Yes, that is US President Barack Obama and Michael Jackson on top along with a couple of traditionally themed pumpkins on the bottom. When I carve pumpkins, I tend to keep it simple … you know, triangle eyes and nose, jagged teeth … so I’m always very impressed with work like this. Hallowe’en is one of the funnest times of the year … hopefully these jack-o-lanterns will inspire all y’all to have fun with the pumpkin carving this year. I would also like to urge all y’all to send in photos of your carved pumpkins so that I may feature them here on the blog!

[Photo credit: Splash News]

When I first saw this painting of President Obama astride a mythical unicorn, I was reminded of the fun graphic that was created by THIS site (which features lots of NIN/Reznor inspired artwork) of Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor riding on a unicorn of his own:

There seems to a growing trend of incorporating unicorns in fun artwork like this … a trend that I endorse and support wholeheartedly. After the jump, check out a few more pieces of Lacey’s Obama artwork — trust me, it’s not to be missed …

Here’s US President Barack Obama as a unicorn-riding superhero in these bizarre fantasy paintings by artist, Dan Lacey. Obama is seen astride the mythological beast in a series of different scenarios. In one he is seen wrestling a bear on Wall Street, while in another work the President can be seen alongside hero pilot Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger in the cockpit of US Airways Flight 1549 as it ditched into New York’s Hudson River earlier this year. Mr Lacey, based in Elko, Minnesota, has said of his work: “There’s a consistent demand for Obama, both for things that are funny and also for the serious.” He describes himself as a “disillusioned conservative”. He has also created a series of paintings of US politicians with pancakes stacked on top of their heads. Some of his artwork can be bought on Internet auction site, eBay.

Ummm … I believe the sentiment that you are looking for is, LOL, WHUT? Yeah, I don’t know that I really understand either but I do know that I LOVE IT ALL!! Personally, the Obama/Unicorn one is my fave … but they’re all really fun. Which one do you like best?

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Opera has a long history of over-the-top spectacle and melodramatic plots. Composer Jacob Cooper decided to embrace that excess, creating a contemporary opera that imagines the tragic end of one particularly tempestuous pop diva. The work is called Timberbrit — as in Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. It’s a tragic tale that imagines Spears’ last concert, in the final hours of her life. Timberlake returns after a long absence to win back Spears’ love, but in the end she chooses the audience’s love above all else. Cooper began work on the opera by experimenting with a technique called time-stretching. Using digital audio software, he slowed down Spears’ songs — and suddenly the light pop tunes seemed hauntingly tragic. Phrases like “Hit me baby one more time” took on an entirely different and more weighted meaning. Cooper then collaborated with his performers to create new pieces of music inspired by those slowed-down hits, and writer Yuka Igarashi crafted fresh lyrics using the vernacular of Spears’ songs — tears, love, dreams, innocence. As a doctoral student at Yale, Cooper has looked at the psychological aspects of how traditional operas stretch time during death scenes — the way a dying character in Rigoletto or Boris Godunov, say, will pause to sing a 10-minute aria. Not realistic perhaps, but it packs a punch. Cooper has expanded on that distinctive musical tradition by creating an entire opera enveloped by a fatal slowness of action. The idea is that in Timberbrit, Spears’ prolonged destruction amplifies the tragedy of her downfall. The opera premiered in New York City as a semistaged production in 2008 and is currently being developed into a fully staged version. Meanwhile, the cast and crew of Timberbrit recently shot a music video of Cooper’s song “Worst Fantasy,” inspired by Spears’ “Toxic.” In keeping with the opera’s process, the videographers started with a slowed-down, stretched-out recording of the original, then manipulated it and built on it to create something new. The result: a distillation of Spears’ music videos and public meltdowns that forces viewers to take a second look at both pop-star lives and the way the public devours them.

Well, if Victoria and David Beckham can have their own musical, why can’t Britney and Justin have their own opera? To be honest, I’m still not sold on this particular project … I might have to see it for myself to make better judgment. Hopefully there’ll be more follow-up on this opera in the coming weeks and months. Would YOU pay to see a show like this?

[Source]

For World Breastfeeding Week, Phantom-Financial announces the unveiling of a life-size park bench sculpture of Angelina Jolie nude with her twin babies by New York artist Daniel Edwards just minutes from Brad Pitt’s own birthplace in the Oklahoma City Metro area in September before its Fall exhibition in London. “Landmark for Breastfeeding,” inspired by last year’s cover of W magazine featuring Angelina Jolie suckling her baby, depicts a seated nude Jolie double-breastfeeding twins. The tranquil bronze statue demonstrates the “football-hold,” an accepted technique for breastfeeding two babies simultaneously. In recognition of the global effort to encourage breastfeeding, one twin is depicted as being of African descent. Future castings of the statue will represent other world cultures through variations of the babies’ patina coloring. “We believe the statue sends a beautiful message by promoting the acceptance of public breastfeeding. Mothers should be encouraged to nurture their babies anywhere,” said Sandy Wilson of Phantom-Financial. “Hopefully, my sculpture inspires an increase of wetnurses to assist women who have concerns about mastitis, or passing HIV to their infant,” said artist Daniel Edwards in his Connecticut studio where the Jolie statue currently resides. “La Leche League International and Loretta McCallister have been very helpful,” said project coordinator Cory Allen. “We are applying for approval to put ‘Landmark for Breastfeeding’ on permanent display in a Metro area park.” The Jolie monument will be unveiled September 11th at MAINSITE Contemporary Art in Norman. A cast of the sculpture is expected to be auctioned by Sotheby’s October 7th for The New York Academy of Art’s annual Take Home A Nude art auction, after being displayed at Holster Projects in London’s West End.

Can I just say that I LOVE that this piece of art will go on display in Norman, OK … home of my beloved alma mater the University of Oklahoma! I’m not sure how the Okies will receive this new piece of art but … I’m glad they’re being exposed. Edwards really seems to have a knack for melding pop culture with controversy to come up with interesting artwork. IMHO, none of his works have yet surpassed his masterpiece statue of Britney giving birth, Monument to Pro-Life, but I can appreciate that he continues to push the envelope. After the jump, check out a couple more photos of this new Angelina-inspired statue and check out a short video of Daniel Edwards talking about the creation of his latest piece of art …

Oh, the creepy media are at it again, opening yet another pop superstar’s private life to public inspection. This time the person exposed is San Francisco’s greatest baseball player. No, not The Freak. And not Barry Bonds, nor Willie Mays. It’s Joe DiMaggio. But it turns out the exposure is in the name of art, not titillation and trashification. A full-frontal nude photograph of Joltin’ Joe hangs in the gallery Modernism (685 Market St., Suite 290, through Aug. 29). The exhibit is “Hunted and Gathered,” anonymous photos from the collection of Robert Flynn Johnson, curator emeritus of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The photo shows DiMaggio in a postgame shower, wearing a happy grin. It’s early in Joe’s career, circa 1940. From the neck down it is Michelangelo’s statue of David. Neck up, it’s Huck Finn with a goofy smile. Asked how he obtained the photo, Johnson joked, “I have friends in low places.” DiMag would be appalled. He was a private and guarded fellow with a carefully cultivated image of cool sophistication, a hermit prince. This photo is fascinating because it is Joe’s alter ego. “Celebrities have a mask,” Johnson said, “and when you pull out a camera, they put on the mask. Here you see Joe as a kid, with a slightly goofy grin. As he gets older he takes on a more severe, distinguished look. (The photo) is a kid, showing joy, and his guard’s down.” Added Johnson, “It’s a Rorschach test for people’s perceptions. Some will only see a Joe DiMaggio, see only frontal nudity. To others, you or I, this is an athlete in his prime, showing happiness, and it’s as simple as that. … I don’t find it titillating at all, it’s a marvelous photo.” A photo of DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe on the verge of a kiss sold for $2,250. The nude Joe is not for sale. “It’s too interesting a photo,” Johnson says.

Nor do I find this photo “titillating” … but, I must agree, it’s “too interesting a photo” not to want to share. If any of y’all are interested in checking out the full-size, uncensored NSFW image then check it out after the jump …

I’m gonna just assume that the shower that Joltin’ Joe is enjoying here is a very cold one. The mind boggles at just how many of these nekkid pics exist of celebs from waaaaay back in the day. Perhaps we’ll be privy to those photos in future art exhibits like this one? We can only hope. So … about Joe here … thoughts, musings, comments?

[Source, Source]

Attention Team Jacob: Little, Brown has revealed their cover for the movie tie-in edition of New Moon, which features an exclusive image from the Twilight franchise’s second film. Taylor Lautner fans should certainly pick up more than a few copies (Those arms! That smoldering stare! Remember, he’s only 17!). As for Team Edward…well, at least the image proves that the moon is not, in fact, made of green cheese.

Holy moly! Now that’s the kind of book cover that might inspire the young’ns to pick up a book and start reading. This coverphoto adeptly highlights the focus of New Moon and rightfully puts the character Jacob Black (portrayed by actor Taylor Lautner) front and center with Bella Swan (portrayed by actress Kristen Stewart). I like how Edward Cullen (portrayed by Robert Pattinson) is integrated into the moon (which is normally the symbol of the werewolf). I realize that you cannot always judge a book by its cover … but in this case I think the coverphoto adequately sums up the plot of New Moon. What do y’all think … do you like this book cover?

[Source]

With Rihanna set to break her silence in her assault case, Chris Brown reached a plea agreement that spared him jail time, it was announced Monday. Brown, 20, will be sentenced to five years probation and 180 days of community labor to be served in Virginia. He will also complete a year of domestic violence classes, and pay fines. In exchange, he pleaded guilty to felony assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury. “Mr. Brown, I think it’s commendable that you took responsibility for your conduct,” said Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg. Brown also was ordered to stay at least 50 yards away from Rihanna – except at industry events, when it’s 10 yards – despite a request from Rihanna’s lawyer for a less-restrictive order. For now, Brown was also ordered not to have any contact with her, which includes by phone, email or text. “He’s very thankful to all the people who’ve been very supportive,” said Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos. “This is a kid who’s never been in trouble before, who wants to move past this and make sure that the message gets out that these kinds of things, of domestic violence, are not acceptable. And that he has accepted responsibility and continues to do so and embraces this as an opportunity for him to get his life back on track and his career back on track.” If he violates probation, Brown will face four years in prison. His formal sentencing is set for Aug. 5, when the court will drop a second charge of making criminal threats. Noting that Brown pleaded to a felony, Schnegg said, “I want Mr. Brown to be treated the same as any other defendant who would come into this court. That means something like Caltrans [trash pickup] or graffiti removal.” Brown had been charged with two felony counts – assault and making criminal threats – in the alleged fight that left Rihanna bruised and bloodied. The plea deal was reached shortly before Rihanna, 21, was to testify under subpoena in a preliminary hearing. Brown, wearing gray suit, off-white tie, and matching handkerchief in his front pocket, entered the courtroom shortly after 1:30 p.m. About 10 of his friends and family, including his mother, were seated in the audience.

After the judge addressed him, Brown left the courtroom and Rihanna, wearing a black dress and pearls, was brought in for the judge to explain the plea deal terms to the singer. The two were never in the courtroom at the same time. She stood before Judge Schnegg who told her that the court will consider reducing the stay-away order to the least-restrictive one after he’s sentenced. Rihanna’s only words in open court were: “Thank you, your honor,” before she was led out a special exit. According to a search warrant, Rihanna was assaulted during an argument that began when she read text messages from another woman on Brown’s phone as they driving in a Lamborghini in L.A. the morning before the pair were both scheduled to perform on the Grammy Awards. An enraged Brown allegedly tried to force her out of the car, hit her head against the passenger window, punched in her left eye and drove away while steering with one hand and continuing to punch her with the other, says the detective’s notes in the search warrant. As blood filled Rihanna’s mouth, Brown allegedly told her, “I’m going to beat the shit out of you when we get home. You wait and see!” Rihanna then pretended to call her assistant and left a fake message saying, “I am on my way home. Make sure the cops are there when I get there.” The police notes say that prompted Brown to reply: “You just did the stupidest thing ever. Now I’m really going to kill you.”

I guess I’m kinda disgusted that the ruling judge commended Chris Brown for “taking responsibility” for his actions. If he had truly taken responsibility, he would’ve turned himself into cops months ago, admitted his crimes and served a real punishment for assault. What really happened was that his hot shot lawyer managed to work out a deal where Brown only got a slap on the wrists for his felonious actions. I suppose at this point we are to hope that Brown has learned his lesson and will stay out of trubs for the rest of his life. Should he violate his probation in any way in the next 5 years, I believe he will be slapped with a more substantial punishment. In the end, I suppose we should be glad that all of this drama is over. My hope is that Rihanna can move forward from all of this in a healthy manner. Let’s not forget, she is the victim in all of this … whether she chooses to believe it or not.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

“Simpsons” fans can get the first peek at stamps featuring Homer, Marge & Co. — and vote for their favorite — when the U.S. Postal Service unveils the designs Thursday morning. The stamps will be available nationwide on May 7. “This is the biggest and most adhesive honor ‘The Simpsons’ has ever received,” said creator and executive producer Matt Groening. Executive producer James Brooks quipped, “We are emotionally moved by the Post Office Department’s selecting us rather than making the lazy choice of someone who has benefited society.” The Postal Service is encouraging people to vote for their favorite “Simpsons” character on its Web site (http://www.usps.com). Fans also can preorder the 44-cent first-class stamps on the site and register for a sweepstakes for a limited-edition “Simpsons” poster signed by Groening. Elie Dekel, executive vice president at 20th Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising, said the previously announced stamps are a key part of the show’s 20th anniversary celebration. “‘The Simpsons’ is more than just a television show, it’s an American institution,” he said. “These stamps help solidify this legacy.” David Failor, U.S. Postal Service executive director of stamp services, also predicted a benefit for his organization. “Issuing ‘The Simpsons’ stamps, which includes known philatelist Bart Simpson, will serve as a great opportunity to interest youngsters in stamp collecting.”

It’s not every day that I get excited about a new postage stamp … well, OK, there is never a day that I get excited about a postage stamp … but I do think it’s kinda cool that The Simpsons have each been honored with their own stamp. There is a requirement in this country that says that only deceased people and animated characters can be featured on postage stamps … happily, The Simpsons fall into the second category. In an age where snail mail is becoming less and less important, I think it’s very wise of the US Postal Service to do fun things like this in order to get people to buy stamps. After the jump, check out how the rest of The Simpson family will look on their own stamps …

I’m not sure which character I would vote for as my fave. I think it really comes down to either Homer or Bart. Lisa Simpson has always been my fave member of the family (she totally reminds me of my good friend Diana) but I’m pretty sure she won’t be chosen by popular vote as the fave Simpson … even in Springfield, it’s a man’s world. In any event, I love all of these stamps … and altho I don’t use them very often, I’m gonna make sure that I pick up a sheet of these stamps on my next visit to the post office.

[Source]

“The duality between being a woman and a warrior.” That’s the spirit Thierry Mugler wanted to capture with the costumes he designed for Beyoncé’s upcoming world tour, and from the look of these illustrations, he succeeded. The tour kicks off today in Edmonton. “Sasha Fierce is another aspect of Beyoncé’s personality,” Mugler offered via e-mail. “She is Fierce on stage and Beyoncé in real life. I tried to understand these two sides with my own perception of both aspects.” The look pictured here captures that duality. It imagines Beyoncé as a tough, chic, superheroine type who likes her power glam with a bit of froth; hence, the bow bustle and mismatched gloves that pair lacy fishnet with articulated metal. But don’t expect Beyoncé to stay in that guise for long. “There will be a lot of dramatization and metamorphosis on stage,” Mugler promised. The designer said he and Beyoncé share “the sense of mise-en-scène.” As the tour’s creative adviser, he has worked on all of the show’s visual aspects — lights, sets, costumes — while “working hard to achieve her dreams. “He describes the costumes as “very elaborate,” and rooted in the songs’ meanings. “Feminine. Free. Warrior. Fierce. As a creative adviser for this tour, it is my responsibility to make her vision come true,” the designer said.

Love it!! I’m totally diggin’ the warrior vibe of the costumes … I’m glad they look more like Wonder Woman: Amazon Princess rather than Xena: Warrior Princess. As I’ve mentioned before, I have never been able to see Beyoncé live in concert … but I think it’s time. If these sketches are any indication then the show will be amazing. After the jump, check out another set of Mugler costume sketches …

The only sketch I’m not feeling is the one with the tofu-shaped head … the outfit is hot tho. This is all very exciting, I am actually really looking forward to seeing Beyoncé on tour now. Oh who the hell am I kidding, I’d be going just to see Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) performed live no matter what she was wearing. But I do love these costumes … do you?

[Source]

Lindsay Lohan is a piece of work—literally. Los Angeles-based artist Ben Tegel created his latest Lohan-inspired work for a poster promoting Girl on Girl night at the Viper Room rock club. The image is a take on Grant Wood’s iconic 1930 portrait, American Gothic, with Samantha Ronson as the pitchfork-holding farmer and LiLo as her wife. But what’s it all mean? The artist explained to me: “Lindsay and Sam are the all-American couple for the 21st century,” Tegel said. “I call it American Sapphic.” Tegel’s work is part of Name That ‘Toon, an upcoming animation exhibit at Hollywood’s World of Wonder Storefront Gallery. Other Tegel works featuring Lohan include Rehabflaunt, a group portrait-like piece with Lohan, Britney Spears, Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty that was used to illustrate a story in Flaunt magazine. And if that wasn’t enough, Tegel was inspired by Lohan’s DUI arrest for another Viper Room poster that shows the starlet engaging in illegal activities while kneeling in a seedy alleyway. “I seem to have some sort of fixation with her,” Tegel wrote in an email. “She (along with Britney, I suppose) embodied the fin-de-siecle celebrity archetype. Her child-star-turned-drug-addict-turned-lesbian narrative seems to sum up the way fame operates in the 21st Century. I’m really interested to see what happens in the next chapter of her character’s storyline.” Name That ‘Toon opens at World of Wonder on March 27.

And pop art strikes again. Unlike the Octomom statue that we saw over the weekend, this piece of art seems to have a bit more wit and substance behind it. As poster artwork for the Viper Room’s Girl on Girl night, it’s brills. Illustrators have long used celebrities in this way to promote parties and clubs. I think it’s wholly fascinating that L. Ron appear to be the new American Gothic, ie. the portrait of traditional American family values. It’s brills. Imitation is the purest form of flattery … I really love this piece. What do y’all think?

[Source]