Damien Dot: Portrait of Damien Hirst by John Grande (All Photos By Gail)
Wedged between viewing rad new art by both Lynda Benglis and Herb Alpert, we popped into Jim Kempner on 23rd and 10th during last Thursday’s Art Crawl to check out a very fun exhibit. Taking Appropriation Art to a hilarious new level, painter John Grande presents his new series of portraits depicting pop culture icons superimposed with the distinctive design of Damien Hirst’s famous Spot Paintings. That Hirst himself is honored in the show is pure brilliance. Continue reading John Grande’s Oh You Pretty Things at Jim Kempner Fine Art→
We’re not sure if the surviving members of Joy Division or the estate of the late Ian Curtis has green-lighted Disney’s selling of these amazing T-Shirts inspired by the cover design of Joy Division’s legendary 1979 debut album, Unknown Pleasures, but if not I’d say that you should snatch one up now before someone throws a copyright infringement lawsuit their way (though it would be hard to imagine an entity as litigious as Disney not covering their asses on a venture this audacious).
“Waves” Mickey Mouse T-Shirt sold for $24.95!
Update 1/26/12: As predicted here, the shirt is no longer for sale. Details are available at This Link.
Ramones’ Drummer Marky Ramone (born Marc Bell) was born on this day, July 15th, in 1956. Coincidentally, Ian Curtis of Joy Division was also born on this date in 1956. Curtis passed away quite tragically on May 18, 1980, having committed suicide by hanging himself. Johnny Thunders (born John Genzale) of The New YorkDolls and The Heartbreakers was born on this date in 1952. He died of a drug overdose (though some say it was murder) on April 23, 1991. It’s always sad to lose someone so charismatic and talented in their prime. Let us all take a few minutes (at least) today to celebrate the lives and music of these three influential musicians!
One This Date, May 18th in 1980:Joy Divison vocalist, Ian Curtis committed suicide by hanging himself in the kitchen of his home. Curtis, who had suffered from epilepsy and depression, was just 23 years old. To all his fans, and to those that didn’t really know anything about him or the band’s music, but who still love a compelling and beautifully directed / photographed biography, I highly recommend the film Control, directed by Anton Corbijn, which is just excellent and available now on DVD.
