God bless those clever, clever obsessives over at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles, who cater for anyone like me who loves movie-inspired fan art through their exceptional, and exceptionally nerdy Crazy4Cult shows. Now, thanks to Titan Books, you too can share in the awesomeness, as an accompanying book, celebrating some of the best works featured in the exhibitions has been released. And by crikey, it's great. The book opens with an introduction by Kevin Smith in which he reaffirms his status as an Ordinary Joe Film-maker (who shouldn't always be left alone to write exactly what's on his mind - hence the musing on homosexual fantasies that somehow finds its way in there) and as passionate a film fan as we all are. His enthusiasm for the project, which he has been involved with from the get-go is tangible, and it's a very contagious way to open the book. And as for the art-work...! It's a technicoloured geeky dream, with every page featuring at least one piece of work that would work awesomely as a poster on any cinephile's wall. If I had an inexhaustible amount of money (and someday, by God I will) I'd have no hesitation to snap them all up, and then buy a house to fit them all in. For me Crazy4Cult is what film fan interaction is all about, and it says as much about that culture as it does the films that are celebrated. Long may it continue. Do yourself a favour, take your eyes to nerdvana and buy a copy. Especially if you live halfway across the globe from LA and have no feasible way of seeing the artwork on display as many times as you like. I'm not bitter, I promise. Because we love you all dearly, here's a couple of teasers from the book, to whet your appetites:
Crazy4Cult is available to
buy now.