ART AFICIONADO

Friday, July 18, 2025

MODELING: Silvia Baggetto

Model: Silvia Baggetto (@baggetto_silvia)

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Inside the Hyatt Regency Skywalk Collapse

The Hyatt Regency walkway collapse in Kansas City, Missouri, remains one of the deadliest structural failures in U.S. history. On July 17, 1981, two suspended walkways inside the hotel’s atrium gave way during a crowded dance event, killing 114 people and injuring over 200.

The disaster was traced to a flawed design change during construction that doubled the load on a critical connection point, which was never properly reviewed or tested.

The collapse not only led to widespread legal and professional consequences but also reshaped structural engineering standards, underscoring the importance of oversight and accountability in construction.

via Stewart Hicks

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Comedy Central Drunk History - Coca-Cola Was Invented Using Cocaine

Featuring Bill Hader & Jenny Slate

via Comedy Central

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: What if Wes Anderson Directed X-Men?

via Patrick (H) Willems

Right Said Fred - I’m Too Sexy

Music Appreciation

In July 1991, British pop band Right Said Fred released their debut single, "I'm Too Sexy," which became an international sensation. The track topped charts in multiple countries, including the United States, where it held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in February 1992.

The song's lyrics playfully satirize the fashion industry's vanity, with lead singer Richard Fairbrass humorously proclaiming he's "too sexy" for various items and activities. The inspiration struck when the Fairbrass brothers were running a gym in London, observing the narcissistic behavior of some patrons.

Richard jokingly sang, "I'm too sexy for my shirt" in front of a mirror, sparking the idea. Initially conceived as a rock track, it was transformed into a dance anthem after several record companies suggested a more club-friendly sound.

The music video, directed by James Lebon, features the band humorously posing as models on a runway, interspersed with clips of actual fashion shows. Filmed in London, the video showcases the band's playful take on the modeling world, with Richard Fairbrass's charismatic performance at its core. The combination of catchy lyrics and a memorable video propelled "I'm Too Sexy" into pop culture history.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.songwritingmagazine.co.uk/interviews/im-too-sexy-right-said-fred?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Duran Duran - Girls on Film

Music Appreciation

In the summer of 1981, Duran Duran released their third single, "Girls on Film," on July 13. The track, written by band members Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Andy Taylor, and Nick Rhodes, offers a sharp critique of the modeling industry's glitzy facade and the exploitation lurking beneath. Despite its serious undertones, the song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus made it a dance-floor favorite, propelling it to number five on the UK Singles Chart.

Musically, "Girls on Film" is a vibrant blend of new wave and synth-pop, characterized by its infectious hooks and dynamic instrumentation. The track opens with the distinctive sound of a camera shutter—a playful nod to its theme—before launching into a rhythmic groove driven by John Taylor's pulsating bass-line and Roger Taylor's crisp drumming. Andy Taylor's sharp guitar riffs intertwine seamlessly with Nick Rhodes's atmospheric keyboards, creating a soundscape that's both edgy and danceable. Simon Le Bon's charismatic vocals add the finishing touch, delivering the provocative lyrics with a wink and a smile.

The accompanying music video, directed by the creative duo Godley & Creme, was filmed at Shepperton Studios in August 1981. The video features a series of stylized vignettes with models engaging in playful, and at times risqué, scenarios, reflecting the song's commentary on the fashion industry's objectification of women. While the video was intended to be provocative, it sparked controversy due to its explicit content, leading to a heavily edited version for mainstream channels like MTV.