Nowhere and Its Now

India Bound

2011-12-29T03:29:00.000-06:00

I sincerely apologize for the lack of posts lately but I have been incredibly busy preparing for a three week trip to India. My flight is tomorrow afternoon and I couldn't be more excited. I'll be traveling,making art, and doing art history research through Delhi, Varanasi, and Jaipur. So until the beginning of February NowhereAndItsNow will be taking a little hiatus. However, I have big plans for its return including a redesign, four new contributors (whom I will fully introduce when I get back to the US) and lots of updates on what is going on in the art world in India.

(Map by Paula Scher)

Hope you all have a lovely New Year!

xoxo

Arcade Fire's Sprawl II

2011-12-19T15:28:00.002-06:00

Another ingenious and artful interactive (or non interactive depending on your mood I suppose) video by Arcade Fire. This one comes complete will awesomely bizarre dance routines and who doesnt love that?

Participate in the interactive version HERE or enjoy the non interactive version below:

If you're going to be in Chicago this weekend...

2011-11-30T23:33:00.000-06:00

Come out to the Renegade Craft Holiday Fair and get your Christmas shopping done!

See you there!

City of Shadows

2011-11-30T23:29:00.000-06:00

Currently lusting over the ghostly beauty of photographer Alexey Titarenko's "City of Shadows" series taken after the collapse of the Soviet Union in Russia in '91. Capturing a city that at the time was full of sorrow and desperation in a way that is artistically captivating and telling of the time demonstrates documentary photography at its finest...

You can view the rest of Alexey's work on his website HERE!

YellowGrey

2011-11-30T17:49:00.002-06:00

I recently came across Kristina Kostur's jewelry design called YellowGrey on Etsy and I am in love. Inspired by nature, roadtrips out west, and vintage finds, Kristina mixes natural and manmade shapes and textures and accents them with vibrant pops of color to create one of a kind necklaces and bracelets. Cannot wait to get my hands(and my kneck and wrists, I suppose) on one of these!

You can view and purchase her Kristina's designs on her etsy HERE! or at Chicago's Renegade Holiday Craft Fair on December 3rd and 4th HERE!

Cinemascapes

2011-11-30T15:26:00.000-06:00

Photographer Aaron Hobson is known for mixing memory and imagination into over-saturated cinemascapes that mimic a society full of television, cinema, youtube, and video games. His images pull inspiration from the most basic elements of human emotion; fear, sex, abandonment, and curiosity to name a few. Most recently Aaron has created a series of these cinemascapes called Google Street View Edition using screen captures of as you might have guessed Google Street View locations. His results are beautifully captivating, haunting, a bit voyeur-esqu at times, and extremely telling of our society's use of technology in all forms.

You can view the rest of Aaron's work HERE!

A Selby Film For Zara

2011-11-16T13:28:00.000-06:00

The Selby recently collaborated with Zara

and made a short film that featured one of my favorite gallery directors Lucy Chadwick.

The film showcases the beautiful architecture of her city apartment and upstate home, her chic yet laid back style, and the lovely NY country side. Its pretty much what I would like life to look like in ten years...

Enjoy =)

Check out more of The Selby HERE!

It Chooses You

2011-11-16T13:08:00.001-06:00

Miranda July's newest book It Chooses You was just published yesterday

and I cannot wait to get my hands on it! The book recounts July’s adventures with a series of strangers she met through the classified ads in the PennySaver. The book is a mix of real conversations - which unfold in funny, moving and surprising ways -- interspersed with Miranda's reflections on the people she met and her own life. The encounters helped her finish the script for her film “The Future”—and one of the strangers played a key role in it.

The book will be released and turned into a store at Partners & Spade in NY tomorrow night where you can purchase some of the items she bought from the PennySaver.

Visit Miranda's website HERE, and you can read excerts from It Chooses You in The New Yorker HERE!

All This And Heaven Too

2011-11-01T22:20:00.001-05:00

Florence and The Machine's newest album Ceremonials was released today. I just purchased it on vinyl, an act I reserve only for music that really impresses me and I must say, Flo really outdid herself on this one. Its a spiritual journey from start to finish complete with layered mystical sounds not too unlike her usual dynamic style and soulful multiple voice chorus's that'll make you want to sing along, dance along, cry a little and run around in slow motion..no really, you'll see what I mean..

Heres a preview of my favorite song off the album so far. Enjoy =)

Go purchase the album HERE!

From video to photography to collage to the occasional gif....

2011-10-31T15:11:00.005-05:00

Rosanna Webster is trying it all and making it work. I've always believed one of the greatest things to see in an artist especially a young artist is their ability to create in multiple mediums while staying true to their own cohesive style. Rosanna Webster's dreamy film, color choices, content and layering that threads throughout her photos, projections, and collages create a flow between her ideas that definitely keep me interested.

You can check out more of her work HERE and her lovely blog HERE!

Carsten Holler wants to drive you mad with experience...

2011-10-31T14:28:00.001-05:00

Carsten Holler a Stockholm-based artist has recently taken over the entire New Museum in NY with his first survey exhibition "Experience". The exhibit consists of merry-go-rounds, sensory deprivation tanks,spinning mobiles, and my personal favorite a 102 foot slide that travel down the entire museum.

Holler is interested in creating immersive artist environments that test the limits of human perception and in turn can drive us mad. He talked a little bit about his concept behind "Experience" in this month's ArtForum saying,

" Our culture tries to control everything we encounter in our lives—and we have learned to manage our surroundings quite well. The luxury we can afford ourselves now is to try and let go, which is exactly what I’m proposing to do in ”Experience.” I hope that people who visit the show are able to let go and to see what happens if they forget about these things that they think they need to predict their daily lives. In other words, I hope that people begin to just let experience happen the way it will and that this sense of madness arises from it. Our culture denies this possibility, maybe because the madness is too much or has been too much. In former times, the rise of consciousness produced the means to control madness, but now we can give it some space again".

(All photos courtesy of gothamist.com)

Below is a short video of "Experience" particularly the slide part of it courtesy of PrismaPhotoNewMedia:

You can check out more of Holler's installation work on his website HERE and can read up about Experience on the New Museums website HERE!

Lonely Boy

2011-10-26T23:46:00.002-05:00

The Black Keys' video for their newest single Lonely Boy off their soon to be released album El Camino will make you want to A. Dance along ( or join in on doing The Carleton and or the two step) while watching or B. Start dancing ( and doing The Carleton and or the two step) after watching. Either way if you dont know what I mean when I say The Carleton you should just stop reading this blog right now...

Enjoy =)

Film from LA

2011-10-26T23:40:00.001-05:00

I got my black and white rolls back the other day. Here are some of my favorites:

The LACMA

Craft and Folk Art Museum

The Eames House

White Forest Rehearsal

Lunch with my Grandmother

and evening with my Yiayia

You can view the rest of the photos on my tumblr HERE!

White Forest will make you dream like a child falling in love...

2011-10-19T23:51:00.002-05:00

It is not everyday that a band produces an album, let alone their first album, that not only sounds phenomenal but also contains an artistic direction that is both conceptual in nature and profound in thought. This past week in LA I was lucky enough to sit in on a rehearsal of White Forest’s newest album Book I and I was genuinely blown away. Book I is more than a musical endeavor, it is an experience, a journey, and a story that has inevitably created a beautifully haunting soundtrack to itself. Much like an actual book this album has an incredible atmospheric buildup, a prevailing climax, and a promising resolution that deals with love and loss, life and death, growing up and growing old. It is real, it is human, and it is sad at times but hopeful in all the right places. You know how here and there you will hear people say things like " this is going to be the event of a lifetime that you will not want to miss"? Well, even if really fucking awesome music is not your thing, White Forest's Book I is the journey about a lifetime that you’d be a fool to miss. It is powerful, it is moving, it is inspiring and it will make you dream like a child falling in love. And in love you will fall….

The band has decided to slowly release their album song by song every Tuesday. So far there are three beautiful songs available for your listening pleasure. Think of it as the musical training wheels to their epic album of a bike ride...

Go be a part of their story HERE! and give these three songs a listen:

Clothing and the Senses

2011-10-19T22:14:00.001-05:00

Ukrainian photographer Sasha Kurmaz's fashion photography is not just about girls in clothing. It is about stories, backgrounds, and romantic plots where the senses are the most important element. Her photos are simple, elegant, strange, thoughtful, and well directed. It's no wonder I've fallen completely heals over head for her work ;)

You can view the rest of Sasha's work HERE!

Things Organized Neatly

2011-10-19T21:45:00.001-05:00

The OCD side of me has recently become obsessed with the images on

Things Organized Neatly. One of my new favorite blogs by far...

Check out more of the organized genius HERE!

Design Parallels on Wilshire and Beverly

2011-10-18T22:41:00.001-05:00

I spent my last day in LA touring Heath Ceramics and the LACMA. Heath Ceramics has such a deep rooted history that it felt like such an honor to be there in general. The magic happened when they gave me a private tour of their artist in resident Adam Silverman's ( of Atwater Pottery) studio. It was the most inspiring thing to see his work in progress and then on display in the showroom. I could honestly live in that showroom. It is absolutely heavenly. Unfortunately they were a little weird about me taking any pictures and so I had to sneak a few and there are non of the actual studio but take my word for it, it was breathtaking.

After Heath, I headed to the LACMA where it turned out Adam Silverman had a hand in curating the exhibit called "Living in a Modern Way" California Design 1930-1965. It was fantastic! So much modernism racked up into one space without being overwhelming. And the best part? The living area in The Eames House that I had visited just a few days prior was completly replicated in one part of the museum which unfortunately they also would not let me photograph. I couldn't get over how many parallels were running through all the exhibits I had seen that weekend. Here's a little visual run through of what I saw:

Heath Ceramics

Showroom

"Heath ceramics is one of the few remaining mid-century American potteries still in exisitence today. We have been making tableware and pottery for over half a century. Our crew of 60 skilled craftsmen (many having been here for 20+ years) still makes every product on the premise, often utilizing the methods and techniques developed by Edith Heath thoughout her life."

The LACMA

"Living In A Modern Way" California Design 1930-1965

"This exhibition, the first major study of modern California design, will examine the state's role in shaping the material culture of the entire country with more than 350 objects, comprising furniture, ceramics, metalwork, graphic and industrial design, film, textiles, and fashion. The exhibition begins by tracing the origins of a distinctive California modernism in the 1930s, including work by Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, and their contemporaries. It then explores the design innovations made possible by the conversion of World War II technologies to peace-time use, exemplified by the plywood and fiberglass furniture pioneered by Charles and Ray Eames. The heart of the exhibition focuses on the modern California home, famously characterized by open plans and indoor/outdoor living and furnished with products from companies such as Heath Ceramics, Van Keppel-Green, and Architectural Pottery. Many of the furnishings for these homes were produced by other important companies and designers whose work will be a revelation to museum audiences. The show concludes by exploring how 'The California Look' was disseminated by exhibitions, magazines, shops, and films throughout America and the world"

(Adam Silverman's Work)

To learn more about Heath Ceramics and its fabulous history go HERE! Check out more of whats going on at the LACMA HERE! And view more of Adam Silverman's work HERE!

Museum Row

2011-10-17T00:40:00.000-05:00

Today I went to Museum Row which is essentially the 5000 and 6000 block of Wilshire Blvd in LA.

I spent a good amount of time at the Craft and Folk Art Museum and the Architecture and Design Museum both of which blew me away with how much they relate to what I am currently studying in my studio and art history class. Here is a little run through of what I saw:

Craft and Folk Art Museum

Golden State of Craft: California 1960-1985

"From the 1960s through the mid 1980s a vibrant and innovative group of artists working in California made significant contributions to the American Craft Movement. Working in wood, glass, clay, textiles, and metal, artists produced both functional and non-functional objects that represented an era, a philosophy, and a lifestyle immersed in the power of the handmade. This period also saw the rise of the designer-craftsman movement, which was characterized by a graceful fluidity between the now distinct disciplines of design, manufacture, and studio art. This exhibition will celebrate exceptional works made during these fertile decades, and will also pay tribute to two central figures in the blossoming of the craft field in California; Edith Wyle, founder of the Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art Museum and Eudorah Moore, director of the Pasadena Art Museum's California Design exhibition series. The exhibition will consist of approximately 75 objects, representing various mediums, and be accompanied by a historical guide for visitors."

The Alchemy of June Schwarcz: Ennamel Vessels From The Forest L. Merrill Collection

"A career-spanning exhibition of expressionist sculptural metalworks by legendary enamelist June Schwarcz. Fearless and innovative, Schwarcz has spent the last 57 years transforming gold, silver and copper into uniquely exquisite forms through her experimental manipulation of materials and processes. Along with enameling-the fusing of colored glass to metal under high temperatures-Schwarcz pleats, sews, pierces and hammers to produce complex and intricately fabricated pieces that characterize the unique artistry of her work. At 92, she continues to produce new work and has garnered official recognition as a Living Treasure of California by the State Assembly".

Architecture and Design Museum

Eames Designs: The Guest-Host Relationship

"'The role of the designer,' said Charles Eames, 'is that of a very good, thoughtful host, all of whose energy goes into trying to anticipate the needs of his guests.' Examining the work of Charles and Ray Eames from this perspective, Eames Designs: The Guest-Host Relationship will be an unparalleled exploration of the connection between the designers' classic work, process and philosophy. Featuring key vintage furniture pieces, Eames films, slide shows and quotes, the exhibition suggests that one reason why the designs have endured is that ideas like the guest-host relationship were, to the Eameses', products as essential as their chairs".

You can find out more about the Craft and Folk Art Museum HERE and the Architecture and Design Museum HERE and be sure to check out whats going on with Pacific Standard Time HERE!

Case Study Number Eight

2011-10-15T15:55:00.001-05:00

On Thursday night I flew out to California to surprise my family and spend a little time in the west. The plan was that while I was in LA I was going to do my best to see as much of the Pacific Standard Time exhibition as I could ( and write a few reviews) meaning I have a jam packed schedule of museum and gallery visits for the next few days. This morning I was lucky enough to get a tour of the famous Eames House aka Case Study #8. I became quite obsessed with the case study homes while studying architectural photographer Julius Shulman and had no idea how accessible some of them are. For those unfamiliar, the Case Study Houses were experiments in American residential architecture sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine, which commissioned major architects of the day, including Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Craig Ellwood, Charles and Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig and Eero Saarinen, to design and build inexpensive and efficient model homes for the United States residential housing boom caused by the end of World War II and the return of millions of soldiers. The Eames House is absolutely breathtaking. It is tucked away in the hills above The Pacific Coast Highway and is surrounded by lush gardens and natural light, both reflecting beautifully off of the elegant modernist architecture. All of the photos I took of the house are in film so this iphone photo will have to do for now..

If you want to know more about The Eames House and how to visit it go HERE!

Stayed tuned for more pictures and write ups coming soon!

Chapter III: Pure As Gold

2011-10-12T22:10:00.004-05:00

Finally, the moment everyone has been awaiting!!

White Forest, (a personal favorite local LA band) has just recently wrapped up their debut album White Forest Book:1 and released a song for everyone to enjoy! Go like them on facebook, listen to the song, tell them how awesome their album art is, hit on the guitarist... whatever! Just go show some love and expand your musical horizons HERE!!

Keep an eye out for more of their music posted on their facebook every Tuesday and stay tuned for a full review of their entire album =)

Biddies

2011-10-04T22:01:00.003-05:00

Mo Kolours' new video for the song Biddies is amazing! The Maya Deren Divine Horseman clips that are weaved in are beautiful. The whole this is so creative and visually addicting! Watch it now!

Art Form And Waste Disposal

2011-10-03T19:08:00.006-05:00

Unlike a lot of photographers who take photos with the purpose of documenting/capturing/preserving a moment in time or making a name for themselves, Daniel Minnick uses photography as a way of forgetting instead of being admired and remembered. Unfortunately Im going to have to do a little bit of admiring because Daniel's work is seriously kick ass for lack of better words. His gridded kaleidoscopic images are haunting, dreamy, dark, spiritual, experimental, thought provoking, and both intentionally and unintentionally poetic.

Here is what Daniel has to say about his work:

"I use the medium therapeutically to expel emotional and psychological demons from my psyche. For this purpose photography provides me with a container for unorganized thought and allows me to continue a cerebral stability that would otherwise be impossible... So in essence, photography for me is as much an art form as it is waste disposal for psychic trauma, which sometimes, coincidentally, produces poetic results...The photobooth is a prime example of this kind of psychic photography. This consumer-grade photographic technology offers me a semi-private space in which I may feel comfortable to act out unsocial behavior.A montage of ideas and memories fill the unfolding space of my grid-like photobooth images. These photographic strips are byproducts that seem to assemble a pseudo narrative with repeating symbols not unlike that of a dream. After my thoughts have been converted into photographic representations, it is not until I have revealed and exhibited them to a public audience that I truly feel liberated from their volatility. This intimate engagement with my hidden memories has given me a better understanding on why it is important to forget".

You can check out the rest of Daniel's work HERE!

And while youre at it check out his awesome dream journal HERE!

Framer

2011-10-03T18:23:00.003-05:00

With a career that spans forty years and a solo CV that is eleven pages long accompanied by a group CV that is twenty-one pages long I'd say its safe to say Antony Gormely could easily be considered a veteran of the art world. And he still produces work that is currently blowing my mind. Antony creates sculptures that explore the relation of the human body to space at large, explicitly in large-scale installation. One of my current favorite series Framer uses architectural volumes to describe and extend the body.Part of the reason I love these sculptures is because they have this beautiful structured minimalist quality to them with a hint of science that not only describes the body but accentuates the space around the body. Each block or "volume" divides space in a new way creating new shapes from existing shapes and altering our perspectives as viewers. I would kill to see one of these in person if only to see how my perception might change when these are put next to and in front of actual human figures.

You can view the rest of Antony's incredible work HERE!

Its hard to dance with the devil on your back...

2011-10-03T17:41:00.003-05:00

Flo has done it again! Florence and The Machine's video for the song Shake It Out (off the new album Ceremonials) is an absolute stunning piece of cinematography.

The Other Is Looking In On You

2011-10-03T17:31:00.004-05:00

Brandi Strickland has easily become one of my favorite mixed-media artists over the years. Her newest series of work The Other Is Looking In On You blends the natural and supernatural in scenes that depict composite views of the world, "a view in which our everyday experience is peeled back to reveal the sacred and unseen forces all around us. With this veil lifted, our environment is shown to be infused with spirit, manifesting as figures, patterns, and rays of energy". I love the way the figures in these pieces seem to be interacting in these conversations and narratives. I almost get caught up creating stories for these little worlds. The layering and color choices are beautiful as always and really pull the spirit vibe together nicely.

You can check out more of Brandi's work HERE!

Trough Trade Sessions via Warpaint

2011-09-27T19:32:00.004-05:00

Warpaint perform Billie Holiday,

which in my opinion is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs off their album The Fool.

Lullaby Islands

2011-09-26T09:00:00.004-05:00

Lucas Grogan is a Melbourne based artist who explores themes of isolation, inclusion and cultural collisions through an autobiographical lens using needlepoint, installation, painting and drawing. Although mostly all of his work is incredibly visually appealing I most admire his Lullaby Islands project due to its subtle narratives, intricate line work and simple but beautiful paper clay figures.

Here is what Lucas has to say about the project:

"Floating with their treasured islands, shadowed men protectively grasp and cradle their gilded lullabies. An island is at once a paradise and a prison. A place of initial retreat and eventual isolation. The paper-clay figures with arms out-stretched are over weighed by the object of their desire. The blackened figures at once appear to entrap and caress their treasure. The two large men in We Covet appear suspicious of each other, unsure whether to share their golden island with the other. Neither recognizing the similarities within their protected spaces. These figures are at once lullabied by their islands and sing for their imagined island apart".

You can view more of Lucas's work on his website HERE!

Portraits by Tammaro

2011-09-24T00:49:00.001-05:00

Toronto based photographer Matthew Tammaro has a series of portraits that blow me away. I am particularly drawn to the few that I selected because of their simple elegance and minimal dreamy atmospheres as well as just the overall pristine quality of the images.

You can view the rest of Matthew's work HERE and his blog HERE!

A Small Collection

2011-09-18T18:12:00.001-05:00

Alyson Fox's jewelry line is perfectly modern, elegant, bold and wonderfully documented to a tee!

Can't wait to own one of these jems...

You can check out the rest of her jewelry HERE! and her personal website HERE!

Soundtrack to my morning, afternoon, and night.

2011-09-18T17:45:00.000-05:00

Its raining outside. My blinds are wide open and light is flooding in, drowning every surface in my room. I have been sitting on my bed all day sketching new ideas for projects,reading Hemingway on and off and drinking tea like it is my job. St.Vincent's Strange Mercy plays in the background and I dont see myself turning it off anytime soon.

Trailer Park Boneyard

2011-09-10T00:24:00.003-05:00

The CoatHangers have quite possibly become my new favorite girl punk band. Maybe its because this video makes me feel like its summer again (although my schedule has made it very clear to me that its not) or because one of the vocalist bares a striking resemblance to one of my favorite ladies Ms. Natasha Khan but either way I am hooked.

An Unreliable World of Reflections

2011-09-09T23:03:00.001-05:00

I wish I hadnt come across Peter Doig's work only recently because I am completely enchanted with his wonderfully disorienting paintings. Doig invites us to consider the status of the people, places and events that are portrayed in his pictures, whether they exist in private or public realms, in personal or shared experiences. I really enjoy the idea that his work might also be seen as an "artist measuring the gaps between thought and language, painting as an individual pursuit and a shared experience". Completely lovely all around...

You can check out more of Doig's work HERE and HERE

The Brothers Graham

2011-09-05T11:25:00.003-05:00

A new LA based band that I have recently been paying a lot of attention to is Nacosta. Fronting the band are brothers Shane (drums ,vocals, and synth) and Brandon Graham (vox ,guitars, vocals, and synth) along with Keith Ely on bass and Ander LaSource on Piano/Vox/Mandolin/Harmonica and Percussion.

Both Shane and Brandon bring a unique element to their music whether it be Shane's jazz, experimental, and electronic influences or Brandon's experience starting a record label at a young age. It is no secret that their music clearly vibes off of psychedelic, folk, and rock genres with their main influences being artists such as Elliott Smith, Radiohead, Neil Young, Grizzly Bear, and the Beatles as well as in my own opinion a little bit of Portugal The Man, Bowie, and Explosions in the Sky. However, what I find most intriguing about these guys is that although they have musical references coming out of every direction they have still managed to create something that sounds almost entirely unique to them which I believe is one of the greatest successes a band can have. They are definitely a band with a promising future worth keeping your eye and ears on. And if that isn't enough to convince you then give their song Take a listen and surely you will fall in love with their layered vocals, wicked guitar licks and soulful harmonica solos.

If you like what you hear then keep an eye out for their debut EP Wilderness City which will be released on September 14, 2011 on their own label Ancient Conductor Records. I was lucky enough to get to hear a little sneak preview and its definitely a treat for the ears.

You can check out the rest of their already released songs as well as live show information, photos, and news on their website HERE and while you're at it feel free to go like them on Facebook HERE.

Shoup, Greenan, and Clark

2011-08-31T22:30:00.000-05:00

It is always really exciting for me when I come across a few artists who are in no way connected ( at least not to my knowledge) and are making art with essentially the same content yet each of their distinct styles and ideas allow them to hold their own. I recently stumbled upon portfolios by Mark Bradley Shoup, Amy Greenan, and Seth Clark who all make paintings based on architectural structures mainly those we might see in a suburban neighborhood or rural town. It was fascinating to go from Mark's work to Amy's work to Seth's work. It's almost as though there is a build up of style then a breaking down of structure as I moved from portfolio to portfolio. Whether they know it or not these three offer up a beautiful narrative of what it means to look at buildings and everyday structures and consider their purpose and use whether part of what looks like a deserted ghost town or a road trip down The 5 Highway in California.

Mark Bradley Shoup

Amy Greenan

Seth Clark

You can check out the rest of Mark's work HERE, Amy's work HERE, and Seth's work HERE!

Holocene

2011-08-21T16:08:00.002-05:00

Lovely new video for Bon Iver's song Holocene:

In my head, its all been laughter

2011-08-18T22:52:00.001-05:00

The Dodo's new video for their song Good is ... well ... really frickin' GOOD!

Chelan

2011-08-17T11:57:00.001-05:00

Jennifer Grady and Justin Hosford are the talented duo that make up the band Chelan. I've had their recently released album Towers playing over and over the last few days and I can't seem to get enough. Grady's smooth jazz voice accompanied by Hosford's experience writing scores for television make for a perfect electro-indie-folk-pop dream team that is pleasing on the ears.

You can give their wonderful album a listen HERE!

Dont Hug Me I'm Scared

2011-08-09T23:06:00.001-05:00

Accurately described by It's Nice That writer Alex Bec, Dont Hug Me I'm Scared is "one part children’s TV program, one part ironic spoof and a few parts weird dark undertones". Such a lovely funny and strange little production from the ever so clever This Is It Collective ...

Fine Line Abstractions

2011-08-09T22:19:00.001-05:00

I have such a soft spot for meticulous, time consuming, fine line ink drawings so it came at no surprise to me that when I stumbled upon Virginia Kraljevic's work I instantly fell head over heels.

You can view the rest of Virginia's work and purchase prints HERE!

Storyboard, Back Series, and Pond Life

2011-08-09T21:52:00.001-05:00

Inspired by classic western oil paintings and 17th century Baroque artists, Wen Wu paints moments of beauty and eroticism in both men and women. I am in love with his subtle textures and soft tones and the sense of voyeurism I feel in his dreamlike layered paintings.

You can check out the rest of his work HERE!

Design Asthetics

2011-08-09T20:47:00.001-05:00

Within the next week I will be I will be purchasing some furniture for our apartment and doing a little revamping of my room. These are the images I've been drawing inspiration from in some way or another:

If anyone knows of a place that sells really great bed spreads, quilts, or downs feel free to share!

Took the words right out of my mouth, Nan.

2011-08-01T13:09:00.001-05:00

"Everyone takes photos; now even phones can. The whole issue of digital is so depressing to me; my process is gone. There were all kinds of unknown things that could come out in a photograph, things you didn't know were there until you saw it; now it's all so flat."- Nan Goldin via The Gaurdian

A Leave Taking

2011-07-31T15:31:00.002-05:00

If Ryan McGinley's Moonmilk series had an affair with Ellen Roger's Of The Gate series their love child would surely resemble this gorgeous video from Bill Ryder Jone's Ep, A Leave Taking Soundtrack.

You can download the entire EP for free HERE!

Hannah and Landon Metz

2011-07-28T14:38:00.000-05:00

Hannah and Landon, my favorite artistic/blogging duo, were recently feature on StyleLikeU.com. Aside from their wicked style and mellow/down to earth nature, they both have some pretty fantastic things to say about life, living in the moment, and human perceptions on time which I find incredibly refreshing and inspiring especially coming out of a fashion website. Check out their interview below:

You can view their wonderful blog HERE!

A Handy Tip for the Easily Distracted

2011-07-26T22:35:00.001-05:00

So in love with this deleted scene from Miranda July's new film The Future:

Check out the rest of her incredible work HERE!

The Days Off

2011-07-26T00:08:00.001-05:00

Beautiful series by photographer Daniel Gebhart de Koekkoek:

You can check out the rest of his work HERE!

Beat LA

2011-07-25T23:59:00.000-05:00

Back in high school I used to frequent a little place in LA called The Smell.

Although my musical tastes have changed considerably since then due to those friday nights at The Smell I will forever have a soft spot for punk music. So with that being said I am SO EXCITED about the soon to be released punk rock compilation called Beat LA.

It features current bands and artists from Los Angeles covering songs from the city's past. Not only is this a great collection of music but all proceeds from the cd will benefit victims of last year's Haiti earthquake. Beat LA will be released August 2nd and I highly recommend you help out the cause and treat yourself to these great tunes:

For more information on the cd and how you can order it visit Narnack Records HERE!

A Creature I Dont Know

2011-07-25T23:35:00.001-05:00

So looking forward to Laura Marling's new album...

No Layout

2011-07-25T13:46:00.001-05:00

No Layout aka Visual Inspiration Mecca as I like to refer to it is a digital library for independent publishers, focusing on art books and fashion magazines created in part by Daniel Pianetti, Bogdan Licar, and Jonas Brunschwig. Aside from the fact that I strongly believe nothing compares to actually physically flipping through a great book and or magazine I cannot help but be completely mesmerized by and addicted to the content on this website. Not only is it a great resource for people in the arts but it provides great exposure for publishers and artist books that might not have had the opportunity to go public otherwise.

This website is completely free and open to publisher submissions so go check it out HERE!

Alexandria Eregbu turns 20!!!

2011-07-19T14:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to the loveliest friend and roommate a girl could ask for!

Go Check out Ally's incredible blog HERE and send her some birthday lovin' =)

Aurel and Donald

2011-07-18T11:40:00.000-05:00

Photographer Tim Barber's new commisioned series for Twin documents some of the intimate moments in the lives of one of my favorite artists Aurel Schmidt and her boyfriend (lead singer of The Virgins) Donald Cumming. 

You can view the rest of the series HERE!

Finest Paperware

2011-07-18T11:16:00.001-05:00

Artist Rebecca Wilson's work "deals with the subject of worth by considering the system of values that we bestow upon familiar objects and possessions. I am interested in how the perception of an object is altered by its material, situation, or scale, and by making ironic and playful changes to these properties I encourage the viewer to question the value of the object. I like to investigate ways of intervening with the found objects and incorporating ephemeral and incidental materials in the making process. In this way I aim to elevate the status of invaluable objects and materials, making them into art objects and vice versa".

Her newest body of work entitled Finest Paperware takes a creative look at our societies tendency towards wasteful consumerism. Wilson depicts paper cups (an icon of 'throwaway culture') by imposing classical ceramic styling. She notes that hese cups are "hand-built from cast sheets of specially formulated porcelain paperclay slip.They come in two different styles derivitave of traditional ceramic aestheitics. The ‘Jasperware’ version emulates Wedgewood’s iconic range using stained dyed paper and embossed relief details in white. And the Dutch classic ‘Blue Delft’ is alluded to in hand drawn decals in blue biro.” I really enjoy her attention to detail, her historical refrencing, and the fact that she makes me want to own one and feel bad about wanting to own one at the same time.

You can view more of her work HERE!

Finally Open for Business!!

2011-07-16T20:04:00.000-05:00

L.Bird Ceramics is my collection of handmade pottery now available for sale on Etsy!

Give it a look HERE and spread the word =)

I Am Eleven

2011-07-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

I Am Eleven is a new documentary directed by Genevieve Bailey an Australian filmmaker who has put her heart and hard work into this self funded film for the last five years. According to the film's website, "I AM ELEVEN is a globe-spanning portrait of humanity at a crucial age – no longer children, not quite adults, preparing to inherit a world changing as quickly and dramatically as they are. This documentary focuses on a series of eleven-year-olds from 15 countries, each speaking in their own words and revealing the private obsessions and public concerns that animate their lives. It is simultaneously an epic survey of the similarities and distinctions between cultures and an intimate account of these young personalities finding their way in the world today". Just from watching the trailer I am already blown away and refreshed by the perspectives that these kids offer up. I can tell this film is going to be both insightful and charming while bringing to light some major social and political situations this generation is facing. I Am Eleven be screening at the Melbourne International Film Festival this month but in the mean time you can view the film's trailer below:

You can view more clips form the film HERE!

Poetic and Melancholic Post-Situationalist Tradition

2011-07-13T19:56:00.000-05:00

Robert Montgomery's eloquently written text art is "part poetry, part an enquiry into our collective unconscious. They are intended to be encountered by commuters who don't know they are art, and an attempt to describe in public space what it feel like to live now." The following are a few of my favorites from his Billboard Pieces, Recycled Sunlight Pieces, and Drawings:

You can view the rest of Robert's work HERE!

Japan, Lord of the Rings, and Chuck Norris

2011-07-08T17:59:00.000-05:00

Parker Fitzgerald

is a freelance photographer, graphic designer, and illustrator living in Portland Oregon.

His entire portfolio most of which (to my satisfaction) is film photography is beautiful and incredibly well shot. However, I have a bit of a soft spot for his lovely polaroid series. So much so that out of sheer indecision I almost posted all 99 photographs on here but alas I was able to narrow it down to my 10 favorites:

Check out he rest of his work on his wonderfully designed website HERE!

True Fashion Art

2011-07-08T16:07:00.004-05:00

Buyer/seller/researcher/stylist/photographer/designer Sophia Assa is a shining example of an independent woman in the fashion industry kicking ass at what she does.

Daughter of English fashion designer Katherine Hamnett, Sophia Assa was practically born right into the industry. According to her website, "She became fascinated with all areas of the industry, wanting to know it all...selling, merchandising, branding, designing, press relations and eventually picked up a camera to start shooting her own fashion experience. When school ended, Sophie focused her energy toward becoming a stylist. Her work has been featured in publications across the world, working with top photographers and celebrities. Through styling she was able to help brand and merchandise collections, help show during fashion weeks and work on campaigns which eventually led her to start her own consulting company. Which developed into a business as a trends forecaster and research buying consultant during fashion weeks". You go girl!

Check out Sophia's awesome website HERE!
As well as her feature on Closet Visit HERE!

Soirée des Jeudi's au Centre Pompidou

2011-07-08T14:28:00.001-05:00

On May 19th "as a tribute to Africa and its influences, the students of the National School of Decorative Arts and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago proposed a series of performances, games and festive living, inspired by a selection of works of modern and contemporary collections of the Pompidou Centre. This event was accompanied by Anne Ferrer, a professor at the National School of Decorative Arts and Bambi Breakstone, a professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago". It is so refreshing to see art come to life in this way. The movement of the materials on the performers bodies add something special to each piece that might be missing if just viewed still or hanging up.I love how each one tells a unique story and the fact that this took place in a public space allowing viewers to interact and see these garments up close and personal. It is great to see "fashion" be put into use in this way instead of being made solely for consumer purposes. I am extremely proud to know that students from my school were involved in this beautiful presentation.

Brilliant Version of The Wind

2011-07-08T14:11:00.001-05:00

The Tallest Man on Earth

Part One of The Secret Garden Video Series

Scenes From The Suburbs

2011-06-27T11:18:00.003-05:00

Spike Jonze's 30-min short film Scenes From the Suburbs
is based off of Arcade Fire's last album "The Suburbs" and was written by Win and Will Butler.

In this bizarre-sometimes unsettling- 30 minutes we become connected to a group of friends, watch their world change by the unfolding of a suburban war, and are reminded not only of the realities and consequences of violence and power struggles in our society but of growing up and the sometimes difficult transition from youth into adulthood.

You can view the entire film HERE

"Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food”–Hippocrates.

2011-06-23T22:24:00.001-05:00

I just finished watching the documentary Food Matters and I am so blown away. "The focus of the film is in helping us rethink the belief systems fed to us by our modern medical and health care establishments. The interviewees point out that not every problem requires costly, major medical attention and reveal many alternative therapies that can be more effective, more economical, less harmful and less invasive than conventional medical treatments". This is in no means a film that is trying to persuade you to be a vegetarian or a vegan, rather it is a film teaching us how we can in fact heal our bodies by the foods we eat not the drugs we take. I really think it is imperative that this film is seen whether you agree with it or not. The knowledge about what a healthy, organic, vitamin rich diet can do for our bodies and the facts about how the drug corporations function in our society is something that is sorely lacking in our country and I firmly believe that needs to change.

So please please please do yourself a favor and watch the entire film below courtesy of DocumentaryHeaven.com

"Illuminating the Apotheosis of the Herd"

2011-06-23T21:51:00.004-05:00

Mossimo Vitali, an Italian photographer

has done some pretty fantastic work documenting public and private beaches in Italy since 1995. According to his website, "his series of Italian beach panoramas began in the light of drastic political changes in Italy. Massimo started to observe his fellow countrymen very carefully. He depicted the inner conditions and disturbances of normality: its cosmetic fakery, sexual innuendo,
commodified leisure, deluded sense of affluence, and rigid conformism."

What I find most beautiful about his work is how busy and chaotic yet

minimalist and calm his photographs can seem. Some of them don't even come across as photographs but instead look like paintings.I really appreciate the fact that he is consistent with his format, often standing at the same vantage point allowing a distance between the viewer and those being viewed. Both of these things allowing us to really observe particular individuals and get a sense of that cosmetic fakery and sexual innuendo talked about earlier. However, aside from all of the wonderful deeper conceptual aspects of his work I believe what really seals the deal for me is that Mr. Vitali has unknowingly reminded me of what a real summer looks like while I currently reside next to a half open window listening to yet again another June rainfall...gee thanks Chicago!

Check out the rest of Vitali's wonderful work HERE

Oh and just for fun, check out my very own Vitali inspired photograph that I took looking
out over the Santa Monica Pier two summers ago. I think he would be proud, no?

Stoneware, Earthenware,Teracotta

2011-06-20T22:37:00.000-05:00

After dealing with a few rainy days
the sun finally came out long enough for me to photograph the work I brought home from the studio.

I thought I would share a few before I start selling them and shipping them off to friends.

Everywhere and Forever

2011-06-19T21:50:00.000-05:00

Beautiful photographs and site specific installations

by artist Aimee Brodeur

Selected Photographs

"A Sense of Belonging" Installations

Check out the rest of her work HERE.

2011-06-19T21:46:00.000-05:00

"After 'to love' the second most powerful verb is 'to dream'.For dreams can build empires, cross oceans, climb mountains, bridge nations. In the purest sense, our lives are fueled not by matter, but by our dreams."

-Chuck Palahniuk

2011-06-19T21:45:00.000-05:00

Pretty much what my weekend looked like:

Cults

2011-06-19T18:37:00.000-05:00

Really diggin this band right now:

Check them out HERE

The Kills. Blood Pressure Short Film

2011-06-19T15:47:00.000-05:00

Found Paper and Archival Paste: Work by Beth Hoeckel

2011-06-19T14:05:00.000-05:00

Artist Beth Hoeckel ( a 2001 SAIC graduate ) uses vintage publications from the 40s and 70s to create wonderful collages that seem to challenge our perspective and meaning.

She recently sat down and talked with Dazed and Confused and shared a lot of insight into her work.

The Interview went as followed:

Dazed Digital: What are the various sources of your images? How do you find these sources?
Beth Höeckel: Mostly vintage books and magazines from 1940s-1970s, but especially from the 50s - they have a beautiful colour quality that doesn't really exist anymore. I frequent used book stores and thrift shops for sources. There's a donation centre in Baltimore city that accepts any and all used book and magazines, then on weekends they open to the public and everything is free. I try to go every weekend and scour for materials, it's had a huge impact on my work.

DD: What are the main recurring themes to your work, if there are any?
Beth Höeckel: There aren't specific recurring themes besides aesthetic ones, but underlying themes like nostalgia and mystery always play a role.

DD: Your collages are always so well-matched and oddly eerie, what are the subtexts of the images say for example like where the subjects are all gazing into a juxtaposed distant?
Beth Höeckel: In that specific series, the subtexts are almost entirely left up to the viewer. What one person could interpret as an image of inspiration or awe another could take away an entirely different meaning, like longing or loss. To me, not revealing faces or expressions is like keeping a secret.

DD: What inspires you on a daily basis?
Beth Höeckel: Unusual shapes, negative space, language and literature, interpersonal relations, treasure hunting.

DD: Any favourite artists/photographers?
Beth Höeckel: I'm really into the work my peers are doing right now. There's a wealth of really exceptional art and music going on in Baltimore where I live. I love prints by John Bohl, sculptures by Hermonie Only, photography by Andrew Laumann, drawings by Jordan Bernier.

DD: What are you working on at the moment?
Beth Höeckel: I'm working on several new projects. A series of collages called Shapes on a Plane; a series of black and white collages; a book of collages made from magazines called Rational Neographic; collages using only two elements; re-mixing my own photographs.

DD: Most excited about next?
Beth Höeckel: I'm really excited about making my ideas a reality and the ideas I haven't thought of yet. Also, collaborating with artist friends on things like large scale collages. Also swimming. And going to Iceland.

You can view the rest of her collage work HERE.

Any Ever

2011-06-19T13:34:00.000-05:00

Ryan Trecartin's ‘Any Ever’, the artist’s 2007-2010 body of work, has its NY premier today at MoMA PS1 in New York. The exhibit was produced in Miami with frequent collaborator Lizzie Fitch and structured as a diptych."It consists of seven films that are conceived in two parts, one consisting of a quartet, 'Re'Search Wait'S' and the trilogy, 'Trill-ogy Comp'. Connected spatially and filling seven galleries that house projections of these seven films, the exhibition can become a kind of personal edit for the viewer. In fact, they can do, or feel, whatever they want."-D.A.C

For those unfamiliar with the artist, Ryan Trecartin is a RISD grad who now resides in Los Angeles. As excellently described on UbuWeb, "Ryan has established a singular video practice that in form and in function advances understandings of post-millennial technology, narrative and identity, and also propels these matters as expressive mediums. His work depicts worlds where consumer culture is amplified to absurd or nihilistic proportions and characters circuitously strive to find agency and meaning in their lives. The combination of assaultive, nearly impenetrable avant-garde logics and equally outlandish, virtuoso uses of color, form, drama and montage produces a sublime, stream-of-consciousness effect that feels bewilderingly true to life"

The first time I ever saw a Ryan Trecartin film ( A Family Finds Entertainment) I remember it being really hard to swallow. But the more I understood what he was doing the more intrigued I became with his work. Any Ever is already getting rave reviews and should definitely not be missed by anyone planning to be in New York between June 19th and September 3rd.

You can view the rest of his work HERE and HERE