50 years ago on April 1, 1976, in response to a subpoena issued by the New York State Attorney General, Joey Skaggs revealed that his Cathouse for Dogs (doggy bordello) was a satirical media performance hoax.
Curses on the Rats Who Exposed Banksy
May your dick look just like Trump’s
Guerrilla artist Banksy finally unmasked — along with the remarkable way he hid in plain sight, by Stuart A. Thompson and Anthony Blair, New York Post, March 15, 2026
The infamous graffiti artist known as Banksy has finally been unmasked — after changing his name to something so generic, he could hide in plain sight..
The notorious guerrilla street artist, whose polarizing works have sold for millions of dollars, was identified as Robin Gunningham, 51, from the English city of Bristol, in a detailed investigation by Reuters on Friday.
The report found that Gunningham changed his name to David Jones — one of the most common British male names — in 2008 to avoid identification. Read the whole article here.
Excavating Society’s Ever Changing Values on Art
Spencer Pelton, the State Archeologist from Wyoming, has written a compelling history of what happens when today’s values don’t match yesterday’s intent.
h/t Beauvais Lyons
The Centaur Excavations at Volos, by Spencer, Social Stigma, March 13, 2026
Using repatriation to stage an art heist.
In 1980, archaeologists working near the shores of the Aegean Sea uncovered a remarkable find. Peeling back layers of sediment in an ancient necropolis, they first encountered the head of an ancient Grecian man, mouth agape as if surprised to have been awoken from an ancient slumber. They traced the neck further down his body, gently brushing away sediment from the convoluted contours of the vertebrae, finding arms where arms should be and shoulder blades the same. But as they continued, the man’s character changed. Where there should be a pelvis, there was more spine, and then second sets of ribs and legs, not altogether human. As the archaeologists brushed the final bits of sediment from a third set of legs, the shocking reality of their discovery came into focus. The mythical centaur of old Greece, entombed with a modest assemblage of tablets and vessels for over 3,000 years.
This is, of course, not true. But it is an accurate description of The Centaur Excavations at Volos, an art installation located until recently for 30 years in the lobby of the University of Tennessee’s (UT) Hodges Library. I visited The Centaur many times growing up around UT’s campus. As a young child, I’m pretty sure I believed it. As a teen, I scoffed at those fooled by it. And later, I came to appreciate the piece for its ability to inspire curiosity and conversation. Read the whole article here.
Going Down!
Don’t drop the soap!
A Statue of Trump and Epstein Re-enacting ‘Titanic’ Pose Appears on National Mall, by Ashley Ahn, The New York Times, March 12, 2026
The installation is the latest in a series of satirical statues created by an anonymous group of artists called the Secret Handshake.
A gold-colored statue inspired by the “Titanic” pose has appeared on the National Mall — but instead of portraying Jack supporting Rose from behind as she pretends to fly, it depicts President Trump and the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A plaque at the statue’s base read: “The tragic love story between Jack and Rose was built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches. This monument honors the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties and secret nude sketches.”
The statue, which appeared Tuesday and shows Mr. Trump gazing at Mr. Epstein as he held his outstretched arms, is the latest in a series of satirical statues that have appeared in Washington since October 2024, just before the presidential election. Many of the installations, including this one influenced by the movie “Titanic” and Mr. Trump’s friendship with Epstein, were created by an anonymous group of artists called The Secret Handshake. Read the whole article here.
Looking to Take a “Sleepcation”? What You Really Need is Comacocoon
In 1990, Joey Skagg, posing as German anesthesiologist Dr. Joseph Schlafer, offered the ultimate alternative for the stressful vacation: Comacocoon.
These days (36 years later), HuffPost reports that tourists are choosing “Sleepcations” rather than seeking taxing and exhausting adventures. These wellness retreats offer a “clinical cocoon” of white noise and lavender oil. You can visit the most exotic places on earth, and sleep the whole time.
Comacocoon offered both. Dr. Schlafer’s clients could chose the “Magical Mystery Tour” where they could be rock stars on a sellout tour, or take the Thrill Seeker to ride the rapids of a selected adventure, all while in an anesthesia induced coma. The Honeymoon Tour was particularly enticing. Each bride and groom could have the honeymoon of their dreams, while believing their partner was having an equally good time. And, while you were under, you could have elective surgery, quit smoking, and wake up fluent in a foreign language. Much more productive than just sleeping your way through your vacation!
As we see people flocking to “sleep hotels”, it’s clear that Skaggs was right. We do want to check out of reality. When the world gets too stressful, the ultimate luxury isn’t a destination, it’s a dream.
“More Americans Are Choosing To Take ‘Sleepcations’,” by Caroline Bologna, Huffpost, February 3, 2026.
Travel experts break down this growing industry trend and what you should know before you attempt this kind of trip.
From “gig-tripping” to “travel dupes” to “hush trips,” the number of new travel trends is seemingly endless. But perhaps the most appealing concept in the tourism space of late is the “sleepcation.”
So much of travel these days seems to involve running ourselves ragged trying to hit every amazing attraction we see on TikTok and Instagram. Sleepcations, however, take the polar opposite approach to vacation. Read the whole article here.