A CINEPHILE'S PARADISE // TAXI TEHERAN //

Since this is my second film review/recommendation, I thought it'd be a good idea to have a group name for these type of posts. I hope to be doing these fairly often, whenever I watch something that is out of this world good - maybe I should do ones about films I don't like? Comment your thoughts about that below to let me know!

 

So.. TAXI TEHERAN - an Iranian film by an Iranian director (Jafar Panahi) filmed 'undercover' whilst the director himself was driving a taxi around Teheran. Some may say that you can't technically call Panahi the director of this film because there are no credits, but any two eyes can see that he is clearly the one doing the directing. An interesting perspective - by this I mean camera shots that Panahi often turns himself , maybe to make the whole project look my authentic, more lifelike (although I don't think it can get anymore realistic than this), this is a masterpiece like none I've seen. It's a world away from the classic artistic films I maybe a sucker for, but this is innovative.. and well, DARING! Knowing that Panahi has had major problems with the government in the past, problems that resulted in him being house bound, later country bound, filming this was a risk, one that requires courage. This situation is still the case to this day. He is forbidden to film in any way or form, nevertheless, here I am reviewing a substantial work in his cinematography.

 

To sum the film up in the simplest way possible I would say that it's a politically packed work of genius. Surprisingly funny, diverse in its plot - there are accidents, old ladies with fish, black market foreign film selling, and even Panahi's niece stars in it along side him, adding a note  innocence that I found refreshing.

 

some snapshots from the film

 

 

A Golden Bear at the 65th Berlin Film Festival is well deserved... Watch the trailer and comment your first impressions. If you can, do go to the cinema and see it - it's one of those movies that stay with you.

 

~ Julia xo

 

//SUMMER BLUES//

Having some spare time on my hands yesterday (there was a power cut in the evening) I edited another short OOTD video. As beforehand, this time round there isn't a lot to my outfit. A simple halter neck dress/tunic, which gives off the vibes of being slightly bohemian, my sandals, which in my opinion let the outfit down a bit (you have to understand that I had to have comfy footwear because my friend and I decided to walk to the cinema - I walked over 12 km that day) and a few bits and pieces to go with that. The details of the outfit will be down below :)

 

 

halter dress - PROMOD

sandals - ???

tote bag - MOCAK

ring - BERSHKA

bracelet - hand-me-down

 

I feel like I'm obliged to share with you this musical duet I recently discovered by chance. They're called 'COALS' and they're a Polish band mainly composing in English. It's a hard job trying to describe music to a stranger, but I might as well give it a go. Before you listen, I'd say that their music is a melange of melancholic and electronic music with an additional drop or two of chill vibes and a hypnotizing effect which will get you listening to their album on repeat. If you're from Poland you may have heard of The Dumplings, I think their compositions are comparable, though COALS have an unpolished folklore sound to them which I've fallen in love with... I used 'November' in my video because it just seemed to fit the scenario. I'm sure you've all had that feeling sometime in your lives, when something just fits - end of. Take a listen!

Julia xo

PROJECT CANCER

Why Project Cancer?

 

You're probably sitting in front of you chosen electrical device and thinking, what is the girl on about. Has she got cancer? Is she a voluntary helping people that have cancer?

If so, you've got a totally wrong idea. Before you read on here is a hint.

 

 





Project Cancer is the title of a film about Ulay (real name Frank Uwe Laysiepen) a German artist, if you can even call him that. I don't think there is another word to describe him, but even this one doesn't do him justice. He is a creator of art, a recreator of real life in the art world, a performer, an observer, a poet. I don't want to smear all of my opinions onto his work so I will merely be a messanger, delivering the inspiration to you. You have to let your own mind do the interpretation - I can only go so far with this... But I have to say this one thing, his work carries a deep, deep message. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's something you'll either love or hate to bits. Its execution, both his earlier works (his era working with Polaroid) like the photograph above that explores the border between genders, - essentially the whole concept of gender as well as, his performance art is sharp to say the least. The simplicity seems to be the key here.

You see, you register, you think for a while, you understand, you realise what a genius Ulay is, you continue to admire his other works and then like myself, the whole concept of art becomes redefined in your head - nothing seems the same.

 

Getting back to the film, the first thing you should know is that it's a documentary. Pure and true in it's form, a great way to get to know the artist - how does he think? where does his find his inspiration? the way he dresses and talks? It sounds vain ( at least the last question), but I have to be honest with my readers... I find it a crucial part of the whole 'discovering an artist' experience to see him in his natural habitat and everyday life. Is he nice? Is he this is he that? This enables me to put a few pieces of the puzzle together and understand, even in the slightest, what the guy is on about. ( I do hope I'm not the only one!!!) To tie those thoughts up with the movie - it's just the thing a newbie to Ulay needs. I was one until 2 days ago. I only went because I saw Marina Abramovic in the trailer of Project Cancer and... the banner on the facebook event was very intriguing.

 

Enough of my babbles. Here are the bits and bobs I found to give you a head start in your discoveries. I tried to pick out things that won't offend anyone, because some of his work (along with his collaborations with Marina can be a bit, well ... shocking).

 

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

Marina and Ulay - they were together for 12 years.
They said their goodbyes on the Great Wall of China in 1988.

  

 

 

Julia xo 

 





🌵🌵🌵Cacti day🌵🌵🌵 OOTD

Hey you guys,

 

I'm here today with another OOTD. The weather here in Cracow has been pretty good the last few days (minus the extreme humidity), so I managed to meet up with friends have a few spontaneous photo sessions.

I have to be honest with you. The outfit isn't something too original, nothing you haven't seen before. I like to keep it simple in the summer. To tell you the truth, putting on the choker was quite and ask for me as it was at least 30 degrees outside and way too humid for any living creature. I'm usually the type of person who finishes up her outfits with accessories - most of which are earrings and necklaces, but hot weather is an exception :) So here you go guys, a patterned crop top, high-waisted shorts, a belt, a red bag and sandals. I hope it'll inspire you to go creating your own 'combos of magic'! And... if you have any questions, I'm always happy to answer them....

🌵OUTFIT DETAILS🌵
~crop top - tally weijl
~shorts - thirfted (originally H&M)
~belt - reserved
~sandals - shoe boutique in Cracow
~ choker -eBay
~bag - hand-me-down

YoUtH

a wall near the main market square

 

jungle...my natural habitat

 

the thing behind is a caravan believe it or not!

casual...

contemplation in full swing...

 

If anyone is interested, since I recently did a post on Tate Modern, and his work is exhibited there, here is an article on 'How to be like Andy Warhol, according to Andy Warhol'. It's his birthday today so I thought it'd be a nice gesture.

READ THIS!

 

And... you can also check out my fb page dedicated to art, books, music and fashion;a daily dose of inspiration is the best way to sum it up! ART CLAN

Till next time,

Julia xo

🌞🌵🌸WANDERLUST🌞🌵🌸 SUMMER OOTD

Hey there,
So I've been working on this all day today and it's finally out there in the universe. Once again, something different - a mini ootd/vlog that I filmed with the help of my friend Sonia (I'm sure you'll be seeing more of her around here). The video is a kind of diary of our day out and an idea for anyone looking to go on mini adventures during the holidays, an idea for feeling comfy whilst roaming around. There's nothing more to it. Before you watch, the reason behind this post being called 'Wanderlust'...

 

🌞🌵🌸My Outfit Details🌞🌵🌸

dress ~ new look
sandals ~ new look
rucksack ~ hand me down

🌞🌵🌸Sonia's Outfit Details🌞🌵🌸

crop top ~ hand me down + DIY
shorts ~ bershka
shoes ~ deichmann
necklaces ~ hand me down
sunnies ~ c&a
bag ~ c&a

Thanks for you time,

Julia xo

Tate Modern: a surrealistic paradise?

To mark the time that has passed since I was last in London (exactly a week ago today), I've decided to put together a post for you guys about surrealism, my experience at Tate Modern and in general what makes the museum such a wonderful place to visit.

 

If you've never heard of the place before, Tate Modern is an art gallery/museum in London, right by the river Thames, just across from St. Paul's Cathedral. (It's a 10/15 min walk from Waterloo station.) The greatest thing is that the visit is totally free. There's a recommendation that you donate £4 to the institution to keep it free.

 

Obviously talking about everything will be impossible so I just chose a few of the art pieces that left me stunned.

 

Nude, Green Leaves and Bust 1932 (Picasso)

Pisces 1938 (Man Ray)

Seated Woman in a Chemise 1923 (Picasso)

Painting 1927 (Joan Miró)

The Three Dancers 1925 (Picasso)



The Autobiography of an Embryo 1933-4 (Eileen Agar)

The Uncertainty of the Poet 1913 (Giorgio de Chirico)

Metamorphosis of Narcissus 1937 (Salvador Dali)

Swinging 1925 (Wassily Kandinsky)

From this short list, you may get the idea that Tate Modern on hosts surrealistic pieces and a bit of abstract art... If you're not up for seeing these type of works, you'll definitely find something for your liking. 19 & 20th century realism is exhibited there, as well as temporary exhibitions too!

 

You see I'm a big fan of the likes of Dali, Miró, Picasso, Kahlo etc. (the classics of 20th century art). My knowledge is very limited and I hope to delve into the whole subject a lot more in the future, but I still think I know more about art than the average person. I have quite a wholesome knowledge; the problems start when it comes to details etc. For now one step at a time. Wisdom (knowledge too) comes with age...

 

 I must be completely honest and say that some of the works I was looking forward to seeing disappointed me a little. Nonetheless, some artists (Beuys, el Salahi) that I had never heard of prior to this trip exceeded well beyond my wildest expectations. I guess that's just how it is nowadays. 

 

Overall, I think that the experience was a one I won't regret. Though I would recommend that you wear comfortable footwear and enter Tate with a lot of patience and a full stomach :) Hunger can sometimes get in the way of your interpretation skills. Maybe read something about the exhibition beforehand, that way you'll exactly what you're looking at as I found some of the captions very confusing. The stories behind the artwork are always exciting and I can assure you that the feeling of ''I already knew that'' in this type of gallery is a pretty nice one. Tate also offers free guided tours at certain times of the day, so be sure to check that out. Here's their website ---> TATE MODERN

 

And now to the photoblog part. Enjoy guys. Thanks to mum for taking them (canon 5d mark ii)

Outfit details:

Frida Kahlo top ~ RESERVED

denim jacket ~ THRIFTED

high-waisted jeans ~ ZARA

black sneakers ~ originally VANS (got them second-hand online)

scarf ~ MEDECINE

 

Frida Kahlo in Tate...



The installation by an artist called Beuys. Very cold and mystical don't you think?



A man admiring Picasso



The are meant to be the human organs. An interesting take on the actual thing.
I swear that the frame only makes it more interesting...



Posing next to Hillier's 'Variation on the form of an Anchor' 1939



This was probably the weirdest exhibit there. What do you think it is?
1988 (reconstructed in 2011) Lee Bul 'Untitled (White Carvings)'

The joy you feel when being constantly photographed... (I'm kidding)



Juxtaposition: trio vs. wall with painting

The was a video installation showing this face mask in action - this lady
drawing monotonously on a wall with the pencils that stick out.
If I remember correctly it's called a pencil mask.
The piece is by Rebecca Horn. (1972)

The Millennium Bridge leading to St. Paul's Cathedral

Me and Warhol's self portrait.

This piece is made up of bright blue copper sulphate crystals. Pretty cool hey?



Time for a ponder downstairs in a desolate place.

Stare.

Industrial feel.

 

 





 

 

Thanks for your time,

Julia xo

 

 

Maze of life. How to escape?

It's been a while - I guess it's life that's just gets in the way. All the everyday drama - one can only manage for so long. I'm sure I'm not alone here, there's probably millions of us, who feel like we don't belong - the 'syndrome of emmigration' as I call it. The constant dilemmas at the back of your head, the need to compare every single aspect of your life. BING BING BING. You tested positive...
You see, I spent several of my child years in the UK, in a seaside town, living my everyday seaside life in peace and harmony (prior to this chapter in my life I spent my younger childhood in Cracow). Then came the move back. Wasn't much of a shock really;it was to be expected - the grass is always greener on the otherside. So here we are, almost 3 years later... a sensible teenager wanting to bloom, not knowing where. Every situation has something to offer, but none are ideal. I will sound slightly if not very cringy saying this but c'est la vie, right? WRONG. I'm of the opinion that you cannot blame the wrongs in your life on the sheer outcome of situations that you have no control over. If it concerns you, you need to be proactive and work out how to change it so that the outcome suits you. Sounds pretty straight forward, but in reality everything becomes a maze, windy and illogical.

So how to escape from a lose lose situation?

1) Concentrate on things that are right in your life. Things that for example you wouldn't be able to explore if it wasn't for that particular way something had happened in the past.

2) Find or further explore your interests. It's a great way to pass the time. Had too much spare time and you just can't help thinking excessively? Sign up to a class (yes, you have to spend money on it, but.... it's a super way to meet a new crowd as well as, broaden your horizons)

3) Get them feelings out on a page, old school style, pen and paper only. (There's nothing like knowing what state you were in whilst writing your 'dairy' by your handwriting)

4) Be active. Go for a walk, even if the weather doesn't encourage you to do so, go anyway. If you're up for it, go for a run, or do something till you're too tired to think.

5) Read a book for a change - I know I should. The internet does have the effect of making us humans unsocial creatures. Let's not be so depressing.



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