Homo Otarius

Franco Mattes, from 0100101110101101.org, has just placed a billboard in the center of Ljubljana, Slovenia, for the 28th Biennial of Graphic Arts. The work is called "Bagless Canister Cyclonic Vacuum" and it's the answer to this question: What if you strip down all world's ads of all those Passenger's Seat with 4-way Power Adjustment Odyssey Honda Cars and 9.99c Handmade Glycerin Soap Soaps and Free Delivery Books and Free Nights & No-Fee Flights and Last-minute Deals Big Savings Travel Right Now Flights and Counter-High Office Refrigerators and Two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon Nehalem Processors Computers and Titanium Technology Fused Graphite Tennis Racquet Super Sale and Mega Pixel Canon CMOS Sensor Digital High Camera and Leakage Tested Microwaves and 30-Pack Sidenafil Citrate (100mg) Vadenafil (20mg) and Tadafil (20mg) and Dyson Stowaway Dc20 Bagless Canister Cyclonic Vacuum Cleaner and Super High Resolution Dynamic Contract Ratio Auto Motion Plus SRS TruSurrount Component Composite S Video PC Inputs TV Set and Megatronix Megalarm Viking & Megapage Automobile & Motorcycle Security & Remote Starter Systems Fantastic Bargains and Sales and and and?

Big-T

I ever thought that I was walking on the edge... But after reading Absinthe & flamethrowers, by William Gurstelle, now I know that I belong to the golden third of the population who thrills in taking calculated risks, be them physical or intellectual (a penchant for scuba diving and practicing long shots as a way of learning). Happiness is a warm gun?

The Man in the Moon

Maybe this is a question of pareidolia, but I see the boy from The Last Guardian (the PS3 debut of "Ico" and "Shadow of the Colossus" videogames' creator) in Klee's Pierrot Lunaire (1925). Maybe it is because I'm completely mondestrunken lately. "Pierrot Lunaire'! It calls for prudence!" (Musil, again; and again; ever).

Again and again and again

See this movie as if you were reading a book; read a book as if you were seeing this film; "live life like a character in a book" (Musil). See again Vigo's L’Atalante might be a timeless experience.

The pen is mightier than the sword

Above, side effects of Mightier, by Ratloop, a sci-fi game about terraforming. Certainly, a true indie game, tailored for... Ludic savants? Hands-on young adults? Hardcore brainies? Dumbed down genius? Ex-future genius? Well. It is for anyone who don't care about GPU intensive graphics...

New Myths

Jusifrasa and its nemesis General Tarn... From Galactrix. A structural symbol for the time being.

Sex Machine

In ancient times, tail-fins convertibles were true replicas of “women design”; today, snowmobiles have been granted to that mandate, but now with more spiciness. A thin line has been tethered between Natalie Wood’s doggie style and Matus Prochaczka's Dominic Schindler Creations' infamous vehicle.

UPDATE (02/1): And what to say about the new sex symbol, Rei Ayanami, from Neon Genesis Evangelion?

The Tragedy of White Injustice

At least in Twitter Venn, Holyfield is way ahead. The giant Russian stood still in the center of the ring, jaw dropped in face of extremely agile rope-a-dopes. Even though, he maintained the title. On Holyfield trunks was stamped Psalm 107:20, which reads: He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (King James). Oh, Great Bearer of Primo Carnera, have faith, you will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to you!

Awkward Bovine

The results of my first day playing Minotaur China Shop... Need to max more.

Strange Love

I knew this would happen sooner or later. But I’ve never been told that Allende (Cybersyn Project) or Habermas (International World Order) were dictatorial control freaks...

So the hippies think they're in with time

I’ve found by chance this amazing video showing British beatniks being despised by some Cornwall shore city council. It is amazing because, although the Gregorian calendar punctuates the year of 1960, most of the male rebels have long hairs, predicting years before a hippy trend.

Gunpowder

I’ve been noticing young ladies (say, less than 20) loaded with facial make-up, most specific, colour correction powders. Why?? I have a theory: they are terrible sad. And I’m using as evidence a recent declaration called out by the goddess of the goddess, Jane Birkin (62 years old to be completed next 14th December): “Smiling has the same effect as a face lift. A vague smile into the future. And only minimal make up. At 15 or 16 young girls look lovely with lots of makeup and lipstick. But I keep it to a strict minimum."

To My Über Girlish Friend

Nor is there any thing unnatural or extravagant in the supposition, that my dear, dear Jenny may be my friend! Friend! My friend. Surely, Madam, a friendship between the two sexes may subsist, and be supported without -- Fy! Mr. Shandy. Without any thing, Madam, but that tender and delicious sentiment which ever mix friendship, where there is a difference of sex. Let me entreat you to study the pure and sentimental parts of the best French romances; it will really, Madam, astonish you to see with what a variety of chaste expressions this delicious sentiment which I have the honor to speak of, is dress'd out.

[From Life And Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne]

Lost Arrondissement

My friend Paul Pangaro and his wife, CJ, were walking in Paris near the Pantheon, when they came across this peculiar street. Certainly, not part of Haussmann's renovation of the city. [photo by Pangaro]

Difference and Repetition

Can you find similar icons between Il Nuovo et Piacevole Giuoco del Biribisse (1640-1690) and the golden compass?

Hot Wheels

The Twin Vibes and their maroon phaedra (being the "ae" a ligature) [YF81. 1937 CORD PHAETON CONVERTIBLE. rich maroon color with removeable textured tan top, matching upholstery. superior detailing throughout. detailed interior, opening doors. Hood opens to reveal powerhouse engine! issued in 1999 and long discontinued. a true classic! includes the schematics, owners manual and certificate. MINT with original molded Styrofoam box. 99.50]

It Had to Be You

The wedding of Slavoj Žižek, a dialectical-materialist philosopher, with an Argentinian top model. The bold is mine.

Soul Sister

This is Natacha Atlas (born March 20, 1964), according to Wikipedia, she is a "Belgian singer known for her fusion of Arabic and North African music with Western electronic music". Great singer. I've found her via KCRW. And you know what? She was born on the same day as me! Squarely lovely, isn't?

Uluru

Future Nights

Joyce Carol Oates has put out her last book, Wild Nights!: Stories About the Last Days of Poe, Dickinson, Twain, James, and Hemingway. I guess she wish she were Dickinson, inasmuch her impersonation in the picture above. One of the short stories is "EDickinsonRepliLuxe," a tale of a suburban couple that purchases a Dickinson android. Maybe this incursion into sci-fi has as precedent the collection of ten stories by Lovecraft compiled by her. The title of the new book refers to the following inspired Dickinson's verses:

Wild Nights – Wild Nights!
Were I with thee
Wild Nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile – the winds –
To a heart in port –
Done with the compass –
Done with the chart!

Rowing in Eden –
Ah, the sea!
Might I moor – Tonight –
In thee!