Did you do Cthulhu?
photo: Linda Matthew
We set the bar high with Blood Tea and I wasn't sure we could match it - at least not in volume of free-flowing alcoholic juju - but by crikey almighty, we did! The first pictures are back from our talented snapper Linda and they capture what was a brilliant group effort during Arkham Sanitarium's open evening for our expanded screening of The Call of Cthulhu. From Kev's extraterrestrial idol (actually modelling clay and spray paint rolled in dirt) to the moans and insane mutterings of The Dungeonettes, we sipped orange vodka from urine pots and scoffed enough Jelly Belly prescription beans to entice a sugar coma. But at least medical assistance was on hand!
photo: Linda Matthew
- photo: Linda Matthew
photo: Linda Matthew
photo: Linda Matthew
photo: Linda Matthew
photo: Linda Matthew
photo: Linda Matthew
Digital and Creative Futures
Kid Carpet
I've been producing an event on behalf of FutureEverything in partnership with Vision+Media as a follow-up to the extremely popular City Debate. Taking place on Thursday 1st July, the final few tickets for Digital and Creative Futures can be snapped up for no cost for anyone with an interest in cross-discipline discussion and ideas relating to the future of our cities, technological advancement and alternative methods by which we assess and interpret the world around us.
FutureEverything
Featuring Professor Steve Furber, Millennium Technology Prize Laureate and principal designer of the ubiquitous ARM 32-bit RISC microprocessor discussing 'The Relentless March of the Microchip', plus the political fist-of-thistles that is commentator and writer Gerry Hassan, addressing the dismal failure of ideologies: 'After the Century of Isms: What is the Future of the Future?' Kid Carpet will be providing an injection of kiddy punk upon poundshop instruments finishing off with a rapid-fire Unconference intended to tap into themes raised upon the day.
© Sosolimited: Prime Numerics
Installations on site will include the jaw-dropping beauty of Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir, Sosolimited's Prime Numerics mash-up of the final televised general election debate and Aaron Koblin's hand picked selection of the best in data visualisation. And all in the shadow of Salford's answer to Dubai, the emerging creative hub of Media City. Don't say I didn't tell you about it.
Arkham Sanitarium
Thank you to everyone, both cast and audience, who made last night's expanded cinema screening for The Call of Cthulhu such a massive success. Some of those who came along were even heard to say that it was their favourite event of the entire festival! A special bow of ground-grazing gratitude to Mark Daniels of Inspace for support beyond the call of duty (including acting duties), Rebecca Guest (pictured) for filling the flat shoes of our crazed pharmacist, The Dungeonettes, Jelly Belly Gourmet Jelly Beans and MacCorns Popcorn. A review and full gallery to follow, but I need a couple of hours kip before I climb into a flight suit for this evening's performance of Moon, including an introduction from an honest-to-goodness astronaut!
Sinkhole
Sinkhole: Director Eric Scherbarth
Prospective patients attending tonight's open evening at Arkham Sanitarium are in for a treat. In addition to the feature screening of the The Call of Cthulhu from the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, we are also thrilled to announce the European Premiere of Sinkhole by director/writer/editor Eric Scherbarth. A salesman approaches a mysterious landowner with an offer to buy the man's smouldering abandoned coal mines but finds that there is more at stake than the land. Winner of Best Short Film at the NYC Horror Film Festival 2009, it should prove a deliriously terrifying side dish alongside the likes of Eel Girl (Dir. Paul Campion) and Elder Sign (Dir. Joseph Nanni). I do so hope no one is of a nervous disposition. You may wish to bring a pillow to bite upon.
Eel Girl: Dir. Paul Campion
Candy striped
Jak Morgan and Bren O'Callaghan / photo: Judy Cabbages
The first batch of photos are back from our ace photographer Judy Cabbages of Blood Tea And Red String at Inspace, Edinburgh. The colour palette suggested by the film and imposed to an extent by the location worked incredibly well as we cranked up the red, white and black for our cupcake table, make-up booth and hanging bough from The Tree of Unrequited Love (loaded with handmade anatomical hearts for raffle prizes). I'll write up greater detail and create a gallery for the event soon, but for now I have my head down on tomorrow's oddball activity - H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu, with a late confirmation and star turn from The Dungeonettes as inmates of Arkham Sanitarium!
photo: Mark Daniels
Lizzie's Tea Party / photo: Judy Cabbages
photo: Judy Cabbages
Lizzie's Tea Party / illustrations: Emma Rios / photo: Judy Cabbages
Lucy / photo: Judy Cabbages
photo: Mark Daniels
photo: Judy Cabbages
Lizzie's Tea Party / photo: Judy Cabbages
Jak Morgan / photo: Judy Cabbages
Just what the doctor ordered
Peter Adlington
More graphics for the forthcoming Cthulhu screening - now sold out - this time from designer Peter Adlington who has created a brand identity around the fictional Arkham Sanitarium, said to be inspired by the legendary Danvers State Hospital (rumoured birthplace of the pre-frontal lobotomy). And before you think, 'They nicked that name from Batman', NO, Batman nicked it from Lovecraft! So there. Pete has created medical packaging imagery around the Outer Gods, dire warning eye charts and a little paper souvenir for those attending on the night. Bravo Pete! You did say you would work for beans, right? Prescription medication for everyone!