“Why the long face?” I ask Modigliani‘s women. Like the artist, this sweater is vintage Italian. A work of art created in knitted wool in lieu of oil paint.
It was a $10(!!) thrift store win during a dark time when I needed all the wins I could get my hands on. Especially one I could luxurious wrap around me to ward off the existential / actual cold. My favorite cheap Cheep find maybe ever.
I wore it all winter long, prattling on about a Modigliani face on my back (no one knew what I was on about because no one else happened to have The Art Book as required toilet reading during their 20s. Ah, shit.)
Who knew it would perfectly match the Spittaleu in Vienna. This is a municipal waste-to-energy incinerator. Once an ordinary industrial building, it caught fire in the 80s. After the burn, artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser turned it into whatever this is.
An odd attraction. The opposite of an eyesore. What would that be? An eyesalve. Magical unrealism in a sad beige world.
Let’s get weirder. Let’s make more art of the ordinary. Let’s get lit up again. Then burn, baby, burn.
Milano Italy cobalt blue knit wool duster with a multi-colored Modigliani on the freaking back you guys!!!, $10 – Idaho Youth Ranch thrift store | Bozzolo black cotton crop top with round silver metal studs, $4 – ReStyle thrift store | no tag blue & white plisse flair pants, $11 – Uptown Cheapskate thrift & resale clothing | Nike Air neon blue & green sneakers, $12 – Idaho Youth Ranch thrift store | Chloé Rickey aviator sunglasses – $160, Poshmark ($375 MSRP. Yeah, yeah I’m a money-waster when it comes to Chloé sunglasses but they’re hot OK??!!)
Cheep it until you (finally) meet your smoke(show)-stacked match 5,000 miles from home.
