In a college inhabited by frequently sleepless and frantic beings, it shouldn't be such a surprise that we love reading books about people on drugs- one of the campus favourites is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a book whose illustrations by Ralph Steadman are as indelibly linked to the story in my mind, as Quentin Blake's sketches to Roald Dahl's kid books.
"Crazy" is a tame word to describe what I thought of them when I was fifteen but 'pleased' is definitely on the cards given that I've just stumbled across Ralph Steadman's online shop. It's full of Gonzo art and shoppables which are not only downright covetable, but brilliantly funny too- the page for wine prints is making me giggle, despite the rather manic-looking jester who is the subject of the first print (shown in Picture 2 above). I'm dead scared of clown faces but bell-tipped hats are a breeze to deal with. And the jute bag retailing for £5.50 is a good bit less poncey (I'm borrowing a Spike-from-Buffy word here) than those 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' objects from last year, methinks...
Sadly, shipping is only to the UK, Europe and the US/Canada, but I'm ok with just looking for now. Anyone who is a Fear and Loathing fan, fancies things in the shop (which include an umbrella, tie, lighter, cufflinks, t-shirts, and artwork) or simply wants a good laugh somewhere along the way should definitely go on here.
All images from ralphsteadman.com.
"Crazy" is a tame word to describe what I thought of them when I was fifteen but 'pleased' is definitely on the cards given that I've just stumbled across Ralph Steadman's online shop. It's full of Gonzo art and shoppables which are not only downright covetable, but brilliantly funny too- the page for wine prints is making me giggle, despite the rather manic-looking jester who is the subject of the first print (shown in Picture 2 above). I'm dead scared of clown faces but bell-tipped hats are a breeze to deal with. And the jute bag retailing for £5.50 is a good bit less poncey (I'm borrowing a Spike-from-Buffy word here) than those 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' objects from last year, methinks...
Sadly, shipping is only to the UK, Europe and the US/Canada, but I'm ok with just looking for now. Anyone who is a Fear and Loathing fan, fancies things in the shop (which include an umbrella, tie, lighter, cufflinks, t-shirts, and artwork) or simply wants a good laugh somewhere along the way should definitely go on here.
All images from ralphsteadman.com.
16 comments:
Wow, this is really great news. I say Fear and Loathing when I was a bit too young to appreciate it. I thought it was manic filth then, but of course i know appreciate it...
Ah, Ralph Steadman. Very *splat*. I got my sister one of his Fear and Loathing posters once.
I've always preferred doing the thing to reading about it, when it comes to the d-word. I avoided Fear and Loathing, The Doors of Perception, and the other usual suspects.
very artistic, love the bag at the end.
totally cool. i love them.
Ralph Steadman is like a waaay grown up version of Quentin Blake... even Quentin Blake scared me as a child.... must check out the webstore...
The first one resembles Sarkoleon...
Riz: That illustration from the bathtub haunted my nightmares for a month, so I think I know how you felt :)
Yohan: 'splat' is a good way to put it..
Susie: Yup, the shambolic lines definitely do put me in mind of a resemblance too. The shop is definitely worth a look- it's not exactly cheap but I like the stuff.
Allure: Ha ha, Sarkoleon! I'm rather disappointed he isn't bringing Carla Bruni to India, though- it'd have been such fun to watch the poncey bureaucrats getting their knickers in a twist..
i love the illustrations...wonderful!
and, thanks for your comment (: im definitely keeping the skirt!
I love card games, those would be so fun to play with.
Oooh! Didn't he do the labels of Mad Dog beer too? I love this art, it's wild!
ah so fantastic! I love F&L - I remember reading it the first time - a complete mindfuck, in a good way of course. And the film adaptation was one of the rare ones that managed to stay faithful to the book's unique brand of weirdness. Very tempted by the handbag to add to my pile.
and when it comes to doing the real thing, and not just reading about it - I recommended this book to some friends when I was a first year at uni - but a couple of them - the local campus dealer and his gf, were too creeped out by it, and couldn't face it. Dunno what that suggests about drugs and perception. Mind you, they were the most tedious pair of potheads too though.
Oh great, yet ANOTHER pile of things I want to buy when I'm on the S.I.N.C.B.M.
Maybe I'll break the rule!
Great post!
It's so fascinating that the Criterion Collection distributes this film. I guess it's high art then...?
Anyway, I am relaly enjoying your comments on Galliano. Not like Marko and I are trying to change your mind about him. It's just all too heavy on the glitz for my tastes I guess...
Roald Dahl is still my fave!
Have you seen this version of the "poncey" bag?
http://www.frommarissav.com/
Annah: glad to know you're keeping it :)
The Clothes Horse: I'm awful at card games, but if the cards looked like those, I'd like playing.
Heather: I'm not sure if that's the name of the brand, but yes, beer was definitely mentioned somewhere..
Headmistress: the film is so loopy, I love it! And all the potheads I know seem to love the book...but then, as I said, it's a campus fave.
ENC: Wasn't your embargo specifically on wearables? Not to tempt you into breaking it or anything :)
Riz: I didn't know what the Criterion Collection was! But then, wikipedia says they've also put out Michael Bay films...abomination, those are.
As for the Galliano discussion, I'm glad you're having fun reading my nonsense- I didn't think you and Marko were trying to sway me at all, but that is a discussion for your commentspace :)
The Iron Chic: Ha ha, I remember seeing a picture of tha take on the 'poncey' bag- it's brilliant!
Oooooh, I love Ralph Steadman! He perfectly captured the manic craziness of Hunter Thompson's writing, and made for a hilarious sidekick in Fear and Loathing...he's even illustrated some kid's books, which are great.
Post a Comment