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The last we heard from Sabrina Elliott she was producing work for Strange Paradise, a collaborative zine devoted to East Asian horror films. Now the Brooklyn-based illustrator is creating her own zines. Infinite Tenderness is a 32 page compilation of her past and recent illustrated work. Her artwork is “mainly influenced by and features themes of pop surrealism, pulp horror imagery, Japanimaton, and early Rock and Roll culture.” You can pick up a copy via Valley Cruise Press or browse the screenshots above to get a taste of her vampish aesthetic. |
| Recommended by The Absolute Staff | Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 | No Comments » |
Even though Raymond Buckland’s Witchcraft From the Inside was written in 1971, the subject matter is still relevant today. Witchcraft From The Inside allows readers to get a bird’s eye view of not only what life is like as a member of a Wiccan or Neo-Pagan coven, but also goes in-depth about the history of Wicca and Witchcraft as well. From Gerald Garner to Z.Budapest’s work with Dianic Wicca, no stone is left unturned as Buckland describes the movers and shakers of the ‘40s,‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s that have left their mark, for better or worse, on the modern-day Pagan movement.
| Recommended by Amanda Ferris | Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 | No Comments » |
Almost eight months ago, I swore that 2014 would be the year I finally got in shape. 2013 was a failure and 2012 unmentionable, but 2014, finally–things would change.
Anyway, it’s almost August now and we don’t talk about foolish things I said when full of Christmas pudding, and anyway I’ve found a game about training fighters, which is basically the same thing as exercising yourself. VHS Story is a fighting simulation game with graphics and music reminiscent of the 80s where you manage a fighter named Hero (yes, really) who dreams of becoming the greatest fighter in the world (as they all do). In addition to controlling his fighting, you also manage his daily life and activities, determining whether he achieves his dreams or ends up just like me, a video game playing couch potato.
It’s a pretty simple set up but I found it surprisingly absorbing even though these types of management games aren’t normally my thing. Maybe it hit just a little too close to home or something, but either way…will Hero Johnson achieve his dreams? Probably not, despite Coach Melody’s best efforts, but maybe he’ll have more success with someone else at the wheel.
| Recommended by Melody Lee | Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 | No Comments » |
California native Ryan Karazija’s lifelong dream was to move to Iceland. After much success with his previous band, Audrye Sessions, Karazija called it quits, moved to Reykjavik, and started a new project under the name Low Roar. Although he kept his indie rock roots, Karazija couldn’t help but be influenced by Iceland’s dreamy landscape, which is reflected in Low Roar’s sound.
His sophomore album, 0, is an epic mixture of ethereal pop and gothic folk. Icelandic music fans will also be happy to see members of múm and Amiina make an appearance. I had a hard time picking just one song for this post as there are already tons of great singles floating around. There’s an excellent video for “Breathe In” that was released earlier this year, and there’s also another video for the awesome “I’ll Keep Coming.” However, “Easy Way Out,” while the folkiest of the tracks, was the first song that really grabbed me. You can also stream the entire album on Soundcloud.
| Recommended by Tiffany White | Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 | No Comments » |
Though (depending on who you ask) vaporwave, seapunk, and other genres of Tumblr aesthetics may have passed their peak novelty in the blogosphere, the video art world still churns out new work that builds on the same energy of that loosely-defined category, “net art.” Chlorophillinhale, a collaboration between Carrie Gates and Kevin Carey, is a good, straightforward introduction to the field: a bright, high-speed copy-and-paste visual look that’s relentlessly interested in plants for whatever reason, paired with electronic music that’s abrasive and rhythmic at the same time. Come on in, the water’s pixellated.
| Recommended by Anwar Batte | Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 | No Comments » |
Anne Plantagenet’s historical novel The Last Rendezvous brings the world of Romantic poet and actress Marceline Desbordes to life, down to the last detail. In a time period where women were frowned upon for putting pen to paper, Desbordes defied convention and became the only female author amongst Paul Verlaine’s group of “accursed poets,” a group that included Victor Hugo, Alfred de Vigny, and Charles Baudelaire. Plantagenet’s novel reveals how even though Desbordes found some stability in her turbulent life with her husband Prosper Valmore, it’s not until she begins her affair with an wealthy man named Henri de LaTouche that her poetry climbs to its greatest heights.
| Recommended by Amanda Ferris | Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 | No Comments » |
To celebrate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 30th anniversary (and to promote the new TMNT movie, of course), Gallery Nucleus invited 30 artists to pay tribute to the iconic franchise by creating original TMNT-inspired fan art. Although the exhibition is obviously one big Nickelodeon sponsored marketing promotion, let’s ignore that for a second and focus on just the art. Tons of great artists participated, including Sachin Teng, Jim Mahfood, Dan Duncan, Micah Gunnell, Natalie Hall, and more. Most of the pieces have already been sold, but there are still a few more $1,000 pieces of turtle art available to buy for the spoiled rich kid in your life (you).
| Recommended by The Absolute Staff | Monday, July 21st, 2014 | No Comments » |
