Absinthe in popular culture

The legacy of absinthe as a mysterious, addictive, and mind-altering drink continues to this day. Though its psychoactive effects and chemical makeup are contested, its cultural impact is not. Absinthe has played a notable role in the fine art movements of Impressionism, Post-impressionism, Surrealism, Modernism, Cubism... and in the corresponding literary movements. The legendary drink has more recently appeared in movies, video, television, music, and contemporary literature. The modern absinthe revival has had a notable effect on its portrayal. It is often shown as an unnaturally glowing green liquid demonstrating the influence of contemporary marketing efforts.

Arts & literature

Arts

Absinthe has a widely documented role in 19th century visual art. Though much of the history surrounding absinthe is controversial its artistic impact cannot be overstated.

*Edgar Degaspainting "L'Absinthe" (1876) portrayed grim absinthe drinkers in a cafe. Degas himself never called the painting "L'Absinthe"; it was either his art dealer or a later owner who gave it the name. Years later, it set off a flurry in the London art world, and the grim realism of "L'Absinthe" (a theme popular with bohemian artists) was perceived by London art critics as a lesson against alcohol and the French in general. Fact|date=July 2007

*Toulouse Lautrecwas notorious for his consumption of the green muse. He often painted impressionistic scenes of the brothels and night spots [ [http://www.coloradocollege.edu/publications/thebulletin/spring97/gayle.html Gale Murray and Toulouse-Lautrec ] ] of 19th century Montmartre (a neighborhood synonymous with absinthe consumption) [ [http://www.greendevil.com/absinthe_history.html The History Of Absinthe ] ] . Lautrec was even known to carry a hollow cane filled with absinthe during long nights out in Paris [ [http://www.sdmart.org/lautrec/food_bib.html Toulouse-Lautrec: Bibliographies - Food, Drink, Recipes ] ] . The painting Monsieur Boileau au café is probably Lautrec's most noteworthy work featuring absinthe. However this easily debated since the beverage was a frequent addition to his paintings.

*Manetbegan his career with The Absinthe Drinker (1858), oil on canvas [ [http://www.artchive.com/artchive/M/manet.html Edouard Manet ] ] demonstrating that at least he was exposed to the drink and its effects.

*Vincent Van Goghwas anything but a man of moderation. He drank ferocious quantities of Absinthe [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE7DC153AF932A2575AC0A966958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fM%2fMonet%2c%20ClaudeGaugan] ] while creating his signature painting style. His ear removing episode is often attributed to over consumption of absinthe [ [http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/20527 Why did Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear? | Answerbag.com ] ] as is his liberal use of the color yellow [ [http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ecoph23.htm.] ] .

*Picassodepicted absinthe in different media, including the paintings "Woman Drinking Absinthe" (1901) and "Bottle of Pernod and Glass" (1912), and the sculpture "Absinthe Glass" (1914).

*Paul Gauguinis known for consuming large quantities of absinthe [ [http://www.micheleannajordan.com/col041903.html untitled ] ] . His bold use of flat color has also been attributed to the influence of absinthe [ [https://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/extract/352/12/1275 NEJM - Hideous Absinthe: A History of the Devil in a Bottle ] ] .

Literature

As prominent as absinthe's influence on visual art was, it is perhaps even more noteworthy in the context of 19th century literature. Below is a short list of important authors who credited a portion of their literary success to the drink.

*Oscar WildeWilde was an avid absinthe consumer and often wrote about the drink in connection with the creative process. Oscar Wilde has been quoted as saying, "What difference is there between a glass of absinthe and a sunset?" [ [http://www.oxygenee.com/absintheFAQ4.html Oxygénée's Absinthe FAQ IV] ] ["Absinthe History in a bottle" Barnaby Conrad III (1988)] and "After the first glass [of absinthe] you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally, you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world." [ [http://www.michelleblack.com/books/absinthe.html Michelle Black: The Second Glass of Absinthe ] ] .

*Ernest HemingwayIn Ernest Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls", disappointed with the quality of other liquor available, Robert Jordan turns to absinthe while fighting with the loyalist guerrillas. Absinthe is also featured in Hemingway's short story "Hills Like White Elephants". Hemingway himself was a frequent absinthe drinker and most likely procured his absinthe from Spain and Cuba after the ban. [Conrad III, Barnaby; (1988). Absinthe History in a Bottle. Chronicle books. ISBN 0-8118-1650-8 Pg. 137]

*Baudelairewas an avid absinthe drinker. Though he never wrote specifically about absinthe he did reference it in his famous poem "get drunk" [http://www.absintheliquor.com/famous_absinthe_citats.htm"]

*Paul Marie Verlainewas a famous Parisian poet of the Bohemian style, Though he wrote extensively about the benefits absinthe in his early years, he later claimed to have consorted with prostitutes and men while drinking it, and blamed the beverage for his downfalls. Even when he was on his deathbed, his friends were said to be hiding bottles for him under his pillow [http://www.zoomgraphics.com/absinthe/drinkers.html Zoomgraphics Absinthe Page ] ] .

*Arthur Rimbaudwas a young Parisian poet who was notably involved in a homosexual relationship with Paul Verlaine. They famously drank large quantity's of absinthe together. Their relationship ended when Rimbaud and was sentenced to prison. Later in life Rimbaud quit drinking absinthe and writing poetry and instead became involved in military exploits and gun running. He is still regarded as one of France's greatest poets.

*Ernest Dowsonwas an important English poet who notable wrote a poem dedicated to absinthe called "Absinthia Taetra" [ [http://www.lafeeabsinthe.com/history-taetra.php La Fee Absinthe - Absinthia Taetra ] ] .

*Guy de Maupassantwas a naturalistic French author. He is generally considered one of the greatest French short story writers [ [http://www.online-literature.com/maupassant/ Guy de Maupassant - Biography and Works ] ] . In one famous work of prose "A Queer Night in Paris" he describes the smells and sensations of absinthe in the streets of Paris and makes an overt reference to "the hour to take absinthe" [ [http://www.readprint.com/work-1178/Guy-de-Maupassant A Queer Night in Paris by Guy de Maupassant - Read Print ] ] .

*Alfred Jarryis notably the author of the French absurdist play, Ubu Roi. Jarry claimed to use absinthe to "fuse together the dream and reality, art and lifestyle" . The drink was purported by the author to be a key part of his creative process.

Contemporary Literature

*The Basic Eight Absinthe figures heavily into the plot of "The Basic Eight", a 1999 novel by Daniel Handler, which features Bohemian characters of which are drawn to absinthe by its dangerous history. [Handler, Daniel; (1999). The Basic Eight. Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN 0-312-19833-7.]

*Rebel AngelsGemma Doyle, the main character of Libba Bray's 2007 sequel (set in 1895) drinks Absinthe with her friends at a Christmas ball, and experiences hallucinatory effects.

*Swamp FoetusThe characters in Poppy Z. Brite's short story, His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood discover a crate of absinthe, the consumption of which forms the backdrop against which their transgressive antics occur.

Television

Though less noteworthy than its influence in movies, art and literature, absinthe has been depicted in a few television episodes.

*The Thirsty Traveler" The Fine Living Channel's flagship "Thirsty Traveler" reality TV series dedicated an entire episode to absinthe in 2004. The host traveled to several distilleries in different countries and observed the process and flavors of contemporary absinthe [ [http://www.fineliving.com/fine/thirsty_traveler/episode/0,1663,FINE_10176_35584,00.html On TV : The Thirsty Traveler : The Green Fairy (307) : Fine Living ] ] .

*In an episode of CSI, Some Buried Bones, the victim, who is leaving a secret society at Hudson University, returns his absinthe spoon as part of the de-initiation rite. The spoon is later found with the victim [ [http://www.feeverte.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=2734&mode=threaded&pid=105925 The Absinthe Forum at la Fée Verte's Absinthe House: Established 1997 ] ] .

*CarnivaleAbsinthe played a prominent role in HBO's Emmy-winning, Depression-era drama, Carnivale. The drink is frequently consumed by the mysterious blind seer Professor Lodz (played by Patrick Bauchau) in the television series [ [http://www.hbo.com/carnivale/news/index.shtml HBO: Carnivàle - News and Awards ] ] .

*Evil immortal Christoph Kuyler is addicted to absinthe.

*Absinthe makes an appearance on Anthony Bourdain's "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" during the 2005 pilot episode, "Why the French Don't Suck," in which he visits France. The distilling process is discussed, and he drinks some "real" vintage absinthe. It is suggested through camera effects that he is experiencing hallucinogenic effects [ [http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3128488&st=30 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations - TWoP Forums ] ] .

*Coronation Street'Corrie' is the UK 's longest-running TV soap. It focuses on the everyday lives of a street-full of people in Manchester, England. Betty Williams of Coronation Street turned to the absinthe in one episode. In a strange coincidence the drink was also featured in rival British soap opra Emmerdale [ [http://www.national-student.co.uk/magazine/celebrity/lorraine_kelly.htm Lorraine Kelly - The National Student Magazine - Celebrity ] ] .

*Emmerdale 'Emmerdale' is one of the UK 's oldest soap's. Set in the country the show features interactions of Farmers, villagers and gentry squabbling for socio economic status in Yorkshire, England. Absinthe is featured in one episode and is drunk by actress Diane Sugden.

*Black BooksIn 'The Big Lockout' episode of this UK comedy series the character Manny finds himself locked in his shop and precedes to drink an entire bottle of absinthe as a substitute for water. In the episode he expects to go crazy, but ultimately just ends up with a bad hangover. [ [http://dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=5025 DVD Times - Black Books: Series 1 ] ] " Bernard refers to it as 'the drink that makes you want to kill yourself instantly.'

*The IT CrowdIn the UK comedy The IT Crowd In series 2 episode 3, at a dinner party, the gothic character Richmond Avenal is offered either beer or wine and asks "have you got any absinthe?".

Music

*Marilyn Manson has been an avid fan of absinthe since the recording of the Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) album. [ [http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/1174198.html "Go green with Marilyn: Drowned In Sound - Thurs 28 Sep 2006 absinthe news article"] Retrieved 01 October 2006] He has developed his own brand of the drink, entitled Mansinthe. According to the official website for Mansinthe [http://www.mansinthe.com/] , this version of absinthe is distilled with the ingredient 'wormwood'. Hence, Mansinthe will soon be available in the U.S. Mansinthe won the Gold Medal in 2008's San Francisco World Spirits Competition. [ [http://www.mansonusa.com/headlines/fullnews.php?id=564 The Heirophant - Marilyn Manson Encyclopedia and Community ] ]

*On Minus The Bear's 2002 debut album, Highly Refined Pirates, there is a track entitled "Absinthe Party At The Fly Honey Warehouse". It is one of their most popular tracks among fans.

*The famous "One More Saturday Night" logo from the Grateful Dead featured a skeleton swigging absinthe.

*Absinthe is mentioned in the 69 Eyes song "Christina Death" from the 2005 album Devils.

*Cradle Of Filth has a song entitled "Absinthe with Faust" on their album Nymphetamine

*The Workout has a track on their EP "Feed Me a Stray Cat" entitled "Fuck Absinthe."

*In the Nine Inch Nails video for "The Perfect Drug," Trent Reznor prepares a glass of absinthe in the traditional manner.

*Mustis of Dimmu Borgir is shown with a bottle of absinthe in the art for their 2003 album Death Cult Armageddon.

*Australian band Revolver (Band) has a song entitled "Green Devil" written by Mark Hunstone on their 2006 album "In Absinthia". The song is now covered by Hunstone's latest band The Feldons.

*Blood Axis and Les Joyaux De La Princesse released a concept album called .

*British band Kasabian mentioned Absinthe in their song Shoot The Runner on their new album "Empire".

*North Carolinan band Jump, Little Children mention absinthe in "Singer" off their 2001 album Vertigo.

Film

In the 2004 film "EuroTrip", characters Scott, Cooper, and Jamie drink absinthe while in a club. The drink is shown glowing an electric green, and its consumption causes hallucinations in some of these characters.

The 2001 movie entitled "Moulin Rouge!" contains a scene prominently featuring Absinthe and the "green fairy", a hallucination supposedly caused by the drink (and, in this movie's case, played by pop star Kylie Minogue and voiced by Ozzy Osbourne.)

"Bram Stoker's Dracula" (1992) featured absinthe as a key ingredient in Dracula's seduction of Mina. The scene opens with the line "the green fairy lives in the absinthe"

"From Hell" (2001), is a film about Jack the Ripper where Frederick Abberline (Johnny Depp) is depicted with an addiction to absinthe and Laudanum.

In "Alfie", Jude Law's character Alfie drinks Absinthe with a woman prior to sex.

In the 2007 film "Blood and Chocolate", Gabriel and several other Loup Garou consume absinthe in the bohemian manner at a popular Romanian bar that their pack frequents.

In "Murder by Numbers", Michael Pitt's character Justin Pendleton and Ryan Gosling's character Richard Haywood drink absinthe while plotting murder.

Radio

Washington D.C.-based Don & Mike Show has a biannual tradition of doing an entire four-hour show while drinking absinthe, complete with audience participation, interviews, and a news segment.

References

External links

* [http://www.oxygenee.com/absinthe-BOOKS10.html Absinthe: The Green Goddess] by Aleister Crowley