Female Werewolves, Shapeshifters and Other Horrors in Art, Literature and Culture

An interdisciplinary conference at University of Manchester, UK
September 9-10th 2010

Keynote Speaker: Professor Peter Hutchings (Northumbria University)

CALL FOR PAPERS

The figure of the werewolf has haunted art, literature and culture for millennia. While not as common as their male counterparts, female werewolves appear in a variety of texts, of different genres and different cultures. From transcripts of witchcraft trials to Buffy, the female werewolf and her shapeshifting sisters continue to challenge, excite and entertain. 

This conference will explore representations and cultural meanings of female werewolves and other female shapeshifters, and the perennial fascination of these creatures. Papers are sought from researchers in all disciplines.

Possible topics may include (but are not limited to):

• literary and cinematic representations
• representation in art, graphic novels and animation
• teen shapeshifters
• children's literature and fairy tales
• role-playing, gaming and MMORPGs
• mythologies and folkloric belief
• magic, transformation and the body
• historical, medical and legal discourse
• theoretical considerations of gender and female sexuality
• the female shapeshifter and the other

We also invite proposals for papers, discussion groups or workshops from creative professionals.

Selected papers may be invited to be submitted for inclusion in an edited collection following the conference.

Please send abstracts for twenty-minute papers (no more than 300 words) to
shewolf.manchester@googlemail.com by 31st March 2010.

George A. Romero zombie pic set for spring

By Dave McNary

'Survival of the Dead'

George A. Romero's new zombie pic, "Survival of the Dead," has landed at Magnet Releasing, which has set a spring release.

Romero's film, the latest in a series starting with 1968's "Night of the Living Dead," bowed at the Venice and Toronto film festivals this year.

Magnet will unspool "Survival" on VOD platforms nationwide a month before its theatrical release.

Story centers on an isolated refuge where two powerful families maintain a semblance of order in the wake of the zombie holocaust. But as the inhabitants slowly die off, the two clans become sharply divided, leading to an escalating showdown with echoes of a classic Western standoff.

Magnet has released Tomas Alfredson's "Let the Right One In," John Woo's "Red Cliff," Nacho Vigalondo's "Timecrimes" and Tony Jaa's "Ong Bak 2."

Upcoming it has Nicolas Winding Refn's "Bronson" and action sequel "District 13 -- Ultimatum," from helmer Patrick Alessandrin.

 

 

 

 

 

Arrow in the Head reports that Paul Naschy has died of cancer today…. RIP Mr Naschy!

We just got wind that Spanish Horror legend Paul Naschy died of cancer today at the age of 75. If there ever was a face of horror in Spain, especially through the 60s and 70s, it was Naschy, who was the Spanish equivalent to the legendary Lon Chaney.

Paul Naschy (born Jacinto Molina, September 6, 1934, Madrid – December 1, 2009, Madrid) was a Spanish movie actor, screenwriter, and director working primarily in horror films. His portrayal of numerous classic horror figures–the wolfman, a hunchback, Count Dracula, a mummy–have earned him recognition as a Spanish Lon Chaney. King Juan Carlos I presented Naschy with Spain’s Gold Medal Award for Fine Arts in 2001 in honor of his work.

http://www.joblo.com/arrow/index.php?id=19580
http://www.naschy.com/mainpage.html

Cheap laser-cutting has come to the world's crafters, and Etsy is awash in lovely, precision-cut tchotchkes of all description. Case in point: Edgar Allan Poe in black stainless steel, $26 from FableAndFury.

Edgar A. Poe Memento cameo necklace in black stainless steel (via Wonderland)

Great stuff!

Miskatonic Valley Fine Art features sculptures by Joe Broers based on the 'Cthulhu Mythos' creations of H.P. Lovecraft and the 'Lovecraft Circle' of writers.  Each sculpture is cast in resin, finished, and comes with fictitious 'documentation' that helps provide a feeling of verisimilitude to the project.  Sculptures are completed upon payment and normally shipped within two weeks.  Paypal is available for immediate payment, and payment by mail can be made with check or money order to: 

Joe Broers, 1011 Johnson Street, Carlinville, IL 62626. 

Telephone 217 851 1648

Questions or comments  josefk@frontiernet.net

H.P. LOVECRAFT'S CTHULHU 

This sculpture comes with the newspaper clipping shown above, the image above, comparing the Cthulhu figures, and a copy of the 'typewritten' letter shown below.  Figure is 7 3/4" tall and is dark green with golden highlights.

Dear Mike,

             As per your request, I will try to relate to you all of the information I have about the Cthulhu statue that had belonged to my grandfather. I wrote it all up and Jenny is typing it for me so you'll be able to read it.                                                       

             My grandfather, George Price, born in 1889, was a native of Providence, RI, and knew H.P. Lovecraft as a teenager.  Back in the late 60's he told me a story of how he, Lovecraft, and their mutual friends Harold and Chester Munroe had been taken to see a collection of American Indian artifacts that were owned by Edward Johnson, said to be a descendent of Israel Smith, one of the militia members who had occupied the Wampanoag village where Chief Metacom (know to the English as King Philip) had resided.  Inside the Chief's lodge he had found a number of items that he claimed as war trophies.  Among the items was a very strange statue that King Philip (known for adopting certain items of European dress and accoutrements) had apparently taken in trade, or possibly in a raid, from English settlers.  These artifacts and others were all later donated or sold to Rudolf F. Haffenreffer, who opened the King Philip Museum right on the Mount Hope Grant, where King Philip had made his headquarters.  As it turned out, Haffenreffer was not interested in the odd little statue because it was not of Native American origin, and the story of its acquisition could not be fully documented.  He sold the statue to a local dealer of antiquities and my grandfather recalled seeing it in the dealers shop as early as 1927. It sat in the store unsold, but when my grandfather read Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu" story in Weird Tales early in 1928, he went to the shop and bought it.  He intended to give it to Lovecraft, though he had not seen him in over twenty years.  After an unsuccessful attempt to deliver the statue (Lovecraft was traveling), my grandfather relocated and never tried to contact Lovecraft again.  Why Lovecraft, in all of his voluminous correspondence never mentioned seeing the statue is not known, although my grandfather told me that upon returning home on the day they had seen the collection, Lovecraft was told of his grandfather's death. The shock of this event must have torn the memory from his mind, only to have it resurface later as the nightmarish Cthulhu.    In 1972 my grandfather sent a letter to me that provided most of the details of this story, and included a old newspaper clipping about Edward Johnson. My  grandfather died in 1977, and as per his instructions, the statue of Cthulhu was given to me. 

Sincerely,

Joe Price

SHUB-NIGGURATH - THE BLACK GOAT OF THE WOODS WITH A THOUSAND YOUNG

Limited edition of 49 figures

This sculpture comes with the letter and envelope above, as well as the page from 'DE VERMIS MYSTERIIS.  Text of the letter provided below.  Figure is 9 1/2" tall and is black with golden highlights giving it a bronzed appearance.  This is a limited edition figurine, signed and numbered.  Edition size  - 49

James Murphy

218 Sumner Street

Boston Mass.

May 17, 1937

Dear Mr. Murphy;

      I am writing in response to the letter and photographs I received from you at the end of April.  Regarding your inquiry as to the identification of the figure illustrated in the photograph of what you described as a parchment, and also the that of the photograph of the dark statuette,  I believe I can provide an accurate reply, although I'm afraid this knowledge might be dangerous to you; even more so than the danger you are already in in simply possessing the items. 

      Upon consultation with a friend and former colleague, Professor Henry Armitage, I have concluded the parchment depicting a goat-like creature is actually a page removed from a 15th century book entitled "De Vermis Mysteriis", or "Mysteries of the Worm" written by Ludwig Prin. A copy of this very rare book resides in the Miskatonic University Library collection.  An almost identical image also appears in a book written in 1839 by a German named Friedrich von Junzt entitled "Unaussprechlichen Kulten" or "Nameless Cults".  A later edition of this book published in 1909 also includes the image, although it is modified slightly.  Copies of both editions are also in the University's collection.  The image depicted is that of Shub-Niggurath called the 'Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young'.  Supposedly in existence long before the time of man she was and is still worshipped as one of what are sometimes known as 'Elder Gods' by certain decadent but very dangerous cults.   She is depicted with seven 'all seeing' eyes, and seven horns that represent power over the seven continents of Earth.  That part of her appearance was later adapted by Christianity, the book of Revelations describing a lamb with seven eyes and seven horns. 

      While I have never seen another, I believe that the statuette in your possession is also a representation of Shub-Niggurath. Such a statue is said to have resided in the 'Copper Temple of the Goat with a Thousand Young' on the long lost continent of Mu.  The fiendish visages appearing on the throne (stump) are representations of Shub-Niggurath's young.  While your photo does not show the reverse side,  if I am correct there will be nine faces in total; representing both the nine planets in our solar system as well as having the symbolic meaning of 'judgment'.  It is interesting that nine jurors are utilized in our judicial system, and nine judges reside on our Supreme Court, although the similarity here must be coincidence.  

      Mr. Murphy, I must reiterate the fact that knowledge of the items in your possession might be dangerous to you, and it would be in your best interest to dispose of them, to destroy them.  I will not deny that this might be difficult to do, as they are very rare and quite valuable.   However, these items, and in particular the statuette, are not safe in your possession, or even in a museum. If certain individuals become aware of its existence they would stop at nothing to possess it, and once in their hands untold horrors may be be unleashed.  I cannot relate the details at this time, but events in Dunwich about ten years ago in which Professor Armitage and I were involved fully convince me of the dangers inherent in any association with the 'Elder Gods' or the trappings thereof.

       I would very much like to know that you heeded my advice to destroy the objects, and ask that you write to me again when you have done so.  If you remain unconvinced of the danger you are in I implore you to contact me immediately.  While I am reluctant to divulge all of the knowledge I have concerning the 'Elder Gods' in writing,  the situation is so grave that I would make arrangements to meet with you personally and convey my fears firsthand.

Sincerely,

Prof. Francis Morgan

TO PURCHASE                                 

$85 post paid                      $125 post paid  

Wonderful stuff! I wish I could afford these...