CHANGE AGAIN: ELEIN FLEISS
There comes a magazine that changes all the rules. In 1990 Elein Fleiss and Olivier Zahm created Purple, and over the last decade they have established it as a forum for some of the most innovative creators in the world to send their ideas out into the wild blue yonder. Purple is an intense, time-consuming affair; the enviable antithesis of “disposable.” In an industry where sloppy thinking and a never-ending show of nauseating hype reign supreme, Fleiss and her creation realize the great potential of alternative media.
What were the origins of Purple? …»
Perspective Reach II: Daido Moriyama
The second in a new series taking a closer look at Japanese photographers.
Last February Daido Moriyama spent a few days in New York City for the opening reception of his latest exhibition. “I actually didn’t have a lot of time while there but of course walked around and took photos. It had been about eight years since I had been and it felt good to be back and well, feel the cold again.” The photographs which Moriyama took that frigid week in New York took printed form as Number 15 in his more personal and willfully experimental ongoing series, Record. After over forty years of taking photographs and producing well over twenty publications, Moriyama has remained consistent- the shroud of noir that develops in the play between the grainy black and white; …»
FIRST TRIP 005: AKITA, JAPAN
With over seventy percent of its land covered by forests, Akita Prefecture in Japan’s northern Tohoku region is blessed with an abundance of nature. The Shirakami mountain range, home to the country’s largest virgin beech forest, sprawls across the north of the prefecture, and Mount Chokai, the second highest peak in Tohoku, looms to the south. Akita is home to numerous festivals, including the Namahage Demon Mask Festival, and it is the birthplace of woodworking of exceptional beauty. For gourmet enthusiasts, the local specialty is kiritanpo (a pipe-shaped food made of rice), and you should be sure to taste Akita’s famous jizake, a sake produced from spring to winter. This season or any, head north and discover a place of ancient traditions and extraordinary natural beauty. The following slideshow is from our First Trip Series. …»
HOSONO’S JOURNEYS ON THE MUSICAL SAUCER 3
Volume 3 of our Journey’s on the Musical Saucer series with Haruomi Hosono which featured writings on Hosono’s returns to places once encountered during his rich musical career and travels.
A Journey to India: Hosono and Yokoo, “Cochin Moon.”
1978 was an important year for Haruomi Hosono. The evolution of his exotic sound, already evident on the 1975 release “Tropical Dandy” and “Bon Voyage Co.” of the following year, reached its peak with the release of Harry Hosono and Yellow Magic Band’s hit album “Paraiso” in April, 1978. In February of that year, the idea of Yellow Magic Orchestra was conceived by Hosono and fellow musicians Yukihiro Takahashi and Ryuichi Sakamoto, and the group’s debut album came out in November. The catalyst for the metamorphosis from “band” to “orchestra” was an almost accidental trip to India with writer Tadanori Yokoo. …»
HOSONO’S JOURNEYS ON THE MUSICAL SAUCER 2
Volume 2 of our Journey’s on the Musical Saucer series with Haruomi Hosono which featured writings on Hosono’s returns to places once encountered during his rich musical career and travels.
In 1979, Dr. John told Haruomi Hosono, “Watch out for the music business!”
Still excited about first hearing Van Dyke Parks’ “Discover America” (1972), a few months later Haruomi Hosono listened to Dr. John’s “Gumbo” (1972) for the first time. “Eiichi Otaki told me that a great record had been released and that it was all I needed to hear in order to understand what the New Orleans sound was all about. Well, he was right! (laughs)” Not only Ohtaki and Hosono, members of the the 70′s Japanese rock band Happy End, but for music fans worldwide, “Gumbo” became a showcase album of the New Orleans sound- a sound not easily heard by non-locals at the time. Hosono’s connection to New Orleans goes way back. …»
HOSONO’S JOURNEYS ON THE MUSICAL SAUCER 1
Volume 1 of our Journey’s on the Musical Saucer series with Haruomi Hosono which featured writings on Hosono’s returns to places once encountered during his rich musical career and travels.
Van Dyke Parks: “Don’t give the steel pan to Hosono.”
On October 4, 1972, Haruomi Hosono flew to Los Angeles to record overseas for the first time with his popular 70′s Japanese rock group, Happy End. Back then, it was rare for Japanese musicians to go to LA for recording. The Sunset Studio was the gathering place for the ‘hip’ guys, so after hearing about me Van Dyke Parks came along. He ended up producing …»
ALONE AT THE NORTH POLE, MITSURO OHBA
I wrote my will at the North Pole. I figured that it wouldn’t be too strange if I died there. Ice can flow 30 kilometers in one night, and bears can sneak up on you. At times I felt as powerless as a small bird with its legs pulled off. I could hardly move under my own power. All I could do was pray. Out there, I realize how weak I was. Three times I was defeated by nature trying to reach the Pole. I went feeling too sure of myself, and going to the North Pole with the attitude that “I can take on anything” is dangerous. I was lucky to only lose some fingers and toes. Others have died. When you fail three times …»
