On the One

Beats Rhymes and Life - The ATCQ Documentary

2011-08-07T20:27:00.000-07:00

Let's get it straight off the top, this is a movie for Tribe fans. That said, first time director and fellow hip-hop head, Michael Rapport, does do a good job of telling a story that anyone could follow and enjoy.

But as a person who has literally grown up with this group (the members are only three years older than I am), I had an emotional investment in this movie. Hearing their story made me happy and ill at the same time. Seeing Q Tip and Phife beef with one another with Ali stuck in the middle reminded me of my boys. When your crew is more like your family you tend to assume roles in one another's lives that are needed, but aren't always welcomed.

This movie reminded me how much fun hip-hop can and should be. These guys rhymed for the love of the culture. Not to go platinum. Not for endorsements or ringtone royalties. This is the story of young, intelligent, well mannered kids who made a career out of street culture - a personal dream of mine.

Making the world a place for play

2010-09-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

This is a great example of making the world better with creativity. Our surroundings should inspire us. Much love to my new Twitter friends at Greyworld.

Basquiat was complex out of necessity

2010-08-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

Listen to Jean Michel Basquiat in this interview. His disdain for the art world and its willingness to turn him into a "black" artist versus just an artist really ate away at him. He wanted to portrait black themes and figures in his art without them overpowering the message of the art itself. It was the same thing Bill Cosby tried to do with The Cosby Show. Yes, it's a black family, but that's not the story, it's the backdrop.

Throughout his career he fought the art system for his agency. Notice how he doesn't want the art dealer (who I believe is Bruno Bischofberger) standing behind him (or "over" him) in a photo. Nor does he want him "rubbing" on him (like some sort of pet). Do you see how he changes his position to "elevate" himself to same height (or rank) as Bischofberger?

Yeah, I can hear you saying, "dude was paranoid." Well, if he was, the art world created that paranoia. When he began his relationship with Andy Warhol, it was Basquiat that was described as Warhol's pet. The reality was that Warhol used Basquiat's fame to bolster his wanning relevance.

I guess I wrote this post to say this, don't allow race, culture, gender, weight, height, or anything of this nature, fully define who you are.

It's stuff like this that makes me love New York City

2010-07-07T06:57:00.001-07:00

Freedom Tunnel from Charles le Brigand on Vimeo.

I'm just going to repost this story because the author's words are about his first hand experience. But I will say this: New York City is a constant mystery. It reveals a little more about itself everyday to its residents. Even if you lived to be 120 and traveled every street from the Battery to the Bronx, you could never learn all that New York City has to offer. That's why I love it.

These are the words of Carlito Brigante...

"Under Manhattan’s Upper West side, runs the “Freedom” Tunnel. Built in the 30’s by Robert Moses, the passage boasts legendary graffiti murals and piles of debris remaining of the past homeless city era. After using it for only a couple of years, Amtrak discontinued the line and left a massive cavern which later became a shelter for street people. Progressively, the tunnel turned into a veritable underground metropolis where thousands of homeless were living in organized communities underneath the city’s skin.

The tunnel also became a prime spot for graffiti artists. Chris Pape, aka Freedom, was one of the pioneers and his work inspired the name of the tunnel. “Freedom” painted immense murals utilizing the unique lighting provided by the ventilation ducts, turning the tunnel into an extraordinary underground art gallery. Some of his most notable paintings survived for decades and are still conspicuous today (“Venus de Milo”, the “Coca-Cola Mural”, Dali’s “Melting Clock”,a self-portrait featuring a male torso with a spray-can head, etc.).

In 1991, Amtrak decided to reopen the tunnel. The shanty towns were cleared out by the police and homeless were evicted. Although deserted, the tunnel is now an active train line and a stunning experience for urban explorers.

It is a bizarre blend of dark and light, silence and rumble, solitude and multitude. As you penetrate the tunnel and walk along the tracks, the sunbeams perforating the ceiling and highlighting the railway gives the place a post-nuclear feel. Voices from children playing above in Riverside Park sound like lost souls and trains whistling and roaring through the ruins of the shanty towns send chills down your spine.

This is one of the most uncommon and fascinating journeys I’ve ever taken."

People want to believe

2010-07-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

The Non-Toed Fur-Coatie / engl. subtitles from Neozoon Collective on Vimeo.

This artist took fur coats and arranged them like animals and placed them in a cage at a zoo in Germany. The installation is amazing, but it's the comments from the people that make this outstanding.

Unlike Banksy's pet store installation in the West Village of NYC a few years back, this artist has left enough ambiguity in his creations for people to decide if they will believe or not.

As you listen to the comments, it's the children that know that the animals are not real. Most of the parents want to believe. For me, this speaks to the lack of new experiences we have as we get older and our desire to believe that there is more to life than our daily routine.

As technology moves forward, each generation is exposed to cooler stuff. So their imagination will, in some ways, be far more advanced that ours, because things like family vacations on the moon and jet packs will no longer be cool sci-fi tales.

Sneaker Jams

2010-06-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

More on this idea of sneakers as a communication tool. THIS IS DOPE. Nuff said.

Paul McCarthy - Artist

2010-06-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

This kat is nuts in the most innovative way. I love his work. It's a little too twisted for me at times, but he is most certainly worth following.

Dennis Hopper: An art collector that acted

2010-06-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

When I first saw a book of Dennis Hopper's photography I was blown away. The framing, content and emotion was amazing. As I sought more of his work I learned that Hopper has been highly involved in the art scene sense the 60's. As you can see from this clip, his collection is vast and chocked full of interesting stories. What he says about acting I feel applies to life in general. We should experience culture so that we can learn from it, add to it and change it for the better.

Sneakers as a communicatioin tool

2010-05-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

audiobullys - only man from EL NINO on Vimeo.

I believe that sneakers are a non-verbal form of communication. They can give you great insight into a person. Color, brand, clean, dirty, shoelaces or the lack there of are just a few things that I use to guess personality type, where someone grew up, their (mental) age...all sort of stuff. Most of the time I'm spot on. I thought this was cool because it uses sneakers as its main medium for storytelling. I'd use these as art pieces in my crib if they ever became available.

J Dilla celebrated as a composer. Hip Hop lives!!!

2010-05-21T08:25:00.002-07:00

FULL SCREEN
The Sounds of VTech / Suite for Ma Dukes in Cedar Falls

I heard about this and then two days later I found this on one of the blogs I follow....

A year ago, conductor Jason Weinberger heard Suite for Ma Dukes for the first time. A long time fan of J. Dilla, Weinberger’s first thought when he heard the music was that he needed to find a way to perform Miguel Atwood-Ferugon’s “stunning reinventions of Dilla’s music.” ”I’m always looking for ways to open up the traditional orchestra experience to new things anyway, so this seemed very natural.”
After a quick Google search, Jason found Miguel and sent him a message to see if there was anyway to get the Dilla pieces in front of one of the orchestras he worked with. A few months later they met in LA and connected over Dilla, Flying Lotus, and Lutoslawski, and the rest is history.
Earlier this year, Miguel Atwood-Ferugon and the Mochilla Team flew out to Cedar Falls, Iowa to witness J. Dilla’s music being performed as part of the WCFSO’s (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra) tribute to Great American Composers. The evening had Dilla’s music performed alongside legends Duke Ellington and William Grant Still.
“As the person responsible for programming the concert, I probably don’t have to explain how exciting it was for me to find myself performing Dilla’s music with the WCFSO. Even more gratifying, though, were other aspects of the evening – feeling the connections emerge between Dilla and his predecessors William Grant Still and Duke Ellington, taking the orchestra outside of its comfort level and in process to a whole other level of music making, and especially offering our audience the opportunity to abandon preconceptions and discover something special. In the words of one listener in attendance that night, ‘the music was beyond interesting, especially the movements from Suite for Ma Dukes by J. Dilla…’ we were swept along enjoying sound adventures we never could have imagined that we would enjoy.” – Jason Weinberger
Watch as this video takes you on a sound adventure and witness the magic of Dilla’s music performed on what would have been the eve of his 36th birthday to a sold out audience. The standing ovation Miguel received was testament not only to the beauty of his work on Dilla’s music, but the power of music. Sounds ability to open ears, minds, and hearts.
“I think Dilla would have been proud of that.” – Jason Weinberger

Steve Powers aka ESPO

2010-05-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

Steve Powers is one of my favorite artists. Not only is his style sick, his message is crazy smart and funny.

2010-05-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

This is the power of street culture. I would go on, but I might start crying. Yeah, I said it.

Tree hugging rocks

2010-05-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

These kats built some very artful ramps out of wood and dirt to create a track that makes me want to go spend some serious coin on a bike. This is the first time that mountain biking looks as cool as bmx freestyle, which is my sport of choice.

The close-minded see a lot of junk.

2010-05-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Pop Hit - Electric Puha from Department of Development on Vimeo.

Check out this story I found online...

"...years ago we found some old 16mm reals on a flee market in AMST. stuffed in a blank wrapper, so we did not know where it came from. when played from a 16mm projector we discovered fascinating 70's skateboard stuff. we digitalised the reels and started vj-ing with it during our dj/vj events."

As we walk through life we have a tendency to categorize things as useful and useless. But if we took the time to deconstruct the purpose of everything around us, we'd start to realize that everything (even people) have more to offer than meets the eye.

Currently I am working on re-imagining myself. What else can I do? Not as a career, but as a person? I have certain skills/talents, like everyone, but I know there's more that I could be doing with them. As I discover what those things are I'll let you know.

DJ Ron V - Birthday mix

2010-01-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

Live Basement Mix: CB3 Birthday Beats from DJ Ron V on Vimeo.

Big up to my boy DJ Ron V for this birthday mix. I admire this kat a lot. Much love, brother. Two up, two down in the house.

ELLE News Blog:Sartorial Sitdown With Cintra Wilson

2009-12-12T19:43:00.001-08:00

ELLE News Blog:Sartorial Sitdown With Cintra Wilson

Posted using ShareThis

Words can't even begin to explain how dope this is.

2009-12-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

Everyone's an artist. Anything is an art tool.

2009-12-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

I love this because it's Jackson Pollock meets street culture meets very tight knit, if not mob like, motorcycle culture. When you hang this piece on the wall it is going to smell of burnt rubber, oil, grease - all olfactory ques of machismo. So this work will literally reek of manliness. I have never experienced a piece of art that played with so many senses at one time. It's like you're meeting the rider at the same time.

At first glance, the movement in the piece is fluid and melodic. But if you stare at it for a while you notice the aggression. The power. The raw emotion. It's like this piece is telling you how it feels to ride a bullet bike. It looks cool and even beautiful in some ways. But underneath all that is a gas powered expression of anger, rage and a deep desire to escape the monotony of "a safe life" for a few moments of reckless abandonment.

We're not jaded. We're bored.

2009-10-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hand from Above from Chris O'Shea on Vimeo.

Audience - rAndom International from Chris O'Shea on Vimeo.

Flap to Freedom by ico design from Chris O'Shea on Vimeo.

One of my art professors from college told me that a study showed that the average person looks at a piece of art in a museum for 1.6 seconds. I didn't believe him. So I went to the local museum that weekend to observe people interacting with a visiting exhibit of one of the great masters. Sure enough, people strolled through the collection like they were shopping a grocery aisle.

Chris O'Shea's work makes that impossible. His work commands that you interact with it. You will become a part of his imagination. You will investigate and engage and enjoy art because you are now an (art piece and a) artist yourself.

Art, like industry, has to evolve to meet the needs of the consumer. By engaging people in art they become open to learning more about the history of art, communication and the role technology now plays in it.

We Were Once a Fairytale

2009-10-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

A short film about Kanye West by Spike Jonze from greggina talumewo on Vimeo.

This is a very interesting piece. Allow me to give my interpretation...

Kanye's insistence to pay for the champagne symbolizes the notion that he's not been given anything to get to where he is today. He's earned his position as a multi-talented, internationally known artist.

The drunken stupor seems to be a way of demonstrating the false reality that comes with being a celebrity, his lack of focus since the passing of his mother and the break down in communication between his actions and his actual intentions. You can see the fear, the strong desire for meaningful connections with people and the random epiphanies about the inappropriate ways he communicates sometimes.

Fonzsworth plays the roll of people in Kanye's life that try to help him deal with some of the more obvious drama of stardom. They try to clear everything else out of his life in hopes that it allows him to focus on the things that they see within him that they can't assist with.

The back room is Kanye's personal life where he seeks affection and intimacy. But, thus far, it has not been what he's envisioned for himself and the failed results are played out in the open, subject to speculation and ridicule.

So is Kanye ill? Yes and no. He wants to show us that he's filled with love and beauty and passion. But he is in pain, which is why he vomited. And it is also why he grabbed the knife. He wanted to rid himself of whatever seems to be driving him to do all the things that he seems to regret now - his ego.

Notice he didn't kill it himself. He wanted us to realized that that part of his life was never really him in the first place. Once he no longer allowed that personal demon to feed off of him, he made it see that it was time for it to die.

But then again, what do I know?

The world fears the new.

2009-10-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Originality. What is so scary about it? As someone who is tasked with coming up with "new" ways to communicate with people, I don't find many people who are looking for something totally foreign to them. People want what is palatable. Comfortable. Easy. Safe. Familiar.

How does creativity flourish in an environment with more and more tools at its disposal, but faced with people who don't want to use their imaginations to see beyond what they know into what is possible? Did that make any sense? I apologize if I'm babbling. I started this blog as a way to give myself more control of my creative outlets. But this post is less an expression of imaginative thought but a rare admission of the world's feeble desire for it.

The world fears the new. But I fear not the world.

Paul Smith - Cyclist

2009-09-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

I'm currently in the market for a bicycle. As fall slowly sets in I have been envisioning myself cycling about town, enjoying the colorful theater of falling leaves. My inspiration comes partly from the great images The Satorialist has captured of people around the world atop their cycles. The other is Sir Paul Smith, fashion designer.

This video continues the theme of my blog - creativity comes from the pursuit of God given passions. Paul Smith explains here how his love of cycling lead to his career in fashion. He then goes on to explain how his colorful fashion collections were inspired by the jerseys, or vests, professional cyclists wear. I have always wondered where his fascination with color came from.

So, if you happen to see a happy-go-lucky gent on a bicycle, give a shout or a honk. It just might be yours truly.

INSA X Nike IAM1 Maxim Project

2009-07-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

Wow, this is hot. So simple, yet.... wow, this is so hot! INSA is so amazing. Love this work.

Kehinde Wiley's new Black Light

2009-07-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

Kehinde Wiley, an amazing artist that I almost had the pleasure of working with, has a new book called Black Light. For those who are not up on this artist, check out his Wikipedia post. Yeah, I know, I'm being lazy. Enjoy.

How do you communicate?

2009-07-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

The true beauty of communcation is that it never lacks for form. This work floors me. I love it because it is rich with simplicity. It makes me excited just to experience it. How perfectly and joyfully profound. It touches me on so many levels. I'm just awe struck. If you find yourself in LA in the next few weeks, you must see this show. And then call me and tell me about it.

Eine's "The A – Z of Change"
Opening Reception: Thursday July 9 2009 / 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Exhibition Dates: July 9 – July 30 2009
Address: Carmichael Gallery / 1257 N. La Brea Ave / West Hollywood / CA / 90038

Spike Lee saved me from a life of work

2009-07-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

Spike is the reason I went to college. I had no idea that careers in communication existed until I saw "School Daze." I was fifteen and never thought about film and photography or advertising or anything like that as a "job." It didn't seem like something you could get paid to do. It was too fun.

At fifteen, my viewpoint of "work" was something you did because you had to. There weren't many people with careers where I grew up. Teachers, maybe, but that was it. Everybody I saw worked - in the most utilitarian sense of the word. They didn't talk about their jobs with pride or brag about their accomplishments. Unless they got a raise. Gettin' paid, that's what working was about.

Praise God that my calling was revealed to me at a young age! I've never spent a day of my adult life "working." I do what I do because I love it. It is truly a blessing.

Sneaker Culture - A Design Aesthetic

2009-07-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

David Park, a recent graduate of Parsons created this for his thesis project. The idea that sneaker culture is being studied as a design aesthetic gives more creditability to the idea that we as wearers of great (classic) kicks are living design pieces. Personal style, especially in sneaker culture, continues to push all areas design to new levels. We take from high and low culture and make what we want out of it. No rules. Just whatever is hot. I love that.

Michael Jackson - Thank you

2009-06-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

My heart is heavy this evening. The death of Michael Jackson makes me sad, yes. But this is a man who for the latter part of his life was abused by the media. No, he was not a perfect person. But he brought more joy and smiles to the world than anyone could in ten lifetimes. He had a gift that we all took part in. Let us not forget all that Michael Jackson did not just for music, but pop culture. There is NO ONE born turning the "jackson five" era that can say that Michael Jackson did not effect their life in some way. I had penny loafers, a glitter glove, sang love songs, and discovered James Brown's moves (thus falling madly in love with dance) because of Michael Jackson. "Off the Wall" was the first album (yes wax album) I ever purchased with my own money. I was six years old. The "Victory" tour was my very first major concert. I can honestly say that a part of who I am is because of who he was. May God grant your soul peace, MJ. I will truly miss you.

The Roots - HIGO

2009-06-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

The latest album from The Roots "How I Got Over" or HIGO, I'm sure will not disappoint. Above is them performing the title track. But this post really isn't about the new album. I'm still torn on my feelings about them being the house band for a TV talk show. Jimmy Fallon's no less. Not that I'm hatin', not at all. I'm sure the show gives them exposure to people that may never see or hear The Roots otherwise. But still, y'all, this is one of the best hip-hop groups of our generation. It pains me that they have never gotten the record sales they deserve. Yet kats like Jeezy, Weezy and whatever other ...eezy are out there selling records like they got $100 bills hidden in them. Okay, now I'm hatin'.

WK

2009-06-22T22:04:00.000-07:00

I just discovered the art of WK. As you can see, his style plays out in several mediums, each more interesting than the next. The overarching theme seems to be urban guerilla warfare, which both excites and humors me. Each piece evokes several emotions, which speaks to the complexity of the artist. City life allows you to be to exposed to the best and worst of society, and this kat's work shows you that. It's gully while being intelligent, possibly even classically trained. Like the average city dweller, the more time you spend with each piece, the more depth you discover. Or you could glance at it and write it off as garbage. The art, like the artist it seems, doesn't give a crap what you think of it. You don't have to appreciate it. You just have to live with it. And that forced existence is what eventually causes minds to open. Man, I miss New York.

Shepard Fairey - The process

2009-06-18T22:19:00.000-07:00

Shepard Fairey from Arkitip on Vimeo.

I am always humbled by an artist's process. In most cases, bringing a vision to life is not a beautiful thing. It takes trial and error and patience and solitude. At least for some. The idea that Fairey let someone peep his process is amazing to me. Not that it's some secret formula. It's just the idea of having someone watch while you create is taboo to me. The last thing I want is someone asking me questions about something I haven't quite figured out myself. Granted Shep might have his style down to a science at this point, but still - I need that room to do what I do. Call it insecurity, call it performance anxiety, whatever. I'm just not there, yet. Again, I will say that it is really cool to watch. I actually enjoyed the process more than seeing the finished piece. I guess I'm always trying to peep game to steal game. Hey, why not learn from the best, right?

Creole

2009-06-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

Nice mellow joint from Charlie Hunter featuring the mighty Mos

Anonymity breeds creativity

2009-06-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

I got an envelope.com is a great idea. It is anonymous way for a person to express themselves. Granted, you could get a nut ball to send you something, but I think that a lot of people will take it as an opportunity to send someone a glimpse into their personality. I'm going to do it just to see what type of people live in my area. Cheers.

Bueller, Bueller, Bueller?

2009-05-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

The Ben Rose Home designed by A. James Speyer and David Haid, both notable architects of the 20th Century, is for sale. You may know it as the house where Cameron crashed his dad's Ferrari through the window. Yeah, that house. This home was my first glimpse into modern design. Its lines and simplicity and use of windows to give the illusion of actually living in nature left me in awe. In the movie, Ferris described this house as "...a museum - very cold and very beautiful...," which is the critique of most modern homes. But that is because most people are afraid of negative space and/or the idea of “the new.” Anything well designed - be it food, clothes, cars - requires the sensibilities of a visionary. Someone who believes (and demands) that a "thing" be so more than just a thing.

Take it easy

2009-05-26T12:37:00.001-07:00

A Tuesday kind of groove.

Zephyr speaks

2009-05-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

Zephyr is one of the true old heads of graff culture. I always wondered if his tag had anything to do with the kats in Dogtown. Now I know. Street culture is more complex than most bother to consider. I love how the kats from the 80s have shaped current fashion, music, art, theater, dance and even technology trends - just by being themselves. The idea of being "fresh" or giving style to mundane things will forever make "the streets" the birth place of innovation.

Rebuilding the world with imagination

2009-05-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

This artist's project made me smile. Acttually, it made me feel something. It made me realize how easy it is to effect our surroundings. Anything can be made beautiful. It doesn't require money - thinking like that might hinder the process. Thrift stores, an alley, random crap around your house...art is literally what you make it. Enjoy this project. Hopefully it will inspire you to do something cool.

ICFF May 16th to the 19th

2009-05-19T10:59:00.001-07:00

Yeah, yeah, I know...Johnny Come-Lately bringing you the news of the "was." Yes, today is the last day of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in NYC. And yes, I haven't been keeping up with things over the past few days, so I'm just finding out about it now. Luckily I have cool friends like my homegirl NatJam who attended the show and took some cool pics of a few of the pieces on display.

This is the ultimate show in the states for lovers of contemporary furniture. If I remember correctly, it is not open to the public, but one can always weasel their way in. Again, I think it's not open to the public, so do your investigating for, alas, next year. Hopefully I will be there with you.

"Good Hair" movie by Chris Rock

2009-05-15T13:52:00.001-07:00

The HBO Films documentary “Good Hair,” co-written and produced by Chris Rock, will finally arrive in US theaters this year after world rights were picked up by Roadside Attractions and Liddell Entertainment.

Roadside will release the film domestically in the fall, reports Variety. Lionsgate will handle home video and other domestic ancillary rights, while HBO retains pay cable rights.

The documentary also stars Rock as he shares hair recollections with such celebs as Maya Angelou, Nia Long, Raven Symone, Ice-T and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Stories of how hairstyles impacted their lives and self-esteem helped Rock formulate an answer to a question posed by his daughter.

“Good Hair” was directed by Jeff Stilson, a writer and co-producer of HBO’s “The Chris Rock Show.”

This is what Hip Hop is all about

2009-05-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

We're all fans first. Sometimes it's easy to forget that. This so cool to watch. Man, I love hip-hop.

Mos Def "Casa Bey" original sample

2009-05-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

I found an article that mentioned the original song. This makes me happy. I love soul music.

N.A.S.A - The Spirit of Apollo Album

2009-05-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

I've worked with Squeak E Clean before. He and his team has some really good tracks. N.A.S.A looks like a band I'm going to have to start following.

I copied this from a website...

Brazilo/hip hop/funk duo N.A.S.A. are orbiting down under for a tour on the back of their debut release 'Spirit of Apollo'. N.A.S.A. is an ongoing creative collaboration between two lifelong music aficionados, Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon, and their friends, friends of friends and musical heroes. While N.A.S.A. stands for North America/South America and contains a number of superstar artists from both coasts of the U.S., it is about as far from a tension-building geographical showdown as a record can get. Rather, The Spirit of Apollo was born with the righteous goal of bringing people together through music and art, and that is exactly what masterminds Sam Spiegel (Squeak E. Clean) and Ze Gonzales (DJ Zegon) have done. Their debut song Gifted (featuring heavy weights Kanye West, Santogold and Lykke Li) has sky rocketed up the charts.

New Mos Def - "Casa Bey" - The Ecstatic - 6.9.09

2009-05-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

Mos Def - "Casa Bey" - The Ecstatic - 6.9.09

The video is smart and fresh. The track is bangin' - O'lawd I gotta find that sample! I have missed the dude. I'm so glad to have a new album to rock. Now if we can only get a Blackstar album from him and Talib it'll be like Christmas in the summertime, for real. Big up to my boy Marco - Good looks on this one.

Spike Lee's doc on Kobe Bryant - "Kobe Doin' Work"

2009-05-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

Spike Lee is the reason I went to college. Seriously. When I was fifteen I saw his second major film, "School Daze", and from that moment I knew I wanted to be a film director. Well, I didn't quite live out that dream, but his career opened me up to the entire communications industry, so thanks Spike - if you're out there.

Anyway, one of Spike's latest joints is a doc about Kobe Bryant. One game, thirty cameras. Coach Phil Knight gave Spike an all-access pass to film Kobe throughout the game, netting what seems to be a really interesting story.

Spike said that he got the idea from a film he saw at the Cannes Film Festival a couple of years ago that was a about legendary soccer player Zidane.

It airs this Saturday, 5/16/09 on ESPN.

See more about this doc

The new Terry Kennedy Supras are so tight!!!

2009-05-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

I think the new Terry Kennedy's from Supra are hotter than the Yeezy's. I ain't hatin', I'm just saying. They're sleeker and more versatile.

Something cool for anyone in NY this weekend 5/7-5/10

2009-05-08T08:24:00.000-07:00

If you're in New York, and haven't made your plans for the evening, check out theGREAToutDOORS. a show that celebrates "the door as canvas" at the Artbreak Gallery. Curated by luna park and billi kid the show features work by Blanco, Broken Crow, Buildmore, Cake, C-Damage, Celso, Cern, Chris (RWK), Deeker, Destroy&Rebuild, Dude Company, Feral, Goldenstash, Imminent Disaster, Infinity, Kngee, LA 2, Matt Siren, Morgan Thomas, Peru Ana Ana Peru, Plasma Slugs, Veng (RWK), Royce Bannon, Skullphone, Stickman, Windowzoo and Yassie Goldie.

Artbreak Gallery is located at 195 Grand Street, 2nd Floor, between Bedford and Driggs
Avenues in Williamsburg. Hours are Thursday through Sunday, 1-7pm.

People making the world better, literally.

2009-05-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

I have never been to Berlin, but I would love to wander its streets and discover all of Mentalgassi's work. By giving life to utilitarian items he forces people to rediscover their surroundings. Thus causing us all to think like artists. Like my previous posts about Mario Bellini's furniture, I really like it when anyone reinvents the world around them.

http://mentalgassi.blogspot.com/

The Connection Vol. 1

2009-05-01T22:01:00.000-07:00

Why write about how fire this album is when you can listen? http://tinyurl.com/dx27ej

The New Yeezys drop May 2nd.

2009-05-01T20:42:00.000-07:00

For those not up on Kanye West's deal with Nike....
http://sneakernews.com/2008/04/18/nike-x-kanye-west-air-yeezys/

A gift for all my crate diggers.

2009-05-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

Q Tip sent this out via Twitter today. So mellow. So very, very, tight.

Major Lazer - New album is "Hold the Line"

2009-05-01T12:32:00.000-07:00

These kats are hot. Diplo and Switch produced “Paper Planes," so right off the top they have my vote. That was one of the tightest beats of 2008, hands down.

A luminescent air-filled furniture line by Mario Bellini for Meritalia.

2009-05-01T11:59:00.001-07:00

I love this because it’s art first and furniture second. Imagine if we viewed everything (pencils, door knobs, etc) as possible works of art first? It opens the world up to so many new possibilities. Anything can be anything. Challenge yourself to rethink something today.

"New York Street Advertising Takeover" Brings Art to Over 120 Illegal Billboards in NYC

2009-05-01T10:52:00.000-07:00

This past weekend a group of artists and regular joes got together and took over 120 illegal billboards around New York City. The company that owns the billboards has no permits from the city for any of their locations, yet makes a truckload of money littering the city. This is communication. Companies speak, then the people speak. The companies win in the end, usually (most of the art work was covered up with ads within 24 hours). But it is nice to know that we still have a voice.