Blue Star Folly

goddess v

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:15:00 -0800

goddess v
she is all
(123 source images)

Enjoy,

Thank you.

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:05:00 -0800

Originally, I was going to write a long, articulate post, addressing Veteran's Day. In the shower, I plotted, point by point, all of the great and weighty things I would say about service and sacrifice.

Now, sitting here at my desk, nearing the end of my workday, I am setting those things aside so that I may say the one thing to those vets that actually matters:

Thank you.

Sincerely,

8pm, Nov. 4th, 2008

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:05:00 -0800

Yes we can.

Thank you, General Powell

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:39:00 -0700

Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.), while endorsing Senator Obama for President:

I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim."

Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim; he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian.

But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America.

Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?

Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, "He's a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists." This is not the way we should be doing it in America.

I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards -- Purple Heart, Bronze Star -- showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old.

And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross; it didn't have the Star of David; it had crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he can go serve his country, and he gave his life.

The main-stream media tolerance of anti-Arab/Muslim racism has been gnawing at me for a few weeks now. Regardless of any politics or endorsements, I'm glad that General Powell chose to point out this egregious double-standard.

New erotic artwork...

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:17:00 -0700

oral ix

oral x

First, two pieces exploring my ongoing fixation with oral sex. The first, Oral ix, was created by layering 118 different photos of women performing fellatio. Juxtaposed is Oral x, composed of 118 photos of men also performing fellatio. Click the images for larger versions and the rest of the series.

bathroom vanity

This image is a composite of 105 nude self-portraits found on various forums and social networking sites. The photos included were selected for their common setting: the bathroom mirror. What is it about the arena of the locked bathroom that leaves one secure enough to confront their inner porn star?

Marriage for all!

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:33:00 -0700

vote
NO
on
prop. 8

The pro-prop. 8 ads have finally pushed me too far.

We are better than this!

Please don't allow a narrow-minded minority to write bigotry and intolerance into the California state constitution.

Amen!

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:55:00 -0700

YouTube: Donna Brazile, not going to the back of the bus.

Political wrap-up for the day...

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:12:00 -0700

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

New political artwork...

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:23:00 -0700

Major party convention podiums:

1st image: Days 1-3, Democratic National Convention. (source: 129 images)
2nd image: Days 1-3, Republican National Convention. (source: 146 images)
3rd image: Day 4, DNC, Obama's acceptance speech. (source: 92 images)
4th image: Day 4, RNC, McCain's acceptance speech. (source: 70 images)

These images are composite-photo studies of the podiums used during the Democratic and Republican national conventions. They were created by aligning and then averaging found-photos of the objects in question. Given the acute awareness of image exercised by both major parties, I thought their respective podiums might be interesting points to examine.

Podiums. Props for propping-up prospective presidents or perhaps puppets...

Uhg... sorry about that last line, I really need to get some sleep.

Zombie World Trade Center

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:15:00 -0700

This isn't exactly a new piece, but given the date (and the recent use of 9/11 as a political device at the RNC), I felt it was appropriate to re-post it.

If I may be allowed to quote myself from sometime last year:

I completed this piece in late September, 2006. At the time, I had been thinking about the use of fear as a tool, and how the Bush administration had developed a habit of invoking 9/11 whenever they needed support. The more I contemplated this tactic, the more it felt like a B-movie horror flick, where the monster suddenly reappears every time the audience thinks it's safe.

It is my sincere hope that no one is offended by the piece. The intent, of course, is to point out an under-handed (but all too common), political practice: the use tragic events to terrify the public into compliance. It's a bit of a re-hash at this late date, but hopefully also a useful reminder that we should question anyone who uses fear as a reasoning device.

Bush, McCain Icon

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:16:00 -0700

Bush/McCain icon for LJ:

Bush/McCain icon for AIM:

Thanks to Trent Reznor for the idea.

Even GOP pundits don't like the Palin pick...

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:50:00 -0700

John McCain's former campaign chief Mike Murphy and former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan were caught today, on tape, sharing their thoughts on Sarah Palin after an NBC interview. Doh, open mic!

TRANSCRIPT:

Mike Murphy (former McCain advisor): You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor work. Engler, Whitman, Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. And these guys, this is all like how you want to (inaudible) this race. You know, just run it up. And it's not gonna work.

Peggy Noonan (former Reagan speechwriter): It's over.

Murphy: Still, McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.

Chuck Todd (NBC): Don't you think the Palin pick was insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too (inaudible)

Noonan: I saw Kay this morning.

Murphy: They're all bummed out.

Todd: I mean, is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?

Noonan: The most qualified? No. I think they went for this, excuse me, political bull-shit about narratives and (inaudible) the picture.

Murphy: I totally agree.

Noonan: Every time the Republicans do that because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at and they blow it.

Murphy: You know what's really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism and this is cynical.

Todd: And as you called it, gimmicky.

Country First (dissenters need not apply)

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:17:00 -0700

"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."

- Hermann Göring

Now, before anyone throws a hissy-fit, I'm not saying that the GOP are NAZIs... but they do seem to be reading from the same play-book. All of those "Country First" signs and banners creep the fuck out of me.

Obama

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:39:00 -0700

For the first time in my life, a politician has brought tears to my eyes... not tears of frustration, but tears of joy.

Maybe I'm a bleeding-heart sucker. Dunno. Time will tell, I suppose.

Wow, I forgot what hope feels like.

Presidential Material?

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:14:00 -0700

All Democratic and Republican U.S. presidential nominees from 1900 to 2008. Predictably, Democrats are on the left, Republicans on the right. Each composite consists of 28 source images. Individual candidates who were nominated multiple times are weighted respectively here.

The two are appropriately similar, I think.

Newsletter - August 2008

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:15:00 -0700

LarryHoldaway.com Mailing List - Newsletter for August 2008

Long time, no update... ah, the life of a wage-slave. Too much work, not enough time... same ol' song and dance. I'm trying frantically to catch up on un-answered email, so don't fret if you're waiting for a reply from me. It *is* forthcoming!

Anyway, on with the show:

New Artwork/updates

New foto work (self-portraits)

I have recently rediscovered my interest in self-portraits. Maybe it's self-inspection, perhaps just narcissism. In any case, new photos have been added here:
http://larryholdaway.com/photography/self/

Website revamped

My 'official' website ( http://larryholdaway.com/ ) has been revamped. I'm not entirely happy with it yet, but it is definitely an improvement. You can now leave comments, and I've added an RSS feed ( http://larryholdaway.com/rss.xml ) for updates on new artwork and shows. Stop by, kick the tires and take a look around. Let me know if you see any problems/bugs.

YouTube video by Wake LeRoux

Wake LeRoux put together a cool video about my artwork at Club HELL. You can check it out on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu3w3SafjFs

Upcoming Events

Club HELL, August 27th

We're back at Club HELL. After taking a month off, Angie and I are returning to Club HELL!

Join us for a night of dancing, drinking and a group art show featuring work by Larry Holdaway, Angelina Cardone and many others.

If you like dark art, loud music, bare skin, tight vinyl or black leather... or any combination of thereof... then this is the place for you!

August 27th 2008 | 9pm-2am | 21+ | $10 cover

FREE entry before 11pm, if you mention my name (Larry Holdaway) at the door!
FREE vodka shots before 10pm! (while supplies last)

@ the Ivar/facade
6356 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Miscellanea

Model Call

Artist and painter (and my wife!), Angelina Cardone, recently began series of highly-stylized paintings featuring members of the goth/industrial/body-mod subculture(s).

Basically, she's looking for women with tattoos, piercings, body-mods, or unique looks; who are willing to pose nude for photo-studies that will be used as the basis for her new paintings. (Women only, for now... sorry boys, there are already too many men willing to stand naked in front of a woman holding a camera!)

Examples of Angie's painting may be found here:
http://angelinacardone.com/painting/erotic01/

If you are interested, then please contact Angelina Cardone via her website or on one the of the following social networking sites:
http://www.myspace.com/gothcomic
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=590731724

Thanks for your time!
Larry Holdaway

ATTN ALL TOY SOLDIERS - A Call to Arms! (pls repost)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:45:00 -0700

Reposted from the good Doctor Steel:
______________________________________

A CALL TO ARMS

I am normally very supportive of others utilizing their creativity to follow their passions in life. I have been delighted to see many thousands of budding artists and creative minds utilize my image as a springboard for imaginative endeavors.

However, a situation has now arisen that appears to surpasses mere creative inspiration.

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog is a musical "comedy" about a thirty-something, singing mad scientist who's goal it is to take over the world. Complete with vintage propaganda, an "Ask Dr. Horrible" segment and of course...goggles.

With a mainstream powerhouse recycling such personal themes, I must confess that I see potential trouble in the future.

Many members of the Army of Toy Soldiers have been organizing missions to inform the masses. Such support is truly appreciated and I wish to convey my appreciation to all of you who have shown such support for many, many years in what I work so very hard to achieve.

Sincerely and appreciatively yours,

~Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel^TM

Nice ride...

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:59:00 -0700

At the office, our neighbors have the coolest cars...

Oh dear...

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:52:00 -0700

Another month in HELL...

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:40:00 -0700

Wednesday, June 25^th!
Art show @ Club Hell

Join us at Club Hell for a night of dancing, drinking and a
group art show featuring artwork by Larry Holdaway
and Angelina Cardone.

June 25th 2008 | 9pm-2am | 21+ | $10 cover

FREE before 11pm, when you mention
my name (Larry Holdaway) at the door!

FREE vodka shots before 10pm!

@ the Ivar/facade
6356 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
90028 (map)

click here to sign up
for my mailing list!

Saying no ain't so easy...

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:54:00 -0700

It's not even one month after graduation, and I'm already back to my pre-CalArts, overworked self. I know it's better than not having a job at all... but that doesn't make it any easier.

I need to learn how to say "NO".

TONIGHT - Free Vodka, No Cover!

Wed, 28 May 2008 16:53:00 -0700

Wednesday, May 28^th!
Art show @ Club Hell

Join us at Club Hell for a night of dancing, drinking and a
group art show featuring work by Larry Holdaway
and Angelina Cardone.

May 28th 2008
9pm-2am
21+
$10 cover

FREE
entry before 11pm, when you
mention my name
- Larry Holdaway -
at the door!

FREE
vodka shots before 10pm!

@ the Ivar/facade
6356 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
90028

click here to sign up
for my mailing list!

[Photos from February!]

The Known Soldier

Mon, 26 May 2008 15:21:00 -0700

Four years ago, I set out on a journey. Haunted by word that my little brother was soon to ship out to Iraq, and troubled by personal misgivings regarding the war, I began to obsessively watch for reports of Americans killed in action. At that point in the war, the evening news featured frequent KIA reports, showing portraits and photographs of the soldiers most recently lost. As they faded from picture to picture, I searched the faces, looking (I thought) for old ROTC friends and acquaintances. In reality, I was seeking something else. Slowly, I came to the horrifying realization that I was looking for some sign of my brother in the faces of the dead.

What I found, instead, was an intangible thread, a commonality that I could not quantify. Was is the set of their jaws, or perhaps the grim determination in each gaze? There was something terrifyingly familiar, yet out of intellectual reach. My father joined the Marine Corps when I was a child, thus I spent a good deal of time living on military installations. I wondered if that time, spent among soldiers and their families, had colored my perception of these faces.

I knew that, in order to settle my mind, I would have to find a way to quantify (or at least identify) the thing I was seeing/sensing. So I looked up the names of all of the American soldiers killed in Iraq at that point. The next month was spent researching that list, scouring the internet to find as many photographs as possible (this was an incredibly intense and painful experience). Next, I wrote custom software that would allow me to composite and find the average from hundreds or thousands of images. The initial outcome was compelling, but unsatisfactory.

I waited a few weeks, but found that my mind was still overwhelmed by the vague connection I was seeing between the individual faces. So I revised my process, went back through the photos and aligned the eyes and mouth of each soldier's face, individually, and re-composited them.

The result left me, quite literally, in tears. I was confronted by a face, unknown to me yet achingly familiar. It was a perfect, visual representation of that commonality that had seemed so intangible to me. This is the image you see at the top of this post, The Known Soldier: the face of our ongoing sacrifice, the price of our nation's hubris.

At the time, I intended to go back and update the image with the fallen soldiers from each year that the war continued. With great shame I admit that I have failed, the burden is just too painful.

I figured Memorial Day was a good time to finally put that all in writing.

Newsletter - May 2008

Wed, 21 May 2008 22:53:00 -0700

========================================================================
LarryHoldaway.com Mailing List - Newsletter for May 2008
========================================================================

Hey everyone!

This month has been insanely busy for me, so this will be a brief update.

First, I'd like to thank everyone who came out to Club HELL in April. Last
month was the first showing of my political art at that venue, and the
response was outstanding! Thank you!

Now, before I get on to the usual stuff...

Angelina Cardone, whom you should know from Club HELL (or perhaps you know
her as my beautiful wife), is looking for models for her latest series of
paintings. You can find details at the end of this newsletter**.

In this issue:

Upcoming Events

Club HELL, May 28th

Recent Art/Performances

Graduation...

Miscellanea

How I waste my time on the Interwebs
Model call

========================================================================
I. Upcoming Events:
========================================================================

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Club HELL, May 28th
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another month, another Club HELL! Join us for a night of dancing, drinking
and a group art show featuring work by Larry Holdaway, Angelina Cardone and
many others.

If you like dark art, loud music, bare skin, tight vinyl or black leather...
or any combination of thereof... then this is the place for you!

May 28th 2008 | 9pm-2am | 21+ | $10 cover

FREE entry before 11pm, if you mention my name (Larry Holdaway) at the door!
FREE vodka shots before 10pm! (while supplies last)

@ the Ivar/facade
6356 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028

========================================================================
II. Recent Art/Performances
========================================================================

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Graduation...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nothing new since last month's newsletter, unless you count graduating from
the California Institute of the Arts.

Seventeen years after first starting... I finally have my degree.

More info here:
http://www.bluestarfolly.com/rant/articles/2008/0518.html

Photos (MySpace):
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=12853341&albumId=2435977

Photos (FaceBook):
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=115510&id=834640011

========================================================================
III. Miscellanea
========================================================================

------------------------------------------------------------------------
How I waste my time on the Interwebs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Various online community memberships:

http://www.myspace.com/witchlars
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Larry-P-Holdaway/22709715173
http://witchlars.livejournal.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/witchlars

Feel free to add me!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Call**
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angelina Cardone, my amazing wife, is first and foremost, an amazing artist
and painter. She recently began series of highly-stylized paintings
featuring members of the goth/industrial/body-mod subculture(s).

Basically, she's looking for women with tattoos, piercings, body-mods, or
unique looks; who are willing to pose nude for photo-studies that will be
used as the basis for her new paintings. (Women only, for now... sorry boys,
there are already too many men willing to stand naked in front of a woman
holding a camera!)

Examples of Angie's painting may be found here:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=103919&albumId=2666876
And here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=2&aid=25318&id=590731724
(MySpace or FaceBook only... sorry, we're working on that)

If you are interested, then please contact Angelina Cardone via MySpace or
FaceBook. If you'd rather communicate via email, then contact me at
larry.holdaway@gmail.com and I will forward your message to her.

http://www.myspace.com/gothcomic
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=590731724

========================================================================

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your time!
Larry Holdaway
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last month's newsletter:
http://larryholdaway.com/pipermail/art_updates_larryholdaway.com/2008-April/000001.html

========================================================================
========================================================================
You are receiving this email for one of three reasons:
1) You subscribed via my portfolio site, http://larryholdaway.com/
2) You signed up in person at one of my shows.
3) You are one of the select, personal friends whom I have decided to
torture.

========================================================================
========================================================================
If you'd rather not receive these updates, go here:
http://larryholdaway.com/mailman/listinfo/art_updates_larryholdaway.com
and use the unsubscribe feature at the bottom of the page.
========================================================================
========================================================================

17 years after first starting...

Sun, 18 May 2008 23:17:00 -0700

...I finally have my degree.

Yes, I wore vinyl pants.

Yes, there's an orange smoke bomb going off behind me.

Yes, it kicked ass.

Larry Holdaway,
Bachelor of Fine Arts,
California Institute of the Arts

FYI

Sat, 03 May 2008 23:53:00 -0700

I love this girl:

I just thought you should know.

GHOSTS I - IV

Fri, 02 May 2008 22:14:00 -0700

Look what I found on the door-step when I got home from work today...

#1679/2500

tee hee!

Art show, Wednesday night @ Club HELL

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:10:00 -0700

Wednesday, April 30^th!
Art show @ Club Hell

Join us at Club Hell for a night of dancing, drinking and a
group art show featuring work by Larry Holdaway
and Angelina Cardone.

Apr 30th 2008
9pm-2am
21+
$10 cover

FREE
entry before 11pm, when you
mention my name
- Larry Holdaway -
at the door!

FREE
vodka shots before 10pm!

@ the Ivar/facade
6356 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
90028

click here to sign up
for my mailing list!

[Photos from February!]

Noise or Music?

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:37:00 -0700

A cellphone pic of Matthew and I recording my new piece at the warehouse last night. The setup is simple: 2 amps, 2 guitars and 1 laptop. The results are amazing.

MP3 here: [ Feedback 11:06 v15 (for 2 guitars), 11m06s, 21MB ]

So here's my question for you all: Is it Noise or is it Music? Personally, I'm firmly on the side of music, but I'd like to see what other people think. Take a listen, and let me know what you think (it has a definite beginning, middle and end... I know how tempting it is to give a quick listen to the beginning and then comment, but you should really listen to the whole thing - it's worth the time, trust me!).

Thanks!

Newsletter, April 2008

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:46:00 -0700

==========================================================
LarryHoldaway.com Mailing List - Newsletter for April 2008
==========================================================

Hey everyone!

For months now, I've been promising to start up this newsletter, but every
time I would sit down to start, something more pressing would come up,
diverting my time and energy. Enough. Here it is.

The purpose of the newsletter, of course, is to keep you updated in regard
to upcoming shows, events and new artwork. I'd like to make it monthly, but
I wouldn't be surprised if you don't see the next one until June or July.

In this issue:

Upcoming Events
1. Club HELL, April 30th
2. Ooze, April 20th

Recent Art/Performances
1. Robber Barons
2. Feedback 11:06 v13 (for two guitars)

How I waste my time on the Interwebs

==========================================================
I. Upcoming Events:
==========================================================

----------------------------------------------------------
Club HELL, April 30th
----------------------------------------------------------

Club HELL is here again! Join us for a night of dancing, drinking and a
group art show featuring work by Larry Holdaway, Angelina Cardone and many
others.

Apr 30th 2008 | 9pm-2am | 21+ | $10 cover

FREE entry before 11pm, when you mention my name (Larry Holdaway) at the
door!
FREE vodka shots before 10pm! (while supplies last)

@ the Ivar/facade
6356 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028

----------------------------------------------------------
OOZE @ Safari Sams, April 20th
----------------------------------------------------------

Come see OOZE, performing with Green Jello, Suicide Holiday, Rosemary's
Billy Goat, Joe & the Chicken Heads, and Ten Count Junky. I don't have
anything to do with this show, but the guys in Ooze are good friends - AND
THEY KICK ASS!

Apr 20th 2008 | 8pm-2pm | All Ages | $5 cover

@ Safari Sams
5214 W. Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90027

==========================================================
II. Recent Art/Performances
==========================================================

----------------------------------------------------------
Robber Barons
----------------------------------------------------------
I created a new, composite image of 55 executive officers from Exxon Mobil,
Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Valero Energy and Marathon Oil - the top five U.S.
oil companies according to the 2007, Fortune 500 list of America's largest
corporations. After seeing their faces on the news a few weeks ago, I
wondered what they looked like collectively.

Now, if only *I* could figure out how to generate $82,885,000,000 in
profits...

See the image here:
http://www.bluestarfolly.com/rant/articles/2008/0405.html

----------------------------------------------------------
Feedback 11:06 v13 (for two guitars)
----------------------------------------------------------
Once upon a time, I fancied myself something of a musician. Recently, the
urge to make loud, bizarre noise has retaken me. In this piece, my intent
was to explore sound as a physical (almost sculptural) presence. I wanted
to feel it on my skin and in my lungs, to bathe in it, to drown.

Two guitars, two 100W amps, one laptop and a handful of the coolest people
on the planet. As good as this video clip is, you *really* had to be there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL71ZZ0Jyic

==========================================================
III. How I waste my time on the Interwebs
==========================================================
http://www.myspace.com/witchlars
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Larry-P-Holdaway/22709715173
http://witchlars.livejournal.com/

If you too, waste your life in one of these Interweb corners, feel free to
add me!

----------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your time!
Larry Holdaway
----------------------------------------------------------

Sign up here:
http://larryholdaway.com/mailman/listinfo/art_updates_larryholdaway.com