Author: DC (Page 8 of 1072)

* (restored)

 

Interview with Eve Babitz
Conducted by Paul Karlstrom
At her home in Hollywood, California
June 14, 2000

 

PAUL KARLSTROM: Why don’t you –

EVE BABITZ: I thought of myself as, I was like an art groupie/art model and I wanted to-I never modeled for anything like that and never again did, and really most artists, you know, when they have models they really are drawing them basically, like in sculptures, not taking photographs, so I don’t know who-and it wasn’t Duchamp’s idea so I figured I was the artist and the model in that one.

KARLSTROM: Why don’t you tell me just, you know, what led up to it, how it came about?

BABITZ: Well, the photographer Julian Wasser came and there was the-they had the big party at the Green Hotel, even though Julian doesn’t remember it; he has photographs that he took there at that time. And so I didn’t get invited to it because Walter Hopps [curator of Duchamp retrospective at Pasadena Art Museum, 1963] was mad at me.

MR. KARLSTROM: Why was that?

MS. BABITZ: Because his wife was in town, basically.

MR. KARLSTROM: Is that Shirley? [Art historian later married to dealer Irving Blum.]

MS. BABITZ: Yes. I mean she came back, she suddenly did come back in a flash the minute that Duchamp thing happened and I was like not allowed in. So, but then I found out Jim Elliott wasn’t invited either, so maybe nobody under 20, maybe 21, under 21 you weren’t allowed in. So, so, he didn’t invite me, so, and he wouldn’t call me back, and he wouldn’t call my mother back. And so I decided that if I could ever, like, you know, create any vengeance or havoc in his life I would, even though I was pretty powerless because I was only 20 and there was no way I could get to him. But, this Julian came up to me at the opening, the public opening, which I went to with my parents and-

MR. KARLSTROM: That was at the museum?

MS. BABITZ: Yeah. At the Pasadena Art Museum, and he said he had this great idea that I should play chess naked with Marcel Duchamp and it seem to be such a great idea that it was just like the best idea I’d ever heard in my life. It was like a great idea. I mean, it was, not only was it vengeance, it was art, and it was like a great idea. And even if it didn’t get any vengeance, it would still turn out okay with me because, you know, it would be sort of immortalized. I would be this, you know, here’s this Nude Descending the Staircase guy and now he’s going to be The Nude in the Pasadena Art Museum. But, of course, I said, you know, I didn’t think that the Pasadena Art Museum old ladies would go along with this. So-

MR. KARLSTROM: Was that part of what attracted you to the idea?

MS. BABITZ: Yes. Yeah, because it was like the Little Old Ladies from Pasadena, you know that Beach Boys’ song.

MR. KARLSTROM: Right.

 

Eve Babitz

 

MS. BABITZ: So, I thought well, you know, this will be, you know, and it is kind of like, you know, it’ll just kill them to find out that this happened there. So, but, I thought that he should tell Walter so Walter would know what we were doing, that we were going to do this. Because, it didn’t seem like-I mean, it was okay to do it, but they ought to know basically. But, I know that Julian did not tell anybody because he probably forgot it the minute he agreed to do it. But he did call me the next day and say “Now, you’re not going to chicken out are you?” Because we were supposed to do this two or three days later when they came back from Las Vegas, maybe the next day. They went to Las Vegas; they came back, Duchamp shows up at like, I don’t know, it was a Thursday morning or something. It was like seven o’clock. Julian comes to get me at, like, seven in the morning. We drive out to Pasadena to create this, you know, rape.

KARLSTROM: And Duchamp didn’t know what he had in mind either?

BABITZ: And he brought, and he said “Put that chess table there”. You know, we’re going to do the chess table. So, Duchamp, he had no idea. I mean that maybe he would of chosen someone else basically. He’d never met me before.

MR. KARLSTROM: Oh, I don’t know, you look pretty good.

MS. BABITZ: He’d never met me before. I’d never met him before.

MR. KARLSTROM: Did you know who he was though?

MS. BABITZ: No, I didn’t know who-I mean, I had an idea when I went to the art opening that he was probably great. He was one of those great people like-

MR. KARLSTROM: But you hadn’t heard of him before?

MS. BABITZ: No. I mean I’d never heard of anybody except Ed Kienholz. That was as far as my-I knew who Ed Kienholz was and I thought he was great. So, I didn’t even know who Joseph Cornell was at that time. So, and I knew that everybody was like in love with him because they had this huge party and they had two ballrooms and two bands. That I didn’t get invited to.

KARLSTROM: Uh-uh.

BABITZ: So Julian sets up lights for a million years and I’m sitting there, like nothing to do, smoking cigarettes. Like, 8:30 or 8:15, Duchamp shows up with his beautiful suit and that hat from Las Vegas, that straw hat.

KARLSTROM: Did the museum engage in-

BABITZ: -the people who were in there were teamsters marching back and forth with big pieces of art. That’s who was looking at this.

KARLSTROM: So you had an audience?

BABITZ: Yes.

KARLSTROM: It was like a performance piece?

BABITZ: That’s right.

KARLSTROM: Did you feel that way about it?

BABITZ: Yes.

 

Marcel Duchamp and Walter Hopps at the Pasadena Art Museum

 

KARLSTROM: That’s cool. You actually were in many respects the artist, but, on the other hand, the concept [that] was Julian [was watching you]?

BABITZ: Right, but he didn’t think that anyone would go along with it, because he’s always thinking up ways to get girls to take off their clothes.

KARLSTROM: So he had-this is interesting because you said you hadn’t modeled, but, in fact, you had, you posed nude for Julian.

BABITZ: Not-

KARLSTROM: At least on, what was that? Several times?

BABITZ: Well, no, once.

KARLSTROM: Just once.

BABITZ: And it wasn’t posing.

KARLSTROM: Then what were you doing?

BABITZ: It was getting naked pictures of yourself so you could show guys.

KARLSTROM: Oh, I see. So that’s what you were doing?

BABITZ: That’s right.

KARLSTROM: And you said, “Julian I need some naked-”

BABITZ: I don’t want to go, like, work in some horrible magazine. This is what all girls did at that time.

KARLSTROM: And so you wanted to have naked pictures of yourself to show guys?

BABITZ: Gorgeous ones.

KARLSTROM: Yeah, gorgeous, right.

BABITZ: Yes. That’s right. Gorgeous-

KARLSTROM: Because you were proud of your body.

BABITZ: Right.

KARLSTROM: Why did he choose you then for this, what turned into an extremely famous photo session? You playing chess.

BABITZ: Because he likes me.

KARLSTROM: You were friends?

BABITZ: Yeah.

KARLSTROM: He said you would be the best.

BABITZ: And he knew I wanted, you know, he wanted me to be part of this deal and I wouldn’t go to the party with him when he wanted to take me because Walter didn’t invite me.

 

Julian Wasser

 

KARLSTROM: So, what were you, Walter’s girlfriend or something?

BABITZ: I thought I-I deserved respect.

KARLSTROM: I would say. This story is much more interesting than-

BABITZ: That’s right. I was 20 years old and I wasn’t invited to this party. So, I took these pictures. That was it. You know, I got to Duchamp. We started playing chess.

KARLSTROM: Was that the first thing you did? That’s how this photo session started?

BABITZ: Yes.

KARLSTROM: Did he seem sort of taken aback when you took off your shirt?

BABITZ: No. He floated into it.

KARLSTROM: What did you do? Did you just go by the chair and take off your shirt?

BABITZ: No. He said, Julian said, “Okay, blah, blah, blah” You know, sit down [inaudible] you know, [inaudible]. “Okay, Eve, take that shirt off”. There was the chess table. Duchamp goes to the two little chess pieces. Julian kicks that shirt like 30 feet away, so I have nothing on.

KARLSTROM: Was it fun?

MS. BABITZ: It was hot. I was sweating like a Lakers game.

KARLSTROM: You mean it was hot in there?

BABITZ: I was sweating. No one else was. Everybody else was delightfully cool.

KARLSTROM: But you enjoyed it?

BABITZ: Well, it was-I mean it was like work, I’ll tell you and I don’t like work. Work is not my thing.

KARLSTROM: And so Marcel just took it in stride.

BABITZ: Yeah. He beat me three times.

KARLSTROM: Are you a good chess player?

BABITZ: No. Horrible.

KARLSTROM: Oh.

BABITZ: Obviously.

KARLSTROM: Because he’s supposed to be. I guess he was brilliant.

BABITZ: I know.

KARLSTROM: Did you-so most of the photos-I mean, we seen the proof sheet like reproduced during West Coast Duchamp, that book, you know.

BABITZ: I thought he only spoke French. I had no idea he spoke English so I tried to speak French to him. I asked him if he knew Mr. Stravinsky, the name of my godfather, and he said yes that he had been to that 1910 Firebird suite thing in Paris.

KARLSTROM: Did he seem sort of impressed that you had that connection?

BABITZ: Well, he seemed like-he just seemed like the world was at his finger tips and everything was always perfect all the time.

KARLSTROM: Sort of everything-

BABITZ: He wasn’t losing chess, at chess.

KARLSTROM: Well you didn’t care did you?

BABITZ: No, I didn’t really care. I wanted to get it over with.

KARLSTROM: And you wanted to get your clothes back on.

BABITZ: Right.

KARLSTROM: So you basically-

BABITZ: I wanted my cigarettes. I wanted my glasses. I wanted my clothes on; I wanted Julian to take me to a Chinese restaurant.

KARLSTROM: So you-

BABITZ: I knew exactly the one he wanted to go too. Chow Yung Fat. It’s down on Main Street.

KARLSTROM: So you really weren’t all that comfortable?

BABITZ: No. No.

KARLSTROM: But it was worth it.

BABITZ: It was worth it because Walter came in and he dropped his gum.

KARLSTROM: So Walter actually came in to see how it was going.

BABITZ: Yeah.

KARLSTROM: And he didn’t even know you were there.

BABITZ: No.

KARLSTROM: Wow. So you won.

BABITZ: Yeah.

 

Pasadena Art Museum 1973

 

KARLSTROM: You didn’t win at chess.

BABITZ: No.

KARLSTROM: But you won in terms of taking control of the situation.

BABITZ: That’s right.

KARLSTROM: I mean, did you think of it a little bit that way? Because I’m thinking of motivation.

BABITZ: I said, “Hello, Walter” and he dropped his gum.

KARLSTROM: Literally?

BABITZ: Yes. He always chewed Double Mint gum.

KARLSTROM: So what, did he hang out and watch?

BABITZ: No. He was even more ashen than he already was. He ran into his office-

KARLSTROM: Did it work?

BABITZ: Did it work? Yes.

KARLSTROM: Because you did get back, I mean-

BABITZ: Yes.

KARLSTROM: It sort of rekindled Walter’s interest?

BABITZ: It made him return my phone calls, which was what I wanted out of life.

KARLSTROM: Isn’t it interesting. This famous-this is actually one of the most famous photographs certainly in California art history.

BABITZ: I know, I know, and the reason is so bad. So bad.

KARLSTROM: What did you talk with Duchamp about? You said that the-

BABITZ: About the Firebird Suite.

KARLSTROM: That was the main thing?

BABITZ: Yeah. I mean, I just was basically sweating and wishing it was over and I couldn’t believe he had beat me three times in [inaudible] spades which mean you move like two pieces and then the person check mates you.

KARLSTROM: And you never got anything out of it? Except fame.

BABITZ: Except, you know, my usual fame.

KARLSTROM: Fame and a little bit of power over Walter.

BABITZ: That’s right.

KARLSTROM: And so you really had nothing to do particularly with Marcel Duchamp.

BABITZ: No. No. No.

KARLSTROM: There was no-you were both models is what it amounts to.

BABITZ: That’s right. Right. Right.

KARLSTROM: And he had his clothes on.

BABITZ: It had to do with Walter.

KARLSTROM: How did you feel, maybe not so much in that situation, but perhaps, about your own sexuality? Were you sort of very much aware of that at that stage? You were 20 years old. Did you have that kind of self-awareness or self-consciousness as a sexual young woman?

BABITZ: Yes.

KARLSTROM: Yes.

BABITZ: I went to Hollywood High.

Outtake

 

KARLSTROM: So you thought it was a pretty weird thing-

BABITZ: Yes. I did.

KARLSTROM: So it wasn’t-

BABITZ: I mean he was old, you know.

KARLSTROM: Okay, what about that?

BABITZ: It was like kind of depressing.

KARLSTROM: Really?

BABITZ: Yeah.

KARLSTROM: Tell me about that. Tell me how you felt about that. That’s interesting. Because that suggests a kind of connection in a relationship, at least visual, between you and your self-conception, then brings in your partners shall we say. How did you feel about that? You said he was old.

BABITZ: Well, I mean, I just, I mean he was old and he was too old for me.

KARLSTROM: Okay. Well, but you know what that suggests is very interesting to me. Taking off your clothes and, in a sense, because you were paired with him that there was that, even a sexual connotation to him. Is that right?

BABITZ: Yes, there wasn’t a sexual connotation.

KARLSTROM: There wasn’t?

BABITZ: That’s right.

KARLSTROM: But still you said that he was too old for you.

BABITZ: Right. That’s right. He was, I mean, it was like, I mean, if he were like, you know, Nureyer, you know, and some sort of like insanely gorgeous looking, you know, stunning type of person like that it would have been much more fun.

KARLSTROM: Well, you see what that implies. That does suggest –

BABITZ: That I’m a shallow person?

KARLSTROM: No. No.

BABITZ: I am a shallow person.

KARLSTROM: No, Eve, that’s not what I’m suggesting. But if you are, you are.

BABITZ: I would be much more eager to show it to my friends. But now I’m glad it wasn’t. As I’ve grown older I’ve realized that it was like a smart move.

KARLSTROM: You would have preferred a James Dean.

BABITZ: Right.

KARLSTROM: Then, you would of really-

BABITZ: Then I would’ve shown my friends.

KARLSTROM: So it wasn’t you being naked that you were unhappy with.

BABITZ: No.

KARLSTROM: It was about being paired with this old guy.

BABITZ: That’s right.

KARLSTROM: I understand.

BABITZ: How would you like it? I mean, if it were like Louise Nevelson or something and you were 20 years old?

 

 

*

p.s. Hey. ** jay, No prob. I’ve never been to Alton Towers or Thorpe, but my trusted friends who have say they do in fact have a few excellent coasters apiece. We’ll see someday. I too can’t quite figure out the motivation of ‘escorts’ who use celebrity shots as their profile pix. I should write to one of them and just straight out ask them, I suppose. Did you hit the Emo night? Was it Emo enough? Did you pass? I think I remember thinking ‘Love is the Devil’ was pretty good but not amazing. Pipe up with your take if you spring for it. I hope your day is so great that your instincts tell you that you just had the peak experience of your life. ** Dominik, Hi!!! Zac and I plan to go to Efteling for my birthday in large part to ride Danse Macabre. Otherwise, I’m excited about the ones that are close to Paris and that I can easily do (Mission Bermuda @ Futuroscope, World of Frozen @ Disneyland Paris). And for sure Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas whilst on a future trip to LA since it’s only a few hours drive from there. Still awaiting the hopeful conclusion of the film problems. Seemingly by Monday barring some new bout of craziness from the other party. I agree with you about the podcast, and I’m happy to hear that you thought that. I was very disappointed. It was like listening to a bunch of straight guys talk about our films like the films were prostitutes they weren’t attracted to. Ugh. Surely love was able to find a stationary store that knew your desires inside out? Love bonking me on the head for wasting 6000 coins on a Royalty Ticket to enter Shogun Studios because I stupidly thought the warp pipe I needed to get to Toad Town would be inside the Studios when it was right there outside the entrance hidden behind a tree, G. ** _Black_Acrylic, I’ve never seen a ‘Frozen’ film either and have no intention to see one, but I too long for the completion of Frozen World for the very same reason. Oh, I hope Dundee Radio Club knows which side their bread is buttered on and grabs Play Therapy v2.0 like the lifeline it is. ** James, My blog tells me that indulgently long comment o’clock was 3:33 pm yesterday but that was probably Paris time. Well, I just couldn’t possibly disagree with you more about amusement parks, unsurprisingly. Okay, you’re right about grandmas, no argument there. Yes, Dennis the Menace, another nickname of mine that I forgot about. But that’s it. He’s the only cool other famous Dennis. Okay, maybe Dennis Wilson. I’ve met a fair number of commenters IRL over time, and some of them have become among my closest friends. It’s like Grindr without the grinding. I only hit a bunch of video game villains yesterday, and that doesn’t count since ‘hitting’ them just involving pushing a little button repeatedly. I hope you’re not in that bad mood today. But if you are, I’ve got your back, so to speak. Other countries to visit, sure, you bet, but, as for a place to live, nah, I think France has me magnetised. ‘Til soon. ** Poecilia, Hi. Hm, well, if you think of a blog as kind of house with different rooms, I think it’s possible to barge into, say, another inhabitant’s bedroom, for instance, and the comments are kind of maybe like bedrooms somehow, which I know is pushing it? ** Joseph, The good old Netherlands! So flat, but so useful. Everyone, Joseph bypassed the Cloudflare obstacle by using a Netherlands IP address in his VPN if you want to try that. Dutch is a cool language. I used to speak it a little. It’s nice. It’s chunky but basic, and it coaxes saliva into your mouth when you speak it if you pronounce it properly. I’m excited to read your new book, and that will happen very soon. Going to Cedar Point is one of my biggest seemingly achievable dreams. Vague plan to make a day-or-two stopover around there on my next trip to LA. Wish me luck. And have a lovely Thursday entire day. ** Lucas, Hi, pal. That’s okay Busy is busy and sleep can be a schizo master. Luck on the exam. Substack does seem to be the location of increasingly many of the more tempting homemade sites. Scary … oh, the no confidence/bring down the prime minister thing? It is kind of spooky. I’m hanging in there, you most certainly are. I hope today occasions your just rewards. ** Steve, Oh, for sure. The three near Paris, obviously, and Danse Macabre is already on the agenda, and Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift cos it’s in LA, and I would really like to see what Poland is all about. I wouldn’t bother with the podcast. It’s kind of a drag. Everyone, Steve has weighed in one two of the buzz films of the moment. To wit, Steve: ‘Here are two of my recent reviews, on Joshua Oppenheimer’s THE END and Luca Guadagnino’s QUEER. ** HaRpEr, Hey. Totally agree about the Oz one. Majorly sucks that it’s all the way over in Australia. Maybe Paris will get hit by a freak magically transportive tornado. Cool that the presentation did its job. The best things are always at least a little awkward, aren’t they? What does ‘performing some writing there’ mean? Sorry if that’s a spaced out question. I’m not yet fully coffee-d up. Wow: that the famous British Museum reading room is open. Yeah, I know it’s crazy history and rep. And that there was a visible butt print on one of the chairs that apparently was made by Rimbaud’s butt until the Museum mistakenly reupholstered the chair. I think ‘Recollections of the Golden Triangle’ is my favorite Robbe-Grillet, so total score there. I love literally everything by him, but that one snagged me especially for some reason. As long as one isn’t bored, everything is okay, although it sometimes takes until you’re bored to appreciate overwork as a gift. Or something. ** nat, The blog’s bathroom is only accessible once a month when the slaves rule this roost. No, you’re right about the realities usually being a step down, but sincerely sought high ambitions that fail are the best that humans can achieve and expect, it could be argued. ‘Biblical homicidal twinks’: The imaginations reels, it’s true. ‘The Notebook Trilogy’ is extremely way up there in my personal list of literature’s greatest achievements, so, yeah, enjoy the plunge. Whatever a bubble butt is, it seems like it would be a plate filler. ** Okay. Something came over me and I decided it would be a good idea to restore the post up there. Am I crazy? I think not? See you tomorrow.

_____________
2025: The Rocking Boat (Europa Park, Germany)
‘The Rocking Boat consists of an 8 passenger vehicle modeled after a small boat. When the vehicle enters the water where, appears to be untethered and freely floating, but it’s actually connected to a track. Power comes from a submerged drive motor that enables permanent control of the position and speed of the boat. The craft’s chassis has special machinery that provides rotational degrees of freedoms, enabling it to rotate suddenly without the risk of sinking or capsizing. This means that future water-based attractions at theme parks can have the boat rocking to a simulated wave, avoid hitting a sea monster, being pushed down a waterfall, and lots more.’

 

____________
Now: Fire in the Hole (Silver Dollar City, USA)
‘Silver Dollar City today announces the new groundbreaking $30 million FIRE IN THE HOLE indoor family roller coaster, the largest in the Midwest. Located in the newly incorporated Fire District, FIRE IN THE HOLE doubles the size of one of The City’s most popular areas, already home to Station No. 3 firehouse and a collection of family-friendly attractions. Just ten months ago, the 1880s theme park, Silver Dollar City revealed an additional $30 million investment in new guest experiences and improvements, hinting at further development in the next five years. Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, recently announced Silver Dollar City, located in the picturesque Ozark Mountains, as the number one amusement park in the United States based on traveler reviews and ratings.’

 

____________
2025: Garage Pocatalitix (Parc Asterix, France)
‘This new roller coaster, most likely developed by the German manufacturer Gerstlauer, promises to offer a unique experience with its rotating cars, allowing riders to enjoy a different view each time they ride. The coaster is expected to feature both indoor and outdoor sections. The spinning coaster will replace the National 7 attraction, which was closed and dismantled in November 2023. The concept art for the spinning coaster reveals a vibrant design inspired by the iconic characters and themes of the Astérix comic series, particularly focusing on the character Pocatalitix, a cart merchant from “Astérix and the Chariot Race.”’

 

_____________
2025: Ghostly Manor (Paultons Park, UK)
‘The ride is a collaboration between multiple companies; Mack Rides will provide the ride system. This system, named a “Gameplay Theater“, utilities a revolving theatre system with an interactive system manufactured by Lagotronics Projects. The ride will feature scenes on the in and outside of the ride systems, with seats being able to rotate between scenes. These scenes will utilise both physical sets and media based contant, with the theming designed by the Leisure Expert Group and build by Themics Philippines. Both the digital media and physical sets are also tracked in a live computer system along with the current location of every gun and thus every rider. This allows guests to shoot at and interact with the environment without the ride needing lots of screens and/of physical targets, improving the immersion and interactivity of the ride.’

 

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2025: Inka Park (Peru)
‘Along the coast of Peru the first world-class theme park destination of Latin America comes to life. Here you will be invited to a great adventure in an amazing world, rooted in Latin American culture and stories. The engine and catalyst of the total mixed-leisure development will be a theme park with over 50 themed immersive attractions, embedded in a natural setting. In this theme park you are welcomed to the world of the Inkas, filled with mysterious ruins, archeological adventures and lively Inka cities.’

 

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2025: Rapterra (Kings Dominion, USA)
‘Kings Dominion in central Virginia is to open Rapterra, the world’s tallest and longest launched wing coaster, in 2025 as part of its 50th anniversary season. The 145-foot-tall, 3,086-foot-long coaster is inspired by a fictional bird of prey called the Jungle Hawk. Manufactured by Bolliger and Mabillard (B&M), Rapterra’s design puts riders on either side of the track, offering an immersive experience that simulates flying. The journey begins with a powerful launch, accelerating riders to 65 miles per hour in four seconds. Guests will also enjoy a dive loop, a series of aerial manoeuvres, and three inversions.’

 

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2025: Aquila (Mandoria, Poland)
‘The Mandoria indoor theme park in Rzgów near Łódź, Poland, has announced a new roller coaster for 2025. The coaster, which will be called “Aquila”, is going to be a launched coaster from Vekoma with a 445-metre-long track embedded in an almost 25-metre-high tower. Shortly after leaving the station, the coaster train, which has space for up to 20 passengers, will accelerate to 70 km/h before going through rapid twists and surprising turns. Mandoria will look like a 16th-century trading town and, thanks to the construction of the massive tower, the rollercoaster will travel its entire route indoors.’

 

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2025?: Hossoland (Poland)
‘Poland’s coastal region is set to welcome a major new attraction in 2025: Hossoland, a sprawling 40-hectare theme park featuring an array of high-quality attractions, imaginative themed zones, and family-friendly entertainment. Dutch design firm Jora Vision has taken the lead in crafting the park’s four unique themed zones, including a Viking area and a seaside fishing village. Jora Vision is renowned for its ability to merge storytelling with immersive environments, and the creative team is drawing on Poland’s rich culture and history for inspiration. To bring these themes to life, Hossoland has partnered with two respected ride manufacturers: Mack Rides and Vekoma. Mack Rides, a German company known for innovative coaster technology, is supplying some of the park’s major attractions. Meanwhile, Vekoma, a Dutch manufacturer recognized for reliable and thrilling roller coasters, is contributing several signature rides.’

 

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2026: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift (Universal Studios Hollywood, USA)
‘Universal Studios Hollywood announces its first-ever, high-speed outdoor roller coaster, “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift,” will join the theme park family in 2026. The dynamic new thrill ride, themed to Universal Pictures’ blockbuster film saga, Fast & Furious, will elevate the guest experience with innovative and technological achievements never previously employed in a roller coaster. The state-of-the-art ride system is being uniquely designed to immerse guests within the high-speed Fast & Furious universe. Highlights will include groundbreaking 360-degree rotation of the individual ride vehicles as they rocket along an elaborate track meticulously constructed with sound reduction technology for a breathtaking, superior experience. These attributions will create a seamless sensation of drifting cars as guests spin in motion at furiously fast speeds.’

 

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Now: Danse Macabre (Efteling, Netherlands)
‘Efteling attraction Danse Macabre allows visitors to dance to the piece of music of the same name. On a large, 18-metre-diameter turntable with six smaller turntables on top, there will be six choir stalls in which a total of 108 visitors can be seated. The large turntable will rise, tilt and fall, spinning like a coin before falling flat. Danse Macabre’s ride system is unique and has never been built anywhere in the world. This spectacular type of attraction is a combination of a so-called thrill ride and immersive show technology. In close cooperation with Efteling, supplier Intamin developed the attraction.’

 

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2025: The Wizard of Oz Precinct (Movie World, Australia)
‘Warner Bros. Movie World in Queensland, Australia has revealed more about its upcoming Wizard of Oz-themed land, billed as the world’s first. Due to open next year, the new land will contain two rides – a suspended coaster and a boomerang racer. The suspended coaster is called ‘Flight of the Wicked Witch’ and offers a top speed of 67 km/h, a top height of 19 metres, and a 454-metre-long track. The boomerang racer is called ‘Kansas Twister’. This features two racing tracks of 225 and 220 metres long, a top speed of 58 km/h, and a top height of 22 metres.’

 

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2025: The Flash: Vertical Velocity (Six Flags Great Adventure, USA)
‘Six Flags Great Adventure will be opening North America’s first Vekoma Super Boomerang, The Flash: Vertical Velocity. This coaster is the first-of-its-kind in North America and only the second in the world, making it as unique as the iconic speedster who inspired it. Strap in and speed off aboard an intricately designed train inspired by THE FLASH’s suit in a race like no other. Experience micro gravity as you run upside down, almost 100 feet off the ground. Zoom through a 180-degree twisted drop followed by a Zero-G roll back to the vertical tower, reaching speeds of up to 59 miles per hour. The train pauses, and then, just like THE FLASH, you change directions on a dime and rush backwards along the track.’

 

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2026-2027: Real World of Minecraft (US, UK)
‘Merlin Entertainments will invest $110 million in its first two “Minecraft”-themed attractions, which are expected to open between 2026 and 2027 in the U.S. and the U.K. In these “Minecraft” spaces, visitors will find first-of-its-kind concepts for guest accommodations, food & beverage, and retail, as well as “Minecraft” rides, as announced Nov. 19, 2024. Merlin has not yet revealed specific locations for these attractions. ’Minecraft’ is the best-selling video game of all time, and this world-first will see fans experience its thrill and creativity in real life, in ways they’ve never imagined, at theme parks in leading tourist destinations.’

 

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2026: Super Flume (Carowinds, USA)
‘Coming to Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2026 is the Super Flume, a massively large water ride – manufactured by WhiteWater West! It will have two turnables, a double down drop, near 90-degree mega drop, and, for the love of God, a huge final drop!’

 

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2026: VidantaWorld’s BON Luxury Theme Park (Mexico)
‘Mexico’s Grupo Vidanta this week revealed details about its new theme park in Nuevo Vallarta. A reported US$1.3 billion project, VidantaWorld’s BON Luxury Theme Park will offer five new Vekoma attractions, as well as rides from Intamin and Mack Rides,  and the park is schedule to open in 2026. The park will be located on more than 150 acres at the VidantaWorld resort in Nuevo Vallarta, which includes the recently opened VidantaWorld’s BON Park Hotel.

‘VidantaWorld’s BON Luxury Theme Park is a monumental leap forward in the world of entertainment, redefining what a theme park can be as the world’s first all-generations luxury destination. With its seamless blend of cutting-edge innovation, abundant natural beauty, and unparalleled luxury, VidantaWorld’s BON sets a new global standard for experiential entertainment. Our collaboration with the industry’s leading visionaries ensures VidantaWorld’s BON will not only captivate guests of all ages but also establish itself as one of the most iconic and transformative destinations in the world.’

 

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2025: AlpenFury (Wonderland, Canada)
‘There is a mountain that inspires legends. A village that reveres the elements. And a force that refuses to be contained. This is AlpenFury, Canada’s longest, tallest and fastest launch coaster sporting nine inversions along 3,280 feet of track that weaves through and around the park’s signature Wonder Mountain. With a height of 164 feet and a top speed of 71 miles per hour!’

 

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2025: Universal Horror Unleashed (USA)
‘Universal Horror Unleashed is an upcoming 110,000-square-foot (2.5-acre) Halloween-themed attraction under construction at Area15, an entertainment complex located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and in development at Universal Studios United Kingdom. Announced in January 2023, it is the second Halloween-themed experience from Universal Destinations & Experiences, after Halloween Horror Nights. The attraction is set to open in 2025.

‘Unlike Universal’s seasonal Halloween Horror Nights events, it will be a permanent and year-round fixture, occupying a 110,000-square-foot (2.5-acre) space. On March 8, 2023, NBCUniversal’s theme park division Universal Parks & Resorts changed their name to Universal Destinations & Experiences. Construction began in October 2023, with the walls erected by December 18, 2023. The attraction will open in 2025 and consist of four haunted houses, based on The Exorcist: Believer, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, “Universal Monsters”, and “Scarecrow: The Reaping”.’

 

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2025: The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge! (Busch Gardens Williamsburg, USA)
‘Decades ago, a terrifying wolf swept through a Bavarian village, turning townsfolk into werewolves and leaving the town in ruins. Now, 40 years later, the annual Festival of the Silent Bells seeks to honor that haunting past. As the festival begins, the village is eerily quiet, but soon, unsettling sounds emerge—footsteps, low growls, and the glint of bright red eyes. The wolf has returned. An exhilarating adventure through the German countryside awaits guests in 2025 when riders become the beast on Busch Gardens’ all-new inverted roller coaster. As the sound of screams and the echo of a howling wolf creates chaos in the familiar town, riders will experience over 2,500 feet of track traveling up to 40 miles per hour while bolting through the streets of an abandoned Bavarian village.’

 

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2025: Mission Bermuda (Futuroscope, France)
‘Mission Bermuda consists of a mix of scenic boat trips and the aquatic variation of a roller coaster. Installed on an area of 1.38 hectares, it will include a large exterior part and an interior. The course will notably be punctuated by two falls, one of 15 meters and the second behind, a rapids zone and an elevator. The Rocking Boat transport system is developed by the famous German company Mack Rides. This mixed system allows movements at height with high speeds and strong sensations. Movements in pools or canals without the water current being the vector of movements, which can appear unexpected, mysterious, integrating perfectly into the scenography of the course. Mission Bermuda will be the first of its kind in operation in the world.’

 

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2028: Rocky Range Adventure Park (Alberta, Canada)
‘Described as “celebrating the heart of the old west,” Rocky Range Adventure Park in Alberta will be a $2 billion, outdoor amusement center with 300 acres of rip-roaring rides and bronco-busting attractions located outside Mountain View in Cardston County. “Our goal is to provide guests with an immersive and unforgettable experience that captures the excitement and adventure of the Wild West. We want to create a destination that celebrates the rich history and culture of the prairies. From the rustic architecture, immersive entertainment and the riveting rides, every detail has been carefully designed to transport guests back in time.”’

 

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2026: World of Frozen (Disneyland Paris)
‘Disneyland Paris has shared first-look images of the World of Frozen construction site, unveiling the new land’s rising buildings aptly covered in snow. The French theme park wrote on Instagram alongside the images: “First snow of the season️ means the first snow at the construction site of World of Frozen, opening in 2026 at Disneyland Paris. Unveiled in the new pictures are the snow-capped castle in Arendelle village, as well as the Clock Tower seen in the Frozen films, and more buildings covered in snow. World of Frozen is part of a €2 billion expansion plan for Walt Disney Studios Park, which will become Disney Adventure World when the Frozen-themed land opens.’

 

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2027: New Space Mountain (Tokyo Disneyland, Japan)
‘This all-new Space Mountain will entail a reimagined plaza that will create a reimagined area of Tomorrowland. It is expected to open in 2027 and cost approximately 56 billion yen–that’s nearly $500 million. The new Space Mountain that will maintain its original concept as an indoor roller coaster, but will have enhanced performance and immersive special effects that will give guests even more thrills on this exciting rocket ride. The new Space Mountain is expected to be of a similar nature as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, albeit with a different ride system and no Marvel connection. Meaning it’ll be a ‘story coaster’ with a large gravity building–very different from the legacy Space Mountain rides.’

 

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2026: Enchanted Greenhouse (Six Flags Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia)
‘The Enchanted Greenhouse invites guests into a mesmerizing greenhouse where nature and magic come together. We’ve developed a system that’s intuitive yet deeply engaging. Guests will use specially designed magical dew sprayers to reveal hidden creatures, transform plants, and unlock surprising effects throughout their journey. This offers a unique “hide-and-seek” style of interactivity that encourages exploration and collaboration. The nature of the interactivity promotes a sense of wonder and discovery, perfectly aligned with the ride’s themes of enchantment and transformation.’

 

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2027: Bison World, A Legendary Experience (USA)
‘For over a year, Jamestown, South Dakota business leaders have been smitten with the idea of building an amusement park along Interstate 94 to accompany the existing National Buffalo Museum and attract tourists to a region without many major draws. Now Bison World is a finally a 60 million dollar reality. Scheduled to open in 2027, the park will feature bison-themed rides, attractions and entertainment venues.’

 

 

*

p.s. Hey. ** Dominik, Hi!!! Re: the film thing, it will ideally be a done deal in the next several days. Holding my breath. Love thinking that that podcast was rather reductive, G. ** hsnkktobg, Hi! I will, I will. I have some cued up. That piece you’re writing sounds really interesting. I have read a bunch of Coover, yes, and I too was saddened that he passed. I did a blog post about him last year if it would be useful at all. It’s here. But I don’t think I know ‘Open House’. I’ll get on that. Oh, if you think a copy of ‘Flunker’ could arrive to you safely via the mail, I could send you one. If so, give me an address. You can email it to me ([email protected]) if you prefer. Thanks! I’m happy to get to talk with you. ** Misanthrope, Ah, but can you be absolutely sure that none of your boyfriends were escorts? Mmmm? I like social media to see what my distant friends are up to and to find out about new books and movies and stuff, but other than alerting people to a new blog post or liking some things, I try to stay invisible-ish there. And I use the ‘unfollow’ option with some frequency. Jinxing: you can’t be too careful is my motto. ** jay, Hey. Happy you liked them too. Right, yesterday when I was searching for escorts for the next post, there were three escorts who … let’s just say looking a little too exactly like Timothee Chalamet, and one of them even had a bunch of fake rave reviews. That game of your recommendation is now my next game as soon as I either finish or get too stuck in ‘Paper Mario’. Emo, awesome. I miss Emo. I used to live right above this shop, April 77, that was where all the French Emos bought their gear and/or hung out mopily, and it was a golden time. May your Emo walkabouts go viral. Everyone, Here’s a Cloudflare avoiding trick from jay: ‘I fully close down my browser, go into Incognito mode, and then it allows me to comment after Cloudflare verification.’ Try that? Thanks, pal. ** James, Hi. Most of the artists who make things like the little house artist does end up stuck on Etsy selling their things to grandmas. Dennis is a boring name. The only good thing about it is that it’s sinned spelled backwards, and that’s not even that cool. Yes, thank Whoever for the internet in that regard. I mean, the blog, I mean, where would I be without it. ‘It feels like if I pull at the edge of it until the whole thing is in the light of day it’ll turn out to be a poem’: That was almost a poem in and of itself. If I can’t manage to hit something today, I’ll at least hit something up. ** Poecilia, Hi, Poecilia! I hope you don’t me barging in on your comment to James, but I wanted to say hi. ** Steeqhen, Hi, Steeqhen. Ah, I see, yes, about winter’s effect. I think winter has the opposite effect on me, I don’t know why. Maybe because I grew up in the land of non-stop warm-to-hot weather, so it has that nice effect of, say, when you’re hungry and open a refrigerator door. At this point, about 95% of the music I listen to is electronic, which is odd from a former lo-fi indie rock dude. I’ve heard of the Nealon novel — it seems kind of viral — and I’ve read Edna O’Brien, but not a lot. Cool on your booked trip. Yeah, I’m here and will be happy to meet you. Maybe you can be carrying one of those signs like people in the airport that says ‘Dennis’. Or maybe not. ** Joseph, Hey! You managed to sneak back in! Awesome to see you! I’ve been wondering what you were doing way out there. Your book is out! Amazing! And I can have it with a mere click. I’m so excited. Everyone, The fine, fine, and double fine writer Joseph Goosey has a new and wonderfully titled book out called CASEY ANTHONY, RENOWNED TRAPEZE ARTIST, and for sure it’s great, and you can either order the paperback or download the eBook for free by clicking this link and then clicking on the appointed spot once you land. Awesome! And majorly awesome to see you. ** HaRpEr, I hope your presentation today makes your previous one seem like chicken feed. That sounds tough, I mean characterising your work. I absolutely 100% prefer to talk about my process rather than what it means, and not just because I don’t know what it means and feel like it would be presumptuous to think I know what it means. So, yes! Literary trek like … what? Bookstores? Sites of historic literary activity of note? Nice you read ‘Horse Crazy’. Gary and I did a book tour together because ‘HC’ and ‘Frisk’ came out at the same time from the same publisher. It was unsurprisingly a strange trip. For sure, I had to publish three novels before I stopped being referred to as ‘the new Burroughs’ or ‘the son of Burroughs’, etc. That was so annoying. ** Justin D, Thanks! Fingers are crossed and hopefully magically so. Happy you were charmed by her work. My yesterday? A bunch of negotiating and arguing related to the possible film problem breakthrough. A spate of running around doing things in the Soho Studios section of ‘Paper Mario’. Sore-ish legs because the elevator in my building is broken again for the billionth time. Stuff like that. Anything shiny or even matte happen to you today? ** Darbz.⛄️, Hi! This LA amusement park, Knotts Berry Farm, used to have one of those ‘mystery hill’ attractions, except it was called ‘Mystery Shack’. Same deal with the mysterious gravity-altering forces except, in this case, it was just that they designed it so you got all disoriented and thought — or rather were supposed to think — that the tilted floors that made you unsteady on your feet or fall were actually flat. It didn’t work, but it was fun. RIP Mystery Shack. You did tell me about that carnie. That stuck in my memory, of course. Same thing when we were shooting our film: There was me and a few other vegans, and the cook on set was a total dolt with no ambition, and so we vegans had to eat nothing but fucking jack fruit and Ritz Crackers for a month, morning, noon, and night. I’m speaking with my stoner LA roommate tonight, and I’ll pump him. Hi to Frankie! The pigeons don’t seem to like the area around my windows anymore. I haven’t seen them in ages. They found some cooler neighborhood. Digging your art and art concepts. Total encouragement. ** Thomas Moronic, Hi, Thomas! Chuffed that you like her houses. Paris is missing you, or at least its least fluent denizen. How’s everything? New novel in the can yet? ** nat, Hey. Thank you, and thank you again. Yeah, the Masters are pretty boring. I’m never tempted to do a Masters post, that’s for sure. You can fix the grammar once your stomach’s your slave again. The joys of editing. That’s a bubble butt, right? I’m never completely sure what guys mean when they say they have bubble butts. I always think they must look like they’re about to pop. ** Right. Today I am indulging my amusement park obsessed side by clueing you all in to what the world of amusements parks has in store for you in the near future. See you tomorrow.