Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

January 11, 2010

Is T.V. Really Garbage?


I had a conversation with my dad about the "brain rotting" power of television. The image of a slovenly, overweight, pathetic, Americans didn't come by accident; there's little denying that television has a stupefying effect. Psychologists claim it's robbing our generation of creativity since it does the job for you. Fair everything is true thus far. However, what about the redeeming quality of television? In the past turbulent 60 years, would people have believed their ears if television cameras weren't there to capture what radio can't even aspire to touch and what pictures are far to inadequate to convey. I came across a piece a art by happenstance on YouTube today. This is a snippet of a film that was a part of what was a multi-sensory theatrical multi-media experience from director Adam Curtis.

(Caution: Contains Disturbing Images)
It shows how television and motion pictures, for better or worse have brought us some of the most important moments of the last half century. It scares us, scars us, and yet rivets us. It takes those unforgettable moments and intersperses them with seeming random scenes that convey subtle themes. The clever editing coupled with music that seems to perfectly suit each moment.

December 24, 2009

December 22, 2009

OKC's not so boring


Oklahoma City may not be Dallas (or insert large city); but if you look hard enough you can find fun, unique and free things to do. The OKC Underground is one of those things; it is a series of underground tunnels (and skywalks) connecting much of the Central Business District. Originally just one tunnel constructed in 1931, it was expanded and renamed the Conncourse between 1972 and 1984. It became a decrepit relic rarely used. In 2007 Elliott and Associates (headed up by Rand Elliott) refurbished the tunnel by adding new carpets, colorful and interesting fluorescent lights and rehabbing some the walls. The project was approximately $2 million dollars. The result has been numerous awards and an astounding increase in downtown workers using the tunnel and generally curious explorers. The best points of entry is through Leadership Square or the Skirvin Hilton. More info here.


A Picture Is Worth...

A Picture Is Worth... is series of posts that will feature a photograph and a song to help tell the story. If you can, look at the picture while you listen to the song


"Across 110th Street" Bobby Womack [MP3 link]

The Story Continues


Alicia Keys has always been one of my favorite artists; Jay-Z is hands down the greatest rapper alive now. Their collaboration "Empire State of Mind" was an instant classic telling the gritty story of chasing dreams on the New York City streets. Alicia Keys, on her album The
Element of Freedom
, sings the sequel "Empire State of Mind, Pt. II (Broken Down)"; its different, but beautiful take on the same theme. Keys sings the same stirring chorus. Take a listen to both.

"Empire State of Mind, Pt. II (Broken Down)" Alicia Keys [MP3 link]

December 20, 2009

The Music Video as Art.


Raphael Saadiq is one my favorite artists. He has long been a part of neo-soul a revival of classic soul with a modern twist; he made the transition after leaving Tony, Toni, Tone'. The video for his latest single "Staying In Love" has a beautiful 60s style that perfectly complements his music. The animation adds a nice touch and make the video unique.



Solange, already referenced in an earlier post , is newcomer to the neo-soul game; she's no amateur though. In her debut single as a neo-soul artist "I Decided", she showed not only vocal prowess, but creativity as well. The video features a colorful trip through pop culture and historical moments through the decades, 60s to the present.


Can music videos be art? What do you think?

Take A Listen:
"100 Yard Dash" Raphael Saadiq [MP3 link]
"I Decided" Solange Knowles [MP3 link]

Levis... Go Forth

Levi's Jeans Co. is trying to strike up a new tone with their new Walt Whitman inspired campaign. Using ideas and phrases from his poems the campaign tries, very successfully I'll add, to convey a sense of freedom and the "American Way". Here are a few of the prints by Ryan McGinlay.





P.S. While this post isn't titled "Is It Art?" it falls into the category, as some will disregard the merit of the photos because of a logo. What do you think?

Tis the Season #5


I thought I'd give you Christmas song with a bit more attitude

December 18, 2009

Walt Whitman and his Levi's


Levi's Jeans has one of the best campaigns I've ever seen. I'll be bringing you some of the videos and promotional pictures over the next few days. Levi's, a most American of jean companies choose Walt Whitman, one of America's greatest poets to center their campaign around. The moving black and white footage covering many different parts of America from corporate America to shanty-towns and natural spaces. The result is a powerful, fun, poignant and artful commercial or 60 second piece of art.



the portion of Walt Whitman's "America" used
America
Centre of equal daughters, equal sons,
All, all alike endear’d, grown, ungrown, young or old,
Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich,
Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love,
A grand, sane, towering, seated Mother,
Chair’d in the adamant of Time.

Levi's America (Go Forth) commercial directed by Cary Fukunaga for Wieden+Kennedy, Portland using poem by Walt Whitman. The prints were photographed by Ryan McGinley.

P.S. While this post isn't titled "Is It Art?" it falls into the category, as people don't usually think of commercials as art. What do you think

December 14, 2009

More Architecture....

Rand Elliott, a native Oklahoman, has created some of the most inspired works in the state.



Is It Art?

Art, in my opinion, can be found in everyday objects. When ever imagination and care is put into mundane objects, beautiful things can be produced.

Eero Saarinen
Produced in 1956, it won the Winner of the 1969 Museum of Modern Art Award. Eero Saarinen is most famous for designing the St. Louis Arch.



Santiago Calatrava
Calatrava is a world-renowned Valencian Spanish architect; his stock began to rise after he designed the Quadracci Pavilion at the the Milwaukee Art Museum in 2001. The building below is a part City of the Arts and the Sciences, a planetarium known as L'Hemisfèric. The project was designed to enhance Valencia's image.

December 12, 2009

They Just Don't...


They just don't make them like they used to. Kid Cudi and DJ Sharam team up to mix some Patsy Cline with Cudi's smooth rapping style. The video is a masterpiece... beautiful women, gun, violence, and a good story. Check out and tell me what you think

Kid Cudi feat. Sharam "When She Came Along"

Chicago

Often known as the second city. Chicago is finally coming into its own; the White Sox and Cubs are playing better, and the Bears, well they still suck. Speaking of the Bears, who play at the incredible Soldier Field, Chicago's architecture is breathtaking; I'm not just talking about the Willis [Sears] Tower (the Hancock Building is much better looking), but Louis Sullivan buildings and Frank Gehry amphitheaters. Even the neighborhoods are beautiful, "Wrigleyville" has a working class feel full of bars and pubs and the ivy covered namesake; Hyde Park is the historic neighborhood in which the Obamas have their personal mansion; the Gold Coast so named for the wildly expensive mansions overlooking Lake Michigan, where the original Playboy Mansion stands. Enjoy some original pictures and take in a few tunes in tribute to the Windy City.






"Chicago" The Uglysuit [MP3 link]
"Chicago" Sufjan Stevens [MP3 link]
"Homecoming" Kanye West feat. Chris Martin [MP3 link]

December 10, 2009

The Only Good Thing About New Moon... Part 1

Other than the vampires who "glitter" in the sunlight, the sexual objectification of a 17 year-old boy, and the pushing the notion that dependence on a man to the extent that it resembles drug addiction is okay...it's the music. The soundtrack reads like a who's who of the indie blogosphere. A neat fact is that all the songs are unique and written for the movie. Nick Harmer, who is the Death Cab for Cutie bassist said "We wrote 'Meet Me On the Equinox' to reflect the celestial themes and motifs that run throughout the Twilight series and we wanted to capture that desperate feeling of endings and beginnings that so strongly affect the main characters". Grizzly Bear along with Victoria Legrand from Beach House give "Slow Life" a beautiful ethereal quality.

"Meet Me On The Equinox" Death Cab for Cutie [MP3 link]


"Slow Life" Grizzly Bear feat. Victoria Legrand [MP3 link]


New Moon Soundtrack:
1 "Meet Me on the Equinox" by Death Cab for Cutie
2 "Friends" by Band of Skulls
3 "Hearing Damage" by Thom Yorke
4 "Possibility" by Lykke Li
5 "A White Demon Love Song" by The Killers
6 "Satellite Heart" by Anya Marina
7 "I Belong to You" [New Moon Remix] by Muse
8 "Roslyn" by Bon Iver and St. Vincent
9 "Done All Wrong" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
10 "Monsters" by Hurricane Bells
11 "The Violet Hour" by Sea Wolf
12 "Shooting the Moon" by OK Go
13 "Slow Life" by Grizzly Bear featuring Victoria Legrand
14 "No Sound But the Wind" by Editors
15 "New Moon (The Meadow)" by Alexandre Desplat

December 9, 2009

Good Things Happen To Good People


Ryan Leslie is one of hip hop/ R&B's hottest up and coming stars. Leslie did take an unorthodox road in getting there. He was something of a child prodigy arranging cords to make song at a young age and teaching him self how to play music. At sixteen he was volunteering with at risk kids [as seen in the second video], and scoring 1600s, a perfect score, on the SAT. Leslie eventually selected Harvard; at 19 he delivered his class's comencement address after graduating with a degree in Government. Later Leslie entered the music business producing and writing for everyone from Britney Spears and Beyonce to New Edition. Under his imprint with Universal he signed Cassie and wrote and produced "Me & U" for her, which became one of the biggest hits of the year and sold over a million digital copies (exceptional for 2005). His first solo album was highlighted by the track "How It Was Supposed To Be", again arranged, written by Leslie; he even directed the music video. His latest album, Transition, shows even greater promise, especially "Your Not My Girl".

"You're Not My Girl"



KWTV Interview with 16 year-old Leslie



"Your Not My Girl" Ryan Leslie [MP3 link]

December 4, 2009

Is It Art?

It has been said true art has no other purpose but itself; thus true art must be completely impractical. I disagree. Simply putting form over function can elevate something to art and true art are just the best examples of this. This raises the question: can everyday objects be art? Buildings, cars, clothes are described as art or artful; is that correct? What do you think?

Wally 118

from Wally: The 118 WallyPower is a high performance superyacht integrating technology with design, resulting with unique and marked characteristics like the vertical bow, the air inlets, and the deck superstructure.




Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione

First shown as a concept in 2003, and after substantial interest the car was produced in 2007. Every surface of the cabin is covered in carbon fibre and the bespoke seat are covered in Poltrona Frau leather. For exclusivity Alfa Romeo has only produced 500 models.



December 3, 2009

Need Something To Do?


The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is presenting Free Museum Sundays as a part of "Downtown in December". It's a great way to see some of the really incredible museums the city has to offer. Of particular interest to music fans is the new Oklahoma Banjo Museum located in the heart of Bricktown on 9 E. Sheridan. I can't say that I'm a huge fan of banjo music; but if its a free chance to what all the museum offer, that's hard to turn down. The museum will be open from 1-6. The incredible Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage will be free next Sunday, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art will free the following week, and to cap it all off the three aforementioned museums in addition to Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum will all be free to everyone. This is another one of the great things about OKC.

Information courtesy of Wimgo (still don't know WTF Wimgo is)

Oklahoma Banjo Museum

December 2, 2009

People You've Never Heard Of

I really enjoy finding new music and conversely sharing new music with others. So I'd like to introduce a new series "People You've Never Heard Of". This week I'll be bringing you two "electro-pop" artists. Tell me what you think of them.



First up is Blood Orange, a electro-pop "one man band" from Brooklyn. The catchy songs have a unique blend of electronic beats and string instruments.
Take a Listen:
"I'm Sorry We Lied"(Demo) Blood Orange [MP3 link]
(Via THE MIXTAPE)




Miike Snow is a new favorite of the music blogosphere. This Swedish pop band has been called a mix of "a-ha meets Animal Collective" by the British paper The Guardian. In addition to making brilliant, fun original pop songs, Miike Snow has remixed everyone from Vampire Weekend to Peter, Bjorn and John.
Here's one of my favorites:
"Black and Blue" Miike Snow [MP3 link]

December 1, 2009

Covers


Covers fascinate me. Good covers anyway; good covers reinterpret the original and bring something new to the table. "Sweet Dreams" is decent pop song; overly reminiscent of a Rihanna song and is filled the brim with synthy pops and breaks. Big Pink takes this song and makes a beautiful lo-fi cover. The song is the complete opposite of Beyonce's version; its all sparse acoustic guitar and some unique atmosphere background elements. Simple but more than adequate.

Take a listen

"Sweet Dreams" (cover) Big Pink [MP3 link]

(via Vinyl & Vodka)

Cold War Kids


The Cold War Kids are back; after experimenting with a more low-key sound, the hard driving piano beats and drums return. "Audience of One" brings back to mind some of my favorites like "Hospital Beds".




Take a listen
"Audience of One" Cold War Kids [MP3 link]

Just for nostalgia