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Interview: Gigi Deluxe

f1ovbbjf82exnzo_smallGigi Deluxe: Diving into the Mix Tape with Chicago’s Sensual, Bloody Best. By Brian Kirst

Gigi Deluxe is one of Chicago’s most talented demonic darlings. As an artist, clothing designer, musician, hostess and twisted photographer’s muse, Deluxe does it all and with style, heart and a definite personality all of her own. A lover of the dark and the macabre (a primary influence in her work), Gigi is often featured on the popular Feast of Fools web cast or at many a gallery event around town. For those unlucky enough to have never basked in her blood draining glory, the fine and fetching Deluxe recently sat down for this exclusive Horror Society expose. Believe me, when you are finished, you will definitely count yourselves among the lucky, my ravenous friends and fiends.

www.gigideluxe.com

www.myspace.com/gigideluxedoeschicago

www.myspace.com/gigideluxemusicpage

Brian: Who were (are) your primary influences as a creative entity – Vampira’s wide armed strut in Ed Wood classics – Frida Kahlo’s fiery independence – George Romero’s societal undead statements…?

Gigi: “Night of the Living” dead was one of my first stateside memories. I remember watching it on T.V. and it giving me the willies- it still does, I don’t know why, I think it’s the feeling of isolation and doom. I was raised by my mother and my wonderful gay uncle and they were both really young andhuge horror fans. At the time that I was growing up we were rather poor so my mom and uncle took me everywhere, instead of paying for a sitter, this included $1.00 movies at the Ramova (which we lovingly called the “Rat mova”) in Bridgeport. I saw ALL the best horror movies and Bruce Lee movies there. I would have to say that was huge influence on me. As well as Heavy Metal magazine, my uncle was an avid comic book collector. I loved all the dark imagery, gore, horror and sexy beautiful women (and of course their clothes or lack there-of). It was very exciting to me.

Art played a big role in my life growing up because at that time my uncle was painting and he was generous enough to let me use his brushes and paints to express myself. I was terrible and irresponsible; I never took care of any of his brushes or tools. But I am grateful to him because he introduced me to so much at such an early age: Fine art, theater, vampires, horror, live jazz, and drag queens…

Brian: That’s amazing! – Is there a certain kind of music or particular artist that you like to play when you create?

Gigi: I like music that has a lot of energy when I work. It can be anything from The Ting Tings, Fever Ray, Ruth Brown, Johnny cash or Bach. I like strong music from strong artists, it motivates me and I love music from every era.

Music is very important to me, and I have such a wide range of taste that it would be difficult to say I like one particular artist, or a certain kind of music.

I listen to everything with the exception of: hip hop, rap, new country and death metal.

Brian: If you had the power to breathe life into the perfect living paper doll – what would it look like and what kind of personality would it have?

gigiGigi: That’s super easy. It would be MY paper doll that Normal Bob Smith created.

And it would have my personality of course! How narcissistic of me! But I can live with that! LOL!

https://gigideluxe.com/the_doll/

Brian: In your photography you’ve introduced sex to the zombie – what would you like to introduce the werewolf to?

Gigi: To a good muzzle then to a hot little red riding hood!

Brian: Awesome! – You are quite the hyphenate – photographer, sculptor, performance artist, media goddess, clothing designer…Do you have a favorite way of expressing yourself or are they all equally important to you?

Gigi: I feel that everything I do is all part of the whole. It allconnects to each other. I love it all. I don’t feel I have to limit myself to one medium if I enjoy doing many things. As long as I do them to the absolute best of my ability, and it brings pleasure and enjoyment to me and to those who enjoy my work, then I feel I’m on the right path. I’m too ADD to focus solely on one thing, I would bore myself.

Brian: You often curate horror movie events in Chicago. Do you have a favorite horror film of all time – also do you have a favorite guilty pleasure horror film?

Gigi: Actually, I only have had the pleasure ofhosting one movie nite- but I would LOVE to do more (I have a custom Vampira outfit that I’m Dying to wear for the right event). I really would like to do something with you guys and Fangoria (hint-hint*).

My collection of films are either horror films or animation. Want my top ten favorites from my collection? It’s SUPER hard to choose because I enjoy so many, but here it is in no particular order:

1. The Devil’s Backbone- I Adore Guillermo Del Toro

2. Let the Right Ones in

3. The Night of the Living Dead

4. 30 Days of Night

5. Plan 9 from outer Space

6. House on Haunted Hill- the one with Vincent Price

7. The Wishing Stairs

8. NightBreed

9. The Omen q

10. Rosemary’s Baby

Brian: I love those, too! As a devoted mother, what do you think is the most important thing (or things) that we should teach our children?

m_14eb594f023d48a2b8a6147a3d938778Gigi: To question everything and to be true to whom you are (even if you are not sure who that may be yet). Work hard and challenge yourself and most importantly, you don’t have to be like everyone else, or liked by everyone that you meet.

Brian: Beautiful! — Vampires, zombies, fire breathing creatures…If you could come up with a new horror entity what would it be?

Gigi: It’s really hard to come up with something that hasn’t been created yet, I mean even before Hollywood, folklore pretty much has every creepy aspect covered. BUT, If there was to be a new monster, I think it would come from the deep, dark depths of the sea, who knows what’s down there, so it would be huge, have tentacles, lots of sharp teeth and a taste for meat!

Brian: Perfect! Lastly, any words of advice (IE: Never kiss a ravenous zombie on the lips) or future projects that would like to leave us with? And thanks – this has been better than a full leather body suit!

Gigi: I never give advice without being asked, so since you’re asking: “Never give advice unless you are asked for it”

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