The Real Invisible Man

If you aren't familiar with Chinese Artist Liu Bolin, prepare to be amazed.  Although this may look like computer generated images, this artist actually paints himself into select environments.  The believability of his work is outstanding, as is his ability to both affect and assimilate into the scenery he chooses.

For more examples of his work, click HERE

A Little Something to Make you Feel Better

Photo credit: Ng Han Guan / Associated Press

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...and in this case I can't argue.  Not only is this piece by Chinese artist Chen Wenling a knock out on its own, but its meaning hits home to many of us at this point in time.  Entitled What You See Might Not Be Real, this piece is said to be "a critique of the global financial crisis with the bull representing the golden bull of Wall Street and the man pinned to the wall representing the jailed financier Bernard Madoff," or so we are told from the Associated Press.  The reference might not suit you, I don't know if I can agree that it was really wall street that slammed Madoff, but regardless, who can argue with a flying bull?  

Kindred Times and Sacred Goodbyes: Artists in Tel Aviv

In South Tel Aviv four local artists, Hope, Klone, Zero Cents and Foma, have turned their weekend project into a pretty cool public exhibition.  For sometime now these four have spent their weekends together decorating buildings that strike their fancy.   One such building happened to be the abandoned ruins of an old house in the American Colony.  They found themselves being drawn back every weekend, and as the work progressed the decision was made to turn the house over to the public for an exhibition coinciding with the arTLV (Israel’s art establishment biennale).  

The building is remarkable not only because of the work done within the walls, but also for its location down the street from a police station.  Vandalism is not taken lightly in Tel Aviv, and street art has not been officially declared legal.   The work is intriguing to say the least, its a mixture of political statements and fanciful creatures hovering on different levels and interacting with the natural environment.  For more stills click HERE, for clips of the public's reaction see the video below.  

JR: Women are Heroes

JR,  the French Photographer/Street artist known for pasting his gigantic portraits on buildings around the world, has a new exhibition as part of his 28 millimeters project.   Entitled Women are Heroes, this exhibition highlights the stories of select women in some of the most dangerous places in the world including Rio de Janeiro and Kibera, Kenya. 

Its powerful work, at times heart wrenching, but the end result is a piece of public art that inspires strength and happiness to those observing and participating.  The women he photographed and interviewed are dubed heroes not only because they have survived horrible conditions that most of us cannot even begin to fathom, but because when the camera is out they can still laugh, proving that they have not been broken by their conditions.

See below for the trailer:

David LaChapelle, an Artist you Didn't even Know you Knew

David LaChapelle might not be a name you recognize outright, however his photographs are probably something you have seen many times without ever realizing it.  LaChapelle has had a prestigious career, in fact he was recruited by Andy Warhol to shoot for Interview Magazine before he was even out of high school.  He is known for his highly saturated, decadent, and often risky photographs of  celebrities including Kanye West, Tupac Sakur, Madonna, Lance Armstrong, and Lady Gaga (in her recent Rolling Stones cover  in which she was wearing nothing but pink bubbles).

At the moment there is much talk about his most recent work at the David Desanctis Gallery in LA, The Rape of Africa.  Modeled after Botticelli's famous piece Venus and Mars (see image above) This work depicts Naomi Campbell as Venus, and Mars as an anonymous, sleepy white male modeled straight out of a Renaissance painting.  Little African boys wielding rocket launchers and automatic weapons replace the putti's and in the background tractors tear up the barren landscape.  Its a powerful piece, and non to subtle.   Besides making a striking social statement, this piece is extremely detailed, showing every line of the golden loot Mars has claimed, as well as every diamond in the bullet riddled replica of Damien Hurst's infamous diamond skull.

Check out a high res image of the piece, minus the bare-breasted Campbell which didn't make it past the LA Times censor, HERE, and the full shot HERE.

From out that Shadow: Edgar Allen Poe at the Ransom Center

The Harry Ransom Center, a museum, library, and literary epicenter of the University of Texas at Austin is show casing the life and times of one Mr. Edgar Allen Poe.  The exhibition commemorates the bicentennial of this American poet, critic and writer with a show that encompasses all that Poe was, as well as how he continues to influence writers and readers today.  

"From Out That Shadow" features manuscripts, books, art, and even personal effects, many of which are being displayed for the first time.  The exhibition highlights the mysterious, and often tragic, life of this man who created masterpieces is many forms before dying at 40 under nothing less than mysterious circumstances.  The show will be on display through January 3, 2010 so check it out while you can.

Find that name

Following up on my previous post...the Smithsonian has outlined where each letter has been discovered.  Click on the link below to have it spelled out for you.  I am still a bit unconvinced....but crazier things have happened!

The Name Game

Jackson Pollock's hidden name

An article in the Smithsonian argues that Jackson Polluck hid is name in plain sight within his famed piece, 'Mural.'  Henry Adams claims that while at breakfast one morning with his wife, who is likewise an art historian, they were able to recognize JACKSON running from left to right on the top half of the canvas, and POLLOCK directly underneath.  The letters, although ambiguous and highly hidden, suggest more structure to Pollock's work then some would like to believe.  I still haven't been able to find the letters myself, perhaps I need a high res image or to see it in person, so I'm up in the air about this one. 

Anyone else see it?

David Choe

If you liked the Logan Hicks time elapse video you will probably like this as well....great stuff coming outta Nuart!!

MUTO, still as good as it was the first time

Looking over Blu's new piece brought back fond memories of MUTO, I thought I would post it just for the sake of nostalgia.

New Banksy

Collaborative Animation from Blu and David Ellis

When I saw that there was a new animated piece by Blu, I nearly spit my coffee all over my computer.  But, since that disaster was narrowly avoided, I have posted the video for your viewing pleasure.  Blu is one of my favorite street artists, not only because his ideas are fascinatingly weird, but because there is something very intriguing about an artist who can destroy his work as easily as he creates it.  Working with David Ellis, an artist known for interpreting music and sound, the two have created a great time elapse video for this years Fame Festival.

David Yurman Fashion Show: Austin

Last night David Yurman along with Tribeza magazine put together a great show.  Twelve local designers, boutiques, and organizations collaborated to give us a glimpse into the fall fashions to come.  It was a good show all around, a nice mix of hobo chic, retro evening wear, 80's throw back business wear and a little bit of lingerie, just to keep us interested.  

You Know it Had to be Done: Thom Yorke 'The Hallow Earth ' + Banksy

This has pretty much been everywhere, so why not here??  Its the official music video for Thom Yorke's  new single 'The Hallow Man.'  Directed by Raymond Salvatore Harmon, this video combine's Yorke's music with a montage of the most infamous Banksy images.  The single drops September 21, 2009 so consider yourself warned.

New Banksy

Starting a social revolution is hard...almost as hard as assembling those flat-packed furniture pieces from Ikea.  Although the reference to Ikea is great on its own, the location of this image is even better. Its not apparent from the top angle, but behind the wall lies the Croydon Ikea Branch in London. See below for the distinct blue & yellow peeking out.  There is some question, but most are agreeing that this is, in fact, the work of Master Banksy, well done sir. 

Logan Hicks @ NUART 2009

NUART, an annual street art festival based in Norway, is half way over.  Luckily, for those who can't fly to Norway for various reasons,  the work of the artist is being recorded, shared, and blogged about for all to enjoy.

Logan Hicks is one of the 2009 participants. He is a New York screenprinter turned stencil artist whose body of work explores the urban jungle that he calls home.  His city-scapes are often sterile, cold, and full of decay, however the vibrantly warm and lifelike representations of the people who dwell within them is a delightful contrast.  To all those who have lived in those "big cities" and often thought...how do I live like this?  Here is another person exploring those same questions.  Enjoy this time-elapse video of his work at NUART.

Alex McNaughton London Street Art Anthology

Alex McNaughton London Street Art Anthology

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Shepard Fairey: New Limited Edition Print

http://obeygiant.com/store/product.php?productid=138&cat=1&page=1

Shepard Fairey released this new, limited edition print September 15, 2009 and unfortunately for most of us, the online stores are already sold out.  This new print, in the same style as his iconic Obama posters,  is a criticism on the apathy a portion of the public shows towards global warming and also a cry against the right wing resistance towards  climate change legislation.  

Beili Liu at the dberman gallery

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Bound #2, Thread, needle, red oak (reclaimed shipping crates), 6'x10'x18"

 source:  http://www.beililiu.com/08to09work/bound2.html

Beili Liu, an installation artist and assistant professor at University Texas- Austin, opened her exhibition last night at the dberman gallery in Austin.  Aptly named Bound, this exhibition featured several materials, including string, ribbon, paper, thread, and even video, intertwined together in curious ways.  The highlight of the show was by far Bound #2, 2009, which consisted of two massive oak columns, each roughly the size of a person, that have been pierced a thousand times over with needles strung with brilliant red gossamer thread.  The two pillars are literally bound together by these fragile threads, and the combination of the rugged, unfinished wood with the delicate thread is a delightful contrast.

Tie. Untie., 2008 is Beili Liu's video installation that I personally found extremely captivating.  This is especially impressive if you consider that I usually do not really like video installations, but give them an obligatory 35 seconds of viewing time before I move on. This piece was interesting enough to spend quite some time examining the piles of spaghetti like strings on the floor, and anylizing the video projected on to them.  The video, two hands tying and untying red string while underwater, was at once symbolic of hands of a higher being interfering with life and also a microscopic image of cells regenerating.

Although some of the panel pieces were less interesting, on the whole the installations were thought provocative, well executed, and most importantly fun to look at. 

The Buff Obama

Apparently there is quite a lot of hype behind a recent article in Women's Health magazine.  This article featured the first lady, her trainer, the the weight lifting regiment that has given her some impressive guns.  This isn't the first time the toned body of women have been scrutinized.  Way back in 1999 Brandi Chastain ripped off her shirt after her team won the World Cup, exposing an impressive six pack that left most women jealous, and a few scandalized.  Its nice to see Michelle Obama praised for showing off her hard work instead become a scandal herself (I'm sure someone out there still has a problem with sleeveless tops).  In fact her physique is even being compared to one of the few surviving panel paintings  by Michelangelo, the Doni Tondo as yet another example of the Feminine Ideal. 

Fashion Friendly OBEY

OBEY has come a long way in the past few years.  After gaining an intense amount of exposure from the Obama 'HOPE' campaign, OBEY is now testing the waters in the world of fashion.  I must admit, I was a little skeptical when I first read about this, but after some internet research I was pleasantly surprised.  The line mixes thing you would expect, replicated logos and images found on the streets, with a trendy splash of coats, hats, sweaters, and accessories that don't necessarily scream OBEY.  The line is found exclusively at Karmaloop, so feel free to peruse at will.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mistermoss/ / CC BY 2.0

Invader- the Interview

Have you ever been wandering around, minding your own business, when you happen to look up and see a pixelated alien hovering on the wall above you?  If your answer is yes than you have already met Invader, one of my favorite street artists who has taken it upon himself to invade multiple cities and leave his mark in inconspicuous places.  I have always enjoyed his little creations, and secretly wanted to tear one off the streets to install in my own home. 
If you want to know a little bit more about the man behind the aliens....and honestly who doesnt...enjoy the interview below:


Off The Wall :: INVADER from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

Green Day = Rock Opera

It was hard to miss all the hype behind 'Spring Awakening,'  the Broadway hit that infused rock into a ballet questioning social values.  Michael Mayer re worked the play, written by Frank Wedekind back in the 1800s with great success, and now he is trying his had at something a little more modern.  Green Day's hit 2004 album 'American Idiot' has been transformed by Mayer into a punk rock ballet that is getting some major attention. 

I'm sure there will be mixed emotions from those who loved the album.  In some ways it sounds like a horrible idea, but on the other hand it makes sense, especially if you really listened to the album.  The lyrics are charged with emotional and political angst, focus at times on characters such as St. Jimmy, and question the values enforced upon our generation.  The musical is playing at the  Berkeley Repertory Theatre through November and is worth checking out if you are in the area. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/decaflatte/ / CC BY-ND 2.0
[LA Times] 

Mark Jenkins when you least expect it

Mark Jenkins, known to most for his life like recreations of animals and small children in packing tape, hit the streets of Seoul a few days ago. There is something so satisfying about a man made of newspapers reading the newspaper, wouldn't you say?

Green Forbidden to Leave Iran

Its a story that seems to be pulled from the headlines of The Onion, and yet here we are. Crewest Gallery in downtown LA opened their exhibition featuring Iranian artists today despite one major set back: Some of the artists' work was unable to leave Iran because they contained the color green.  Although most of the details are helpfully laid out by the LA Times,  the jist of it is as follows: on June 12, 2009 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re elected over opposition candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi, green has become symbolic of Ahmadinejad's political opposition, therefore green must not be represented in work by Iranian artists.  My initial reaction was confusion, and later after taking some time to think about it, I remained confused.  Its hard to believe that such tight regulations are enforced on artists today, let alone artists competing in the international market.  It would be nice to see someone in a governmental office take a stand on this issue, has they have done with so many other issues concerning Iran, however I'm sure they will be quick to over look censorship in this case.  I guess its up to the bloggers now...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cridds/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

An Introduction to Introduce Myself....

Welcome to yet another Art Blog, hopefully one of the more interesting ones.  Here I hope to catalog casual observations, moral outrages, and pretty pictures that happen to pass by my life.  It will be an interesting mix, in my personal opinion.  I studied ancient art history, fell in love with street art, and work in the contemporary art world; its a confusing mix that I am constantly assuring myself will pay off big time at some point in my life.  So welcome: that is me and this is my blog.