THE SHRINES OF ZANZIBAR
An excellent example of the intricate shrine scenes that Steven created in every corner of his Los Angeles studio, Zanzibar. This particular image highlights not only Steven’s flare for interior design, but his talent for assembling found and innexpensive items into large, elborate assemblage sculpture.
PRAYER FOR THE CURE
“ Sometimes I’m not sure I like being nailed to the word tableaux, even though it’s the one I myself use most often in referring to these pieces. I also think of them as magical Rorschach tonkas. The word tonka implies a certain usefulness as an object for meditation. I like that. What the hell. Call them tablonkas! Or tongleaux! Whatever they are, I’ve found a great happiness in this form. It uses every part of me.”
STEVEN ARNOLD
DINING AT ZANZIBAR
A shining example of one of the eccentric realities Steven created in the old pretzel factory that he transformed into Zanzibar Studios. This dining room followed a long tradition of elaborate dinner settings, which Steven pulled off with great panache.
Michael Wiese reminisces about a dinner in the early days when the two were making films together in San Fransisco: “I’ll never forget the night he invited me over for dinner. We were both very poor and exhausted from our week’s work together. He said, ‘Come over, dahling, for dinner tonight. I’ll cook for just the two of us.’ I went and the table was set so visually elegant, a’ la Liberace, with beautiful candelabras. Then he proceeded to open up a can of Chef Boyardee spaghetti and served it with cheap Campari.”
“He’s the only person I’ve ever seen eat a donut with a fork and knife,” recalls Joseph Zacarella, star of Messages, Messages. “He did it with total seriousness. He knew I was breaking up inside. Every move was just so beautiful.”
