Wunderkammen

Going to see Saul Williams perform live was everything I could have wished. He came out wearing a feathered headpiece resembling a mohawk and a suit with deconstructed boas hanging from the shoulders, along with a shawl and several pieces of clothing underneath. He performed songs from Niggy Tardust, his self-titled album and as he did he stripped down to just his pants. He was covered in blue and gold paint. It was brilliant. As he said, “I just want you motherfuckers to have a good time.” He danced and climbed the light fixtures. He jumped out into the audience and looked up into the balcony where we sat to make sure we were still with him. How could we not be? He was energetic and dynamic. It was a performance reminiscent of fire and prayer all at once.

He performed 5 Senses in the middle of the set and I just about yelled myself hoarse reciting along with him. The best part… he stopped in the middle and muttered “goddamn” he was so surprised that the audience had memorized the piece and could match him line for line. When he performed No One Ever Does, I teared up because after the past two weeks, which led to a hospital stay for me, the words hit me in the gut.

We called him back for an encore and he performed Sunday Bloody Sunday in a voice so pure, I thought my heart would break. He changed the lyrics some and it became a treatise on African-American treatment in this country. He made me want to fight and create. I was inspired.

Sorry the picture is so blurry. I took it with my cell phone.

It was a night I won’t ever forget, and if I do.. I have his t-shirt to remind me.

Posted by Kisha at 08:10 PM ∗ Comments (0)

Thanks to Edwin Marin at Art and Soul Tattoo for this beautiful new piece:

It’s located just under my breast, over my ribs, and is a quote from a love letter M. wrote me years ago now, which feels just as true today as it did then. Maybe more so since I consider us partnered in every way that counts. I love it.

Posted by Kisha at 08:02 PM ∗ Comments (0)

I’ve gotten a couple emails and so I feel like I should address the issue of comments properly. I screen all comments and will for the forseeable future. If they are not spam, I will add them it just may take a day or so for me to get around to it.

Thanks for your patience.

Posted by Kisha at 01:59 PM ∗ Comments (0)

The most interesting part of this voluntary trip to the hospital is that they have free wireless access here. Everywhere you go, there you are. Now if only I could see in vivid colors again… that would be the best part of it all.

Posted by Kisha at 08:53 PM ∗ Comments (1)

In a week that led to an uncomfortable session with my therapist, had me questioning the point in trying so hard but feeling like I’m not getting anywhere, being without my meds and having the worst fibromyalgia flare I’ve had in a year; I was desperate for a distraction. So yesterday, M and I drove down to LA to Art & Soul Tattoo Co and met with Edwin. He’s an incredible tattooist and I was in good hands. I knew exactly what I wanted; the ogan and drum vever I’ve been using henna to tattoo my wrist for months and a quote from Shakespeare’s The Tempest on my shoulder in a serif font. I had chosen Palatino, a beautiful but simple book font. We talked for a minute and then because there wasn’t anything to plan out except creating the stencils and figuring out placement, we got to work.

What I loved most was that I could relax and enjoy the experience because he has such a gentle touch. I knew the wrist would be painful; it’s right over thin muscle and bone but he was so mellow and charming I just kept watching, fascinated, and occasionally chatting about this or that. I’d recommend that shop to anyone, especially Edwin. He’s incredibly talented and his attention to detail is wonderful.

Pictures after the jump.

I’m extremely happy with the way they came out. It’s just what I’d imagined in my head.

Posted by Kisha at 07:10 PM ∗ Comments (0)