Skulls In Culture
[Link][via The Eyes Have It]
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December 31, 2003
December 27, 2003
I Need More Pulp In My Diet
Okay, by now you've probably seen that LiveJournal link of cover scans from lurid smut novels of the 50's and 60's that's been making the 'blog rounds. They're great images, no question.
What's not so great is that, as often happens on the InterWeb, someone has rounded up a bunch of images and posted them without a shred of attribution, thus forcing me to go a-Googling for the original sources. Many appear to have been lifted from the Vintage Paperbacks website, check out their amazing galleries here. Strange Sisters is also a great resource for this kind of stuff, and these two monster galleries of sleazy paperback covers are the absolute shiznit. Enjoy.
December 23, 2003
A Triptych of Poseurs?
Click on images to view the artist's website
A minor art movement has emerged over the past several years in which artists ape the techniques, forms, and settings of the old masters to present modern themes. Three of the more noteable practitioners of this style, if we can call it that, are John Currin, Odd Nerdrum, and Sandow Birk.
Somewhat predictably, this has gotten the panties of a few art critics so tightly bunched in their already viselike asscheeks that the fabric squeaks when they walk. And speaking of squeaking, what is it with art critics anyway? Has there ever been a more anal-retentive, pretentious, and sorrier crowd of losers so obsessed with leaving their little rabbit pellets of abusive verbiage lying around on the lawn?
Quite frankly, I really don't give a good goddamn what these effete little snobs look down their nose at. I'm an unabashed lover of thrift store art, velvet paintings, lowbrow, and kitsch (however, I'd probably draw the line at Precious Moments figurines). I don't have a problem talking about Leeteg of Tahiti in the same breath as Mark Rothko, because anything that makes me think, gives me visual pleasure, or a hearty laugh is a positive in this ofttimes crappy and mean-spirited world.
Thanks to hama7 for the Currin links, and Mister Haitch for pointing me in the direction of Odd Nerdrum.
December 22, 2003
Duck!
Please enjoy this gallery of Gene Colan's Marvel-ous cover art for Howard the Duck (try not to let your memories of the exceedingly crappy midget-in-a-suit movie spoil your enjoyment of them).
Both links courtesy of that pancake-lovin', trappist-beer-drinkin' Cartoonist feller.
December 17, 2003
Tivoli By Night
Absolutely stunning night-time photographs of Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark...Europe's oldest amusement park and one of my favorite childhood haunts. More photographs are available at the official Tivoli website. Man, these pictures are making me tear up. I love Denmark so much. [sniff] Thank you, Mister Haitch!
December 14, 2003
Please Allow Me To Illustrate Myself
Here's an excellent gallery of illustrations from various editions of Bulgakov's subversive fantasy, The Master and Margarita, the novel that apparently served as the inspiration for The Rolling Stones' Sympathy for the Devil.
(via the pleasantly plethoric plep)
I'm leaving for the airport now. Adieu!
December 13, 2003
Hello Sweet Yumiko
Enter the spellbinding world of Yumiko Kayukawa
But Weren't They Already Cartoons?
Electric Tiki makes "tooned-up" maquette versions of classic television characters like the Dukes of Hazzard and the Bundy's from Married With Children. I want a Fred Sanford inaction figure for Christmas. Answer the phone, dummy!
December 6, 2003
Pierre et Gilles
Each image links to a gallery
"Pierre et Gilles form a couple, an entity whose work is inseparable from their life and everyday universe. They create portraits of stars and unknowns in unique hand-painted photographs..."
Some dismiss their work as narcissistic, homerotic kitsch, but they're bigger than Jerry Lewis in France.