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Born in New York City, Stavo Mustang Craft moved to Santa Fe after already having been a colorful figure in Williamsburg Brooklyn’s art renaissance. His mother wrote media campaigns for the superhero personas of rock legends KISS in their formative years, which imbued his childhood with abiding ideas about using art for self-reinvention. Among his creations, Craft earned runner-up honors for Best Pop Album at the New Mexico Music Awards, an award from the Government of Taiwan for his musical soundtrack supporting creativity in dance, co-wrote a stage play directed and choreographed by Tony winner Savion Glover for the Tribeca Theater Festival, and most recently, collaborated with art-world darlings Meow Wolf on a video installation project at their Convergence Station exhibition. “Auto Antenna” is Craft’s first pulp fiction memoir.
Having studied both art and psychology at NYU, and living within artist communities where various themes were recurrent topics of concern (and often distraction) from the artistic process, Craft endeavored to share the story of his life through a female protagonist that could best represent the mystery and allure of the inner journey. He shares his knowledge of art-making as a bohemian multidisciplinary artist himself, while presenting a lifetime's worth of true personal experiences that serve as a conceptual memoir, told through a fictionalized character. Seeing how his adopted home city of Santa Fe, NM helped creatives produce the best work of their lives, the city itself proved the best backdrop to share this story of magical living.
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Auto Antenna: An Enchanted Guide to Santa Fe & A Vague Blueprint to the Cosmos by Stavo Mustang Craft blends elements of memoir, fiction, and inspirational guidance into a captivating narrative. Set against the vibrant and mystical backdrop of Santa Fe, the story follows Cybilline, a charismatic and enigmatic figure who has become part of the town’s artistic and spiritual fabric. As she navigates her life in a turquoise 1959 Ford Galaxie, she explores the rich tapestry of art, magic, and spirituality that defines this unique locale. The narrative structure is fluid, mirroring the exploratory and often whimsical journey of its protagonist. The book is rich with poetic observations and a charming sort of fantasia that invites readers to look at their own lives through a new, vibrant lens. Craft’s depiction of Santa Fe as a fertile ground for artistic and spiritual exploration makes the city a central character in the story, offering endless possibilities for discovery and self-expression.
Stavo Mustang Craft’s writing is lyrical and insightful, weaving complex themes of personhood, identity, and destiny with a light, engaging touch. Cybilline, a therapist for artists, offers deep psychological insights into the creative process and the construction of self, both humorous and heartfelt. Her experiences and reflections entertain and enlighten readers about living a life deeply intertwined with art and spirituality. Auto Antenna is a beautifully written novel that serves as a love letter to Santa Fe and the lives of those drawn to its unique cultural blend. It is an enchanting read for anyone interested in the intersections of art, identity, and the magic of a place that inspires both. Readers who enjoy Patti Smith and Tom Robbins will not want to miss Auto Antenna.
