Rod 2.0:Beta #gay #news #lgbt #gaynews

Horror! Drag Queens and Mao on White House Christmas Tree

Proof of the radical gay agenda? Simon Doonan—the Barney's New York creative director last seen hooking up with NBA hotness Ben Gordon—decorated the White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room. The right-wing wingnuts and teabaggers are outraged the decoupaged ornaments include a signed photo of New York City drag star Hedda Lettuce and Andy Warhol's campy presentation of Chairman Mao.

The predictable shock and horror from FOX News, who notes the ornaments are "too close to baby Jesus" AFTER THE JUMP...

Warhol "Thriller" Portrait of Michael Jackson Could Fetch Up to $10M

An Andy Warhol portrait, circa 1984, of Michael Jackson will be auctioned today by a Hamptons art gallery and the price could exceed $10 million.

The 30-by-26-inch painting, of one icon painted by another, "shows a smiling Jackson in a red jacket from his 1980s Thriller days." The painting is not expected to break any records—"the recession-weary market has significantly depressed art values", TIME reports—but the postmortem interest in the late Michael Jackson is expected to push prices skyward.

The only question: Where should you hang it a $10 million Warhol?

Hip-Hop and Pop: "Interior Design" Visits Kanye West's Modernist Home

The current issue of Interior Design—the bible for design-hungry professionals—offers an editorial and digital slideshow on the tasteful Los Angeles home of producer, rapper and songwriter Kanye West. Interior design aficionados will love this because Kanye's home is the definition of stylish, modern minimalism.

Here is something we didn't know: West studied fine art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago on scholarship. He collects pop art and absolutely adores design."It's been my dream to be in Interior Design," the Grammy Award-winning rapper and producer says.

There are several Warhol silk screens, including pieces from the famed Campbell Soup Can Series and an 1870s Louis Vuitton steamer trunk. (There is also a framed Warhol signature.) In the foyer, more vintage Vuitton pieces on French walnut floors.

The dining room is quite exquisite. Vintage floor lamp by the well-known Mariano Fortuny. The ceiling work is entitled "A Life Restored" a 9-by-10-foot acrylic on canvas by Ernie Barnes, the black neo-impressionist whose art was memorialized in the television show Good Times.

A rare glimpse into Kanye's inner sanctum. The fashionista's, err, closet is the one concession to hip-hop style. Some 200 pairs of sneakers are stored on custom lacquered sliding racks in the master suite.

Unlike the homes of other rappers and ballers profiled on MTV's Cribs—even worse, in Ebony or Architectural Digest—there is not a leather sofa or plasma television in sight. The Kanye West bachelor pad is tasteful, chic, minimal and modern. As Kanye's BFF Pharrell Williams says, if you're going to do it, Warhol the situation.

Hip Hop and Pop [Interior Design]

Some Background ...
Has-Been Rapper Beanie Sigel Demands Kanye and Pharrell "Come Out of the Closet" [R20]
Kanye West Responds to Gay Rumors [R20]
Live Earth Concert [R20]
Pharrell Williams at Diana Concert [R20]
John Legend & Cornel West vs Homophobia [R20]
News: iPhone, Pharrell Wiliams [R20]
John Legend & Cornel West vs Homophobia [R20]
Kanye on Gay Bashing [R20]
Kanye: "My Own Homophobia" [R20]
Hip-Hop and Homophobia [R20]
Kanye Trifecta [R20]
Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton [R20]

Rod Tube Point O v6

"When you've got it, flaunt it." That's Andy Warhol and boxer Sonny Liston in what has to be one of the campiest spots ever for Braniff Airlines, an airline that elevated camp to an art form. You'll LOL @ the announcer: "They like our girls, they like our food, and they like our style."

More style and more camp with this latest roundup of You Tube's clever, overlooked and sexy: (2) Shirley Bassey belting out "All That Jazz" in a special for the BBC; (3) bodybuilder Kevin Levrone's "acting" reel, much more camp than drama; (4) Diana Ross and a very young Michael Jackson in a 1971 television special.

Click the thumbnails or links to open the You Tube video. Enjoy.

(1) Andy Warhol: TV Commercial, Braniff Airlines

(2) Shirley Bassey Sings "All That Jazz"

(3) Kevin Levrone Reel

(4) Diana Ross Special

Previously:

Rod Tube Point O v5 (Rod 2.0) Rod Tube Point O v4 (Rod 2.0) Rod Tube Point O v3 (Rod 2.0) Rod Tube Point O v2 (Rod 2.0) Rod Tube Point O (Rod 2.0) Kevin Goes Hollywood (Rod 2.0) "Jackie's Back" on You Tube (Rod 2.0)

News: Shani Davis, Warhol

Saturday is Shani Davis Day in Chicago and the Olympic gold medalist received a hero's welcome upon returning to his hometown. It's his first time back since winning the men's 1,500-meter race at the World All-Around Speedskating Championships in Calgary, and, the winter olympics. The athlete says that he's happy to be away from the critics who focused on a much-discussed rivalry between him and fellow speed skater Chad Hedrick. "When I won the medals, like through all the scrutiny, I think a lot of that stuff was ... what I’ve accomplished was kind of tainted." CBS2 also has video—just in case you want to see a very handsome Shani rockin' a new bald fade.

New exhibit at the MCA-Chicago, Andy Warhol/Supernova:Stars, Deaths, and Disasters, 1962-1964. "Warhol provided a glimpse into a prevailing condition of American modernity—our dual fascination with celebrity and tragedy—that today remains a key component of our national identity."

Revenge of the NERD

The October/November Complex features a revealing interview with Pharrell Williams. There are two standouts in the six page spread. One, Donnie Kwak's questions are probing and veer toward Pharrell's well-known interests in technology, fashion and the south. Two, Melodie McDaniel's black and white layout is brilliant, especially the top photo taken on a balcony of the Chelsea Hotel.

What we appreciate the most about Pharrell is his easy going manner. In the q&a, Pharrell is totally at ease while previewing In My Mind, his solo debut. The man behind The Neptunes and N*E*R*D hopes that some units will move, but says that he won't even try to compete with the mega-selling superstars for one simple reason: He's not a hunk.

Justin delivers records like that incredibly, and Usher does records like that incredibly. 'Cause the whole sex symbol shit goes with it. I ain't that. I don't see myself as that, like a sex symbol. That's not my character. I pretend that I'm sexy. It's all in my mind. That's why it's perfect for my album title.

Aww. Pharrell is a lil sexy one, right? But he makes a great point, and it's comforting to hear a premiere hip-hop artist speak candidly about their strengths and weaknesses. Pharrell was also asked about endorsement deals and his reluctance to jump on the easy-money bandwagon. And this is what we love about Pharrell: he says that he would do major endorsements only if it were over-the-top, and coins a phrase from the art world to express his vision.

If I felt I could Warhol the situation. Warhol is Warhol and you know it and you love it. If I could Warhol it, it's different.

That's hot, right? And for the whining anti-Warholians, be quiet; the phrase has a better ring than say, "Lichtenstein the situation."

More Complex reviews below.

Beauty and Thug (Rod 2.0) Not So Complex (Rod 2.0) All About Alba (Rod 2.0) Hip Hop Hooray? (Rod 2.0)