Tosh Berman's Blog, page 251

The Inspiration Behind Lun*na Menoh's "Shirt Mask"

To read my little essay on Lun*na's inspiration go here:
http://blog.lunnaworld.com/2013/09/the-inspiration-behind-lunna-menohs-shirt-mask/

les noces de colin et chloee

Film en papier decoupé,cene du mariage de colin et chloée, tirée de l'Ecume des jours de boris vian, réalisé par Louise Mendoche, Bruno Chaix et Cielle Graham. Pour la piece de theatre l'ecume des jours

Annimated take on Boris Vian's L'´ecume des jours

L'écume des jours de Boris Vian

A documentary or reading of Boris Vian's "L'écume des jours (Foam of the Daze)

The Japanese Trailer for "Mood Indigo"

Slowly but surely it is being released around the world, but no word yet about an U.S. release.  I haven't seen the film, but what I have heard is not that hot.  Also the music used in this trailer really sucks.  But nevertheless the novel by Boris Vian is magnificent and I published it through TamTam Books.  My edition is called "Foam of the Daze" and it is translated from the French into English by Brian Harper.  The book includes detailed end-notes that one can read after the book.  Think of it as the bonus documentary on a DVD.

"Sun Of A Beach" Group Show featuring Lun*na Menoh

Visit Lun*na Menoh's "Shirt Mask" at this exhibition Sun Of A Beach  curated by Denis Brun.  Who knows, they may allow you to wear Lun*na's shirt mask.

"Locus Solus. Impressions of Raymond Roussel"

ISBN 9788475069821
My ideal perfect book on a without doubt a perfect writer, that being Raymond Roussel.  "Locus Solus:. Impressions of Raymond Roussel" is a catalog of an exhibition that took place in Madrid, and for some reason the literature here is translated into English.  Oh joy!  Not only do we get samples of Roussel's writings, but also commentary by Dali, Breton, Soupault, and a fascinating interview with the great American poet John Ashbery.   He is probably the only American in the 50's who had an interest in Roussel's work.  While he lived in France he contacted people who either knew Roussel or had a deep interest in his work.
Roussel was a man who had a small audience for his work, but like the Velvet Underground, each member started their own important band.  Roussel's followers were the DADA, the Surrealists, The New York School of Poetry, Georges Perec & his group, and basically anything that even stinks of the avant-garde that has a limb attached to the works of Roussel.   Probably the biggest influence on an artist is Marcel Duchamp.  The French, but New Yorker, genius based a lot of his ideas on Roussel's visual sense as well as his thoughts about the presentation of things that happen.   In his mind, Roussel thought himself as an equal to Verne and Hugo, but the truth is his work was not noticed at all in the bestselling group of writers.  He belong to the gutter of the avant-garde, but alas, the gifts he brings is endless and quite complex.  The greatest joy in reading Roussel is similiar to someone taking you for a ride in a very interesting neighborhood, a place you don't understand, but equally remarkable for its daring and perverse beauty.  
This book is a great introduction to the world of Roussel, and everyone from Dali to Mike Kelley allowed themselves to be touched by his genius.  And without a doubt Roussel was a genius.  To see the world with his eyes is a combination of a horror and carnival show mixed with a certain amount of beauty.  And it these images that he produces through his writing that had such a major affect on the contemporary art world - even to this day.  Buy and own this book before it totally disappears into the world of high-priced used books. 

Lun*na Menoh's "Shirt Mask"

I wrote a blog or small essay on Lun*na Menoh's new artwork "The Shirt Mask."  It will be exhibited in Marseille, France and curated by the artist Denis Brun.
Read it here:  http://blog.lunnaworld.com/2013/09/lunna-menohs-shirt-mask/

Tosh Talks: Interview with Kiichiro Yanashita

Tosh Talks.  Tosh interviews Kiichiro Yanashita, a translator, film critic, and a man of great taste. Kiichiro translated William S. Burrough's "Soft Machine," John Water's "Shock Value," JG Ballard's "Crash" as well as countless other great titles into Japanese.  To go to Tokyo and not to meet Mr. Yanashita, is for sure a sign of failure.  Nevertheless I have spent countless hours with Kiichiro to various bars, shops, and god knows what else in Tokyo.  Here we talk books, culture, the issue of translation, cinema, true crime and other fun stuff.

Lun*na Menoh's New Work

I'm the model for Lun*na's Lunna Menoh new art project - a shirt mask or a mask shirt. Handmade by her, it's a mask that is a small white shirt with collar, sleeves, and buttons. There is no reason why a shirt should 'only' be made for the chest area. Why not for the head!?!

"In The Words Of Sparks... Selected Lyrics" out in the week of September 23rd

"In The Words Of Sparks... Selected Lyrics" edited by Ron Mael and Russell Mael (Sparks) with introduction by Morrissey will be available for readers in the week of September 23rd, 2013.  That includes all indie-bookstores as well as online shops.   More info will follow!