The Hippopotamus Service
September 17, 2006 7:55 AM Subscribe
Dinner with hippos. Richard Baron Cohen (not, as far as I can tell, this guy), inspired by memories of this book, commissioned a dinner service from a pattern designed for Catherine the Great, and hired a photographer who wrote this blog as she traveled the world shooting hippos.
No, but apparently Richard Baron Cohen is Ali G's/Borat's brother.
posted by LilBucner at 8:10 AM on September 17, 2006
posted by LilBucner at 8:10 AM on September 17, 2006
Naturally, an effort like this must suffer questions of whether $400,000 was worth it and the inevitable comparison to real estate soon follows. Of course it was fucking worth it.
Awesome. Batshitawesome
posted by conch soup at 8:54 AM on September 17, 2006
Awesome. Batshitawesome
posted by conch soup at 8:54 AM on September 17, 2006
Sounds like an amazing family, if true, because Simon Baron-Cohen (Ali G's cousin) is a noted autism researcher.
posted by grouse at 8:56 AM on September 17, 2006
posted by grouse at 8:56 AM on September 17, 2006
To continue the derail, it really is amazing how far the Baron-Cohens get around.
/derail
posted by adrianhon at 9:00 AM on September 17, 2006
/derail
posted by adrianhon at 9:00 AM on September 17, 2006
This is why the world needs rich people: to send photographers around the world taking pictures of hippos.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 9:13 AM on September 17, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by monju_bosatsu at 9:13 AM on September 17, 2006 [1 favorite]
It sounds amazing--he could have had it done for less tho.
I want to condemn the excessive costs and frivolity of this--he's never going to use them, after all (which bothers me)--but it employed a lot of people and he could have easily spent the money on something worse, and they are unique and fabulous--truly special.
It's odd to go from being a collector to being a commissioner of the things he collects, no?
Apparently he's a stamp collector too--or was.
posted by amberglow at 9:17 AM on September 17, 2006
I want to condemn the excessive costs and frivolity of this--he's never going to use them, after all (which bothers me)--but it employed a lot of people and he could have easily spent the money on something worse, and they are unique and fabulous--truly special.
It's odd to go from being a collector to being a commissioner of the things he collects, no?
Apparently he's a stamp collector too--or was.
posted by amberglow at 9:17 AM on September 17, 2006
Blessed are the rich for reminding the rest of us that Art needs no defense.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:22 AM on September 17, 2006
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:22 AM on September 17, 2006
Are we all quite, quite sure that Jeff Koons had nothing to do with this?
posted by dansdata at 9:37 AM on September 17, 2006
posted by dansdata at 9:37 AM on September 17, 2006
This is amazing. And I thought my dinner-plate pattern tattoo was a little obsessive. I obviously have to set my sights higher.
posted by ruby.aftermath at 10:06 AM on September 17, 2006
posted by ruby.aftermath at 10:06 AM on September 17, 2006
No, but apparently Richard Baron Cohen is Ali G's/Borat's brother.
Seems unlikely to me. If it's true, I wonder how he went from being a middle class Englishman to a wealthy Long Island stamp collector?
Curious also that an Englishman would specialize in collecting American stamps.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 10:14 AM on September 17, 2006
Seems unlikely to me. If it's true, I wonder how he went from being a middle class Englishman to a wealthy Long Island stamp collector?
Curious also that an Englishman would specialize in collecting American stamps.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 10:14 AM on September 17, 2006
Are we all quite, quite sure that Jeff Koons had nothing to do with this?
posted by dansdata
Almost wish you hadn't said that!
It's such a gorgeous concept - then you look again - and it makes you think 'gorgeously executed National Geographic kitsch' - and your covetous mind starts getting all tasteful - creamy pearls on shells (he lives in Oyster Bay, NY), funky molecules, modern stained glass...
(Agree with the derail that the Baron Cohens are an amazingly high-achieving brigade).
posted by Jody Tresidder at 10:15 AM on September 17, 2006
posted by dansdata
Almost wish you hadn't said that!
It's such a gorgeous concept - then you look again - and it makes you think 'gorgeously executed National Geographic kitsch' - and your covetous mind starts getting all tasteful - creamy pearls on shells (he lives in Oyster Bay, NY), funky molecules, modern stained glass...
(Agree with the derail that the Baron Cohens are an amazingly high-achieving brigade).
posted by Jody Tresidder at 10:15 AM on September 17, 2006
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posted by casarkos at 8:01 AM on September 17, 2006