COCK-A-DOODLE DUDES...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Alone of Valentine's Day? Come and cry on the Company's shoulders.

Today is the day. The Valentine's Day. And the Company has been working double-time making, selecting and hanging work for this evening's Clubhouse exhibition. Last nights meeting ran well into the wee hours. A number of new pieces were completed and voted on, and last-moment curatorial arguments pertaining to which older pieces belonged in the second floor gallery were finally settled. It turns out there is no shortage of art adhering to the themes of love, heartache and sexy times in the M.S.Co. archives.

Sexy Doodles line the Clubhouse maze wall

Then, ofcourse, there was the the persistent distraction of the Sexy Doodle Pads. Few of the misanthropes were able to resist filling in "just one more" of these strange naughty novelties. Indeed, there is a small faction feverishly churning out fresh doodles to this very moment. The Clubhouse doors are scheduled to open in a few short hours, and the maze wall doodle exhibit continues to expand.

As of noon o'clock this afternoon, the Company Clerk tallied one thousand eight hundred and fourteen completed Doodles.

And the hits just keep on coming.

Of those counted, almost half were submitted by contributors outside the Company. But the aforementioned Company doodle addicts have been working up a storm ever since, and contributions continue to trickle in. Already, the exhibition boasts more variations of that blank-groined pencil-toter than anyone needs to see. And yes, in the spirit of overkill, there will be blank doodle pads available for those wishing to participate in tonight's festivities.

* * *

What future film projects lie dormant in the Company vault?

Meanwhile, deep inside the M.S.Co. Bunker, thirty hours' worth of shot footage lies in a basement vault. Offcuts and leftovers from the editing of last year's motion picture extravaganza, Screaming Hell Hogs Eat Shit and Die.

The Company had various long-standing schemes to make use of the surplus footage, but first had to establish whether the reels rightfully belonged to the misanthropes or to the film's purchaser. Hell Hogs had been sold part and parcel to a private collector well before its completion, but the outtakes and assorted byproducts had not been considered and therefore no stipulations had been made for them in the purchasing contract. A lengthy correspondence between the Company's legal department and Hell Hogs' owner's attorneys ensued.

Some of the contents of the film cans

As it turns out, the extra footage is the sole property of the Misanthrope Specialty Co. The Company is free to do with it as it pleases "provided it does not use the suffix 'Eat Shit and Die' in the titling or promotion of any film, video, media or print project(s) that may result thereof." Fair enough.

Editing of the new, not yet titled, project is slated to commence next week. The project's parameters and objectives were hammered out at last night's meeting. The reels are to be reworked into a series of twelve films; each based on the story of one of Christ's apostles. A little something to release this coming Easter.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 18
Number completed: 8
Number inducted: 6
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *

KABINET FEVER...

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

(photo courtesy of Leah Buckareff)

Psst! How would you fancy a sneak peek behind the iron curtains of the La Bastellerie gallery? Well, just scroll on dear reader. Scroll on.

(photo collage courtesy of Leah Buckareff)

Note little Leah in the window -- so cute!

The walls have been repainted, the shelves cut and the bell jars dusted. Now the anticipation is left to simmer a little as The Wunderkabinet No.2 prepares to unveil it's new collection of international curiosities. As mentioned previously on the Web Log, the Misanthrope Specialty Co. proudly counts itself among the motley crew of participants.

(photo courtesy of Leah Buckareff)

Unfortunately, circumstances preclude most of the misanthropes from crossing the pond to attend Friday night's opening jubilations. But the jet-setters among you, or those of you who happen to be in the greater Berlin area, are more than welcome to stop in at the vernissage. It promises to be a good time.

The Wunderkabinet 2

Opening Reception

Friday January 21

La Bastellerie - Lausitzer 13, Berlin

7 pm

("Mein Hertz..." photo by Erkuden Sakana)

And if you can't make it for the opening, fret not; the Wunderkabinet 2 runs until April 30th.

* * *

DEUTSCH TREAT...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

"A Sure Thing" by the men and women of the Company

It seems the executive branch's goodwill mission to Germany has eventuated in the Company seeping it's way into the Wunderkabinet roster. The Berlin exhibition, held in La Basellerie, houses a rotating collection of handmade curiosities from parts near and very far.

The show's third incarnation is being curated by drone metal superstar, Leah Buckareff, and slated to open early in the new year. It will feature selected works from the Misanthrope Specialty Company's matchbook project.

What wonders lie hidden in the many drawers and compartments of the Wunderkabinet?
(photo courtesy of Leah Buckareff)

The matchbook project began in 2001, after Company members Rufus and Cotton converted to freeganism in an attempt to curb their rampant nicotine abuse. While the discarded and half-smoked cigarettes the desperate duo collected were smokes almost as soon as they were acquired, it wasn't long before they'd amassed a surplus of matchbooks and disposable lighters. The overstock of garbage pickings found its way into Headquarters and the Bunker. It was only a matter of time before someone at a Company meeting picked one up and began doodling.

(photo by Arthur Corey)

Keep your internets tuned to this weblog for more details about the Berlin exhibition as details arise.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 21
Number completed: 18
Number inducted: 6
Carried over to next week: 1

* * * *

PLAYING AGAINST TYPE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

"Talkin' Trash Behind Blood Ghost's Back" by the M.S.Co. Part of the new Clubhouse
maze wall (photo by Arthur Corey)

The Company is once again taking advantage of their absentee slumlord's chronic neglect and doing a little creative restructuring of the layout in the M.S.Co. Clubhouse. Plans include a permanent maze leading up to the gallery space, complete with all manner of traps and pitfalls.
All week, the misanthropes have been knocking down old walls and putting up new ones using scavenged, freecycled and generously donated building materials.

The Clubhouse maze, in progress (photo by Lydia Caulpepper)

Today, however, construction was put on hold for the Company's regularly scheduled Sunday conference. Still, a large portion of the drawing session was spent decorating the exposed drywall; the objective being to provide a little atmosphere for next week's exhibition.

* * *

Those of you regularly in attendance at Clubhouse events may have picked up on the trend of a new instrument appearing the Company Orchestra's arsenal with every exhibition. It turns out this upcoming show will be no exception.

Voting on the name for this newfangled instrument remains deadlocked (photo by Heywood MacGillicuddy)

The Company's Chief Engineer and Musical Director surprised their colleagues with the unveiling of their latest development: A line of old typewriters modified into a variety of odd-sounding musical gimmicks.

Some are electrical, some accoustic. There are seven variations in total, though only two of the Orchestra members know how to play any of them thus far. And with Hallowe'en only one week away, it appears the misanthropes have their work cut out for them.

(music for unmodified typewriters)

* * *

Typewriters in need of some Company love (photo by Reverend Aitor)

It should be noted that Company policy strictly opposes the wanton destruction of typewriters [article 289A-2002]. These particular instruments were made using parts from some of the irreparable machines the Company keeps on hand for spare parts.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 10
Number completed: 8
Number inducted: 4
Carried over to next week for completion: 4

* * * *

VISIONARY POSITION..

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The AVAM (photo courtesy of Judit Bosár)

Though the Company doesn't officially reunite until tomorrow's Sunday meeting, many of the misanthropes are down in Baltimore, showing their support for Reverend Aitor, at the opening of
the American Visionary Art Museum's new exhibition, What Make's Us Smile?

The Reverend wows them with his mubled ramblings about ugliness (photo courtesy of thefrontrowe)

The Company is very proud to announce that the good Reverend's Unflattering Portraits form part of the museum's 15th anniversary show, curated by Rebecca Hoffberger, Gary Panter, and Matt Groening.

Matt Groening loves his Unfalttering Portrait (photo courtesy of the Baltimore Examiner)

The AVAM describes its exhibition as "a playful celebration of human joy", wherein visitors can romp through a warren of mini-galleries to explore different key aspects of humour. There's even a room dedicated to fart jokes throughout human history. It's been brilliantly monikered the Toot Suite, and features a surprisingly comfortably bench upholstered with self-inflating whoopee cushions.

Thats right: SELF-INFLATING (photo by Reverend Aitor)

Among the other featured artists Aitor's portraits have the honour of rubbing elbows with are Pedro Bell, Tom Wilborn, John Waters, Chris Roberts-Antieau, Patty Kuzbida, Anado MacLauchlin, and the late John Callahan. What Makes Us Smile? runs until September 4th, 2011 -- so if you find yourself in the Baltimore area sometime in the next year, be sure to drop by the American Visionary Art Museum.

the PBS News Hour has something to say about the show

* * *



* * *

INTERIM JOB...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The misanthropes are all finally back in Toronto; just in time to watch the season change from summer to fall.

Back in the safety of Headquarters (photo by Reverend Aitor)

Tonight's meeting was held in the familiar comforts of Headquarters for first time in moths. After so many Sunday meetings held in parking lots, noisy restaurants, illegal squats, other people's homes and an array of sleazy motels, the Company members can once again appreciate the comforts this designated haven of leisurely toil. There a plenty of chairs for everyone, full kitchen and bar, and smoking is permitted.

(nametag and photo by Tallulah Lastname)

Ofcourse, today also marked the last Misanthrope Specialty Co. meeting before a belated, but much needed hiatus. After months of touring together, it is safe to say the Company members all in need of a genuine break, and some distance from eachother.

* * *

(poster by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

Among the loose bits of business to tie up before closing shop for the month was the completion of a few commissioned works, including a poster for Levi Macdougall's upcoming intimate evening. Those of you who both live in Calgary and enjoy awkward, understated comedy would be well advised to attend.

(Unflattering Portrait of Levi by Reverend Aitor)

This isn't the first time the Company has been hired to do Mr.Macdougall's bidding. A chance encounter at a party promptly grew into a budding business relationship, which is presently blossoming into something resembling friendship. Now the Company is invited to sleep on his many sofas whenever in the Los Angeles area.

* * *

NOTICE
* * * The Misanthrope Specialty Co. is hereby on hiatus * * *
* * * the Company reconvenes Sunday October 10, 2010 * * *

Please be advised that calls, letters and electronic mail to the M.S.Co. and it's members
are likely to go unanswered until such time
AND
The Museum of Natural & Artificial History will remain closed in the interim

* * *

(See you in October)

* * *

WALL TO SCRAWL MARKETING...

by Heywood McGillicuddy, Chairman:

"Yukon Honeymoon No.2" by the men and women of the M.S.Co.

Yes, the Company is back in Chicago; now only days away from home. The anticipation is almost unbearably palpable.

As much as the members enjoy spending half their year living like carnies, they are also eager to sleep in their own lumpy beds, with their own lumpy lovers. There is also only so much time the misanthropes can spend cooped up in cars and motels together, breathing in eachother's b.o. day in and day out.

* * *

(photo by Rufus Spaulding)

It has been the Company's unofficial custom in previous years to open up the Clubhouse present a homecoming party and exhibition promptly after a lengthy tour. This year, however, the decision to push the usual summer hiatus back to September will keep the Company Clubhouse doors closed until October. Same goes for the Museum of Natural & Artificial History.

The M.S.Co. assures it's loyal friends and eager followers that it will make it up to them just a little further down the line. Yesterday's motion to host a Hallowe'en / Dia De Los Muertos party and event was passed unanimously.

More details will be forthcoming, pending further deliberation at next week's meeting. There are many a detail to iron out.

* * *

Paperboy's interim exhibition. A work in constant flux.
(photo courtesy of Paperboy Chicago)

Though Toronto audiences are going to have to wait, citizens of the windy city are invited to stand in awe at the Company's contribution to the impromptu group show at Paper Boy.

The misanthropes dropped by the boutique-slash-gallery's yesterday to the staff taping hurried doodles and half-finished sketches up in the gallery space. The scheduled exhibition had fallen through at the last minute, so the intrepid women of Paper Boy were mounting their own eleventh-hour show in its place.

Selected highlights from the art wall thus far (photos courtesy of Paperboy)

The doodles were only there to get the ball rolling. A basket of magic markers and a stack of virgin paper were place conveniently nearby, along with an invitation for one and all to complete the drawings, and/or start their own. It was too much to resist.

The Company spent the rest of the day gleefully scribbling in the gallery, embellishing on or otherwise defiling the groundwork the fine folks at Paper Boy had laid. This fast and loose collaboration was a refreshing departure from the more rigid and protocol-laden work the misanthropes had become accustomed to in their regular Sunday sessions.

The Misanthropes get in on the action (photo courtesy of Paper Boy)

Why not drop by and make your mark? The wall will only continue to evolve and expand over the course of the show's run.

PAPER BOY COMMUNAL WALL
September 1 to September 30, 2010
1351 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

* * *

Limited edition message card by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

And while you're at it, why not check out the latest in M.S.Co. ephemera? The Company has restocked the store's inventory with all manner of freshly made goods, including a few limited edition cards made using some ultra-rare vintage embossing tapes.

* * *

POSTER CHIDE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary;
May is rapidly approaching and the fleet needs fuelling; not to mention a little seed money to kickstart the convoy. And so, the Company has undertaken a number of commissions to help raise some funds.

"Gambling Christ Lands In Hot Water With His Bookies and Needs Your Help"
(by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

Fortunately, there is an abundance of live music and comedy in this city for the Company to tap vampirously into. There was little more to do than send word through the proper channels that the Misanthrope Specialty Co. and many of its individual members were making themselves available for one week to illustrate a limited number of local gig posters at the introductory price of PWYC. It didn't take long before everyone's dance card was full.

But the fundraising drive doesn't end there. Gas isn't cheap, after all.

Poster commissioned for Phillips & Crown's upcoming performance
(by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

In an shameless endeavor to capitalise twice on the same projects, it has been decided that much of the original artwork for said posters will form the backbone for the Company's next one-night Clubhouse exhibition.

Poster commissioned by Iron Cobra for their final show
(artwork by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

Stay tuned for details as they arise. What is known thus far is that the show will consist of gig posters and related hired art both by the Company and its individual members. There will be liquor, music, and perhaps a little dancing. All the art will be sold by donation on a first come first serve basis.

* * *

BYPASS ELECTION...

by Heywood McGillicuddy, Chairman:
The Company has received a number of inquiries as to whether or not its pieces for the Home & Away (& In-Between) group show are for sale.

The short answer is yes. However, because it our members' explicit wish not to pay the Cream Tangerine Gallery Cafe its 30% commission, any persons wishing to purchase any of the displayed items are invited to circumvent the cafe by contacting the Company directly.

While it is accepted practice to for a gallery to take a percentage of the sales, it has recently come to the Company's attention that the Cream Tangerine Cafe has already been paid for the use of the space for the exhibition by City of Craft as part of its 2009 installation programming. The Misanthrope Specialty Co. cannot abide this greedy double dipping by a business that is already benefiting from the show's promotion -- not to mention the drink sales from the opening reception and from the thousands of people who come to shop at City of Craft's main event.

The Company can speak only for itself, but regards this attempt to chisel an additional fee from the artists the cafe is supposedly sponsoring, at an event someone else is paying por no less, as an insult to all involved. We also wish to make clear that our gripe is directly with the cafe, and does not reflect our opinion of either the City of Craft organizers, or the show's hard-working curator.

* * *

VOTER TURNDOWN...

by Erkuden Sakai, Company Secretary:

The Misanthrope Specialty Co. cordially invites the public to the opening reception for the Home and Away (and In-Between) group show. Friday November 4th, in the Cream Tangerine Gallery Café at the Great Hall.

(show logo by Gillian Wilson )

The process of selecting which pieces to submit to the show turned out to be a surprisingly contentious one , as the Company, brimming with the seething cocktail of it's constituents' multifarious objectives, principles and opinions found itself mired in the pitfalls of democracy.

("Saint Joseph" by the members of the Company)

With nearly half the Company opposed to a public exhibition in the first place, and the narrow majority divided among itself, votes were deadlocked on a number of possible submissions. Indeed, of the dozens of proposed submissions, it now seems almost miraculous that four pieces managed to garner enough votes to make it into the show. But this is just the sort of internal conflict that the Misanthrope Specialty Co. lives for.

* * *

Home and Away (and In-Bewteen) runs from December 3 to the 13th, and features work by Lizz Aston, Fiona Bailey, Amy Borkwood, Leah Buckareff, Marta Chudolinska, Heather Fagan, Meags Fitzgerald, Sara Guindon, Genevieve Jodouin, Serena McCarroll and Tyler Brett, Laure McGregor, jen Spinner, Gillian Wilson and others.

* * *

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS...

by Erkuden Sakai, Company Secretary:
It's no secret that the Company prefers to exhibit its work at its invitational Clubhouse events. Its membership is largely comprised of secretive and exlusionists curmudgeons, loathe to have just anybody come sully their work with their dirty eyeballs and platitudes.

(photo by Lydia Caulpepper)

This week, however, the Company voted, by squeakingly narrow margin, in favour of airing some of it's dirty linens in public.

It isn't easy to turn down Tara Bursey -- Toronto's ubiquitous liaison between the ofttimes parallel worlds of Art vs. craft. She is curating the upcoming "Home and Away (and In-Between)" group show as part of City of Craft 2009's installation programming, and has invited the Misanthrope Specialty Co. to participate.

("This Town Will One Day Drink Us Dry"
by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

Although the Company has not yet voted on which pieces it will be submitting to the show, it's a safe bet that atleast a couple of small motel stationary drawings will be worked in, as per Ms. Bursey's request.

* * *

In other news, the first batch of rushes for the Company's yet untitled film in progress are back from the processing lab.

(A scanned sampling the first 16mm footage shot by the Company)

After weeks of waiting with bated breath, the members of the Misanthrope Specialty Co. finally huddled in a darkened Bunker to evaluate the budding fruits of their labour. The results were promising.

It is with renewed vigor that the men and women of now hit the streets to shoot more scenes for what Cotton confidently predicts will be "an instant classic."

* * *

THE MORNING AFTER SPILLS...

by Cottonwood Fields:

We are proud to report that Stay The Night was an unmitigated success. Our subscribers and their guests filled up and fouled up the Clubhouse for our one-night exhibition, sale, concert, screening and sleepover.

(photo courtesy of Edur Coria)

There were many new faces in the crowd. In most cases, it was a pleasure to finally meet men and women with whom we correspond face to face. Some guests failed to observe the proper dress code and were either turned away or sent home to change. This hadn't been so prevalent an issue in the past, but these semi-secret events have steadily been drawing more and more people. This prompted some reevaluation of policy among the misanthropes and temporary slackening of the rules.

The fact of the matter is t hat not everyone is in a position to purchase what the Company deems "suitable attire" and shouldn't be penalized for it. While most of our own wardrobe hails from the lowliest of thrift stores, we admit a pang of elitist guilt for harbouring the expectation that everyone has twenty dollars to blow on an old suit. As with legal fees and cover charges, perhaps dress code too should be considered on a sliding scale. We've now resolved to keep a limited number of loaner jackets and ties on hand for future Clubhouse events. That being said: If you show up to a Clubhouse event in fancypants designer jeas or glittery dance club wear, you will be turned away.

* * *

(detail from "Too Soon" by the M.S.Co.)

The night commenced with general mingling and inspection of the exhibition, followed by a little talk by Heywood. The Misanthrope Specialty Co. Dilettante Orchestra bookended series of readings and presentations. Though it hadn't been planned, some of the patrons took the stage from time to time to share their own tales of travel and motel horror stories. Before before we knew it, it was time for everyone to change into their p.js for a little more fun before rolling out the blankets and sleeping bags.

The Orchestra serenades its overnight guests with an extended
rendition of St.Louis Cemetery Blues (photo by Arthur Corey)

An unexpected majority of our guest stuck around for the sleepover portion of the night. Those who did were treated to a second, gentler set by the Orchestra, and an all-night marathon of the Company's films for those who chose to beat the night.

The morning after was a little less cheerful for some. We remained true to the motel-themed spirit of the show in enforcing a strict eleven-o-clock checkout time.

* * *

(Polaroid photo left behind by an unknown participant)

A word of advice to those considering and all-night art opening: The serving of alcohol at art openings is an age-old trick to loosen the purse strings of inebriated patrons -- but did you know that the serving of coffee and juice to a crowd of hungover and under-slept patrons is doubly effective? And not nearly as costly.

We learned this completely by accident, but you can rest assured we'll be using the old one-two punch of booze at night and coffee in the morning the next time we decide to throw a slumber-party show.

* * *

RETURN TO FORUM...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
The Misanthrope Specialty Co. reconvened in the Bunker yesterday for the first Sunday session following the summer hiatus. Company members returned from their respective furloughs with refreshed enthusiasm. Many brought along four weeks' worth of bottled ideas they'd been fermenting all August long and were eager to finally uncork them before a jury of their peers. There was much discuss.

"Don't Think We Haven't Missed Your Around Here, Charley,
Because We Truly Have" by the men and women of the Misanthrope
Specialty Company

Not surprisingly, it turned out to be a day-long concourse. There was all manner of business, old and new, to ponder; policy and proposals to debate; plans to hatch; not to mention a hefty stack of backlogged drawings to pass around.

"Unstoppable One-Mule Parade" by the Misanthrope
Specialty Co.

One item on the agenda that may be of interest to our wild scattering of friends and foes is the prospect of another Company Convoy next summer. Nothing has been set up just yet. Possible dates and locations have yet to be discussed, but the Company voted unanimously [pending one absentee ballot] in favour of pursuing yet another North American tour.

"Wanderlust can be an insatiable bug," our pathologically dissatisfied impresario once cautioned in a letter. "The more you start to ramble, the more you come home wishing you'd had time to do."

It would seem said bug is a contagious one, as even our most firmly rooted hermit crabs have caught the fever.

* * *


A taste of what's to come.

The rest of the evening was spent at the Clubhouse preparing for tonight's show. All tallied, we have ninety-six new drawings on display -- most of them on motel and hotel stationary acquired over these past two years of touring.

In keeping with the motel theme, T-Bone has sent in a weighty stack of his ever-popular Gideon Stash Bibles.

What secrets are hidden between the covers of -Bones motel bibles?
Besides salvation, ofcourse.
(photo by Heywood McGillicuddy)

Despite growing pressure to make these little little gems available for sale, Mr. Bonaparte has requested we make it clear that this batch is for display purposes only. While efforts are being made to change that, this may be the republic's only opportunity to see T-Bone's handiwork, short of chancing upon one in an U.S. motel room.

* * *