The Streets Are Alive

There's nothing quite as magical as when our seemingly mundane surroundings are transformed in ways that reveal their true power. These street sculptures by Joshua Allen Harris do just that.

1,000 Words is Worth a Picture

So lately I've been trying to get back into the habit of carrying a camera with me at all times. It has been slow goings of late. I like to blame it on the fact that my surrounding foot travels does not lend itself to interesting imagery. But alas, I can only blame myself :P. Above is a picture taken at a red light. I may revisit the site for some more in depth shots. If you'd like to see more of my photographs then please check out my flickr page.

Get Close to Chuck Close

This here is a great interview with Chuck Close conducted by Charlie Rose. It's always good to hear one of the big names in the art world discuss their thought process in a candid conversation. Turns out, he's a real nice guy. Sometimes the allure and majasty of the musuem wall can make you think that these massive works were created by some type of reclusive savant. Not so. This video is about an hour long and it's very enjoyable and informative. Kudos to Charlie Rose. Topics range from how his thought process shifted after "the event", his qualms with being labeled as a photo realist painter, and what he wouldn't do on a deserted island.

Banksy, You So Crazy!

Well, he’s back! This time he left the stencils at home and replaced them with automated hot dogs and self dipping chicken nuggets. Yummy. His latest endeavour is said to have been inspired by seeing a chihuahua, wearing a diamond-encrusted collar, walk by a homeless person. This exhibit/pet store seems to be a commentary on how our mistreatment of animals reflects upon the self destructive patterns that we inflict upon ourselves. Banksy has continually broadened the scope of his work to stretch beyond brick walls and this seems to be a leap forward in that direction. It's clever, it's cheeky, it's Banksy.

Remember Construction Paper?

Jen Stark does. Although, I'm pretty sure her stock of paper is of a higher quality than what we had to work with in our youth. She probably has better scissors too. So in a way she's kinda cheating. Never the less, check out her site for more detailed sculptures, drawings, and videos of these crafty cuts.

TSA and You and Me

Ever feel like you're not getting enough quality one on one time with airport security? Well, Evan Roth may have the solution for you. He has a range of metallic stencils that will be sure to get those plastic gloves snapping. From silhouettes of box cutters to images of the American flag, these stencils will certainly be the crowd pleaser. Evan sees this practice as a way of asserting his own voice and commentary into the anonymity that is found within the "theater" of security. Apparently airports serve as a form of inspiration for him. Check out the Sky Mall Liberation. (You may also know Evan Roth through his association with the ever badass Graffiti Research Lab.) Now, you may think that these stencils are intentionally provocative, which they are, but as Evan points out at least they're less dangerous than 4oz of jello.

Reality x 2

A lot of interesting reworkings of our urbanized landscape on display, courtesy of Mr. Joshua Callaghan. Plenty of intriguing concoctions to contemplate such as bricks disguised as pigeons, deceptive city lights, and meditations on outdoor furniture. All is not as it seems.. unless it is.

Slow Motion For Me.

I've discovered a new hobby. Watching cartoons in slow motion. It's pretty amazing to actually see the tactics that animators employ when creating believable movement out of a 2D world. Some movements become almost bizarre and abstract when a chaotic and frantic action occurs. (i.e. electrocution: see above.) No one would suggest that Sylvester actually has four disembodied heads and three free floating limbs but in this moment it is fact and we all agree. If you are curious as to what led up to this freak out and what transpired afterwards than click here.

Hello Grnad World!

I have studied the internets intently and have discovered its greatest flaw. That weakness has finally been addressed and rectified by the creation of this here blog. Let us rejoice! I intend to pilfer only the finest ingredients that the web has to offer. Make no mistake about it, my computer skills teeter between woeful and "what does that button do?". Never the less, I shall over come. Grammatical mistakes be damned! I shall overcome! It is my solemn duty to convince you that my opinion must be cherished as fact and ultimately etched upon stone tablets that will then be brought down from a mountain top that will be named at a later date. Alright, now that all the clerical work is out of the way let me share the work of Nina Katchadourian. I first learned of her work when she visited UDel's campus as a guest speaker. Her work entails "uninvited collaborations with nature" and other re-workings of our surrounding world(s). There are plenty of interesting things to check out in regards to language, text, and translation. In conclusion.. watch this space.