At this time when we are witnessing an abuse of physical and verbal force, Lampoon dedicated the new issue to the theme of muscle strength: to remind us that human strength is first and foremost kind
Lampoon – our identity, our sincerity
Lampoon is a magazine with an editorial identity composed of storytelling, respect for all human diversity and supporting anyone who wants to bring a positive message of civic and social engagement. In order to produce this narrative, we investigate contemporary aesthetics, producing editorial photography, bringing creativity and fashion in progress, back to the state of the art.
The concept of Muscles, according to Lampoon
Reiterating this definition of ours, a question may perhaps arise: why devote an entire issue to the theme of force? Especially now that we have been experiencing months during which the use of force has made us feel anger and fear. The title of this issue is not about generic and varied strength – the word is muscles.
The devotion is to physical and muscular strength, the most earthly force in our human body. Muscle fibers exist even if they are not bulked up by exercises, weights and drugs, even if they are not exhibited by dictators and fanatics or screaming women. Muscles almost always function without violence. We don’t want plastic muscles, but gentle muscles – those that can hold you in a hug.
Linder Sterling, pornography and independent magazines
In this issue, Linder Sterling recounts her first contact with pornography: she was a woman and pornography was a male subject. Today, pornography is a field of interest for women. A new aesthetic concerning male pornography is evident; the man is no longer muscular, massive – but slender, almost fragile. Shaving is a thing of the past and hair becomes a sensual subject.
The word sexy no longer holds relevance, even in pornography. With the support of Bottega Veneta, the niche magazine Butt is back on the shelves; the only picture of a marble butt is advertising, not editorial – while inside, all the editorial production is dedicated to men who possess in their intimacy, a fragility and roughness – there is a whole article dedicated to hair on the butt as a point of vanity.
People with muscles
We need people whose muscles are not just expressions of strength, but of kindness: these people are respectable people. They are the ones who show themselves for who they are, whether naked or dressed, the ones who never forget either the courtesy of a thank you, the kindness of a smile.
A good person is the one you can trust with the little things, even a light word – whether in romantic endeavors or professional engagements, a respectable person is the one with whom you know you don’t need a signed contract. It is these people, the ones who have the muscles, we are talking about.
Respectable people
They don’t yell or fight, brush their teeth; they are not ignorant, they listen to you. They have an interest in both what is going on in the world, politics, and the upcoming exhibition at the new museum in Giza. Don’t want their home photographed and published in a newspaper. Public relations is not their hobby.
They don’t use superlatives, ever – they sparingly use adjectives and adverbs. Don’t say adore, adored or even worse, dearest. They don’t steal and they don’t lie. Always use condoms. They respond to you when you’re talking to them, they don’t get lost in their thoughts clouded by the joint they smoked last night, and again this morning.
Good people are not obsessed with digital complacency; they almost always have private profiles. They don’t take pictures, they don’t post their vacation moments, they don’t attempt to get hotel accommodations in exchange for advertising, they don’t take advantage of those they know are more affluent than they are.
Respectable people are nice people, they are the people we like and everyone should like. To respectable people, those who have the muscle and the physical and mental strength to be so, we dedicate this issue to Lampoon.
People, human beings and lions
Respectable people-beyond their sexuality and personality, beyond any new gender difference or equality, beyond even their kindness-remain people who know what they want. Who have the muscles to be worthy of what they fight for; they are the people who bring you flowers.
The ones who avoid the crowd, by instinct. The people we narrate on Lampoon are the lions of William Blake’s infernal proverb – the fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion. They follow you wherever you want, into the hallucinated smoke of clubs, seeking out live music, taking the stage to dance jazz, experiencing what people delude themselves into finding in shortcuts.
Cultivating restlessness, the subtle fervor. They profess vanity, they have fun and entertain others. Not afraid of the mummy who drinks blood by clicking his tongue, of the beast who wears perfume more expensive than theirs, of the Unnamable who repeats his name.
They don’t care what other people think, those who want to feel part of a group, a pack – this is the only difference between the people we want to talk about, and the lions. People who know how to use their muscles, when they are with you, they use their strength to be with you – my love.
Lampoon Issue 26 – The Muscles Issue
Out worldwide October 25
You can buy it online at Lampoon / Prototipo Store starting from October 20
