Yohji Yamamoto's 1999 spring fashion show is said to have made hardened fashion editors cry. The so-called King of Japanese Deconstructivism takes a poetic stance with his angular and hard-edged designs, emphasizing simplicity of both line and function. His work is filled with dark, sharp, vivid line

Clean, Dark, Deconstructive, Minimal, Sexy

In 1961, seven years after J.D. Salinger began his lifelong, self-imposed exile from public life, John Updike described the author as "a uniquely relevant literary artist." Whether Salinger thought Updike's statement was a compliment or a slight is irrelevant. Criticism, publicity, or praise -- Salin

Angry, Dark, Dystopic, Post-war literature, Psychological, Rebel

After the crash of the French New Wave had subsided into an uncertain lull, critics complained that French cinema was dead. In reality, it was merely taking a rest. Enter Olivier Assayas, son of a respected pre-New Wave scriptwriter. Although schooled in literature and painting, Assayas maintaine

Dark, French new wave, Psychological, Self-reflection, Tragic

Butoh, Contemplative, Dark, Hypnotic, Spiritual, Tranquil