TREASURES OF LONG GONE JOHN, THE
A self-described anti-mogul of the music industry, indie record producer, Long Gone John has single-handedly released over 750 records in the past 17 years through his label, Sympathy for the Record Industry… without ever signing a contract. His greatest achievements include helping launch the careers of the White Stripes, Hole, The Dwarves and Rocket from the Crypt, as well as amassing a vast collection of art and pop ephemera, and starting a company called the Necessaries Toy Foundation, which distributes collectible toys and art-related books.
Chronicling his eccentric art and musical obsessions, The Treasures of Long Gone John not only expounds on this unique individual but also looks at the work of four artists featured in Long Gone John's collection and the broader picture of the lowbrow art movement in the United States. A wall-to-wall soundtrack of over 40 original songs from the Sympathy catalogue and never-before-seen animated footage of featured artists' paintings help round out this positively inspirational testament to individualised creativity and artistic enthusiasm in the 21st century.
Director Greg Gibbs will introduce the session on Friday 11 August, 7pm at Greater Union.
SPECIAL EVENT
To celebrate the documentary on uber collector Long Gone John, Outré Gallery (Melbourne) is curating and presenting an awe-inspiring international group exhibition showcasing some of Long Gone John's favourite artists from the pop-surreal and lowbrow genre. The exhibition unearths some of the American underground art stars featured in the film including; Mark Ryden, Todd Schorr, Shag, Robert Williams, Coop, Tim Biskup, Camille Rose Garcia, Anthony Austgang, Gary Baseman and Seonna Hong.Expect dark dripping fairytales, twisted nostalgic trips, jazz inspired graphic madness, devil girls aplenty, cartoon aesthetic on acid and some of the original visions from hotrod and custom culture's original Robert Williams.
The exhibition opens immediately after the films' screening on Friday evening 11 August and will run until 29 August. Open 7 days a week.
Outré Gallery - 249 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
9642 5455
outregallery.com
D Gregg Gibbs P Robert Taicher, Greg Escalante, Andrew Troy WS Get With It Productions TD Video/2006/95mins
Gregg Gibbs was born in Los Angeles, USA, in 1966. He wrote the original play and screenplay for Shut Yer Dirty Little Mouth (2002) and has worked as production designer on many films, commercials and music videos.