On assignment for the short-lived Scanlan's Monthly to cover the 1970 Kentucky Derby in his hometown of Louisville, Hunter S. Thompson found himself, accompanied by illustrator Ralph Steadman, "falling down an elevator shaft and landing in a pool of mermaids". The result would become seminal "Gonzo"reportage.
"I got off the plane around midnight and no one spoke as I crossed the dark runway to the terminal. The air was thick and hot, like wandering into a steam bath. Inside, people hugged each other and shook hands...big grins and a whoop here and there: "By God! You old bastard! Good to see you, boy! Damn good...and I mean it!"
In the air-conditioned lounge I met a man from Houston who said his name was something or other--"but just call me Jimbo"--and he was here to get it on. "I'm ready for anything, by God! Anything at all. Yeah, what are you drinkin?" I ordered a Margarita with ice, but he wouldn't hear of it: "Naw, naw...what the hell kind of drink is that for Kentucky Derby time? What's wrong with you, boy?" He grinned and winked at the bartender. "Goddam, we gotta educate this boy. Get him some good whiskey..."
Growing up in the South, I've had one or two of these. If you're going to be watching the most exciting two minutes in sports this weekend(more on this to come), get soused accordingly. LeNell Smothers, Southerner and former proprietress of Red Hook's own Le Nell's(now, unfortunately closed), shares her recipe HERE. (Note: air travel just ain't what it used to be.)
Jean-Michel was a hero of mine when I was younger. His work made me want to be a painter. Tamra Davis filmed Basquiat throughout the 80's and interviewed him in 1986, at the height of his career, just two years before his death. The footage remained unseen for decades. Twenty years later, this is her film. NOWNESS
Spotted over at a Secret Forts daily read, The Scout, is OMFG&Co. or The Official Manufacturing Company, a design collective comprised of three former Wieden+Kennedy and Ace Hotel-ers. In their words: "The Official Manufacturing Company is Mathew Foster, Fritz Mesenbrink & Jeremy Pelley. We are thing makers. After having separately worked for some years at Wieden+Kennedy and Ace Hotel, then out on our own freelancing, we wound up in a studio together and realized how much better it could be." OMFG, I like the things they make. Just a few examples here. Click over to OMFG&Co to see what else and for whom they're making things.
My buddy Ben at Freeman Transport sent over this preview of images, all shot by Chris Milliman documenting a few days in Ben's life. "Through two distinct shoots, and over a period of three months, photographer Chris Milliman worked with Freeman Transport to document daily life of co-founder Benjamin Ferencz. At HOME in Missoula, MT, Milliman follows Ferencz through his routine. Picking up mail. Answering business calls. And, of course, riding his bike. AWAY, the story moves to New York, as Milliman accompanies Ferencz on a buisness trip. HOME AND AWAY gives visual record to the Freeman idea. A lifestyle led by the bicycle and an open sense of adventure - whether that be in culture, food, or purely in the possibilities presented through travel." Only 500 printed. Available at Freeman Transport. Art direction and design by Ferencz’s The Design Cooperative.
I've enjoyed reading the Q&A series over at FREE/MAN for a while. It's a good site and run by a good dude. So when Darian asked if I was game for it, I said "fire away". The result is up today for your end of the week reading enjoyment. Bookmark FREE/MAN if you haven't already...CLICK HERE to go to the Q&A. Thanks to Darian for letting me take part. *(I just noticed I'm # 13 in the series, which coincidentally is inked on my neck. Go figure.)
Shoot the Moon is a show ten years in the making. That's 4,000 Polaroids. (Yeah, 4-thousand Polaroids.) Of which, photographer and friend Mikael Kennedy took 1,500 to his gallerist Peter Hay Halpert to be edited down to the 500 Polaroids that make up the show opening tomorrow(or today, depending on when you're reading this) at the Chelsea Hotel. (Click below to read more)
It is decadent and depraved.
