Happy 124th Birthday Mies!

March 27th is Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe's 124th birthday!

QR Code Cupcakes

I swear I will stop talking about QR codes... one of these days.  Just thought that this was interesting.  From Cleaver Cupcakes of Montreal.

Jim Marshall 1936-2010

Iconic rock photographer Jim Marshall passed away this week. Go to his site to learn more, get updates, and see his work. You should recognized many of them.

MarshallPhoto.com • The official collection from music’s master photographer • Beatles Hendrix Joplin Stones Who Dylan Grateful Dead Santana Coltrane Davis Monk

The Bravery vs. OK Go!

With the releise of a new video from OK GO for "This Too Shall Pass" we must ask ourselves, "who has the best contraption doing crazy stuff video?"

On one hand we have the older The Bravery video for "An Honest Mistake". This video was for their one hit and was everyone's favorite video in 2005.  It is not clear whether this was one shot of a kooky contraption actually doing what it looks like or a bunch of spliced shots.  The video also includes a bunch of things breaking, an underwater domino shot with a goldfish, and some cool music.  I Honestly love this video.

The Ok Go video comes at the contraption-centric video genre from another angle.  It is clear that this is a single shot taken of a real contraption doing some fun crazy stuff.  A spinning guitar playing water filled glasses, at least one smashed TV, and a smashed piano.  What may be this video's strongest point is how well choreographed it is.  It almost seems like the whole thing was made to go with the music.  I also love the intense mayhem towards the end of the video.

You decide who wins the best contraption based video!

Carl Sagan Ft. Stephen Hawking "A Glorious Dawn"

This is the jam that is hitting right now.  If you have not heard it, it's obvious that you are not down with what is happening in the music world.  Carl Sagan the late bad ass astronomer, astrophysicist and author has released this joint 2Pac style.  With Stephen Hawking laying the breakdown, this is sure to be a hit.

Dogs As Fonts

The Sandpit

Though the use of tilt-shift photography is nothing new, and it is often a gimmicky way to make pictures interesting this video is actually quite beautiful.  It should be noted I don't believe that this true tilt-shift photography.  The effect was post work I will assume in After Effects.

This is the Work of Sam O'Hara.  Comprised of over 35,000 stills shot over a five day period.

In any case enjoy NYC in miniature.


The Sandpit from Sam O'Hare on Vimeo.

Record Makers

Celebrating their 10th anniversary, French Label, Record Makers have released this simple yet interesting video.  Simple lines and some creative gestalt make this sexy, slightly obscene, and very beautiful.  Perhaps most known as Sebastien Tellier's label, Record Makers represents a slew of other interesting French songwriters and rappers.

Record Makers Promo from CreativeApplications.Net on Vimeo.

Midwest Artist Highlight- Richard Roberts

Currently based in Milwaukee, illustrator Richard Roberts may not have been on the scene for long, but his work has been creating some buzz in the art and Photoshop blogs.  With a mix of natural, fantastic and more abstract themes, his works are incredibly detailed.  Still in High School, he is proof that the future of the digital graphic arts is in the hands of the youth.  His work can be followed on his online portfolio and DA.  He also keeps a blog.
http://www.theotherstream.com/
http://r0gueart.deviantart.com/
http://theotherstream.tumblr.com/

  

United Fakes

Some yummy stop-motion from the United Fakes.  I wish more of their website was in English so I could tell you more about it.


El ataque de la araña del espacio from UnitedFakes on Vimeo.

The strange high house in the mist from UnitedFakes on Vimeo.

Matthew Albanese's Miniatures

Matthew Albanese's Fantastic Miniatures

The photo's on his website can explain much better how he went about making these miniatures so I'll leave it at that. Be sure to take a look!

Tornado made of steel wool, cotton, ground parsley and moss

Architect who designed Willis Tower, John Hancock dies. http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_15980/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=OXtJBcYf

Salton Sea pt.1

Here is a little taste... Salton Sea

Operable Window on the Road

Heading to San Diego for the weekend.  Watch for some mobile blogging, and later for my extensive write up on the Salton Sea!

Simplicity, Complexity, and Helvetica

Simplicity, Complexity, and Helvetica are a winning combination to be sure.

This week I spent four days and nights in Des Moines Iowa. Between the hotel and the job site stood a sculpture park. There were the usual suspects, abstractly carved monoliths of stone, steel I-beams welded into a staggering hulk, and metal bent into a variety of eye pleasing forms. In the middle and surrounded by a berm rose a pile of clean white Helvetica, welded and bolted together into a two story fulfillment of everything I love about art.

I love that it is simple in its monotonality and form, a human figure holding its knees. It doesn't try to persuade us of anything. The warm color temperature of the up-lights on pure white painted letters draw us in during the fading blues of the evening. The idea in itself is simple as well, but is executed with a web of webs and fasteners that must have taken a tremendous amount of craftsmanship and precision.

The artist is one that many local Chicagoans know, as he designed Crown Fountain in Millennium Park. His name is Juame Plensa, the name of the piece (at least the one in spain, his home country) is El alma del Ebro.

It is simple, beautiful, and draws you into the park like a magnet as the sun dips below the horizon.

Abandoned Places: 10 Creepy, Beautiful Modern Ruins

Abandoned Places: 10 Creepy, Beautiful Modern Ruins

Had to link to this.

Symphonies- Dan Black Feat. Kid Cudi

British popster Dan Black and Cleveland's "Man on the Moon" Kid Cudi have recently come out with a great video that shouldn't be missed.  Directed by Chic and Artistic, Symphonies pays homage to a slough of great movies, from Sin City to Lost Highway.  See how many you can spot and identify.  My fav might be the reference to James Bond Goldfinger.




Dan Black feat. Kid Cudi "Symphonies" from chic & artistic on Vimeo.

Microcosm

Some awesomeness coming out of UWM SARUP.  Not gunna say much, except go check it out.
Microcosm