Correct Culture: Man Bags, Muffinhead, Max Steele

Take the Picture - There seems to be a never-ending plethora of artists dabbling in the at times indulgent art of self-portraiture these days, but few ever rise to the fierce degree of established and still relevant talents like Cindy Sherman or Robert Mapplethorpe. Photographer Gregory Moon is that rare exception, and though his work is way different from the aforementioned art greats, he adds his own singular touch to his work, which veers from the ultra-sexual to the uber-sexy. Constantly revealing and evolving, he shows absolutely no fear in expressing his unique vision of himself and gives pause to those seeking only an unhealthy dose of counterfeit astonishment.

Style That Doesn’t Suck - I’ve never been a fan of the “man bag,” those supposedly fashionable but oh-so-strange-looking oversized sacks of stylish indulgence that designers like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton have tried to convince us normal male mortals (and not just the gay ones) that we need to complete our daily ensembles. I still rock a $12 black nylon backpack from 14th Street. But then I came across the superbly sublime designs of San Francisco-based accessories designer Basil Racuk, and I’ve been singing a decidedly different tune. A 20-year veteran of the fashion biz, Racuk worked his magic for several large houses before striking out on his own as an artisan working directly with private clients and a few select retail stores. His passion for California gold miners and the alterna-hippy vibe of Haight Ashbury has resulted in a collection of rare leather pieces dating back to the Gold Rush days. The pieces have a handcrafted, lived-in-already feel and feature such unexpected touches as handpainted finishes and ergonomic shapes that keep them fashionably current, yet comfortably minimal.

Style Exiles - I first spotted Muffinhead on Facebook but didn’t truly take in his entire amazing self spectacle until spotting him at one of artist Kenny Scharf’s Cosmic Cavern black-light parties. Describing himself as a “performance absurdist and hyper-surreal cartoon character intent on bringing other worldly visions to life, he injects a bold and brash jolt of visual distraction that brings to mind such geniuses as Leigh Bowery. Since relocating to New York in 2005, he has brought his chaotic and somewhat obsessive panache to the city’s hottest galleries, events, and nightlife. His solo show The Exhibitionist at Arena Studios received rave reviews, and he has been a featured player in the Deitch Projects Art Parade since its inception. This “Art Terrorist” seeks first and foremost to see his concepts through to brilliant completion, often taking several grueling months to finish. His recent collaboration with Kenny Scharf called “SuperWow!” was one of those unique only-in-New-York experiences, bringing together a group art party, performance exhibit, and all-night dancing to dazzling effect.