Via Dangerous Minds
On the Passage of a few People through a Rather Brief Moment in Time: The Situationist International 1956-1972 is an interesting short film by Branka Bogdanov primarily documenting the work of ultra-leftist French philosopher Guy Debord, author of the influential post Marxist study of 20th capitalism Society of the Spectacle. The film explores Debord’s influence on the Paris riots of May 1968 and the nihilistic aesthetics of the punk rock era.
Flesh Lines
Tribal Scarification
Posted In Art,Features,Tattoo,Weird
Scarification in Africa has been a practice for centuries, and probably millennia, and while it is a dying art today, it still tells a story of tradition and belonging for the wearer. The skin is pricked and cut, sometimes hundreds of times, to form stunning patterns of scar tissue, raised off the skin like braille. And it is a story of sorts, read by fellow countrymen, telling the tale of you and your ancestors, showing that you belong to a genetic line that stretches past human memory. It is practiced by many groups in West Africa, as well as in Ethiopia and elsewhere. In order to create a raised effect, clay or ash is often packed into the wound, or different substances like citrus juice are used on it to irritate the would and prolong healing. The more raised and puffy a scar is, the longer it has taken to heal and probably the more pain the wearer was in during the healing process. It is often done on children and on young women, depending on the tribe involved. I admit, when I watched the short film below documenting the photographer Jean-Michel Clajot’s travels to Benin to photograph scarification ceremonies, I found it difficult to watch small children, close to my own daughter’s age, held down and cut while they spat and writhed in pain. Despite my discomfort, I find the products of it the most striking body modifications I have ever seen, and it imparts a majesty to the person wearing the scars, a testament to their history and to the pain they endured. Below find some beautiful images of scarification, as well as a fascinating article about scarification practices in Africa.
Siouxsie & The Banshees vs.
Alice In Wonderland
Now Showing0
Posted In Art,Death Rock,Film,Literature,Music,Music Videos
What would happen if one of your favorite bands got trapped inside of an Alice In Wonderland fantasy world? You would end up with the 1984 play-at-home special featuring Siouxsie & The Banshees alongside Robert Smith telling some bugged out children stories. Hearing each band member speaking through their inner child is pretty awesome! Within the chapters, you will see some outstanding Siouxsie & The Banshees videos. If you have young children who like good music, this is a perfect video for both you and them…Now watch The Banshees do their thing in fantasy land…
Two very interesting heavy bands just wrapped up their Northwest tour. I’m speaking of Eight Bells and Subrosa. Their Vancouver show was captured on film by our comrade Ted Reckoning, who brought his amazing skills to the photos. When I look at these pictures, I can see two bands that put all of their passion into the music they create. I’m looking forward to seeing both Eight Bells and Subrosa in the very near future. In the meantime, I will gaze at these flicks and imagine how special their live shows are…excuse me while I day dream!
CVLT Nation Salutes
A Warrior For Humanity:
Shawn Mortensen
Photo Essay & More0
Posted In Art,Photography
Today I want to celebrate a really special person, and someone I was lucky enough to call a friend: Shawn Mortensen. Not only was he an unreal photographer, he was an all-around cool fucking human. I’m pretty sure it would be hard to find anyone that would have a negative thing to say about him. His passion for life was infectious, but it was his constant whirlwind of creative energy I will always remember him for. Many people reading this may never have met Shawn, but I bet you have seen some of his work. He shot some of the most iconic pictures of Sonic Youth, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Henry Rollins and many more. His non-industry work also left a mark on this world – Shawn’s pictures of the Zapatistas are moving and thought-provoking. Then there are the flicks he took in Ethiopia and Jamaica, that actually make you feel like you are there. His kind aura allowed him to make the people his was shooting feel completely comfortable and natural while he was taking a picture of them. More than anything, Shawn was a giver of art, & a giver to those that were in need on any level. The best way for him to be remembered is through all of his awesome photos – make sure to check out his new website that his family has set up HERE! Big hugs to Shawn Mortensen!
Ides of Gemini and Ghost BC
at the El Rey
Adam Murray Photo Essay0
Posted In Art,Avant Garde,Doom,Events,Features,Music,Photography
Whatever Ghost BC is doing, they seem to be excelling at it. I can’t say I’m a fan, but this show was sold out weeks in advance. The venue, not small by any means, was packed full of smiling fans singing along. The merch line was no less than 90 people long until everyone had a thirty dollar shirt and an LP in their hands. Those LPs sold out not more than a week or so into tour. I’m sure the dildos will sell out too, if they haven’t already. Now, I could attempt to delve into the Ghost spectacle, hypothesize the mystery, who/why and so on, but I think there’s been enough of that circulating already so I won’t bore you with more of it here. On with the show…
Imperialists vs. the Boxer Rebellion
Torture and Execution in 19th Century China0
Posted In Art,Features,Photography,Weird
China has been an issue for Western governments for a lot longer than the neo-red penny scare of the past decade. At the end of the 19th century, the Boxer Rebellion caused chaos for the ruling Qing dynasty, and resulted in a repression of the most brutal kind, with rebels and government officials who supported the Boxers being executed and tortured in horrible ways. The Boxers, or the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, began as a secret society who turned into a rebel force, responding to what they saw as the hordes of western christian missionaries invading their villages and attempting to convert their countrymen. They embraced the slogan “Support the Qing, destroy the foreigners,” and hunted down Chinese christian converts and the foreign missionaries. Their aggression towards the missionaries was taken as aggression towards Western European nations, who banded together to form the Eight-Nation Alliance, made up of the UK, Japan, Russia, France, the US, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. A funny bunch considering the events that would later unfold! This imperialist force marched on China, driving back the Boxers and ravaging the countryside. Chinese people with long memories might relish the position these nations find themselves in today, groveling at their feet for loans. Below check out a series of photos of some of the brutal punishments and executions that took place during and after the Boxer rebellion.
Photographer: Ryan Rose
Site: ryanrose.ca
Based in: Vancouver, BC
ONE
Pzscan photo. It’s of Ruby from the band No Statik. They’re a hardcore band from California. Not much of a story behind it.
READ MORE…
In Crust We Trust…
HUGE Vancouver!
DOOM // Rapid Loss // Koszmar
Photo Essay2
Posted In Art,Crust,Music,Photography
For more than two decades, DOOM has stood firm and created some of the raddest crust on this planet! A couple weeks ago, they made their way to Vancouver and straight fucking ripped shit. Our comrade Ted Reckoning was on hand and captured the gnarly on film. The night started off with Rapid Loss and Koszmar who both ripped shit. Now check out these unreal pictures of all 3 bands!
DOOM
Can you see the pain in color? Can you see the revolution in color? Can you see the ghost of right now in color? Frida Kahlo was an artist that worked magic with her creative expression, and became an artist that would go on to change the world. When I look into her paintings, I see joy surrounded by anguish. For some reason, Frida’s style inspires me to make it through my hard times on this planet. I have so much respect for her – the way she gave a voice to the voiceless. Frida’s pieces are decades old, but still resonate with the human condition that we all face today. Something I find interesting is the way she used vibrant colors to paint gothic scenes of surrealism. Today CVLT Nation celebrates Frida Kahlo with an essay of her work, plus we are showing the Frida Documentary…May the ghost of color haunt me forever!
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