Beautiful Mutants

July 12, 2004 11:11 AM

Mark Mothersbaugh's Beautiful Mutants, a slideshow of Rorschach-like manipulated images of faces from long ago set to his music, is currently on tour. I'm checking it out to see how his art compares with his music work in DEVO and movie soundtracks -- hopefully it comes close.
posted by mathowie (14 comments total)

I'd like to see this. My favorite stuff by him are those instrumentals on the Rushmore soundtrack.
posted by btwillig at 11:16 AM on July 12, 2004

Cool link. Thanks!
posted by Witty at 11:18 AM on July 12, 2004

A simple technique (mirroring) rendering a creepy and excellent result!
posted by gwint at 11:21 AM on July 12, 2004

Does anyone else find it odd that this FPP immediately follows one titled "Whip it ... not so good"?
posted by me & my monkey at 11:35 AM on July 12, 2004

Even more odd: two FPPs down, you can read about Tom DeLay, former House Majority Whip.

I am now feverishly crafting a post about Miracle Whip. Stay tuned.
posted by lewistate at 11:42 AM on July 12, 2004

These are odd and beautiful. This is one of those things that I look at and immediately wonder why I didn't think of doing it first.
posted by iconomy at 11:57 AM on July 12, 2004

This is one of those things that I look at and immediately wonder why I didn't think of doing it first.

Exactly. It's kind of annoying isn't it?
posted by Witty at 1:38 PM on July 12, 2004

Any chance I get, I like to remind people that the first Devo album is still ahead of its time. A sly and visionary work of art.
posted by davebush at 4:47 PM on July 12, 2004

A somewhat similar mirroring effect using old photographs was done back in the 1960s in Michael Lesy's amazing book "Wisconsin Death Trip" (well-described but not shown here). davebush, I second your comments on Devo. Fans of Mark Mothersbaugh soundtracks might want to get a copy of "Brain Donors," produced by "Airplane" director Zuker, an interestingly funny film with a delightful Mothersbaugh tune (I bring it to your attention because I think it went straight to video).
posted by Faze at 7:42 PM on July 12, 2004

Where does it say anything about the show being set to his music? I think this is a stand-alone art exhibit like his others - not, of course, that there's anything wrong with that; it's still great stuff.
posted by yhbc at 7:43 PM on July 12, 2004

So Matt, it hasn't really been answered. Was this post just by chance a DEVO reference within an hour of the "Whip It" post, or did that post spark you into action? (My initial thought on reading your post was, "how does he come up with this stuff so fast?")
posted by caddis at 8:02 PM on July 12, 2004

caddis, it's just a coincidence.
posted by mathowie at 9:04 PM on July 12, 2004

"Beautiful Mutants on Metafilter.com"
posted by modofo at 9:31 PM on July 12, 2004

This is deliciously creepy.
posted by dejah420 at 7:18 PM on July 13, 2004