Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Exploding whale


I didn't know that beached whales are often blown up because they're too big to be disposed of otherwise. Sometimes, it doesn't go well. The internet says that in 2005, Iceland detonated a whale carcass and "the remains were dragged out to sea; however, they soon drifted back, and eventually had to be tied down." Whales can also spontaneously combust after they die. One time, a whale exploded, and its blubber "hung in the trees for weeks." Apparently this is widely known to everyone but me.

Video here. The reporter says people found the dead whale "an object of curiosity until they tired of the smell."

Sunday, April 25, 2010

I want to see

Joseph Cornell's dreams



"July 31, 1964. old photos of childhood come to life–self come to life… as tho seeing self from a raised ledge in a sheltered area looking out + down upon costumed self moving across lawn… upturned of self with its awkward (movement) across the lawn."

I want this book. And this one, too.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Marwencol





"Marwencol is a fantasy world created by Mark Hogancamp. This website is dedicated to capturing the beauty of Mark's secret world.

"After being beaten into a brain-damaging coma by five men outside a bar, Mark built a 1/6th scale World War II-era town in his backyard. Mark populated the town he dubbed "Marwencol" with dolls representing his friends and family and created life-like photographs detailing the town's many relationships and dramas. Playing in the town and photographing the action helped Mark to recover his hand-eye coordination and deal with the psychic wounds from the attack. Through his homemade therapy, Mark was able to begin the long journey back into the "real world", both physically and emotionally - something he continues to struggle with today."

More details here.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Slickness

From The Believer on Brent Green: "His aesthetic priveleges imperfection over slickness." Mine too.