Claes Oldenburg’s “Slice of Bread” Tombstone for Ed Kienholz — 1974
In the 1970s, artists Claes Oldenburg and Ed Kienholz made tombstones for one another. Oldenburg went with a “bread” theme for Ed’s “Bread Stone.”
Art/Illustration
Benny Goodman — 1946
Benny Goodman, the King of Swing. This caricature of Benny and his “licorice stick” is wonderful (see the full artwork at the link).
Ethyl Gasoline — 1936
Know the difference between Ethyl and “regular” gasoline? I don’t either. Got 47 seconds? ‘Cause that’s how long it will take to learn everything you need to know about the topic. Not only that, but just look at this wonderful 1936 advertising art that just oozes nostalgic Americana.
Fisherman vs. Octopus — ca. 1890s
Man vs. cephalopod: it’s a fight to the death. Click through to see the full image of a startling wood carving, captured by master Japanese photographer Kimbei Kusakabe.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Stan Lee — 1958
This is not the Stan Lee you’re used to seeing — see the Valentine’s Day installment of the rather obscure, short-lived comic strip at the link.
Massachusetts “In the Future” — ca. 1908
How did the future of years past differ from today’s present? For one thing, there are a lot fewer flying and floating contraptions littering the sky these days. Click to see some wonderfully odd postcards featuring visions of what several Massachusetts towns might look like “in the future.”
Dracula’s Daughter: She’s Exotic! She’s Hypnotic! She Gives You That Weird Feeling! — 1936
Hollywood poster artists are responsible for much of a movie’s attraction. In fact, I love these fantastic posters so much I don’t even really need to see the movie. See a whole bunch of promotional artwork for “Dracula’s Daughter” at the link.
Gregorio Prestopino, Artist
Gregorio Prestopino — known as “Presto” to his friends — was an American artist whose works ran the gamut from socially conscious depictions of poverty, nostalgic memories of the Little Italy neighborhood he grew up in, a series on prison life for Life magazine, a series of anti-war works, sensuous female nudes, and colorful magazine covers. See a few of my favorites.
Comical Tongue and Teeth
Sometimes after a difficult week, one just needs to kick back with a dangling fake tongue and look “exceedingly funny.” This has been just such a week.
The Texas Fig Farmer
Figs? I don’t even like figs, but I came across a great photo from about 1910 of a young Texas farmer in a derby hat, clutching a fig plant… and the next thing I knew, I was deep into a search for more photos of Texas fig farmers. See what I found.
High Shrink 