I’m always thrilled to welcome new readers to Madame Says. When Hormazd Narielwalla wrote that he’d arrived here by way of a visit to M.Goldstein and had been shocked to the core by hearing Klaus Nomi for the first time on my music player and was compelled “to immediately capture” his feelings in some incredible collages, I was excited to share them with you. You can see the whole set here, and they’re made in part from Saville Row bespoke paper patterns from men who are now dead, and Narielwalla’s love of nostalgia, puppets and also his sense of style combine to produce something quite magical I think.
I’m always delighted to turn people on to Klaus Nomi, the German opera singer who emerged from the underground scene in New York in the late 70s, a complete one-off who sang like Maria Callas and fused this with New Wave music and a stage persona and costumes that would in turn influence David Bowie.
One of my favourite quotes is by photographer Anthony Scibelli “Klaus had rendered himself black and white”. He had such a strong visual image that in person he looked like his own logo. Klaus Nomi was a revolutionary in as much as he pushed the androgyny envelope not just visually but also in that he sounded exactly like a accomplished female singer and would switch between his male and female voices at will.
I always try to sneak at least one Nomi song into my set at the George and Dragon, where there’s the time to run the gamut. He was such an inspiring truly individual character. His untimely death and cult status just add to the mystique of the artist.
Please click on the picture above to see the full joy and check out Narielwalla’s flickr – terrific!
Comments ( 8 )
[...] to me. I was introduced to Klaus Nomi’s music by visiting the lovely Pippa Brook’s blog Madame Says, who also featured my work, and ever since become a fan of my pattern [...]
Klaus Nomi drawings in Coilhouse magazine | Hormazd Narielwalla added these words on Nov 10 11 at 9:21 amMake Do Style added these words on Feb 07 10 at 2:45 pmThe Klaus Nomi representation is brilliant. Narielwalla’s work is fab. I’ve only seen it before it on Style Salvage before.
It’s a shame I can’t show you how petit garcon loves your tape selection on the blog. I have to come on here so he can have a dance around!
Madame added these words on Feb 07 10 at 3:15 pmOh how wonderful!!!! Mr Petit must have great taste!!!!
Isn’t his work great! I love the others on his flickr too – but so marvellous to see him turn his talents to Nomi!
Philippa added these words on Feb 07 10 at 8:22 pmI’m making Klaus Nomi’s lime tart for dessert next weekend! Quite excited
Sarah added these words on Feb 07 10 at 8:38 pmWonderful post, – and LOVED the link.. I still have the Total Eclipse cd you gave me in my car stereo and it comes on every time you start up [usually at the ear splitting volume I was listening whatever else I may have been listening to last time I drove], John is used to it by now, – but I nearly scared the young man on work experience [who had to shadow me last week] out of his wits. I’m fairly certain he’d never heard anything like it.
Madame added these words on Feb 07 10 at 8:57 pmOooh Philippa – I hope you will photograph and post!!!
Sarah – poor lad! But there’s much worse things to invade the shell-like and hopefully he’ll be another convert!!!
That's Not My Age added these words on Feb 08 10 at 7:33 pmThe sound of Klaus and HM’s collages are very good together, a fine combination – I’m thinking an album sleeve would be nice.