#but now maurizio is gone

[mikerickson]

11/21/2024 - Comedian (2019) by Maurizio Cattelan, the artwork that consists of a banana duct-taped to a wall, smashed expectations last night at Sotheby’s The Now and Contemporary auction in New York, selling for $5.2 million after a seven-minute bidding war, or $6.2 million with fees. There were seven bidders for the work, which, again, consists of a banana duct-taped to a wall, and will be delivered to the buyer in the form of a single roll of duct tape, one banana sourced from a fruit stand on York Avenue, and a certificate of authenticity with specific instructions as to how to display the work, which has gone through a number of bananas in its time. The winner of the sculpture was a Chinese crypto entrepreneur, who has said he will eat the banana. The work has been interpreted by some as a specific commentary on the absurdity of the art market, which, nailed it. [Source]

[tomorrowedblog]

Thursday Releases for October 10

Friday is usually the busiest day of the week for new releases. Not this week though. For some reason there a bunch of releases on a Thursday. Whatever. Thursday Releases for October 10 include Sweetpea, Teacup, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, and more.

Caddo Lake

Caddo Lake, the new movie from Logan George and Celine Held, is out today.

When an eight-year-old girl mysteriously vanishes, a series of past deaths and disappearances start to link together, forever altering a broken family’s history.

Sweetpea

Sweetpea, the new TV series from Kirstie Swain, is out today.

Rhiannon Lewis doesn’t make much of an impression - people walk past her in the street without a second glance. She’s continually overlooked for a promotion at work, the guy she likes won’t commit, and her dad is really, really sick. Then everything in her life turns upside down. Rhiannon is pushed over the edge and loses control. Suddenly the wallflower is gone, and in its place is a young woman capable of anything… Rhiannon’s life transforms as she steps into a new, intoxicating power, but can she keep her killer secret?

Teacup

Teacup, the new TV series from Ian McCulloch, is out today.

Teacup follows a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive.

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, the new TV series from Tasha Huo, is out today.

Thrust into a high-stakes chase around the world, fearless adventurer Lara Croft confronts her traumatic past while unraveling an ancient mystery.

Citadel: Diana

Citadel: Diana, the new TV series from Alessandro Fabbri and Gina Gardini, is out today.

Diana Cavalieri (Matilda De Angelis), an undercover Citadel agent, is trapped behind enemy lines as a mole in Manticore. When she finally sees a way out and the chance to disappear forever, the only way to do so is trusting the most unexpected ally, Edo Zani (Lorenzo Cervasio), the heir of Manticore Italy and son of the head of the Italian organization, Ettore Zani (Maurizio Lombardi), who’s vying for leadership against the other European families.

Simulakros

Simulakros, the new game from Sirio Games and Dear Villagers, is out today.

Fight the evil CORP from the inside. Confront deadly robots in this fast-paced third person shooter with rogue-lite elements.

Backyard Baseball '97

Backyard Baseball '97, the new game from Mega Cat Studios and Playground Productions, is out today.

Rediscover the joy of the original Backyard Baseball 1997, now updated for modern systems! Build your roster from among the iconic Backyard Kids, aim for those home runs, and various game modes. Relive the magic of this classic baseball game!

[paimonthearchivist2]

i want to talk about Comedian (the banana taped to the wall) and why it's such a fascinating art piece to me.

(fair warning, this is really long)

okay, so. to tackle Comedian completely, you first have to understand that Comedian is three things: how the capitalists view it, how the armchair traditionalists view it, and what it actually is. despite what this may imply, these are 3 completely seperate but deeply interrelated things, and to understand the third you need to know the first two. which i will explain.

thing the first: how capitalists view Comedian

to start with, the capitalists who fawn over and fetishise Comedian as an art piece, theatrically glaze it in the media, act like it's just so intellectual, don't actually give a shit about what Comedian is. to them, Comedian is nothing, meaningless art shit; which, of course, is perfect for them, because it means they can buy it, hype it up with their boring and stupid interpretations of what they think it means, and then sell it and make a zillion dollars. or donate it to the Tax Evasion Foundation and skip out on their contributions to society. whatever. to the capitalist, Comedian is nothing, which is exciting, because art that isn't anything is just profit. meaning only gets in the way of money, so an artpiece without meaning (i.e Comedian) is the perfect moneymaker.

thing the second: how the armchair traditionalists view Comedian

now we move to the so-called "armchair traditionalists", the idiots who sit on their phones and argue for hours about how Comedian is the fall of western civilisation and billions must die, etc. etc.. they hate Comedian because they, like the capitalists, believe it is nothing, meaningless bullshit; however, they are not excited by this fact, but rather enraged, because they dread the idea of art without some Meaning. to them, art must be utilitarian with respect to some arbitrary idea of Purpose in society; if it doesn't say anything, it's not art, and therefore bad. Comedian doesn't say anything, of course, so it's bad. except that Comedian is trying to say something despite the views of the capitalists and traditionalists, and this is our final topic:

thing the third: Comedian, the art piece.

Comedian has a point: which is that it doesn't have a point, or at least you can't really tell it does unless you genuinely care about the art. Comedian looks like nothing, hence the capitalist feels love for it and the traditionalist feels hate; but, counter to their ideas, it's not actually nothing, in fact it's specifically a criticism of the exact people so thoroughly obsessed with it. Comedian exists because Maurizio Cattelan wants you to see it and think of it only as nothing, something the art industry can exploit for money, or as some terrible harm to art as a medium, and he wants you to do this because this conveys the ultimate truth about Comedian: these people, the capitalists, the traditionalists, and all the other people who think Comedian is nothing? they don't actually give a fuck about art. they care about something else, some value they see as art being a vehicle for, and they only enjoy art in the context of this value; when it's gone, the art is bad. Comedian exposes the people who don't actually like art, and don't understand the fundamental problem with our modern culture around art: art must always have an ulterior motive, no matter if it is Meaning or Money. the truth is, art doesn't need something behind it. it's art. enjoy it.

[dustedmagazine]

Listed: Tørrfall

Photo by Iver Findlay

Tørrfall are a Norwegian trio who've been playing together since (at least) 2020, recorded their self-titled debut live in August 2021, but just released it this past March. Vocals and synthesizer are provided by Nils Erga (Noxagt, Burning Axis), bass by Kristoffer Riis (Golden Oriole, Staer), and drums by Thore Warland (Golden Oriole, Staer, Burning Axis). Dusted’s Ian Mathers summed up their self-described “psychedelic water music” as “a bad-trip, submarine cousin of the Necks’ Drive By.” Here, all three members talk about 10 releases that could have influenced the Tørrfall record.

Ivor Cutler and Linda Hirst — “Women of the World” (Rough Trade, 1983)

Nils: The Norwegian broadcasting company, NRK, used to have excellent radio DJs. I believe I only heard this song once upon release, and as a nine-year-old boy, I never caught who sang it, what it was called, or what the lyrics were all about. And then it was gone! But the impossibly catchy melody of the chorus – the song is essentially one single mantra-like, cascading chorus – never left me, and as I grew older, I would replay it in my head repeatedly, hundreds and hundreds of times. In 1999, Jim O'Rourke did a cover version, which I accidentally got to hear, and I was stunned. There it was again, finally! That song!  

Cocteau Twins — The Spangle Maker (4AD, 1984)

Nils: Growing up in the Stavanger region in the 1980s, the UK was never far away. Back then, you could hop on the ferry to Newcastle or fly directly to London or Aberdeen (you'd be there in an hour or so). My older sister brought this back from one of her trips to the Thatcher Empire. Back then, I loved all that 4AD stuff, but in hindsight, Cocteau Twins were the best of all the then-current acts she so generously introduced me to. And Elisabeth Fraser never sounded more lost, more gothic, more out-of-this-world than on this one (the Treasure LP that came out the same year is rather wonderful too). Dream pop, indeed.

Basic Channel et al. — Any 12" under any moniker (Basic Channel, 1990s)

Nils: I can't remember the first Basic Channel-related 12" that I heard, but I remember becoming instantly hooked – what is this sound? – so I started collecting everything I could find during those early days of the Internet. When listening to this music now, whether it's Main Street, Maurizio, Basic Channel or Rhythm & Sound (preferably loudly and on big speakers), I still feel like time is slowly dissolving. Or it bends and can no longer be trusted. And often, continuing down this path of truly psychedelic techno, I still find myself lost in the strangely lit woods of Wolfgang Voigt's late 90s GAS records, which are equally transcendental.

Steely Dan — Gaucho (MCA, 1980)

Nils: Hey Nineteen! I first heard this record in my early twenties, and back then, the whole Steely Dan vibe didn't appeal much, nor did it make much sense. But I knew they were named after a William Burroughs-invented "artefact", so I gathered there had to be something there. It turns out there was, in spades (check out Donald and Walter's open letters to celebrities whose careers they worry about for further reading). Anyway, Steely Dan is now my favourite band for watching waves roll by from the balcony, closely followed by early ZZ Top. And this is their magnum opus, in my humble opinion. The Royal Scam and Aja aren't far off, though.

Armando Sciascia — After the End (Suite For String Orchestra & Synthesizer) (Vedette Records, 1971)

Kristoffer: Armando Sciascia, the Abruzzese custodian of the whole-tone scale. While some of his output during the 60s and 70s is admittedly quite stylized with its particular and sometimes overstated tonality, this album strikes a balance between classical principle and impious mischief, while being texturally tantalizing with its fine Italian blend of acoustic and synthetic arrangements. A bit hard to come by, although some of the tracks were available on the 1972 compilation Infini alongside Fabio Fabor on the slightly more obtainable Musique Pour L'Image imprint.

Camille Sauvage — Fantasmagories (Editions Montparnasse 2000, 1974)

Kristoffer: In some ways, Camille Sauvage was a French counterpart to Armando Sciascia, but with a markedly different sense of melody all his own. Sauvage composed some richly decorated harmonic showpieces that characterize this period in his discography, either under his real name or one of several pseudonyms, notably Eric Framond—and the orchestration was almost always over-the-top with shrill Edda Dell'Orso-esque vocals and screeching brass that nearly couldn't contain itself. On Fantasmagories, however, he shows a more nocturnal and contemplative side, really damp and littered with fragments of this and that.

Marcos Valle — Vento Sul (Odeon, 1972)

Kristoffer: While there is no shortage of Brazilian contenders with Edu Lobo, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Os Mutantes and the lot, I regularly return to this one. It's Marcos Valle's best in my opinion, and there's not much more to be said about it. A really strong and playful MPB album.

Philip Glass — Music with Changing Parts for Ensemble (Chatham Square Editions, 1971)

Thore: The relentless electric organ stuff that Philip Glass did in the late 60s and early 70s I really like. This one is with saxophones, trumpet, violin, flutes and voices.

Boyd Rice — Boyd Rice (Mute, 1981)

Thore: Hysterical and also quite calming, the loops never get boring.

Ike Yard — Ike Yard (A Second) (Factory America, 1982)

Thore: Minimal and catchy, I love this one. Seems to be a timeless classic.

[landlordrecords]

This was meant to be in a book, but I believe the book isn't happening now...

CON-DOM

How Welcome Is Death To I Who Have Nothing More To Do But Die

Tesco Organisation TESCO 102 (CD/2LP, 2016)

Don’t look (away)

Mike Dando’s English power electronics project CON-DOM reached its zenith with this gruelling comeback mic drop, exploring the protracted, undignified death of his mother.

The snazzily grim booklet for How Welcome Is Death features photographs chronicling Nora’s obvious suffering, under the yoke of the miserably attritive-sounding Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. An incurable neurological condition, it did for Dudley Moore and Peter Sarstedt and, at the time of writing, is gnawing at Linda Ronstadt. In short, this situation is far from the quirky world of 2023 film Quiz Lady’s rebellious care home prison-breaker.

While leftfield artists Hannah Peel and Ian William Craig have dealt extensively with relatives’ degenerative illnesses, power electronics is the ideal setting for examining the brutal physical and psychological effects of these conditions on patients and their families. They have been referenced in PE before, but How Welcome Is Death is the genre’s heart-on-the-sleeve statement on the subject. Dando credits the influence of Atrax Morgue in the sleeve notes. However, the album’s more direct ancestor is US noisers Macronympha’s legendary Bananafish interview, wherein Joseph Roemer shared photos of his dying father, and talked about having the latter’s life support turned off. It also reminds us of John King’s Shipman-skewering novel White Trash (‘He did not know what to say to this walking skeleton, felt sick just looking at him’); and of the astute closing sections of Nick Tosches’ Dino, wherein Dean Martin drifts in and out of lucidity during palliative care.

For PE, How Welcome Is Death is the equivalent of a late career classic rock album. As Bruce Springsteen and Loudon Wainwright III matured in their navigation of life’s stages, so did Dando, for whom the album is akin to his own Transformer Man, as he holds hands with Neil Young and peers under the tree canopy dappling their loved ones’ ability to communicate. A lot of time and a lot of life had elapsed between 1984’s Calling All Aryans and 2016:1 as Noise Receptor zine put it, How Welcome Is Death holds ‘a mirror up to the fallacy of the oft faux celebration of strength and the overt obsession with death that preoccupies so much of the post-industrial underground’. What else was Dando going to address in his transgressive art, when the worst horrors faced him at home?

The medicinally bitter taste of British national treasure Clive Dunn’s anodyne 1970 novelty hit Grandad begins How Welcome Is Death, before bleeding into the wounded feedback and Maurizio Bianchi-style rumbles of the first of the album’s lengthier pieces (which are interspersed with brief field recordings from Dando’s mother’s care setting, a TV dumbly blaring throughout). In Living Death, Dando imagines his mother’s thoughts on her predicament: “I have come to this.” The title track is written from a similar perspective, but moves from the minutiae of care towards Nora’s thoughts of loneliness and death after the loss of her husband: “No point with him gone.” We don’t know how much comes from real conversations and how much is imagined, but it all rings true.

The first act concludes with one of two presumably surreptitious recordings of Nora’s roommate, Sarah, adding ‘colour’ while demonstrating the unappealing, unsane, unacceptable conditions for patients in the underfunded UK care sector. They also beg questions regarding the ethics of their inclusion. One imagines Nora was unaware of her son’s project, but it was initiated by someone who would be regarded as having her ‘best interests’ at heart. This cannot be said for Sarah, much as she or her loved ones will probably never be aware of her

cameo. Those whose naked photographs are viewed by paedophiles are considered violated, regardless of whether they are aware of the abuse, but on the other hand images made of mental patients without informed consent have positively influenced that sector. Albert Maisel’s disturbing Bedlam 1946 Time photographic series, regarding two US state hospitals,came complete with leading captions such as ‘despair’, ‘forced labor’, and ‘neglect’. It led to much pearl-clutching and determination to do better: rulesbent in extreme circumstances. Whatever one makes of the record, it is clearly not meant as entertainment or prurience; rather, it is Dando’s cry of pain on behalf of two helpless old ladies.

The second act begins with How Welcome Is Death’s centrepiece, Chocolates, which reads like a mixture of the personal histories which the healthcare system cruelly punishes families into repeatedly giving; and Nora’s suicide note. Dando is clearly spoken here, the case history crisply laid out on clean white hospital sheets. T4 then steps outside Dando’s immediate situation, referencing the Nazi scheme of involuntarily euthanising the incurably sick. The booklet mirrors his family’s situation with that of a family under the Nazis, pleading for a mercy killing, while the Office of Racial Policy issues posters questioning the point of keeping the sick alive.

The third and final act abruptly switches to Dando’s own perspective, opening with the grinding Just Fuckin’ Die (the ‘hit single’), in which he is uncompromisingly honest about his own feelings on the state in which illness has left his mother. Dando is thoroughly humane (he was with his mother in her dying days, after all), but there are no sugar-coated memories of good times here; just a husk, a man at the end of his tether. And so to the inevitable elegy: the alien, windswept, near-instrumental Ending (Nora). One thinks of the drum and bass maverick Goldie, playing his hour-long composition Mother while visiting his mum in the chapel of rest.

For British listeners, if the album started with Dunn, then it must end with future Fall member Julia Nagle, alongside future actresses Sally Lindsay and Jennifer Hennessy, on 1980’s inane school choral travesty There’s No One Quite Like Grandma. Degenerative illnesses do not only affect the elderly (as per the book and film Still Alice), but Dando questions the tone and content of Britain’s most beloved paeans to them. If the album had been recorded a few years later, nonagenarian pandemic celeb Captain Tom’s hit could have featured, his not-so-dulcet tones standing in for Sarah’s anguished cries.

The falling apart of the sainted NHS. The systematic deaths of the UK care sector (Crass’ “System, system, system/Death in life”). The ashamed thoughts of “This sinner”. Swearing at and rejecting carers, like Anthony Hopkins in The Father. The interplay between love and hate; love and duty. “How welcome her death to I.” An old lady, soiled, fallen on her bedroom floor, head cracked open, crying “Kill me”. Wee. Poo. Pads. Accidents. Catheters. Puckered flesh. Wee. Poo. “My arse hurts.” Reality and Codeine dreams merged: “I don’t know what’s real and what isn’t.” “I want to go home”; “You are home”. All of that which came before corroded and forgotten. Exhaustion. Waiting. Death? How welcome.

d foist

[racingliners]

F1 Re-Watch 2013: Race 12 - Italy

si ragazzi etc etc etc

Seb's third win in Italy! But That year was also McLaren's 50th anniversary race... spoiler alert it did not go well.

I don't really remember much from this one, though I think Alonso was on the podium as well? Anyway let's jump in!

Once again going to be that person and say how I still miss the old F1 intro :(

The new one is fun and all but can you say 'nnnnneow' at the end? no you can't

Anyway, Monza v v pretty

aaaaand starting grid: SEB POLE!!!,

HULKENBERG P3??????

What the fuck is a polar bear doing in Arlington, Texas?!

(I legit had to pause to process that, wtf)

ahem, moving on: Alonso P5, Dan P7, Jenson P9, Jev P10, Lewis P12 (ouch :()

Truly that was the most whiplash I've had during a starting grid overview. Yikes.

There is something hilarious about a Ferrari powered Sauber out qualifying both Ferraris at Monza though

[Formation Lap]: ooh Lewis starting on hards, makes sense considering his starting spot (also set to be the best race tyre according to Bono on team radio).

The mediums are the other dry tyres for this race

ayyy there's some of the McLaren guys in their vintage style team uniforms (dare I say this maybe be the origin of the dress up race curse, bc I'm pretty sure both Jenson and Perez finish outside the points despite starting in the top 10).

Oh! The thermal image camera! I remember that!

svsvhfdh a Maurizio Arrivabene sighting in the Ferrari garage, two whole years before he became TP.

[Start/Lap 1]: many, many things happening in the braking zone for turn 1...

Seb had a good start though!!!

Top 10 is Seb, Massa, Webber, Fernando, Hulkenberg, Rosberg, Dan, Perez, Jev and Raikkonen

cut to Di Resta missing a front wing and out the race already

[Lap 2]: Mild violence on that first lap ngl

and there's a yellow flag somewhere

aaaaand it's gone

something about Seb driving off into the distance while war crimes happen behind him

[Lap 3]: Lewis is up to P10!!!

Not Alonso and Webber going through a chicane side by side, fellas...

[Lap 4]: Jenson down to P11 :(

oh he had an awful start that's why

[Lap 5]: Seb watch: he has a 2.6 second lead over Massa

[Lap 6]: Top 5 now Seb, Massa, Fernando, Webber and Hulkenberg

Rosberg I need you to be the superior Nico rn and get past him

...and Lewis has team radio problems (Bono can't hear him)

And Rosberg is already being asked to cool his car it is not a good day for Mercedes

[Lap 8]: A Seb fastest lap and Fernando overtaking Massa for P2 happening at the exact same time

oop Jev and Lewis are squabbling

Jenson takes advantage and takes P10!

cut to a mildly concerned Jock Clear on the pit wall

[Lap 9]: "We're monitoring right front at all times, we know it's not good" Rocky you can't just say things like that

I mean Seb is 4.5 seconds ahead of Fernando, but still

[Lap 10]: But Seb sets another fastest lap regardless, howling

[Lap 11]: Ah Lewis has caught up to the back of Jenson, maybe the hard tyres are starting to work

Cut to Seb, now 5.5 seconds ahead of Alonso

and PHEW the front right Rocky was speaking about was the tyre, not the brake

[Lap 12]: ...Lewis has a slow front right puncture

His not good quite bad Italian GP, I have no idea if his radio is still broken

oh Andrea Stella spoke to Fernando in Italian, that's fun

[Lap 13]: Lewis hasn't pitted. 🙃

Bono once again asking Lewis to pit, and the mechanics are in the pit lane.

Apparently someone from Merc was very aggressively waving Lewis' pit board so he could see it.

Why am I getting mildly anxious over a race I watched live a decade ago?! 😭

[Lap 14]: Lewis finally pits, and someone held up a sign for him while he was stationary. He's on the mediums and in 19th

His not good very bad Italian GP

[Lap 15]: At least Seb is having a good race 🥲

It's wild bc I was so unbothered about Lewis in 2013 and now I'm in distress

JEV NO

He's stopped on track 😭

Engine may have gone poof :(

[Lap 16]: I refer back to my earlier comment about Seb driving into the distance while atrocities occur to everyone else

Wild how a lot has gone on... while there hasn't been much actual racing

[Lap 17]: Seb now 6.5 seconds ahead of Fernando

Not a shot of Jev while his car smokes in the background 😭😭😭

oh Dan had already been announced as Seb's team mate for 2014 at this point, I could swear that was between this race and Singapore, oh well

[Lap 18]: Brundle: Speaking about how Fernando wants to get Adrian Newey on his team to be able to win WDCs sooner rather than later. Merc, about to dominate the next 7 seasons: 👀

[Lap 19]: Speaking of Merc, Rosberg how tf are you still in P6????Did you not listen when I told you to be the superior Nico???? smh

[Lap 21]: Meanwhile the frontrunners are all still to pit, which for them to do a one stop at Monza in 2013 is really quite impressive

Webber continues to chase down Massa

[Lap 22]: and Jenson pits for a set of hards, so that'll be him till the end on paper

oooh a lesser spotted for 2013 Lewis fastest lap!!

[Lap 24]: And Seb also pits for hards, he's the first of the frontrunners to do so

oh and in comes Webber too! Not quite a double stack considering their gap on track but still impressive

another Lewis fastest lap

[Lap 25]: Fernando and Andrea are continuing to chat over the radio in Italian, Crofty is twisting himself into knots trying to translate

and another Lewis fastest lap, it's like a 2014 season preview

He's in 10th though, and chasing Bottas down for 9th

[Lap 26]: So currently top 5 is: Alonso*, Rosberg*, Seb, Gutierrez* and Webber. (* = still to stop)

Lewis is up into P9!!

Hmm, Fernando has a 17.9 gap over Seb, which isn't quite big enough for a pit window

[Lap 27]: Meanwhile Rosberg pits, so Seb's now up to 2nd

This race really has been eventful and uneventful at the same time, it's wild

[Lap 28]: And Alonso finally pits while Rocky tells Seb off for going too fast

Seb re-takes the lead

Top 5 after the first/only stops: Seb, Fernando, Webber, Massa and Raikkonen

[Lap 29]: Oh damn Lewis has caught up to the back of Rosberg

aaaand Lewis got past him for P7

[Lap 31]: Raikkonen makes his second stop, he made a very early first stop due to getting damage at the start

Another Lewis fastest lap, and he's battling Hulkenberg for P6, though he may be stopping again too

[Lap 32]: His mediums are 18 laps old, so maybe the logic is to burn through them putting himself as par up the road as possible to minimise the damage from his second stop?

And while I typed that Lewis did a SEXY move through the inside of Curva Grande, he's now in 5th

[Lap 33]: Meanwhile on Seb watch, he's 11 seconds ahead of Fernando

and the McLarens are in 9th and 10th (Jenson, then Perez)

[Lap 34]: 🚨20 laps to go klaxon!🚨

[Lap 36]: Rosberg has caught up to Hulkenberg

...and went off at the first chicane

(I refuse to have Hulkenberg win the Nico war)

[Lap 37]: Merc mechanics out in the pit lane, possibly for Lewis

...or not they've gone back in

and cut to the Merc pit wall

Was it the classic Merc fake pit stop or is Lewis' radio still fucked? We may never know

[Lap 38]: Bono telling Lewis to pit

... and he once again doesn't come in

Meanwhile Grosjean takes Perez for 10th

[Lap 39]: And in comes Lewis for his second stop and another set of mediums, he comes out in 14th

ouch

[Lap 40]: Oh Webber has caught up to the back of Alonso 👀

If they go side by side through a chicane again I might die

They're 12 second behind Seb, who is continuing to do Seb things

[Lap 41]: And cue Webber bad luck, he's having to short shift in the lower gears

[Lap 42]: Another Lewis fastest lap for F1 bingo

cut to some midfield fisticuffs

[Lap 43]: Lewis chasing down Gutierrez for 13th, who fun fact is a test driver for Mercedes now

[Lap 44]: Seb's being told to short shift as well but in different gears (2-3 for Webber, 5-6 for Seb). RBR I know it's been ten years but I am going to slap you.

Meanwhile, Lewis passes Gutierrez for 13th

A DANI PEDROSA SIGHTING?!?!?!?!?!?

I once again had to pause but for the good whiplash 🥰

*blows a kiss to the sky for Dani*

[Lap 45]: LEWIS GOES ROUND THE OUTSIDE OF CURVA GRANDE!!!!

yes it was for 12th but still, SEXY

[Lap 46]: Webber now being told that he *has* to shortshift in order to finish the race 😳

see, that's not good

[Lap 47]: And yet Webber is still able to keep pace with Alonso, DAMN

Lewis v Raikkonen you say? 👀🍿

[Lap 48]: oof they almost go side by side into the first chicane

The battle for 7th graphic showing seven cars within 4.5 seconds of each other... MADNESS

(I love it though)

[Lap 49]: 🚨5 Laps remaining klaxon!!!🚨

Seb's lead down to 9.8 seconds over Alonso

Lewis once again goes round the outside of Curva Grande and takes 11th off Raikkonen

something something hammertime something

(I say that, feeling quite certain that wasn't a thing until 2014/2015)

[Lap 50]: And Lewis gets past Perez like slicing through butter down the start-finish straight to take P10

[Lap 51]: a Rosberg fastest lap????

And Lewis overtakes Jenson for 9th

[Lap 52]: A Seb sighting!!!! He's still leading by about 8 seconds

Raikkonen takes Perez for P11

[Lap 53]: "We've got enough issues, just bring it home" Local man is passive aggressive with little shit colleague

also LAST LAP

Lewis locks up going into the second chicane and has to let Grosjean back through

meanwhile SEB WINS IN MONZA!!!!!!!

(yes, that's how far ahead he was)

I am a teary eyed Adrian Newey and he is me

Rest of the top 10 - P2: Alonso, P3: Webber, P4: Massa, P5: Hulkenberg, P6: Rosberg, P7: Ricciardo, P8: Grosjean, P9: Lewis, P10: Jenson (one solitary point for McLaren's 50th anniversary race 🥲)

ngl, that race was quite odd. Stuff happened but there wasn't that much racing until the last few laps but the race wasn't completely boring either???? So yeah, odd.

Buuut, next race - my most most beloved Singapore!!!

[chasingpegasus]

If Mattia was really Harry Potter he would’ve used magic a long time ago.

[ohsolonelyghosts]

what are your hc's on the adcu boys being roommates? Thank u!

Hey there! I actually really like this one! I've made up some pairings that I think would work / and or be disastrous.

Just want to also stick it in there that my little Henry AU is where he isn't a big deal and is a little milder than he genuinely is in Annette.

Kylo & Sackler

This would literally be the death of any downstairs neighbors.

The yelling, screaming, and stomping that would ensue would be nuts.

They'd watch sports together and yell at the tv

If they both had too much to drink they could both yell at each other, which I'm sure any neighbors would love.

They both need their own alone time and both high five as well as sometimes complain about the noisy sex the other has.

Both have major temper tantrums when they have bad days.

They would throw parties, like, every weekend.

They always had something going on and were always drinking.

Charlie & Maurizio

Let's be real, this could easily be a match made in heaven.

Maurizio is always gone, and Charlie hardly ever sees him in the house.

However, Charlie himself is also never there, so they just happen to both be home very rarely.

They'd be friends though, aside from everything they would always catch up in the rare time they were home.

This is also in an AU where Gucci was not well known yet.

Paterson & Jude

These two are perfect to room together, both very laid back, very quiet boys.

Both are very introverted personalities, they would both pretty much agree on everything very easily.

It's a decently quiet home, with Jude being a single father, Paterson would also volunteer to help out at any time.

If Jude needed to do something, Pat would have no issue on babysitting duty, but the older Jude's son got, the better he could get whatever he wanted out of Pat.

Anyone who was invited over could have gotten the idea that they were co-parenting.

They were good friends though all through it, having awful relationships in the past, they bonded over it.

Henry & Daniel

Now, in my opinion, these two are an odd pairing, but it would work fine.

Daniel is always busy, so that leaves Henry the apartment a lot of the time.

"You could use a bit of work on that comedy."

Which Henry would scoff at because he thinks he's the perfect comedian.

"God, Henry could you please wear something other than just a robe and boxers here sometimes? It's weird."

[mrs-gucci]

Full Service {Maurizio Gucci x Reader}

author’s notes: hellooo! this idea was rolling around in my brain for a while, but it took a bit for me to get it just right. so, here’s the final finished product!

**I used a translation app for all of the Italian in this story, so I apologize for any mistakes or grammatical errors. all Italian will be in italics, with the translations following the dialogue in parenthesis.

**This is MY OWN INTERPRETATION of Maurizio Gucci’s character, as portrayed by Adam Driver in the upcoming film, House Of Gucci.

warnings: smut. maurizio calling reader “tesoro”™️. a tiny bit of fluff at the very end. maid/boss roleplay (lowkey?? except reader’s actually a maid lol). oral. no aftercare. dirty talk and name-calling/degradation, but in italian ;)

(possible) tw’s: indifelity/extramarital affair. implied age gap (reader is over 21, no more than 10 years difference).

word count: 2.7k

“Tesoro” means “Treasure” in Italian (an affectionate nickname).

You’d just begun cleaning the marbled kitchen when Mr. Gucci arrives home. You turn around and offer him a small smile, which he ignores, shrugging the briefcase off his shoulder. 

He immediately walks into his office and shuts the door without a single word or glance, and you probably wouldn’t see him again for the rest of the evening. That’s usually how it went. Patrizia wasn’t home yet, a surprise considering she’s usually home all day when you come to clean. 

You’ve developed quite the crush for Mr. Gucci as of late, although you’d never admit it aloud. He was a bit older than you, not to mention married. But, you couldn’t help it, he was unbelievably handsome, successful, and quick-witted when he wanted to be. Usually after a drink or two.

But, he was a man very dedicated to his work, which often left him with a stern demeanor and a harsh tone of voice. He barely paid you mind, especially not when work was waiting for him in his office. 

You continued to clean for another hour or so; it was a mansion, after all, and the kitchen was at least three times the size of your bedroom. Plus, the extensive marble surfaces and stainless steel appliances require your full service. You were so immersed in your work that you didn’t even notice Mr. Gucci’s presence behind you. 

Only when you turned around did you realize not only him, but the close proximity between your bodies. You gasp, backing up against the cabinetry. 

“Oh! Signore Gucci, mi scuso. Non sapevo che ci fossi.”  (Oh! Mr. Gucci, my apologies. I didn’t know you were there.)

His eyes look you up and down for a brief moment before returning to meet yours, a soft smile pulling at his lips. 

“Va bene, piccoletto. Non volevo farti da parte.” (It’s alright, little one. I didn’t mean to startle you.)

He sighs, looking away.

“Volevo informarvi che Patrizia non tornera stasera.  Ha deciso di restare la notte in una casa di amici.”  (I wanted to inform you that Patrizia won’t be coming back this evening. She’s decided to stay the night at a friends house.)

You could sense that there was something else going on, but you didn’t prod further, deciding that it was none of your business. You nod up at him, a bit confused as to why he’s telling you this. And why he has to be standing so damn close to tell you.

“Grazie per avermi informato, signore. Ho quasi finito di pulire la giornata, quindi saro via tra un’ora circa.”  (Thank you for letting me know, sir. I am almost done cleaning for the day, so I’ll be gone in an hour or so.)

Maurizio reaches his hand up to hold the side of your face, thumb swiping across your bottom lip. You freeze, tensing beneath his touch.

“Da quando hai iniziato a lavorare qui, ho trovato sempre piu difficile concentrarsi sul mio lavoro. Sai perche, piccoletto?” (You know, ever since you began working here, I’ve found it more and more difficult to focus on my work. Do you know why that is, little one?)

“No, signore, non lo so.” (No, sir, I don’t know.)

He runs a single finger down from my lips, tracing a straight line over my throat before it toys with the collar of my uniform.

“La tua uniforme...mi sta distrando.” (Your uniform is...distracting for me.)

The breath hitches in your throat as his fingers rub the material of the smoothed-down collar. His gaze flicks down to where his thumb and forefinger are.

“Quando ti vedo,” (Whenever I see you,)

He begins, leaning in a little closer.

“Trovo che i miei pantaloni cominciino a sentirsi stretti, il che e strano perche ho sistemato tutto il mio costume.”  (I find that my pants begin to feel tight, which is strange because I have all of my suits custom fitted.)

You nearly choke on your breath as his hand travels down the curves of your body, traversing the scoop of your hip before resting just above the hem of your uniform dress.

“E strano, sig. Gucci.” (That is odd, Mr. Gucci.)

His hand begins massaging the side of your thigh gently, and he leans down just a bit further, mouth now right in front of your ear. His hot breath sends a chill down your spine.

“Sta succedendo adesso, in effetti. Pensi di potermi aiutare con questo problema, Y/N?” (It’s happening right now, in fact. Do you think you could help me with this problem, Y/N?)

He presses you up against the cabinets, bodies flush together. A small groan escapes his lips when his obvious erection slides on your lower stomach.

You’ve never been as perplexed and aroused as you are in this moment. The burn between your thighs is nearly unbearable, and as much as you hate to admit it, you wanted this.

“Sono al suo servizio, signore.” (I am at your service, sir.)

Maurizio smirks, hooking a finger under the hem and pulling the stretchable fabric of your uniform dress out, then releasing it, allowing it to snap back into place on your outer thigh.

“In ginocchio, piccoletto.” (On your knees then, little one.)

Without hesitation, you slide down onto your knees, mouth watering as you look up at him, awaiting his next command. He cups your cheek, gently swiping his thumb across your cheekbone. 

“Bellissima e obbediente, capisco. Bene, bene.” (Beautiful and obedient, I see. Good, good.)

You bite your lip as he pats your cheek, then runs a hand over the bulge in his pants, sighing softly at the contact. His fingers curl up underneath, cupping and squeezing his balls while his thumb presses down on the head, rubbing it. He groans, letting out a shaky breath afterwards. 

“Vedi cosa mi fai fare, Y/N? Devo scendere e massaggiarmi cosi, togliendo tempo di lavoro prezioso.”  (Do you see what you make me do, Y/N? I have to reach down and rub myself like this, taking away precious work time.)

You’re soaked already, clit throbbing, begging for attention. You whine softly, chewing your lip as you resist the urge to lunge forward and run your face over his clothed length.

He smirks.

“Questo ti eccita, piccolo? Ti piace immaginarmi di toccarmi cosi nel mio ufficio?” (Does that thought excite you, little one? Do you like imagining me touching myself like this in my office?)

Your eager nod only spurs him on, hips pushing forward into his palm. He quickly takes his hand away, taking a small step closer so that the bulge is mere centimeters from your lips. Your jaw slacks and your breath becomes hot and heavy, mouth eager to worship him. 

His large hand gently wraps around the back of your head, pushing your head forward, encouraging you to touch him. You don’t require any further invitation, mouthing at his length while your nose drags against it. 

He widens his stance, spreading his legs apart as his hips start to grind against your mouth. 

“Oh, e cosi entusiasta. Mi piace, merda.” (Oh, she’s so eager. I love it, shit.)

The back of your head begins to hurt as it’s pressed further and further against the cabinet handles, but you don’t care, reaching around to grab his ass to pull him further into you. Even he seems surprised by this, asscheeks clenching as he suddenly thrusts forward with a low grunt. 

Maurizio wraps his hands in your hair, keeping you still as he pulls back, chest heaving slightly. His pupils are blown wide and he grabs your chin, thumb pressing down into the flesh. 

“Apri bene.” (Open wide.)

He says, grinning down at you as he begins pulling his belt buckle loose. 

Soon, he undoes his pants and pulls himself out from beneath the restrictive material, humming in satisfaction as his length bobs in front of you. His hands rest on either side of your head as he guides his weeping head towards your mouth. You open for him, and he leans forward, pushing into your mouth.

You immediately begin choking and gagging, but he just keeps going, pushing inch after inch inside. His abdomen tenses and his back curls when he’s shoved all of himself in your mouth, letting out a shaky exhale. 

“Cosi, oh bella ragazza, e cosi bella la bocca.” (That’s it, oh good girl, such a good mouth.)

You’re forced to remain still as your throat constricts, head pinned against the cabinets with his hands on either side. Once you adjust to the new intrusion, Maurizio pulls back before thrusting forward again, growling under his breath. 

“Cazzo, e una cosa buona per me.” (Fuck, that’s good, so good for me.)

All you can do is moan as your boss begins fucking your mouth, eyelids brimming with tears at the constant touch of his tip on your uvula. He bends over, supporting himself on the counter with an arm while his hand tightens in your hair, thrusts getting faster.

“Guarda questa bocca che mi allunga per il cazzo. Che brava ragazza, prendendo il cazzo dei capi come se fosse troia.”  (Look at this little mouth stretching out for my cock. What a good girl, taking her bosses cock like the slut she is.)

You moan loudly, hand swiftly snaking down between your legs, fingertips pressing on the throbbing nub to provide relief. When he sees you do this, it only seems to encourage him further, one foot scooting forward so that he’s now almost completely bent over you. 

His hips are becoming desperate, now, losing their rhythm as his inevitable release builds. 

“Ah, sapevo che avresti avuto una bella bocca, Y/N. Ho sempre saputo che saresti ansioso di prendere il mio uccello, disposto a lasciarti usare cosi.” (Ah, I knew you’d have a good little mouth, Y/N. I always knew you’d be eager to take my cock, willing to let me use you like this.)

You’re sobbing around him now, tears streaming down your cheeks at the sheer intensity of the arousal you’re experiencing. He looked so good like this: hair a mess, glasses fogged, panting and grunting with each thrust, all while he slams his cock into your mouth without relent.

Suddenly, he pulls out and stumbles back, hands gripping the edge of the countertop as he catches his breath. He stares down at you with a look of pure hunger, of carnal lust, and it makes you shudder. 

“Alzati e piegati al bancone. Subito.” (Stand up and bend yourself over the counter. Now.)

He strokes himself rapidly as you stand up on shaky legs and bend over, spreading your legs. He’s quick to come up behind you, grabbing your hips to pull you back a bit so that your hips were off the edge. 

You gasp when he yanks the skirt up over your hips, revealing your creamy globes and the red lace thong nestled between them. He growls, making quick work of your panties, shoving them down off your hips before running his fingers along your folds delicately, just barely brushing them. 

Maurizio smirks when your hips try to grind down on him, seeking the friction you so desperately needed. He smacks your ass promptly, causing a choked cry to leave your throat. 

“Stai fermo, Y/N.” (Stay still, Y/N.)

Two of his digits suddenly breach your soaked entrance, pushing up into you. You gasp softly, hips jerking slightly as he begins fucking his thick fingers up into you. His hand spreads across your lower back, keeping you still as he curls his digits up to rub and tease that spongy spot on your walls. 

“C-Cazzo, sig. Gucci, ti prego. Scopami, la voglio cosi male.”  (F-Fuck, Mr. Gucci, please. Please fuck me, I want it so badly.)

He grins, giving your g-spot a few more rubs before pulling his fingers out, smearing the slick over your lips.

“Succhiali, piccoletto. Assaggiati sulle dita.” (Suck them, little one. Taste yourself on my fingers.)

You open your mouth and moan around his digits as you suck them clean, tongue swirling around them before he takes them out. His tip pokes at your entrance and he runs himself over your folds to collect some lubricant before positioning himself behind you. 

“Pronta?” (Ready?)

You don’t even have time to respond before he shoves his hips forward, sheathing himself fully inside you. Your eyes almost bug out of your skull before squeezing shut, a loud gasp coming from your lips. He isn’t necessarily hung, but he’s certainly the biggest and thickest you’ve ever taken. 

His fingers dig into your hips as he remains still, allowing you to adjust to his size. After a moment, he draws back before thrusting forward again, building a steady rhythm with his hips. Small noises come from his lips as he fucks you into the countertop. 

“Si, cazzo. Cosi stretto e piccolo, sapevi di sentirti bene circondato dal mio uccello.” (Yes, fuck yes. So tight and little, knew you’d feel good wrapped around my cock.)

Your insides clench at his whispered words.

“Quante volte ci ha pensato, signore?” (How many times have you thought of this, sir?)

“Troppi per contare.” (Too many to count.)

He growls, hips suddenly bucking forward out-of-rhythm.

“Ogni volta che mi sono toccata, ho pensato a te, a questa stronzetta. Mi chiedevo se fossi stretto e ho pensato che sarebbe bello dividerla a meta con il mio cazzo.” (Every time I touched myself, I thought of you, of this little cunt. I wondered if you’d be tight, and I thought of how good it’d feel to split you in half with my cock.)

Maurizio puts his hand under your thigh and puts it up on the counter, bending down so his chin rests on your shoulder.

“Te lo sei immaginato anche questo, piccolo? Hai pensato a me quando ti sei toccata?” (Did you imagine this too, little one? Did you think about me when you touched yourself?)

You nod.

“Si, signore. Ti pensavo cosi, immaginavo che fossero le tue dita dentro di mi invece che le mie.” (I did, sir. I thought of you like this, imagined it was your fingers inside me instead of my own.)

“Ragazza sporca.” (Dirty girl.)

He snarls, pounding into you harder, hips spurred on by your words.

You’re close, now, walls beginning to pulse around him. He feels this, one hand wrapping around your throat while the other trails down around your front, fingers seeking your clit. 

His hand tightens around your neck, fingers gripping your jaw.

“Lo sento, tu sei vicino, piccolo. Forze, sborra intorno al mio uccello. Copri il tuo capo nella sporca fiaca e mostragli che porchetta sei.” (I can feel it, you’re close, little one. Come on, cum around my cock. Cover your boss in your filthy slick, show him what a little slut you are.)

With only a few circles over your erect clit, coupled with his cock stroking your walls rapidly and the dirty manner in which he was speaking to you, your release comes within seconds. You moan hoarsely, lungs depleted of some oxygen as his hand tightens around your throat. 

“Cazzo, arrivo!” (Fuck, I’m cumming!)

He ruts desperately into you, chasing his climax as he fucks you through yours. At the last minute, he pulls out, furiously jerking his cock before thick hot ropes of cum shoot from his tip, painting your bare ass. He grunts and groans through the whole thing, stroking himself through it before squeezing the head, letting the final drop land on your skin.

Both of you take a moment to catch your breaths and re-center yourselves in reality. Maurizio tucks himself back into his pants before walking over to grab a paper towel, wetting it slightly. He wipes all the drying seed off of your skin for you, bending down to pull your panties back up and your dress back down. 

Your legs are shaky as you stand back up, smoothing out the front of your uniform. Much to your surprise, Mr. Gucci didn’t leave right away, instead turning you around and bending down for a kiss. 

The kiss was gentle and tender, a stark contrast to everything that's happened up until this point. His large hand cupped your cheek and his thumb ran along your cheekbone before he pulled away, offering you a small smile.

“Grazie, piccolo.” (Thank you, little one.)

You return the smile.

“Certo, signore.” (Of course, sir.)

Turns out, the marble and stainless steel weren’t the only things that required your full service today.

[mermaidsirennikita]

I am so over all the hyperbolic language about Pam and Tommy and the people who watch it. Shows and movies about real life people have been made for years and they will continue to be made. And projects made without approval or consent have also always been made. Lifetime literally makes a fuckton of them!? If you're so upset about this, where the hell have you been all this time and where is this energy for all the other stuff??? It all feels like such performative activism.

It feels that way because it is lmao. Like I gotta say, as horrible as the abuse Tommy inflicted on Pam is and as awful as the tape scandal was... People have been complaining about arguably more intense periods of their lives being portrayed recently, and literally nobody gave a fuck. The Guccis had the murder of a family member played for soapy melodrama--and I gotta say, as much as I did enjoy that movie, I can't deny that it was promoted a bit as "woman does feminist act of murdering her husband" and like... Yeah bro!!! If I was related to Maurizio, that would've pissed me off.

And just a few years ago, The Assassination of Gianni Versace distorted several things about an extremely intense spree killing in which multiple men were killed. One man was portrayed as closeted when we honestly have no evidence to definitively say he was, and his wife has always insisted that he wasn't. He was, again, brutally murdered so he can't speak for himself.

There was no "boycott House of Gucci" or "boycott The Assassination of Gianni Versace". Some people did take issue with it, and it was discussed, as it always is when people complain about the existence of biopics about them. And the subjects always have that right and I totally get why they don't want these things out there--but they're always going to be made.

I guess what fascinates me about all of this is the white knighting for Pam as opposed to literally anyone else who has gone through the same thing. And I do think that it's because she is a certain type of a woman that Twitter and Tumblr users attach themselves to. I've seen several people defending her to the death say that like "I don't know much about Pam, but she seems lovely". Like? Lol? Is that why she deserves the defense? If y'all were more aware of the shitty things Pam has said and done, would her rights suddenly matter less, the way the rights of the Gucci family or Donatella Versace apparently do?

I'll be real here, whoever Pam is (and none of us know her) she deserved none of what happened to her. But we've got a lot of people out here acting like she is their proto-feminist perfect victim, and... I know enough about Pamela Anderson to know that she's not that. She shouldn't have to be that to have valid complaints. I'm literally waiting for this trend to go the way it always does. Suddenly people are going to say "you guys, I just found out that Pam is friends with election meddler and possible sexual predator Julian Assange :( #PamisCancelledParty". Suddenly, her complaints won't matter anymore because she's problematic, just like Donatella was problematic, the Guccis are problematic, the Windsors are problematic.

Finally lol..... All of this is being done when Pam has not said a single definitive thing. She's leaked sources~ and Courtney Love (Courtney.... Love...) has spoken out on her behalf~. Just like. The way this has been blown up is borderline hysterical. I'm now seeing people say that this is a pattern for Gillespie because he also made I, Tonya and Tonya Harding "hated" it--lol, she thanked Margot Robbie for the portrayal in an interview and attended the movie premiere and promoted it, but sure!

At least like... Know a little bit about what you're talking about, you know?

[cultstreetart]

Cursed aesthetics

Italian living leading artist Maurizio Cattelan

I have had an Instagram account since its rise, when the images had to be taken directly from the phone camera. What a limit would that be to our creativity and to the application itself.

I have been using Tumblr for no less than 10 years, as this blog testifies. Reposting (sharing) is the daily bread for millions of people today.

I have been dealing with images, as an artist, for decades. Over the years I have created various surreal situations and visual nonsense summarized in single and definitive shots, as the fashion of our times wants. So, I am not new to what I’m about to describe.

Both Instagram and Tumblr have seen the rise of a type of images that are as curious as they are annoying; so upsetting (or "cursed", as they have been defined) that we want to see more of it, in a loop.

Food and fashion above all: the subjects within this genere are very repetitive.

The definition "cursed image" was born in 2015 from a Tumblr blog that bore this name. Since then we have seen the “curatorial” flourishing of the phenomenon also on other platforms. The cursed images are those found at the bottom of the Internet barrel, in the most disparate searches, often grainy and scanned leftovers from the 1990s, at the dawn of the Internet. Funny and disgusting images, taken with or without awareness; jokes, memes, stolen family photos or college parties gone wrong.

"From the trash bin of the Net"

Valentina Tanni (art historian, curator and lecturer) deals with the “meme” phenomenon at an academic level. In her book Memestetica, highlights the pioneering role of the artist, revealing - so to speak - that numerous challenges or flash mobs, as well as other grotesque images online today, have actually been anticipated by a few decades by the conceptual Situationism movement. Actions and gestures that could not be understood by the mass back then and which today are much more comprehensible. The bad taste in art (the "tacky") and the reason why it is loved to the point of being appreciated and collected has been widely investigated during the last century.

Image taken from Valentina Tanni's website: not a conscious artwork, but the result of a motorist refusing to pay the fine. Images like this can go viral and even inspire Instagram content-creators

Today, in the general basket of the so-called cursed images, among the casual and low quality creations, there are plenty of high-creative contents, made by professional with awareness of the phenomenon. This shouldn’t surprise: Internet inspires artists as much as the leading artists inspire the Internet users. Those professionals “cursed creators” are well-trained, talented studio photographers and photo editors. Their production level is comparable to that of the glossy fashion and beauty magazines, with similar subjects too: fashion, food and beauty. Lots of spaghetti, pizza, sausages, lots of beans, lots of dentures, stilettos and women's accessories. This field is becoming the hobbyist territory for graphic designers and art directors. Cursed image creators look to fashion no less than the fashion industry looks to cursed images, to add contemporaneity and provocation to their advertising and collections.

Spaghetti galore

I watched this trend grow and realised that even in his collateral work as an imaginary creator, Maurizio Cattelan was right; he wasn't just a fool, an art prankster, miming and sneaking from the Net. Catttelan (certainly not alone) was launching the era of provocative nonsense: pulp, post-situationist, neo-dadaist. In other words, he was anticipating the many creators racing into this expressive niche right now. And we know that he, the most famous Italian contemporary artist, does not develop something from nothing, but from the existing.

"If some creative becomes viral, doesn't mean that it is art; means that became viral"

In order to dig into this subject by the words of an insider, I decided to hear Francesco Palermo (aka Das Palermo), a “Cursed images” lover, as well as a creator of themed images who would do better to explain to us firsthand.

Vlady: Hi Francesco. I know you as a collector of bizarre images on Instagram (@Defecationism) and as an "independent" creator of similar images. Why "defecationism" in the first place? Is it the fear of properly defining your work? Do you agree with the "cursed images" label for what you do and what you virtually collect?

An example on how can a fashion brand be influenced by an Instagram content creator, such as Gab Bois, a Canadian "cursed image artist"

Das Palermo: Hi Vlady. Yes, I have a dual role as both creator and collector of cursed images. I started collecting them many years ago, mainly to get inspiration and to try not to conceive an idea that maybe someone else had had. Over time I realised that I had no more space on my mobile phone, but I didn't want to delete them because it is a nice collection, so I decided to make them public with the Instagram page @defecationism. A friend of mine coined the term. “Cursed images” was too generic and not very "artistic" so we gave it a name as if it was an artistic movement. There is also a Manifesto. I like to think that it is an avant-garde, even if perhaps the avant-gardes belong to the past by now.

Thanks to DEFECATIONISM I can say that my art has a meaning, it belongs to something artistic, even if I had to create the meaning myself.

Vlady: So, you are inspired by the imagery of “cursed images”, those photos - disturbing as well as captivating - that became viral on the net. Do you agree on what was said?

Funny, but "artist" unknown, of course

Das Palermo: I did art studies and I was not good compared to the others. Art schools are good for painters and sculptors and nothing more. I had something inside, I spent many years trying to understand what it was until thanks to Instagram I saw that the cursed images had a following, they made me understand that "it can be done". You can unhinge artistic beliefs if you have a minimum of creativity. My life has changed, I am happy with what I do and I do not care about the judgment of others, whether it is positive or negative. I just want to create. There are artists who will never find their true path.

Vlady: Do you think cursed images have a wide influence on artists from various fields?

Das Palermo: Many take inspiration from cursed images but try to give it a higher sense, and that's what I try to do, even if I don't like professionalism in shooting. We are all cursed image artists.

Pizza, such an original topic within the genre

Fortunately I am a person persecuted by this kind of photos, I constantly have ideas and I have to write them because otherwise I forget them....

Vlady: Are we all cursed image artists? Would you explain this better?

Das Palermo: We all are, cursed images are everywhere but we don't notice it. I will never forget my first photo. I had been thinking about it for months but I didn't have the courage because we are linked to preconceptions that society forces us to follow. When I published it, two people commented on it. 1) Are you stupid? 2) Do you also do smart things during the day? I had crossed the threshold, I was delighted. The photo went viral in Italy. I no longer reflect on art, on what it is, on what it represents for me or for others, in fact I never say that I am an artist, it embarrasses me a lot and maybe I am not. People enjoy what I do and that's enough for me.

Vlady: If art today is expression and communication, what exactly do you intend to communicate?

Tagging his own pictures - you never know, it could get viral

Das Palermo: I don't know what I want to communicate; I don't think I have a message to give. I only follow what my brain suggests to me but I would just like to make those who look at my photos smile. No explanations, no bad messages or something to make you think. A photo, an idea, something silly. I'm tired of seeing the melancholy, the “introspectivism”; artists giving themselves a tone. I would like to destroy the figure of the artist and eliminate the distance between the creator and the observer.

Vlady: Any artist on this field that you would like to mention for his/her good job?

Das Palermo: An artist who inspired me a lot is Gab Bois. I respect her because she was one of the first to propose this genre. I think that now, like many others, she has jumped out from her artistic comfort zone. I hope it never happens to me; I’ll always want to cross the line and I'm ready to make mistakes. I can do this since I'm not famous.

In this instagrammable form of art, little to no importance has the "truth". Photoshop is king, just like in advertisement (Artwork by Gab Bois)

The interview should have stopped here and I was supposed to get the "best" images of Das Palermo directly from him. But, everything went wrong. After the interview I continued chatting with Palermo, and I discovered a very insecure person who confused my advices and tips (required by him and totally part of the conversation) for judgments. I tried to cheer him up in every way, talking about myself, about my failures and how difficult or vying the first steps were. He didn't help. Palermo has cut off all relations, stopped responding to messages, did not answer the phone, blocked me on social media. My experience is that artists who refuse to talk about art do not do so out of discretion or communication policy; they do it to reduce the number of bullshit. They do it out of fear, because they don't master the subject. This is the case of Palermo; a fellow who refuses to call himself an artist (and does well) but who would like to become one and here is all the hypocrisy. One who masquerades as an anti-system, questioning art and the art world, not even was Duchamp. A person who boasts of artistic studies but who hasn't done any. One who knows nothing about art and who offers modest explanations or - even worse - feigned modest, inflating his own size. One who, if things go wrong, is the fault of others, of the gallery owners who do not understand, of Cattelan who does not open the door.

Cattelan has produced several "Instagram friendly" pieces of art, decades before this social media ruled

Das Palermo is an Instagram victim. I would have liked to help him; I care about the subject and of people overestimating its importance, to the extend of getting sick because of it. And what if Instagram goes down?

I would have liked to know even more, right because not everything that is creative is art. Advertising is an example. Likewise, it's not because something creative goes viral, means that is art. Oh no. That equals to popular, nice, funny... in a word: viral. End of the story.

My aim was to understand if there is an artist behind these "highly viral" Instagram content. The answer is rather negative. However, I do not judge the production, but the thickness of the grey matter behind. For me this is not an art approach. For me neither is Gab Bois, an artist... despite her 600k followers. Quantity is not quality. Not art quality, at least. The best artists I know aren't even on Instagram. Some even don't even have a website. Their presence on the net is not in the first person, yet their name is on top of everything.

Balenciaga digs deep into this internet niche

To his defence, Palermo defines this genre as shit, literally (defecazione). Hypocrisy and feigned modesty, again. If you define something as shit, why do you expect others not to rate it as such. it's like walking around screaming that you are an idiot, until someone comforts you by telling you that you are anything but. That's a bit pathetic.

In conclusion, "against single thinking" is the most conspiracy theory friendly slogan ever seen on Instagram. Don't worry Mr Palermo, you are right. We are single minded people, thinking like artists, while you of Defecationism are not, you are over and beyond, from the top of your studies and awards.

[tropicalchiaa]

HEY!!!!

Hi! I haven’t formally introduced myself but my name is Chiamaka but I go by Chia for short. (Yes Chia like the seed or the Chia Pet)

I am 20 years old, in my sophomore year of college. I enjoy reading in the sun, playing tennis, thrifting, and most of all napping.

I also love memes and sometimes they can be out of pocket so let me know if you are uncomfortable... Also Nene Leaks is my comfort reality star so I also use alot of her reactions lol.

I have read fics since early middle school and have always wanted to write them but was unmotivated/scared . I feel as if there are so little black writers so I decided instead of being upset I should help the problem. 

Last year I actually started writing but kept them private. But one night I decided to post and it got some attention lol. So here I am!

I love so many fandoms it is hard to keep track but for now I am just sticking with the ADCU. I say that now but who knows next week I could be writing about some NCIS guy.

YOU CAN BE ANY RACE AND READ MY FICS!!! I just try and add some black quips in every now and then to make it more resonate with poc people.

I am constantly trying to see what works best so bare with me.

If you have requests of anything, I can try my best to fulfill them!

Umm idk what else to say but welcome aboard to this ride, hope you enjoy it.

💗💗💗💗

MASTERLIST

Him - Maurizio Gucci X Reader

You are a popular luxury designer that is dealing with the advancements of a certain Gucci heir

(Ongoing)

Pt 1 Pt 2 Pt 3 Pt 4 Pt 5 Pt 6

Ben Solo Au X Black Reader

Lululemon Ben - You finally act on your crush

Doggy Date Gone Wrong -Do not leave expensive things with tired dogs

Flip Zimmerman X Black Reader

Love in the Air -   You recount the first meeting with Flip

Flip’s Easter Surprise - You surprise Flip with a Easter Egg Hunt

[feralnumberfive]

TUA Season 3 Wishlist

Hello everyone! Since Season 3 was announced to start filming in February of 2021, I thought that it would be fun to make a wishlist of songs that anyone would like to see in the new season. I'm quite passionate about music and often think of songs that I personally believe would fit the show well. I know a lot of others do this too and thought that it would be fun to share our beloved songs with the fandom!

Guidelines/Information

You may submit as many songs as you want!

You may submit them to my ask box or send me a message (I don’t bite!)

You may request not to have your username by your song(s) but if not I your username will be attached to your song(s).  | Ex. “Help!” by The Beatles @feralnumberfive   OR   “Help!” by The Beatles “Anonymous” 

The songs don’t have to be by the original artist. If you’re submitting a special version or cover of the song, please specify that

Feel free to attach scenarios for your song(s)! They can be as brief or as detailed as you want them to be, but please try to keep it to one paragraph or less for your explanation | Ex. “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance ((Scenario: Five killing tons of enemies. He’s gone mad with anger and glee. The horror of those being slaughtered, seemingly by a teenager)) |

Some lyrics really hit hard, y’know? Similar to the scenario guideline, feel free to submit a song and lyrics from that song that you think would match a character/specific scenario | Ex. “Evil Woman” by Electric Light Orchestra (I think the lyrics, Evil woman how you done me wrong, but now you’re tryin’ to wail a different song, would match Diego’s mixed feelings on Lila if she returns in S3)

It’s not required that you have a scenario/lyrics with your submitted song(s), so no pressure! Some songs just give off good vibes that fit with the atmosphere of the show. You can even submit songs and simply say (This gives off “Character name” vibes)

You can even just name a band! Some bands have tons of bangers that just match the vibes of TUA or of a TUA character

The scenarios don’t have to be serious, they can be odd or fun!

If a song is requested more than once, I will add the amount of times it was requested in parenthesis next to it 

If you see a song on the list that you really like, you can send (+1 for “insert song title here”) and I will add a tally to it

If you see a song on here that does or does not have scenario/lyric(s) and you think “Oh yeah I can imagine a scenario/lyric(s) for this!” go ahead and speak up! If requested, I will add your username to the scenario you created. If you’re not comfortable with having your username next to your scenario, I will simply put you as “Anonymous.” Same thing with the username and “Anonymous” if you want to tack on that a song gives “Character name” vibes | Ex. Song by Artist “username of person who submitted it” (Scenario: blah blah blah) || (Scenario: blah blah blah) by “username” || (Scenario: blah blah blah) by “Anonymous” || (Lyrics: blah blah blah) by “Anonymous” || (This song gives of “Character name” vibes) by “username” |

This will be open until the Season 3 Soundtrack is released (It will be fun to see if any of the songs in this wishlist are actually on the official S3 soundtrack!) 

The guidelines will be updated as the wishlist progresses. Most of the time I won’t reply to the song requests sent through my ask box, but I certainly will add your requested song(s) to the list. If you see that I haven’t added your song(s) after updating the wishlist, please reach out to me. Don’t be afraid to ask me any questions! 

Here’s the Playlist created from the Wishlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6QRajb4Nap3hjjs2KcWQYc

Wishlist

Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie! by ABBA @feralnumberfive ((Scenario: Five rescuing his siblings))

Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles @feralnumberfive ((This song gives off Vanya vibes)) 

Rich Kids by New Medicine @feralnumberfive ((Scenario: The Hargreeves arrive in 2019 to find that they have been replaced. The Sparrow Academy quickly springs into action and attacks The Umbrella Academy)) 

Lonely by Palaye Royale @feralnumberfive ((Lyrics: | So sick and tired of being alone, so long, farewell, I’m on my own | I feel like these lyrics represent Klaus feeling alone due to his siblings ignoring him and him being a living person haunted by ghosts)) by @feralnumberfive 

Toxic by Britney Spears “Anonymous” ((Scenario: When they are all talking about Reggie))

girls by girl in red “Anonymous” ((Scenario: When Vanya is talking/thinking about Sissy))

WAP by Cardi B “Anonymous” 

Manic Monday by The Bangles “Anonymous” ((Because 4/1/2019 and 11/25/1963 were both Mondays, so the s3 apocalypse should be too))

Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington Jr. @feralnumberfive

Teenagers by My Chemical Romance @feralnumberfive | but really everyone in the UA fandom wants this | ((Scenario: Any fight scene with Five going ham))

Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears @feralnumberfive ((Scenario: Something sad))

Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees @feralnumberfive ((Scenario: The siblings get into deepshit™ and have to fight their way out of it))

Dear Wormwood by The Oh Hellos @feralnumberfive ((Scenario: Evil/Sparrow Five returns back to his family or Five struggles with his killer urges and impulses from his killer DNA))

Bit by Bit by Mother Mother @feralnumberfive

Lay Me Down by The Oh Hellos “Anonymous” ((Lyrics perfectly fit Five: “Fire and brimstone fell upon my ears, as their throats of open graves recited fear, like the bullets of a gun they drove my tears, and my feet to run the hell out of here”//“I was born a restless wayward child”//“I owe it to my brothers to carry them home”))

Vampire Money by My Chemical Romance "Anonymous" ((Gives off Klaus vibes))

Arms Tonite by Mother Mother @burnyouwithacigarettelighter ((Lyrics: | I died in your arms tonight, I slipped through into the afterlife, | Would totally fit anything to do with Ben’s death))

Oh Ana by Mother Mother @burnyouwithacigarettelighter ((Scenario: Any scene with Five just generally being a badass and/or the rest of the siblings!!))

Black Sheep by Metric  “Anonymous” ((Lyrics | Our common goal was waiting for the world to end, now that the truth is just a rule that you can bend you crack the whip, shapeshift and trick, the past again, | Which is SO five and anything about the commission or the apocalypse OR | I’ll send you my love on the wire, lift you up every time, everyone pulls away, from you,” | For luther/the siblings perspective on him.))

Everybody’s Gotta Live by Love @feralnumberfive​ ((Gives off Five vibes and also a bit of the siblings in general))

I’m Gonna Win by Rob Cantor @feralnumberfive ((All of the lyrics match Five so well))

Running In The 90's by Max Coveri/Maurizio De Jorio @latinofireball ((Scenario: For an Umbrella and/or Sparrow family dance))

The Sharpest Lives by My Chemical Romance @fandoms-or-life ((Scenario: Group fight))

Hayloft by Mother Mother @bi-ginny-weasley ((Gives off Five vibes and would be great in a fight sequence)) 

bad idea! by girl in red @pr-ingles 

Silver Lake Queen by Diplomacy @purplegrapefruit ((Scenario: Any woman-being-badass moment, bonus if it's all the girls and Klaus))

Blackbird by The Beatles (accidentally replied without getting your name, sorry about that feel free to reach out to me again :[ ) ((Scenario: I am really intrigued by the Sparrow in the comics who could turn into a flock of crows. I think Blackbird could be a good song for her. Especially since its about the yearning to be free which I think will come to pass with at least some of the Sparrow Academy members. It could be played in a moment when she is considering how trapped she and her team/siblings are under Reginald))

Cold Cold Cold by Cage The Elephant “Anonymous” ((Scenario: Maybe for a fight scene or the end of an episode when everything has gone tits up))

Daddy Issues by The Neighbourhood @b99detectivealpaca ((Scenario: Anything related to Reginald)) 

Footloose by Kenny Loggins “Anonymous” ((Scenario: Dance scene that will inevitably happen))

Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne “Anonymous” ((Scenario: Also for the dance scene that will inevitably happen))

Rät by Penelope Scott @sukker-sugar ((Scenario: Sth related to reggie, and specifically with the lyrics | Experiments and sacrilege in the name of public good | They taught me everything just like a daddy should |))

Time Warp (Cover from CAOS Soundtrack) by Ross Lynch, Jaz Sinclair, Lachlan Watson, and Jonathan Whitesell @theladyfae ((Scenario: A random scene in a club where everyone's dancing to it but then it cuts to the siblings fighting against multiple enemies))

Waiting For The World To End by Mother Mother @feralnumberfive ((Gives off Five vibes and the lyrics match him so well))

1983 by Neon Trees "Anonymous" ((Just gives off Season 3 vibes))

Skyfall by Adele @fudgemutt ((Scenario: For when the whole Umbrella family comes together and works as one, and specifically the lyrics | Let the sky fall, When it crumbles, We will stand tall, Face it all together, At Skyfall | ))

Dirty by Grandson @fudgemutt ((Scenario: An epic Five fight scene, and specifically the lyrics | Do you have enough love in your heart, to go and get your hands dirty? | ))

The Day Before You Came by ABBA "Anonymous"

Tiger by Abba @notmireelname

Tropical Loveland by ABBA @notmireelname

Twisted by Missio @feralnumberfive ((Scenario: Give loses his goddamn mind))

Heart Of Glass (Cover by Miley Cyrus) originally by Blondie @feralnumberfive ((Scenario: Five losing his mind and thinking about his family or something to do with Klaus cause it gives off Klaus vibes)) 

Without Me by Alec Chambers “Anonymous” ((Scenario: Five finally snaps at his family after they continuously blame him for their problems))

Something’s Gotta Give by All Time Low @enjoltairesimp ((Scenario: A badass fight scene, preferably one that includes Diego))

Any songs created by Mother Mother (not a song, just a statement) @enjoltairesimp because it would be amazing 

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles @enjoltairesimp ((Scenario: A reunion scene with Klaus and Dave)) 

Music Of The Night by Andrew Lloyd Webber (either version from the Musical or Movie) @feralnumberfive ((Scenario: Five either turning to the dark side or being convinced to do something "bad"))

A Good Song Never Dies by Saint Motel @life-needs-abit-of-madness ((Vibe of the song is so good)) 

Hotel California by Eagles Everyone in the UA fandom ((What else do we need to say? S3 will match Vol. 3 Hotel Oblivion of the comics. It's an absolute killer bop that needs to be in S3))

Cold Cold Man by Saint Motel @life-needs-abit-of-madness

La Jolla by Wilbur Soot @sukker-sugar ((Scenario: Either someone dies (but like klaus in s1, they get resurrected) and we see this in the background while they talk to god, or we see the siblings lounging around and talking about what they'd do after the shenanigans™ are over with that in the background ))

When I'm Sixty Four by The Beatles @feralnumberfive ((Something with Five))

Just A Girl by No Doubt @feralnumberfive ((A badass scene of any girl character fighting//bonus if it's Allison or Vanya since they're the only two girls in the Umbrellas))

You're The Devil In Disguise by Elvis Presley @life-needs-abit-of-madness ((Scenario: A fight scene))

You Don't Own Me by SAYGRACE @give-the-boy-a-hug ((Scenario: Someone's walking away after a fight))

Ballroom Blitz by Sweet @feralnumberfive ((This would be soooo good for a fight scene with dancing or a fight scene in general))

Hand Me My Shovel, I'm Going In! By Will Wood and the Tapeworms @feralnumberfive ((Would be awesome for a fight scene))

My Generation by The Who @feralnumberfive ((Another fun song for a fight scene))

Hopelessly Devoted To You by Olivia Newton-John @feralnumberfive ((Either the siblings' or just Luther's feelings towards Reginald))

You’re The Best by Joe Esposito @feralnumberfive ((Scenario: Either Luther, Diego, or even the whole family having some sort of montage of overcoming their issues))

Rumor Has It - Adele @alex-mercerss ((because what better song for Allison to have playing for it, plus I’ve seen it mentioned a few times somewhere))

Show Me How to Move - The Elwins @alex-mercerss ((this is such a fight scene song no matter where you put it))

Really anything off of Let Live and Let Ghosts by Jukebox the Ghost @alex-mercerss​ ((half of this album was literally written about the apocalypse))

2econd 2ight 2eer by Will Wood and the Tapeworms @feralnumberfive ((Could absolutely imagine Five losing control and killing to this song))

As the World Caves In by Matt Maltese “Anonymous” (( I think it would be good where five is having a flash back to the apocalypse or he sees his family die but he cant do anything bc the cube is making his fear come out therefore it is just a hallucination))

I Heard A Rumor by Bananarama @uuhhhhwhat ((Scenario: A scene where Allison is sad and thinking about Ray and/or Claire))

There's a Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought of It Yet by Panic! At The Disco "Anonymous" ((Scenario: A Five fight scene))

Are You Satisfied by MARINA "Anonymous" ((could work for anything Luther related because the lyrics describe him so well))

[in-silks-and-flesh-and-leather]

Silky, I think I love you more by the moment! I haven’t seen the Lodger but I must now. My husband loves German Expressionism films. He was just telling me the new MacBeth movie (in black and white) has some some German Expressionism vibes. I think I’ve seen Notorious but it was so long ago when I was a kid that I don’t really remember. I’ve seen Psycho, The Birds, Vertigo, To Catch a Thief, Dial M for Murder, 39 Steps and maybe The Lady Vanishes but that last one I’m fuzzy on. Norman is such an interesting and heart wrenching character. Have you seen Bates Motel the tv series? I quite enjoyed the portrayal. Oooo now I want to rewatch Hitchcock movies again, maybe will have a marathon soon. Do you like catching Hitchcock’s cameos too like I do? Sorry for hijacking your AD asks/content haha. It’s just so much fun and kind of rare to find someone who appreciates old movies. (If I may indulge, do you like It Happened One Night? I love that movie so much. I’ve thought about how it would be fun to turn into an ADCU fic.)

I can’t wait to read your hitwoman/Gucci fic! I am READY for a version of Maurizio Gucci as interpreted by Silky! I’m sure it will be a heady delight! - 📖 (I will crawl back to my hole now and not spam you about non AD stuff lol)

Ugh, you have tapped into an obsession, my dear ❤️

Old timey movies are likely why I have this yen for a black and white aesthetic 🥰

I haven't seen the new Macbeth, but that makes it sound intriguing. And I've only found out after seeing most movies about his cameos, but I promised myself I'd watch carefully in the future 😄

I've watched Bates Motel on and off primarily for my lady love Vera Farmiga, expecting the show to be awful, and I was pleasantly surprised!

I love It Happened One Night! It's basically one of my ruined wedding stories, only really good 😍 It's definitely a great ADCU premise and I'd love to see it with someone who doesn't get much attention - Jamie could fit a storyline like that with a few tweaks, as well as Al Cody. Flip could work, also with some tweaks. I love those screwball romances ❤️

You might appreciate this - my Paul ruins your wedding series is based, loosely, on His Girl Friday 😍

That theme of two people who work way too much and very closely, and develop a special bond; the guy who realizes he's about to lose someone he thought would always be there; manipulating the finance (I originally had Paul be a lot more Machiavellian about it, but toned it down. Now I wish I hadn't 😂); luring the girl back in with a job she can't resist and falling into that cycle they're too far gone to break 🥰 I love it so much 💕

Ugh, and Maurizio ❤️ I feel like he needs so much work - first, to correct everything the movie got wrong, and second, to give him more dimension than rich daddy. I feel oddly protective of that poor character that deserved so much better ❤️

[elencelebrindal]

Honest Opinion - Cancer Manigoldo

(Yes, I finally remembered I can use images. Once I’ve stopped cursing at my computer and at myself, I will go back and fix the rest of the series. I have links to add, and I have to link all these entries together)

Overall score (character, not looks): 10/10 Honestly speaking, I would like to give him more than 10, but what can we do

Alright, here we go. The Italian Saint that forced himself on top of my list without effort.  I’m pretty sure you already understood how much I love this man, but here I am repeating myself over and over, for the entirety of this post. Because I am baffled at how much I appreciated this character of Lost Canvas. I didn’t think he was going to be one of my absolute favorites, but I’m always wrong so yeah. 

[Small digression on the dub] Now, before diving into the “real” reason why I love Manigoldo, aka my 100% positive opinion on him, I have to say I might have been a little biased since the beginning. 

And this has to do with the Italian dub.  Normally I don’t stick with characters because of their voice. Sure, I love when the voice matches the character, and the voice actor does a good job in portraying them, but I mostly appreciate the starting point first.  In Manigoldo’s case, however, as soon as I knew who his voice actor was (before watching Lost Canvas and knowing the character) I pretty much ended up screaming in joy. And as soon as I heard the voice on the character, discovering what kind of personality Manigoldo has, I was sold.  It was pure and unadulterated perfection. 

If you’re not Italian (or if you are and don’t know him), the voice actor is named Maurizio Merluzzo, and has a YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/mmerluzzo Go check him out if you have a couple minutes to spare, he’s amazing.  Plus, if you’re curious to know what kind of voice Manigoldo has in Italian, feel free to have two minutes of fun here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af7Q9GvbgDw

[End of the small digression on the dub]

Back on track now.   Manigoldo has an amazing character growth. From when he was a child, he didn’t change all that much, but what he changed was in better. He went from a desperate and lonely kid living a “life of crime”, if we can call it that, to a considerate and brave Saint ready to fight until death for those he cares about.

On top of that, I love the way he faces his connection with the dead. I love how he tries to always smile and keep a cheerful and mischievous behavior, just to spite his fate as Cancer Saint. Just to spite death itself.  They could have gone the easy way, they could have made a gloomy character with the past weighing on top of him, but no! they made Manigoldo and my goodness I love this so much.  This kind of attitude (and boy, does Manigoldo have attitude) is spectacularly portrayed on screen, with tons of back and forts between him and his enemies, and I enjoyed every second of it.

Come to think of that, I couldn’t stop laughing as he fought against Veronica. Manigoldo continuing to anger Veronica by telling him to stop flirting was damn near a cure for my ongoing aggressive sadness, let me tell you. 

And the fight against Thanatos. Holy shit, the fight against Thanatos.  This is probably the reason why Manigoldo got so many points in his favor. His selfless sacrifice to protect his old master, his stubbornness that kept him fighting, all the laughs and smiles and sarcasm... I know Sage had a part in this, but Manigoldo couldn’t have been presented better in a situation like that.  Not an always serious Saint, not even against a god. He retained his personality and manners, and didn’t let go of them. 

Needless to say, his death hit me real hard. I wanted to see more of him so much, that seeing him die had been a punch in the gut for me.  I really wanted to see more of him bantering, and being annoying and obnoxious just for the sake of it.  I wanted him to interact with more Saints other than Dohko and Tenma, because I loved how he talks with his peers.  Manigoldo has a place in my heart, and will always be there.

[idealrecordings]

The new RM LP is now available from @boomkatonline 🖤 Strong cyberpunk/ambient/industrial/techno from Riccardo Mazza with echoes of classic Italian industrial experiments that come highly recommended if yr into Shapednoise, FRAK, Donato Dozzy, Maurizio Bianchi. Where RM’s debut album ‘Unfit’ perhaps tentatively dipped his tootsies in technoid waters after years of encrypting noise filth as Lettera 22, his follow-up for iDEAL betrays a steelier confidence and physicality to his music, manifest in a turbulent range of daring club music mutations intersected by spacious industrial percussion experiments and atmospheric pieces blessed with the romance of abandoned factories. In effect, ‘Spazi Futuri’ bridges dimensions between Maurizio Bianchi and the kind of experiments collated by the Trax label, with the modern freeform industrial of Roberto Crippa and the immersive structures divined by Donato Dozzy. In the best way, the album feels transitory, in flux, with a palpable tension between nervous energy and hypnagogia. Coming first with the chilly, pre-dawn ambience of ‘5:00’, RM follows a psychedelic techno hunch up from the toes to your nose with the driving acid churn and dissonant drip-off synth tang of ‘Società Dormiente’, followed by a killer blast of hot-stepping industrial dance music recalling recent Sam Kerridge turns gone feral with ’Sonno Drogato’, before relaxing the tension with ritual drone in the lush pocket of ’Sublimation della crisi.’ Daring to dice with dancefloor convention, RM’s rave lust resurges from a queered angle with the keening house dynamic of ‘Dittatura delle immagini’, while ‘Per natural libero’ explores industrial ballistics in cavernous space recalling Shapednoise works, and a blast of gristly rhythmic electronics departs into the acrid abstract gunk of the title cut with a post-modern industrial timelessness that’s definitively coiled tight but frayed into the machines and atmospheric remainders of RM’s music. https://www.instagram.com/p/B04XxPHC6wp/?igshid=1ot9i7yzpw9uj