Kira Lee is an amazing NYC based artist. ACA Galleries, in NYC, is currently having an exhibition of her incredible art, called Legends and Lyrics. They her music inspired pieces are of iconic rock artists like John Lennon, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, David Bowie (who gets a whole wall dedicated to him!), Kurt Cobain, and many others. Her art is amazing and truly breathtaking. As you get closer to look at it, you get to truly realize just how much work and heart she puts into her pieces, as you come to realize that they are made up of words and lyrics, inspired by each of the artists.
You can see of the pieces in the pictures displayed in this article, though they do not do them the true justice that they deserve. You simply need to see them for yourself to truly get the depth of their beauty.
I am a huge fan of her work and had the utmost pleasure of talking to her about on them at the public opening of her art show, last week on Feb. 2, 2017.
You can see the interview in the video below:
Her gallery will be on display through March 4, 2017 at the ACA Galleries on 529 W20th St, #5E. Do yourself a favor go as soon as you can! I guarantee that you will be glad that you did.
Video shot and edited by Negative Pop. All photography by Negative Pop, except for the Kiss painting, that one is by myself.
Title: God Told Me To Writer/ Director: Larry Cohen Cast: Tony Lo Bianco, Deborah Raffin, Sandy Dennis, Sylvia Sidney, Sam Levene, Robert Drivas Year: 1976 Min: 91
A series of violent mass murders hits and terrorizes the residents of New York City. Before each of the killers get taken down or kill themselves, they all answer, when asked why, because, ''God told me to''. On the case is detective Peter J. Nicholas (Tony Lo Bianco), a deeply religious man. As such, he becomes obsessed with unraveling this case, which gets more wild and insane as the truth reveals itself.
One of the most interesting films from sometimes underrated horror filmmaker Larry (It's Alive, Q) Cohen, God Told Me To is a fascinating and wholly original mix of crime drama, horror, and science fiction. Moving at a slow and deliberate pace it builds up bit by bit, as it gets weirder and wilder. Throughout its running time, it remains a fascinating and intriguing bit of genre work by a sometimes overlooked master.
Cohen's script is smart and unlike any film that I can think of. It does a great job at looking at religion and the sometimes fanatical following that it has. It certainly comes off as bold and imaginative. The movie eventually becomes a total ''what the fuck?!" fest, as reveals more and more of its truths. Cohen's interest in police dramas may make some think it is a slow moving film. But, the movie never fails to capture the audiences interest.
Aside from the plot and ever increasing weirdness level, Cohen also builds up tension in the action and suspense scenes. They are edited perfectly, with the opening sniper shooting in New York City at the film's start being a prime example of this. It's a scary and startling scene that grabs you by the throat. This is something that could happen (and has, just not in NYC, at least not that I know or recall). While, not exceptionally gory, it is violent with gun shots, stabbings, and throat slashings peppering the proceedings, all of which is done with that wonderfully bright red Dawn of the Dead 70's style of blood-letting.
The acting is excellent, especially from Tony Lo Bianco as the lead. He is believable and easy to get behind in his quest to unravel the truth. The fact that he is a man of faith makes it all the more interesting, as he faced with horrifying atrocities done in the name of the God he so loves and faithfully worships.
God Told Me To is an original and wild ride from one of the most talented and overlooked masters of fright. Cohen slowly builds the tension and shocking reality of the film's crazy plot ever so slowly. Questioning religion, faith, and the dangers of following it in a fanatical manner, the movie is as timely now as it was in the 70s, maybe more so. Coupled with excellent acting, especially from Lo Bianco, and a cool mix of genres, this is a film that needs to be seen by more. If you have never seen it be sure to check it out, as it is currently streaming on Shudder.
Two girls who are friends watch the cursed video tape from Ringu (AKA The Ring), first Natsumi (Aimi Satsukawa), then later, Yuri (Mizuki Yamamoto). They both have two days to live (cut down from the original film's seven days), as Sadako (Elly Nanami) will come and kill them. After an awesomely funny and failed exorcism, they end up getting help from a man named Kyozo (Masanobu Ando) and Tamao (Maiko Kikuchi), the blind and psychic girl who assists him in his ghost hunting. The only way to save them he demises would be for Sadako to battle another vengeful spirit.
At the same time that this is going, Suzuka (Tina Tamashiro) has moved next door to the house from Ju-On (The Grudge). Haunted by nightmares, learning of the house's murder history, and hearing about some boys who disappeared, she pays it a visit. Of course, this means she is cursed by the ghost known as Kayako (Runa Endo). Ultimately, Kyozo and Tamao decide to help all these girls by getting them to cross curse each other, thus causing their evil ghost chicks to battle each other over them.
For much of Sadako Vs. Kayako, it feels like two movies spliced together. The Sadako stuff is wilder and more fun, while Kayako part is slightly weaker and little more predictable. This isn't to say that part is bad, it most certainly isn't. Whenever Kayako and her creepy-ass son are onscreen, it's still good fun. It's just the Sadako part with its more interesting female protagonists, crazy ghost hunters, and, most especially, the aforementioned exorcism really stands out. At the last third of the movie it finally does become the crossover it promises to be, and then things get really crazy! But, the ultimate truth is that this movie is more fun that it has any right to be.
The acting from the cast is good. Though Tina Tamashiro's Suzuka is slightly less interesting than the other heroes in the film, her performance is fine. But, honestly, it's Masanoby Ando as Kyozo who really steals the show. He is so much fun to watch and is really the character that you will enjoy watching the most.
The more terrifying nature of both of the movies that make up this crossover is largely left on the wayside. Though, there are a few creepy moments, here and there, most of the feeling of the movie is one of just being a good time. It is more interested in entertaining you than outright scaring the shit out of you. There is a little more blood than the US counterparts of these franchises but is hardly a gorefest. The FX contained in the film range from the pretty decent to very good.
Sadako Vs. Kayako feels like two partners that keep teasing each other a lot, only to finally get to the actually fucking. But, the fact is that movie is continuously entertaining and fun, even if the levels of the entertainment do change, at times. Yes, it is a little bit dumb and kind of silly, but come on, one of this movie's precedents is fucking King Kong Vs. Godzilla! And, this movie is, I think, better than that camp favorite. It is possible that you will be disappointed that the movie takes so long to actually crossover, but this didn't happen to me. I just enjoyed the hell out of a movie that really should be not as wonderfully entertaining as it is. Also, I can honestly say that it is infinitely better than either the The Ring Two or any of the American The Grudge movies. Exclusively available to view on the new horror subscription channel Shudder, I say kick back, relax, and just enjoy the hell out of it!
Kira Lee is an amazing NYC based artist. ACA Galleries, in NYC, is currently having an exhibition of her incredible art, called Legends and Lyrics. They her music inspired pieces are of iconic rock artists like John Lennon, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, David Bowie (who gets a whole wall dedicated to him!), Kurt Cobain, and many others. Her art is amazing and truly breathtaking. As you get closer to look at it, you get to truly realize just how much work and heart she puts into her pieces, as you come to realize that they are made up of words and lyrics, inspired by each of the artists.
yourself a favor go as soon as you can! I guarantee that you will be glad that you did. 
