Today we begin a new series on Mirror80! It’s one I’ve been excited about for quite some time now. I’ve made no secret of my love for ’80s music videos, and I’ve spent time discussing why they’re so dreamy. During the Decade of Decadence, the music video was a new outlet for expressing creativity, so artists tried just about anything and everything to make an impact. And some AMAZING visual styles resulted. Which is why today we launch ’80s Music Video Land! A couple times a month, I’ll be featuring a super-stylish 1980s music video, then delving into the visual style headfirst. Fashion, interior design, art–we’ll cover it all!
We begin with a music video that was previously featured on Mirror80 as one of our Friday Video Picks: “Radio Silence” by Thomas Dolby. A few highlights of the piece: a tulle-clad beauty who morphs into a Greek statue, an aesthetic that combines ’80s science motifs with steampunk, vintage radio equipment and more. You have to see it to believe it… So without further ado, here’s the video:
And now we take a look at some items, visual tidbits and inspirational pieces that celebrate the video’s unique style:
IMAGE SOURCES:
Top Row (L to R): An Isaac Asimov book cover from the Tumblr ONCE UPON A TIME IN YUGOSLAVIA, OrlandiStatuary Greek Head Remnant Statue from Wayfair.com, Mannequin Head from Direct Hair & Beauty Supplies
Second Row (L to R): Antique Radio from Totally Tubular, Golden Piano Keys Short Necklace from Scrunchh.com, Resistors in an image from MetaFilter
Third Mini-Row (L to R): Black tulle netting from Consumer Crafts, gramophone image from Champagne Consort
Fourth Row: Scamozzi Four Point Pedestal from Plastercraft.com, NYC Ultra Last Lipwear in Blue Rose from My Lipsticks, LILL Sheer Curtains from IKEA
Happy Friday, Everyone! Stay tuned for our next ’80s Music Video Land post in 2 weeks…
Kathleen says
This is a fantastic video – Thomas Dolby had one of the most unique and enduring visual styles of the 80’s.
Paul says
I love this video. To me some of Dolby’s imagery during this time had a strong New Romantic aesthetic. Especially this video, for example the veiled statues and the girl’s whole look.