[More] new revelations from Grigori Antonin [updated]

[Marie Wintzer]

 

 

I remember seeing Grigori's blog post about Ryosuke Cohen, and this real piece of Hollywood memorabilia making it to Brain Cell, and I found it absolutely brilliant. It is of course Grigori's hijack of the famous Daily News headline, "Actress shoots Andy Warhol". And it comes with a letter of explanation. I was quite worried for Grigori after I read this, but I hear he is recovering well and went on an ice fishing vacation, so I think all is well.
Although... I don't know how he is funding this trip with that ridiculous amount of monthly allowance from the US government. That handwritten note made me laugh out loud, and I think they should give him at least a few more bucks just for being Grigori. Thank you for sending this precious memorabilia, including the love buck and Antonio Moreno Dollars. Marie-Antonette will let the US government know that you are far from being useless :-))

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PS: reading about Andy Warhol and the shooting, I found a rather interesting quote by him:
"Before I was shot, I always thought that I was more half-there than all-there – I always suspected that I was watching TV instead of living life. People sometimes say that the way things happen in movies is unreal, but actually it's the way things happen in life that's unreal. The movies make emotions look so strong and real, whereas when things really do happen to you, it's like watching television – you don't feel anything. Right when I was being shot and ever since, I knew that I was watching television. The channels switch, but it's all television."

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A new envelope from Grigori, received a few days later:

With the absolutely original newspaper cutout and absolutely true story. And the confirmation that the signed letter is by deceased actor Rock Hudson. So THAT was the memorabilia! I get it now. Highly collectable I presume. Lucky me, as usual.

The envelope also came with a polaroid (we know Grigori excels in this exercise) of the most famous PO box in ALL of Minnesota! With proof, of course :-)) I can't really read the number of that mailbox, and that card looks, errrm, I don't know. OK, let's say I buy it. But I think this calls for a little experiment, doesn't it? In any case it made me smile, as usual, thank you Grigori! And glad to know you had a fab time with fishing and other peripheral activities :-)))

[Marie Wintzer]

It looks very much like the original photo that came with the shooting article, doesn't it? I am more puzzled by the crossed out letter, actually. I haven't completely figured it out yet. It's fun to picture him ice fishing ;-)) I'm sure he will come back from his trip with more mail art goodies.

[De Villo Sloan]

Marie, I am afraid I have yet again to protest this blog. As art, I suppose it's acceptable. As some autobiographical statement by the artist, it is questionable.

1) Are you sure the NY Post page is taken from the original Warhol shooting article?

2) If any of this is true, I am sorry that the artist's government contacts have chosen to award him such a small stipend. How was this humble ward of the state able to finance a visit to Japan (bringing him to your door, I might add), attend an Elvis Impersonator Convention, and dine in Tokyo's finest restaurants? The waters grow more and more murky. Lee Harvey Oswald's movements more sense than this. And yes, I noticed he has "gone fishing."

I would rest much easier if there were a full disclosure concerning the true identity of "Grigori Antonin."