Author Archives: Periodicals/Reference Librarian
National Lampoon Magazine: Relevant Irreverence
The Visual Arts Library recently acquired an (almost[1]) full run of National Lampoon Magazine. Much can be said about this magazine that originally was spun off the Harvard Lampoon. From my nerdy consumer point of view, what really draws me to this publication is their incredible enthusiasm and attention to detail. Every page of every issue (at least in their heyday: see the irreverent–there’s that word again–1970’s) is crammed with creativity, artful considerations, and in most instances, meaningful audacity. The table of contents and editorial page from the June 1974 issue:
Most of the issues are themed. This one is their “Rainy Day Sunday Funbook Issue” which apparently didn’t reached the pictured rained-in kid soon enough. One of their favorite satirical devices seems to be confusing horror with comedy; both the blood and guts and social varieties. Many of the magazines have embedded publications in them that parody other actual publications, such as this one that is supposed to have been put out by the state of Mississippi Bar Association featuring articles on “Closing Those Loopholes in Mississippi Lynch Law” and “No-Fault Rape–New Concepts to Protect Our Menfolk:”
Civil Rights and Vietnam era politics proliferate the pages, along with heaping sides of boob and toilet humor.
The list of contributing writers, illustrators, and cartoonist involved with this influential comedy magazine are chronicled in the recent publication Drunk stoned brilliant dead : the writers and artists who made the National lampoon insanely great by Rick Meyerowitz (who was closely associated with the magazine from the beginning) which will soon be available in the Visual Arts Library.
Here is a short brag list of artists and writers: John Hughes, Michael O’Donoghue, Neal Adams, Frank Frazetta, Russ Heath, Bobby London, Shary Flenniken, and Edward Gorey.
Late last year the New York Public had an event in conjunction with the publication of the book: LIVE from the NYPL: AN EVENING WITH THE NATIONAL LAMPOON TO MAKE THE LIONS ROAR WITH LAUGHTER (there is an audio recording of the event if you follow the link).
And lastly, Bill Scheft ,when reviewing Meyerowitz’s book for the NY Times , credited National Lampoon Magazine for spawning ““Saturday Night Live”; “The Simpsons” and their spawn; all of late night; The Onion; and two generations who have no idea they’ve been so thoroughly influenced. ” Not bad.
[1]We are missing two issues from 1984. Also, our run ends in 1992, but only one issue was released in 1993, five in 1994, and three in 1995. For the last three years of its existence, the magazine was published only once annually until it died for good in November 1998.
Apartamento: an everyday life interiors magazine
Even the spines are sumptuous
According to their website: “Apartamento’s first issue was released in April 2008 as a magazine interested in homes, living spaces and design solutions as opposed to houses, photo ops and design dictatorships. The magazine is a logical result of the post-materialist mind shift. People are bored with the ostentatious and über-marketing. There is a real quest for identity in the midst of mass production and globalization, and that quest leads to what is personal, what is natural, what is real.”
The photos and interviews reveal intelligent people in real spaces; spaces that look lived in because they are lived in. Instead of showcasing a single design ideal, they show how a space is influenced by a person’s taste, education, location, occupation, means, cultural attitudes and so on. They show homes that reflect life. Some of the articles are self- profiles, in which someone writes and documents their own home, like this one by Yukari Miyagi:
"...My daughters and I brought back lots of leaves, twigs, nuts, flowers falling down to earth, and put them on a white piece of paper. The kids soon began making their 'art works' with their findings freely..."
Or in “”More Feral Than You” (text by Monica Canilao, photos by Paul Schiek):
- “Our past is not something we can choose to leave behind… Paint chip trails and ghost images are left behind in abandoned places, lived in to death and to pieces. Every life leaves an imprint…”
"...Wild and beautiful, inhabited by a strong nature, which defends it by external aggressions... Here, air, water, and even fire manifest themselves as the true fury of the elements...Up to a few years ago the water was just rainwater, there was neither electric light nor even a pier where ships could dock."
Beyond the self-profiles, the magazine features interviews, unique travel supplements, cartooning, illustration, and just a bunch of cool stuff. The design of the magazine itself is wonderful, with flush photos that are laid out smartly and with a nostalgia inducing production quality that is in beautiful contrast with the contemporary subjects. It comes out twice a year. The library has it starting with issue #4. The current issue is #6.
Anatomy–Animals
Oh, the mandibular condyle 
Yes, the glandula parotis
Indeed all the way to the end
of the jugular vein.
Be you a superficial flexor tendon
Or a deep flexor tendon
A Phalanx prima, secunda, or tertia
You are invited to dig in your hind claws
And sink in your unpaired canine tooth.
The Visual Arts Library Picture Collection Presents:
ANATOMY—ANIMALS
A subdivision of ANATOMY (which refers to human anatomy and which has the further subdivisions of ANATOMY—EYES ANATOMY—HANDS, and ANATOMY – NERVOUS SYSTEM) ANATOMY—ANIMALS has approximately 100 items. Please find a sampling below.
Da Vinci sussing out the horsely dimensions.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, the “father of microbiology,” sketches out the intestinal protozoa of frogs.
The Visual Arts Library Picture Collection Presents…
another installment of “Let the Pictures Tell You.”
Now that you look your best, it’s time to feel your best. It’s time to get glad, and so it’s apt that we turn to the picture subject “Humor.”
[Please note the quotations–before I added the quotes I could not bring myself to add anything to the folder, I would just imagine some smartypants going through the folder and snidely remarking, “oh yeah, this is real funny.” But with the quotes I freed myself from the constraints of judging something humorous. When adding an image I am simply recognizing that someone else thought that it was funny.]
Also featured: Dance and Sports–Exercise & Fitness.
Start your day with some Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga (in Mysore, India, if possible).
If gladness remains elusive, and you feel like your world is deteriorating around you, you can at least still dress the part.
And this, absolute gladness.
Next up, wealth.
The Visual Arts Library Picture Collection Presents…
“Let the Pictures Tell You:” unsolicited advice from static images; our wonderful Picture Collection!
The picture collection helps us achieve three of the greatest human desires: Beauty, Happiness, and Wealth.
Today, from Sports–Exercise & Fitness and Advertising–Early 1900’s, how to look your best:
Remember, you can always do two things at once.
Achieve perfect health through the mail and watch how your handlebar mustache and your biceps develop an infatuation for each other.
And, for all you ladies, keep up with the ever evolving shape of the ideal body.
Next time, the picture collection will demonstrate how to wake up each morning just as glad as can be.
SVA Library Picture & Periodicals Collections 
