Impossible Match - Frida & Fran
Hear me out...
Okay, this is a new segment I am adding to the podcast, and frankly my thinking process, because once I matched these two in my head I couldn't not share it with you all.
Firstly - an Impossible Match is two people who would have an amazing relationship/friendship/time together but, could never actually be together due to, mostly not being alive at the same time.
Okay with that in mind, let me take you with me into lockdown one when I discovered the most incredible art history podcast - ArtHoles - and through the excited and passionate words of Michael, the host, and along with him - I fell in love with Frida Kahlo.
I was first aware of her when I went to an exhibition of her work as a kid, and I continued to be interested in her work - writing an impassioned blog post all about her in the Blogspot days - but with this deep dive into her life and her culture it was almost like getting to know her closely. I couldn't wait between episodes and watched all the documentaries youtube would provide, bought books about her from depop, and downloaded 'Frida' - the film to see me through an evening of terrible period cramps - I was completely head over heels.
So the last episode ended and I listened and cried and cried and slowly became less obsessive in my affection for a dead woman, and around this time first, my mum and second my housemate sat me down to watch Pretend it's a City.
This is a series on Netflix that is basically Fran Lebowitz talking to Martin Scorsese about different aspects of life from her perspective - basically, two old friends having a chat - but it's more enchanting than that.
So began another obsession
If you don't know, Fran wrote two books and countless articles that could be best described as humorous observations on life in New York - but her perspective and brain make for some deliciously dry and subtly philosophical thoughts. I found it all very funny but also quite mind-expanding really.
So I watch all of her interviews (there are so many) and listen to all of the podcasts she speaks on and then one day I'm having a bath listening to a Fran Lebowitz talk and looking at my feet and thinking about 'What the Water Gave Me' by Frida and it hit me - they should date!
I mean think about it - Fran would never want a relationship with Frida; she once said
“What I can’t be is monogamous. That tends to upset people. I just don’t like domestic life.”
which is lucky because Frida would never have left her husband, it was strictly affairs for her.
The power of two women who dress so well in suits is not to be underestimated.
They both understand the importance of a haircut
"You're only as good as your last haircut." - Fran Lebowitz
A vocal disdain for pretentious boring people is a common thread -
“Very few people possess true artistic ability. It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort. If you have a burning, restless urge to write or paint, simply eat something sweet and the feeling will pass."
“They are so damn ‘intellectual’ and rotten that I can’t stand them anymore…I would rather sit on the floor in the market of Toluca and sell tortillas, than have anything to do with those ‘artistic’ bitches of Paris.” – Frida Kahlo
“Polite conversation is rarely either.” - Fran Lebowitz
"Decency and good behavior weary me" - Frida Kahlo
But also disdain for the gross inequality between the richie rich and everyone else, and the scamming that made them so richie rich.
“No one earns $100 million. You steal $100 million.”- Fran Lebowitz
"This upper class is disgusting and I'm furious at all these rich people here, having seen thousands of people in abject squalor." - Frida Kahlo
They both have wonderful, sarcastic humour, and lots of topics of interest in common, similar views on art and music, they'd have such a good time talking about all sorts of things.
"You’re supposed to make art out of life.” - Fran Lebowitz
“I was born a bitch. I was born a painter.” – Frida Kahlo
They both hate America, especially the food - when Frida visited she only really liked to eat American candy, the actual food was too disgusting - and Fran pointed out that "If you're going to America, bring your own food."
"Abandon the search for Truth; settle for a good fantasy.” - Fran Lebowitz
This is an idea that Frida enjoyed - when you read her accounts of events you notice that she likes to fabricate a magical version of what happened - a good fantasy indeed.
And finally they both spend a great deal of time in bed, Frida out of necessity granted, but still.
“Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep.”- Fran Lebowitz
"You deserve a lover who wants you dishevelled, with everything and all the reasons that wake you up in haste and the demons that won’t let you sleep."- Frida Kahlo
I know that this new segment in the podcast (and my mind) isn't for everyone and potentially reveals matchmaking to be very sophisticated super fan shipping - but I had to get it out of my brain - so there you have it :)