Mel D X Tone

The 2 premiere NYC event photographers sit down for a quick interview. Tone has really been coming correct with these video interviews --- definitely a good look for him.

*** If you want to be a part of "history" --- come get your photo taken by Mel D at the "apliiq present: The Stuffing" on November 25th!

Share on Facebook

Micaela

Independent artist - and dear friend - Micaela Anaya has been painting for as long as I've known her. Every year her work gains a level of maturity, demonstrating not only her growth as a painter but her growth as a human being.


I cautiously compare her work to that of Frida Kahlo. (Cautiously - as I don't want to seem as if I am simply falling into the trap of comparing them as they are both Latina.) I compare the two as I see a similar stylistic representation of the physical features of the individuals in each of their portraits, as well as a distinct feeling of feminine empowerment.

Check out more of her work FOR SALE - HERE!

*She also does commissioned works!*

Share on Facebook

The Freshman

Via Kim...

LISA JACK

BARACK OBAMA: THE FRESHMAN

28 May - 29 Aug 2009

Artist's Opening Reception: Thursday, May 28 from 6-9PM

M+B is pleased to announce the inaugural exhibition BARACK OBAMA: THE FRESHMAN, black and white photographs by Lisa Jack. First featured in Time Magazine’s 2008 “Person of the Year” Issue, which chose then President-elect Barack Obama for his “rare ability to . . . organize himself and others to anticipate change and translate it into opportunity,” these photographs offer a window back in time before the posters and before the campaign, when a 20-year-old young man was caught up in just such a change that Time Magazine would later describe. Lisa Jack, then a student of photography at Occidental College, sought a striking subject for a portrait project and was tipped off about a charismatic freshman named “Barry” Obama who would make an ideal subject. After the shoot, these images would remain locked away for the next 28 years, until a dare from a friend triggered Lisa Jack to seek them out. At first worried these images could be used against President Obama, Jack realized they were not incriminating of anything other than being young and self-conscious, and that they offered a unique glimpse into how the man who made history went from being “Barry” to Barack. This exhibition marks the first time these rare photographs have ever been printed and on display.

Share on Facebook

I'm Good

The official single from Clipse’s upcoming album, Till The Casket Drops, has arrived. The track features an appearance by Pharrell with another classic production from The Neptunes. An added bonus is the cover art, done up by famed artist KAWS, who is also responsible for the album cover art, which will see a release later this year in September.

Sadly disappointing for the first single. They should have wowed us.

Click to listen/download:

• Clipse feat. Pharrell - I’m Good (Produced by The Neptunes)

Share on Facebook

Ryan McGinness Works.

Peep Ryan Mcginness' new exhibit at Deitch Projects.


March 07, 2009 — April 18, 2009
18 Wooster Street, New York

"Ryan McGinness Works., an exhibition of new paintings and sculptures by Ryan McGinness, opens on Saturday, March 7th, at Deitch Projects' 18 Wooster Street gallery. Like all of McGinness's exhibitions at Deitch Projects, this show is not just a display of new works, but an experiential installation. Gallery visitors will enter the world of Ryan McGinness.


McGinness merges several of the most important directions in contemporary painting. His work combines all-over composition, inspired by Jackson Pollock and the mechanical silkscreen process inspired by Andy Warhol. The work also fuses naturalistic and contemporary pop culture references. His imagery derives form a broad range of sources: from dreams and hallucinations to song lyrics and fragments of art history. There is a push and pull between content and form, and between literal meaning and intuitive feeling. McGinness's paintings represent his own mental landscape. His compositions reflect the infinite, ever-flowing continuum of the universe.


The opening of Ryan McGinness Works. coincides with the release of a new book of the same title, published by Rizzoli. The hardcover 296-page book is a process-revealing catalogue of recent works which includes a behind-the-scenes look at McGinness's last Deitch exhibition in 2005. Included are texts and interviews by David Byrne, Tom Greenwood, Peter Halley, Greg Lindquist, and Jonathan T. D. Neil."

---
Odd fact - I have Ryan Mcginness' cell phone number. He is tied with Mary Carillo as the most famous person in my cell phone. I helped prep canvasses for him at his studio when i worked with Deitch Projects.

Share on Facebook

Young Jeezy X Terry Richardson

I saw this on some sites and simply skipped over it. Jeezy had the chance to make an incredible video for My President Is Black but kind of left me unsatisfied. Then I saw that this video was directed by Terry Richardson and figured it was worth a look.



Shot by Terry Richardson at New York’s five-star, hotel Plaza Athenee, “Circulate” contains contributions by Gabriel Hart, who documented Young Jeezy during the historic Presidential Inauguration weekend in Washington, DC.

Share on Facebook

13th Witness x Jay-Z

Via High Snobiety...


"Photographer/videographer 13thWitness, aka Timothy McGurr, has recently updated his site, stocked with vibrant photos and a collection of eye-catching videos.

Included in this site update and re-skinning is an ultra-exclusive photo shoot with Jay-Z, DJ Neil Armstrong, and The Roc Boys at their rehearsal for their performances surrounding Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, and a new music video for Japanese Hip-Hop powerhouse Nitro Microphone Underground.

As always, 13thWitness’ lens is as sharp and piercing, and his editing skills visceral and second-to-none.

Check it out here."

Share on Facebook

Obamicon!

Shepard Fairy - dude has gotten huge!

Here he talks with Stephen Colbert:


Via Nis...Obamicon!

"The longest election season in memory is now over, and we wanted to help you unwind and express yourself as we head into the new era.

Make your own "Obamicon" — your image in a style inspired by Shepard Fairey's iconic poster. Regardless of your candidate of choice in the 2008 election, here's your chance to sound-off.

Take your picture with a webcam or upload a photo, choose your own message, and submit to the gallery."

Make your own here!

obamiconme.pastemagazine.com/

Share on Facebook

Stephen Sprouse X Deitch Projects

Via High Snobiety...


It seems like Stephen Sprouse is all over the place these days. Not only is the artists work featured on a new Louis Vuitton collection and on the new Le Book, also an exhibition by my former employer - Deitch Projects has opened tonight in New York in the former adidas Originals space in Soho.

Share on Facebook

I'll Send You A Postcard...

From Becca...

Postcards From the Edge is a Visual AIDS benefit show and sale of original, postcard-sized works on paper by established and emerging artists. All works are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The works are signed on the back and exhibited so the artists' signatures cannot be seen. While buyers receive a list of all participating artists, they don't know who created which piece until purchased.

All proceeds support the work of Visual AIDS, utilizing contemporary art for AIDS advocacy and historicizing the work of HIV-positive artists while offering career support

---

Benefit Sale -- ONE DAY ONLY!
Saturday, January 10, 2009 from 11:00 - 7:00
$5, suggested admission
Over 1,500 original postcard-sized works of art.
$75 EACH. Buy 4 cards and get 1 free!
First-come, first served.

Preview Party
Friday, January 9, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Your only chance to get a sneak peek at the entire show. No sales but one lucky winner will select any postcard! $75 admission includes one raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets $20. Participating artists attend free.

Click here to see the long list of participating artists.


Share on Facebook

Read A Book

Via The Art Collectors.


Artist of the moment Shepard Fairey’s work for 2008 was certainly not limited to the now ubiquitous image of Obama. Fairey was also commissioned by Penguin Books to design covers for the re-release of the Orwell classics 1984 and Animal Farm. Both covers have been produced as posters, which sold quickly at the initial UK launch. Obey will be offering them to US customers on December 31, 2008. The pair hits for $140.

Share on Facebook

Finding room for art...

Via Nis...

Artware Editions recently released: The 2009 Artist Towel Series

"Featuring towels designed by Ed Ruscha, Karen Kilimnick, Raymond Pettibon and Julian Schnabel, these 100% cotton towels are machine washable. These oversized towels are great for the beach, the bath, a picnic, or as a tapestry to hang on your wall.

Because of the function of a bath or beach towel, the idea of the gaze is the prominent motif in this series. Therefore, for this series of artist-designed beach/bath towels, the participating artists were asked to submit an image that included the eyes of its subject."

Here are my two favorites:

By Kehinde Wiley:



By Elizabeth Peyton:



In addition, Artware Editions released a limited number of artist designed shower curtains.



Nana, the shower curtain above designed by Lisa Yuskavage, is based on one of the lush and provocative subjects for which the artist is so well-known. The image is printed on two layers of fabric which gives it a very sensual, shimmery look. Also included is a set of artist-chosen shower curtain rings in the colors of papaya, licorice and grape which are meant to recall dissolved candy. Specific placement of these rings completes the design.

Check out Artware Editions --- Cause they are really bringing it on the design tip. Seating, bookcases, lighting, carpeting...what really got me was their wallpaper.

I mean if you got some loot...one stop shop for living fly.

Share on Facebook

Hipster Petco

From Jake...


Prankster artist Banksy opened the Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill on New York City's 7th Avenue between West 4th and Bleeker Street.

The shop/gallery is stocked with an animatronic-powered menagerie including McDonald's Chicken McNuggets drinking barbecue sauce, breaded fish that swim in a large round bowl, and hot dogs living the high life under heat lamps in cages near the cash register.


Open through Halloween!

Share on Facebook

Super 8

I recently purchased a Super 8 camera on ebay. I came close to dropping a whole lot of money on a top of the line model but I decided instead to take a chance on one that was said to have been sitting in a basement for god knows how long. I shot this footage just to see if it worked.



Click to Listen/Download:

• spider - The Clearing

www.myspace.com/spidersongs

Share on Facebook

I'm a little too awesome.

Sen. Barack Obama was a comedy hit at the Al Smith Dinner last night...



"Many of you know that I got my name, Barack, from my father. What you may not know is that Barack is actually Swahili for 'that one'," he said, referring to his Kenyan father.

"And I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't think I'd ever run for president," Obama said.

"But to name my greatest strength I guess it would be my humility. Greatest weakness, it's possible that I'm a little too awesome."

"But at least we’ve moved past the days when the main criticism coming from the McCain campaign was that I’m some celebrity. I have to admit that that really hurt. I got so angry about it I punched the paparazzi in the face on my way out of Spago’s. I’m serious. I even spilled my soy chai latte all over my shih tzu. It was really embarrassing."

---

On another note...the "Artists for Obama" campaign is back in full force. Jonathan Hoefler, Robert Indiana, and Lou Stovall contribute to the campaign with three new pieces.

"Possible" by type designer Jonathan Hoefler


"Hope" by Robert Indiana


"Sea to Shining Sea" by artist Lou Stovall



Share on Facebook

Friends With Benefits

Brooklyn based DJ Collective, Friends with Benefits Continues to Courageously Carry out its Commitment to the Community...


Chelsea Art Museum
Friday, October 17
9 pm - 1 am
$15 = Open Bar

A message from Friend with Benefits:
THIS IS A PARTY - THERE WILL BE DRINKING - THERE WILL BE DANCING - THERE ARE NO DRESS REQUIREMENTS - UNLESS YOU ARE LOOKING TO MEET SOMEONE - THEN YOU SHOULD DRESS ACCORDINGLY - OTHERWISE ANYTHING IS FINE - ANYTHING EXCEPT A BARREL, A BURLAP SACK AND 'NOTHING'

Should be an amazing party - despite the lame ass flyer.
Trust me.

Unrelated...here is an article on "How to Start a Friends With Benefits Relationship".

Become a "Fan" on Facebook --- Friends With Benefits

Share on Facebook

From Russia with Love (Mad Love)

Russian painter, Alex Melamid (of Komar and Melamid) currently has an exhibition titled "Holy Hip-Hop!" in the LA Area - reminds me of my main man Kehinde Wiley - that being said this work doesn't hold weight next to Wiley's work.



Holla at a Nis...

Share on Facebook

Fashion Party!

Obama...man is this dude cool. After killing it with the Artists for Obama campaign - Obama is now getting his fashion on. Coordinated with Fashion Week the Obama campaign has found a new way to raise money. Obama's Runway to Change features t-shirts and bags designed by the aristocracy of design and fashion. Check out some of the designs!

By Tracy Reese

By Vera Wang

By Narciso Rodriguez

By Pharell


Share on Facebook

Cougar Alert

I am currently stuck in a phase where I can't get Debbie Harry out of my head (when I'm not thinking of Lykke Li that is). Has there ever been a woman more sexy? If i was a king she would be my queen.

To make sure I continue my infatuation - September 9th, at 10:00 PM - The Theaters at 45 Bleecker Street will be showing "NIGHTCLUBBING". (Holla at a Kyra.)

---

NIGHTCLUBBING by Pat Ivers and Emily Armstrong

Described by the New York Times as, “The Lewis and Clark of rock video”, Pat Ivers and Emily Armstrong spent their nights from 1975-80 documenting the burgeoning punk scene in nightclubs around New York City. Taped on location at CBGB's, Mudd Club, Danceteria among others, bands include BAD BRAINS, BALLISTIC KISSES, BLONDIE, BUSH TETRAS, JOHN CALE, CONTORTIONS, CRAMPS, DEAD BOYS, DEAD KENNEDYS, DNA, GO-GOs, HEARTBREAKERS, RICHARD HELL and the VOIDOIDS, LEVI and THE ROCKATS, LOUNGE LIZARDS, IGGY POP, SUICIDE, TALKING HEADS, and TEENAGE JESUS AND THE JERKS.

NIGHTCLUBBING offers a unique insight into a culture that had far more effect on the world than its movement could ever have imagined.



Share on Facebook

Jazz, Jambalaya, and Banksy...

SB passed this on...

British street artist Banksy has painted several murals in New Orleans to mark the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.


Banksy said: "Three years after Katrina I wanted to make a statement about the state of the clean-up operation."


The rebuilt levee wall offers not just better protection for the city, but also "the best painting surface in the state of Louisiana", according to Banksy.



Share on Facebook