Mae West: Relocated Lips

There’s only one MAE WEST. However, five Mae West Lips Sofas were made, all in 1938. One particular version of the sofa was altered by Edward James from the other versions to make it an integral part of the decoration of Monkton House and to fit with his vision for a Surrealist interior. Let’s read about this battle royal to keep this special Mae West Lips Sofa in the United Kingdom. This is Part 3 of 3.
• • Dali’s Mae West Lips Sofa at risk of leaving the UK • •
• • Arts Minister steps in to prevent iconic sofa from export • •
• • Arts Minister John Glen said: This iconic piece is considered to be the single most important example of Surrealist furniture ever made in Britain. I very much hope that a buyer comes forward to keep this unique item in the UK.
• • The decision to defer the export licence follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA), administered by the Arts Council.
• • RCEWA member Richard Calvocoressi said:
• • Salvador Dalí and Edward James’s sofa in the shape of Mae West’s lips shares with Meret Oppenheim’s fur-covered cup, saucer and spoon of the same date (Museum of Modern Art, New York) the distinction of being the most famous object in the history of Surrealism.
• • But it is more than a witty surrealist sculpture or a striking example of fantasy furniture. It is a masterpiece of Pop art 25 years before Pop was invented.
• • Source: Arts Minister John Glen; published on Friday, 17 November 2017.
• • A post-script: The UK government has found a home for Mae West Lips Sofa, one of the most famous Surrealist works of the 20th century. The sensual settee, designed by Salvador Dalí and the Surrealist poet Edward James, has entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V and A) in London; the piece was purchased with support from Art Fund, the V and A members and a bequest from Derek Woodman.  What happy news and a wonderful new home for a Mae West inspired sofa..
• • On Saturday, 18 May 1912 in Variety • •

• • Frank Bohm bought a generous ad in Variety (issue dated for 18 May 1912) to help publicize his client Mae West as "The Scintillating Singing Comedienne, Late of Ziegfeld's Moulin Rouge." Billboard gave the vaudevillian's act a favorable review the following month.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Bob Hope asked Mae West about her favorite TV show. Miss West enthusiastically said: "The Vic Tanny commercials, of course.”’
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “They used to censor my dialogue in the old days.  Now I can hardly wait to come up with some good lines because there isn’t a censor anymore.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • American Theatre Magazine mentioned Mae West.
• • Invisible Theatre Season to Bring Bygone Celebs Back to Stage Life.
• • Next, Tony Award nominee Sharon McNight graces the stage in the Southwest premiere of Mae West “Live” in Las Vegas (March 5–6, 2016), which recreates West’s show from the Sahara Hotel in the early 1950s.  . . .
• • Source: Item in American Theatre Magazine; posted in April 2016
• • The evolution of 2 Mae West plays that keep her memory alive • • 
• • A discussion with Mae West playwright LindaAnn LoSchiavo — — 
• • http://lideamagazine.com/renaissance-woman-new-york-city-interview-lindaann-loschiavo/

• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 13th anniversary • •  

• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past thirteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,800 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started thirteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3962nd blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.

• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml   
Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • in 1912 • •
• • Feed — — http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MaeWest
NYC  Mae West

Mae West: Scented

The world famous Mae West Lips Sofa — — inspired by MAE WEST — — is now on permanent view in Paris, France.
• • Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí [1904 — 1989] and his patron Edward James [1907 — 1984] collaborated on two of the most enduring icons of the Surrealist movement: the Mae West Lips Sofa [1937] and the funky Lobster Telephone.
• • Espace Dali • •
• • Located in the heart of picturesque Montmartre, two steps away from the famous Place du Tertre, the Espace Dali welcomes more than 100,000 visitors every year. On display, keeping the beautiful Mae West Lips Sofa company, are memorable works such as Space Elephant, the famous Soft Watches, Alice in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet, etc. The Galerie Dali presents a unique collection in France of limited edition sculptures, engravings, and lithographs signed by Dali.
• • Fortunately, there's another way to keep the image of Mae West's lips close at hand that does not include an expensive trip abroad.
• • Word comes that Parfums Salvador Dali has created a second fragrance inspired by Mae West's lips. Following the success of 2008's scent Little Kiss, Little Kiss Cherry will be released in a few weeks [early April 2009].
• • Created by Charabot's Emilie Bouge, the fragrance is described as "a charming interpretation of blossoming youth, of the impish and innocent image of youthful femininity." The top notes will release the essence of yuzu, citron, and lychee pulp; the heart of the aroma comes from cherry blossom, camellia, and water lily; the lingering base combines magnolia bark, musk, and rice powder.
• • Graphic designer Mikael Carriau — — whose flair showed in the Little Kiss bottle — — has also done the decor for the bottle and box of Little Kiss Cherry. Once again revisiting Dali's iconic Mae West Lips emblem, Mikael Carriau has adorned the cylindrical, tall, and slim bottle with an interpretation of cherry blossom that features aquatic blue petals with delicate salmon tinted lips at their centre.
• • The eau de toilette is available in 100ml, 50ml, and 30ml. And just hearing about another new a-MAE-zing aroma makes you realize that you can still get your lover hot under the color with a judicious splash of a thrilling Mae-inspired scent-sation.
• • Mae West's saying about kissitude — — "A man's kiss is his signature!" — — has become a classic, too.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • none • •
NYC
Mae West.

Mae West: Hello, Dalí

An industrial strength dosage of surrealism starring MAE WEST will spike the arts scene in London next spring. The show, Other Surreal Things, is slated for the Victoria & Albert Museum.
• • The exhibition will run from March 29 to July 22, 2007 in Great Britain.
• • Salvador Dalí's Mae West creations, a lobster telephone, a table with bird's legs, and a hat made from bouillabaisse will be among the highlights. Dalí is well represented among an array of 300 objects that explore the influence of surrealism on the worlds of design, interiors, clothes, film, and theatre. Dresses by Elsa Schiaparelli, the Paris fashion designer who collaborated with Jean Cocteau and Dalí, notably on a "Tear" and a "Skeleton" dress, will also be on view.
• • Ghislaine Woods, the curator, said: "Although there have been many exhibitions on surrealism, this is the first to explore the impact of the movement on design and the decorative arts."
• • More than 20 objects are being lent by the West Dean Foundation, the estate in Sussex owned by the late Edward James. James was the first English patron of the surrealists and filled his house, painted purple on the outside, with his collection of their works.
• • Genesis of the Mae West Lips Sofa (1937): Dalí had first painted The Face of Mae West (Usable as a Surrealist Apartment) in 1934. Later on, Edward James, a rich British patron of the Surrealists in the 1930s, commissioned this companion piece from Dalí. The Mae West sofa is the same color as the "shocking pink" lipstick shade inspired by the actress, and developed by the fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli.
• • The most highly paid Paramount Pictures' star during the 1930s, Mae West's image (and drawings based on her face and shape) rapidly became part of popular culture. As the Brooklyn bombshell became a commodity, artists such as Salvador Dalí, perfumers such as Rochas, designers such as Schiaparelli, etc., naturally responded to her influential position in the media.
• • Around 1938, the Mae West Lips Sofa was designed by Salvador Dalí with Edward James, and made by Green & Abbott. This 20th century icon has a wooden carcase, upholstered in felted, woven wool fabric. The Mae West Lips Sofa was purchased by the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery from the Edward James Foundation in 1983.
• • Dali's fascination with Mae West was a long one.
• • Salvador Dalí [11 May 1904 – 23 January 1989] was a Catalan-Spanish artist who became one of the most important painters of the 20th century. A gouache now in Chicago illustrates his original plan executed during the early 1930s for a "paranoiac-critical room" based on the features of her face. When the Dalí Museum in Figueras was being constructed during the early 1970s, his Mae West Room was finally built to his specifications.
• • MAE WEST used to say, "I like two kinds of men: domestic and foreign." Therefore, it's assumed that Mae appreciated Dalí's dalliance with her image.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
________
Source:http://maewest.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Mae West
• • Illustration: The Face of Mae West (Usable as a Surrealist Apartment) • • 1934 • •
NYC
Mae West.