Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
One less iconic image for tourists to take pictures of when they visit Ulaanbaatar, with this statue removal. The reports say that this is the last Lenin statue in the city, but it’s certainly not the last one standing in Mongolia. Darkhan, north of Ulaanbaatar, has a few Lenins here and there, and a gallery in the Darkhan Museum is replete with original paintings by Mongolian artists illustrating an imaginary visit to confer with Mongol leaders. Darkhan is closer to the Russian border, and Russian coverage of the removal of the last Lenin in UB isn’t terribly cheerful. I think our Lenins will be sticking around for a while. Video of the removal of the statue is included in the BBC coverage of the story. Throwing of shoes is a pretty serious insult in Mongolia. Just letting the soles of shoes on your feet touch someone else, can spark a brawl without a prompt apology, so chucking old shoes at the downed Lenin was a strong sentiment of disapproval. The Soviet Union saved Mongolia from being consumed by China, and for decades it was one of the only nations to recognize Mongolia’s sovereignty, but it came at a terrible price. The Cyrillic alphabet, and the wreckage of monasteries and temples all across the country are two prominent reminders of seventy years of a complicated live-in relationship. Lenin is going up for auction — legally, not like stolen dinosaur bones. Starting bid is under $300, a good price for the budget-conscious bourgeois historical artifact collector.
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I got to know my friend Chris Sutton when the band he was in, Dub Narcotic Sound System, was touring with The Make-Up and they all stayed at my house. Was it in 1996 or 1997? I can’t remember, but we’ve kept in touch and I’ve seen him play with plenty of other rad bands since then, including Nudity and Spider & The Webs. And bought plenty of records that feature his contributions: C.O.C.O., Hornet Leg, Dirtbombs, Chain and the Gang, Hooded Hags. But at the moment, he’s playing with The Gossip. What!
It wouldn’t be October without Julianna Parr’s annual Gothtober project, the best online Halloween advent calendar out there. We’re almost half-way through! Day 1 with Bob Baker’s Marionettes is a special kick off. Most people rank Halloween at the top of their “favorite holiday” list, and it’s not even one you get a present for! Is it the chance to dress up as a slutty ear of corn? Or maybe you prefer to humiliate– I mean, dress up your dog as Yoda. Your children are also fair game. Why let them choose their costume when you can act out your fantasies and dress them up as Frida Kahlo? You can explain who she is when your daughter might care in about 15 years. Halloween is the holiday you never have to outgrow, and it’s a great dry-run for your next San Diego Comic Con Masquerade. You too can be a part of Gothtober 2013 – well, not yet, but you can start planning ahead. Julianna Parr, lovingly known to her pals as JP, is a creativity curator. Gothtober is a collection of projects ranging from film, craft, cooking, music and animation. JP brings out the best in people who like to make things fun. She’s had weekly practice for over a decade in Silverlake, at Akbar’s weekly Craftnight, where she mentors attendees through accessible projects with a special theme as the venerable Craft Captain . If you’re not in the Halloween spirit yet (or you just can’t decide what you’re wearing to those parties you’ve been invited to) check out Gothtober.com, or drop in on Craftnight and get inspired. And… it’s okay if you want to dress up as slutty food, or if you want to be a Furry for a day/night. No one’s gonna judge you until November 1st.
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Laura Ling related Gangnam Style to North Korea and the tiny, tiny changes that are happening. (LA Times – Laura Ling)
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The hardcore fans may know that these aren’t exactly new, but they are harder to find. We got First Mate Trunko, Uglycorn, Pirate Ox, and Sleepy Chilly Icebat! (Get your Uglydoll at Giant Robot)
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