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Get Your Fez Out! The Museum of Kitsch is Launched!
Allee Willis is a lot of things - songwriter, artist, director, performer, hostess extraordinaire, and owner of a fab mid-centry modern home -- the list goes on. Personally, I love her for introducing me to Bud Cort and for writing "Boogie Wonderland". Just try to listen to that song and not boogie.
Now Allee is taking on the internet. Her videos have already gone viral on YouTube, but this week she debuts the spectacular online Museum of Kitsch, designed to amaze and delight. Willis defines kitsch as a reflection of pop culture, a combination of "hi and low art" that is "distinctive and evocative because someone believed in themselves and their idea enough to see it through despite it being off from the norm at the time they conceived of it."
Besides exhibiting Allee's own amazing collection of kitsch, there are videos, a blog, and the "Kitschenette" where you can post a bio, interact with other afficianados, and even submit photos and descriptions of your own kitsch. Now where did I put that Shriner mug?
Allee is hosting a week-long exhibit of some of her collection at GhettoGloss this week, with parties for both the opening and closing. LAist was there on opening night Monday. Come check out the photo gallery! Oh, and there are YouTube videos premiering every day this week. The videos explore kitsch in architecture, vehicles, products and signage around Los Angeles ...oh, just take the whole day off work. Boogie Won-der-laaaand. Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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