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Halloween Countdown: House (Hausu), 1977

Posted in 70's, absurd, film, horror, japan, surreal with tags 70's, absurd, film, horror, japan, macabre, surreal on October 12, 2016 by shewalkssoftly

In the history of this blog, I don’t think I’ve ever had more to say about the topic of a post than I do about about the movie House (Hausu).

The film company approached director Nobuhiko Obayashi about making a film similar to Jaws. And he did…if Jaws were about the horror laden psychedelic journey of 7 giggling Japanese schoolgirls visiting a cannibal recluse and her demonic witch-cat. Did I mention the girls are named Gorgeous, Fantasy, Kung Fu, Melody, Mac, Prof and Sweet?

They proceed to get devoured one by one in the most absurdist fashion imaginable (well, nothing about this movie is actually “imaginable.” It clearly sprang forth from the deepest wellspring of the director’s haunted unconscious). It’s not just as if the movie were made by someone on acid, but as if the movie itself then came alive…and took acid.

I’ll be going back and creating a GIANT album of incredible screen shots from the film (the ones online don’t do any justice), but I needed to share this with you guys immediately.

Believe it or not, I’m put off by a lot of “weird for the sake of weird” films. But this is some next level awesomeness. I hesitate to discuss my favorite scenes because I’m holding each and every one of you accountable for seeing this film, and I don’t want to spoil the fun surprises, which come roughly every 6 seconds.

Yes, that image above is indeed a flying Kung Fu kick from a dismembered lower half of a human body.

Are you running to find this movie yet?

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Kathleen Lolley

Posted in art, skulls and skeletons, surreal with tags art, skulls and skeletons, surreal on April 20, 2016 by shewalkssoftly

Kathleen Lolley paints intriguing depictions of animals (many owls!) and the natural world.

I love her surreal chimeras and scenes…

Kathleen Lolley

Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot

Posted in art, surreal, tarot with tags art, surreal, tarot on November 10, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

I received the Ceccoli Tarot as a random gift from a very special person who truly knows the strange, surreal depths of my soul.

This deck is STUNNING. It’s a masterpiece.

I had a blast going through each card of the deck and seeing how Ceccoli’s interpretation of the cards ties into the Rider Waite deck, and every thread of discovery was exciting.

The fact that she does take creative liberty opens the mind up to all sorts of visions and connections. It’s like therapeutic dreamwork!

I highly recommend this deck And of course, check out Nicoletta Ceccoli’s website.

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Mark Bryan

Posted in absurd, art, satire, surreal with tags absurd, art, satire, surreal on September 8, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Mark Bryan describes painting as a process rather like dreaming while awake: a direct link to the subconscious.

Some stirring, tumultuous, apocalyptic images certainly arise…

He very rarely plans his paintings out beforehand (except for the political work) and prefers to see where each one takes him as it goes.

His portfolio also contains numerous war related images. He states:

Although turning inward is my first instinct and love, I can’t always stay inside my head and ignore what’s going on in the world. When the circus turns especially ugly or when a good idea appears, I feel the need and responsibility to make some kind of comment. Humor and satire have been my way to confront serious topics which are often too grim to portray directly.

There is always some satisfaction for me in pointing out the absurdities of human behavior and making fun of the villains of the day. I don’t know if this kind of work has any effect on the situation, but at least it has a therapeutic value for me and others of like mind.

Mark Bryan

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Erik Johansson

Posted in photography, surreal with tags photography, surreal on July 27, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

My friend Jo posted the following image (a project benefiting The Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation) which looks like paradise and simultaneously reminds me of the incredible Twilight Zone episode Time Enough at Last. It reminded me of how much I love surrealist photographer Erik Johansson’s work.

The caption with this Escheresque eye teaser entitled The Architect is The discipline of paradoxical geometry, imagine the unimaginable.

Music brings forms to life…

Landfall:

The vase remains intact…with minor consequences.

Erik Johansson

1 Comment »

Desktop Goodies

Posted in absurd, advertising, anatomy, anthropomorphic, Books, clothing, dolls, fashion, illustration, kitsch, meat, monsters, sci-fi, space, surreal, thrift horror, undead, vintage with tags absurd, advertising, anatomy, anthropomorphic, Books, clothing, dolls, fashion, humor, illustration, kitsch, meat, monsters, sci-fi, space, surreal, thrift horror, undead, vintage on May 18, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

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.

God, is that you?

No wait, is that you, God?

Not like this.

I’m not sure if this gaping chasm counts as a “neckline.”

The single best, or maybe worst, job in the world.

Now, this is some food I could eat. Does anyone have a copy of this?

Keep in mind they use the word “enjoy” in the broadest possible sense.

This fellow is very open minded…

And let that be a reminder to stay open-minded about the amorous preferences of others.

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1/3

Posted in art, Books, craft, dolls, illustration, monsters, surreal, undead, vintage, you can't handle the cute with tags art, Books, craft, dools, illusration, monsters, surreal, undead, vintage, you can't handle the cute on January 3, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

Medical hiatus no-typing mix…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond at the moment.

2 Comments »

Picturing North Korea

Posted in absurd, film, surreal, video with tags absurd, film, photography, surreal, video on May 18, 2011 by shewalkssoftly

With recording devices (even mobile phones) banned at customs, and the staggeringly small number of people who have ever willingly traveled to North Korea, the country remains shrouded in mystery.

All visitors are carefully monitored and led by guides, who frequently speak of the country’s achievements. Great airs are put on in shockingly empty public spaces, often lavishly decorated with displays of abundance.

It is as if the entire world exists (and is scripted) for the single person currently touring it. Charlie Crane managed to get a rather surreal photo set.

The stillness and pristine order are disconcerting, like a giant movie set no one is using.

See the rest of the photo set here.

I HIGHLY recommend you watch The Vice Guide to Travel’s North Korea episode. It is on Netflix instant, or you can access it by clicking the link below.

The Vice Guide to Travel: North Korea (WATCH THIS!)

This film will blow your mind. I guarantee it. I spent a good half of it with my jaw dropped, and if you read this blog regularly you know how much it takes to shock me.

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Surreal Architecture Illusion

Posted in architecture, oddities, surreal with tags architecture, oddities, surreal on February 22, 2011 by shewalkssoftly

Perhaps it’s all the more intriguing because of how little information is available…but if anyone knows more about the origin of these magnificent buildings than the source, please share!