…Exploring the role of the prankster as artist, activist and social observer and the significance of the prank in society.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The New York April Fools’ Committee Is Proud to Announce:
NEW YORK CITY’S 22nd ANNUAL APRIL FOOLS’ DAY PARADE
THE CIRCUS IS COMING! THE CIRCUS IS COMING!
The 22nd Annual April Fools’ Day Parade will march down Fifth Avenue, from 59th Street to Washington Square Park, beginning at 12 noon, Sunday, April 1, 2007. Continue reading “The 22nd Annual April Fools’ Day Parade”
This article was published in Extra! by FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting) in the 1999 March/April issue. Although I’ve produced many new works since then, the basic premises described below still resonate for me. This should provide a pretty good summary of the intent of my work and why I do it. I hope it also sets a positive and creative tone for this Blog. -JS
We’re living in a time when it seems everything we see on the news is a bad joke: President Clinton and impeachment, Y2K and the end of the world, Viagra raising the dead, cloning your dead pet dog.
So how can a conscientious media prankster make a mark? When reality gets this strange, pranks are needed more than ever to jolt us into reexamining our values.
With the Internet’s immediacy, its availability to anyone wishing to plant an idea, service or product for the world to consume, there’s more opportunity than ever for both pranks and scams. Anyone can send an e-mail, create a rumor on Usenet, make a website and look official with very little effort or cost.
To me the prank is fine art. Continue reading “The Art of the Con: A notorious prankster uses hoaxes to expose the media”
“Is it not an art to deceive a trout with an artificial fly?” Walton
This delicious recipe for catching and cooking a journalist has been thoroughly tested. It features easy to find ingredients.
This is a very satisfying meal and although I have prepared it many times, one should not be concerned about repeating it too often. There are many ways to change the recipe and the results will always be pleasing. Continue reading “The Well Cooked Journalist: A Traditional Recipe”