Science is a land where the truth of our reality (whether space, the earth, our bodies, its cells, of time and reality…the list goes on) is seeked and summoned by lonely hermits determined to find the answer to it all. And there have been many!
Alan Turing in a way also because he he found the truth of his soul and desire…that for which of course he was medically castrated for being queer, and soon thereafter took his life from an apple he had poison himself (a la the Witch in his favourite film Snow White and the Seven Dwarves).
I guess there really is a mystical aspect to the art of science…tapping into the unknown is not easy for most.
So that these minds could reach the very depth of their own humanity to unsource some unbelievable triumphs for humanity forevermore.
Click here to read more about the top 5 spiritually mystical scientists 🤟
Let us know what you thought in the COMMENTS below !
We have featured other spiritually mystical folks on our blog including Jack Parsons, and the notorious L. Ron Hubbard so get lost down the rabbit hole of the true {past} that has made our {present} which propels is into the unknown {future} 🔥🔥🔥!!!
Well it sure has been a minute since we’ve had the chance for another addition to our beloved {MUSIC MINUTE} corner of our blog. Things have been really hectic and full, which is great, but with summer officially in full swing we are hoping to take the opportunity to put up more content here to ensure treasures of the {PAST} can be upheld here in the {PRESENT} and hopefully continue shaping our {FUTURE}…
Here we have a wicked piece called “The Devil is Loose” by one of those icons that everyone should know (but doesn’t) – Asha Pulthi! This song is from her album by the same name, and was her third of eight recorded albums.
Asha was born in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) February 4, 1945 and trained in classical Indian music and opera before falling for the devils of jazz which she infused into her traditional roots. After graduating from a public University in India, she received a scholarship to go to New York City and study with legendary choreographer Martha Graham (that aspect will make total sense when you see her moves in the video).
Her fate was setlled when her appearance on “Aint it Peculiar” by the Peter Ivers Band which was covered by major music magazines like Billboard and Rolling Stone. Her reckless abandon and joyful reverie was heard (and you can hear it too here– HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) and soon she had avant-garde jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman knocking on her door, or calling her phone? We may never know…but she would make the most prophetic and signature vocals for his out-of-this-world improvisational jazz album Science Fiction, and the rest is history!
She was signed by John Hammond who most famously discovered Billie Holliday, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen – so very good company indeed!
Like I mentioned, this is from her third album of the same name (“The Devil is Loose”). Sadly not much is written about this album at all (at least in English) since it never saw its release in the US. But throughout, her vocals are sultry, soft, sweet, soulful and mysterious… her voice vaguely reminiscent of Diana Ross and then at other times as great and grand as Aretha Franklin.
Unfortunately for Asha, the money men at CBS London found an easy way out of hoisting her up and getting paid her proper dues when she became pregnant which effectively brought an end to her escalating royalties.
But before they could stiff her completely, performances on British television would ensure her the right to negotiate royalties that only major acts such as The Beatles were able to obtain at the time- 14%!!! This and coupled with her pregnancy, Asha was shipped off to Germany much the same way The Beatles had been shipped to Hamburg.
However, unlike The Beatles, this choice by CBS London essentially hindered her career much more into obscurity and allowed for artists like Donna Summer to build their brand off what Asha had rightfully developed.
She herself claims that Donna Summer, alleged Queen of Space Disco, copped her style- not only vocally, but literally too!
According to Asha, during one of her performances in Germany in the early 1970s she was approached by Ms. Summer herself.
Donna was in this moment “belting out songs” according to Pulthi, rather than the subdued dreamy vocals of Asha, inspired by her Hinduistic classical training, which gave that otherworldly style that would become the virtual sound of any major Munich disco…and would soon be adapted by the now famous Disco Queen that EVERYONE has heard of.
Not only that, Donna Summer allegedly approached Ms. Puthli backstage asking where she could find Asha’s custom made dress, to which Puthli would not oblige.
Donna, unbeknownst to Asha, went ahead and asked designer Bill Gibb to which he refused. Them’s the breaks, I guess.
“A lot of people say that this album [The Devil Is Loose] and the other album are templates that later on Donna Summer, Pete Bellotte, Georgio Moroder all ripped off from my sound. Now, remember I’ve mentioned to you that I was suspended because I was pregnant. So at that time was when they jumped on the bandwagon, apparently. This is what I’m told by people in Germany, in the industry. Because when they called me up they said, ‘We want to work with the real McCoy,”
Nonetheless, she is more and more recognized in importance and relevance for her ethno-fusion cosmic disco avant-garde synthy soul vibes, her out of the world stage presence (her moves have also been centred out as a major influence to Kate Bush), and undeniable individuality. A rebel spirit through and through.
Her first album “Asha Pulthri” was shot by Mick Rock who was David Bowie’s official photographer (she would also go on to hire Pierre LaRoche, Bowie’s iconic makeup artist), and was admired by art influencers such as Richard Avedon, Manolo Blahnik Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Diane Vreeland, and even headlined at Studio 54.
Her style was always changing and was always an eclectic mash up of her heritage, the {present} day (for her, {past} for us), and the unknown frontiers of space and time….So, how about that Donna Summer?
She most notably also made an appearance in the obscure Merchant-Ivory art film “Savages”, as one of the three wild women leaving very little to the imagination.
Her music was even literally blasted into space in 2009 from the Goonhilly British Satellite Earth Station on the 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing. Why, you ask? Well
“{her music is} a form of free-floating, ultra-sexualized intergalactic disco that matched hyperventilating time with erotic electronics and surreal sonic environments. Puthli has gone so far out that she has space walked into inner space.”
As well, she has been sampled by the likes of P. Diddy, The Notorious B.I.G., Redman, 50 Cent, and Dilated Peoples. She even owns writing credits to “The World is Filled” by Biggie Ft. Too Short and Puff Daddy…so yeah!
SHE’S A BOSS
Nowadays the notion of a globalized pop star like Asha isn’t too uncommon. Artists like BTS get millions of fans around the world; or take for instance, K-Pop Girl Band BLACKPINK who just performed at Coachella…even the song ‘Jai-Ho’ from Slumdog Millionaire went on to win both an Academy Award and a Grammy!
That is NOW…but back THEN, artists to cross-over these racial boundaries were even rarer which is why still today, we can look back in awe on the incredible artistry, bravery and honesty Asha put forth to just be who she is!
I was not encouraged to do my own songs. They wanted me glam, more Shirley Bassey than Joan Baez. I insisted upon including at least one of my own songs, just one. They (the CBS record producers) already thought I was difficult because I wouldn’t change my name. There is a cognitive dissonance when you have a name like mine….They gave me suggestions like Ann Peters, Ann Powers. I said no as I had already won the Down Beat at that time and had a fan base in India. As Asha Puthli!”
Some people might even blame THE DEVIL…which I’m sure is why she created this cosmic disco masterpiece.
See for yourself below:
HOW EPIC WAS THAT?!
{the dress, the moves, that audience, the song…EVERYTHING}
Luckily, so much of her music is resurfacing so we hope this post will help in the manifestation of her glory. Please enjoy “The Devil is Loose” and let us know what you think in the COMMENTS.
If you are intrigued, Red Bull Music Academy has a wonderful interview with this legend published just this last February, 2019.
We barely scraped the tip of the iceberg with this one, so don’t let us down! Go check her out, channel her spirit, and play those funky cosmic disco sounds hard into the night…
Alain Delon was one of our first ever {STYLE IDOL} posts on The Eye of Faith, and quickly became and remains one of our most popular delves into classic timeless cool vintage style. It’s not a surprise – this guy just oozes bad ass nonchalant elegance, sophistication, and beauty!
He is always portrayed as a dangerous type, a rebel, a bad boy, a beautiful bad ass . . . but still very clean cut and classic.
So this year when we found out that the French bad boy would be honoured (and justly so) at this year’s Cannes Film Festival we were thrilled!
For his “wonderful presence in the history of film” the award is definitely just, but delving back into his timeline of wicked looks over the past 50+ years it is impossible to deny his presence in the history of style, as well!
So, in honour of this God of Style we delved deeper into our archive of looks from an icon who is on the level of James Dean or Marilyn Monroe. We are fortunate enough to have him with us still today!
Not all the rebels die young…in fact, you can watch his acceptance speech here (it is in French):
We checked out this brilliant list of 12 of his best cult classics from DW to find some super vibes we hadn’t picked up on in our initial post 7 years ago (yikes!). From baroque to gangster, from dapper to scuba, modern playboy to Victorian dandy…he does it all!
One thing’s for sure …
No one rocks a cut on their face quite like him!
Bless his soul
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What’s your favourite Alain Delon look? Let us know in the COMMENTS below!
We’ve been getting thoroughly entertained by these “Diva on Diva” videos by Clippety on YouTube, and this one is a real interesting treat.
Two icons of sex and beauty brought together for 1970s camp classic “Myra Breckinridge” based on the controversial novel by the iconic Gore Vidal.
The film, like the novel, broke many boundaries tackling transexuality and machismo attidues in Hollywood, but was pretty much panned universally, and some consider it the worst film ever made. But, you have to give Raquel Welch much credit for taking on such a cutting edge role, and it really makes us love her so much more!
Myra Breckenridge is the antithesis of sex symbol. She’s revolutionary; she’s a warrior.
-Raquel Welch
The themes and tone the film exhibit would never fly today, so it really is a treat to watch!
So, take a look at what Raquel Welch had to say about working with Mae West, an icon of sex from the 1930s! 40 years between their stardom, you’re only bound for a little drama!
Divas be divas . . . but they have the right, don’t they?
Helmut Berger is what I consider a perfect artist – very serious in his craft, intelligent in his thoughts, without any time or patience for “bullshit” or empty phrases that litter many people’s everyday lives, conversations and relationships.
Helmut Berger doesn’t give a fuck what you think about him.
A icon of beauty, sex, and hedonism – the actor experienced great attention through the late 60s and 1970s for his work in film, most particularly with iconic Italian film maker Luchino Visconti whom took Berger under his wing as a muse in art and love.
How couldn’t he? When Visconti first cast the young and rebellious Austrian actor in his film Le Streghe (The Witches) in 1967, it was clear this was a rare star coming closer into orbit, and soon he was doing one iconic role after another playing Martin Von Essenback in The Damned (dressing in Dietrich drag in one of the film’s pivotal moments), King Ludwig II of Bavaria (earning him a David Di Donatello Award for Best Actor), and the title role in the flashy mod remake of Oscar Wilde’s classic – Dorian Gray.
He was also the first man to ever grace the cover of VOGUE alongside girlfriend Marisa Berenson – not surprising considering his classic beauty.
Those smouldering eyes, that golden blonde hair, his brooding masculinity mixed with a distinct dandy elegance – its a combination we don’t see in celebrities today.
On screen and off screen, Helmut Berger is definitely an idol of style we need to praise! So, here’s a classic {STYLE IDOL} collection of wicked photos of this bad ass legend of cinema to muse over and inspire your personal sense of style!
Helmut Berger
Yes, I am tainted by the beautiful things in life. But to all those who only want to see me as an agent provocateur and an eccentric I can only say: With every day of my life the number of people I don’t give a damn about grows and grows.
-Helmut Berger
As portrayed in the intensely provocative documentary by Andreas Horvath, Helmut Berger is a rebel without a cause – full of spunk, a lust for life, and a certain je na sais quois that really make a star ignite.
Not many people have the balls to to live as loud as this guy, so major props to him for that; and despite his seemingly reckless antics, we can’t deny the beautiful tapestry of work this man has created with his art and contributions to the legacy of cinema and of course, classic bad ass style!
For the most part, off duty, he’s a very classic jeans and oxford shirt kind of guy, but I love the extravagance and opulence he is able to pull of in many of his film roles, that I believe many other actors would have had a hard time making believable.
Tres chic and a bit of a rebel- Helmut Berger should definitely be at the top of your list for all-time style icons if you are into that kind of thing. We started this blog to help promote the beauty of the {past}, so hopefully we’ll be seeing a little more Helmut Berger realness in the near {future}.
What frightens you, what you see or what you don’t?
-Helmut Berger in Salon Kitty
Hope this was a good one for you! We love compiling these {STYLE IDOLS & DIVINITIES} for you guys, so let us know what you thought in the comments below!
Also, let us know if you have some interesting ideas!
VIVA MAGAINE: The International Woman’s Magazine {circa. January 1977}
Cover Photograph by the iconic HELMUT NEWTON (hence, the undoubtable chic-ness of this image). Published by icons Bob Guccione and Kathy Keeton of PENTHOUSE fame, this is a prime piece of classic porn chic.
First coined in a highly influential New York Times article in 1973, porno chic describes a distinct period between 1969 and 1984 where American pornos were hitting the mainstream consciousness and pocketbooks hardcore. Andy Warhol kicked it off in 69 with Blue Movie, and films like Deep Throat, Behind the Green Door, Caligula, The Opening of Misty Beehtoven, A Night at the Adonis, and Flesh Gordon are among the films that encapsulate the Golden Age of Porn.
But it wasn’t just about the films. This period also saw a surge of amazing publishing prowess seen by magazines like PLAYBOY, HUSTLER, OUI, and of course PENTHOUSE dominated the scene, but for the first time publishers turned their attention to the female gaze, and offered pleasures like PLAYGIRL and VIVA with the male form objectified freely and openly to ease the tensions of the day.
I know it seems cliche to say, but its about the articles, too! Especially adult magazines of this period, you will find some powerful political, cultural, and historical content that just can’t be beat! Some of the articles included in this VIVA Magazine include:
The Blue Angel: Inside New York’s Naughtiest Night Club Minnie Riperton Raps About Fashion The Real Brenda Vaccaro The Naked Cowboy Dustin Hoffman & Robert Redford on set of “All the President’s Men” Do You Have What It Takes to Be Happy?
Not going to lie; what really stood out to us was the top story on the cover: HOW TO MAKE LOVE LIKE A WITCH!
The things they targeted their demographics with back in these times is fantastic! Imagine if they had published topics like this today?? People would have a fit! But, seriously we need more of this!
That’s just what makes this piece so god damn amusing. Keep pieces like this for entertaining treats for your guests- some pop culture, history, and a little eye candy.
They don’t make them like they used to …
And I always get a kick with cigarette ads from this period. They are always so special and great. Like this one:
Just out in the park picking flowers and placing them in my pretty flower basket and smoking a cigarette. . .
+LADY BE COOL+
I don’t know how things have taken such a drastic turn. It’s rather sad, really…but luckily, we do have pieces like this to remind us of these lost times.
This is a rare item especially considering the super sensual and chic Helmut Newton cover, and VIVA being of lesser popularity as PLAYBOY or even PLAYGIRL. If you have any questions? Send us a message to the.eye.of.faith@gmail.com
Vintage mugshots really do have a beautiful quality to them and are full of so much mystery, and since we are always searching for unusual style inspirations, we had a lot of fun scouring the depths of the internet for some really cool dudes who not only have a truly individual sense of style and self – but also, style in life…whatever that may be!!!
Take a look at 35 of our favourite below!
So here’s to these mysterious men and their shaken up lives! Looking at them gets us shook, too – so don’t ever forget: BAD BOYS DO IT WELL, TOO! And again, special shout out to Small Town Noir for posting so many of these incredible portraits.
And like all things in life – the {past} is forever in flux with the {present} and is indeed shaping our {future}! Many of these styles haven’t gone away at all, and are making a fierce resurgence around the world whether its the streets, magazines, or runways. As we always say . . . cool is timeless!
Knowledge is power, and all this amazing inspiration comes just in time for our co-founder Aaron’s role as a bad ass Drape in our local downtown theatre‘s production of Cry-Baby: The Musical based on the iconic 90s John Waters film.
He’s been practicing his elephant trunk technique and its definitely getting there – tell us what you think!
photo by Cyprian Estrada
He’s still perfecting that tip, but If you’re in Hamilton, ON over the next three weekends, escape the everyday and enjoy the show! Tickets available here.
Hope you enjoyed these stunning rebels. Let us know in the comments which one was your favourite!
A staple of Los Angeles culture, and a precursor to the “famous for being famous” antics of Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian; this mysterious blonde bombshell exploded in the 80s with the wish to be famous. You can’t miss her wild billboards or that sexy pink corvette. Even if you don’t know her name – you know here. Trust me. You do!
I love the term Hollyweird, and Angelyne definitely lives up to Los Angeles’ reputation for eclectic characters and unbelievable tales of transformation.
Always a lady of mystery…not much has ever been known about her; The real her, at least.
Most of the time, you can’t make up stories as intriguing and mind rousing as simply searching for the truth. That’s exactly what Gary Baum chronicles in his latest article for The Hollywood Reporter which has got the internet buzzing!
While, I feel a little sad that her mystique has been stripped away, there’s no denying that we are only going to experience an even bigger renaissance of Angelyne and all her bright pink glory.
I wonder how she feels about all this? There are many paparazzi videos of her on the internet, and she seems to hate that kind of attention. Either way, this article does not detract from her legacy as a patron saint of Hollywood….
Everything about her IS Hollywood. The dream to be a star. To be worshipped. Iconized. And of course…the fakery of it all. It’s not a bad thing. I think its empowering to be able to be whoever you want to be.
And that’s why she remains a hero to so many people. In fact, we had posted the original article on our FACEBOOK page (GIVE US A LIKE for cool stories, inspirations, and updates), and we
got a lot of response! I had promised a few people I would share this crazy documentary on Angelyne I had found while perusing the depths of Youtube, so thought why not just feature it on our site!
Angelyne definitely has a place here at The Eye of Faith. She is mysterious, enigmatic, beautiful, rebellious, independent, weird, and definitely has a singular sense of self that people would only ever even dream to attain.
Angelyne is still alive and well today and pushing her persona to the max, so do her a favour and follow her on Instagram! I was absolutely shocked at how little followers she has on there! So don’t waste the moment, people!
Above all else, I feel like Angelyne represents the magic of the feminine. The mystique a woman can harness and use as power in their life. From nothing to something….that’s magic, in itself.
