OK, so what are we looking at here? It’s a cloudbuster! Yes, this rain-making machine was the topic of Kate Bush’s 1985 single “Cloudbusting,” based on the close relationship between psychiatrist/psychoanalyst/inventor Wilhelm Reich and his son Peter. But even if you knew this, you may not know that the machine in the video was designed by the folks who brought us the Alien creature. Or that the video was brainstormed by Kate Bush and none other than Terry Gilliam. And that Julian Doyle, the man who created the special effects for Gilliam’s Brazil and Time Bandits, directed the piece, which also starred Donald Sutherland!
Check out the Mirror80 Tumblr!
Happy 2nd Birthday, Mirror80! Yes, today is the big 2! For our first birthday we threw a party. This year we celebrate by launching the Mirror80 tumblr! That’s right–we’ll be featuring our favorite ’80s art, fashion and interior design pics. From screen shots to modern takes on 1980s style we’ve got your favorite decade covered.
An ’80s Fashion Photo Shoot!
In “take two” of our ’80s photo shoot extravaganza, we travel to an office park where glass block and metal posts reign. Yes, folks, it may as well be 1985, and we’ve got the fashion to prove it! As a counterpart to our first featured ’80s photo shoot, Peter Tung of Peter Tung Photography organized yet another amazing shoot, this time featuring the modeling talents of the lovely Sarah Gardner of Kim Dawson Agency.
An ’80s-Fabulous Photo Shoot
It’s not everyday you get to cover an ’80s-style shoot photographed by one of your best friends. Yes, I was in for a treat this month when Peter Tung of Peter Tung Photography invited me to collaborate on not one, but two ’80s-themed shoots! Today we cover the first, which took place in Peter’s photography studio. This artistic project would not have been possible without the help of many talented individuals…
The Art of John Noestheden
Mirror80 recently featured the work of artist John Noestheden in a post on today’s renewed interest in 1980s art. From works on paper to public art commissions and public performance pieces, Noestheden has been creating renowned large-scale artwork since the 1970s, including a geometric 8′ x 20′ lobby mural for Houston, Texas’ Cineplex Odeon (featured in the above-mentioned post). Today we celebrate the artist’s new works, many of which represent the universe using materials including acrylic, ink and Swarovski diamond crystals!
Neon Noir Fashion à la Risky Business
A weekend viewing of Risky Business starring Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay inspired today’s post. In case you haven’t seen this 1983 film directed by Paul Brickman, it focuses on high school student Joel (Cruise), specifically his shady pursuits after his parents leave town on vacation. Trouble begins with the arrival of a prostitute named Lana, played by De Mornay. A Neon Noir gem of a film, Risky Business earned praise from critics like Roger Ebert, who compared the movie to The Graduate, calling it “one of the smartest, funniest, most perceptive satires in a long time.” We couldn’t help but be drawn to Rebecca De Mornay’s wardrobe and the hypnotic soundtrack from Tangerine Dream…
Gymnastic Wear With ’80s Flair
I have my friend Art to thank for today’s post! He brought this gallery of headless rhythmic gymnasts to my attention, and once I got a glimpse of the body-contorting fun, it became clear that some of the leotards were a little bit ’80s… So in the spirit of the 2012 Summer Olympics, here are some amazing pics and flashy ensembles for your viewing enjoyment! Heads are optional.
’80s Interior Design Inspiration
Today we celebrate ’80s interior design with the help of Sheffield School, which offers distance education programs in interior design and design-related fields. It turns out the school’s first year of business was 1985, and their website includes a fabulous, image-filled article on the Larger Than Life 80s! Sheffield Dean and interior designer Thomas Saxon looks back at our favorite decade, noting trends like an emphasis on the exotic and the eclectic, as shown in the living room above.
A Very ’80s Olympic Games
So we know the controversy over the logo for the 2012 Olympic Games has fizzled by now. But in honor of the start of the Summer Olympics, let’s take a few minutes to revel in the the glory that is the London 2012 logo. Seriously–how have we not talked about this yet?! Part Memphis-Milano, part New Wave, this is the logo that people love to hate. Or in our case, love to love!
Friday Video Pick: “Everybody Everybody” by Black Box
When did you first realize the ’80s were on their way out? Did you notice an abundance of music video mavens with thick eyebrows, red lipstick and a fitted black wardrobe? Or perhaps you experienced a retro revival as clothing and jewelry began featuring patterns and motifs from the ’60s and ’70s. And while house music was brewing well before the ’90s, maybe you turned on the radio and heard the first mainstream evidence of this “new” genre that featured soulful singing and prominent piano chords. Guess what? For today, Mirror80 becomes Mirror90 with a music video that features all of the elements mentioned above!
