May 17, 2004
Darth Vader Gargoyle
Kevin Kim tells of a gargoyle* at Washington D.C.'s National Cathedral, which is
carved in the shape of Darth Vader's head. i was skeptical, but it seems to be true. Can anyone verify this? Have you seen it?
* Technically it's a grotesque; gargoyles being a type of grotesque that directs water through a spout, which Darth Vader does not. Kevin correctly refers to it as a grotesque, which deflects, rather than spouts water. Why do i call it a gargoyle, then? i happen to like diphthongs, that's all.
Posted by: annika at
12:34 AM
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It's true. As I recall, there was an article in either Nat'l Geographic or Smithsonian magazine (my father subscribed to both) many years ago on the many gargoyles/grotesques that had been carved, and mentioned a contest for children to design one of them. I recall a picture of the Darth Vader gargoyle was in the article. The only other picture of one I remember was of a gargoyle crouching under an umbrella.
Posted by: Victor at May 17, 2004 11:56 AM (L3qPK)
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I can confirm it. I've seen it myself. It's not difficult to find, using the directions the site gives. Just bring a pair of binoculars or opera glasses because you won't pick it out with the naked eye.
The little girl grotesque is pretty cute, too.
Posted by: Jimmie at May 21, 2004 11:34 AM (LIkgw)
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May 06, 2004
Friends
i should do a
Friends post. But really i'm waiting for
Ginger and Candace to weigh in on tonight's historic end to the iconic TV sitcom. i'm torn between wanting to watch it and wanting to resist participating in a cultural phenomenon. i watched the
Seinfeld final episode and i felt robbed afterwards. If i refuse to watch
Friends tonight, it will be my curmudgeonly protest over all the hype surrounding this show, which "jumped the shark" years ago. But since the Lakers aren't on tonight, i'll probably tune in for a little bit, just so i'll be able to participate in the watercooler debriefing tomorrow at work. Maybe the cast will get drunk and make fools of themselves in the final minutes, like they did when
Cheers ended.
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Just When You Think Art Can't Get Any Stupider
This idea is not only idiotic, it makes me a bit queasy in the tummy just thinking about it.
A Dutch artist has used a flap of her own skin to make a replica pistol to be shown at an Amsterdam art show. . . .
. . .
[S]he made the tiny replica pistol with a piece of skin . . . surgically removed from her abdomen. The puckered skin was stretched and sewn over a plastic and fiber pistol mold.
Meester said she had the flap of skin removed under local anaesthetic to allow her to make the pistol. The surgery left her with 16 stitches. She froze the skin, then defrosted it to make a replica weapon preserved in formaldehyde.
It's fucking unbelievable what passes for art these days.
And here's the funniest quote i've seen in a long time:
If everyone made a pistol from their own skin, I think they would think twice about using a gun. I think there would be less violence in the world.
Brilliant woman, just brilliant.
Posted by: annika at
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I saw that story a few days back. First thought was , "what if she was concerned about rifle violence?"
Second thought was that she should have made a replica of the true cause of violence from her own skin, but how exactly would you make a replica of a flawed decision grounded in imperfect morals?
Third thought was "Chief Joseph would think she was ig'nent - well meaning but ig'nent".
Now on the other hand, using your enemy's skin to make a replica of a weapon to disuade them of being violent...
Posted by: Publicola at May 06, 2004 03:39 AM (Aao25)
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You know, that last quote is almost too good a straight line . . . But I'll pass on it.
However, art in this case is truly a relative term, yes?
Posted by: joe at May 06, 2004 05:08 AM (32jgS)
Posted by: mac at May 06, 2004 05:47 AM (5d+A7)
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Yowza. I don't know if I'd be able to go through such self-mutilation for the sake of art. No wait, I KNOW I wouldn't be able to do it. I guess there just aren't enough ways to express concern over gun violence these days.
But hey, I guess it worked right? Making headline news and what-not.
Posted by: Amy at May 06, 2004 09:33 AM (RpVKX)
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