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Artwork for The Illuminator: Art, Conspiracy and Madness

The Illuminator: Art, Conspiracy and Madness

Brazen
Mark Lombardi
Bank Of Credit and Commerce International
Art
FBI
BCCI
9/11
CIA
Corruption
Conspiracy
Whitney Museum Of American Art
Julian Assange
Edward Snowden
New York
Money Laundering
Osama Bin Laden
Political Parties Of the United States
New York City
Danny Casalero
Saudi Arabia
White House

Mark Lombardi, a conceptual artist on the cusp of international success, had everything to live for. So why was the 48-year-old found dead, and his death ruled a suicide? Was it the ultimate conceptual art, an afterlife laugh at those who doubted his brilliance? He did, after all, carry business cards eerily portending "death defying acts of art and conspiracy." Or was he ultimately overwhelmed by... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes9Foundeda year ago
Categories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Illuminator: Art, Conspiracy and Madness

Latest Episodes

In this special bonus episode, we explore the BCCI financial scandal through the eyes of the journalists who exposed it. Bradley Hope, executive producer of The Illuminator, is joined in conversation by Larry Gurwin and Peter Truell, authors of False... more

Mark’s ex-girlfriend Hilary can’t get hold of him. Haunted by their last conversation, she leaves messages on his answering machine, increasingly anxious about his whereabouts. When Mark’s mother calls her with the same concerns, Hilary knows somethi... more

Mark Lombardi stands on the edge of international stardom. His intricate and controversial artworks have drawn the attention of some of New York’s most prestigious institutions – as well as shedding light on some of the world’s most corrupt people an... more

With his marriage spiraling under the strain of his obsessions, Mark returns to the cutthroat New York art scene. His friends are worried – even discourage the move – but Mark is resolute.

Soon, it appears his decision is paying off. He is finally g... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Larry Gurwin
Former financial journalist and co-author of 'False Profits, The Inside Story of BCCI, The World's Most Corrupt Financial Empire'
No specific affiliation mentioned
Episode: Inside BCCI: The Bank of Crooks And Criminals
Peter Truell
Former financial journalist and co-author of 'False Profits, The Inside Story of BCCI, The World's Most Corrupt Financial Empire'
No specific affiliation mentioned
Episode: Inside BCCI: The Bank of Crooks And Criminals
Rafael Vargas Suarez
Up-and-coming artist and friend of Mark Lombardi
Episode: Episode 1: Angels and Devils
Irv Tepper
Artist and close friend of Mark Lombardi
Episode: Episode 1: Angels and Devils
Andy Mann
Pioneer of video art and friend of Mark Lombardi
Episode: Episode 1: Angels and Devils
Maxwell Anderson
Director of Whitney Museum of American Art
Episode: Episode 1: Angels and Devils
Lawrence Rinder
Curator at Whitney Museum
Episode: Episode 1: Angels and Devils
Officer Michael Hendricks
Police officer who found Mark Lombardi's body
Episode: Episode 1: Angels and Devils

Host

Ako Mitchell
Host of the series, with a strong background in documentary production and storytelling.

Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars from 96 ratings
  • Just brilliant

    I think this was an awesome podcast. Interesting topic and interviews. They did an excellent job. For those who think this is less than 5 stars, I question your intelligence.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Watchathink
    United States8 months ago
  • Shame about the sound effects

    This is a great series with very interesting story line and interviews but like someone else noted - the sound effects in the background of high-pitch sound is very grating/hard on the ears. Had to listen without headphones to avoid being distracted by it

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Movasan
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Another story behind the artist

    This podcast was nice, well researched with great narration and interviews.

    However, I found it fell into the trap of talking mostly about the artist and not about the art. Yes, Lombardi‘s story is tragic but I think his art offers much more to explore than the story of the man who made it. I would have preferred a focus on and a contextualization of BCCI‘s connections. I think money laundering should have taken the driver's seat here, not biography

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ThomasGrnd
    Germany9 months ago
  • Too many sound effects

    The story is strong but the various sound effects are distracting, especially the echo effect at the end of some of the recordings and interviews. It doesn’t add anything and in fact takes you out of it.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Fridayfilms
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Overdone

    Interesting story, but this podcast lost significant potential quality in two ways: 1) The sound choices across the episodes include these terrible high-pitched ringing sounds meant to convey suspense that actually do nothing except distract and annoy. Ugh. Makes it unenjoyable. And, 2) the narration adopts a similarly unnecessary conspiratorial tone to be dramatic. Totally unnecessary. Tell us a story, sure, but don’t overdo everything!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Dr.D.S.MN
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are mixed feelings regarding sound design, particularly some choosing distracting elements that detract from the listening experience.
The exploration of dark themes related to art, politics, and corruption intrigues many, with listeners praising the in-depth analysis given to these subjects.
Listeners appreciate the well-researched narratives and engaging storytelling, particularly highlighting Lombardi's artistic genius and the complexities surrounding his life and death.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Mysteries of Mark Lombardi: Connecting Art with Corruption
Q: Why do you think that the FBI was interested in a piece of work that seemed so elusive?
Lawrence speculates that the FBI wasn't interested in the aesthetics but rather in the research underlying Lombardi's work that could reveal connections to financial crimes.
The Mysteries of Mark Lombardi: Connecting Art with Corruption
Q: Can you actually talk me through the piece itself and how you went about acquiring it?
Lawrence discusses the significance of Mark Lombardi's last major piece about BCCI, highlighting its scale, historical context, and the extensive research that went into creating it.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast presents an in-depth exploration of the life and mysterious death of Mark Lombardi, a conceptual artist who intricately mapped financial and political corruption through his art. With a focus on Lombardi's remarkable body of work, especially his investigations into the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), the discussions reveal how his art illuminates the dark intersections of power and finance. Episodes feature personal testimonies from friends, industry experts, and journalists, delving into the implications of Lombardi's connections and how they may have influenced both his art and his tragic fate. The production intertwines narratives of conspiracy, mental health struggles, and the captivating yet perilous natur... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Binge Cases: Doctor's Orders
2. Lords of Death
3. The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates
4. Infamous
5. Scamfluencers

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this podcast launched a year ago and published 9 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Larry Gurwin
2. Peter Truell
3. Rafael Vargas Suarez
4. Irv Tepper
5. Andy Mann
6. Maxwell Anderson
7. Lawrence Rinder
8. Officer Michael Hendricks

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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