Exit through the gift shop - A Banksy film

Banksy, a brilliant and unknown street artist produced 'exit through the gift shop'. There was a lot of buzz in the creative department at Clorox about this film, so I had to at least check out the trailer. Unfortunately, the trailer sucks, and I did not watch the movie until it resurfaced in my apartment a few weeks ago. I thought I would give it a go. I HIGHLY recommend this movie. Its inspirational, but like most of the viewers, I was left wondering if the documentary was hoax or not. Next time you order a film from Netflix, be sure to add exit through the gift shop to your list.

Because the trailer leaves you hanging, find out more at IMDB or at Banksy's dedicated site.

1978 air stream designed by Hofman architecture

Exactly one week ago, Saturday February 19th at about 2 pm I arrived in Joshua national park and prepared to set up my tent knowing that it very well may rain. Rain, however, is not what we got. I am not quite sure what it is, but every time I step foot in the desert it either rains or snows. For a place that is supposed to be one of the driest environments on earth, it sure does precipitate a lot. (Left).

Later that evening, as it began to snow and my toes and fingers began to loose feeling, I found myself very envious of the fellow rock climbers who had an A frame pop up or even a truck bed trailer. To be quite honest, the only time I was warm last weekend was when I was climbing inside a giant mass of boulders in the pitch black and had to shimmy my way up, over, under and through rock ways (see right). Despite the fact that trailers have an inherently back woods reputation, I found myself more and more drawn to the desire to own a camper. They are simple, compact, and carry all the luxuries of home (like a warm bed). If you google 'campers' however, and ugly array of devices populate the page. Fortunately, there exist well designed models that are not made of cheap linoleum sporting a decal from the 80's.

A very cool LEED certified architecture firm, Hoffman Architecture, took up the cause and redesigned a 1978 airstream trailer. Although you can go online and browse through Airstreams most recent models, I highly prefer the aesthetics of the mid century models, particularly when refurbished with sustainable materials. The trailer is now a beautiful home sporting bamboo, aluminum and recycled glass tiles. The most intriguing part of this project, however, is rethinking the way we use our living space. The owner of this particular air stream, uses the 160 sq. ft as his main living space. There certainly is something to be said for living simply - Matthew Hofmann, the owner of the air stream and co-founder of the architecture firm, makes his case.

The images below show off his skills. Read more here.

Spring public sample sale at SF Design Center

March 12 and 13 the San Francisco Design Center will host a public sample sale featuring fine home furnishings. I am not exactly sure what to expect - it will be my first sample sale - but my camera and note pad will be in tow.

Any one want to join me?

Objectified - trailer

PLEASE please please please please see this movie. It's a wonderful film and gives a new found appreciation to every day objects and the thought that goes into each pieces creation.

My heart bleeds for you

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
and my heart bleeds for you.

If the box of candies and poem didn't cut it this past Valentines day, next year (or this week, as last ditch attempt to regain your dignity) try giving your loved on a anatomically correct heart shaped vase filled with blood red roses, like the one seen above by The New English. I found this beautiful piece via www.mocoloco.com, my favorite blog since 2005. Mocolocos primary blogger, Sabine7, description is below:

"Contemporary ceramics company The New English involved over 100 international visual artists in a new collection of pieces entitled The Mad Potters Tea Party. The work will seem familiar, but the context may be jarring, as porcelain place settings, tea sets and traditional vessels are not usually host to the type of art that is currently sought out in galleries. Decorated plates are by no means a new concept, but it is high time this generation's collectors were targeted with the artworks of our times. Some of the featured artists include Ray Caesar, Bethany Marchman, Lola, David Stoupakis, Nathan Jurevicius, Rose Hardy, Mimi S., and many more."

If this does not say "My heart is yours", you might as well throw in the towel.

Everyone needs a little GAGA in them

A few posts ago, I honored Lady Gaga and her wonderful ability to bring art into her every day life. This past Friday, I colored outside the lines and tried something new: at 7 pm on a Friday evening after work, I stopped by the Mac counter on my way home and had my eye make up touched up and had fake eye lashes applied. It was fabulous! Admittedly, walking home I felt like a flapping doll with my giant lashes but 20 minutes in, it was like I had these my whole life. I certainly will not be wearing these to my day job any time soon (a shorter version maybe) but am willing to explore bigger and greater every day artistic expressions.

News flash - spike in break ups post Valentines day

This morning I stumbled across a chart created by David McCandles who combed through 10K facebook relationship status to create the above chart. It looks like the largest peaks in breakups are right after Valentines day and before spring break and right before Christmas. Net sum - if you're single, right after Valentines day and before Christmas is a great time to find your next match.

Alexa Meade - creating living works of art

 

 
Look at these paintings and tell me what's different about it.

Alexa Meade's works look like they could be a variation on an Edward Hopper portrait - her painting technique and strokes have similar qualities and weight. Her pieces have great energy, are proptioned perfectly and capture the emotion of the subject. Despite the obvious painterly quality of her work, something seems off. Yes, there it is - look at the eyes of the subjects.

First off, you should know that these are not photoshop miracles. Alexa did not take a studio photo and edit it back in the lab. Her works are paintings. The canvas the artist chooses to paint on, however, is the differentiating factor. Most painters choose canvas. The most avant guarde artists paint on sidewalks, but Meade brings a new meaning to multi-media artist all together. She paints on skin. Yes, skin. Painters have gone to great lengths to make their paintings look as realistic as possible, but Meade has turned the tables and has gone full circle. Her photographs truley have a painterly quality to them.

I learned about this up and coming artist in the February issue of Nylon where Tandice Ossareh sits for Meade and later explains the process. Meade has developed her very own line of body paint and works for hours painting directly onto the hair, clothes and props that are in frame of the camera. Once the painting is complete, Meade will take a photo to document the masterpiece. The shots below give some perspective into her process. Find out more about Meade here.

Megan Geckler; what a linear thinker.

Her work isn't what it seems. When I first saw Gecklers works, I was immediately drawn to its laser light like quality. Unpon realization of her medium, I was immediately drawn to the awe factor and the simple fact that each installation consisted of hundreds, possibly thousands of vinyl tape that were hand hung from the walls, ceilings and floors to create fractal patterns. The simple fact is, each piece takes planning and profound patience. It pays off however, the end results is transformational, changing any known space into something unexpected.

Find out more about her work here.

New appartment, new 'hood

Welcome to the intersection of 15th and Dolores in San Francisco. Although it is technically in the Mission, my new neighborhood is nestled between Castro and the Mission.  Part of moving is exploring a new living space, throwing a house warming party and getting to know what peeves your upstairs neighboors (in our case, playing bongos at 2 AM). The best part, however, is getting to know the local shops and restaurants within a 1/2 mile radius. Fortunately for me, the Mission and the Castro is PACKED full of 'em. 

If you are ever near 15th and Dolores and want to feast your eyes on cool gadgets and beautiful items, be sure to visit: 

1. Bell Jar on 16th between Valencia and Guerrero has quote "beautiful little things". I love this romantic store - they have everything from clothing, to skeletons, to beautiful jewelry to fine soap.
2. Therapy on Valencia between 16th and 17th, is where you go when you or your apartment needs a little therapy. I particularly love the wall mounted card board animal heads they have for sale right now.
3. Paxton Gate on Valencia between 19th and 20th. This little gem is what I call a cabinet of curiosities. They feature everything from taxidermy mice dressed as the pope to jewelery made of cast molars. Sounds gross, but I highly recommend visiting this store.
4. Rare Device at Market and Duboce, contains everything well thought out and designed. A modern cabinet of curiosities, if you will.
5. Needles and Pens on 16th between Guerrero and Dolores features printed books, tees and jewelery by local artists.

Slowly but surely, this new location may turn even me into a foodie/hipster.

Ring made of Antler @ Paxton Gate

@ Bell Jar

@ therapy

Lady Gaga's fabulous costuming

Ok, I admit. I follow lady Gaga on Twitter and I love it. Although I am not a huge fan of her music, I love her. She is a walking art piece. Yes, I know she is a performer by trade (some might even say a performance artist), but she certainly pushes the boundaries even in her own field. Many of her outfits remind me of something Alexander McQueen thought up... My goal in life is to incorporate as much wearable art into my life as Lady Gaga has. I'm sure you are familiar with many of her outfits, but check out some shots below. My personal favorites are the leaf crown worn in Vouge (how similar does it look to McQueens head piece) and the telephone hat worn in the 'telephone' music video, which, by the way is a must see. 

The Google art project

Want to visit the Palace of Versailles (Versailles, France), The MoMA in NYC and Museo Thyssen (Madrid, Spain) in the same day but don't have a super sonic jet? That's OK! Google just launched its Google art project, which allows users to virtually tour many art museums and galleries all around the world, and even create a virtual personal collection of your favorite pieces. The user experience is pretty good; each museum is easy to navigate with the google street view functionality and once you find a piece you like you can zoom in for a close up. Although nothing really compares to seeing art work in person, this tool sure beats the art departments slide machines and dark musty lecture halls!

 

DIY earings @ Rare Device in SF

Slowly, I have come to a realization that the type of art I like and prefer are objects you can interact with daily. Although I love paintings and sculpture, I want something that I use in my everyday life that has been designed and thoughtfully crafted. The objects I love are the simplest version of 'interactive' art. Art should be something you incorporate into your daily life, not something you only use or appreciate seldomly. Because I lost my favorite pair of earrings, I am on the prowl for a new pair, preferably something well designed. The earnings below, found at rare device in San Francisco, caught my eye. I am looking for something less ornate for my daily use, but I love the fact that you have to pop these earrings out of the mold before you can wear them.

Find out more here: http://www.raredevice.net/item.php?item_id=391&category_id=13#