TARANTINO

Quentin Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor. His films have been characterized by nonlinear storylines, satirical subject matter, and an aestheticization of violence that often results in the exhibition of neo-noir characteristics. Kill Bill, a highly stylized “revenge flick” in the cinematic traditions of Chinese Martial Arts, spaghetti westerns and Italian Horror, followed six years later, and was released as two films: Vol. 1 in 2003, and Vol. 2 in 2004. The LA weekly placed a spotlight on Tarantino’s work and the paper became an inspiration to tailor a dress. Our model is Rebekah Valcarcel.

After a short conversation at a breakfast diner, two hours later, this was the end result. The dress itself is made entirely out of the LA Weekly newspaper and clear packing tape. It was constructed in the back alley pictured here off of Hollywood Boulevard in California.

The makeup consists of a base made from baby powder to create a clay-like substance. This was then wrapped in white gauze to evoke a feeling of something being broken or damaged that needed a bit of casting. Encouraged by Tarantino as he often pairs bizarre props with an equally bizarre scene, this prop, a surgical mask, develops into something of higher substance to draw the observer in for more questioning.

The project was published in an issue of the LA Weekly in May of 2004 entitled “Fanatic” A big thank you to both the LA Weekly and Quentin Tarantino for inspiring this installation. Also thank you to our model Rebekah for being so open to the work and its creative processes.