Weird Universe Archive
November 2017
November 15, 2017
Bikini Experiment
So why was Simone Harris standing on a Sydney street in a bikini? Was this a publicity stunt? Was she a psychologist conducting research? A performance artist being weird? I haven't been able to find answers anywhere.
Racine Journal Times - June 17, 1970
Posted By: Alex - Wed Nov 15, 2017 -
Comments (2)
Category: Experiments, Psychology, 1970s
Mystery Illustration 62
Who, where, why?
The answer is here.
And after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Wed Nov 15, 2017 -
Comments (4)
Category:
November 14, 2017
Craigslist Art
In an article on artsy.net, Scott Indrisek explores the strange subculture of craigslist art, which involves artists posting offbeat requests on craigslist and seeing what happens. Some examples:Kenneth Tam offered cash to any couple who would let him observe, and film, an ordinary dinner in their home while he sat, silent, in the background.
For her 2009 “Lucky Tiger” series, Laurel Nakadate "took playfully suggestive self-portraits, and then found men via Craigslist who were willing to 'cover their hands with fingerprinting ink and touch the photographs while discussing them and passing them around.'"
For the audio installation Goodnight Call, Sophie Barbasch "provided her phone number and asked strangers to 'leave me a goodnight voicemail before you go to sleep at night as though we have been together for years.'"
Posted By: Alex - Tue Nov 14, 2017 -
Comments (0)
Category: Art
Dali’s CHAOS AND CREATION
I would like to find the whole 17-minute video of Dali's CHAOS AND CREATION, especially after reading the description in the newspaper article. But I can only find bits and pieces. The second clip shows a brief image of the motorcycle in the pigpen.
Original article here.
Foto source.
Foto source, more at site.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Nov 14, 2017 -
Comments (2)
Category: Animals, Art, Avant Garde, Pop Art, Surrealism, 1960s, Motorcycles
November 13, 2017
Miss Vacant Lot of the World
The Miss Vacant Lot of the World contest was started in 1972. It was part of the Annual Armadillo Exposition and Confab held in Victoria, Texas. The contest rules were as follows:The contest will be open to women between the ages of 18 and 65. Mandatory requirements of the contest will be certified proof of one of the following happening to the contestant while a child: broken arm or leg, dog bite, one or more of the various childhood diseases, such as measles, chickenpox, mumps, etc. If medical evidence cannot be provided, a note from the mother will be accepted. Contestants will have three minutes in the final judging to exhibit their talents, which can be anything. Judging will be on the basis of dress and talent. Beauty will not be a factor.
Valley Morning Star - May 26, 1975
Here's what I was able to find out about the first six winners of the Miss Vacant Lot title:
1972: Cindy Hudler won for her "dance of the Dasypodidae" which involved waltzing around a vacant lot in an armadillo suit.
1973: Modine Gunch won for standing on her head while spinning a hula-hoop on one leg.
1974: Algeria Sadberry won for playing a song through her nose.
1975: Elvira Rose Hunt (aka Karen Janecka) won for stuffing 264 pennies in her mouth.
1976: Linda Strelczyk won by stuffing 200 poptop tabs into her size 36EEE bikini bra while singing a song titled "Keep Your Finger Out Of It; It Don't Belong To You."
1977: A 200-pound woman (unnamed) won for dressing like an armadillo and singing an armadillo song.
Some of the prizes that the winners received included a trophy, a $25 check, a gift certificate, a bouquet of weeds, and a picture of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. They also got to wear the Armadillo Crown.
The contest was discontinued in 1979. The organizers noted, "you can only tell the same joke so many times." However, it seems that it was revived at various times, such as in the late 1980s and again in 2011.
Posted By: Alex - Mon Nov 13, 2017 -
Comments (4)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, 1970s
Artwork Khrushchev Probably Would Not Have Liked 7
Artist's Wikipedia entry here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Nov 13, 2017 -
Comments (2)
Category: Art, Avant Garde, Russia
November 12, 2017
Keg of Ranch
Hidden Valley has made it possible to buy a mini keg of ranch dressing for $50. This gets you five liters of ranch, or 169 fl oz. The keg is conveniently stackable, in case you need more than one.Fortune.com worked out that you can buy 160 oz of ranch in bottles for $30. So you're paying a $20 premium for the keg.
You can order one here.
Posted By: Alex - Sun Nov 12, 2017 -
Comments (4)
Category: Food, Overpriced Merchandise
The Door From Which There Is No Escape
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 12, 2017 -
Comments (6)
Category: Drugs, PSA’s, 1970s
November 11, 2017
Picnic Table Pyramid
Was it a prank, or was it art?
Des Moines Tribune - Aug 1, 1963
Posted By: Alex - Sat Nov 11, 2017 -
Comments (1)
Category: 1960s, Pranks
Follies of the Madmen #334
Suits for brawlers or bullies only?
UPDATE: now unfortunately hidden behind THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE paywall.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 11, 2017 -
Comments (3)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Fashion, 1930s
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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 |
