Hello friends. I'm sorry I haven't posted recently - but I've been kind of...distracted.
Yet, today is my birthday, so I am going to share some videos with you. I also want to review Spore, and talk about WALL*E but that is in good time and I promise I'll dust ye off. But to celebrate my age turning, I'm going to show you my favorite things to watch on YouTube.
DRESDEN DOLLS - Lonesome Organist Rapes Page Turner
EBN-OZN - AEIOU Sometimes Y
BOOKA SHADE - Charlotte
MINISTRY - Lay Lady Lay
ROBYN S - Show Me Love
See yall soon!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Top Up
Pretty much anyone who has ever been to London has delighted in the convenience and sheer mass of Topshop, which exclusively sells the oh-so popular Kate Moss at Barney's in the US. In the UK its a bit of a bore because of its affordability and accessibility, which inevitably means the Brits usually dress better than us.
When I was there this past November, I literally stood frozen for about 8 minutes until my friend Thimali pushed me along. It was like someone climbed into my brain and began to design and after combing the store for several hours, I found a killer waist coat and a pair of Faith shoes that I pull out on the most special of occasions. After smarting rightly from the pound-to-dollar conversion, I could never look at H & M the same again.
However, across my desk came an interesting piece of news. Topshop and Topman are moving into the neighborhood, taking over the storefront on Broadway and Broome once occupied by the streetwear brand Yellow Rat Bastard (What? Graffiti inspired Triple 5 Soul isn't selling so well? Nuts.) this coming September. It is a part of a move into the US market, NY being the test store. And New Yorkers are going to devour the store like an Opening Ceremony sample sale.
Here are some shots from the lookbook. Its broken up into four parts: Darkside (pretty , feminine mod), Wonderland (dresses, color, more "fantasy"), Bandstand (military, brass buttons), and Sedition (menswear, very 90s). I dig Wonderland and Sedition the best...but I would.
I was invited to preview the Topshop American FW 08/09 collection this past week and I almost dissolved into nervous giggles.
Thrilling. Its also interesting to note that they are going to be sponsoring McCarren Pool events this summer, so its safe to say they are pretty knowledgeable about their American demographic. Sign me up. Twice.
When I was there this past November, I literally stood frozen for about 8 minutes until my friend Thimali pushed me along. It was like someone climbed into my brain and began to design and after combing the store for several hours, I found a killer waist coat and a pair of Faith shoes that I pull out on the most special of occasions. After smarting rightly from the pound-to-dollar conversion, I could never look at H & M the same again.
However, across my desk came an interesting piece of news. Topshop and Topman are moving into the neighborhood, taking over the storefront on Broadway and Broome once occupied by the streetwear brand Yellow Rat Bastard (What? Graffiti inspired Triple 5 Soul isn't selling so well? Nuts.) this coming September. It is a part of a move into the US market, NY being the test store. And New Yorkers are going to devour the store like an Opening Ceremony sample sale.
Here are some shots from the lookbook. Its broken up into four parts: Darkside (pretty , feminine mod), Wonderland (dresses, color, more "fantasy"), Bandstand (military, brass buttons), and Sedition (menswear, very 90s). I dig Wonderland and Sedition the best...but I would.
I was invited to preview the Topshop American FW 08/09 collection this past week and I almost dissolved into nervous giggles.
Thrilling. Its also interesting to note that they are going to be sponsoring McCarren Pool events this summer, so its safe to say they are pretty knowledgeable about their American demographic. Sign me up. Twice.
Friday, June 13, 2008
FRIDAY AFTERNOON VIDEOS
Because there is nothing else to do:
A great music movie. One of the best.
"Dream Operator" - True Stories
Whatever happened to digital hardcore? Am I just too old?
"Speed" - ATR
I originally put up "Mercy Seat", and then I watched this performance (around 2:00) and my mind was literally blown all over the computer screen. It's quite gross.
"Hallelujah" - Nick Cave & Bad Seeds
My super weirdo. New York, NY - its so good they had to name it twice
"New York New York", Nina Hagen
A great music movie. One of the best.
"Dream Operator" - True Stories
Whatever happened to digital hardcore? Am I just too old?
"Speed" - ATR
I originally put up "Mercy Seat", and then I watched this performance (around 2:00) and my mind was literally blown all over the computer screen. It's quite gross.
"Hallelujah" - Nick Cave & Bad Seeds
My super weirdo. New York, NY - its so good they had to name it twice
"New York New York", Nina Hagen
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Chicago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava, the Spanish architect famed for creating painfully intricate, mega-futuristic, entirely unpractical and overly conceptual buildings and sculptures is building a 2,000 foot spire in my hometown. Apparently the skyscraper, when completed, will be the largest one in North America (take THAT, CN Tower!).
It will also be the world's tallest residential building at 115 stories tall(and an awesome terrorist target). Ground broke in 2007 and its going to be in totally prime position right next to that eyesore of an apartment building, the Lakepoint towers and lording over Navy Pier like the massive phallic figure it is. Whats awesome is, like most of Calatrava's stuff, its totally inspired by nature. Each window is rotated at 2.44 degrees from the one below it, giving the structure a twisted, unicorn-horn like feel. This long and narrow structure is going to allow the buildings behind it to maintain their views, and uses less land. Apparently, its really green too. Another (beautiful) way the city is becoming less and less inhabitable for the middle class.
Hopefully when its done in 2011, I'll be rich enough to buy a place and sell it two weeks later for twice of what its worth.
It will also be the world's tallest residential building at 115 stories tall(and an awesome terrorist target). Ground broke in 2007 and its going to be in totally prime position right next to that eyesore of an apartment building, the Lakepoint towers and lording over Navy Pier like the massive phallic figure it is. Whats awesome is, like most of Calatrava's stuff, its totally inspired by nature. Each window is rotated at 2.44 degrees from the one below it, giving the structure a twisted, unicorn-horn like feel. This long and narrow structure is going to allow the buildings behind it to maintain their views, and uses less land. Apparently, its really green too. Another (beautiful) way the city is becoming less and less inhabitable for the middle class.
Hopefully when its done in 2011, I'll be rich enough to buy a place and sell it two weeks later for twice of what its worth.
Monday, June 2, 2008
New Brandon Bird's
If I was to know anything about art (I don't) I would be able to say something about the appropriation of popular figures and the hilarity of recontextualizing them (I can't) and how Brandon Bird makes pop art that doesn't try to prove anything (he doesn't).
But when the courageous and dashing Matt Laffey pointed out his new works of his this morning I felt the need to pass them on. I vaguely know of him through the Norton Anthology (a bunch of artists painted Ed Norton in various places and is chock full of silly), but after perusing his website, I've ascertained he is 1) a totally nerdy guy who kind of avoids art world cliches and 2) actually really funny.
Here's his new stuff:
MR. NOODLE oil on canvas 24" x 18" 2008
WHAT NAT SAW oil on canvas 30" x 24" 2008
Bam Thwop oil on canvas 24" x 18" 2008
Pax Cybertronia oil on canvas 18" x 18" 2008
I like that its post-ironic, and has this kind of nostalgic homage to culture. Neo-sincerity? Is that a term? (Not yet). It should be. I'm feeling very neo-sincere. Down with irony, up with idolatry. Indeed.
But when the courageous and dashing Matt Laffey pointed out his new works of his this morning I felt the need to pass them on. I vaguely know of him through the Norton Anthology (a bunch of artists painted Ed Norton in various places and is chock full of silly), but after perusing his website, I've ascertained he is 1) a totally nerdy guy who kind of avoids art world cliches and 2) actually really funny.
Here's his new stuff:
MR. NOODLE oil on canvas 24" x 18" 2008
WHAT NAT SAW oil on canvas 30" x 24" 2008
Bam Thwop oil on canvas 24" x 18" 2008
Pax Cybertronia oil on canvas 18" x 18" 2008I like that its post-ironic, and has this kind of nostalgic homage to culture. Neo-sincerity? Is that a term? (Not yet). It should be. I'm feeling very neo-sincere. Down with irony, up with idolatry. Indeed.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Ugly Body Chairs, or How Design Mostly Sucks
I ran into these chairs separately but they disturbed me equally. I understand that, instead of invoking the sensuality of the human form, they literally translate it and I suppose thats kind of cool, but in the polyurethane and solid colors (both of them just look incredibly plastic-y), it resembles kid's furniture a bit to much.
Aaaaaand its creepy.
First of all, just because you are a hipster icon who thinks he can make shoes, you can't design furniture. Pharrel's Perspective Chair is debuting at the otherwise respectable Galerie Perrotin, and he has some nice explanation about being in love etc. and I suppose its clever because you are literally "putting yourself in someone else's position." But its ugly. I mean, its a seat with feet attached. There is no transition, no smooth lines. It just looks like the girl is taking it in the rear, which is fine - I just don't want to sit on it.
And the sexuality only gets more perverse with Fabio Novembre's "Her" chair which I saw all over this past ICFF. With a delicate ass-mold (which is actually much bigger than it looks, I could scoot around in it), Novembre got all Milk Bar in Clockwork Orange and put a woman almost on her knees. Its kind of funny because you feel kind of exposed sitting in it, like everyone is looking at your tush, but its more of a gimmick than a beautiful piece of furniture. And on top of that, I know its literally "objectifying" women and thats kind of a statement, but its simply too over the top to be a decent design object. Basically, designing something as a conversation piece almost dooms it immediately.
While I appreciate the idea of using unconventional forms, these just seem a little too creepy and corporal for my liking - perhaps I just don't like overt sexuality in my house hold objects. And I just think ole Mr. Williams design is just heinous.
Via Billionaire Boys Club
Aaaaaand its creepy.
First of all, just because you are a hipster icon who thinks he can make shoes, you can't design furniture. Pharrel's Perspective Chair is debuting at the otherwise respectable Galerie Perrotin, and he has some nice explanation about being in love etc. and I suppose its clever because you are literally "putting yourself in someone else's position." But its ugly. I mean, its a seat with feet attached. There is no transition, no smooth lines. It just looks like the girl is taking it in the rear, which is fine - I just don't want to sit on it.
And the sexuality only gets more perverse with Fabio Novembre's "Her" chair which I saw all over this past ICFF. With a delicate ass-mold (which is actually much bigger than it looks, I could scoot around in it), Novembre got all Milk Bar in Clockwork Orange and put a woman almost on her knees. Its kind of funny because you feel kind of exposed sitting in it, like everyone is looking at your tush, but its more of a gimmick than a beautiful piece of furniture. And on top of that, I know its literally "objectifying" women and thats kind of a statement, but its simply too over the top to be a decent design object. Basically, designing something as a conversation piece almost dooms it immediately.
While I appreciate the idea of using unconventional forms, these just seem a little too creepy and corporal for my liking - perhaps I just don't like overt sexuality in my house hold objects. And I just think ole Mr. Williams design is just heinous.
Via Billionaire Boys Club
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