Category: Art

Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein – One Sheet – 1974

This cult classic from writer/director Paul Morrissey and producer Andy Warhol follows the ill-fated attempts of Dr. Frankenstein (Udo Kier) to create a racially pure master race of zombies by mating a perfect woman (Dalila Di Lazzaro) to a perfect man. Unfortunately, in choosing a head for his male subject, the misinformed doctor makes a rather unfortunate selection.

Much hilarity ensues…

Not really, but a fair amount of sex and gore. This film is not for your basic red-state viewer.

Titled Flesh for Frankenstein in non-US releases and on the more recent DVD release this film was done back-to-back with Blood for Dracula which also was a Morrissey film done in “collaboration” with Warhol.

Warhol actually had limited involvement in the production of these films unlike many of the earlier Factory movies.

I watched this movie last night on FLIXe and must say it is one the better films of Mary Shelley’s story of reanimation, although with a considerable amount of sex and bizarre behavior thrown in. Morrissey captures the essence of the tale while at the same time both honoring and parodying Italian film making in the genre of Fellini.

I’ve had this one sheet from the 1974 film for quite some time and it now is decorating the front window of The Purple Moon for Halloween.

Portrait of Asian Man – Oil on Board – Milton Koslow – circa 1952

When Charleston artist Milton Koslow passed away in 2007 he left behind many friends and a treasure trove of fabulous art. I was fortunate enough to come upon these four portraits done by Koslow in the early 1950’s.

Milton Koslow was a lawyer by trade but always at heart was an artist. His leadership help spur the development of Gallery Eleven in Charleston and he was active in Allied Artists. He served a member of the board of directors at Sunrise.

I also have some later work by Milton, but these portraits demonstrate his ability to convey a level of emotion through his art which escapes many artists.

Portrait of a Sad Woman – Oil on Board – Milton Koslow – circa 1951

Portrait of a Woman – Oil on Board – Milton Koslow – circa 1951

Portrait of a Woman – Oil on Board – Milton Koslow – circa 1952

These paintings, and others by one of Charleston’s best 20th Century artists, are currently on display at The Purple Moon.

I Don’t Care I Kissed Her Anyhow – H.M. Travis – circa 1920’s

My grandfather meant a great deal to me. I practically grew up in his sign shop which was behind the old YMCA on 6th Avenue in Huntington, WV. It was there I first learned the joy of paint and the patience precision took. He passed away when I was twelve.

A long, lost relative unearthed a drawing my grandfather had done in his youth and sent it to my mother. I was thrilled just to get to see this while visiting her. My grandfather’s artistic talent was rarely used for his own enjoyment later in his life – it was work even though the signs he made were true works of art. It’s great to have this piece in our family and I wouldn’t trade it for any other work of art in the world.