tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55480214541148082552009-10-26T17:33:22.017ZLewis Crofts - MyBlogLewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-29409941311832110022009-10-26T17:21:00.002Z2009-10-26T17:33:22.027ZParis von Gütersloh<a href="http://a6.vox.com/6a00b8ea0717691bc000cdf7eb21ee094f-500pi"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 500px;" src="http://a6.vox.com/6a00b8ea0717691bc000cdf7eb21ee094f-500pi" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />One of Schiele's most stunning portraits is that of fellow painter Paris von Gütersloh. <br /><br />To some, the symbolism can appear somewhat unsubtle. Von Gütersloh's portraint screams out his identity: in the hands which he holds up as the tools of his trade, and the vibrant colours which surround him.<br /><br />But this is a Schiele painting. The hands bear Schiele's signature touches (pained, crooked, tormented, tortured, torturing) and the colours are not just any old paint, but burning yellow that surrounds him like a midday sun, rivaling Van Gogh's own yellow obsession. <br /><br />Even Schiele can take these simple signifiers of paint and hands and transform them. <br /><br />US film-maker Roy Allen has recently put together a short film on what might have happened on the day of the portrait. Watch below. <br /><br /><object width="400" height="227"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6939836&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6939836&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="227"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/6939836">The Portrait</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2397526">Roy Allen</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-2940994131183211002?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-27601791226603776472009-09-25T10:27:00.006Z2009-09-25T10:52:39.886ZThe Edifice ComplexYesterday, I read about a 394-metre glass phallus that has just been cleared for construction in the middle of that Russian jewel St Petersburg. It's going to be Gazprom's new pad (<a href="http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/controversial-gazprom-tower-gets-green-light/5208427.article">here</a>). <br /><br />But what the oligarchs of today are building, the leaders of the past have already built. <br /><br />Looking at this, I recalled a couple of fascinating examples of architectural megalomania.<br /><br />First up Lenin<br /><br /><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Yalta_Lenin_statue.jpg/450px-Yalta_Lenin_statue.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 600px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Yalta_Lenin_statue.jpg/450px-Yalta_Lenin_statue.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And then this aria-singer on an oil field.<br /><br /><a href="http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai134_folder/134_photos/134_196_stalin_statue.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 339px; height: 360px;" src="http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai134_folder/134_photos/134_196_stalin_statue.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And lest we forget the heinous dictator of sweetcorn. Truly heinous. <br /><br /><a href="http://fastfoodcritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/jolly_green_giant_statue.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 532px;" src="http://fastfoodcritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/jolly_green_giant_statue.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-2760179122660377647?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-36902976108369897862009-03-31T16:06:00.003Z2009-03-31T19:47:25.521ZColombia on your doorstepGo to this. That's an order. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xwiQitQ6cjM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xwiQitQ6cjM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-3690297610836989786?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-22121076700732548192009-03-07T20:19:00.001Z2009-03-07T20:23:20.646ZMore Italy, More England<a href="http://www.affaritaliani.it/culturaspettacoli/arte_incubi_erotici_di_schiele270209.html">Affaritaliani </a>and <a href="http://lestaret.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/reading-list-february-2009/">Lestaret </a>have a few things to say. <br /><br />And I agree with all of them.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-2212107670073254819?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-54079899894594002582009-02-21T09:25:00.003Z2009-02-21T09:30:33.627ZItalian wisdom<a href="http://www.livius.org/a/2/greeks/sophocles_cm_s.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 218px;" src="http://www.livius.org/a/2/greeks/sophocles_cm_s.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A thoughtful blog posting and subsequent conversation on the PoV in Italy by some people clearly well-versed in art. <br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.lankelot.eu/index.php/2009/02/06/crofts-lewis-il-pornografo-di-vienna/#comment-39913">here</a> to see Lankelot.eu<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-5407989989459400258?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-3270942746680156282008-11-05T22:23:00.002Z2008-11-05T22:29:53.139ZA Slice of Culture?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.justinspaintings.com/images/p167_WatermelonSlice.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 385px;" src="http://www.justinspaintings.com/images/p167_WatermelonSlice.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Fancy a Slice of Culture? A Slice of Life? Well, then you'd do as well to pop by <a href="http://annajenkinson-culture.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />A new blog on all things cultural by colleague and cultural firebrand <span style="font-weight:bold;">Anna Jenkinson</span>. Have a look. Go on. I dare you.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-327094274668015628?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-37362851882847302222008-11-05T22:10:00.003Z2008-11-05T22:18:14.223ZViennese musings<span style="font-weight:bold;">Sylvia Petter</span>, an Australian writer based in Vienna and the author of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Back Burning</span>, has just published this <a href="http://mercsworld.blogspot.com/2008/11/writing-is-hard-and-egon-schiele-died.html">review</a> of the <span style="font-weight:bold;">PoV</span>. She certainly knows a thing or two about Vienna.<br /><br />Have a look at her blog <span style="font-weight:bold;">Merc's World</span> <a href="http://mercsworld.blogspot.com/">here</a>. And there is more on <span style="font-weight:bold;">Back Burning</span> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-3736285188284730222?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-79930459408773936952008-10-08T18:32:00.002Z2008-10-08T18:42:05.214ZPictures (in colour) & Words (in Italian)<a href="http://giotto.ibs.it/cop/wuzbb.asp?f=9788855800464"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://giotto.ibs.it/cop/wuzbb.asp?f=9788855800464" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />In Italy I met a delightful anglophile called Marilia Piccone, who interviewed me for the WUZ.it. In a bit of role reversal, I reckon it was more stimulating and engaging for the interviewee (me) than the interviewer (her)!<br /><br />Not only has she written a review (<a href="http://www.wuz.it/recensione-libro/2581/pornografo-vienna-lewis-crofts.html">here</a>), but she's also published the interview (<a href="http://www.wuz.it/intervista/2582/lewis-crofts-intervista.html">here</a>) complete with a great choice of Schiele's works.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-7993045940877393695?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-76918626149470609652008-10-05T13:09:00.006Z2008-10-05T13:23:08.370ZThe Best Day of My Life<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sPVB1UaJL._SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sPVB1UaJL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A new anthology entitled "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Day-Life-Cross-section-Celebrities/dp/1906015341">The Best Day of My Life</a>" has just hit the shelves. It brings together a load of short stories by people like <strong>Phil "The Power" Taylor</strong>, <strong>Mike Gayle</strong> and <strong>Sophie Kinsella</strong> talking about - unsurprisingly - the best days of their lives were. <br /><br />For a sneak preview, click <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1067573/James-Corden-The-day-father-went-war.html">here </a>and you can read the moving story by <strong>James Corden</strong> (from Gavin and Stacey). <br /><br />It's all for charity (<a href="http://www.sportingchancefoundation.co.uk/">The Sporting Chance Foundation</a>), so put your hand in your pocket. Go on. <br /><br />Also included are <strong>James Crossley</strong> (formerly 'Hunter' off Gladiators) and <strong>little me</strong>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-7691862614947060965?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-79872772416414535732008-10-04T12:20:00.003Z2008-10-04T12:36:20.722ZCaught in a spam filterOnce again I've been caught in an email spam-filter... I should perhaps avoid inflammatory titles in the future. <br /><br />Google is an unforgiving mistress. <br /><br />Have a look at the <a href="http://stuck-in-a-book.blogspot.com/2008/10/volumes-received.html">Stuck in a Book</a> blog.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-7987277241641453573?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-59097505595600698942008-09-18T22:00:00.004Z2008-09-18T22:08:14.364ZKeeping a breast of Italian TVAn Italian TV channel has broadcast this piece intercutting an interview with me with shots of Vienna and excerpts of a Schiele film from the 1980s. It involves some breasts. Not mine.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ouI9cABKJ7g&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ouI9cABKJ7g&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-5909750559560069894?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-84102659650689883922008-09-15T20:20:00.006Z2008-09-18T21:58:13.656ZGet up at 3:AMThe acclaimed webzine <strong><a href="http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/">3:AM</a> </strong>has published this <a href="http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/fatal-passions-an-interview-with-lewis-crofts/">interview </a>with me where I side-step the question about my next book by making a joke about sex in a chip-shop.<br /><br />Lame and cowardly, I know.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-8410265965068988392?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-42276865706270415752008-09-15T19:26:00.004Z2008-09-15T20:18:05.635ZMamma Mia – 2<a href="http://www.monasterystays.com/uploads/features/Rome_01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.monasterystays.com/uploads/features/Rome_01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Lorenza del Tosto has written an atmospheric piece <a href="http://www.omero.it/rivista.php?itemid=2132">here </a>recounting a dense but delightful day in Rome with the pornographer and Egon.<br /><br />And this from Leonardo Merlini, a fascinating journalist from APcom whose mind bubbles with all sorts of marvellous literary and philosphical connections. <a href="http://www.lewiscrofts.com/myblog/lewis_crofts.rtf">lewis_crofts.rtf</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-4227686570627041575?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-59644017681404084172008-09-04T20:18:00.011Z2008-09-07T16:01:07.644ZMamma Mia<a href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0b1e7EV02OdPc/340x.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0b1e7EV02OdPc/340x.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I'm in Italy at the moment for the publication of <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.unilibro.com/find_buy/product.asp?sku=12927460&idaff=0">Il pornografo di Vienna</a></span>. As two millenia of civilisation and culture have shown, the Italians have a nose for art and sensuality. And I'm grateful.<br /><br />Naples' major paper – <span style="font-weight:bold;">Il Mattino</span> – has published this piece on the book (see <a href="http://www.ilmattino.it/mattino/view.php?data=20080904&ediz=NAZIONALE&npag=21&file=LATO.xml&type=STANDARD">here</a>), following a chat with the charming Santa di Salvo. <br /><br />Also, <span style="font-weight:bold;">La Reppublica</span> has found space for Egon alongside Hemmingway and Shakespeare – which is kind of them. Read it for yourself in the language of love <a href="http://www.repubblica.it/2008/03/sezioni/spettacoli_e_cultura/libri-20mar/libri-4-sett/libri-4-sett.html?rss">here</a>.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Tonino Bucci published this interview in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Liberazione</span> – replete with some novel questions on Schiele. Thanks to him as well for the valiant job of transcribing my blathering. See <a href="http://www.lewiscrofts.com/myblog/Liberazione%20review.pdf">Liberazione%20review.pdf</a><br /><br /><a href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniela_Pizzagalli">Daniela Pizzagalli</a> wrote this piece for Genoa's <span style="font-weight:bold;">Il Secolo XIX</span> (see <a href="http://ilsecoloxix.ilsole24ore.com/italia_e_mondo/2008/09/05/1101735523022-vita-genio-un-pornografo.shtml">here</a>). A biographer in her own right, you can see Daniela's work <a href="http://www.allbookstores.com/author/Daniela_Pizzagalli.html">here</a>. Or read an interview with her <a href="http://www.infinitestorie.it/frames.speciali/speciali.asp?ID=157">here</a>.<br /> <br />Not to forget Milan's <strong>Il Giornale</strong> which summed things up with delightful north Italian diligence <a href="http://www.ilgiornale.it/a.pic1?ID=288662">here</a>. <br /><br />And if you're interested in Italian travel writing tips, then you'd do well to have a look at <span style="font-weight:bold;">Messana 28</span> - look <a href="http://www.massena28.com/2008/08/26/novita-di-settembre/">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-5964401768140408417?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-53559195443319445012008-08-02T19:51:00.003Z2008-08-02T20:11:38.427ZItalian class<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/xiaoheshun/RtgFG1jfWYI/AAAAAAAAAr4/piz5mdt95NM/2DB80CPP01020005.jpg?imgmax=512"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/xiaoheshun/RtgFG1jfWYI/AAAAAAAAAr4/piz5mdt95NM/2DB80CPP01020005.jpg?imgmax=512" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />There's something classy about Italy. <br /><br />Even the title of my book sounds classier in Europe's most romantic tongue: <strong>Il pornografo di Vienna</strong><br /><br />It's out on 4 September, published by <a href="http://www.marcotropeaeditore.it/">Marco Tropea</a>, an imprint of <a href="http://www.saggiatore.it/home_saggiatore.php?l=it">Il Saggiatore</a>.<br /><br />Italy: it's all classy: opera, fashion, ancient history, art, scultpure, cuisine, architecture, poetry...a government with the longevity of a gadfly. Aaaah the class.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-5355919544331944501?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-77941155564674403132008-07-30T20:13:00.004Z2008-07-30T20:21:35.566ZSchiele as Joy Division<a href="http://www.musicfolio.com/modernrock/iancurtis.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.musicfolio.com/modernrock/iancurtis.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />One of the most insightful blog postings on Schiele and his enduring - but alternative - charm can be found <a href="http://skullcull.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/take-art-egon-schiele/">here</a>.<br /><br />Some choice cuts from <strong>Take Art</strong>:<br /><br />"Sexuality burns through his paintings like a fever whereas Klimt has more of a satisfied glow. Schiele is a confrontational painter — his subjects looking straight at the viewer in a way that seems, to me at least, to be markedly different from how the people in Klimt’s paintings watch you, make you complicit in whatever they are doing, or mutely acknowledge you as some kind of voyeur.<br /><br />"The figures are more angular, seem less comfortable. Schiele’s work seems less rooted in a kind of bourgeois bohemia and as a result escapes the trap of history that some of his contemporaries are burdened with. His work is very modern and by that I mean that it still seems fresh and full of vitality, a leanness of stroke and effortless conversion of thought and movement into image. <br /><br />You look at one of his paintings and you can hardly imagine him over-working a piece (I speculate here, he may have been as troubled in his process as everyone else; his life hardly seems to have been perfect). There is an immediacy to the work though, and whereas Klimt might fit nicely with some smooth cocktail jazz Schiele always made me think of Joy Division.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-7794115556467440313?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-20489172815145538412008-07-18T08:14:00.003Z2008-07-18T08:20:52.960ZRead Porn. Eat Chocolate<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/11/16/rhsfeat_body_chocolate300,0.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/11/16/rhsfeat_body_chocolate300,0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This is the advice of <strong>Salena Godden</strong>, poet, writer and half of the feisty <a href="http://www.saltpeter.co.uk/">SaltPeter</a>, a ska-drum-n-bass-breakbeat duo, which you can lap up <a href="http://www.myspace.com/wearesaltpeter">here</a>. <br /><br />She is currently researching a piece on erotic film-makers, which involves some groin-numbing hours of DVD watching. Read her blog <a href="http://saltpeter-godden.blogspot.com/">here</a>. <br /><br />To counterbalance the filth, she took up a copy of the <strong>Pornographer of Vienna</strong> and some organic chocolate.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-2048917281514553841?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-67224640225688839732008-07-09T21:28:00.004Z2008-07-09T21:44:57.076ZMuch more than Marquez<a href="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/lostinshowbiz/shakira1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/lostinshowbiz/shakira1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Columbia, the nation of Shakira, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Alvaro Mutis and <br />Gregorio Vázquez Arce y Ceballos and so much more... so much more<br /><br />Like the sound of it, but can't get enough because you're stuck in London?<br /><br />Well, you're in luck. Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W49DJoMz8fI">here</a> for a taste of the modern post-Marquez Columbia. I promise no Shakira. My hips don't lie.<br /><br />To support Columbiage 08, a festival for contemporary Columbian culture, keep an eye on <a href="http://www.colombiage.com/">this</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-6722464022568883973?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-2412321532381471932008-07-06T11:08:00.008Z2008-07-06T11:24:20.289ZLiverpool: Klimt & Redmond<a href="http://www.milapfest.com/Images/Liverpool%2008%20logo.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.milapfest.com/Images/Liverpool%2008%20logo.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Antonia, a friend of mine, has been up to Liverpool which is currently one of Europe's '<a href="http://www.liverpool08.com/">Capitals of Culture</a>' and is hosting a <a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/gustavklimt/">Gustav Klimt exhibition</a> and the <a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/">Tate Liverpool</a>. I've heard from some that it is phenomenal, while others, notably <a href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article4025174.ece">Waldemar Januszczak in The Times</a>, doesn't think so. <br /><br />Anyway, I'm grateful to Antonia for doing a bit of PR work for the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pornographer-Vienna-Lewis-Crofts/dp/1905847483/ref=ed_oe_p">Pornographer of Vienna</a>. It seems, however, she might not have needed to. <br /><br />Read her posting '<strong>Totally Starstruck</strong>' <a href="http://euonym.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/totally-starstruck/">here </a>and learn about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Redmond">Phil Redmond</a>. <br /><br />And if you are interested in what Phil Redmond thinks of Liverpool, look <a href="http://arts.guardian.co.uk/liverpool2008/story/0,,2223306,00.html">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-241232153238147193?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-22280094377780043682008-06-29T18:49:00.004Z2008-06-29T18:58:01.753ZThe Prague Revue is back!Prague's literary journal, <a href="http://www.thepraguerevue.com/">The Prague Revue</a>, has been relaunched. <br /><br />After a hiatus of a few years, edition number 8 is out, and features work by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Klima">Ivan Klima</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Rubin">Jay Rubin</a>, Gerald Turner and some waste of editorial space called Lewis Crofts. <br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.thepraguerevue.com/back-issues/">here </a>and support an important publication in one of Europe's most important cultural centres.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-2228009437778004368?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-52599620198752521592008-06-28T18:42:00.004Z2008-06-28T18:53:22.343ZA Rotted Pit in a Peach<a href="http://www.auburn.edu/academic/education/reading_genie/insp/peach.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.auburn.edu/academic/education/reading_genie/insp/peach.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This is the kind of imagery I like. It's not mine. It's this lady's. <a href="http://gimmebackmycoat.livejournal.com/">GimmeBackMyCoat</a>. <br /><br />Click <a href="http://gimmebackmycoat.livejournal.com/69256.html">here </a>for her journal and a lyrical description of the hollow feeling that you have when finishing a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pornographer-Vienna-Lewis-Crofts/dp/1905847483/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214678869&sr=8-2">book</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-5259962019875252159?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-24809642303593566502008-06-14T18:23:00.003Z2008-06-14T18:29:16.527ZThe Shropshire Star<a href="http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/1/10/250px-TpauBridgeOfSpies.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/1/10/250px-TpauBridgeOfSpies.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><strong>Shropshire</strong>, the county of numerous stars: Charles Darwin, Clive of India, Wilfred Owen and... wait for it... T'Pau (picture right). <br /><br />And it is also the county of the <strong>Shropshire Star</strong> which has recently published this article. Click <a href="http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/06/14/art-decadence-and-a-debut-novel/">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-2480964230359356650?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-77504846786980610022008-06-14T12:52:00.001Z2008-06-14T12:54:41.811ZFlattery gets you everywhereThe most insightful and respected blog in the literary community – Uncool – has produced this long-awaited analysis of the cross-over of writing and aesthetics. Click <a href="http://un-cool.blogspot.com/2008/05/beautiful-people.html">here</a>.<br /><br />It is to be applauded...and is proof that flattery gets you everywhere.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-7750484678698061002?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-33448856882600047272008-06-01T18:03:00.005Z2008-06-01T18:28:52.811Z3 for 2: choose wellThe dilemma: the <a href="http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=5598814">PoV</a> is released this week in pocket paperback format and will be available in the '3 for 2' offer at <a href="http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=6143764">Waterstones</a>. <br /><br />But if you get your mum and dad a copy each, what to do with the third one? Oh, the choice, I hear you cry through cyber-hell. Oh, the dilemma of variety. Oh, the onus of selection... whatever. Well, some ideas:<br /><br />1) a sacred text as the basis for a polygamous cult in a Norfolk enclave<br />2) slip inside a Mills&Boon cover and give it to your gran<br />3) give to that guy in the tight trousers who smiles at you in the tube<br />4) a fire-lighter for a sacrificial pyre in your back-garden <br />5) grind down with extract of thyme and use as a cure for baldness<br />6) douse in petrol and hurl through a library window<br />7) reading <br /><br />Any other suggestions, write them on the back of a copy of the book and send them to my enclave in Norfolk.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-3344885688260004727?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548021454114808255.post-21464950353408173962008-05-10T17:28:00.004Z2008-05-10T17:39:46.431ZIch bin ein ExBerliner<a href="http://www.lewiscrofts.com/myblog/uploaded_images/Exberliner-cover-704254.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.lewiscrofts.com/myblog/uploaded_images/Exberliner-cover-704220.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />...as Kennedy is probably saying now. <br /><br />The Berlin magazine <a href="http://www.exberliner.com/"><strong>ExBerliner </strong></a>has published a review of my book and an interview in this month's edition. If you haven't had enough of me already, please go click <a href="http://www.exberliner.net/books.php?action=inthisissue"><strong>here</strong></a>. <br /><br />I am also off to Berlin later this month (28 May) to give a reading at <strong>Kaffee Burger at 9.00pm</strong>. Do come along. I'll be the lanky bloke at the front with a book on his lap.<br /><br />If you can't bring your tired finger to click on the magazine itself, here are a few tit-bits. <br /><br /><em>"This is the ultimate introduction: perceptive, comprehensive, and so evocative of the decadence and decay that marked turn-of-the-century Vienna that the streets and cafés seem to etch-a-sketch themselves onto the pages, a kind of literary biopic." </em><br /><br /><em>"Lewis Crofts brilliantly explores Schiele's fascination with female forms, starting with that of his sister, and their metamorphosis into symbols of patrician sanctimony. These sections of the novel are mesmerizing and come close to echoing the morbidity of writers such as Joseph Roth."</em><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5548021454114808255-2146495035340817396?l=www.lewiscrofts.com%2Fmyblog'/></div>Lewis Croftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16776265172583746835noreply@blogger.com0