What a month it’s been! While I know the actual new year doesn’t seasonally start until spring, it feels like so much has already happened in January.
I’ve found myself going to museums in my area, watching more films, and generally engaging with art in all kinds of forms (which you’ll see more of in today’s newsletter).
Creativity begets more creativity, and I have a few additional projects cooking that I can’t quite announce yet…speaking of cooking, there’s a lot of it in today’s book of the week.
Bon appétit!
Questioning Everything in Sayaka Murata’s Life Ceremony
I absolutely adore Sayaka Murata’s writing and the way she incorporates all things weird girl, horror, and humor without missing a beat. I loved her novel Convenience Store Woman, so when I saw this collection of short stories at the library, I knew I had to check it out.
Life Ceremony is a collection of 12 stories that prompt readers to examine what’s considered “normal” and why. Whether she’s describing a society that uses human body parts for furniture or calling food norms into question, we’re provided with an opportunity to reevaluate our beliefs from a place of genuine curiosity.
“This is a precious and noble aspect of the workings of our advanced life-form—not wasting the bodies of people when they die, or at least having one’s own body still being useful. Can’t you see how wonderful it is? There are so many parts that can be reused as furniture, and it’s a waste to throw them away… isn’t that more sacrilegious?”
Each story made me wonder how she thinks of such brilliant, strange, and fun ideas. No matter how out there the fictional worlds or characters may seem, I still felt a deep pang of familiarity and relatability.
One story I found especially touching is about two women who decide to live together and raise their children together, despite not having a romantic connection. Regardless of the accusations and judgement they receive from others, they continue to support one another and are perfectly content with their arrangement.
“Hadn’t they themselves always said they’d live together if they didn’t find partners in good time? She and Kikue had simply carried through on that promise. Yet hardly anyone understood this.”
Murata’s stories remind me why it’s so important to embrace being weird. A culture’s norms say a lot about who and what is valued, and why.
Maybe thinking outside of the box isn’t such a bad thing…and maybe that’s why horror is so effective at interrogating these topics.
What even is normal anyway?
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Trauma, Americana, and Desire in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet
In honor of the one year anniversary of the legendary David Lynch’s passing, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is hosting a weeklong series of screenings titled “Wild at Heart and Weird on Top: A Tribute to David Lynch.”
I had the privilege of watching Blue Velvet in 4K there this week—which included an intro from none other than Kyle MacLachlan himself!
There’s so much to say about this film (I’ll keep it spoiler-free). On a personal level, I vaguely remember watching it for the first time as a teenager. After watching it again from my adult perspective, it may just be one of my favorite Lynch films. A bold statement, I know.
Viewers get to enjoy signature Lynchian Americana, wacky characters, dark humor, and an eerie sense of liminality. While it’s clear that Lynch loves exploring Americana throughout his work, this film in particular felt more satirical than others in its nod to the seediness beneath the veneer of “wholesome” American life.
For example, we’re greeted with white picket fences and manicured lawns in the town of Lumberton, which are almost immediately contrasted against a decaying ear found in a nearby field by the oh-so-curious Jeffrey (MacLachlan’s character).
I also found the interplay of trauma and desire both fascinating and hard to watch at times. As someone with PTSD, I thought it did an excellent job depicting the terrifying and surreal states that flashbacks can take on, and the complicated ways in which trauma can inform desire for all parties involved.
Like I said, no spoilers. I’ll leave you with this: pay close attention to the ending and whether or not it’s happy.
Note: Please keep the following trigger warnings in mind if you decide to watch the film: SA, abuse, and gore.
Reading Is Resistance!
@theweirdgirledit Reading is resistance! I firmly believe that literacy, critical thinking, and being in community will save us. What do you think? ✨ #re... See more
PSA: Whether you realize it or not, reading is resistance. In an age of rampant anti-intellectualism, misinformation, and fascism, I’m convinced that being literate and thinking critically can actually help save us all.
Yes, reading can be a hobby and a fun pastime, so it’s not totally selfless. Regardless, picking up a book and digesting information without an immediate dopamine rush can help keep our brains sharp.
And trust me, there are people who don’t want you to be sharp! They’d much rather you give up entirely and fall into complacency. That way, you’re easier for them to manipulate.
Remember that reading and interpreting literature, whether fiction or nonfiction, can make you more discerning of what you consume—which can help with media literacy and distinguishing facts from propaganda.
When we read stories about those who are different from us, it also increases our empathy. In fact, studies have shown that reading fiction significantly increases empathy by allowing readers to consider perspectives outside of their own.
Reading can also benefit your local community. Consider paying a visit to your local library, shopping at indie bookstores instead of major corporations, or starting a book club to bring folks together.
This is all to say, reading alone won’t fix everything…but it DOES make a difference. Keep going. Keep reading. I see you 🫶
Weird Girl of the Week: Corita Kent (aka Sister Mary Corita)
Picture this: a trailblazing pop art nun, artist, educator, and activist. Meet Corita Kent and the legacy she left behind. I had the joy of seeing her exhibit at the Marciano Art Foundation this past week, and wow. She was a force to be reckoned with!
From her colorful screen printing, lively film photography, and teachings on art and creativity, I felt inspired. Without getting into too much personal detail, I grew up Catholic (and shocker, I’m no longer Catholic… for various reasons). That being said, learning about a nun who did so much good was healing in a way.
Her activism focused on social justices issues including poverty, racism, and anti-war messaging. It all made me wonder, why haven’t I heard of her sooner?
I’m sure there are plenty more trailblazing women artists throughout history who I don’t know about. If you have any you want to see highlighted, let me know. I’d love to feature them in this newsletter.
P.S. Want to see more from my day at the Marciano Art Foundation? Check out the videos I posted below!
@theweirdgirledit Come spend a day with me at the @marcianoartfoundation for the Corita Kent exhibit! Be sure to check it out sooner than later since it’s ... See more
@theweirdgirledit Welcome to part 2 of spending a day at the @marcianoartfoundation with me! Go check out my previous video for part 1. I loved John Giorno... See more
That’s all I have for you this week. Want more weird?
Say less.
The Weird Girl Edit is a weekly newsletter written by Maya Rector, and it gets published every Wednesday. View past editions here. If you haven’t already, subscribe for the latest wacky musings in literature, media, and pop culture each week!