5/26/09
STRAY CATS
When I showed this video to my wife she was disturbed. It made me laugh, but well I don't like cats. I have to admit never seeing the original Cats, so maybe I watch this with naive eyes. Or not. Anyhow, great project.
ccMIXTER
www.ccmixter.org
ccMIXTER is an online site for song based samples. Free to use and abuse, remix and post. Their is a community aspect to this site, where you can check out other Mixers' mixes, including some contributions by commercial artists. I like the a capella section, with a lot of samples by upstarts from Sac-town and beyond. The underground goes digital.
ccMIXTER is an online site for song based samples. Free to use and abuse, remix and post. Their is a community aspect to this site, where you can check out other Mixers' mixes, including some contributions by commercial artists. I like the a capella section, with a lot of samples by upstarts from Sac-town and beyond. The underground goes digital.
FREESOUND PROJECT
www.freesound.org
The FREESOUND PROJECT contains Foley samples for audio mixing. Posted by users and housed within the Creative Commons umbrella, feel free to use these sounds in your projects.
The FREESOUND PROJECT contains Foley samples for audio mixing. Posted by users and housed within the Creative Commons umbrella, feel free to use these sounds in your projects.
5/21/09
SOCIAL DESIGNER
www.socialdesigner.com
SOCIAL DESIGNER issues open design competitions for products that try to raise awareness about a number of issues. Think product design 2.0. So products whose function is both green and progressive, not just sexy and consumable. Or should I say, as well as sexy and consumable? The designs are voted on, produced and sold on their website. The winning designer is paid a flat fee. Capitalism and idealism, hand in hand. Their latest competition is for a tote that promotes regional/local eating. Hope to make the deadline for my own design.
SOCIAL DESIGNER issues open design competitions for products that try to raise awareness about a number of issues. Think product design 2.0. So products whose function is both green and progressive, not just sexy and consumable. Or should I say, as well as sexy and consumable? The designs are voted on, produced and sold on their website. The winning designer is paid a flat fee. Capitalism and idealism, hand in hand. Their latest competition is for a tote that promotes regional/local eating. Hope to make the deadline for my own design.
5/14/09
DREW STRUZAN
http://www.drewstruzan.com/illustrated/
In doing research for movie poster design I discovered a rich history. One thing that is noticeably missing from (most) contemporary movie poster designs are hand created illustrations. I guess it has fallen out of favor to some extent. I would argue that nothing yells out, "this is special!" quite like the illustrative style of someone such as DREW STRUZAN. This guy is one bad-ass MF. Check out the skillz! Go Drew!
In doing research for movie poster design I discovered a rich history. One thing that is noticeably missing from (most) contemporary movie poster designs are hand created illustrations. I guess it has fallen out of favor to some extent. I would argue that nothing yells out, "this is special!" quite like the illustrative style of someone such as DREW STRUZAN. This guy is one bad-ass MF. Check out the skillz! Go Drew!
INTRALINK GRAPHICS
www.intralinkfilm.com
There is a real magic to those back-lit transparency ads for films. The color really pop, the blacks rich and deep. The quality of the photos and graphics draw me, as I walk the long row of framed ads at my local theater house. These cats at INTRALINK do a lot of the big name films.
There is a real magic to those back-lit transparency ads for films. The color really pop, the blacks rich and deep. The quality of the photos and graphics draw me, as I walk the long row of framed ads at my local theater house. These cats at INTRALINK do a lot of the big name films.
FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE
www.freemusicarchive.org
FMA is a curated on-line music site that allows you to listen and down-load free music legally. Some of this music is contemporary and some is in the Creative Commons because the copyright has expired. So that means some of the music is available for use in your creative projects. Great resource.
The site itself is well organized and you can sort by genre, search for artists, etc. It works well to stream music while you are working. Also great for allowing some serious music nerds to guide you towards new bands, or discover a band from years past.
FMA is a curated on-line music site that allows you to listen and down-load free music legally. Some of this music is contemporary and some is in the Creative Commons because the copyright has expired. So that means some of the music is available for use in your creative projects. Great resource.
The site itself is well organized and you can sort by genre, search for artists, etc. It works well to stream music while you are working. Also great for allowing some serious music nerds to guide you towards new bands, or discover a band from years past.
4/28/09
MY DRIVE THRU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPZ5fnYFI4Q
This is by far and above one of the best stop motion projects I have seen to date. Thanks for taking that to the next level. Damn. Sent to me by my man Andy Co. Music by N.E.R.D., Santogold and Julian Casablancas.
This is by far and above one of the best stop motion projects I have seen to date. Thanks for taking that to the next level. Damn. Sent to me by my man Andy Co. Music by N.E.R.D., Santogold and Julian Casablancas.
4/23/09
FILM TITLES
www.watchthetitles.com
Nice website that opens up into world of film/tv title sequence fetishism. Rightly so. Love it.
Here is a link to one of the Masters in title design. All bow down to Saul Bass.
www.notcoming.com/saulbass/index2.php
Nice website that opens up into world of film/tv title sequence fetishism. Rightly so. Love it.
Here is a link to one of the Masters in title design. All bow down to Saul Bass.
www.notcoming.com/saulbass/index2.php
4/13/09
GARTH TRINIDAD
www.kcrw.com/music/programs/cc/cc061230all_things_james_bro
Another page from the KCRW site. Man on a week that is going shite, Garth can save the day. Aired live on Saturday nites, and then archived and free at a moment's need.
As a huge James Brown fan, this particular show is important to me. Aired five days after the big guys ascension to the second floor, there are a host of great rare tracks and audio samples from James' colorful life. I particularly find dark humor in the interview by the local news caster. So wrong. So right.
Featuring the Bay Area's own Beat Junkies (J-Logic, Jedi & DJ Rome).
Another page from the KCRW site. Man on a week that is going shite, Garth can save the day. Aired live on Saturday nites, and then archived and free at a moment's need.
As a huge James Brown fan, this particular show is important to me. Aired five days after the big guys ascension to the second floor, there are a host of great rare tracks and audio samples from James' colorful life. I particularly find dark humor in the interview by the local news caster. So wrong. So right.
Featuring the Bay Area's own Beat Junkies (J-Logic, Jedi & DJ Rome).
MICHEL GONDRY
www.kcrw.com/music/programs/mb/mb090409michel_gondry
KCRW's archive of shows is a treasure trove. Its special and worth exploring. As a fan of Michel Gondry I was happy to run across this show. It is always interesting to get some insight into what makes an artist tick. Michel's picks are soulful and informative - he has a story for most each track.
Also, check out this video about Michel's poop. You need a laugh.
KCRW's archive of shows is a treasure trove. Its special and worth exploring. As a fan of Michel Gondry I was happy to run across this show. It is always interesting to get some insight into what makes an artist tick. Michel's picks are soulful and informative - he has a story for most each track.
Also, check out this video about Michel's poop. You need a laugh.
4/1/09
KAYNE WEST
Good Life
Indeed. This remains one of my favorites. So fargin fun. I could just loop this song and video ad infinitum. Kayne gimmie a call, let's make something fresh.
Indeed. This remains one of my favorites. So fargin fun. I could just loop this song and video ad infinitum. Kayne gimmie a call, let's make something fresh.
THE LONELY ISLAND
...In My Pants
Retarded. These guys are pulling off some high production values while remaining true to their ideas. My favorite shot is where the guy is DJing in 7-11 surrounded by vegetables. Wait, what convenience store has produce? This hook gets stuck in my head, unfortunately. Adult in nature.
Retarded. These guys are pulling off some high production values while remaining true to their ideas. My favorite shot is where the guy is DJing in 7-11 surrounded by vegetables. Wait, what convenience store has produce? This hook gets stuck in my head, unfortunately. Adult in nature.
KATE MAKI
We Are Gone
Pretty zen. Love walking down through her house to the basement. Wasn't I friends with this girl in college? No right, I wanted to be her friend in college.
Pretty zen. Love walking down through her house to the basement. Wasn't I friends with this girl in college? No right, I wanted to be her friend in college.
LLOYD
Damn. The future is now. So is the fantasy, apparently. This take on video ladies, portrayed as zombie aliens with glowing eyes... hmmmm. I know that the focus of the video is supposed to be the star, but I am questioning the wall flower method of women in videos. Stock character I suppose, if you think about it in a theater way. Even Shakespeare knew about the attraction to the town slut. Carry on.
MONSTERS ARE WAITING
Ones and Zeros
Beautiful color work and use of partially obscured images. Also the old car goes far, with lots of light streaming in to the lens. Dreamy.
Beautiful color work and use of partially obscured images. Also the old car goes far, with lots of light streaming in to the lens. Dreamy.
3/30/09
TINY MIX TAPES
www.tinymixtapes.com
More on the mix tapes tip, with a twist. TINY MIX TAPES offers to create a custom mix, based on a phrase you submit. So, your offering of Songs for Your Best Friend who Lives in France, Where he is Hungry and Cold gets spit out as a bunch of track listings that you can go out and find. Poetic. Lazy?
Also, they do archive a series of mixes by Chocolate Grinder, which should introduce you to a bunch of music that you never heard before (that doesn't suck). Archive here.
More on the mix tapes tip, with a twist. TINY MIX TAPES offers to create a custom mix, based on a phrase you submit. So, your offering of Songs for Your Best Friend who Lives in France, Where he is Hungry and Cold gets spit out as a bunch of track listings that you can go out and find. Poetic. Lazy?
Also, they do archive a series of mixes by Chocolate Grinder, which should introduce you to a bunch of music that you never heard before (that doesn't suck). Archive here.
3/26/09
LOUD FARM
www.loudfarm.com
For those into the band scene, both in San Francisco and elsewhere, there is Loud Farm. Freshly launched, they cull the web for articles on (mostly) independent music and post - boiling down the fat so to speak. So we're talking interviews, reviews, articles, and a well organized Bay Area music calendar. Clicking on Loud Farm takes you to all sorts of web projects that you never knew existed. But you should. Plus they have a fresh design scheme going on which makes me want to rush right down to their office and pinch someone's cheeks really hard til nice and pink.
For those into the band scene, both in San Francisco and elsewhere, there is Loud Farm. Freshly launched, they cull the web for articles on (mostly) independent music and post - boiling down the fat so to speak. So we're talking interviews, reviews, articles, and a well organized Bay Area music calendar. Clicking on Loud Farm takes you to all sorts of web projects that you never knew existed. But you should. Plus they have a fresh design scheme going on which makes me want to rush right down to their office and pinch someone's cheeks really hard til nice and pink.
3/24/09
LOBO
www.lobo.cx
Lobo is a design and animation company based out of Brazil but working internationally. Flipping through their projects you get the idea that they try to make the most out of each opportunity. Some of the concepts are stronger than others, but maybe my non-Portuguese-speaking-ass missed something.
Their website's Flash interface is a glimpse into the future of web design. In the PORTFOLIO section, check out the projects for REDE GLOBO (1), FORD (6), and GOL LINHAS AÉREAS (11). GOL, which is about the transformation of ideas, employs a lush, flickering light source recalling early cell animation. Belíssimo!
Lobo is a design and animation company based out of Brazil but working internationally. Flipping through their projects you get the idea that they try to make the most out of each opportunity. Some of the concepts are stronger than others, but maybe my non-Portuguese-speaking-ass missed something.
Their website's Flash interface is a glimpse into the future of web design. In the PORTFOLIO section, check out the projects for REDE GLOBO (1), FORD (6), and GOL LINHAS AÉREAS (11). GOL, which is about the transformation of ideas, employs a lush, flickering light source recalling early cell animation. Belíssimo!
3/23/09
KITSUNENOIR & MUXTAPE
www.kitsunenoir.com/blog/mixtapes
Ran across this page which is essentially a collection of mix tapes, including the cover art (very important). That the tape has become the cd has become the .mp3 - no matter. Nothing more exciting, to me, than getting a personal mix. This is a glimpse, a journey, straight in to the center of another human. Ignore the words flapping from their lips, check out the music. Special special.
There also is Muxtape, who as of late is in transformation. Their caterpillar state was a site where you could listen to user mixes, with a really nice colorful interface that didn't make you miss the cover art. Somehow. Alas, the more attention focused on the Muxtape folks, the more intellectual property right issues started popping up. Currently they exist in some hybrid state where they are getting popular indie band members to create short mixes, while also promoting their tracks. I give Muxtape the benefit of the doubt. I hope they find a way to stay true to their original vision. Judging from their current moves, they are going in the direction of legal and possibly even profitable. Good luck!
Ran across this page which is essentially a collection of mix tapes, including the cover art (very important). That the tape has become the cd has become the .mp3 - no matter. Nothing more exciting, to me, than getting a personal mix. This is a glimpse, a journey, straight in to the center of another human. Ignore the words flapping from their lips, check out the music. Special special.
There also is Muxtape, who as of late is in transformation. Their caterpillar state was a site where you could listen to user mixes, with a really nice colorful interface that didn't make you miss the cover art. Somehow. Alas, the more attention focused on the Muxtape folks, the more intellectual property right issues started popping up. Currently they exist in some hybrid state where they are getting popular indie band members to create short mixes, while also promoting their tracks. I give Muxtape the benefit of the doubt. I hope they find a way to stay true to their original vision. Judging from their current moves, they are going in the direction of legal and possibly even profitable. Good luck!
3/16/09
FAILE
www.faile.net/winter_09
Faile, the international artist collective based out of Brooklyn, celebrates in font and color the excesses of contemporary urban life. I think of this work as both inspired by and flipping off advertising. Visually sampling one attention grabbing graphic after another into georgeous, apoloyptic visions. Not too much here to not like, except maybe their success, if you are so inclined.
Faile, the international artist collective based out of Brooklyn, celebrates in font and color the excesses of contemporary urban life. I think of this work as both inspired by and flipping off advertising. Visually sampling one attention grabbing graphic after another into georgeous, apoloyptic visions. Not too much here to not like, except maybe their success, if you are so inclined.
3/14/09
SPIKE JONZE
www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1137833099
The multi-talented Spike Jonze (music video directing, fancy pants wearing, hot hot talented ex-wife having, beard sporting, bad assing..) is now doing his part as a producer/creative director for Vice TV. Better known as VBS, the online media wing of the sprawling made-in-the-USA American Apparel hipster monopoly. The company that everyone loves to hate. The company with the print adds that offend everyone with boobs. Which I get and don't get. Conspiracy theories are so 1990's folks.
Regardless, VBS is really dope. Their programming is past gusty and mostly intelligent but always interesting. Vice's voice is unique, period, but especially in the online television sphere. Plus they are producing content that others lack either the ambition or balls to make happen. Check out their travel series. Can you say North Korea? When is the last time you saw a f*cking news crew north of the DMZ? Ganstas.
The first two episodes of Spike's Spends Saturday With, feature the inspired Kayne West and then MIA. For Kayne haters, of which there are too many, check out his episode and see if you feel any differently.
The multi-talented Spike Jonze (music video directing, fancy pants wearing, hot hot talented ex-wife having, beard sporting, bad assing..) is now doing his part as a producer/creative director for Vice TV. Better known as VBS, the online media wing of the sprawling made-in-the-USA American Apparel hipster monopoly. The company that everyone loves to hate. The company with the print adds that offend everyone with boobs. Which I get and don't get. Conspiracy theories are so 1990's folks.
Regardless, VBS is really dope. Their programming is past gusty and mostly intelligent but always interesting. Vice's voice is unique, period, but especially in the online television sphere. Plus they are producing content that others lack either the ambition or balls to make happen. Check out their travel series. Can you say North Korea? When is the last time you saw a f*cking news crew north of the DMZ? Ganstas.
The first two episodes of Spike's Spends Saturday With, feature the inspired Kayne West and then MIA. For Kayne haters, of which there are too many, check out his episode and see if you feel any differently.
3/9/09
SAM CHIVERS
www.samchivers.com/portfolio.html
Sam is a bloke drawing down in Bristol. His color and line work is masterful - just knowing he is out there doing this pushes me to work harder and more. The fact that he pulls off these detailed designs as silkscreens makes them even more beautiful.
He is involved somehow, cannot figure out exactly how, with these folks: www.peopleofprint.com, and makes for a nice side trip.
Sam is a bloke drawing down in Bristol. His color and line work is masterful - just knowing he is out there doing this pushes me to work harder and more. The fact that he pulls off these detailed designs as silkscreens makes them even more beautiful.
He is involved somehow, cannot figure out exactly how, with these folks: www.peopleofprint.com, and makes for a nice side trip.
3/4/09
DIESEL'S XXX PARTY CLIP
www.break.com/index/sfw-porn-clips.html
Perverted, funny & inspired. Not for those under 18 years. Unless you need a good laugh.
Perverted, funny & inspired. Not for those under 18 years. Unless you need a good laugh.
3/2/09
SACRED MTN
www.sacredmtn.com/
It can be a trick to walk in both the worlds of design and art. It shouldn't be, and many people tell you that it's not, but I think it is. Maybe that is changing. Some people pull it off well.
I first ran into the people/person behind Sacred Mtn at the San Francisco Zine fest in 2007. He/they were drinking beer at 11:30 in the morning and selling these D-O-P-E silkscreened posters. When I tried to buy one the interaction became really drawn out and convoluted and strange and then kinda charming. A couple years later I am a serious fan.
Sacred Mtn puts out some incredibly imaginative stuff, comfortably dipping across a handful of mediums. They tend to induce this stupid, blissed-out, child-like expression in people. Ridiculous. And genius. Luckily you can stumble over their handy-work in galleries, web videos, design shops, magazines, on tshirts etc.
Don't miss the effects reel on the OrdinaryKids site (www.ordinarykids.com). OrdinaryKids is a Bay Area design studio specializing in interactive story telling, motion graphics, fake manuals and print design. As well Sacred Mtn acted as their Creative Director for three years.
It can be a trick to walk in both the worlds of design and art. It shouldn't be, and many people tell you that it's not, but I think it is. Maybe that is changing. Some people pull it off well.
I first ran into the people/person behind Sacred Mtn at the San Francisco Zine fest in 2007. He/they were drinking beer at 11:30 in the morning and selling these D-O-P-E silkscreened posters. When I tried to buy one the interaction became really drawn out and convoluted and strange and then kinda charming. A couple years later I am a serious fan.
Sacred Mtn puts out some incredibly imaginative stuff, comfortably dipping across a handful of mediums. They tend to induce this stupid, blissed-out, child-like expression in people. Ridiculous. And genius. Luckily you can stumble over their handy-work in galleries, web videos, design shops, magazines, on tshirts etc.
Don't miss the effects reel on the OrdinaryKids site (www.ordinarykids.com). OrdinaryKids is a Bay Area design studio specializing in interactive story telling, motion graphics, fake manuals and print design. As well Sacred Mtn acted as their Creative Director for three years.
2/24/09
TAKAKO YAMAGUCHI
www.jancarjones.com/current/takako-yamaguchi/
I'm really really (really really) encouraging folks to take some time to see this magic little show of paintings by Takako Yamaguchi. Jumping off from the best of Op Art, without the annoying sandy rub, Yamaguchi mines the depths of California landscape painting through the lens of a surrealist. Opulent brushwork. Baroque, if sun bleached palette. Just get yer ass down there. Up through this Saturday, February 28th. Last week! Last week!
Even if you miss the current show, I strongly recommend visiting this unique little gallery in downtown San Francisco. Celebrating one year this month, Eric Renehan Jones and Ava Jancar have created a place with integrity. Close to the downtown gallery scene (á la 49 Geary and the museum ghetto) but with a spot of its own, taking the walk over to Jancar Jones Gallery is a must.
The building is reminiscent of a Haruki Murakami novel, where the character gets off an elevator on to a floor which doesn't really exist. The gallery occupies the mezzanine level down a long, long hallway. The interior space is intimate and oddly shaped - it has some resonance with Adobe Books Back Room gallery (3166 16th Street, San Francisco). If I was to believe in, or have more knowledge of, sacred geometry I might evoke a theory. But I'm not, nor do I.
Their first year of artists has been quirky and conceptual, without straying into the stinky pedantic and pretentious. Each show comes off with a level of freshness, and modest excitable energy. As my wife (Ingrid Keir, she has a name) is apt to say, "quiet storm." Keep your eye on this space and support them. One way that you can do this is via their artist prints, a series of affordable works on paper.
Jancar Jones Gallery
965 Mission, Suite 120
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-281-3770
Thursday-Saturday, noon-6pm & by appointment
www.jancarjones.com/
I'm really really (really really) encouraging folks to take some time to see this magic little show of paintings by Takako Yamaguchi. Jumping off from the best of Op Art, without the annoying sandy rub, Yamaguchi mines the depths of California landscape painting through the lens of a surrealist. Opulent brushwork. Baroque, if sun bleached palette. Just get yer ass down there. Up through this Saturday, February 28th. Last week! Last week!
Even if you miss the current show, I strongly recommend visiting this unique little gallery in downtown San Francisco. Celebrating one year this month, Eric Renehan Jones and Ava Jancar have created a place with integrity. Close to the downtown gallery scene (á la 49 Geary and the museum ghetto) but with a spot of its own, taking the walk over to Jancar Jones Gallery is a must.
The building is reminiscent of a Haruki Murakami novel, where the character gets off an elevator on to a floor which doesn't really exist. The gallery occupies the mezzanine level down a long, long hallway. The interior space is intimate and oddly shaped - it has some resonance with Adobe Books Back Room gallery (3166 16th Street, San Francisco). If I was to believe in, or have more knowledge of, sacred geometry I might evoke a theory. But I'm not, nor do I.
Their first year of artists has been quirky and conceptual, without straying into the stinky pedantic and pretentious. Each show comes off with a level of freshness, and modest excitable energy. As my wife (Ingrid Keir, she has a name) is apt to say, "quiet storm." Keep your eye on this space and support them. One way that you can do this is via their artist prints, a series of affordable works on paper.
Jancar Jones Gallery
965 Mission, Suite 120
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-281-3770
Thursday-Saturday, noon-6pm & by appointment
www.jancarjones.com/
2/23/09
THE ART BOOM IS OVER
www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/arts/design/15cott.html?scp=22&sq=art&st=cse
A flawed, slightly fatalistic look at the history of American art during booms and busts. Something to think about and decide for yourself. Ultimately, having some perspective on all this shite is important. As people who make culture, and consume it.
This subject came up last night at my local bar, the Uptown. I was chatting with Brion Nuda Rosch, artist and bartender on Monday nights. I fessed up to making work specifically for the Miami Art Fair one year. Brion mentioned bending his art production schedule to be timed with Portland's Art Fair. Not that there is anything wrong with it, with art fairs, with selling work. More an acknowledgment of the reasons that we make art, and the factors that go into those decisions. By the way, I didn't sell a single a single piece from my Miami series.
A flawed, slightly fatalistic look at the history of American art during booms and busts. Something to think about and decide for yourself. Ultimately, having some perspective on all this shite is important. As people who make culture, and consume it.
This subject came up last night at my local bar, the Uptown. I was chatting with Brion Nuda Rosch, artist and bartender on Monday nights. I fessed up to making work specifically for the Miami Art Fair one year. Brion mentioned bending his art production schedule to be timed with Portland's Art Fair. Not that there is anything wrong with it, with art fairs, with selling work. More an acknowledgment of the reasons that we make art, and the factors that go into those decisions. By the way, I didn't sell a single a single piece from my Miami series.
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