Two Questions with Artist Jon Hul |
On Friday, 6-10 p.m., Maynard Gallery in Holsum Lofts will host a one-night show of Hul's nudes.
The show is billed as containing "provocative" nudes. What should viewers expect?
Over the years, I have created erotic nude art for the most discriminating art admirers-collectors, which gives them either the personal feeling of meaning, admiration, joy; or their sheer love of what makes them appreciate the subject of nude art. Without question, my art stands on its own by "inviting" the viewer the opportunity to witness art outside of a mainstream audience. Most of my work conveys an essential message for the beauty and appreciation of the female form, not just stark-naked women.
Is there an added significance to exhibiting these images in Sin City?
Yes, of course. Las Vegas, in a span of 30-plus years has showcased beautiful people in lavish, million-dollar shows, by some of the best, well-respected show producers. I like to refer to Vegas as the "adult Disneyland." Now, speaking in terms of art: My art is a reflection of the human figure in an artistical manner rather than a physical manner. I have had a lot of my collectors say, "This art piece reminds me of the girl that performs at one of the major hotels." I have had the good fortune of being commissioned by some Las Vegas residents who truly admired my work. Yes, there is definitely an added significance to exhibiting my art in Sin City.
An Open Letter to Sleater-Kinney, Who Are Calling It Quits |
Dear Carrie, Corin and Janet: For the sake of my coworker, Richard, I implore you to reconsider sending Sleater-Kinney into "indefinite hiatus" after your five remaining summer tour dates. Having witnessed Richard, a veteran music critic with hundreds—probably thousands—of shows under his belt, turn to jelly at your feet during a midday Vegoose performance, then ascend to the stage to secure a signed set list (Las Vegas Weekly, October 27), I'm quite sure his heart can't take this news. Rumor has it he's refusing food and water, and that he's breathing only with the help of a respirator. If you care about fans like him half as much as they adore you, we'll see you back on the road, and in the studio, by end of the year.
Sincerely,
Spencer Patterson, Las Vegas Weekly.
DVDs |
Mommie Dearest: Hollywood Royalty Edition (3 stars)
$14.98
Valley of the Dolls: Special Edition (3 stars)
$26.98
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (3 stars)
$26.98
Run out of fresh ideas for a party theme? Create your own Midnight Movie Extravaganza, by picking up copies of these camp classics—along with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pink Flamingos and Eraserhead—and inviting your friends to dress up accordingly. Although Valley of the Dolls was hot stuff for its time, it's best appreciated as a hysterical send-up of show-business ethics and the lengths a group of pill-popping actresses would go to become famous. Based on Jacqueline Susann's scandalous best-seller, this wall-to-wall bitch-fest from 1967 featured such mainstream stars as Patty Duke, Susan Hayward, Sharon Tate, Lee Grant and Barbara Parkins, and some of the cheesiest dialogue in film history. Three years later, critic Roger Ebert and director Russ Meyer would collaborate on a soft-core parody of Mark Robson's big-budget sleazefest. Their Beyond the Valley of the Dolls borrowed all the decadence and backstabbing of the original, but the women aspired to stardom as rock stars, not actors. Being a Meyer title, the women also had enormous breasts and knew how to use them. After he won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism, Ebert would reteam with Meyer on Up! and Beneath the Valley of the Super-Vixens, using the pseudonyms R. Hyde and Reinhold Timme.
Legend has it that die-hard Mommie Dearest fans would bring coat hangars, brushes and Ajax soap to midnight showings of the over-the-top Joan and Christina Crawford biopic. Crawford was one of the cinema's greatest divas and, later, a business executive, but, as a mother, she left a great deal to be desired. Faye Dunaway was a perfect choice to play Crawford, whose famous warning to Christina, "No wire hangers!" recently was chosen one of the 100 most memorable lines in Hollywood history.
These sets overflow with appropriately hilarious interviews and corny featurettes. Both Valley of the Dolls and Mommie Dearest retain their PG rating, but that's only because the distributors elected not to resubmit the films to the MPAA board. Beyond was rated X before the MPAA instituted the NC-17, but, like Midnight Cowboy and A Clockwork Orange can now be seen on cable TV.