Enjoying the illustration work from Dark Igloo - particularly this mural (the cut out pieces on the table are a nice touch). The portfolio sets on the photostream are worth a browse through if you've got the time.
"Like, there could be the greatest review of a band on Pitchfork," he said. "And the next day: there's five new reviews. And what I think that transmits is: 'this is great…' and then the next day, 'this is great…' and the next day, 'no, wait: this thing's great.' Which projects this idea that you don't really need to pay attention to for anything for too long, even if it's great. Because there will be something else great tomorrow. How are people supposed to be invested in anything when that's the attitude that's put out there? Going back to our job of creating music fans: I think people become attached to things and invested in things when they can learn about it and focus on it. Go in a record store. Pick it up….. You're making a real decision there. You don't get that from looking at sh*t online."
From Superchunk's Mac McCaughan interview with The Awl. I really appreciate the sentiment in that quote and think it's yet another worthwhile insight to add to the "potential reasons for slow living" tally we should all be working on. I'm obviously a big fan of the Internet and all the goods it has to offer but the constant onslaught of reviews and Best New Things really just ends up marginalizing everything.
Something tells me that this Cloudscape installation from Tetsuo Kondo and Transsolar is far more impressive to be immersed in than it is to simply see photos of. The images look like an engaging, surreal environment has been created but walking around in it would be way more fascinating. Even the video available makes it seem a little lackluster... or maybe I'm just really grabbed by the concept of creating an indoor cloud system but, in reality, it doesn't really have much impact at all? What's your call?
The concept behind Plywerk Panels is a simple and, seemingly, effective one for displaying artwork. The bamboo or birch wood has a nice clean look to it. The best part is that they allow you to upload your own artwork and have it immediately mounted with their adhesive film.. and it's all for a fair price! I can certainly see this being a great alternative to the typical frame.
American Public Media has a great piece on an "underground" grilled cheese service in which you find a way to procure the number of "Ronnie", request a sandwich and it arrives within 15 minutes. I'm actually surprised there's even an article about it - as it is such a niche little market. However, the final question was worthy of a chuckle or two:
APM: So why 'Ronnie'?
RONNIE: Well, it's the perfect pseudonym because it's my name also.
The Vimeo Festival and Awards has announced the list of finalists for nine different categories. Each category has five finalists, all of which can be viewed here. The panel of judges is an impressive list including David Lynch, Roman Coppola, Morgan Spurlock, Fred Seibert and Lucy Walker.. to name just a few.
Long story short, go check the finalists and cast your vote for the Community Choice Awards..
Conan O'Brien has been gearing up for his new TBS show with a series of internet videos to whet your appetite. The show won't debut until November but in the meantime he's taking questions and answering them. In typical fashion, it starts off funny and gets better as it goes along.
You can't really get the impact of this Fabiano Busdraghi series, Infinite Palaces and Buildings, without seeing the images much larger than what I typically post here. The images are digital collages but the allure exists all the same - a surreal series of buildings with an absolute onslaught of windows. I particularly enjoy looking for the repetition in the pattern and finding the one off elements that exist individually and uniquely (i.e. find the pink window on this one).
Best Made Co just launched two new products - an axe and a series of Vintage Stamped Maps. I personally don't have much use for an axe but admit it looks great. The weathered typography is a perfect compliment to the busy nature of the old maps.. probably a bit steep in the price department for my blood but it would be a lovely addition to any wall.
This Bike Shelf from Knife & Saw seems like an excellent way to showcase your bike and have a central spot for all things related to "grabbing on the way out the door." Even if you're not into the bike shelf idea, please take a look at the other furniture designs - all extremely clean and classy pieces.
If you somehow aren't familiar with VLC already it would be safe to assume that you don't really watch much video on your computer. Granted, Perian usually covers 99% of video codecs and keeps it all native in Quicktime but sometimes there's just no other way to watch some videos.. VLC must be used. But that's not even the point! The point here is that mostly infallible media player is now available for iPad. Which means you can add the free app, enable file sharing in iTunes and transfer any video file over to the iPad for viewing in VLC. No more transcoding to an iTunes friendly format first. This is, to say the least, quite good news for the lazy.. like myself.
I've seen numerous photo series of heavy bike loads before but this series from Alain Delorme certainly takes the cake. I'd go as far as to say that I sorta don't even believe these are real because they are so unbelievable but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief and just enjoy them for what they are - compelling images.
The work of Brandon Schaefer focuses mostly on taking an existing film, book or cultural touchstone and reworking it into his own stylized piece of work. His book covers or movie posters seem automatically familiar because the content they describe is familiar. It's a good design exercise that he excels at but I think he really shines when put to task on original works - like this series of Shoppers World or Brand Marks. Excellent use of simplicity with just the right amount of texture.
I love it when you encounter a music recommendation and it immediately sticks. Mutual Benefit posted a heads up on the new album from Austin band Sleep Good, Skyclimber - noting that the entire album was recorded analog and never touched a computer throughout production. While that's a fun fact it doesn't necessarily change the appeal of the music - only creates a vague aesthetic. However, the fifteen tracks contained within the record are a harmonious, poppy-and-languid little escapade. If I had to cite similar brethren I'd go with Dr. Dog, Plants and Animals, etc. They certainly aren't copping their sound but they could tour together and it'd be a nice fit. Easily considered $5 well spent for the entirety of the record... go listen.
Drew posted this great alternate cover to the Penguin Books publication "The Solitude of Prime Numbers" and it led me down a path to the full portfolio of Cristiana Couceiro. The palette choices and overall simple design are perfectly up my alley. I've managed to see this poster for the longest time but had no idea who the creator was until now. I highly recommend clicking through the entire portfolio - particularly the greatseries found at the bottom.
I was hesitant to spend much time on in a portfolio from the username slutty pimp but sometimes it's best not to judge. Had I not dug through the archives I would not have stumbled upon such goodness as this, this or this. Kudos Julia Agatonova, you won me way over from your questionable choice in usernames.
There's not much to the Lousy Machine photostream but I enjoyed this capture enough to know that I should keep an eye on it for future upcoming goodness.
Busy week this week! So, not that many videos.. but why force it? I encountered a bunch of weird sports clips but that's not my bag. Long story short.. on to the playlist.
Get Down - I think I've posted this before but it never gets old. Watch this every morning to improve your day by 200%.
Good Dancing Avatar - the low res render mixed with the sweet dance moves is an undeniable joy.
I didn't think it was possible to love The Daily Show more than I do already but yesterday they announcedRally to Restore Sanity. The event is meant to serve as a gathering for the 80% of people that aren't over the top insane with their political ridiculousness - a Million Moderate March. Unsurprisingly, Colbert announced his own March to Keep Fear Alive that just so happens to occur on the same date in the same location. Hopefully the satirical angle from Colbert isn't lost on people.. I honestly worry that some people don't get his shtick.
Regardless, I can't think of a better way to show your support for rational thought, responsible behavior and general calmness on touchy subjects.
Richard Ayoade is one of those people that I've yet to see anything from that I didn't love. His work on Garth Marengi, Man to Man, Nathan Barley, Mighty Boosh, IT Crowd and various directorial undertakings have all been solid treats. So, with all that in mind I was quite shocked and somewhat excited to see that he's directed his first feature length film - Submarine. The script is based on the Joe Dunthorne novel of the same name and is, apparently, "a coming of age comedy set in Swansea following 15 year old Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) through the impending break-up of his parents’ marriage and his first relationship." Something tells me that such a description sells it a bit short and that it will likely have some interesting narrative devices at its fingertips (ala Bunny and the Bull).
Looks like the Weinstein Company has already picked the film up for North American distribution so keep your eyes peeled for trailers and opening showtimes.
