(incli)NATION

Glow, All Night Art-mania on Santa Monica Pier

So you couldn't make Coachella because you got the flu. You couldn't use your comped tickets to WMC because of a business trip to Birmingham. And you completely flaked on SXSW. Well now is your chance to make up for it: Glow, this weekend on Santa Monica Pier...

Here are some highlights via Thrillist:

Primal Source: Surreal images projected on this beach-based 40-foot wall of mist'll move based on the sounds of voices around the installation, allowing you to see what "Dude, that's totally a 40-foot wall of mist!" looks like.

The Amazing Mental Scope: Get hooked up with an EEG, then climb on the ferris wheel, and your brainwaves will be displayed via flashing lights on a cylindrical LED display. Onlookers will enjoy the soft glow of your Pleasure Center as you enjoy top-of-the-wheel "special alone time".

Poetry Boat: Use the provided phone to call the three poets on this off-shore boat, and they'll compose and read back to you on-the-spot custom poetry. Why are they out on a boat? Because that's where they put people with leprosy.

All the while, there'll be a kickin' soundtrack from Djs like KCRW's Garth Trinidad and Postal Service member Jimmy Tamborello, aka Dntel -- himself so accustomed to late-night shenanigans he once took his own E.

Check out all the craziness at GLOW

Editta Sherman, photographer, in her apt. for 58 yrs!

Jill over at New York Mag sent me this this morning. A great article 'romancing the city'...

"The high-ceilinged, light-filled studios on top of Carnegie Hall have housed artists, musicians, and writers for more than a century; now, the remaining tenants are fighting to stay."

read the rest here

On Ugliness by Umberto Eco

Just read a great review of Eco's "On Ugliness" in the Telegraph. I confess a weakness for Eco's essays and fiction, but Brian Dillon pulls no punches in his attempt to put Eco into historical place. Worth the read, made me want ot read him again:

"By the Romantic period, the grotesque and the sublime were established as aesthetic categories, and the decadents of the late 19th century loved nothing more than a deathly consumptive countenance. In the wake of 20th-century avant-gardes, unadulterated beauty looks saccharine, immature or kitsch. We seduce only with our faults, wrote Baudrillard. Or as Johnny Rotten put it: there's nothing so boring as a pretty face."

read the rest after the jump HERE

Local Shop Makes Good: Blackbird in Ballard Must see!

"In recent years, Ballard has become a destination Seattle neighborhood for those in the know, thanks to Scandinavian industrial charm, a few new bars, restaurants, a gallery, music stores and boutiques—including the standout men's clothing boutique, Blackbird.

With a good selection of the labels we know and love, some of the more obscure and lesser-known brands, like the Italian shoemaker Marsèll, put the two-year old store a cut above the rest. They even have a great men's jewelry collection that introduced me to the hard-to-find brand Alksndlia, a company that creates vintage rings and necklaces with old-world appeal. New in this fall are items from Raf Simons, Wings + Horns, Partik Ervell and Robert Geller. Next spring will include pieces from Tim Hamilton, Henrik Vibskov, Harmon and Wrath Arcane..."

via Cool Hunting

Blackbird
5410 22nd Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107 map
tel. +1 206 547 2524

Beer, Babes and Butoh:The Bridge Motel Blowout, Seattle 9/15/07

      

...For those of you who don't already know, the Bridge Motel has been a Seattle icon of sorts for the last 50 years; needles in the sheets and no questions asked. A year ago DK Pan took over as manager with an eye to holding this event just before the motel was to be razed [I thought that was Pan in the picture on the left, holding the red umbrella on the roof of the motel, but it was probably either Sheri Brown or Diana Garcia-Snyder performing "Praying Walk", I think...]. The only stipulation for artists was to avoid the subject of drugs, prostitution, or other obvious cheap motel clichés.

We showed up around 7:30 and jumped right in, though we didn't have the courage to open the door to 'The Van'--Mike Min's contribution to the festivities--at least not at first.

The event drew around 1200 people (according to the people who should know), though the small footprint of the motel and parking lot made it seem like twice that number. We found a place in the line and settled in.

      

Standing in the phenomenally long line, I thought I heard the sound of howling, and as the crowd parted, there it was, a perfectly preserved, young coyote--stuffed, mind you--sitting in a Red Flyer wagon, flanked by the curious and the confused...

read the rest HERE

...For those of you who don't already know, the Bridge Motel has been a Seattle icon of sorts for the last 50 years; needles in the sheets and no questions asked. A year ago DK Pan took over as manager with an eye to holding this event just before the motel was to be razed [I thought that was Pan in the picture on the left, holding the red umbrella on the roof of the motel, but it was probably either Sheri Brown or Diana Garcia-Snyder performing "Praying Walk", I think...]. The only stipulation for artists was to avoid the subject of drugs, prostitution, or other obvious cheap motel clichés.

We showed up around 7:30 and jumped right in, though we didn't have the courage to open the door to 'The Van'--Mike Min's contribution to the festivities--at least not at first.

The event drew around 1200 people (according to the people who should know), though the small footprint of the motel and parking lot made it seem like twice that number. We found a place in the line and settled in.

      

Standing in the phenomenally long line, I thought I heard the sound of howling, and as the crowd parted, there it was, a perfectly preserved, young coyote--stuffed, mind you--sitting in a Red Flyer wagon, flanked by the curious and the confused...

read the rest HERE

ARTFUL DWELLINGS: SUKKOT AT THE SKIRBALL

Los Angeles—Artful Dwellings: Sukkot at the Skirball—an exhibition of three large-scale installations by contemporary artists Sam Erenberg, Therman Statom and Marlene Zimmerman—is now on view at the Skirball Cultural Center through November 11, 2007. These specially commissioned works, all belonging to the Skirball’s permanent collection, represent the artists’ interpretations of a sukkah. Evoking the fragile shelters built by the Israelites in biblical times after their liberation from Egypt, a sukkah is the temporary structure traditionally used during the annual Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which celebrates the fall harvest.

Inspired by the artists’ personal experiences and reflecting their individual aesthetic sensibilities, the three sukkot in the exhibition are compelling works of art familiar in form but unique in interpretation. They provide an occasion for visitors from diverse communities and cultures to reflect upon the themes of shelter, hospitality and thanksgiving.

Sam Erenberg, tabernacle
Mahogany, alder bench and pedestal of birch and pine

MUSEUM PURCHASE WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY AUDREY AND ARTHUR GREENBURG IN MEMORY OF THEIR SON, DANIEL GREENBERG

tabernacle, a work by painter, photographer and book artist Sam Erenberg, was commissioned by the Skirball in 1985 and demonstrates Erenberg’s contemporary vision of a sukkah. On the exterior walls of the sukkah, Erenberg painted a mural cycle that is meant to be read from right to left like the Hebrew language. The abstract landscape images on the walls deal with creation and fertility, invoking universal themes and recalling the origin of Sukkot as a harvest festival.. Each wall has a triangular cut-out representing a portion of a disassembled six-pointed star. Inside the sukkah is a peaceful area for quiet meditation.

This installation by Erenberg reflects his exploration of light and space, prominent concerns of many Southern California artists. His life’s work is characterized by aspects of Minimalism, an art movement focusing on pure color and shape. Erenberg’s wide-ranging interests—historical, philosophical, religious and literary—have also helped to shape his art.

Therman Statom, To Dwell in a Glass House
Glass, metal and fiberglass, with acrylic and oil

GIFT OF ALPERT & ALPERT IRON & METAL, INC.

For his sukkah, Therman Statom, one of America’s most significant experimental glass artists, used plate glass to which he attached shards, blown glass forms and found objects. Not being of the Jewish faith, Statom came to this project in 1997 without knowledge of what the holiday of Sukkot or its symbolic structure meant. In learning about the holiday, he found that families often design the decorations for their own sukkot using fruits and vegetables of the harvest season or plaques depicting symbolically invited biblical ancestors. Taking inspiration from this, Statom’s installation reflects the bounty of the autumn harvest.

Statom has said that glass, for him, is like a canvas. As demonstrated in his sukkah, he paints some portions of his “glass canvases.”  The paint often appears suspended in space, creating a gleaming inner realm for the viewer. Though his is a very non-traditional interpretation, the creation of a sukkah was a natural progression for Statom, since he had often used the basic forms of houses in his work.

Marlene Zimmerman, Joyful Visions: An American Sukkah
Acrylic on pine with 1997 cuttings of 100-year-old grape vines from Rancho Cucamonga

MUSEUM COMMISSION WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE CARYLON FOUNDATION IN MEMORY OF CARYLON HEMMELSTEIN (1925–1996)

When requested by the Skirball in 1997 to create a sukkah with an Americana theme, Marlene Zimmerman began the project by putting out a call in newspapers across the country and on the Internet for individuals and institutions to send her photographs of their own sukkot. Responses were abundant and the photographs became sources of inspiration for the artist. The interior back wall is filled with more than 70 individual scenes of Sukkot celebrations sited in their relative locations across the United States. Among the numerous images are the sukkah of Or Hatzafon (Light of the North) in Fairbanks, Alaska, a congregation which calls itself the “Frozen Chosen” and a sukkah in St. Paul, Minnesota based on an ancient Mongolian structure, the yurt. Painted with lively color, which characterizes Zimmerman’s folk-art style, she has presented in this work the diversity of American life. 

Zimmerman’s art evokes the simple, direct, self-taught tradition of 19th-century folk art.  Yet she is very much a 20th-century artist who experiments with color and composition and uses photography as source material for her work. Her creative approach is to combine historical research and collected images and patterns with her own artistic style.

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90049 (Exit Skirball Center Drive off the 405)
(310) 440-4500, fax (310) 440-4595
Contact: Stacy Lieberman (310) 440-4578, or Mia Carino (310) 440-4544
Email, communications@skirball.org
Web site, http://www.skirball.org
Please direct e-mail inquiries about the exhibition to the Center's address (above); DO NOT use “Reply” button, it will send to ArtScene.
To view formatted version of this announcement online: 
http://artscenecal.com/Announcements/0907/Skirball0907.html

Oliver Mandić 'My Love Wants Only to Watch Kurusawa Films'

Below is "a music video from 1981 by Oliver Mandić, a big-time 1980s eastern European pop star, transvestite, drug experimenter, orientalist (natch), perfectionist and all-around controversial guy." --benperry.net

I think it is absolutley amazing and must be watched by everyone under the age of 20:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFGObRscWas

A big 'thank you' to benperry.net for this one

Info-graphic Music Video by Sarah McLachlan "World on Fire"

Another highlight from our wanderings in the info-graphic world this week; an info-graphic music video featuring Sarah McLachlan's "World on Fire". Fabulous use of graphics and stock ftg. Yes, we are not alone.

from infoaesthetics: at the cost of $15 for this whole video, I guess the infographics were designed for free.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzoNInZ2ClQ

see also global rich list & miniature earth & worldmapper & govcom & gapminder.

[link: worldonfire.ca (high-rez, original video)]

Get off the Anti-depressants; Smiley Eau de Parfum

If this stuff works, it will save me thousands on meds and therapy. I can't wait to give it a try...

  Smiley Eau de Parfum:
French fragrance and body care line Smiley claims to contain antidepressant ingredients, possibly making it the world’s first form of topical Zoloft. Unlike regular prescription drugs, the range of Smiley products are universal and are not meant to be used in moderation. These formulations, which are for both men and women, claim to contain happiness-inducing bionutrients derived from cocoa extract that stimulate the psyche. And regardless of its mood-enhancing properties, we like it for its sweet scent reminiscent of baked goods.

www.happytherapy.com/

via Trend Central

High Desert Test Sites (HDTS): 5/12-13 2007

So now that it is nearly time to make the trek out to the desert for the annual HDTS events, we thought we'd tempt you with a little taste of what to expect. Don't think about it, just go! It's important...

This from WGSN:

"A truly beautiful and mesmerising piece - a playful and humorous artwork that also makes the viewer question his surroundings," wrote WGSN's LA correspondent Sally Lohan after stumbling upon Sarah Vanderlip's Glimmer Egg during a visit to The High Desert Test Sites in Joshua Tree."

And from the HDTS release:

"Our more streamlined and intimate event this year means less time in the car and more time sitting in the sunshine, conversing at the saloon, or cooling of in a hotel pool. It will be like the early days at HDTS when the adventure was the event. Make hotel or camping reservations early as most accommodations are already filling up!

Participants include:
a waving flag by David Shrigley
a disappearance and reappearance by Rodney McMillian
a living thing by Liz Larner
a fierce dog by Julia Scher
a Polish Western by Piotr Uklanski
a stage presence by John Bock
a bikini performance by Ann Magnuson
a small business by Lisa Anne Auerbach
a roadside sign by Jack Pierson
some Wagon Station Customizations at A-Z West
a swap meet organized by Amy and Wendy Yao (check out the swapmeet blog!)
winding down with the afternoon rock star event at the Art Queen.

In addition to the driving tour there will be four meeting points/times throughout the weekend: Maps will be available on May 12th and 13th from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the HDTS HQ, directly south of Coyote Corner on Park Drive in downtown Joshua Tree.

reason enough? No? Check here then: http://www.highdeserttestsites.com/index.html

Join the NY Media Elite - FREE!

This is just so much dorky goodness that I have to post the full entry. From Kottke.com:

I might be shooting myself in the foot by posting this, but the table of contents for the newest issue of the New Yorker is usually available on Sunday on newyorker.com, the day before the issue hits the newsstands and arrives in subscriber mailboxes. All you need to do is hack the URL of the TOC from the previous Monday. Here's the URL for the April 23 TOC:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/toc/2007/04/23/toc_20070416

"2007/04/23" is the date of the issue and "toc_20070416" refers to the date of the posting. This then is the URL for the April 30 issue:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/toc/2007/04/30/toc_20070423

At right is the cover for tomorrow's issue, which includes Adam Gopnik's piece on the Virginia Tech shooting, a new piece by Atul Gawande, and Anthony Lane's review of Hot Fuzz. Monday's New Yorker on Sunday is usually only available to the select few of the Manhattan media elite who are sped their new issues hot off the presses. Now everyone can have a similar experience on the web.

Enjoy.

via kottke.org

Rat City Roller Girls: Season 3, Bout 2 on Saturday, March 31/07

I'll be at a conference all weekend, so I won't be able to make it to this one. If you go, send me a report:

link

David Bowie's High Line Tickets on Sale Friday, March 30

I've been a Bowie fan for years (who hasn't?) but I have to wonder what he was thinking when he added Laurie Anderson to the line-up of this otherwise fantastic sounding festival. It's beyond me, but like Dave J said of TS Eliot, "I suppose every author (or whatever Anderson is) has a fan or two."

If anyone out there wants to buy me Ricky Gervais tickets...

From the promoters:

The H&M High Line Festival is a new multi-discipline arts festival that will be curated each year by a different artist. The inaugural edition, curated by David Bowie, will run May 9 to 19, 2007.

The ten-day mash-up of music, film, comedy, visual art and performance will highlight all of David's favorite artists. The best of the best.

The inaugural 10-day festival will take place in venues near the High Line, the elevated rail structure soon to open as a public open space, running through the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Clinton/HellÕs Kitchen. A portion of each ticket sale will go to benefit Friends of the High Line, the 501(c)3 organization currently working with the City of New York to transform the 1930Õs rail structure into a park, set to open in 2008.

Please Note: none of the events of the High Line Festival will take place on the High Line itself.

via BuzzFeed

Twitter yourself Mad, or Watch Picasso on YouTube or MySpace

Twitter is a great idea for those of us who feel the need to try every new communication idea. The basic principle seems to be that there is space in the continuum of--phone call, Email, Skype, AIM, and blog post--for a simple way to just hang a sign on the digital door to say, "Back in 5" or "Gone fishing" or even "Got an itch I need to scratch".

Yet I remain unconvinced. Most people I know are too busy to even stay current on Email. No way will friends ping Twitter to see if I'm at my desk. It reminds me of this film of Picasso drawing. Yes, it's interesting...once. But I'm more interested in what he does than in how he does it. Is this too "destination is more important than the journey" for you?

watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vgAYTC9bRY

check his home page here: http://www.myspace.com/picassoart 

 

Seattle Notables Costume Party @ McLeod Residence, Seattle

You've heard about the infamous "Seattle Notables" Exhibition coming up at the McLeod Residence. Leave it to the McLeod's to take it to the next level. Get ready for the "Seattle Notables Costume Party!"

From Lele McLeod:

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

McLeod Residence invites you to celebrate your favorite local notable by dressing up!

Wanted: Tom Skerritt, Juan aka Frye Apartment Guy, Dale Chihuly, Slats aka The Original Hipster, Mayor Greg Nickels, DeeDee Rainbow, John in the Morning, Governor Christine Gregoire, Artis the Spoonman, Greg Lundgren, Buster McLeod, Sunny Kobe Cook, Ben Lashes aka Mr. Belts, Ade, The Cowboys aka The 49ers, Reggie Watts, Nancy Wilson, Tyhooke, Dan Savage, Trainwreck aka Trickiniqua aka Heyyyy, Cameron Crowe, Nancy Pearl, Stone Gossard, The Button-wearing Bus Expert, Skerik, Sean Nelson, Baby Gramps, Paul Allen, Linda Derschang, Jamaican Flag Cape Runner, John Curley, Ichiro, Dave Matthews, Guy with Two Bulldogs, Regina Hackett, Dina Martina, Real World Danny, Sherman Alexie, Congressman Jim McDermott, Link the Zelda Hunter aka Elf Boy, Mark Arm, Rob Thielke aka Honk for Fonk, Ben Gibbard, Jack Benaroya, Paul Rucker, Adam Arkin, Tom Robbins, Howard Schultz, Korby Lenker, Jackie Hell, Three Imaginary Girls, Steve Pool, James Brown Santa, Greg Kucera, DJ Riz, Dave Bazan, Jeff Bezos, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Charles Mudede, The Nordstrom Family, Anne Gould Hauberg, Chocha Fresca, Chris Cornell, Sally Brock, Lele McLeod, Ballsport players, Krist Novaselic, Chris Weber, Kenny G, Mariner Moose, Fay Jones, DJ Trent Von, The Big Kahuna, Matthew Kangas, Peter Buck, The Moneytree Caterpillar, Mimi Gates, Sonics Squatch, Ben Exworthy, Pike Market Piano Guy, SuttonBeresCuller, Bill Frisell, Bartender Murray Stenson, Geisha Starr, Bill Nye, Jen Graves, Tom Douglas, Cardboard Cutout Air Guitar Guy, John Keister, Rat City Rollergirls, Pet Squirrel Guy, Maggie McLeod, Christopher Frizzelle, Emery Carl, Gene Juarez, Giant Ave Baby, Scott Lawrimore, Seattle Center Tuba Player, Robyn Hitchcock, Michael Winters, Fankick, The Crescent's "Star", Ken Schram, Jetpack McLeod, Bill Gates, Your Favorite Notable...

Every time we mention this we remember a couple other notables... so feel free to reminisce a while and find that notable that has meaning to you.

Prizes will be awarded to the best costume. Make your notable proud!

Costumes are required!! Costume Contest judged by The Lashes!

Tickets can be purchased HERE. Drink tickets are included with admission.

Paris is the Anti-Berlin

Great article in Sign and Sight about the expat scenes in Paris and Berlin, or rather, Paris vs. Berlin.

"France is in the process of creating an anti-Berlin. Or rather, Paris and Versailles are creating this, for a hint of hipness rarely survives the trip out to the suburbs. The world's writers and artists are drawn to Berlin where the old Baudelaire maxim still holds that beauty today is bizarre (in other words ugly) or interesting and dirty. Music, fashion and film are drawn to Paris, to pursue their work in freedom and impeccable style in front of perfect facades."

For the Francophiles in the house, this seems like the time to make your move...

via signandsight

New York Fashion Week Fallout

Freezing temps seem to have made it to the runway. From Refinery29:

For the last seven days, New York has been locked in a deep freeze and, wouldn't you know, it seems some designers have caught a case of frostbite. While all the expected characters arrived at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with well-crafted fall/winter 2007 collections, we couldn't help but feel as if fashion was a little frozen this season—we weren't exactly shivering from excitement. Caution and care seemed to trump passion and progress, and even the more daring designers were buttoned-up against the chill. But rest assured, in between all the fur and front-row frenzy, Refinery29 was able to find enough truly inspiring independent embers to keep you warm and optimistic through the spring thaw.

Karen Walker

read the full article here

via Cool Hunting

Have an Eco-friendly Valentine's Day

February 14th is right around the corner, and while many deem Valentine’s Day “just another Hallmark holiday,” few ladies can resist the romantic appeal of cute underwear. This year, treat your girl to something that is not super-sexy, but green as well. There are a ton of eco apparel companies, but few green lingerie outfits whose bras and panties don’t look like your grandma’s knickers or burlap sacks. We’ve written about Eco-Boudoir before, a company that makes a full line of sexy and sustainable bedroom accessories. And here are a few more “outfits” that offer cute undergarments for the sexy sustainable lady in your life.

Enamore offers a racy, special occasion lingerie, made from sustainable materials such as hemp, organic cotton, silk, and soya. We love their black and white Peek-A-Boo collection, as well as their silky soft bed jackets and kimonos.

Read More

GREEN VALENTINES DAY: Sustainable Skivvies

Lou Reed @ National Arts Club

This morning on the Art Forum Diary is posted possibly the worst picture of Lou Reed EVER. Sorry Lou:

Post your complaints here: http://www.artforum.com/diary/

National Arts Club off Gramercy Park for a “Secret Show” by Antony, of Antony and the Johnsons.

IQONS; Fabulous New Fashion Site

Currently in the soft launch phase with plans to launch more formally later this month, IQONS serves as a platform not only for indie designers to show off their wares, but also as a style ecosystem where everyone from retailers, makeup artists and photographers to editors, publicists and financiers can display their work and connect. In addition to offering professional showcases, IQON profile pages also distinguish themselves by having spaces specifically inviting members to list their favorite designers and brands. The site also offers opportunities for appropriate brands and retailers to get on board, such as the forthcoming design competition IQONS Project (details to be announced soon) created in partnership with online fashion retailer Yoox.

Body as Landscape; Shanghai Tattoos

[Image: Landscape on skin, by Huang Yan, from the East Link Gallery, Shanghai; via The Economist. Now we just need someone covered in architectural diagrams, or sea charts... maps of faultlines... stars...].

via BLDGBLOG

Jonas Mekas @ Nina Hagen LIVE!, NYC

Follow the jump to Jonas' film for the day; a 1998 performance by Nina Hagen in NYC. Weird and wonderful. Jonas is my hero!

get your copy for FREE today only:

http://www.jonasmekas.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=JM&Category_Code=365FEB&mon=1

Valenkis Rus; This is Timeless Design, Ugly is Hot!

These boots have been around for over 300 years. Designed by and for Russian peasants, they've been worn by workers, royalty, Peter the Great, Lenin, and according to Conde Naste Traveller, historians insist that the Russian victory over the Nazis can be attributed at least in part to the Valenkis.

Now for about $80 US, you too can be part of history. http://valenkisrus.com/index.html

Barney, Sally Mann, and Ryan Humphrey on the tele tonight

It's a great night to be a homebody: the lineup (all times ET):

At 7 pm: Watch Matthew Barney and Nancy Spector in conversation at the Hirshhorn. Their chat, mostly about the influence of Joseph Beuys on Barney's work, will be broadcast live on the internets via this link. (It will also be archived after the event.)

At 7 pm: Steven Cantor's documentary on Sally Mann, What Remains, will have its first US television presentation on Cinemax. I wrote about the film last year when it debuted at Sundance: Part one and part two.

At 11 pm: Artist Ryan Humphrey is part of the cast of Bravo reality show Top Design.

thanks MAN

The Obsession of Thought

"Thought has nowhere to go but its own isolated, endless fragmented repetition. Without the obsession of thought we are the recognition and the expression of the energy of consciousness and space in which we and others coexist in such profound contact that there is nothing that definitively divides us." - Steven Harrison

via Whiskey river