Category Archives: Surrealism

Robert Stark talks about his new novel Journey to Vapor Island

 Mark Velard, 1980's, 80's music, aesthetics, Alicia Silverstone, alienation, Anime, Architecture, Art, Brandon Adamson, Class, Clueless, comedy, Consumerism, Culture, Depravity, Despair, Donald Trump, Ellliot Rodger, Erotica, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Film, Francis Nally, Futurism, Gender, Harvey Weinstein, High School, Hollywood, Homosexuality, humor, Incels, Journey to Vapor Island, Leisure Suit Larry, Literature, Loserdom, Love, Memes, Patalliro!, Pepe the Frog, Psychology, relationships, Retro Futurism, Science Fiction, Serial Killers, Sexuality, Social Rejection, social status, Spree Shootings, Surrealism, The Crush, Utopia, Vaporwave, Video Games

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark is joined with Francis Nally and Brandon Adamson to discuss his new novel Journey to Vapor Island.

Topics:

Brandon’s review of Journey to Vapor Island(Contains Spoilers)
The cover art by Mark Velard
How listeners to the show will instantly recognize favorite topics when they make cameo appearances in the book or manifest themselves as part of the underlying themes
Internet memes in the book(ex. the men in the frog masks)
The fusion of genres including Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, and Dark Comedy
A disclaimer that this book is not for anyone that is squeamish about sex or easily shocked or offended
Brandon’s observation that the sexual scenes in the book are more akin to the “random battles” in old school Super Nintendo RPGs like Final Fantasy IV
The theme of how central sex is to people’s motivations, and the overall perception of status in society
The main character Noam Metzenbaum who is a socially inept yet intelligent student with illusions of grandeur
The Chads and the theme of the nerd getting revenge against bullies and the popular cliques
Noam’s crush Natalie Bloom and his lifelong obsession with her
The Retro-Futuristic surreal fantasy world in the book; an adult Never Ending Story
The Roger Blackstone character who could represent a Trump-like figure, but could just as easily be a Ross Perot or even Willy Wonka
The outrageous comic elements in the book
The theme of the commercialization of tragedies and the celebrity status of mass murderers
How the book is timely with the ongoing Hollywood sex scandals
The theme of living in ones fantasies and how that shapes the book’s narrative

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Robert Stark talks to Count Fosco about the Mechanisms of the Arts

Adam Parfrey, aesthetics, Alicia Silverstone, animation, Architecture, Art, Brandon Adamson, Canada, capitalism, censorship, Cinema, Class, Comic Books, Count Isidor Fosco, counterculture, Culture, David Lynch, Economics, Erotica, Film, Italian Futurism, Joseph Dobrian, Larry Clark, Malcolm Gladwell, Philosophy, Pilleater, Political Correctness, Pornography, Postmodernism, Salvador Dali, Socialism, Surrealism, Trevor Brown, Vaporwave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark and Pilleater talk to returning guest Count Fosco. Count Fosco has a background in the film industry in Canada.

Topics:

Count Fosco’s background in the Canadian Film Industry
The economic mechanisms for funding the arts
Conservative opposition to funding the arts
Robert Stark’s debate with Joseph Dobrian on funding the arts
The cultural left’s influence on grants favoring politically correct demographic groups
Where the free market falls short and the importance of having an economic safety net for artist
Being an artist as a luxury for the rich and the importance of having the right connections and patrons
The fallacy that the best artist are rewarded economically(ex. Van Gogh)
Preferred relative guidelines for artistic funding and support for relative artistic freedom
How grants work for the film industry in Canada
Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 Hour Rule’ and how it applies to the arts
Should art serve a purpose for society?
Censorship in the Art World
The debate about what is art and what is pornography and the concept of “degenerate art”
Creating new artistic sub-cultures
Low Brow Pop Surrealism
Surrealism from Dali to David Lynch
Robert Stark and Brandon Adamson’s Art
The animated series Braceface staring Alicia Silverstone

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Robert Stark talks to Richard Wolstencroft about the Twin Peaks Finale

aesthetics, Cinema, Culture, David Lynch, dreams, Film, Kyle MacLachlan, meditation, Mulholland Drive, Occultism, Philosophy, Pilleater, Psychology, Richard Wolstencroft, Surrealism, Time Travel, Twin Peaks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark and Pilleater talk to filmmaker Richard Wolstencroft about the finale of Twin Peaks. Check out our previous shows on The New Twin Peaks Part I and Part II.

Topics:

The disappointment with the ending of Twin Peaks
Whether the ending is a final statement from David Lynch
David Lynch “The Emperor”
Whether it is an open ended ending for a future season
David Lynch’s signature style of ending with a sense of mystery; when it is successful and when it is not
The multiple coordinates and how many are meaningless
Philip Jeffries role
Sarah Palmer’s role
The mysterious nude eyeless Asian girl and the scene in the Jail
“Judy”
Cooper being able to travel in and out of the Black Lodge
The Black Lodge’s aesthetic and multiple levels similar to Dante’s Inferno
The showdown at the Twin Peaks Sheriffs Department
Similarities to Inland Empire and references to Lost Highway
The theme of time travel; Cooper going back in time to save Laura Palmer
Cooper coming out of his coma at the very end of the series
Dougie Jones as a metaphor for living ones life like one is sleep walking
“We all live in a dream but who is the dreamer?”
David Lynch’s interest in Transcendental Meditation and how it influences his work
Richard Wolstencroft’s new film The Second Coming: Volume 2 and The Second Coming: Volume 1

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Robert Stark talks to Director Richard Wolstencroft about The New Twin Peaks: Part II

 Angelo Badalamenti, aesthetics, Art, Australia, Bernie Sanders, Cinema, Conspiracy Theories, Crime, Culture, David Lynch, Donald Trump, Economics, Film, Healthcare, horror, humor, Immigration, Jay Dyer, Kyle MacLachlan, Mulholland Drive, Music, Pearls Before Swine, Police, Politics, Richard Wolstencroft, Sam Kevorkian, Sexuality, Surrealism, Twin Peaks, Vice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark and co-host Sam Kevorkian talk to filmmaker Richard Wolstencroft about the new Twin Peaks series. This is the sequel to our last show on The New Twin Peaks

Topics:

How we left off on the previous show predicting that the series will end in the White Lodge
Robert Stark and Jay Dyer’s prediction at the beginning of the series that the primary theme will be about the Deep State investigating the Black Lodge
The beginning of the “Blue Rose” investigation into the Black Lodge
The Black and White Surreal “Lynchian” Episode 8 set in New Mexico and the responses to it
Lynch’s fascination with evil and the cameos of the creature from Mulholland Drive
Whether Dougie Jones(Cooper) will regain his consciousness
Twin Peaks: How the Insurance Man explains everything, maybe
Phillip Jeffries and the secretive forces that wants Cooper dead
The transformation of the side characters, how some have risen in significance, while others have become a side note
The role of the deceased Major Briggs in the series
David Lynch’s character Agent Gordon Cole becoming the new Cooper
Ben Horne’s Grandson Richard Horne who is a fugitive involved in organize crime
Richard’s view that criminals serve a purpose in society
The transformation of Ben Horne and the recent return of Audrey Horne
Michael J. Anderson'(The Man From Another Place), his feud with David Lynch, and his political statements
The prediction that in the upcoming episodes there will be a showdown with Cooper’s Doppelgänger at Glastonbury Grove
How the recent episodes have become more involved with the town of Twin Peaks
The de-romanticism of the town of Twin Peaks in the New series
The music in the new series; Twin Peaks: The Return | Part 13 “Just You”
Whether David Lynch will leave the series open ended in his signature style
The influences of David Lynch in Richard’s films Pearls Before Swine and The Second Coming Vol I and II
Richard’s political views and thoughts on Trump; Australia’s immigration policies and healthcare system

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Robert Stark talks to Jamie Curcio about Narrative Machines

1980's, aesthetics, Aleister Crowley, Alexander Dugin, Alternative Right, Anarchism, Aristocratic Individualism, Art, Beatniks, counterculture, Culture, Cyberpunk, David Bowie, David Lynch, dreams, Fascism, Film, horror, Industrial Music, J.G. Michael, Jamie Curcio, Jean Baudrillard, Laibach, Literature, Media, Memes, Milo, Mishima A Life in Four Chapters, Morality, Mulholland Drive, Music, Narrative Machines, Nietzsche, Occultism, Philosophy, Politics, Postmodernism, Psychology, Retro Futurism, Sam Kevorkian, Social Isolation, Social Media, Stranger Things, Surrealism, They Live, Thomas Ligotti, Vaporwave, Yukio Mishima

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark, co-host Sam Kevorkian, and J.G. Michael talk to Jamie Curcio about his new book Narrative Machines: Modern Myth, Revolution, & Propaganda. Jamie is an Artist, Writer, and Musician, and blogs at Modern Mythology.

Topics:

Intro: Nefarious from the Album EgoWhore by HoodooEngine which Jamie co-produces and does bass and rhythm guitar for
The main thrust of Narrative Machines is the way in which myths function in our lives
How the conflict with our longing to connect with the sacred leads to seeking re-connection in the form of reified ideology in the current “Meme Wars”
Jean Baudrillard’s book Simulacra and Simulation
The concept of hyper reality and how social interactions are mediated by social media
Post Modernism and Deconstructionism; skepticism towards all ultimate truths
Hobbes vs. Rousseau: the debate over human nature
Jamie’s illustrations in Narrative Machines
The Artist David Mack
Aesthetic theory and how artist can affect the world politically
Interrogation Machine – Laibach and NSK
Aleksander Dugin, Nick Land, and Neo-Reaction
The relation between myth, retro-aesthetic creative movements like vaporwave, and the current cultural climate
The 80’s Retro themed show Stranger Things
The aesthetics of Horror and horror writer Thomas Ligotti
Surrealism and connecting to the sacred or primal force
Jamie’s book Join My Cult!, occultism, and Aleister Crowley
David Bowie Inspires Jamie’s Upcoming Book, “Masks”
Yukio Mishima’s Confessions of a Mask
Jamie’s involvement in the goth industrial music scene of the 90’s and 00’s
The ways in which virtual reality, myth, and “the real world” have collided
Alternate Reality Games, the film The Game, and playing with peoples perception of reality through media

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Robert Stark talks to Director Michael Medaglia about his Film Deep Dark

Art, Bizarro Fiction, Blue Velvet, Cinema, comedy, Culture, David Lynch, Deep Dark, Film, horror, horror films, humor, Literature, Michael Medaglia, Portland, Sam Kevorkian, Santa Barbara, Sexuality, Surrealism, Twin Peaks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark and co-host Sam Kevorkian talk to Director Michael Medaglia about his Film Deep Dark. You can get a signed DVD as well as the screenplay on the Deep Dark Website.

Topics:

The struggling artist Hermann played by Sean McGrath who discovers a mysterious hole 
How the film is classified as horror for marketing purposes but Michael considers it to be “weird fiction”
Weird fiction writers including Kelly Link and Jeremy Robert Johnson
How the hole works
The symbolism of the hole, the Faustian Myth, and comparisons to “Little Shop of Horrors”
Giving the hole humanity
Keeping a sense of mystery for the audience by not revealing everything
Horror cliches such as holes as gateways to hell
The theme of a struggling artist and how artist can relate to the film
The absurd and comedic elements of the film
The production and cinematography of the film
Voice actress Denise Poirier who did the voice for the hole
Michael’s short films “The Ratsnitch Angel” and Kitty Kitty

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Robert Stark interviews Artist Jason D’Aquino

aesthetics, Architecture, Art, Culture, David Lynch, Frank Lloyd Wright, H.P. Lovecraft, Hellraiser, horror, horror films, Iggy Pop, Jason D'Aquino, Miami, Mid-Century Modern, Pulps, Serial Killers, Surrealism, Tattoos, Twin Peaks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark talks to Artist JASON D’AQUINO. He is known for his Miniature Matchbook Art, drawings on found objects and vintage surfaces in graphite.

Topics:

Jason’s Kickstarter JOIN IGGY POP! Let’s Make Artists Worth More Alive for Portal del Pop
Jason’s project Portal del Pop which is a place for artist to feature and sell their art commission free
The article in the Miami Times Miami’s Weirdest Kickstarter: Art Space, Iggy Pop, and Tattooed Skin in a Jar
Jason’s friendship with Iggy Pop and his involvement with the project
The process of creating miniatures on vintage matchboxes
Themes of interest including horror films including Hellraiser, Serial Killers, David Lynch films, and mechanical pieces such as clocks, pistols, and cameras
The Making Of Twin Peaks And David Lynch Miniature Matchbook Art by Jason
Jason D’Aquino “Shilling for Eames”
Jason’s tattoo art

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Check Out Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Robert Stark talks to Director Richard Wolstencroft about The New Twin Peaks

 Angelo Badalamenti, 1950's, 1980's, aesthetics, Aleister Crowley, Blue Velvet, Canada, Cinema, Conspiracy Theories, Count Isidor Fosco, Crime, Culture, David Lynch, Film, Film Noire, Hollywood, horror, humor, J.G. Michael, Kyle MacLachlan, meditation, Mulholland Drive, Occultism, Philosophy, Pilleater, Psychology, Religion, Richard Wolstencroft, Sexuality, Surrealism, Twin Peaks, Vaporwave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark, co-host Pilleater, J.G. Michael, and Count Isidor Fosco are joined with filmmaker Richard Wolstencroft live from the Black Lodge to talk about the new Twin Peaks series and how it compares to the original.

Topics:

Intro: The Northern Lights – Falling (feat. Lucy Black)
The Black Lodge and it’s theological and occult symbolism
The 80’s quality of the original Twin Peaks, the 50’s nostalgia theme, and David Lynch’s interest in fusing genres
Lynch’s emphasis on visual aesthetics in his films
How Twin Peaks was inspired by the Film Noire Laura (1944)
How the new series makes references to other Lynch films such as Blue Velvet
Contrasting the portrayal of the town Twin Peaks in the new series to the original; Richard’s visit to the town of North Bend, Washington where the show is filmed
Lynch’s portrayal of small towns; the idealism of small towns vs. the critique that there is a dark underbelly to small town America
Demonic possession vs. symbolism of the monster within
Cooper’s Doppelgänger, Agent Cooper becoming Dougie Jones who has lost his memory, and whether he will come back
The theme of powerful entities trying too tap into the Black Lodge and how that will become the main narrative
The theme of “Sex Magic”
The film Mulholland Drive and how it was originally intended to be a sequel to Twin Peaks about Audrey Horne
Lynch’s political views and his interest in Transcendental Meditation
How Twin Peaks touches on a variety of themes including culture, politics, the subconscious, sex, psychology, philosophy, mythology, and religion
Kyle MacLachlan and David Lynch as FBI Agents
The prediction that Cooper will return to Twin Peaks and end up in the White Lodge at the end
The role of the side characters in the new series such as Dr. Jacoby, Ben Horne, and Shelly

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Check Out Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Robert Stark talks to Jay Dyer about Esoteric Twin Peaks

1950's, aesthetics, Aleister Crowley, Blue Velvet, Conspiracy Theories, Crime, Culture, David Bowie, David Lynch, dreams, Film, Film Noire, Gender, Hollywood, horror, horror films, humor, Jay Dyer, Kyle MacLachlan, Music, Mythology, Occultism, Pilleater, Psychology, Religion, Salvador Dali, Serial Killers, Sexuality, Surrealism, Twin Peaks, Vaporwave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark and co-host Pilleater talk to Jay Dyer about the Esoteric Symbolism behind David Lynch’s Twin Peaks and the new series on Showtime. Jay writes film reviews at Jay’s Analysis and is the author of Jay Dyer’s Esoteric Hollywood

Topics:

Intro Song: The Northern Lights – Falling (feat. Lucy Black)
‎Jay’s article An Esoteric Guide to Twin Peaks
The New Twin Peaks series and how it compares to the original
The prequel film Fire Walk With Me (1992) which reveals the murder mystery aspect of the plot
Twin Peaks’ transition from a Soap Opera parody to a Dark Comedy and then a Surreal Horror
David Lynch’s success in giving clues and keeping the audience in mystery and suspense
Film Noire, the 1950’s theme, and David Lynch’s interest in fusing eras and genres
Themes of dreams and the subconscious
Surrealist influences and David Lynch’s documentary Surrealist Cinema
The role of organized crime in the series
Themes of Conspiracy Theories and the Deep State
Co-creator Mark Frost’s book The Secret History of Twin Peaks
Themes of Occultism
References to Tibetan Buddhism and Native America Mythology
Super Natural Themes; The evil and benign spirits and Killer Bob’s possession of people’s bodies to commit murder
The Black Lodge, the White Lodge, and Glastonbury Grove which is the portal
The aesthetics and symbolism of the “Red Room” and whether it is the Black Lodge or a portal between the worlds
Cooper’s evil version(doppelgänger); Cooper’s escape from the Black Lodge in the new series
How the series is more about Agent Dale Cooper’s journey to the Black Loge then the murder mystery of Laura Palmer
Jay’s expectations for the new series


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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Robert Stark and Richard Wolstencroft discuss The Film Dark City

1990's, aesthetics, Akira, Alex Proyas, alienation, Architecture, Art, Art Deco, Australia, Cinema, Cities, Count Isidor Fosco, Culture, Dark City, David Lynch, Dystopia, Edward Hopper, Film, Film Noire, Ghost in a Shell, Hollywood, horror, horror films, Jennifer Connelly, Metropolis, Mid-Century Modern, Mythology, Nihilism, Philosophy, Pilleater, Plato, Psychology, Retro Futurism, Richard Wolstencroft, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Surrealism, The Matrix, Utopia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark, co-host Pilleater, and Count Isidor Fosco, talk to filmmaker Richard Wolstencroft about the film Dark City(1998) directed by Alex Proyas.

Topics:

Australian director Alex Proyas, his background in Punk, and his style
Proyas’s films The Crow, Gods of Egypt, and Knowing
Proyas rebelling against the conformity of Hollywood Cinema
Comparisons to the Matrix which came out a year later and the theme of a meta reality
The setting of the City in a Space Ship disconnected from earth, the theme of parallel universes, and comparisons to the Truman Show
The role of “the Others” in the film; the metaphor for powerful people who manipulate reality from behind the scenes
How the others switch peoples memories and give them false memories; comparisons to Ghost in a Shell
The Gothic and Neo Noire Genres
The aesthetics of the film; Decopunk, Metropolis, Edward Hopper, and other influences
The irony of dystopian films is that they often succeed in creating utopian aesthetics
The films success in building upon the sense of mystery
The theme of man becoming a “God Like” figure restructuring society as a utopia
Plato’s allegory of the Cave and the Ship of Theseus
The symbolism of Shell Beach
The directors cut vs. the theatrical cut

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!