Grace Jones: the Original Lady Gaga

Back before Lady Gaga was a gleam in her parents eyes, Grace Jones was part of the music, club and art scene.  The Jamaican-born singer, model and actress became known for her outrageous style and stunning, androgynous looks.  She started in on the emerging New Wave music scene in the late 70's and early 80's.

This was probably her most famous and iconic photo and album cover.

Slave to the rhythm.  Aren't we all.

So other-worldly.

 She reach cult status in movies like Conan the Destroyer.

And my personal favorite: Mayday in the James Bond flick A View to A Kill.  What an amazing outfit!!  Complete with atomic bomb.

 

Here with Christopher Walken.  I loved this scene for all the great 80's fashion and beauty.

And here she is in Vamp.  WAY before the twilight series...

Just gorgeously extreme.

And totally out-Gagas Gaga.

80's Art Scene: Michael Clark Dance

The dancer and choreographer Michael Clark emerged from the 80's punk and post-punk art scene.  Part dance, part performance art, part fashion, he took dance to a new level of creativity.  That usually also means his work wasn't without controversy (I had to edit down some of this content).  He was born in Aberdeen Scotland and started dancing at age 4.  He studied classical dance at the Royal Ballet School in London.  In 1984 he formed his own dance company where he collaborated with, among others, the fashion designers Bodymap, the artist Leigh Bowery (who also designed some of his costumes) and the music group The Fall.  It's inspiring to research people who seemingly were placed here on earth to push the limits of art and life.

I love these colors!  I don't know what this is from, but his costumes always have some sort of visual impact.

This is from a show he did at London's Barbican called "I Do".  The wedding dress is based on a design by Yves Saint Laurent from 1965.

The wedding dress.  Who knew YSL was so avant garde?

This is from his website so it might be more current, but you see the 80's influence.

Simple, but striking.

The costumes enhance the lines of the dancers.

 

 This is his "Dance 1" from a PBS series.  The costumes are just so extreme 80's.

 

 

"Dance 3".  This is a little trippier but has some great images. 

 

(This is my first time posting videos, so I hope they work!)

There are many more of his videos on YouTube.  You should also check out his website.  He is still working and creating.