Basil Gogos is an American illustrator best known for making some badass portraits of everyone’s favorite movie monsters. If you’ve never seen his paintings, you’re probably more familiar with Gogos’ cover art for Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine in the 1960s and 70s. He is the man responsible for elevating horror to high art!
Tim Hawkinson is a pretty amazing artist. In fact, his work is so incredible it seems futile to post pictures (though I will to pique your interest), or even give a description of it when PBS did such a good job telling his story on their program Art21. So just click the link and watch the segment. It’s worth it!
SEGMENT: Tim Hawkinson in “Time”
1959: the first troll doll was formed into creation by by Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam in Denmark. He soon forms the DAM company to make high quality, mass-marketed trolls that find their way across the Atlantic in the 60s.
1960s-1970s: DAM Troll Dolls warm the hearts of men, women, and children across America with their creepy glass eyes, soft sheep-wool hair, and “cute cuddle” bodies.
1980s: The E.F.S. Marketing Associates, Inc. is granted permission to import and market the Thomas DAM trolls for re-sale in the United States under the trade name of ‘Norfin (R) Trolls’, with the Adopt A Norfin Troll logo on the tags.
Late 1980s through 1990s: A slew of hideous troll imitators flood the market including Uneeda‘s Wishnik Trolls, and Treasure Trolls, all of which feature the signature Troll tall hair, lovable face, and pot belly. There is total Troll chaos, going as far as Troll Warriors, Battle Trolls, Stone Protectors, and even Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Trolls, and The Trollies Radio Show. This fad capitalization even saw a 1994 re-release of Dudes with Attitude simply modified into Trolls on Treasure Island.
Geez …
2003: A Congressional law allows the Dam family of Denmark to restore their original U.S. copyright and become the only official manufacturer once again. Peace and order are once again established in the realm of the Troll.
The Intrepid Museum is a really cool thing in NYC. I can’t say I have really done anything on or in the massive collection of military and maritime vehicles, but they are pretty incredible to look at ( go check them out on Pier 86 at 46th street if you haven’t before), and everyone says they make for a pretty incredible museum. Tonight, though, sounds like the most excellent Intrepid experience of all … Goonies on a massive screen on the deck of the aircraft carrier! That’s right, at 7:30 this evening they are screening the classic. So pack snacks, bring a blanket, and hope it doesn’t rain.
“Lite-Brite, making things with liiiight, What a sight, making things with Lite-Brite!”
That was the inspiring song running through children’s minds around America as they huddled in the dark of their rooms, basking in the 25-watt glow of their newest Lite-Brite creation. Making pictures with light is just cool.
Hasbro unveiled this genius art toy in 1967. The design was simple – a grid of holes covering the front of what looked like a small television housing – but the results were magical! Using pegs of eight different colors—green, blue, red, yellow, orange, pink, purple and clear—children either created their own pictures or followed the color-by-letter patterns provided. When the work was done lights went out, Lite-Brite went on, and a new glowing masterpiece came to life.
Lite-Brite evolved over the years. What began as a basic light box turned into a flat-screen version, a 3D cube, and even an FX edition that spins and plays music. Along with that change in form also followed a change in creative possibilities as people began to think about Lite-Brite’s real potential …
Mark Beekman's "Last Supper"
Lori Kanary
Tory Burch holiday Lite-Brite display
Lite-Brite is still available from Hasbro, but if you are looking for a bite of immediate gratification, or you are just totally and completely inspired by the creations above, you can try out your light drawing abilities for free RIGHT NOW just by clicking here (sure, it’s a bit low-tech but totally fun). Or if you are up for a true Lite Brite experience that you can take anywhere with you, you can download the Lite-Brite app! I know, it’s amazing.
In 1963 the Schwinn Stingray was born, and it changed the lives of children all over America. Before it, bicycles had not changed since the turn of the century – they looked quite charming and sweet. But with the Stingray, kids had the opportunity to become outlaws as they rode down the street on their low-riders with a banana seat, high-rise handlebars (hangers), 20″ wheels, and the ability to pop wheelies. The Stingray was like a rad motorcycle, but one made just for kids!
Classic Schwinn Stingray
Schwinn Stingray Grey Ghost
Schwinn Stingray Fastback
Schwinn Stingray Orange Krate
Schwinn Stingray Peapicker
And to make the Stingray even cooler, Mattel came out with the Vroom. A plastic engine that fit right about your Stingray peddles that generated motorcycle sound effects as you pettled. Very rad indeed!
The Vroom
Then came the Wham-o-Wheelie which everyone just had to have…
If you think Stingrays are as cool as I do, you should check out the book Liz Freed wrote about them – the Schwinn Sting-Ray. Click here to check it out on Amazon.com
