November 21, 2006
Only in Williamsburg, Only on the L
Reader Nick sent us this insane image from his morning commute. As it's not totally safe for work (we're being cautious), click here to view the whole image. And here's Nick's note:
So I was on the L train this morning on my way to work, and these guys board somewhere in Williamsburg with a huge wooden painting, with holes for people to put their faces like at a carnival. What do you think?We think that's some crazy carnival! Our bet is that it's going to a hospital or experimental theater - it's too late for Mother's Day.
And you're welcome to Photoshop it and send us your results!
Update: Thank you, commenter lennyx, who reminded us that Elijah Wood has been in this painting before - at the Art Parade last year. Maybe the painting needed to be touched up and was going out for a new spin today. Who knows, except that it's clearly not precious enough to warrant a protective container for transport. Then again, that would be less fun.
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Could that be from the Hell House?
isn't there a picture floating around of Elijah Wood in between the legs of this thing?
It's Elijah Wood's Mom
http://my.opera.com/Rubitomas/albums/showpic.dml?album=75470&picture=997306
oh yeah there is - found it here -
http://files.myopera.com/Rubitomas/albums/75470/thumbs/Elijah%20Wood%20is%20Born.jpg_thumb.jpg
Nevermind the painting--what the hell is on that guy's face???
a trustfund pacifier to remind himself how suck ass any "art" is from williamburg
That's awesome -- I was actually sitting right on the other side of that thing when this photo was taken (so I couldn't see what it was), nursing a coffee and a hangover, reflecting on what hipster douches these guys looked like (one wearing a weird fleece houserobe, the other wearing his nasty little faux-hawk).
This cutout thing is pretty sweet, though, and kind of makes me feel like a dick for being so judgemental. On second thought, that haircut was pretty heinous.
Man, I was sitting directly in front of that on my way into the city this morning. Didn't notice anyone taking pictures. It was really amazing to be sitting right there and have nobody really crack up or even smile. This is New York, after all.
I lived in Williamsburg for 9+ years and always appreciated the off-beat spirit of the place, but you have to be sensitive to the fact that there can be young children on the train seeing this, not to mention elderly people and others who might be grossed out. Williamsburg and the L train are not the private domain of young hipsters who enjoy this kind of stuff.
cover yer ears EYES, NOSE holes, Brain Holes, and Ombilicous hole to the nastiness of creation and its iminent moment, yes that lonly moment of coming to be in this doomed planet and having to ride the friking L train to discover the human condition.
Oh my oh my oh my
when you people say hipster, do you even know what you are refering to? does that word even still refer to any sort of identifiable group of people? do they all share the same characteristics? and please, don't just say 'you know one when you see one.' thats so lame.
I would like to point out to anyone who may have been offened by the painting that there is a chance that whoever it was that created this piece may in fact have some sort of conceptual artistic intention for it. Furthermore, to deny this intention in any sort of forum would be much the same as calling for a public ban on art that one's personal morals find questionable, as opposed to a ban on art that may actually hurt someone. I find this way of thinking to be highly offensive in and of itself to all of those who have fought for freedom of artistic expression, and would feel compelled to call anyone who supported it a book burner. This is, afterall, New York.
To #9:
Of all the people in the world, how many are "young children"?
We as human beings are young children for a small fraction of our lives. Why should we have to spend 90% of our years walking on eggshells for a small group that eventually will grow up anyway?
When are people going to realize that people are adults for 60+ years, adolescents for about 10 years, yet are small children for ONLY about 8 years?
Children absolutely do not deserve to wield such grand influence on society.
Seriously, what the hell is a hipster, anyway? Are they those Euro-trash coked up trendsters, or those scruffy, downbeat kids who shuffle their feet? or even worse, people who wear polyester pants?
People call anybody who isn't wearing Banana Republic khackis a "hipster" these days. I don't know, it just seems like a term that'll always be stuck in 2001 - the Strokes mesh trucker hat years.
REALITY CHECK,
Here's a reality check: you're a moron. You've failed at life if you haven't grasped the simple concept that the things that a child is exposed to leave an indelible imprint on the rest of his or her life.
That thing would be inappropriate viewing for more than just children. I wouldn't want my grandmother to have to stare at that for 30 minutes on the subway on her trip to her chiropractor (for example). Is that better? Not everyone shares your acceptance of public displays of carnality. There is a reason we wear clothing beyond as a means to combat weather.
Here's a reality check: you're a moron. You've failed at life if you haven't grasped the simple concept that the things that a child is exposed to leave an indelible imprint on the rest of his or her life.
Anon, I take it you didn't grow up in the 70s or before...it's called "character building." Slighty traumatizing childhood memories are essential for a well-rounded, interesting adult.
wow, i didnt know my picture would initiate such debate.
I have a kid, and I would not be offended if he saw this. Not too long ago, he came out there. Plus birth is nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing offensive really.
#11-The hipster label has been wronly appropriated by a group of people trying to be individuals but instead are quite homogeneous and boring and who do nothing truly radical or counterculture. Too bad the true descriptor is not as catchy--the homogeneous makes much more sense. A true hipster eschews the traditional establishment and culture among other things, something missing from the faux (hawk) hipster movement.
Here is an idea. Don't look. No one is making you. You and your child can turn away, close your eyes, switch cars, wait for a new train, put your head down, turn to your friend and chat, read your book, write a letter. You have many choices. No one is being tied down and forced to view this.
I am just impressed the baby is coming out vaginally rather than through the ever popular evasive c-section route.
Here's a better idea: cover it up. Is that so difficult? Throw a sheet over it. The rule of the few vs the many and all that.
I'm sick of these crusades where a group of people is made to suffer uncomfortable moments just because one moron is feeling self-righteous that day. Like that woman breastfeeding on a plane: she could have used a towel or some kind of cover, but instead she's indignant that flashing her breasts is her god-given mission in life. Yes, I realize that she has a legal right to breastfeed in public, but is it necessary to flaunt that if you know that it's making others uncomfortable? Is it *that* important?
I'm no puritan and I am not personally offended by anything (other than someone performing personal hygiene in public spaces), but I don't get this 'it doesn't offend me and therefore it shouldn't offend you - deal with it or screw off' attitude.
Just one more example of the erosion of conscientiousness. I hate this city sometimes.
Anonymass: You proved part of your name right.
It behoves you to research and experience something before posting uninformed opinions online. She was in the back, corner of a plane, no one could see her. One ignorant flight attendant was bothered--that should not trump her right to feed her child or for her child to be able to eat. You act as if she was topless in front of hundreds of offended people.
Here is a better solution. Don't look! It is so very easy, not to mention polite, not to stare, and most woman are adept at it and you would never even know what was going on. A woman can breastfeed anywhere she wants. You should accept that and just get used to it. Heck, you can see more breast in magazine ads and on the beach. I have seen Kate Moss's nipples and breasts more times than I have seen all of the many breastfeeding woman I know combined (and then times some). You should probably never take your children anywhere least they are exposed to something so terrible! Egads, a sliver of the curveature of a breast sustaining a life. How awful for them.
Extend her the courtesy and respect you so badly need, and I bet you she will extend it right back. You clearly are a product of a Puritanical environment. No intelligent, aware, informed person I know suggest a woman cover up her child will eating. The very thought is ludicrous.
I just watched the movie Children of Men, a sci fi movie where women can not conceive anymore set in London 2027, I think this string of thought above might not be far away from the scifi pre set up of the story. Check it out when it comes out.
Everyone will rush and screw, and hope the human race never dies, if there are no babies and no vaginas there is no more human life.
I wonder what will come next....
Maybe hipsterland. I hope I make it to the hipster scifi L train...
Viva hipsterland!