Featured Essays

Horror Panegyric

"Horror Panegyric" is Supervert's essay on the Lord Horror novels of Savoy Books' David Britton and Michael Butterworth. Published in book form in 2008, the entire essay — along with excerpts from the novels — is available for free on supervert.com

Perversion and Terror

Written in the month following the terror attacks of 9/11/2001, "Perversion and Terror" ponders the role of perversion in a world of terror.

Animal Sex Machines

Bestiality (sex with animals) in the history of art and particularly in two mechanized works by contemporary artists Paul McCarthy and Mat Collishaw

Matthew Barney and Beyond

Analysis of the work of Matthew Barney — aka Bjork's husband — in terms of power, askesis, impedance, force, and sliminess

John Currin's Nudes

The nude and its paradoxes in the work of contemporary artist John Currin.

Vanessa Beecroft: Classic Cruelty

Description of the implicit cruelty that occurs when transposing classical art-making techniques to live subjects, as in the work of Vanessa Beecroft

Joel-Peter Witkin

Review of an exhibition featuring the necrotic photographs of Joel-Peter Witkin

Rudolf Schwarzkogler

Review of an exhibition documenting the sadomasochistic performances of this seminal Viennese performance artist

Rita Ackermann

Review of an exhibition featuring the nymphet works of lolita painter Rita Ackermann

More Essays on Contemporary Art »

Supervert Picks

Fuck Me Doll

Love for Queen Adreena's Katie-Jane Garside and her temporary possession by murder victim JonBenet Ramsey.

Rising Up and Rising Down

Review of William T. Vollman's attempt to forge a "moral calculus" of violence.

Collected Screenplays 1

Review of the first volume of David Cronenberg's Collected Screenplays.

Secretary

Review of director Steven Shainberg's wonderful film Secretary.

More Supervert Picks »