Art-Ben Tegel

I stumbled upon this today while perusing the internet. Kind of reminds me of Banksy, only different.

I liked this piece, not only because it's parodying Grant Wood's "American Gothic," but also, I think it says a lot about how much things have changed.

It takes a painting from 1930s and modernizes it, depicting Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan, a well known same-sex couple.

Of course, rumor has it the two have broken up, but none the less, well done Ben! You have forever memorialized what was SamRon and LiLo.

Television-The Fast and the Bi-Curious

So I tuned into SNL like I do every weekend, and this caught my eye. They did a parody of the new "Fast & the Furious" called, you guessed it, "Fast and the Bi-Curious." 

One of the reasons I enjoyed it was because it takes a hypermasculine film series and, essentially, queers it. I'm sure many fans of the films would not appreciate this spoof.

BEST. MOVIE. EVER.

If this doesn't win an Oscar, then the Academy should just stop trying.

Just kidding. April Fool's!

For more info, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Room_(film)

Film-Rebel Without A Cause

Similar to "Pickpocket," I picked up that there was something more to John Crawford's admirations for Dean's Jim Stark. 

Now those of you who love "Rebel Without A Cause" will argue that they were a family and that is why John cares for Jim so much.

Even so, LOOK at how John will sometimes gaze lovingly at Jim. It seems like there is something there. At least for John.

I guess its fitting though. I mean James Dean is a favorite of the gay community.

For kicks, here's the trailer.

Film-Pickpocket

"Pickpocket," a film by Robert Bresson, tells the story of a man who resorts to pickpocketing as a way to make a living.

When I watched this, there seemed to be an unexplained relationship between Michel and his mentor. Michel is completely uninterested in Jeanne, who worships him.

Instead, he appears to be happiest when he is picking pockets. In particular, he loves when he and his mentor and picking each other's pockets. 

Some film scholars have argued that Bresson was secretly gay and so he slipped this into the film as a way of hinting at his true sexuality.

Either way, its a great film.

Here's a clip from the film.

Art-Banksy

OMG. So excited because I love me some Banksy.

Banksy is a graffiti artist, believed to be operating out of Bristol, England. In reality, little is known about the artist.

His works are often satirical pieces whose messages are political, cultural, or ethical.

Banksy's series of graffiti pieces have appeared in cities all over the world.

In late 2008, art by Banksy appeared in New Orleans.

Take a look at the photos featured below for some of my favorite Banksy pieces.

Also, if you're dying to learn more, be sure to check out Banksy's website. 

http://www.banksy.co.uk/

Music-Merzbow

Merzbow's music is a trip. Some might argue that its not music, because it lacks any structure and has no melody, rhythm or instrumentation. 

For Merzbow, scratches on a microphone is music. It has been described as something similar to shoegazer rock. The difference is that Merzbow takes it to extreme measures. 

His more famous works have involved his personal interest in BDSM* and fetish culture.

For those who dare, check out the video posted below for a taste of Merzbow.

*An acronym for (BD) Bondage, discipline, (DS) dominance, submission, (SM) sadism, and masochism.

 And yes. That is a chair on fire.