimtoenlistthehelpofAssistantDesignersAmySorenson,DaniaMiwa,andNoahMiwa.ThedemandsofpreparingfortheAugust2004show,inparticular,fueledthecollaborativeatmospherethatLabradorhasbecomeknownfor.

ThesetwoshowswereprimeexamplesofLabrador’sclearlydefinedcolorpalettes.Johannesonfavoredaboldred,white,andblackcolorschemeinspiredbytheartistBarbaraKruger.“Thecolorschemewasreflectiveofthepolarizationofthepoliticalatmosphere,”explainsJohanneson.“Wewereveryfocusedonconsumercultureandtryingtofitinsocio-politicalcritiquesofmaterialismandfeminism.”

BothofLabrador’sappearancesattheAnti-FashionDistrictshowsincludedstagingthatechoedtheclothing’spoliticalcharge.Inthefirstshow,modelscastballotsonstage.Inthesecond,moreintricatelychoreographedshow,modelswroteonablackboardwithchalk,takingturnswritinganderasingarandomseriesoflettersuntiltheaudiencewasleftwiththemessage“VoteorShuttheFuckUp.”Althoughtheshowsweredecidedlypolitical,Labradordidnotendorseaparticularcandidateorparty.Theirgoalwastoencouragemembersoftheaudiencetomakeachoiceandstandupforit.

ByBethHammarlund


Labrador

30

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Labrador

Afterthe2004presidentialelection,JohannesonchosetobringdowntheintensityoftheLabradormessage.“Everyonewasexhaustedwithpolitics.Everythingwasgoingmoreunderground.Sowebroughtthattoourdesignbyusingmoresubduedcolorssymbolizingbeingundergroundorundertheocean,”Johannesonsays.ThecollectionshownatVoltage:FashionAmplified2005presentedagentlersideofLabrador.Thesubtlecolorpaletteallowed theviewer tobetterappreciate the textureandshapeof theclothing. The shiny fabrics, nubby knits, and voluminous pieces marked an enormous shiftfor the brand. It also created an opportunity to showcase the unique talents of Noah Miwa,whoconstructedasquid-inspiredpurse.ThisparticularpieceisafantasticexampleofMiwa’sbeadworkandwasdyedblack,appropriately,withsquidink.

AlthoughJohannesonisquicktogivecredittohisfellowdesigners,itisclearlyhispassionthatfuelsthebrand.“He’sgreataboutcombiningourideasandgivingusanequalsay,butwhenitcomesdowntoit,LabradorisBarrett’sbaby,”saysDaniaMiwa.

“IwantLabradortobeabletobreaknewgroundinexpressionofhumanideasasopposedtobeingadisplayofconsumerproducts,”Johannesonsays.“IfLabradorwasn’tstrivingtoexpressthoughtful,meaningfulideasabouttheworldwelivein,we’djustbeaminiaturefactory.It’saboutprovokingthoughtanddiscussion.”

To learnmoreaboutLabrador, visit theirwebsiteat labrador-style.comordropby theDesignCollectivetopurchaseselectitems.

PhotographybySteveWolfPhotographyAssistantColinSimmonsMakeupbyMollyRoarkHairbyAddieMroslaIllustrationbyChrisHajnyStyledandwornbyLabrador

31


32


33


34


3�


3�


3�


40

Subscription, Editorial contributions,

Advertising

and Art Club

letoilemagazine.com


Agoraphobia

42

TreebarkbodicebyMelanieReeLycheebyEmilyJohnsonEarringsPaintingbyAmeliaBiewald

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Agoraphobia

43

Top-PrincessWarriorbyAbigailMeyersSkirtbyMollyRoarkSkullnecklace,wornonwristbyMotherDaughterRingbyDarcyDesigns


44


4�

DressbyLaurenSchadNecklacebyNatalieLucas


4�


4�

DressbyLauraFulk


4�

SkirtandleathercorsetbyMelanieReeMetallicjacketbyPrincessWarrior


4�


�0

JacketbyLambVintageskirtandbustlefromMelanieReeCollection


�1

SlipfromClichéVintagewrapfromMelanieReeCollection


�2

DressbyLauraFulkEarringsbyMotherDaughterPaintingbyAmeliaBiewald


�3


�4


��

DressbyLauraFulk


��


PhotographybyAmyPierceArtDirectionbyMollyRoarkPhotographyAssistant-CharlesMillerHairbyJenHughesHairColorbyBrentCampMakeupbyTrucNguyenPropStylist-GinaReidStyleAssistant-EstherParkArtworkbyAmeliaBiewaldModel-Erin

Oppositepage:DressbyDianevonFurstenbergNecklacebyNatalieLucasHandmadeneckruffsbyMelanieRee

RomanPolanski’s1965filmRepulsionhadCatherineDeneuveplayingCaroleLedoux, abeautiful but repressed youngwomanwho left toherowndeviceswhenherfamilygoesonavacation,descendsintoapsychoticstateassheisconsumedbyclaustrophobia. Deneuvesharedthesamepatrician façadeandicymannerismthatmadeGraceKellyandTippiHedrentwoofAlfredHitchcock’sfavored actresses. This frigid type of beauty instills in the beholder not onlyadmiration,butanurgetouncoverandevendestroyitinasearchforsomethingdeeper.Atonceperfectlybeautifulandtragicallyflawed,Hitchcock’splatinumblondeexhibits“lotsofapparentreserve,lotsoftemperamentinprivate”.Sheis“icecoldtea,pipinghotsex.”

Thethemeofwomenbeingtrapped,–whetherphysicallyormetaphorically—isnotnew.19thcenturyauthorsCharlottePerkinsGilmanandEdnaSt.VincentMillayalsofeaturedwomenwhowereconfined—ifnotwithinspatialboundariesthenwithinsocietalconstraintsortheirownunquietminds.Gilman’sprotagonistin“TheYellowWallpaper”awriter,goesmadwhenforcedtoconvalesceafteralongillnesswithoutanoutletforhercreativity.

Dynamicsofhumaninteraction–especiallythoseoftheromantictypeidealizedinliterature,music,andart–actascatalyst,settingintomotionthetypeofemotionalchemistrythatchangeseachcharacter.Outsidethecinematicworldofresolvedintrigueandhappydenouement, l’étoile’sowncoolblondspendsherday insolitude,posingthequestion:whathappenstoourhiddenselvesifthereisnoonetheretodiscoverthem?

��

Where to buyL’étoile SpringFever2006 Volume2Issue1

��

DarcyDesignsavailableatDesignCollective,131126thstreetwest,Minneapolis,612-377-1000

LauraFulkavailableatCliché,2403Lyndaleavenuesouth,Minneapolis,612-870-0420,[email protected]

LabradoravailableatDesignCollectiveandatlabrador-style.com

LambavailableatNordstrom

[email protected]

LycheebyEmilyJohnsonavailableatGallery360,3011west50thstreet,Minneapolis,612-925-2400

MotherDaughteravailableatDesignCollective

PrincessWarriorbyAbigailMeyersavailableatDesignCollectiveandatprincesswarrior.net

MelanieReeandavailableatClichéandseamstrix.net

MollyRoarkavailableatmollyroark.com

TwoBitBlingavailableatmyspace.com/twobitbling

[email protected]

DianevonFurstenbergavailableatNordstrom

OpinionBy Michelle Skally Doilney

SpringhasarrivedinMinnesota,butlikeallofusatsometimeoranother,itisstillwinterinmybrain. My endless ideas and my doubts about expressing them clash and mix into a slothfulslurpee.Wintertimeand itshardshipsarehandyanalogiesandexcuses for stalled ideasandprojects.Yet,springfollowswinterandthemindslurpeemusteventuallythaw.

Onarecentvisit to theBig IslandofHawaii,mymindslurpeemeltedenoughto letcreativityflowfromthedarknessintothelight.Itwasn’tsun,surforMaiTaisthatinspiredme.Itwasthemythologicalgoddessofvolcanoesandherawesomepower.MotherPeleincineratesforestsaswellaspavement;thenshepushesbacktheocean,creatingthenewestMotherEarthontheplanet.TomanyHawaiians,she’snotamythandcertainlynotajoke.Scienceaside,anyforceofnaturethatcanconsumeyourneighborhoodshouldberespectedandtakenseriously.Insteadoftryingtocontroltheuncontrollable,wiseislandersshowrespectforherprocess,stepquicklyoutofthewayandwaitfortheeventualfruitsofherexplosions.Forlaughs,myhusbandJimaskedfourdifferentParkRangershowmuchrainittooktocoolandstoplava.Theyallstutteredalot,tryingtodiplomaticallyexplainthelawsofnaturetotwomainlandmorons.

Peleandherrhythmssymbolizelife’scycleofdeathandrebirth,theyin-yangofdarkandlight,thereleasingofoldideasandtheembracingofnew.WhenPeleerupts,thecurrentlandscapeisdestroyed.WherePeleerupts,newlandsareborn.AsJimandIhikedoverbizarresheetsoflava,wewereawedbythedesolationoftheglassy,blackgroundagainstthebluesky.Inournextsteps,wewereawedbythebeautyoftherippled,newlandandbythetenacityoflittleflowerspeekingouthereandthere.Wherethereismoisture,evenbarrenlavamothersnewlife.

Everygoshdarn little“mistake” ispartof thecreativeprocess.As I just realized, thankstomycomputer’sspellcheck,thedifferencebetweenstaringandstarting isonlyoneletter(today’sslurpeepuzzle=figureitout).Staringistheoutwardsignofsomethingdeeperandit’susuallythelastconsciousactionbeforeheadingtothecouchfor“thinkingtime”.Webuildourcreativevolcano,collectingbitsofdailylife,naps,frustration,TV,storefrontposters,andlatenightphonecallsmadefromthebathtubtootherstuckcreatives.

“Starting”comesafterstaring:ourinnermixtureofconversationandexperiencecondensesintolavathatiseventuallyreadytobloworflow.Buildyourownhabitstoharnessthestareandgrabthestart.Findwaystoreleasesteamuntilthelavabubblesup.Enjoy“stare”butschedulefacetimeat yourstudioorcomputer.Give “start”achance,aplace tohappen.Withoutgraspingandgrowingaroundinourwarehousesofwords,experiencesandideas,we’dendupbackingradeschoolland,fillingspacewithadjectiveslike“very,very”andcolorslike“sunshineyellow.”“Stupendouslyinsignificant”and“eye-piercingyellow”comeoutofcoffeeshopargumentsoverusingpencilsvs.penstowritecomplaintlettersandofchamomileteadaydreamsat2AM.


�0

Howcanwereallylamentourmentalwinterswhentheyarepartofus,ourownheatingcore,thesourceofsomethingnewtocomeafterthethaw?Towhollyhonorourpoems,photos,paintings,andinspiredcoutureweneedtohonortheusuallydark,sometimespainful,andalmostalwaysfrustratingprocessthatbirthsthem.Sooften,weseeourendresultastheonlythingwithstreetcred.WerejoicewhenournextMonaLisaisdoneandblockoutthedaysoflyingaroundeatingNutellafromajarandwatchinginfomercialswithdisgustingzeal.Weneedtoopenourselvestoourfinaldraft,andtohowwegetthereinthefirstplace.

Feed your own Pele with nourishment, meditation, friendship and a foreign book or movie.Respectthetimeittakestobuildyourcreationsfromwithinandhonoryourwinterhibernationaswellasyourspringtimemagma.Prepareyourselffortheexplosions(oratleastshortredbursts),becausePelerewardswithnewterrainevenasshedestroysthatwhichnolongerservesyou.

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Opinion

�1


�2

MichelleSkallyDoilney, aMinnesotanbybirthandaccent, is reinventingherself at hernew homes in Utah and California. A former hospital food schlepper turned corporateclamberer,sheiscurrentlyacertifiedFengShuiconsultant,certifiedYogainstructorandbusinessconsultant.Mostimportantly,Michelleisacertifiedwriter/photographeratsoul,withtonsofstoriesandideasjustliketherestofus.

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Opinion

�3


l’étoile Nightlife

TheTwinCities fashion intelligentsia invadedAPrettyMindStudio for thewinter and springl’étoileevents.Art,music,cocktailsandparlorgamesentertainedeventhemostjadedscenesters.Paintingsweresold.Drinksweredowned.Andourlease?Itwaslost.Anythinginthenameofart,right?

�4

L’étoile SpringFever2006 Art&Culture/L’etoileNightlife

��

The creative class flooded Northeast Minneapolis’ Density Studios for the opening of JoshMcEvitt’sprovocativeexhibit,“IntothePink”.Partygoersdrankgummybearcocktails,exchangedairkisses,andeventookoccasionalleaveofthedancefloorto,youknow,actuallycheckouttheart.Ithasrecentlycometol’étoile’sattentionthatseveralattendeesweremolestedbyadancingbear.Weofferoursincereapologiestoanyonethat“BearisHilton”mayhaveoffended.


��

a g a l l e r y f o r t h e a r t i s t i n a l l o f u s

ARTISTS IN ADVERTISINGARTISTS IN ADVERTISINGA showing for Art-a-Whirl 2006

May 19, 20 and 21*at

1121 Jackson Street NE, Suite 113located in

The Waterbury Building

Call Ellen at 612.767.3457for more information.

*During all Art-a-Whirl scheduled hours.

�

�

unleashed productionsunleashed productions

l'etoile magazine: Agoraphobia

Documents

Transcript of l'etoile magazine: Agoraphobia