Ed and Nancy Kienholz sculpture up for auction
On Dinosaurs and Robots, Mister Jalopy writes about a limited edition sculpture called "The Blockhead," by Edward and Nancy Kienholz, and follows it with a story he came across about the time Kienholz smashed a TWA desk because the airline had destroyed his lamp and called him a liar and a cheat when he filed for reimbursement.
LinkKienholz’s letter bluntly stated: “Good morning, my name is Ed Kienholz...you broke my lampshade and I’m really unhappy...so I’m going to cause TWA an equal amount of damage. I’m going to destroy a desk for TWA.”
This is exactly what Kienholz proceeded to do; he destroyed the desk and, somehow, made it back to his car before being apprehended by the Los Angeles Police Department. Though cited and fined for disturbing the peace, Kienholz was eventually reimbursed, and vindicated, for the lampshade through a small claims court victory against the airline, and no further charges were filed or pursued. Throughout the incident, Kienholz not only documented his actions through photographs and writing, he also garnered and exploited a tremendous amount of local and national media attention. He summarized the incident as follows: “It takes a lot of 'Up, up and away’ ads to overcome the humorous, negative publicity TWA got out of that. They would have been a lot better off to not call me a liar.”
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"They would have been a lot better off to not call me a liar.”"
and the stupid bastards STILL haven't learned that
Clearly the desk smashing was some time ago, as actions in this vein today would have got him a one way ticket, all expenses paid, to a room adjacent to a "hot tub" in Kazakhstan.
Move over Flying Spaghetti Monster, I have a new God!
How do we know they called you a liar? We only have your word to go on. [ducking]
Jeb! Fetch the tar bucket! Clem! You git the feathers!
This reminds me of the guy in the 70's who drove his lemon Lincoln to Ford HQ, doused in in gasoline and set it on fire right on their front lawn.
I saw this on a documentary about the US car industry in the 70's/80's, but I have no recollection of the title/producer. Ring any bells out there?
Ah, the pre-tazer era.
This had to be quite a few years ago. Ed's got to about five years older than god, if either of them are still alive.
This story reminds me a lot of the story (posted on boingboing) last year(?) of the woman that walked into the phone company and smashed their phone.
I tell you if more people behaived like this the world would be a far better place.
Especially if (like Ed's case) the companies were the ones that lost out instead of the other way around (like that woman who was charged)
Worst. Chumby hack. Ever.
Nancy, right? Not Nanyc? Am I the only one who's noticed?