Hybrid Culture

We're collaborating with top photographer and all round nice guy, Klaus Thymann who is producing a coffee table book on Hybrid Culture.   Just in case there isn't a universal definition of what we mean, we're talking about where 2 seemingly unrelated cultures come together. 

For instance:-

Christians going on holiday to Religious Theme Parks (yes, Mickey Mouse and co are replaced by religious re-enactments).

or Gay Rodeo.

or Bicycle jousting or a cocktail bar where you can do your laundry etc etc.

Klaus needs your help in identifying other odd collisions of activity and culture from around the world that he can photograph, document and add into the book.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Posted by Jonathan Rigby

Comments

[Mark McGuinness]

How about the Extreme Ironing Bureau? "The latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt". http://www.extremeironing.com/

Discovered via Creative Generalist http://www.creativegeneralist.com/

[Picklin paul]

Apparently Japanese tourists are so traumatised by the reality of Paris that they need treatment for depresssion. http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,1930600,00.html

River surfing - I saw these guys surfing on the river in Munich but apparently they surf in Montreal as well... http://www.flickr.com/photos/picklinpaul/214286812/

[mark]

Guerilla gardening: the act of random beutification of public sites

[John Grant]

There was a famous Christmas display in a Tokyo department store which had as its centrepiece a crucified santa claus. I think baudrillaird or someone similar wrote about this; it's a brilliant illustration of what postmodernism is; disembedded cultures remixing themselves etc. It's also very funny. Sadly this was a long time ago so I dont think you will be able to capture it, unless you can be bothered to recreate it!

Other examples. Gospel Aerobics in SFO, and also a laundromat/bar called Suds & Duds.

[parsnip]

read about this project on the rusell davis site and I have the QUINTESSENTIAL item: German Indians.

http://robbecher.www4.50megs.com/TonkonowGI.html

http://www.mocp.org/exhibitions/2003/01/the_transportat.php

I saw this exhibit a few years ago at the yerba buena center in san francisco and could not believe this subculture existed. truly strange.

[christian]

Good idea for a book. Supermarket dating might be of interest to you, although it could be hard to show the more subtle aspects of it in a coffee table book: http://www.pinkfridge.com/lal_dating/supermarket.htm

[christian]

Me again. You mustn't forget dikes on bikes - no problem to get some colorful photos there: http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnnyjaywalker/21733629/in/photostream/

[Adrian]

Boston's Marathon Monday, Barcade, Love graffiti, Afro-punk, and Ice-T, famous for "Cop-killer" and playing a cop on Law and Order.

I posted a write-up here:
http://do.palicio.us/blog/2006/11/06/ideas-for-love/

[Charles Frith]

I was passing through this luxury hotel in Hua Hin Thailand and they had this artificial beach on the grounds adjacent to the swimming pool, and backing up onto the real beach only a few yards away in the background, so I took a shot. I wanted to share it with you when I read the request, but I lost the file, and I just came across the pic which I uploaded onto my Microsoft spaces. It might be what you're looking for and is a great excuse to nip over to the tropics.

It's the 61st picture on 'smorgasboard', title 'artificial backs up onto natural'. The beach beds are on the hotel grounds with the real shoreline in the background.

http://tinyurl.com/t78aq

[Blake]

I've used http://www.familymemories.com/ photo book software to create 5 books - the quality of the printing is amazing and I would fully recommend them for creating a coffee table book, wedding book, family photo book or whatever. Great stuff! It can enable you to make some really cool books and calendars