Artist paints herself having sex with each president of the USA

Posted by Cory Doctorow, March 27, 2009 6:18 AM |

Artist Justine Lai's new project is a set of oil paintings of her having sex with every president of the USA, in order.


In Join Or Die, I paint myself having sex with the Presidents of the United States in chronological order. I am interested in humanizing and demythologizing the Presidents by addressing their public legacies and private lives. The presidency itself is a seemingly immortal and impenetrable institution; by inserting myself in its timeline, I attempt to locate something intimate and mortal. I use this intimacy to subvert authority, but it demands that I make myself vulnerable along with the Presidents. A power lies in rendering these patriarchal figures the possible object of shame, ridicule and desire, but it is a power that is constantly negotiated. I approach the spectacle of sex and politics with a certain playfulness. It would be easy to let the images slide into territory that's strictly pornographic—the lurid and hardcore, the predictably "controversial." One could also imagine a series preoccupied with wearing its "Fuck the Man" symbolism on its sleeve. But I wish to move beyond these things and make something playful and tender and maybe a little ambiguous, but exuberantly so. This, I feel, is the most humanizing act I can do.

The Works

Ben Templesmith: Wormword

Wickedly beautiful new print from

Ben Templesmith

Flickr Page

Super Mario 3 mosaic table

Posted by Cory Doctorow, March 26, 2009 7:39 AM |

Ivan covered this found coffee-table with a pushpin Super Mario mosaic (protected by plexiglass) and painted and decorated the legs to match. Apparently pushpin mosaics are unexpectedly hard on the thumbs. Super Mario Coffee Table

Old Phrenology Illustration

Ivory model of a skull and a human head, France, undated

One side of this carved ivory head shows a human face crawling with worms; the other side shows a skull crawling with toads after the worms have eaten away at the flesh. Not much is known about this model, but it is thought that it is a memento mori – literally a reminder of death and the shortness of life. The skull was the symbol of death from the 1500s onwards. Previously death was represented as a skeleton accompanied by a living victim. The model was purchased from a private collection in Rome, Italy, in 1932.

NYTimes: Inside Art

Some very unusual and cool images taken of everyday items using a CT scanner!

See it Here

Clark Little's wave photography

Click on the image to see the series of amazing wave photos

Posted by David Pescovitz, March 23, 2009 2:01 PM |

Clark Little takes photos of "The Most Beautiful Waves... Ever." Pitted... so pitted. (Thanks, Shawn Connally!)

Page about the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab (1950-1951)

Posted by Mark Frauenfelder, March 23, 2009 9:10 PM |

Here's a nice homage to the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab, from the early 1950s.

This was the most elaborate Atomic Energy educational set ever produced, but it was only only available from 1951 to 1952. Its relatively high price for the time ($50.00) and its sophistication were the explanation Gilbert gave for the set's short lifespan. Today, it is so highly prized by collectors that a complete set can go for more than 100 times the original price.

The set came with four types of uranium ore, a beta-alpha source (Pb-210), a pure beta source (Ru-106), a gamma source (Zn-65?), a spinthariscope, a cloud chamber with its own short-lived alpha source (Po-210), an electroscope, a geiger counter, a manual, a comic book (Dagwood Splits the Atom) and a government manual "Prospecting for Uranium."

Secret Lives of AT-AT's

Posted by Cory Doctorow, March 24, 2009 6:08 AM |


FIickr's NickIsConfused has a great set showing the secret lives of Star Wars AT-ATs, reminding us that these adorable little critters aren't just for Xmas.

Ben Templesmith illustrates The Raven and Dracula!!!

The one an only creative genius Ben Templesmith has done it again. He has combined his terrifying illustration technique and combined it with the beautifully dark works of Misters Edgar Allan Poe and Bram Stoker.

The Raven & Other Stories by:
Edgar Allan Poe

Dracula by:
Bram Stoker

Jade tooth decorations in Mayan skull

Posted by Mark Frauenfelder, March 19, 2009 1:26 PM |

David Dennis took this photo of a Mayan skull with jade tooth decorations.

From TYWKIWDBI:

At the height of Mayan civilization, body modification included a variety of alterations of the teeth.

...

Holes in the teeth were created by spinning a drill with a bow (as in firestarting), and using powdered quartz as an abrasive.

Star Wars/Dalí tattoo

Posted by David Pescovitz, March 19, 2009 3:51 PM |

Paul at Old School Tattoo in Bellingham, Washington inked this tattoo, adding a bit of Salvador Dalí's "Elephants" to a Star Wars AT-AT Walker. BMEzine.com has the wearer's story.

Brian Dettmer's book sculptures

Posted by David Pescovitz, March 19, 2009 4:40 PM |












Atlanta-based artist Brian Dettmer creates marvelous sculptures by performing surgery on books. He has a show opening April 3 at Chicago's Packer Schopf Gallery. The gallery kindly sent a few sneak peeks at the new work. Click the images to see them larger. (Thanks, Dominic Paul Moore!)

Previously:

• Brian Dettmer's "Book Autopsies" -- sliced book sculptures - Boing ...
• Skull made from melted metal cassettes: Boing Boing Gadgets ...

Freak group photo

Posted by David Pescovitz, March 17, 2009 10:24 AM |


Joel spotted this terrific freak family photo. Click to see it larger. It's labeled "Truman State University," perhaps from their archives. Anyone know more about it?

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone for sharing great info in the comments. The photo, titled "Congress of Freaks, Ringling Brothers Circus," can be seen in the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's Eugenics Archive.

World's longest sausage

Posted by David Pescovitz, March 17, 2009 10:06 AM |

Seen above is a small section of a 6.643 foot sausage made in Turija, Serbia. From National Geographic (click image for full photo by Srdjan Ilic/AP):

Turija already holds the Guinness Book record for longest sausage. Each year, the town breaks its own record by a centimeter...

Massive archive of US Army medical illustrations and photos free online

Posted by Cory Doctorow, March 17, 2009 11:40 PM |

An incredible archive of US Army medical photos and illustrations is being made available free under a Creative Commons Attribution license on Flickr by the National Museum of Health and Medicine:

This previously unreported archive at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, D.C., contains 500,000 scans of unique images so far, with another 225,000 set to be digitized this year.

Mike Rhode, the museum's head archivist, is working to make tens of thousands of those images, which have been buried in the museum's archive, available on Flickr. Working after hours, his team has posted a curated selection of almost 800 photos on the service already, without the express permission of the Army.

"You pay taxes. These are your pictures," Rhode said. "You should be able to see them."

Medical Museum's Flickr stream

Rare Trove of Army Medical Photos Heads to Flickr

Portraits of US Presidents' mistresses

Posted by Mark Frauenfelder, March 18, 2009 8:50 AM |

Annie Kevans has painted a lovely series of oil portraits of the girlfriends of U.S. Presidents.

Shown above: Kay Summersby (Dwight D Eisenhower), Monica Lewinsky (Bill Clinton), Maria Halpin (Grover Cleveland), Pam Turnure (John F Kennedy), Jill Cowan (John F Kennedy), Blaze Starr (John F Kennedy), Marilyn Monroe (John F Kennedy), Madeleine Brown (Lyndon B Johnson). All the Presidents' Girls (Via Presurfer)

Elephant on Rampage in India

Reuters Oddly Enough Images

An elephant damages a vehicle after going on a rampage in the southern Indian city of Kochi February 27, 2009. The elephant was brought under control after a three-hour rescue operation by animal experts and the police.

GQ On Fell, Volume 1: Feral City

Fell, Volume 1: Feral City
Written by Warren Ellis; Art by Ben Templesmith

Fans of the parts of TV’s Homicide that played like a hardboiled No Exit will dig this book. Eight mordantly funny short stories about Richard Fell, a misanthropic police detective keeping what passes for the peace in a bleak and bad-mojo-ridden municipality called Snowtown. It’s full of tense close-quarters showdowns in dimly lit spaces and illustrated in a gloomily gorgeous color palette that runs from toxic-sunset violet to busted-nose red.

See the rest of the list here.

Key Fail

Seriously! The person who did this should be slapped on the back of the head!

Power On Self Test: Picnic on Aldaraan

Posted by Joel Johnson, March 11, 2009 2:30 AM |

Scarlett Rose Larson makes art from found stings and human hair. (Thanks, Eric!)

Gallery of engraved laptops

Posted by Rob Beschizza, March 11, 2009 11:24 AM |

You've seen some of them before here, but some newly-lased beauties stand out. Foliage is about the perfect engraving theme, but this one is particularly clever.

Ben Templesmith: Dracula Cover (Penguin Classics)

Ben Templesmith's terrifying rendition of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Super Mario vs NYC -- street art

Posted by Cory Doctorow, March 7, 2009 10:46 PM |


Some street artist in NYC is using tile-mosaics to turn the street-level water hookups into a giant Super Mario reenactment!

Seen On The Steets Of New York (via Wonderland)

Graffiti of giant people stuffed into small building

Posted by David Pescovitz, March 4, 2009 10:34 AM |


I really like this clever graffiti found in Bristol. Oysterism posted this one and several more from the always-great Wooster Collective site. "As Seen On The Streets"

American Psycho Advertisment

Hangover Heaven (April 1947)

Hangover Heaven is the apt name of the unusual bonnet at right. Originally developed by makeup man Max Factor for the benefit of actresses who wish to refresh their faces on hot studio sets without spoiling their makeup, the facial ice pack was quickly diverted to another purpose by festive Hollywoodians. The headpiece, adorned with water-filled plastic cubes, is kept in the refrigerator while the water freezes.

Ad's of Oddity

Just a few ads that stuck out to be from the first 10 pages of the advertisements section from the website Modern Mechanix.com

____________________________________________________________________

Stop Mouth Breathing (August 1930)

AND SNORING—the Causes of many diseases and often an early grave.

The PERFECT BREATHER overcomes snoring and mouth breathing. Assures perfect rest; heals inflamed nasal tissues; also prevents flabby facial muscles, double chin, protruding and unshapely lips, etc. Has helped thousands. Men’s, women’s, children’s sizes. Set comprises Perfect Breather, inhaler, inhaling balm, complete instructions and valuable breathing exercises. $3.00, cash or C. O. D. plus few cents postage. Satisfaction or refund. Literature free.

__________________________________________________

How to Obtain A Better Looking Nose (August 1930)

Physical Culture Magazine's Aug, 1930 issue carried this intriguing advert for a nose brassiere ("the patented Model 25 Nose Shaper") that would help you by "remolding the cartilage and fleshy parts, quickly, safely, and painlessly." Coming from a long line of beaky sorts, I find this frankly captivating! How to Obtain A Better Looking Nose (Aug, 1930)
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No other deodorant now asks women to Shave First! (September 1953)

Actual skin tests prove YODORA SO “KIND” TO SENSITIVE SKIN we can make this bold statement

FIRST . . . shave under arms. (For faultless grooming — ask your druggist for Yodora shaving booklet.)

THEN . . . apply Yodora immediately with complete confidence*

_____________________________________________________

Girlie Photo's (October 1949)

I HAVE HUNDREDS of GIRLIE PHOTOS! Some very good, others not worth the paper they’re printed on. I have selected 30 ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS that I believe are the best ever offered for sale. ALL 5 SETS, 6 POSES TO A SET, ONLY $2.

YOU BE THE JUDGE! PRINT NAME & ADDRESS. ORDER WILL BE SENT 1st CLASS.

50c FOR A SAMPLE SET 2 SETS $1 GEM FOTOS, Box 375-J, Dayton, Ohio

______________________________________________________

“Its not how long you make it…” (Oct, 1967)


“Its not how long you make it…
“It’s how you make it long!”
We make our long cigarette with an extra measure of that famous good taste that has made Winston America’s largest-selling cigarette! Buy a pack today.
__________________________________________

PERIOD DELAYED? .. Don’t Worry!

*USE “SOLFERA TABLETS”: BE RELIEVED of this worry! Your period delay may be functionally delayed menstruation as a result of secondary anemia due to iron deficiency, and “SOLFERA TABLETS” MAY BRING relief! If Is a QUALITY preparation of OFFICIAL MEDICAL DRUGS! NOT REPRESENTED AS A MEANS TO INTERFERE WITH PREGNANCY. EASY TO TAKE and NO harmful EFFECTS I PAY POSTMAN ON DELIVERY OF PACKAGE TO YOU OR SEND MONEY AND SAVE POSTAGE AND C.O.D. FEES. PACKED IN A CONFIDENTIAL BOX! ONLY $10.00. RUSH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS . . . TO HEALTH-AIDS CO..

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Drunk? (January 1960)

DOCTORS’ MARVELOUS NEW DISCOVERY RELIEVES DRUNKENNESS IN 5 DAYS

“World Famous Since 1943″

THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN HELPED TO BREAK THE DRINKING CYCLE Does Drunkenness Threaten Your Happiness Or Your Loved Ones? This Remarkable New Discovery Quickly And Easily Helps Bring Relief From All Desire Of Liquor. This Is Strictly A Home Method. Easy To Take. Nothing Like It Before.

________________________________________________

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MEN Appear SLIMMER.. FEEL BETTER, LOOK YOUNGER with COMMANDER (January 1947)

The Amazing New Abdominal Supporter Yes, instantly, you, too, can begin to feel ALIVE . . . ON TOP OF THE WORLD by joining the Parade of Men who are marching up the highway of happier living with the COMMANDER, the amazing new Men’s Abdominal Supporter.

GET “IN SHAPE” INSTANTLY AND ENJOY A HAPPY STREAMLINED APPEARANCE

The COMMANDER presents the exclusively designed “INTERLOCKING HANDS” principle for extra support where you need it most. It flattens the burdensome sagging “corporation” and restores to the body the zestful invigorating feeling that comes with firm, sure “bay window” control. Order this new belt today and begin enjoying the pleasure of feeling “in shape” at once.

__________________________________________________

Are you too old to learn?

not at all, new tests show!

_______________________________________________________

BASEMENT TOILET FLUSHES UP

TO OVERHEAD SEWER OR SEPTIC TANK.
NO DIGGING UP FLOORS. PREVENTS FLOODING.
____________________________________________

EX-LAX OFFERS YOU GREATER BENEFITS THAN EVER! (Dec, 1937)

HERE’S WHY THE NEW SCIENTIFICALLY IMPROVED EX-LAX OFFERS YOU GREATER BENEFITS THAN EVER!

TASTES BETTER THAN EVER Ex-Lax now has a smoother, richer chocolate flavor—tastes like a choice confection ! You’ll like it even better than you did before.

ACTS BETTER THAN EVER Ex-Lax is now even more effective than it used to be. Empties the bowels more thoroughly, more smoothly, in less time than before.

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Folding Shower Baths (April 1902)

AT YOUR END OF THE COAL CHEMICAL PIPELINE ….

NEW Magic Bullets for Murdering Microbes

Coal chemicals are the steadfast allies of the medical scientist in his uphill conquest of disease. Pyridine, for example, is vital in the manufacture of sulfa drugs. And gamma-picoline, another valuable Pittsburgh coal chemical, is the source of isonicotinic acid hydrazide, the drug which has shown bright promise in the experimental treatment of tuberculosis in recent months.

WANTED: To negotiate with firms in the United States, England and Canada to make and sell this bath on royalty or similar terms. Most economical bath as regards cost, time, space and water. Inexpensive and practical. Sanitary and antiseptic. For hotel bed-rooms, apartment houses, residences, resorts, sanitariums, etc. Used anywhere. No plumbing.
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New Magic Bullets for Murdering Microbes (Feb, 1953)

AT YOUR END OF THE COAL CHEMICAL PIPELINE ….

NEW Magic Bullets for Murdering Microbes

Coal chemicals are the steadfast allies of the medical scientist in his uphill conquest of disease. Pyridine, for example, is vital in the manufacture of sulfa drugs. And gamma-picoline, another valuable Pittsburgh coal chemical, is the source of isonicotinic acid hydrazide, the drug which has shown bright promise in the experimental treatment of tuberculosis in recent months.

__________________________________________

CURE SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS!

How to develop a strong, positive personality rid of timidity, bashfulness, shyness and fear. Successful self-instruction lessons based on new principles of practical psychology. Healthy self-confidence can he yours! Complete course of lessons. NOT a book. Full price only $6.95 postpaid, or COD plus postage. Mailed sealed in plain wrapper. Satisfaction guaranteed or refund. Order “Curing Self-Consciousness Course” today.

_____________________________________________

THE AH MEN LOOK (October 1968)

NYLON-TRICOT, the greatest thing in men’s wear since pants. Fast drying, wash and wear, compact for travel and so comfortable. All items in S-M-L-XL, in Royal Blue, Black or White.

1. Judo-jumper (pictured), robe with legs, for relaxing $15.95
2. Fitted hip-hugger boxer under-briefs for under slim slacks $3.50, six for $19.00
3. “Brief-ers” French style under briefs $3.00, six for $15.00 Send 25c for New Catalog Add 50c postage, no C.O.D.