Marilyn Manson found himself in hospital this week, the victim of stress and exhaustion in the rush to get his next record out.
He tells fans at his official website "This week was strenuous and I landed myself in the hospital as a result of “going too far” in the creation process. I am fine now and glad to be back in the studio. ...

When Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein opened a show of his paintings recently, celebrities crowded his downtown studio.
Leonardo DiCaprio rubbed Elbows with Marilyn Manson. Beck chatted with Kevin Smith. Mena Suvari stopped for a photo op, and Sean Penn lent his cool.
For a recent transplant, Helnwein attracted much Hollywood. ...

That Mouse could'nt be in better hands. ...

So tonight I went to Gottfried Helnwein's show at his studio in downtown L.A. It was sponsored by the Jason Lee Foundation for the Arts (I'm still trying to figure that one out) and just about everyone was there. I turn to the right -- Sean Penn. I turn to the left -- Beck.
Arnold is dropping off a gift. Kevin Smith is wandering around in big, baggy shorts and looking at Gottfried's larger works. Leo looks like a cat. Mena Suvari is upset about the flourescent lighting ...

Guests:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Marilyn Manson, Sean Penn, Beck, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Smith, Jason Lee, Mena Suvari, Hans Zimmer, Giovanni Ribisi, Carla Azar, Marissa Ribisi, Roger Avary, Greg Shapiro, Bryten Goss, Dita Von Teese, Danny Masterson, Cobi Jones, Karen Black, Shannyn Sossamon, Peter and Michelle Wolf , Julia Migenes, Patrick Morrison, Henning Lohner and others ...

...

Marilyn Manson and painter Gottfried Helnwein have joined forces to collaborate on a series of creations that are aimed at placing art on the edge, where it belongs. In the tradition of AKTION, the pair intend to have a powerful effect on the bland world of entertainment.
Helnwein's use of taboo subject matter has gained him respect and notoriety worldwide. Museums in NYC, Berlin, Vienna and Zurich are just a few locations where his challenging images have left controversy in their wake. He has worked with Marlena Dietrich and was chosen by Time Magazine to paint JFK on the 20th anniversary of his assassination.
The Simon Wiesenthal Foundation supported his work in Europe and here in Los Angeles, the Museum of Tolerance will be displaying a series of portraits that were vandalized by neo-fascists who labeled them "degenerate art."
His fight for expression and stance against oppression are reasons why Manson chose him as an artistic partner. Check the journal for candid pics and more. ...

Today I started to work with legendary painter/artist Gottfried Helnwein.
Thanks to Cyril, his son, we met some time ago and are now collaborating.
Today: Lighting, camera tests, juggling.
I am too exhausted to reveal the details of our work but it is multi-media-prop chaos that I know will please many and enrage more. I am honored to work with him...and he is having a gallery exhibit this Thursday in LA that I will be attending.
As I promised, here are a couple of behind-the-scenes shots taken by Matt N., my art assistant. These are not representative of Helnwein’s work as he is primarily a painter. (AMAZING PAINTER). ...

“This is a very serious and somewhat disturbing exhibition,” said Mayor Meralee Goldman, who is supportive of the exhibit and was first approached by the Austrian artist.
“There is an important component of education to go along with this exhibit,” Human Relations Director Mary O’Gorman said. “This is a Holocaust Memorial, and the intent at times is to overwhelm.”
The exhibit is described as “an art event to focus the conscience of the viewer and, through media exposure, the conscience of the widest possible public” by the artist’s draft proposal. “An art installation a city block long...will rise into public view to cry out against not only one of history’s most tragic and horrific episodes of prejudice, but also against the current resurgence of the endangerment of children through intolerance around the world.” ...

2002/06/01
I'm escorting Shannyn Sossamon to Gottfried Helnwein's L.A. studio tonight for a photo session. Gottfried is a genius, and possibly my favorite living artist -- so I'm thrilled for Shannyn to be shooting with him. Afterward, I'm taking her to the airport. She's flying out of town to shoot a short film (yes, you too can have Shannyn in your film -- she's that cool!). ...