Les & More

Figure & Stairs
Woodstock, England 2006
40 x 40 in. Carbon/Pigment Print
Photograph: Dirk McDonnell

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"When all is said and done, though, this is simply the way things looked as light fell, in certain places, at certain times, in that fugitive moment which is always now."

Excerpt of the Artists Statement from the upcoming solo exhibition, AS LIGHT FELL: Photographs by Dirk McDonnell, opening November 15, 2007, at Throckmorton Fine Art, NYC.

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Stops Out
What's Up?
You Don't Say?
From The Les The Better

Glass Eyed
The Long Way
Goodbye To All That
From More From Les

(Download more songs from Les Enfantsperdus Ensemble.)

Happy Days

Sushi & Mushi
Children of the 60's.
Elizabeth, New Jersey

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You know, you didn't need much to keep my sister and I happy back in the day. Just give us our Colorola coloring box and the latest issue of TV Guide (What the hell?), and it looks like we were pretty damn happy.

Yes, we were sweet, little coloring vidiots.

•••

Get Happy
(Buy: Judy Garland: Summer Stock [Original Soundtrack])

Happy Days
(Buy: Ted Hawkins: Love You Most of All: More Songs from Venice Beach)

Shiny Happy People
(Buy: R.E.M.: Out of Time)

Mother's Day — Better Belated Than Never

Did you know, that there are people out there who have never been complacent about war? Go ahead, ask your Mother.

War is Not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things
Lorraine Schneider (1925-1972)
1967


"For my Mother's Day gift this year,
I don't want candy or flowers.
I want an end to killing.

We who have given life
must be dedicated to preserving it.

Please talk peace."
— Another Mother for Peace, Mother's Day card, 1967


"The most indelible, and doubtless the most positive of all protest images is Lorraine Schneider’s 1969 poster for the group Another Mother for Peace of a flower around which is scrawled the phrase “War is Not healthy for Children and Other Living Things.” The slogan, neither patriotic or unpatriotic, immediately became the mantra for the entire anti-Vietnam War movement. In fact Schneider’s poster had more widespread appeal than many of the satire and sometimes shocking graphics against war because it was void of sarcasm and irony and spoke simple truth to folly by addressing the devastating impact of all war on everyone of us, regardless of side."
(Steven Heller, via AIGA/NY)

•••

Fuck The Motherfucking President
(Buy: Witchypoo: A Slice Of Lemon)

Mother Where Is My Father?
(Buy: David Peel: Have a Marijuana)

Mother
(Buy: John Lennon: Shaved Fish)

And, a Bonus track (without a Mother reference):
The Fish Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag
(Buy: Country Joe McDonald: The Best Of Woodstock)

Yo, Cornelli! My Porcine Detumescence Is Digging Your Meaty Bloviations

MC Supersize and his Cowgirls.
Popaganda®: The Art and Crimes of Ron English

But, hey, did you just try to call us fat pigs? (Or, am I just one of those average Americans that don't quite get the meaning of 'dem big ole' college-priced words?)

To quote Inigo Montoya, "I do not think it means what you think it means."

•••

You're The One For Me, Fatty
(Buy: Morrissey: Your Arsenal)

The Freed Pig
(Buy: Sebadoh: Sebadoh III)

Gluttony (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)
(Buy: Hostage: Sins EP)

Common People
(Buy: William Shatner: Has Been)

Procrastination Is Like A Monkey In My Soul, With A Head Full Of Ecstasy, Choking On A Fishbone

The monkey in my soul is quite dapper.
Working frantically, in a small room, on the mainland.
February 27, 2007

With a head full of E, and a hat that says, "I'm happy to see you,"... Shut up! This is pure shite! I just found this great picture that needed to work with these songs tonight.

I'm running on extreme deadline fumes — and I have absolutely no time to write this post tonight.

But, I swear, when this project is out, it's all about ME again!

(And you too, dear reader.)

•••

Monkey In Your Soul
(Buy: Steely Dan: Pretzel Logic)

Skankin' to the Beat
(Buy: Fishbone: 'Say Anything' Soundtrack)

Senses Working Overtime
(Buy: XTC: English Settlement)

Espero Alegre La Salida …

Frida Kahlo Following Her Mother's Death, 1932
Guillermo Kahlo
6 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches Gelatin Silver Print
Courtesy of Throckmorton Fine Art, Inc. New York, New York

'Images of an Icon offers a means of seeing Frida Kahlo’s world through the eyes of those who surrounded her. Modern masters of the camera such as Lucienne Bloch, Emmy Lou Packard, Florence Arquin, and Manuel Alvarez Bravo, as well as leading photojournalists such as Giselle Freund, Bernard Silberstein, and Fritz Henle captured her in their lenses. Kahlo’s relatives, lovers, and friends, including Guillermo Kahlo, Nickolas Muray, and Lola Alvarez Bravo were witness to a more intimate Frida. The images span Kahlo’s life and follow the artist from precocious child to famous artist. They permit a look into her bedroom, a seat at her table, a visit to her hospital room, a stroll through her garden, and a view into her collections. There is an ancillary component to the exhibition featuring the work of Northwest artists who have been inspired by Kahlo, the artist and icon.'

This exhibition is organized by Throckmorton Fine Art, New York. Local support is generously provided by Helen and Peter Bing and The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Sure, Tacoma, Washington is 3,294 miles away from The Rock — but if I had 50 hours of free time — I'd hop in the car and beeline it out to Frida Kahlo: Images of an Icon, February 3 – June 10, 2007, at the Tacoma Art Museum. But, if you, like me, can't get out there right now (but we have until June of this year) — enjoy their site and resource links for more about Kahlo, and the photographers who knew, and loved her.

•••

Calexico: Quattro (Gotan Project Remix)
(Buy: Calexico: Black Heart)

Blessed Art Thou Future

'Blessed Art Thou', 2006
Oil & acrylic on linen, painted by Kate Kretz
Featuring Angelina Jolie as the Virgin Mary and Wal*Mart as Hell.

•••

Leonard Cohen: The Future
(Buy: Leonard Cohen: The Future)

This Is The Worst Christmas Ever (or, You're So Vain, You Probably Think This Season's About You)

'Sad Jesus'
Paint-by-Number Art
Artist Unknown

I leave for my morning commute in the dark these days — because of the ever depressing Daylight Savings Time — with an ever growing number of people leaving The Rock for the mainland to do their holiday shopping. On the last ferry of the day (which at 3:15 PM, is also in the dark), the same people are back aboard — arms and carts overflowing with the days booty.

"Mushi, have you started your shopping yet?" someone will often ask.

I smile, carrying the same bag — holding my laptop, camera, a book, notepads, shuffle, thermos, and any other things I think I might need during the day — and answer, "We really don't celebrate the holidays with all the gifts and presents."

There is often not much to say after that. Some just smile awkwardly and walk a little faster ahead. Some understand and will say that they too, wish that they didn't have to do so much — but the kids wouldn't understand. One parent told me that every Christmas – regardless of how much was under the tree on the final day — after the final present will have been opened, his child will stand up and say, "This was the worst Christmas ever."

I think the holidays were meant for something else. Give it a shot.

•••

De La Soul: Me Myself And I
(Buy: De La Soul: 3 Feet High and Rising)

Lene Lovich: Lucky Number
(Buy: Lene Lovich: The Best of Lene Lovich)

Al Green: Love and Happiness
(Buy: Al Green's Greatest Hits)

Sick and Tired

Important meeting doodle.
January 2000

I'm too sick and tired today to even find a picture. So, here's a 7 year old doodle and an even older tune. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.

•••

Butthole Surfers: Who Was In My Room Last Night?
(Buy: Music from the Motion Picture: Love & A .45)