Archive for the oddities Category

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The Morbid Anatomy Anthology

Posted in anatomy, antiques, Books, oddities with tags , , , on June 25, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

My The Morbid Anatomy Anthology just arrived, and I absolutely must sing its praises. I can’t wait to dive in and devour every word and image!

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Since 2008, the Morbid Anatomy Library of Brooklyn, New York, has hosted some of the best scholars, artists and writers working along the intersections of the history of anatomy and medicine, death and the macabre, religion and spectacle. The Morbid Anatomy Anthology collects some of the best of this work in 28 lavishly illustrated essays. Included are essays by Evan Michelson (star of Science Channel’s hit show Oddities) on the catacombs of Palermo; Simon Chaplin (head of the Wellcome Library in London) on public displays of corpses in Georgian England; mortician Caitlin Doughty on demonic children; and Paul Koudounaris (author of Empire of Death) on a truck stop populated with human skulls. In addition are pieces on books bound in human skin, death-themed cafes in fin-de-siècle Paris, post-mortem photography, eroticized anatomical wax models, taxidermied humans and other animals, Santa Muerte, “artist of death” Frederik Ruysch, and much more.

There are some brilliant minds and expert curators behind this book (namely, Joanna Ebenstein and Colin Dickey). If you are a fan of this blog, you should definitely pick it up! It’s an amazing treasure trove (and really fairly priced…even for a penny pincher like me!). Support these great folks. They deserve it.

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Edward Keinholz

Posted in installations, oddities, sculpture with tags , , on May 19, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

Today I bring you the evocative assemblages of Edward Keinholz, most of which contain a dash of sharp satire and/or criticisms of modern life (works range from the 1960’s-1980’s).

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Although he obtained no formal training, Keinholz grew up on a farm where he learned carpentry, drafting and mechanical skills.

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His roster of formal jobs is as eclectic as his artistic endeavors: orderly in a psychiatric hospital, manager of a dance band, used car salesman, caterer, decorator and vacuum cleaner salesman.

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Edward Keinholz

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Victorian Hearse Aquarium

Posted in antiques, death, home, oddities with tags , , , on May 15, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

Here’s a truly unique modification: the Victorian Hearse Aquarium. It was up for auction (and has since ended), but is worth showing for the craftsmanship.

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Large Victorian Ebonized Aquarium Cabinet, 19th century and later. Fashioned from the rear glazed doors of a New Orleans style horse drawn hearse, adapted on modern stand to accommodate tank, filter and lighting, all included, 80.5″ x 57″ x 41″ – 204.5 x 144.8 x 104.1 cm.

What do you think of this item? Too goth? Completely awesome?

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Desktop Goodies 4/17

Posted in absurd, advertising, antiques, art, food, humor, kitsch, oddities, photography, vintage with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 17, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

Welcome to this edition of desktop goodies!
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Would you buy Kellog’s corn flakes after seeing a child in the ad who looks like he’s be propped and posed postmortem?
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Antique “eye massager,” for when your eyes need a little therapeutic squishin’!
Eye Massager.

AXOLOTL in a portrait! (See some axolotl info here, and an artistic interpretation here)
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Don’t mind him…he’s really into that “sitting in a wall” thing.
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The most complete system ever? Really?
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I’m going to give you a great life tip here, folks. So listen up: be sure to set the iron to medium heat so as not to burn your crocodile.
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The world’s most wistful butter substitute:
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You can conveniently sell your sister by placing a check mark in the appropriate box.
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Don’t say it, Dana…don’t say this piece of kitsch is…”corny.” D’OH!
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Bayer Aspirin Prayer Card

Posted in ephemera, kitsch, oddities with tags , , on March 31, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

The recent guest post over at Morbid Anatomy showcases a truly amazing item: The Bayer Aspirin Prayer Card.

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Made in the style of traditional holy cards in the 1940’s, this glow in the dark mass produced devotional object implies that faith is awesome…but for bodily ailments there’s aspirin (Jesus can’t fix it? Take a pill!). If you look at the image for thirty seconds, then view a white surface, it shows “God.”

I’ve actually never seen a black holy card, only the kitschy technicolor variety. What a great collector’s item. Can’t beat an endorsement from The Lord, now can we?

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Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities

Posted in antiques, destinations, oddities with tags , , on March 9, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

I’m thrilled that little curio cabinets of merchandise have been springing up all over the country in the past decade. Shows like Oddities have helped spur an increasing widespread interest in the strange and unusual (my longstanding loves!).

Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities looks like a great place to browse.

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Have any of you Chicago natives/travelers been there?

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Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities

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Guillermo del Toro: Cabinet of Curiosities

Posted in Books, film, monsters, oddities, undead, wish list with tags , , , , , on November 9, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities has me drooling with anticipation!

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Over the last two decades, writer-director Guillermo del Toro has mapped out a territory in the popular imagination that is uniquely his own, astonishing audiences with Cronos, Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth, and a host of other films and creative endeavors. Now, for the first time, del Toro reveals the inspirations behind his signature artistic motifs, sharing the contents of his personal notebooks, collections, and other obsessions.

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The result is a startling, intimate glimpse into the life and mind of one of the world’s most creative visionaries. Complete with running commentary, interview text, and annotations that contextualize the ample visual material, this deluxe compendium is every bit as inspired as del Toro is himself.

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Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities

Does anyone have this yet???

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

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Halloween Countdown: Desktop Goodies Treat Bag #3

Posted in absurd, art, craft, ephemera, film, food, halloween, horror, humor, illustration, kitsch, macabre, monsters, music, oddities, postcards, retro, undead, vintage with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 31, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

Damn, right in the eye…
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Sarcastic ghost is like “Boo…or whatever.”
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Watched Poltergeist II the other day (great movie, but the first was awesome), and happened to pause for a break on this comical frame:
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Oh, hell yes, haunted kitsch sweater!
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Amazing pancakes (check out the one on the lower left…wow!):
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The inclusion of something that has eyes does NOT an eyeball make:
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Oh, you think your pumpkin is scary? THIS is how they did it in early 20th Century Ireland.
raditional (and utterly terrifying) Halloween turnip jack-o-lantern carved in Ireland in the early 20th century. Note the horrifying teeth.

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Ah, the 80’s…when movies had their own cheese-tastic rap theme songs. Take Monster Squad for example. What’s your favorite 80’s horror movie?

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

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Walter Potter

Posted in anthropomorphic, exhibits, nature, oddities, taxidermy on August 26, 2013 by bettiemuldoon

This is an automated post during my hospital time. I can still see your comments on my phone, but cannot reply. Thanks for your continuing presence here!

Many of us are no doubt aware of the fantastical Victorian taxidermy vignettes of Walter Potter, even if his name is not on our tongues. His Museum of Curiosities closed nearly four decades ago, and the collection was sold off in recent years.  “Mr Potter started his collection at the age of 19 when his canary died and he dissected the bird before stuffing it for display in the family summer house. His family kept his museum in Bramber, Sussex open after his death in 1918.”

The link to an article on the “recreation” of Potter’s museum for a limited exhibit has some wonderful images. We hope the ones below will whet your interest.

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Walter Potter working

Potter Museum Article

**Your Proxy Blogger appreciates all the support shown for Dana while she is seemingly unable to show her presence. She does get to see the posts and comments. Thank you all so much for helping hold Dana’s hand through this. BVM.

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The Pitt Rivers of Oxford

Posted in destinations, museums, oddities with tags , , on August 18, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

Morbid Anatomy has an amazing post about The Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford’s collection of anthropology and world archaeology.

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I’m nearly tipsy from the mere act of looking at these sample pictures. One day, I will visit. It will be my version of hiking a long journey…I’ll bring water bottles and bags of trail mix.

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See some more photos here.
The Pitt Rivers Museum

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

8 Comments »

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