Justine & The Victorian Punks Still You (1979)
In 1978, Colette Lumiere declared her own death, held a funeral, and then resurrected herself as Justine. But that was just the beginning. Over the years, the Tunisian-French artist crafted new personas, including Olympia, Countess Reichenbach and the Beautiful Dreamer. The last alias alludes to an "invention" attributed to Colette (as she primarily identifies again today): sleep art.
Her installations and the sleep endurance performances she staged within them made her a star in the art world. One standout piece turned New York’s Stefanotty Gallery into a cozy, womb-like space with walls draped in soft fabrics. Visitors gathered daily in Midtown to watch Lumiere sleep serenely on a mattress at the center of the installation.
However, Colette didn’t confine herself to the art scene. Living in the New York of the 1970s/80s, she immersed herself in the raw energy of punk and disco just as they were on the boil – and long before anyone imagined they’d become continent- and generation-spanning phenomena. She’s often credited with creating the Victorian Punk look, a style that later influenced icons like Madonna, Lady Gaga and other artists, becoming a staple of pop culture.
Like Justine and the Victorian Punks, the artist also released disco punk. While her music wasn't as influential as her other works, it has aged well and was even re-issued by the renowned label DFA in 2010. Our favorite is the hypnotic “Still You”.
Start the conversation
Become a paid member of The Rest to gain access to the comments section.