The team over at Coudal.com are back at it with the launch of the 2008 edition of Field Tested Books, a collection of book reviews by a variety writers, each with an interesting twist. As Jim explains:
"We had this notion that somehow through experimentation we could identify how our perception of a book is affected by the place where we read it. Or maybe the other way around. Maybe it’s possible to determine how a book colors the way we feel about the place where we experience it."
This year, the ever-experimental crew are trying their hand at book publishing by offering the Field-Tested Books collection (including all three years of FTB reviews) "in a handsome trade paperback". I was quite honored to be asked back as a contributor, and in return submitted a gonzo-inspired review of "The Proud Highway" by Hunter S. Thompson as read in Bangkok. (My 2006 submission, "Siddhartha, on a train between Madrid and Barcelona, Spain" can be found here.)
A perfect way to blow a Friday morning: peruse the website, buy the book and be sure to throw it in your backpack this summer when you light out on your own great literary adventure.
Labels: Collaborators, Literature, Shameless Self Promotion, Travel, When the Going Gets Weird
Monday, June 02, 2008
"Gonzo" Trailer
Trailer for Alex Gibney's (The Smartest Guys in the Room, Who Killed the Electric Car) Gonzo.
Trailer for Alex Gibney's (The Smartest Guys in the Room, Who Killed the Electric Car) Gonzo.
Labels: Film, When the Going Gets Weird
Monday, April 09, 2007
Hunter's World
Those of you who visit this site on a semi-regular basis will be aware of a series that I have been posting to since this past November titled Great Counterculture Logos (the irony of this moniker has never been lost on me btw) and, more recently, of the email that I received from artist/designer Paul Pascarella in which he descibes a little of the process that went into the creation of the Gonzo Dagger (Part 5 in said series). There was also mention in that correspondence of a portrait that he did right after HST's death, a tribute of sorts to the Good Doctor which I subsequently expressed interest in, whereby Paul forwarded along to me this sneak preview of what he calls, Hunter's World.
So there you go. As far as the purchasing details for this work: there are prints of the painting still availlable in two sizes and editions. The memorial edition of 40 prints, 32x 26 for $950, and Hunter's World Edition of 75 prints, 24x18 for $350. Purchase of the original canvas itself is currently only available to the Hunter "inner circle". Selah.
Those of you who visit this site on a semi-regular basis will be aware of a series that I have been posting to since this past November titled Great Counterculture Logos (the irony of this moniker has never been lost on me btw) and, more recently, of the email that I received from artist/designer Paul Pascarella in which he descibes a little of the process that went into the creation of the Gonzo Dagger (Part 5 in said series). There was also mention in that correspondence of a portrait that he did right after HST's death, a tribute of sorts to the Good Doctor which I subsequently expressed interest in, whereby Paul forwarded along to me this sneak preview of what he calls, Hunter's World.
So there you go. As far as the purchasing details for this work: there are prints of the painting still availlable in two sizes and editions. The memorial edition of 40 prints, 32x 26 for $950, and Hunter's World Edition of 75 prints, 24x18 for $350. Purchase of the original canvas itself is currently only available to the Hunter "inner circle". Selah.
Labels: Art, Great Counterculture Logos, When the Going Gets Weird
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Hunter S. Thompson Interviews Keith Richards
The warped and uncalibrated state of the first 20 seconds of this video seems a fitting start to the contents that follow as though serving to open a portal into an entirely different reality, one hosting the clash of two titans of the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll ethic.
It really does not get much more legendary than this. Amusingly, as one of the comments points out, it is Keith Richards that comes out seeming the most sober. But despite a good few moments of drug addled babble on both sides, exchanges on such topics as the events of Altamont, and the second life of J Edgar Hoover are truly priceless moments.
The warped and uncalibrated state of the first 20 seconds of this video seems a fitting start to the contents that follow as though serving to open a portal into an entirely different reality, one hosting the clash of two titans of the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll ethic.
It really does not get much more legendary than this. Amusingly, as one of the comments points out, it is Keith Richards that comes out seeming the most sober. But despite a good few moments of drug addled babble on both sides, exchanges on such topics as the events of Altamont, and the second life of J Edgar Hoover are truly priceless moments.
Labels: Music, Sixties, When the Going Gets Weird
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Great Counterculture Logos - Part 5
The Gonzo Fist by Paul Pascarella .
Paul Pascarella writes:
I would just like to be clear on the logo that you are refering to, the Gonzo fist, or the actual Gonzo logo with fist, name and dagger blade. The two thumbed fist with peyote button was originally designed by Hunter and a local Aspen artist named Tom Benton. It was first used I believe as a Freak Power symbol when Hunter was running for Sheriff in Aspen in 69' when Benton designed the poster.
The actual Gonzo logo that you see around in Rolling Stone, Hunter's books etc. is what I designed for Hunter in the early 70's. Designing logos is what I did such as the Lorimar logo, United Artists and many more. Hunter wanted a logo for the Gonzo way, Gonzo Journalism and so on. So I took the two thumbed fist and redesigned it along with the logotype and knife blade. I remember the knife blade was roughly fashioned after one of Hunter's throwing knives and if you notice carefully the negative spaces in the type and knife blade all match up and relate well to each other, atleast if you are looking at the real one.
That was only one of many graphic and art projects I worked on with Hunter and working with Hunter is always much more complex than it need be, but also can be more fun than usual. The most recent was a kind of Hunter's World portrait I did right after his death. It is mixed media almost all in black and white 5'x4'. I also made a six minute film on the making of the painting and soon will be putting the painting up for sale.
Years later I didn't think the Gonzo logo was my best design, but it may turn out to be the biggest.
The Gonzo Fist by Paul Pascarella .
Paul Pascarella writes:
I would just like to be clear on the logo that you are refering to, the Gonzo fist, or the actual Gonzo logo with fist, name and dagger blade. The two thumbed fist with peyote button was originally designed by Hunter and a local Aspen artist named Tom Benton. It was first used I believe as a Freak Power symbol when Hunter was running for Sheriff in Aspen in 69' when Benton designed the poster.
The actual Gonzo logo that you see around in Rolling Stone, Hunter's books etc. is what I designed for Hunter in the early 70's. Designing logos is what I did such as the Lorimar logo, United Artists and many more. Hunter wanted a logo for the Gonzo way, Gonzo Journalism and so on. So I took the two thumbed fist and redesigned it along with the logotype and knife blade. I remember the knife blade was roughly fashioned after one of Hunter's throwing knives and if you notice carefully the negative spaces in the type and knife blade all match up and relate well to each other, atleast if you are looking at the real one.
That was only one of many graphic and art projects I worked on with Hunter and working with Hunter is always much more complex than it need be, but also can be more fun than usual. The most recent was a kind of Hunter's World portrait I did right after his death. It is mixed media almost all in black and white 5'x4'. I also made a six minute film on the making of the painting and soon will be putting the painting up for sale.
Years later I didn't think the Gonzo logo was my best design, but it may turn out to be the biggest.
Labels: Great Counterculture Logos, Literature, When the Going Gets Weird
Monday, August 22, 2005
Hunter S. Thompson takes to the sky
Above are the two best photos I could find of the weekend's festivities at Owl Farm. Michael Swindle of the Village Voice provides the most fitting commentary.
Above are the two best photos I could find of the weekend's festivities at Owl Farm. Michael Swindle of the Village Voice provides the most fitting commentary.
Labels: Literature, When the Going Gets Weird
Friday, August 19, 2005
Buy the ticket, take the ride...
Final preparations are being made for tomorrow's private memorial service for writer Hunter S. Thompson. A 153 foot tall cannon, shaped like the gonzo fist (currently covered in blue tarp to conceal it from curious onlookers) is scheduled to fire the good doctor's ashes into the air above his Owl Farm property.
My original reaction at the time of HST's suicide was posted on the IBC blog site:
More info on HST and tomorrow's ceremony can be found at gonzo.org.
Final preparations are being made for tomorrow's private memorial service for writer Hunter S. Thompson. A 153 foot tall cannon, shaped like the gonzo fist (currently covered in blue tarp to conceal it from curious onlookers) is scheduled to fire the good doctor's ashes into the air above his Owl Farm property.
My original reaction at the time of HST's suicide was posted on the IBC blog site:
The self proclaimed creator of gonzo journalism and long time hero of mine, Hunter S. Thompson shot himself yesterday afternoon at his home in Woody Creek, Colo. A nasty way to go, to be sure. One might argue that the myth had no more use for the man; that a gonzo journalist should never reach the age of retirement. Whatever the case, I hope that HST will be remembered for more than just his groundbreaking novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Read his letters or The Great Shark Hunt, and you will come to realize that we have lost one of the most important voices of dissidence that America has ever known.
More info on HST and tomorrow's ceremony can be found at gonzo.org.
Labels: Literature, When the Going Gets Weird
