Ellis Gallagher!

Meet Ellis Gallagher, street artist from Brooklyn, NY. He creates art from shadows made from everything on the street. Amazing amazing amazing!

Another great video interview on CurrentTV.

N. Korean tension

North Korea is preparing for a missile launch and doing everything it can to make it happen. Two American journalists from Current TV (founded by Al Gore) reporting on North Korean refugees who fled inhumane conditions, were arrested and indicted on charges of "hostile acts" against the communist state. Details on nytimes.com.

All this amidst tensions surrounding North Korea's test launching for a long-range missile. The North claims this missile will carry a satellite and responded to Japan's order to shoot down any missile that enters Japan's airspace; North Korea will consider an interception as Japan waging war on the North. More on current tv. Another report on Bloomberg.com.

This is serious shit. All the while the North Korean people have absolutely no say in the matter. As much as the rest of the world looks down on this country, the real story is the injustice and inhumanity that goes on continuously at the cost of the people. It is not their fault they were born into the conditions they live in. And when reporters try to bring to light these realities, they are used as pawns to further a nuclear agenda by the North's government.

I wish the best for the two reporters Laura Ling and Euna Lee. They don't deserve to be punished for engaging the world "in a discussion in a knowledgeable way". This segways into a discussion on the roles of a journalist. Check out this article on the Knight science journalism symposium on reportr.net.

Tjejsaijten

Great photo of one of the Olsens (not sure which...) I found browsing a new fashion blog I ran into tonight. Tjejsaijten. -that word looks like someone just tapped randomly on the keyboard- I definitely am not very knowledgeable when it comes to what's hot and who's who in fashion, that's just not my field of expertise...but as far as I can tell the Olsens are very into high-fashion. Go them. Wish I had the means to live like that.

Last Night's Party blog

I'm in a hotel room with two naked porn stars and a pin-up model, partying. The vodka is ¾ done. It's 2 a.m. The phone rings.
She speaks. So are you serious? You want to take pictures of me?
Yes. I can do it tomorrow if you're around.
Why not tonight? Are you busy?
The girl on the other end of the line is my bank teller from this afternoon. My Washington Mutual teller wanting to come over right now when I'm hanging out with these crazy girls and take pictures. Bad, bad idea.
Yeah, ok. Perfect. Come over.
I tell the girls to get dressed so we don't freak her out when she gets here.
The bank teller calls back.
I'm nervous, you know, my body isn't perfect. I recently broke up with my boyfriend and I gained a few pounds. Is that okay?
She's on speaker phone and the porn stars are making "Oh, she's so cute..." faces.
I like your curves. Don't worry about it. Come over.
More drinks.
She knocks on the door. Shh, shh... She's either gonna freak out or, I don't even know.
I open the door. She looks into the trashed hotel room.
She speaks.
You know, I don't mind if you guys wanna get naked.

Last Night's Party's blog. I can't believe I didn't see this before. Some great entries. Take a look.

Animal~

I really like Miike Snow...great recent find for me. Their new track Animal is wonderful but I'm really digging Treasure Fingers' remix. Free download on RCRD LBL. Check out all of Miike Snow's tracks available on RCRD LBL here. His last.fm profile here. And of course Myspace music page here.

Lebron-mazing!

Earth Hour 2009

Earth Hour tomorrow night 8:30-9:30 local time. Let's all pitch into the global effort to slow warming. The idea is for everyone to take one hour out of the year to switch off all our lights. More info go to the Earth Hour website.

Two fav artists: Banksy & Fairey

New auction piece for "undies auction" where celebrities auction off their undies for a charity. Check out the article linked to the image. Arrested Motion is a great new art blog I found. Check it out.




Shepard Fairey is another one of my favs at the moment. He's been around for some time and as a fellow RISD alumni I can relate to his work very easily. As you may know Fairey is suing the AP after the AP released a statement that Fairey needed rights to make his famous Hope poster for the Obama campaign. Here's the story on nytimes.

Check out Fairey's explanation for the lawsuit on his website. It is an interesting read and I agree with him 100%. At that, an artist should not have to explain himself. It is a subjective medium. It makes no sense that he needed permission to use the photo and compensation for its production. Fuck that I say! If that principle were applied, any artist who painted, drew, or represented another object by means of realistic representation should owe money to whomever produced the photo. Nonsense. Inspiration is not a right of ownership.

White House Open for Questions

First ever Interactive Online White House Town Hall. I think the Obama administration is making a great effort to let all of us know that we are the government; making the White House more accessible than ever.

Here's the full transcript on nytimes.com.

Fitness First Ad Campaign

N=5 's ad campaign for Fitness First.  Guilt is an amazing way to get results.  I would head straight to the gym if I sat on one of these benches...

Gay Porn Star Identical Twin: Keyon Goffney

I came across this article on the Details site the other day.  It is provocative to say the least.  Keyon and Taleon Goffney, identical twins from Camden NJ, do what is necessary to make it.  

I think the article, long-winded as it is, emphasizes what it is about Keyon that is so easy to latch on to.  His modeling career is inextricably linked to his bizarre history, but you can't help but relate to it.  

I keep coming back to why it is I am drawn to this story; it is only unique in its specifics.  Bizarre and perverse as it may be to some, the story of survival is in a sense the "American Dream"; in Keyon's words "It's a hustle.  Just like anything else".      

Kogi!

I ran across this story on npr.org today.  This is a must listen!  

Kogi is a tweeting Korean taco food truck (Site-note: the word "kogi" is Korean for meat, it is pronounced Goh-gi).  The concept in itself is a mouthful but apparently it is all the rage in L.A. atm.  So, me being Korean, and in a very non-Korean part of Denver, I don't get enough Korean food to begin with.  When I saw this my mouth just started watering.  

The fans of Kogi twitter to find out where the next stop is and of course twitter to rage all about it.  Lines are hours long and the food reviews are off the charts.  Check out the story on npr.org.  

FREQBOUTIQUE.COM

Freqboutique.com is Denver's new afterhours. Watch out cuz we are finally gonna get what we've been craving for in the afterhours scene. With summer on the horizon it is the perfect time to gear up for what's in store. Finally, there is something to look forward to when you're ready to continue the party.

Up 'til now there was no option for those of us that like to party VIP and in style after the clubs. Post-2AM is non-existent in Denver. Not anymore! Freqboutique is here. Check out the website for upcoming events and promotions.

R U Professional - Mae Shi

I recently discovered Mae Shi. I absolutely love this song/video. Never thought I'd connect w/ an artist that loves Christian Bale as much as I do...

Boob Scarf!

Need I say more?

Big Brothers, Big Sisters...

From Patrick Sandri's portfolio on Behance.net: Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Macs Big Boobs and Big Deals. Something about these images that are both perverse and Warhol-esque.

Perverse in a arty controversial way; taboo subjects are portrayed in a pop-art manner. At the same time they are almost subtle in a way. There are actually photos of some of them in public places and they seem so out of place and humorous yet people walk right by them without even noticing. There is a cheeky dycotomy of ordinary and taboo.

the cobra snake

I absolutely love Last Night's Party. Something about wild and crazy party pictures-even of strangers-that make me feel so good.  The Cobra Snake is another great site along these lines; not quite my scene but great moments nonetheless. Enjoy!

FanBridge

I listened to a very interesting segment on NPR's Morning edition today on the drive to work. It was about an investor Chris Sacca and his latest venture FanBridge. I hate to get boring on everyone and talk business...as I am definitely not the most business savvy person you will meet but there is a lot of relevance to this new idea that is emerging.

I wouldn't do it justice so I will just link you to the article on NPR: FanBridge Makes A Profit Connecting Fans, Band

I think that the interesting part of this story is not in the success of the Chris Sacca but in the innovative ideas that are coming out of and benefiting the artist community. One might be drawn to say that despite the troubled economy, creativity endures; but the truth is as the saying goes:

necessity is the mother of invention.

Electro-chic

I found the most fab site today. De La Sade has the most amazing leggings. I must get some for my Vegas trip! Don't forget to check out some amazing photos on this site as well.

Groovy Clocks

Look at these great recycled vinyl record wall clocks! Great idea by The Grateful Thread. I absolutely love retro-inspired art and decor. Yet another item to add to my ever-growing wish-list.

The IAC Building - Frank Gehry

I can appreciate Frank Gehry architecture for what it is but 'til now I've only seen his works as enlarged sculptures. As visually stimulating the gestural works are, the functionality of spaces seemed generally second-thought.

The IAC building however, has a gestural quality that connects with my subtle sensibilities as an artist. It is a virtual delineation of the layers of functional spaces; the street level that glows with life and vibrance, the shrouded level above offers privacy, and terraces above that which offers tremendous views of New York City.

I feel like I am so far from the world of architecture, as it's been months since I've been laid off at abe, but when I see myself admiring works like this, it brings me right back to the things I appreciate so much in architecture...the fantastic coupling of art and life. Concept and construction. Gesture and function.