Travel Journal: A Surreal Exhibit in Venice
What role does fate play in your life (and your clothes)? Plus, a peek inside a breathtaking Surrealist art exhibit in Venice, and some small talk to take you into the weekend.
Welcome back to Style and Error: the newsletter that literally has no clean pants!! (Why is post-vacation laundry such a nightmare?) If you like this newsletter, there are lots of ways to support my work. You could share this edition, follow along on Instagram, or even subscribe.
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In this edition…
How surreal is this? Visiting Lee Miller and Man Ray in Venice
Give chance a chance! A.K.A. Secondhand shopping as manifestation
Style small talk: Current events for the fabulous conversationalist
& more
Life is surreal-er than fiction
If you believe the stories, Lee Miller landed on the cover of Vogue after she was nearly struck by a car in New York City, only to be physically pulled out of harm’s way by Condé Nast (yes, THAT Condé Montrose Nast).
Later, she went looking for the surrealist painter and photographer Man Ray at his office, but a secretary said he had left Paris for the summer. Dejected, she went to a nearby café, only to run into the very Man Ray she had been searching for. Turns out he was totally still in Paris. From there, she simply attached herself to him against his will, even though he claimed not to hire assistants.
While in Venice to see an exhibition entitled Lee Miller, Man Ray: Fashion - Love - War at Palazzo Franchetti, I repeatedly encountered stories like these: coincidences, accidents, and unlikely twists that shifted the fabric of the universe just enough to produce some of my favorite art.
During my research and visit to the exhibition, I learned that this series of chance encounters brought model Lee Miller and artist Man Ray, an otherwise unlikely pair, together into a turbulent romantic and working relationship that would ultimately be remembered, by most, only in terms of the art that was produced—and often attributed solely to the man, without acknowledging his counterpart.
I’ve been fascinated with Man Ray, and the surrealist movement in general, ever since I took a History of Photography course in college. What I only just learned is that one of his most famous techniques, solarization, was actually discovered by the same Lee Miller he did not want to hire.
Again, legend has it the technique was discovered by chance when a mouse ran over Lee’s foot in the darkroom.
Though I am still a serious admirer of his, I appreciated that Man Ray was given second billing at this exhibition. Lee Miller’s career as a model, photographer, and war correspondent was the main attraction.
Palazzo Franchetti is a restored palace, originally constructed in the year 1565. Thanks to the unusual setting, the exhibition was spread out between a number of small rooms, each representing a different part of Lee Miller’s career. Delightfully, most of the rooms also held enormous glass chandeliers, because Venice and the surrounding islands (Murano, Burano) are famous for their blown glass. My favorite room featured the work from her Egyptian period, including her famous Portrait of Space.
Walking through the Palazzo’s many rooms felt like shining a flashlight into the dark corners of my old photo history textbook. I’ve always been drawn to the dreamy, colorful Surrealism and Dada art movements. Lifting the curtain on the darker side of one of its most influential relationships gave me a rich context that I’m grateful to have.
In terms of travel, there isn’t much to say about Venice that hasn’t already been said. It is a stunning place that’s consequently overflowing with tourists, to the point where most of the actual Italians seem understandably irritated. (It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me…) The conductor on one of the ferries I took nearly closed my leg in the door because I was walking too slowly for his taste. No hard feelings… but it was a bit startling. I still heartily recommend a visit.
P.S. If you want to learn more about Man Ray and Lee Miller, I recommend this podcast episode from “All Through a Lens.” In addition to being a great source of photography history, this is my new go-to show if I need to chill out. They have whole episodes where you can just listen to the hosts develop film together in a darkroom, and it is heavenly.
Secondhand shopping as manifestation
Getting back to the idea of chance: I was thinking about how life-changingly important it can be when we allow things to just… happen. One place where I love to cultivate a low-stakes interaction with luck is at the thrift store.
I always half-jokingly say that you can’t have an agenda at Goodwill. You just have to let the Universe pick your next outfit. I’m always looking for signs that things are going my way, and nothing makes me feel lucky quite like finding a perfect little black dress in my size for $6.
On the other hand, there’s just something deadening about being in a fast fashion store where everything has been chosen according to Big Data or some consulting firm that monitors trends on the internet. When I was young, a new outfit from a nice store became a talisman that lasted until I outgrew it or destroyed it through use.
Now, I expect the items I buy—even at the stores that push the limit of my budget—to wear out within six months. Worse than that, I feel the weight of the environmental damage and probable shady labor practices that the garment represents. Not exactly a harbinger of positivity.
Second hand stuff, though, still has the old magic. Pulling a genuine vintage shirt from an overcrowded rack, or a barely-worn blazer or cashmere sweater or any of the other little delights I’ve been lucky enough to uncover—now that’s a treat. And whether it’s a wink from the universe or not, I’m happy to accept it.
Am I the only one that treats secondhand shopping like a giant pile of tarot cards just waiting to be pulled? I like to read a little something into the colors, fabrics, and motifs of my winners.
And, what’s your luckiest thrift store find of all time? Mine was a French Connection dress with a sweetheart neckline, complete with the tag color of the week. If you know, you know.
Style small talk
AKA tidbits to help you rise to the occasion in break rooms, at cocktail parties, and wherever else you find yourself (you sparkling conversationalist, you)!
Have you heard? The Met Gala’s theme has been announced, and it’s all about one man: Karl Lagerfeld. Everything I know about this man, I learned from Maintenance Phase. For the uninitiated: you are welcome.
Express used to be one of my all-time favorite mall stores, my #1 stop for my homecoming dress. Later, it was the spot where my parents bought me “nice clothes” for my first office job. In my unprofessional opinion as a person who has given up shopping there, they seem to have been struggling. Now, they’re part of an acquisition deal for a menswear brand formerly owned by Walmart. Sigh. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to.
Delightful in a slightly ironic way: Batiste, a.k.a. the corporate sponsor for depressive episodes everywhere (mine included), is launching a mental health initiative. This company makes the absolute best dry shampoo, and trust me, I have TESTED it. Not going to lie, the college campus events sound a bit deranged—exercise classes with mirror stations for hair fluffing—but happy to see them donating some money to a mental health nonprofit. We’ll take it!
Tom’s Corner
“I think I’d look good in leather pants.”
Time to take this man to the thrift store and make him put his money where his leather pants are. Updates TBD.
That’s it for this evening!
Thanks for your patience in waiting for the newsletter this week. We were in Salerno (can’t wait to share the details), where I had no Wi-Fi and no break from my two-year-old. Shoulda known, but I didn’t.
As always, if you have a style question, a topic suggestion, or just want to start a minor and entertaining fight with me, drop a comment, slide into my DMs, or fire off an email. I may not always be quick, but I will always answer you!
Kisses,
R