The Purification, (the play I’m reading), goes up on Sunday, March 28th @ 10:00AM.

If you can’t make it at that time, just come an support whenever you can. Good times!

From the LAB website: “On his 99^th birthday, we will read Williams’ plays, screenplays, adaptations, essays, letters and interviews back-to-back and nonstop over three days.  All are welcome.”

Link: TENN99

Admission is free!

Before reading of his untimely death on the BBC News website, the only other McQueen I had ever heard of was Steve McQueen, the legendary actor and appropriately dubbed, “king of cool.” And he was cool. And badass, too.

To paraphrase the song from the movie “Shaft,” that Steve McQueen was one badass Mother… shut your mouth!….Man, I’m talking about Steve McQueen!

So, who the heck was this “new” McQueen?

And why was he attempting to usurp the hollowed name of, the one and only, Steve McQueen?

He was just a fashion designer for crying out loud! Why were people making such a big deal about him, anyway?

If you’ve taken a wild guess by now, your guess is correct. I’ve never been one for fashion.

Most days, and by most days I mean 5 out of 7, you will find me wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

Occasionally, I vary the white t-shirt with a different color, usually black or blue. But, always a t-shirt.

The remaining 0.01% of the time I actually dress up in fashionable attire.

Even when I worked as a union organizer for SEIU a couple of years ago, I begged to be put on the Justice for Janitors campaign in San Francisco, because it was SEIU policy to have the organizers wear clothes that mirrored what the workers wore which meant I could show up to work wearing a t-shirt and jeans!

Instead, I got stuck in the Tenet Hospitals campaign! So, I had to wear dressy pants, dressy shirts, and dressy shoes for 80 hours a week, every week, for almost a year!!! I wanted to shoot myself!

Of course, I didn’t join SEIU for the fashion. But, it would’ve been nice to be wearing t-shirts and jeans while I stuck it to the man!

I’ve always thought the fashion world was too plastic, superficial, and downright elitist. All adjectives that make my mouth feel like I’ve swallowed salt water.

And worst of all, the fashion world creates a false sense of what is beautiful.

As if beauty is determined by your outward appearance! Give me a break!

As corny as it sounds, it’s not what you wear on the outside that makes you beautiful. It’s who you are in the inside that counts. I have lived my life by this truism. Hence, the white t’s and jeans.

Society is constantly bombarding us with the idea that image is everything, the last thing we need is an industry whose sole purpose is to re-enforce that notion.

Not even, party animal, Gertrude Stein could get into this tent!

So, yeah, those were my thoughts after reading the BBC News article.

Needless to say, things were not looking so hot for this other McQueen guy at that point.

But, being the open-minded dude that I am, I popped open a Stone Levitation and sat down to google this guy.

Wikipedia. Born Lee Alexander McQueen in England on March 17, 1969, died February 11, 2009. CBE. “Commander of the Order of the British Empire”

“That means the dude was one step from knighthood. Not bad.”

“He once sewed ‘I am a c*nt’ into the lining of a jacket he was working on for Prince Charles.”

“Okay, anyone who tries to stick it to the man gets major cool points.”

“McQueen was an accomplished scuba diver and used his passion as a source of inspiration in his designs. An undersea influence was seen in his October 2009 fashion show, “Plato’s Atlantis”. ”

“Oh, wow. He’s into water and the oceans like I am.”

My interest had been piqued.

I googled Alexander McQueen’s Plato’s Atlantis and hit enter.

“**Official Premiere Lady Gaga – Bad Romance** October 7, 2009, www.youtube.com”

“Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” premiered on his runway show? Muy interesante.” Click to play.

Music blares. Two gigantic robotic arms. The tantalizing silhouette of one model walking away from us. Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” begins to play. The robotic arms begin to move. The models emerge…

And then, it happened.

One split second is all it took, and I was transfixed.

Time seemed to slow down, my pupils dilated, and I got sucked into a world of explosive fabric, radiant color, lines, curves, textures, opulence, bravado and all of it anchored down by ballerina pointe shoes on steroids!

“Holy mole! I’ve never seen anything like this before!”, I thought.

Then, it hit me.

“Wait a minute…That’s not true. I have seen something like this before. But not in fashion. It was somewhere else. Where was it?”

Images began flying in and out of my head at light-speed as I attempted to locate the exact moment this very scenario had presented itself to me.

“Where have I seen something like this before!?”

Through the cacophony inside my head, I heard a voice whisper, ”you’re not looking at fashion, you’re looking at Art.”

It sank in.

“Van Gogh’s Irises at the Getty!”

That was the other time I saw something like this.

I was living in LA at the time, and contemplating a move back to New York City. My mom came from Florida to see me play Caliban in Shakespeare’s The Tempest at Barnsdall Park in Hollywood.

Publicity shot of me as Caliban in the Tempest @ Barnsdall Park

Caliban was a role I had been wanting to play ever since I read The Tempest back in High School. I always felt a certain kinship toward the character. We were both born in an island and both suffered through pangs of colonialism.

On our spare time, my mom and I would go sight seeing.

On one occasion, we went to the Getty Museum. That’s where I saw Van Gogh’s “Irises” for the first time.

I had never seen one of his paintings before, only two dimensional photographs in books. At first, it didn’t seem out of the ordinary. It was a 3 foot by 4 foot, aged canvas with a plain, turn of the 20th century, wooden frame that hung unceremoniously from the wall like all the rest. Luckily for me, the painting wasn’t encased in glass, or cordoned off by velvet ropes, so I was able to get very close to it. Part of me couldn’t believe I was within inches. I’m sure I was making the security guard very nervous with my proximity, but he never said anything about it, which was kinda cool, because I was able to explore the painting in minute detail.

I was instantly struck by the three-dimensionality of the paint itself. It was really caked on. Almost in a maniacal way. As if he was attempting and struggling to capture the world around him, and show us what it looked like through his eyes. The pain, the struggle, the madness of it all was evident in every brushstroke.

Then I noticed there was only one single white iris in the whole painting. And I was deeply moved by the loneliness of that white iris. How different and alone it must have felt in a sea of blue, the only one of its kind.

“That’s him,” I thought.

Vincent Van Gogh is the white iris, a kind of self-portrait.

And his loneliness, his frustration at the world around him, and his struggle to capture it all felt instantly transferred to me. All I could think about was how terrible it must have felt to live your life so different and alone in the world…

I knew who this McQueen guy was.

These weren’t just a bunch of dresses I was looking at.

This was the work of an artist who used fabric as his canvas. And I felt invited to see the world through his eyes. And it was like looking at a vision of the world of the future. A future in which technology had melded itself into the world of the living.

I couldn’t believe those dresses spoke to me in that way!

That’s what Amy Larocca was referring to when she wrote in her New York Magazine article, Long live McQueen, that McQueen “was able to find inspiration in the tumult of technology.” Yes! Inspiration in technology! That was it. And it was all there, represented in the shapes, textures, and colors of those dresses. A world in which the technological and the organic were one and the same. Two different worlds coming together to form a more dazzling third!*

That’s why people were making such a big deal about this guy! The world had lost a towering genius, a visionary, an Artist of magnificent proportion, the Van Gogh of the fashion world. And how utterly sad to lose a talent of that magnitude.

The kind of talent that could transform a naysayer like me!

No longer could I view the fashion world simply as a superficial entity. It was a lot more complex than that. This McQueen guy had opened my eyes.

With a single “brushstroke”, he made me question, not only my thoughts on the world of fashion, but, to a certain extent, how I see the world around me!

I’ve come to the conclusion that I tend to view some things in absolutes, the fashion world being one of them. It’s either good or bad, hot or cold, black or white. I think I do this because it affords me the ability to be dismissive of those things I consider “bad”, thereby, making me feel somewhat superior to them. Very catholic of me, I know.

I can’t believe I never entertained the thought that a person could be both beautiful inside and out! I can be such a dolt, sometimes.

Of course, internal and external beauty don’t have to be mutually exclusive! Two worlds can coexist and form a more beautiful third like in McQueen’s work.

I never thought any one could change my mind on how I felt about fashion.

Yet, tonight, after spending the last few hours on the Internet researching and educating myself on the world of “Haute Couture,” I pause, take a swig on my Stone Levitation, and with no reservation can honestly say, I can’t wait for the September issue of Vogue.

And while I’m on the subject, I have to agree with Amy Larocca, the Marc Jacobs’ 2010 Fall collection is not only sublime, but more to the point, “patron on ice”!

I never thought gray could look so good. The coats with the alternating black and gray stripes at 45 degree angles are both sexy and elegant.

From the Marc Jacobs 2010 Fall Collection

If I see a woman wearing one of those, I will not hesitate to strike up a conversation and tell her, not only what a great choice she made, but how great she looked in it.

Of course, I will not be wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans when I do. I will probably be wearing something a bit more fashionable, perhaps my very own two piece suit by McQueen!

It’s the least I can do to honor his memory.

Cause that McQueen was one badass mother… shut your mouth… Man, I’m talking about McQueen!

Alexander McQueen, that is.

Rest in Peace

_________________________________________________________

* UPDATE: On February 26 an article appeared in the New York Times that talks about how the world of technology is being melded into the clothes of the future thereby serving a double purpose! This is a first steps in the evolutionary process I was referring to when I wrote about the visionary nature of Mr. McQueen’s work:

Converting Body Movements into Electricity

To view the video of the “Plato’s Atlantis” show in its entirety, you can visit:

Alexander McQueen’s “Plato’s Atlantis”

Also of interest:

On his blog and elsewhere online, Eddie Huang violates the taboo about publicly criticizing other chefs.

New York Times article on how Twitter is changing the landscape of the Restaurant world. Click image to see article. Here’s the url:

If You Can’t Take the Heat, Don’t Read Me on Twitter!

Image by Jutta Maue-Kay on Flickr. Her animal photography is amazing. You can check out her work by clicking on the image. Also more info @ http://www.mauekay.org/

Bobby Plasencia- Great! I just sent a friend request to my 6 year old cousin! What was I thinking? Now I’m gonna have to watch my language and the crazy pics. I hope she doesn’t accept. What is she doing on facebook anyway!?!? Don’t you have to be like 18 or something?
Yesterday at 3:04pm

Ramona Pilar likes this.

Wilda 穎翹 Wong
make your privacy settings unique for her!
Yesterday at 4:17pm ·

Wendy Leigh
i wont’ let my kids on! and don’t friend them either…
Yesterday at 4:56pm ·

Bobby Plasencia

Dearest Wilda,

You’re brilliant!

If you believed in marriage, I would apply for the position of husband and name our first child after you, even if he was a boy.

PS. Has there ever been a boy named Wilda? I wonder.
Yesterday at 5:07pm ·

Bobby Plasencia
Hey Wendy, I think I’m gonna make the suggestion to her mom.
Yesterday at 5:09pm ·

Wilda 穎翹 Wong
hahaha bobby…i wouldn’t name our son Wilda…maybe Sue but not Wilda
Yesterday at 6:01pm ·

Bobby Plasencia
Okay, okay. How about Wilda Sue? Or Johnny Wilda? Or maybe using Wilda as his last name, Juan Carlos Wilda?

No?

Okay, okay… What about Wong? Maybe we can use Wong.
Yesterday at 6:22pm ·

Kim Streets
HaHaHa…No worries Bobby I supervise her while she’s on and I check her Facebook before she gets on it. I didn’t want her to have one, but I thought it would be okay as long as I watch her. It so happens I went downstairs to cook dinner while she stayed upstairs playing her facebook games. By the way I trust her, she actually told me that you asked her to befriend you. I was a little surprised and I thought the same thing you did. LOL!! But she’s pretty mature for her age and grounded in her convictions, which I’m fervently praying it stays that way for a long time. Oh and by the way she’s 10 not 6, not that 10 is old enough to be on Facebook, but we will see how this all goes. I’m actually tempted to not have her on it much longer. If you want I can hide you from her Facebook page, just let me know.
Yesterday at 8:25pm ·

Bobby Plasencia
10 already!!!

Well, If you’re cool, I’m cool.

But back to more important matters.

As a family member, how do you feel about me naming my first child after Wilda Wong?
Yesterday at 9:12pm ·

Wilda 穎翹 Wong
LOL
Yesterday at 9:13pm ·

Kim Streets
I’m cool…I’d say go for it baby whatever floats your boat.
Yesterday at 9:14pm ·

Bobby Plasencia
Yesterday at 9:22pm ·

Kim Streets
All joking aside…I actually like it….it has a nice ring to it.
Yesterday at 9:29pm ·

Bobby Plasencia
Great!

It’s settled.

Now, only one thing remains…to convince her to marry me.
Yesterday at 9:50pm ·

Wilda 穎翹 Wong
good luck to any man who tries!
Yesterday at 10:19pm ·

Bobby Plasencia
“Darn it! What was I thinking? I knew she was too smart to fall for it,” he thought. “It was too easy.”

His lower lip quivered. Tears of defeat slowly welled up in his eyes.

But just when he felt that all hope was lost, a warm pool of conviction began to rise up in him and boil over. He was powerless to resist. He was propelled forward by it’s intensity. He knew he had to continue. There was no other choice. He had to try harder.

“Back to the drawing board. Time to formulate “PLAN B”!”, he uttered with a timber in his voice that, like a double-edged sword, sliced to shreds the last vestiges of doubt within him.

“Oh, no! not “PLAN B”", said his cousin Kim, and echoed by his other cousin, Mikaela, who had recently discovered her powers to shape shift from a 6 year old to a 10 year old at will.

Yes! “PLAN B”!, said he with the determination of a thousand water buffaloes.

“Maybe something more daring, more bold, more…, more….”

…To be continued…
17 hours ago ·

Wilda 穎翹 Wong
oooh, can’t wait for the next installment!
16 hours ago ·

Kim Streets
OH AWESOME…love it!!! Yeah go PLAN B, never give up persistence is the key…you will grow on her….she will see you for who you really are….think like NIKE…JUST DO IT….go PLAN B.

Oh great now you got me hooked, it’s like a soap, can’t wait to find out what happens next. HaHaHa

Seriously, Wilda, don’t know you, but Bobby is fun, adorable, and not to mention handsome and I’m not saying this because he’s my cuz. Give him a chance, you won’t regret it. … See More
Oooops, am I trying to play matchmaker here….sorry Bobs, you’re on your own I hope I didn’t ruin your chances here. LOL!!! I’ll butt out……promise.
9 hours ago ·

Wilda 穎翹 Wong
hahaha thanks Kim…yeah Bobby seems like an awesome person–anybody who wants to name their first child after me is pretty alright in my book!
7 hours ago ·

Kim Streets
Oh yeah…HaHaHa!
5 hours ago ·

Morgan Thornberry
Bobby, I hear you! I got my nieces, nephews, AND parents on here — and I’m STILL not as careful as I should be!
3 hours ago ·

Jacqueline Calderon-guido
ummm.. Bobby dear those little once fake the age to be on the chisme… hahahah…
2 hours ago ·

Bobby Plasencia
I’m fully confident that my cousin Kim has it all under control.

But all kidding aside, I have to get back to preparing for an important audition @ The Public theater. Thank you for indulging my whims and for playing along brilliantly. Wilda, if you find yourself in NYC don’t hesitate to contact me so we can chill and paint the town red.

Now off to work I go………..tra, la, la.. la, la.. la,la….

(Long pause)

(Then, Bobby in a whisper)

Psst!…..

Psst! Psst!…..

Kim….Kim…….KIIIMMM!

(Kim sees Bobby who is now concealed from Wilda’s view behind an imaginary 4th wall.)

Quickly, Kim, while she’s not looking.

(Kim approaches Bobby)

It’s working, Kim! It’s working! PLAN B is working!

Great job on the “befriending phase” of the plan. You so rocked it!

But don’t forget to remind her of the Craig Noel Award for Best Featured Actor in a play. Woman like that kind of stuff. You know, successful and all.

And now, on to the Coup De Grace! “The pulling of the heartstrings.” Phase.

Cue Mikaela with the puppy eyes.

Has she practiced the puppy look? Great! Have her pupils been dilated for maximum puppy effect? Brilliant!

Has she memorized her lines? Fantastic!

Make sure she keeps her shape shifting to a minimum. Don’t want anything to divert attention from our intended goal.

Focus Kim, focus! We’re almost there.

Okay. Cue the Violins!

and…..GO!……
about an hour ago ·

Wilda 穎翹 Wong
oh my gosh…thanks for the chuckles…and definitely will do whenever i’m in NYC!
26 minutes ago

That's me as Caliban, yo!

A very incisive blog that talks about the Independent Shakespeare Company’s production of The Tempest in LA. I played Caliban in the production.

Spaces of Confinement and Colonialisation in Shakespeare