ReSampleMashMixUp

Everyone who likes Youtube, GirlTalk, and/or Hulu should check this out. Major kudos to everyone involved in the making and posting of this film.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/88782/rip-a-remix-manifesto

I would love to hear everyones' thoughts on this film and the issue it focuses on. It seems pretty relevant since much of the art we create in school is based on samples and mashing up ideas from famous individuals. ~TW

TED talk: Can design save newspapers?

Hmmmmm.

Mr Ulankski's 7th & 8th Grade Poem Anthology

I love living in Clifton. Case in point - as friends and I were walking back from Murphy's Pub a heavyset man with a floppy, curly mohawk invited us in for "one more beer for the road." We naturally accepted, and after smooth introductions, found out that he is not only in a ska/metal band, but also teaches 7th and 8th grade at a downtown charter school. We were really only two houses from home, but it was a welcome detour that resulted in one beer, one Loudmouth CD (his band), and most notably one Poetry Anthology from Mr. Mike Ulankski's writing class.

Sure, we all used to write poetry in Jr High, but none to much was worth mentioning. Lots of soppy unrestrained sentiment and entire poems with every single line rhyming - and some of these poems are just that. But reading some of these poems from kids who obviously have a lot to deal with was enlightening and inspiring, and I was really impressed with the frankness and honesty that these kids displayed. Maybe it's just been my experience with art school, but honesty and frankness are both seem to be in rare supply.

Here are a few of my favorite poems. No grammar corrections have been made.


It's Just My Imagination
by Shoneica Freeman

In the dark I dream of ugly creations
It was just my imagination.
In the dark I dream of ugly creation.
Sounds that scare me.
It's just my imagination
In the dark I lay
I wonder if it's near me
In the dark I dream of ugly creations.
I hear things it say
I wonder if it hears me
It's just my imagination
In my mind I pray
Don't appear to me
In the dark I dream of ugly creations.
Under the covers I shake
My eyes get teary
It's just my imagination
Now he's close I see his face
Now he's near me
In the dark I dream of ugly creations.
It's just my imagination.


______________________________________________________________



Young Boy Becoming Bad Old Mother Becoming Sad
By Rauquelle Smith

Young boy becoming bad
Night time is darker than dark
Old mother becoming sad

As a skater would say that's rad
In the night there is no sparks
Young boy becoming bad

She sees that her son is bad
Young boy left in the dark
Old mother becoming sad

More badness in his bad
Left in the water with the sharks
Young boy becoming bad

All mothers scared of the draft
Lots of cars but no where to park
Old mother becoming sad

Sad because his mother is sad
Standing around but no dogs bark
Young boy becoming bad
Old mother becoming sad

______________________________________________________________

Random Thoughts
By Shawntez R

We were crossing the padding and it was dark.
All in the valley of death.
And miles to go before I go to sleep.
Burned up 100s of millions of dollars.
That cursed bet.

Afraid that we'd run away.
I was happy to be out in the world again.
Cradled in her arms.
I could see him standing.
I am the greatest.

RESHOOT RESHOOT | Process Document

2007



2009

David Lynch | Interview Project

David Lynch's Interview Project started June 1st and it looks like it will come out to be a compassionate portrait of America at a rough time. But I have to admit that ever since that Iphone clip, I can't help but bend over laughing every time he opens his mouth. His straight face, odd enuncation, and that goofy ass music is too much for me.

RVCA SKATE PROMO

So, this is a promo put out by RVCA featuring Leo Romero, Kevin "Spanky" Long, Josh Harmony, Cairo Foster, Austin Stephens, Ed Templeton, Keegan Sauder, David Reyes, Nestor Judkins & Julian Davidson. I think everyone knows RVCA for their clothes, their Artist Network Program and the ANP Quarterly, but the actual athletes seem to get marginalized in the big scheme of things. And really, it's what they do that inspires a lot of the art that comes out of the ANP.

I really like the notion that skateboarding itself has specific aesthetic decisions that are made at all times when someone is on a board. And what about the influence that skateboarding has had on culture? I wonder if skateboarding should be taken a little more seriously in mainstream circles and more importantly the art world. Anyways, enjoy the promo - you don't have to skate to take a look.

RANDOM INSPIRATION

Some recent inspiration:

Matthew Palladino

Erwin Wurm's 'One Minute Sculptures'

Below two: "How to be politically incorrect while searching for a bomb"

France By Watercolor #10

It's the beginning of the end of the quarter and and DAAP is gearing up for DAAPworks with some events as early as this Friday. If you're in Cincinnati you should stop by over the next few weeks and check out the work from all the disciplines. There are two more degrees on display for the first time this year, and the exhibition areas have been extended to accommodate all the work. Claire has a more watercolors for us as well. The first is from the passageway mentioned two weeks ago and the second is titled "Castle Views". Best wishes to everyone for the end of the quarter. ~ TW

France By Watercolor #9

Exciting events are afoot this week! Claire's dress is complete and the competition is started. Please go to http://www.brides.com/myweddingplanner/myimages/detail/6437045/ and vote for her. I've included a picture of the dress and her watercolor sketches below. The sketches were the original submission and won her entry to the semi-final stage. The 5 finalists will head to New York in June to see their dress on the runway and have a chance at the grand prize, $10,000! If fashion isn't your thing (don't worry I don't have a clue what most of the dress descriptions mean) we'll get back to Claire's landscapes next week. Happy voting!~TW

France By Watercolor #8

Welcome back, for another delightful image from Claire. This week we're back in Annecy and soon we'll be able to see the dress Claire has spent so much time on. She completed the photo shoot for the dress and is picking the final images to submit to the competition. As soon as they are turned in I'll also post them here. Hope everyone is enjoying the delightful spring weather, it looks like it was particularly nice in Annecy while Claire was painting. Till next week.~TW

This is "right outside of the chateau on a spring morning. Since the town was built during the 12th century, there are a lot of little passageways you can find just walking down the street. They usually run into little patios that overlook the city or a garden. I walked up some random stairs and stumbled upon this spot."

France By Watercolor #7

Besides painting French landscapes and working at Salomon Claire has spent the last few weeks creating a wedding dress for a competition. The deadline for the competition was this week, so soon I'll be able to post her design sketches and the photoshoot of the final dress. This week Claire is taking us to Lake Du Bourget. Enjoy! ~TW

"I took a train one Saturday morning and ended up here. I really liked the reflection of the mountain in the lake which is why I painted it."

Bronques = Weegee?

Yes? No? Each fitting of their times? Discuss? 

Kevin Christy

Via Fecal Face

More from Baltimore: It's a Small World After All

Baltimore is an amazing city for experimental music and cheap/non-existent cover charges.  This past Friday night, I headed down to the HEXAGON for the first Homemade Dance Music Night at which locals could bring their own electronic dance music tracks to be played.  The best part about this venue is that it is volunteer-run, and the front room is a gallery featuring local artists.  

Although I had gone to film the electronic dance mixes, I got a personal tour of the featured artworks by the artists themselves.  By the end of the night, I had met a guy from Cincinnati (he went to Hughes High School), viewed a textile piece threaded with real horse hair, and discovered that BYOB meant a much more relaxed and fun time at the counter.  I almost forgot that I was in downtown Baltimore-- not at an old friend's apartment.  

France By Watercolor #6

Hope everybody is enjoying Claire's art as much as I am. If you are enjoying this, comment, and let her know. Claire has about 6 weeks left in France (till mid June I think) and I hope to continue posting her work till then. This week I have a painting of the Alps for your viewing pleasure and next week we'll see Lake Du Bourget which was mentioned last week.~TW

France By Watercolor #5

Moving right along with this experiment here is the third painting Claire did in Aix-Les-Bain. Hope everyone is enjoying their tour of France as much as I am! ~TW

"Aix-Les-Bain is a really small town. On the other side of the mountains is 'Lake Du Bourget.' I was on the country side surrounded by mountains, endless farmland and horses. I wanted to hop on a train and travel somewhere new in France, and Aix-Les-Bain is only about 40 minutes away from where I live in Annecy. I did the three paintings in one day."

RICHARD ROSS

From the Aperture blog Exposures.

I find this work really intriguing and inspiring, even if it isn't necessarily that innovative. The whole series can be seen online here.


Richard Ross: Photograph as Empty Stage and What's Next from Aperture Foundation on Vimeo.

"Opening in Washington D.C.’s National Building Museum this Saturday is Richard Ross’s exhibition, The Architecture of Authority. With this body of work, American photographer Richard Ross presents unsettling pictures of architectural spaces that each exert a kind of power over the individual. From a Montessori preschool to churches and mosques, to an interrogation room at Guantánamo and segregation cells at Abu Ghraib, Ross’s photographs reflect the state of our post 9/11 world—one in which he believes the public has become accustomed to the abuse of power, erosion of individual liberty, illegitimate authority, and constant surveillance.

In this video, Richard Ross highlights the physical relationship between the viewer and his images. Ross also gives insight into his new project, Suitable Placement: Juvenile Justice in America."

France By Watercolor #4

Welcome to week four. This week is a little different in that Claire did a series of three paintings on a day trip. So todays post will include the first two paintings and next week will have the last painting and the description for all three. The series was done in Aix-Les-Bain, France. ~TW

France By Watercolor #3

Getting back into the swing of quarter this week so this is a day later than I wanted to post it, but here is the third of Claire's watercolor paintings. Funny because it was actually the first one she did. Let me know if you're following this series of posts and if you would like any changes, etc. Now let's hear from Claire about this piece. ~ TW

"This was the first painting I did, shortly after arriving in Annecy. It was getting dark and a storm was coming in over the lake and I was mostly thinking wtf am I doing in France?"

Art CULTURE outside the museum

engaging everyday, you define it >>>

SHARE your experience 

SHARE your city

SHARE art

Check out a video on San Paulo art known as "pixacao" at Cool Hunting.

You might consider it just graffiti, but these street artists risk their lives for it!

Alternative Co-op in Baltimore

The last two weeks of Winter Q were horrendous, but as always, I managed to make it out alive.  The check-list studio was over, I had survived a corrosive chemical attack, and I had even experienced UC's hilly campus on crutches.  All that hardship and still no co-op job in sight. SIGH... but wait, enter the "alternative co-op option." 

The choices were laid out: volunteer, participate in a research project, or travel (not just a lazy beach vacation).  I settled on the first of these and packed my bags for Michigan, unpacked, laid on the couch for a week, and then packed my bags again and boarded a plane for Baltimore! 

Just into my first week, and my alternative co-op had involved some rather unconventional tasks.  I attended the Transmodern Festival and filmed interviews, joined a team of MICA students on a real marketing campaign that required me to measure a bus shelter and freight elevator, and most surprising of all, I helped out at a real mini-documentary filming of a local saxophone legend.

I never anticipated my 3rd co-op to be spent away from a cubicle, but I am actually having fun and learning invaluable lessons (no AutoCAD necessary)! 

France By Watercolor #2

Hello again, I'm posting the second of Claire's watercolors today along with her comments on it. A little background information is necessary for you to understand her story.  As Claire was finalizing the details of her co-op and flying to Chicago to pick up her work visa she found out she had a number of inexplicable tears in her retina. She had to undergo an emergency surgery on both eyes and was confined to her room, blind, for several days. Claire was forced to wait several more weeks for her follow up examination to hear the doctor's evaluation.  Without approval she would not be able to fly again which would end her co-op before it even began. Happily she was cleared to fly and quickly left for Annecy and a French residency. One of the reasons I post Claire's work is to celebrate this story.~TW

"I was sitting on a bench at the far north end of Lake Annecy. While I was painting this I mainly thought about my recent intensive eye surgery I had right before I moved to France and how glad I was to be regaining my eyesight."

Reuben Margolin

OMG this rulez.





"Reuben Margolin, a Bay Area visionary and longtime maker, creates totally singular techno-kinetic wave sculptures. Using everything from wood to cardboard to found and salvaged objects, Reubens artwork is diverse, with sculptures ranging from tiny to looming, motorized to hand-cranked. Focusing on natural elements like a discrete water droplet or a powerful ocean eddy, his work is elegant and hypnotic. Also, learn how ocean waves can power our future. Learn more about Reuben at http://www.reubenmargolin.com"

France by Watercolor

Hello to anyone stopping by. Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting updates from a close friend co-oping in France. Claire is a fashion major with a passion for graphic and industrial design. She is in the middle of a six month co-op with Salomon sports in their Annecy office. Annecy is near the border of Switzerland so Claire's first day of work included testing their ski equipment in the Alps. During her free time Claire does water color paintings and she has submitted them with descriptions for me to post. Check back regularly to see her work and follow her experience in France. ~ TW

"I went on a three hour walk along the lake and found this view to paint. Lake Annecy is the cleanest lake in all of Europe so every part of the lake is quite natural and beautiful to look at. Downtown Annecy has a population of about 50,000 people, but as you walk along the lake you don't get a sense there are that many people around. It's very peaceful."

DUNNE AND RABY

"A collection of adult furniture for the Medici Gardens in Rome.

The spaces in the gardens of the Villa Medici are like rooms, outdoor rooms without furniture. We would like to furnish them, and provide suggestions for how these neutral spaces could be used. Parks are strange places. During the day happy families play out idealised
scenarios of modern life, while at night, they become sites for a variety of illicit activities. Our furniture will make some of these night-time activities more convenient and at the same time, offer a critique of the kind of design that is always trying to make things nice, convenient, user-friendly, efficient and ergonomic (especially public furniture)." - Dunne & Raby


ALSO...





"Hideaway Furniture is part of the Designs for Fragile Personalities in Anxious Times series. There are three versions. They are designed to meet irrational but real needs, in this case, a fear of alien abduction."


AND...



"A building project. A studio and a home. The architect and builder Cassion Castle worked very closely with us. The main requirement:'A place of calm'. It sits hidden behind the shops in Bethnal Green in a tiny street next to garages used by the market traders. Only one south facing facade can be manipulated freely."

AND...



"Parasite light: A light that feeds off the leaky radiation of household electronic products; it only works when placed in electromagnetic fields."



They have so many cool things on their website. I highly recommend you explore their website dunneandraby.co.uk if you're into this stuff.

ROB DYRDEK - LAFAYETTE SAFE SPOT SKATE SPOT

I know my last couple posts have basically all been about the same thing and not exactly art focused, but I'll have to apologize because here we go again.

But before I get into a whole bunch of nerdy skate crap, here is a photo of the largest skateboard in the world, which was at the Grand Opening of the Lafayette Skate Spot and Rob and the Mayor of LA rode.



SO. We all know Rob Dyrdek even if it's just for his MTV antics. What you may not know is that he is single-handedly leading the movement for the transformation of how skateparks are built, where they are built, and ultimately how society views and incorporates skateboarding. I think part of getting that to happen is for people other than skaters to 'See What I See' as was eloquently showcased in these DC shoes commericials.



Dyrdek spearheaded the building of the first Skate Plaza in Kettering, OH in co-operation with DC Shoes. The idea of this park is to break the traditional box of what a skatepark should look like, and mimic the natural street terrain that skateboarders have been skating ever since Natas Kumpas, Mark Gonzales etc etc in the 80's. The whole point is to provide a place to skate without the legal hassles of skateboarding on private property owned by people who are not stoked on their marble benches getting wax and chunks on them.



Unfortunately, the Skate Plaza in Kettering is a $700,000 slab of concrete that needed to go through all kinds of red tape, and still fit into the notion of a skate park as a destination that one might have to drive to. For example, when I attended the University of Dayton only 15 or so odd miles away from the Skate Plaza I was only able to visit it once. I had a bike on campus too, but it was still too far - by the time I got there I'd be too tired to skate.

The draw of skateboarding is it's accessibility and universality. Given a board and sneakers you could skate anywhere with semi- smooth ground. The fact that I couldn't skate the best skatepark in the world when I lived 15 miles away attests to the 'skatepark as a destination' notion as an inaccessible and incompatible concept with skateboarding.

So finally to the SKATE SPOT idea. Rob came up with the idea to split up the ginormous Skate Plaza and place bits of it around the city of LA for people to enjoy sans car ride. I actually had been thinking about this kind of thing this summer, so I'm glad I didn't have to go through the trouble of making it happen.





A SIDE NOTE ON "SELLING OUT": Rob appeared in a commercial for Carl's Jr. and on a series of their large 'collectable' soft drink cups. How much did he make from this? Nothing. IT PAID FOR THE LAFAYETTE SPOT. Can you imagine that? A burger chain paying for a skate spot? Brilliant.

"Happy Star Just Saved My Life."


www.skateplaza.com for anything else you would possibly want to know about it.