Help keep Providence Weird!

Submitted by Jtownusa t3_11r8icm in providence

I'm not affiliated with Lovecraft Arts and Science but I wanted to repost their gofundme link here. They put on a lot of awesome events in the city (NecronomiCon Providence, the Arcade Asylum author series, the Tour de Tentacle rides, H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival) which involve and help to spotlight local artists. To lose them would make Providence considerably less weird and quirky. If you've ever been to one of their events please consider throwing them a couple bucks. The founder, Neil Hobbs explains their situation more thoroughly, link below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/lovecraft-arts-sciences-2023-winter-fundraiser

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KillTheZombie45 t1_jc7iyl6 wrote

My wife was a regular volunteer for the book store and helped with the conventions. I can firsthand say Its a wonderful festival for the arts ran by great people. I will be donating and I encourage everyone to do the same.

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Mountain_Bill5743 t1_jccl0g0 wrote

Do they still do Tour de Tentacle? I did it a few times, but haven't seen anything post covid at least.

I can attest it is a solid organization.

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RandomChurn t1_jca0t19 wrote

I wonder if David Cicillini returning and taking over a huge pot of money will help. He came to the Foundry Artists Show every year.

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AceConspirator t1_jc8nt95 wrote

I think that’s the slogan of Austin, TX, not Providence, RI.

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lestermagnum t1_jc7oj3d wrote

In case you need a reminder of how vile of a human being HP Lovecraft was, here’s an eight line poem by him you should read. It’s shameful that Providence celebrates this horrible person for tourist dollars.

https://mediadiversified.org/2014/05/24/the-n-word-through-the-ages-the-madness-of-hp-lovecraft/

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Jtownusa OP t1_jc853t5 wrote

Lovecraft was certainly racist, xenophobic and mentally ill nobody is celebrating that. But that doesn't mean people of color and marginalized groups can't participate in the field of weird fiction and art. Many black artists have reclaimed, reinterpreted and reimagined Lovecraft's work. The award winning weird fiction author Victor Lavalle and HBO's Emmy Award winning Lovecraft Country are two great examples of this off the top of my head. Events like the Necronomicon help support and spotlight black and queer artists and well as critique Lovecraft's problematic views.

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LurkingProvidence t1_jc89eri wrote

As someone who used to think like this until this past year or two. I just wanted to clarify some misconscenptions about places like Lovecraft Arts and sciences.

Places like Lovecrafts arts and sciences, and the Portland Lovecraft film fest, and the historical society in LA aren't really about Lovecraft specifically. They're about weird fiction, like weird tales pulp magazines back in the day.

The most popular (and influential) author from the weird tale's era is by far Lovecraft, so his namesake has become a label for all things weird. His fiction does play it's part because of it's sheer influence on the genre as a whole, but it's really just a small part of what places like Lovecrafts arts and sciences do.

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lestermagnum t1_jc8ed1a wrote

The place isn’t called “Weird Fiction Arts and Sciences”. Literally it is named after a horrible bigot and white supremest who admired Hitler and wanted to gas Chinatown, among many other terrible idea. Google the name of his cat for gods sake.

They sell tote bags and t-shirts with his likeness on them. They advocated for putting a statue of the man on public land. They have a weekend long celebration of him on his birthday. And had to issue an apology for some of the speakers espousing white supremest rhetoric at the celebration.

My argument is that this is very much a celebration of the man as much as it about his stories. “Sure he was an absolutely horrific person that wanted all non-whites wiped off the face of the planet, but I like a few of his stories so I’m cool with it”. It has strong “But Mussolini got the trains running on time” vibes.

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VinylGator t1_jc8mtf2 wrote

> And had to issue an apology for some of the speakers espousing white supremest rhetoric at the celebration.

It’s ironic given today’s political climate, in New England, as white supremacy propaganda is literally being thrown onto our driveways in rice filled ziplock bags, this is so brazenly overlooked.

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VinylGator t1_jc8lun6 wrote

Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?

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JeffFromNH t1_jc79go9 wrote

You could buy a t-shirt or artwork from a like minded local artist. Check them out Milk Can Industries here

https://milkcanindustries.com/products/providence-weird-since-1636

Also, there's a "movement" to Keep PVD Secret, which I support, too. You can pick up merch at Frog and Toad. I got a nice cocktail glass with the logo.

https://www.frogandtoadstore.com/keep-pvd-secret-t-shirt.html

Also, if you like Frog and Toad, look for their Tuesday, Online only sales. You order online and pick up in store.

And above all, don't tell the tourists. Send them to Gregg's or the mall or something. I avoid touristy place like the plague. Even before we had a plague (pandemic). 😎

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_jc7irns wrote

>Also, there's a "movement" to Keep PVD Secret

I can't decide what's stupider: that slogan, or the fact that a store owned by a suburbanite who hasn't lived in Providence for decades is the one pushing it.

If their customer base was limited only to people living in the city, they'd be out of business in a year tops.

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JeffFromNH t1_jc81gmj wrote

All I'm saying is Be Careful What You Wish For. Ask Austin, TX. The people I know who used to love it there have moved. Tourists and hipsters ruined it for a lot of those who made it a special place.

Providence is a special place. I'm not a native. I CHOSE to live here. I own property, pay taxes, pick up trash, connect with my neighbors and communities, I try to volunteer in every one of our 25 neighborhoods, every year. I support local music, local art, local farmers, local artists.

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laterbacon t1_jc7egrx wrote

> don't tell the tourists

I don't understand this mindset. Tourism is a billion dollar industry in RI. I want their money.

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