MAKING THE IP

In this issue, we feature a character study, a fantastic, and illustrated, history of a supervillain. The transcultural origin story is a lot less biblical and far more creative than you would imagine. The GOAT boogeyman, the Antichrist, has been easy to co-opt throughout history.

Today, the IP is our new Gold Rush. Everyone is buying a pickaxe and a burro and heading for the hills. An Intellectual Property is best defined by its jewels: Star Wars, James Bond, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dracula, Marvel. Each universe has its own set of rules and backstories that are often canonized.

When you devise an IP, your creativity is tethered by the rules. Supervillains are everyone's fave. Personally, I've always favored the ilk of Fantomas or Doctor Mabuse, the stylish and brilliant Euro sociopaths, who became pop culture moneymakers between the great World Wars. I will concede that the Antichrist is the greatest devil of them all.

Here we have a dossier on the wily Antichrist, an everyman. A perfect place for a creator to start IP-ing.

Art Report Today .com

DEFINING THE LAS VEGAS ARTIST

As y'all know, one can never define something as amorphous as an artist community. But you can try.

The arts and creative gang is quite vibrant in Las Vegas. In a co-starring role, this desert outpost is a fascinating place, an ever-revolving question.The more I learn, the more I like. Who are they? How do you define the Las Vegas artist?

Art Report Today has commissioned a series of essays, attempting to answer the question. Invitations are still going out. The doors are open. Visual artists are a focus, including the performing arts, essential to this very unusual American city.

Open format. One word or thousands. The collection of these essays will make a bold statement and a very cool book. I cannot imagine what we will gather. Like a mash-up, the resulting document will paint a fascinating portrait.

Coming soon. You can bet on it.

Art Report Today .com

THEY'RE BACK. JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME.

Speaking of IP, Bob & Bob are back. The history of the performance art duo is recalled in our two-part interview. Click Here for the backstory and frivolity.

In the world we live in today, so many, many things appear rather... gloomy. Very much a buzzkill for the creative. A little fresh sunshine might sanitize the rot, brighten attitudes and zip the lip on all the end-of-the-world prognostications.

Just when we need them the most, Bob & Bob are back. These Merry Pranksters of SoCal have an attitude that humanity needs right now. They're having fun. And they're not ashamed about it.

The boys are making new art works for a retrospective show at the Craig Krull Gallery. Two series are the focus, 'Art Is Where We Are' and 'Heaven.' As you know, Bob & Bob are now in the Smithsonian collection. Art Report Today's coverage has helped to inspire the blue ribbon of a new Wikipedia page. Radio interview and podcast invites are becoming more frequent. They are part of a new documentary, in production, about the history of performance art and the superiority of the Los Angeles scene. (Those New Yorkers were just entertainers.)

Read the interview and you will know why we recommend the entire world stop and obey Bob & Bob. Do any of our readers know anyone at the UN? Peace and laughs will reign.

Furthermore, their return and resurrection is going to be a howl. Can you imagine what will happen when Bob & Bob, children of the Eighties, start playing with all of the new tools in their contemporary sandbox? Embracing video? We can't wait. AI. YouTube, social media and TikTok? Podcasting?

All trouble, in the very best way. Read about it, Click Here.

Art Report Today .com