In Susan Sontag’s seminal, often quoted and equally maligned “Notes on ‘Camp,’” Sontag composes a list of examples of camp including Tiffany lamps, Swan Lake and “stag movies seen without lust.” While Sontag’s list is certainly limited, she surely would not have hesitated to include opulent lamps, gaudy glass chandeliers, shining streamers, clashing ribbons, dangling … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Charles Ludlam
From Nefertiti to Klytemnestra: The Ethyl Eichelberger Video Lounge
I’m about ready for another dose of maniacal queer nightlife obsessing so grab yourself a hot drink and enter….The Ethyl Eichelberger Video Lounge! Continue reading
Barfing On The Declaration Of Independence: Mike Kelley’s ‘Reconstructed History’
Can you imagine anything more patriotic than an illustration of the Forefathers’ signing the Declaration of Independence emblazoned with the word “BARF,”? How about the Statue of Liberty covered with crudely rendered breasts, bush and armpits spewing with waves of stink? Well, I don’t know about you but I’m just about ready to start feverishly singing about those “amber waves of grain.” Continue reading
Why Can’t You Give Me The RESPECT That I’m Entitled To?!: The Lypsinka Video Lounge
Well, it’s that time again for another Party Out Of Bounds post. I was planning on writing a serious post today but then, I realized: it’s Friday! So sit back, grab another glass or two of our pumpkin punch and let’s celebrate that lip-synching queen of camp: Lypsinka! Continue reading
The Carnival Is Not Over: The Art of Mark DeMaio
Feverish, deranged, disturbing, strangely hilarious and completely ridiculous, “The Carny” almost always pops into my mind when viewing the hallucinatory paintings of artist Mark DeMaio, as seen in his current career-spanning exhibition Priests, Stilts, Clowns and Freaks at Sacred Gallery NYC. Continue reading
Conrad Ventur Remembers Original Underground Superstar Mario Montez
Before Andy Warhol even heard the term, queer underground filmmaker and aesthetic genius Jack Smith anointed legendary drag actress Mario Montez a “Superstar.” Named after Smith’s favorite campy Hollywood starlet Maria Montez, Mario Montez’s exquisite beauty and attention-grabbing acting style made him an underground film sensation, starring in Smith’s controversial Flaming Creatures, Andy Warhol’s uncannily … Continue reading
The Brightest Of The Flaming Creatures: A Tribute To Mario Montez
One of queer film forefather Jack Smith’s “flaming creatures,” Andy Warhol’s “superstars” and Charles Ludlam’s “ridiculous,” underground drag actress Mario Montez sadly passed away this week in Key West. Continue reading
Camp Narcissister at Dirty Looks: On Location
Like one of artist Hans Bellmer’s dolls or photographer Pierre Molinier’s nightmarish, mannequin self-portraits come to life, Brooklyn-based performance artist Narcissister walks the line between the erotic, the alluring, the absurd and the abject, a confrontational melange of female sexuality and manipulation of the viewer’s gaze. Continue reading
Emily’s Voodoo Queen ‘Mama Roux’ and 9 Other Prized Possessions
Rather than introduce ourselves through a coma-inducing list of random accomplishments or goals, Marion and I thought it would be way more enjoyable to blatantly rip-off the blogging idea of Dennis Cooper, one of our favorite and most terrifying authors, and list our prized possessions, giving a glimpse into our values, psyche and bad taste Continue reading