Meanwhile #219
Chopping Caravaggio and hanging out with Sir Clive Sinclair.
So I finally finished Ripley and now I’m a little obsessed with Caravaggio. Specifically, how his work appears in the show – in stark black and white. The result is quite stunning, accentuating the chiaroscuro contrasts in Caravaggio’s paintings while presenting them as something new. Would love it if Taschen put out a special Ripley edition of The Complete Works minus the colour. … Actually, while I’m making demands of publishers, why the heck haven’t Netflix produced a photobook to go with the show? It’s so very photographic; pretty much every shot a static composition, screaming to be printed.
Other recent chopping-abouts on IG.
Rachel Cabitt on the technicolor influence of Kayōkyoku Records, where 1960s Japanese and Western cultures collide.
Loving Fred Aldous’ photobooth collection of goodies.
Director Bryan Woods on putting a “no generative AI was used in the making of this film” statement at the end of Heretic:
We are in a time where I feel like creatively we’re in one of the big ethical battles, and the race is already ahead of us. The importance is to have these conversations before they force things in, just because it makes sense from a corporate structure. It’s incredibly dangerous. If there’s not people to throttle it, we’re going to find ourselves in five to ten years in a very dangerous situation. … AI is an amazing technology. Beautiful things will come of it, and it’s jaw-dropping. What is being created with generative AI and video … it’s amazing we could create that technology. Now let’s bury it underground with nuclear warheads, ‘cause it might kill us all.
Could this become standard practice please? To be posted alongside the “no animals were harmed” and “no this story isn’t real, honest” notices.
Artist and photographer Yasmin Masri’s Near 2,143 McDonald’s, documenting over 2,000 McDonald's locations through Google Street View. Seen a few books and projects over the years use Street View as a source, but I’m unclear about how fair usage/public domainy it is.
“For some reason, in July 1985 the Daily Mirror's pseudo-saucy comic strip Jane ran a series of comics centred on – oh yes – Jane and boyfriend Chris hanging out with Sir Clive Sinclair.”
Kurt Cobain’s Youth Culture Scream Time.
Chris Ware on Richard Scarry and the art of children’s literature:
The thing is, “people” weren’t anywhere to be seen in Best Word Book Ever. Instead, the whole world was populated by animals: rabbits, bears, pigs, cats, foxes, dogs, raccoons, lions, mice, and more. Somehow, though, that made the book’s view of life feel more real and more welcoming. A dollhouse-like cutaway view of a rabbit family in their house getting ready for their day didn’t seem to just picture the things themselves—they were the things themselves, exuding a grounded warmth that said, “Yes, everywhere we live in houses and cook together and get dressed, just like you.”
One must never underestimate the power of anthropomorphism in normalising empathy and diversity for children. I grew up with countless Scarry titles (to this day Peasant Pig and the Terrible Dragon is one of my favourite books) and they definitely shaped my view of the world.1
It’s November and therefore LEGO have thrown a massive chunk of dad-bait into the universe in time for Christmas. As if a 3000-brick model of Shackleton’s The Endurance wasn’t enough, you can also get an extra set with a minifig of expedition photographer Frank Hurley.2
There’s absolutely no need fro Suede’s Dog Man Star to be thirty. It’s just unseemly.
That is all.
And not just my ongoing belief that all worms wearing Tyrolean hats can be used effectively in archery.
Where do they go from here? Surely it’s only a matter of time before they release a Sharpe VHS Box Set And A Nice Glass of Port set.
One of my favorite book covers of all time is the "Quality Paperback Book Club" edition of Libra by Don Delillo. Aside from the words "Libra" and "Don Delillo" (none of which take up much space on the cover), it's just a crop of Caravaggio's David with the Head of Goliath. Wonderful.