Weird Universe Archive
January 2014
January 31, 2014
Necrorealism
The obscure Russian "Necrorealism" art movement, which emerged in the 1980s, doesn't even rate a page on Wikipedia. Based on the video below, it seems to have been an excuse for a bunch of Russian guys to make low-budget zombie movies in the forest. Though movies without a semblance of a plot.The "No New Enemies" site offers this explanation of Necrorealism:
The slightly grandiose, academic name belies the fact that the movement was actually a small group of experimental-artists from Leningrad (now St Petersburg) who emerged in the 80s under the leadership of the artist/experimental filmmaker, Evgeny Yufit.
Having got their hands on a lavishly illustrated forensic pathology textbook for inspiration, their initial output was comprised of photos of themselves in zombiesque make-up. Then followed performances... events that passersby or passengers were guaranteed to observe with horror. Later they began to use film as medium, and established an underground film studio.
Having got their hands on a lavishly illustrated forensic pathology textbook for inspiration, their initial output was comprised of photos of themselves in zombiesque make-up. Then followed performances... events that passersby or passengers were guaranteed to observe with horror. Later they began to use film as medium, and established an underground film studio.
Posted By: Alex - Fri Jan 31, 2014 -
Comments (6)
Category: Art, 1980s, Russia
MINIMUM WAGE
I was late to the party on this comic, and want to make sure you folks are not in the same fix.
From 1995-1999, Bob Fingerman's Minimum Wage comic appeared in installments, and I never saw it, despite reading comics heavily then.
Last year a big hardcover omnibus of the series appeared, Maximum Minimum Wage, and I still never caught on to its glory.
But then, finally, I got hip when Fingerman restarted the series this month, and I bought an issue that knocked me out, then went back to the hardcover collection.
Fingerman's themes and topics are a hitlist of WU obsessions, from weird sex to performance art, from drunken acts of idiocy to angry feminists, from decaying cultural standards to freakish nerds. All presented via beautiful artwork and laugh-out-loud storytelling. I don't think you can go wrong by grabbing a copy of his hardcover and following the new series.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Jan 31, 2014 -
Comments (8)
Category:
January 30, 2014
No Touch Tango
From The Fort Wayne Sentinel - Jan 24, 1914:
New York, Jan 24 — Because she didn't like the tango, Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish hired its most noted exponents, the Castles, to invent a denaturized form of this dance. She calls it the "Innovation." The dancers take position 12 inches away from each other, look into each other's eyes, but never touch each other during the dance. Her guests on whom it was sprung were NOT madly crazy about it.
I found a picture on wikipedia of Vernon and Irene Castle demonstrating what appears to be this No Touch Tango developed by them at Mrs. Fish's request:
Posted By: Alex - Thu Jan 30, 2014 -
Comments (6)
Category: 1910s, Dance
Make Molds for Fun & Profit
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jan 30, 2014 -
Comments (3)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Sexuality, Advertising, 1950s
January 29, 2014
Austin Animation Jam 2014
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jan 29, 2014 -
Comments (3)
Category: Surrealism, Cartoons, Psychedelic
Bus artist
Denise Poole is "artist in residence" on the Bournemouth city buses. As she moves around the city, she sketches what she sees. Not a series of sketches, mind you. A day's journey results in one sketch. If it looks like a bunch of squiggly lines on paper to you, then perhaps you're a philistine who can't appreciate art. [BBC News Dorset]
Posted By: Alex - Wed Jan 29, 2014 -
Comments (7)
Category: Art, Transportation
January 28, 2014
Brave Or Stupid
Brave; running into a burning building to save a person or even a pet. Stupid; running into a burning building to save your Xbox.
Posted By: Alex - Tue Jan 28, 2014 -
Comments (3)
Category: Stupidity
FLUKE
I wonder why the trailer neglects to tell us that the dog houses the reincarnated soul of the little kid's father, who croaked in a car accident. Read the synopsis of the rest of the film to learn of its heart-warming tale of death, malevolence, vivisection, and heartbreak. A feel-good pic!
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jan 28, 2014 -
Comments (4)
Category: Disguises, Impersonations, Mimics and Forgeries, Movies, New Age, Religion, Superstition, Dogs, 1990s
The Smell of Tear Gas
World War II tip for identifying the smell of tear gas:
"Flypaper simulates the smell of tear gas. More accurate reproduction of the odor is obtained if apple blossoms are added."
[via an eBay auction]
Posted By: Alex - Tue Jan 28, 2014 -
Comments (8)
Category: 1940s
January 27, 2014
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction books such as Elephants on Acid. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Chuck Shepherd Chuck is the purveyor of News of the Weird, the syndicated column which for decades has set the gold-standard for reporting on oddities and the bizarre. Our banner was drawn by the legendary underground cartoonist Rick Altergott. Contact Us |
