Los Newton present: A Krampus Christmas by Los Newton

os Newton

Freddy Fula Juan Pablo Corredor fulaki.com fredfula@gmail.com

juanpablocorredor.com jpcorredor@hotmail.com

Douglas de la Hoz Andrés Pinzón artstation.com/artist/hozart hozartist@gmail.com

andres-conceptart.tumblr.com andresconcept25@gmail.com

Vicente Numpaque Carlos Martínez numpaque.com lasvegas@numpaque.com

instagram.com/cafemaco85 cafemaco85@gmail.com

Max Durán

artstation.com/artist/maxduran maxduran1981@gmail.com

reetings from Krampus! Is the Christmas season starting to wear you out? You’re not alone, the holiday that begins in September and ends in early February (!), even with its feasts and celebrations, can be exhausting for both your temper and your pocket. We want you to check out the heartfelt Christmas countermeasure that Los Newton have brought you this season, along with good old boy Krampus, the alpine anti-Santa: punisher of unruly children and absentee parents, the cure for all the caroling, the colored candles, the forced smiles and all the last minute shopping. Let’s go together to the fiend’s home and celebrate Saturnalia in the proper, old fashioned way, with hard liquor, friends, good food and the sheltering warmth of burning child’s fat.

Cheers!

Illustration by Andrés Pinzón

ho is Krampus ? Our friend is a remarkable figure of central and eastern European folklore, born in the popular mythology of alpine countries, imagined since the Middle Ages (and probably much sooner) by people for whom snow wasn’t a symbol of celebration but an actual danger, a persistent reminder of the uncertainty of life. In the beginning he was one of a myriad of sidekicks to Saint Nicholas, just another pagan symbol integrated into a Christian narrative. Krampus was Santa’s inverted reflection, who presented bad children with a sack full of coal lumps and the occasional beating with a birch stick. As an independent character, Krampus’ mythos is much harsher and cruel, appearing as an unforgiving monster that kidnaps wicked children, stores them in a wicker basket or sack and proceeds to either drown, devour or send them to hell. If a folk character center on infanticide seems shocking, we just have to take a look at the original versions of almost all fairy tales, all hailing from an age where life could end quickly in a myriad of ways, from the occasional brigand to a spell of the plague and when the preservation of childhood’s life and innocence wasn’t a top priority.

Nowadays, Krampus has a new life as a less sinister character, the center of alternative holiday celebrations that arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t confined to his alpine home, these include alcohol-fueled costume parades (the guy even has his own drink, KrampusSchnapps, a kind of fruit brandy) as well as more arbitrary festivities, such as this book.

Cafemaco

Illustration by Carlos MartĂnez

Since the 19th century Krampus stars in the so called Krampuskarten, holiday cards that take a humorous look at his narrative, beginning his rehabilitation as a figure of popular interest.

rampus Night, Krampus Night (Adapted from “Jingle Bells”)

Krampus Night, Krampus Night Jolly Krampus Night Quickly shut your doors and windows He will soon arrive. In the Alps he makes his home And he wants to do you harm Young and old tremble with fear Run away or you will die. If bullying is your game And you like to be a prick He’ll drop by in a moment You won’t see the light of day.

Krampus Night, Krampus Night Scary Krampus Night When he lays his claws upon you You will breathe your last!

Illustration by Douglas de la Hoz

A sack full of coal lumps Is the gift that you deserve And when you hear his chains grind Then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to say goodbye.

arol of the Chains (Adapted from “Carol of the bells”)

Hark how the chains

Krampus is here

Rusted old chains

With coal and birch

All seem to scream

Far and away

Throw life away.

All is dismay.

He’s drawing near

Ding, dong, ding, dong

Grinding you hear

You shall not hear

Shiver and fright

Cracking of bones

Death of all cheer.

Whimpers of fear.

Turn off the lights Pray for your life Look everywhere Nowhere to hide.

Whatever you do don’t let him catch you Whatever you do don’t let him catch you. Give in and stoop Now face your doom Songs of the grave Calling your name. Now it’s too late Nowhere to run Krampus is here Krampus is here.

a rampus K Christmas

1 Another year is about to end... as the winter sets in, Old Nick and Krampus meet once more for another go at their time-tested game. The old boy is tired after a barrage of year-long bad news, and decides to change things a bit in 2016, giving his horned counterpart free rein to do as he sees fit. Krampus skips home full of good cheer, this will surely be a very lively Christmasâ&#x20AC;Ś

Illustration by Freddy Fula fulaki.com â&#x20AC;¢ fredfula@gmail.com

2 To get started, Krampus gathers his closest friends, the cream of the crop of the alpine underworld. He can hardly believe his joy seeing them all together, a rare sighting in this day and age. The friendly bunch lose no time visiting their neighbors, bringing them the good news of their reunion with a winter performance (indoor pyrotechnics included).

Illustration by Douglas de la Hoz artstation.com/artist/hozart hozartist@gmail.com

3 Always generous, Krampus invites the neighborhood children to a traditional Christmas dinner. The dining table serves as a makeshift playground for a last break and then, straight to the pot!

Illustration by Juan Pablo Corredor juanpablocorredor.com â&#x20AC;˘ jpcorredor@hotmail.com

4 Times keep changing but Krampus shall remain an old-fashioned monster, patiently awaiting the arrival of Christmas with presents, garlands and of course, the tree of Saturnalia, properly decorated to portray this time of peace and joy.

Illustration by Carlos MartĂnez instagram.com/cafemaco85 cafemaco85@gmail.com

5 Amidst the celebrations, we must not forget about contemplation. Krampus withdraws for a while to remember the joys of this closing year. How many new friends, met and then cooked. How many new trophies to displayâ&#x20AC;Ś This was a great year and judging by appearances, next one will bring unending cheer from start to end.

Illustration by Andrés Pinzón andres-conceptart.tumblr.com • andresconcept25@gmail.com

6 After his short break, Krampus sets off. Homely festivities are all very well, but many parents and children await our friend’s arrival with cold sweat and grinding teeth. They won’t have to wait long. Krampus’ private train will quickly carry him wherever he needs to go, and in these times of scarcity, what better power source than a healthy reserve of sedentary pseudo-artists to keep the boiler at full throttle. They naively believed that helping our friend document his holiday would keep them safe. In their new role as high performance, low-cost fuel, they are surely happier.

Illustration by Max Durรกn artstation.com/artist/maxduran โ ข maxduran1981@gmail.com