This was flying over head yesterday afternoon
November 20, 2009
Salon, 11/21/09
From Chris:
Saturday’s salon, at the boatyard in Seal Beach:
700 Marina (behind Devynn’s Garden–a flower shop on the corner of PCH and Marina, just north of Jack in the Box and Sofa U Love.)
Zip code: 90740
Time 7.30 ish. Program begins no later than 8.30.
We’ll have a roaring fire and things to toast in it, plus paintings by Darren Hostetter,
poems by Marlys West, and music by The Romany Rye.
Artist Eric Trine will be creating memories.
Bring a coat, your friends or just you, a bottle of wine*, and/or a folding chair. (*optional)
If you have questions, please let me know.
I really hope to see you there.
From me:
This is always such a great event. Really inspiring, and great mingling and conversation! As Chris mentioned above, yes, I will be creating memories – but it’s a collaborative memory making process!
I know there are a ton of parties going on tomorrow night, but come to the salon before those parties!
See you there!
November 19, 2009
We are fashionable!
The internet is awesome! There’s some seriously funny stuff out there – and some serious stuff that doesn’t know it’s funny. There’s also some serious serious stuff, and some funny funny stuff. I really love the stuff that doesn’t know it’s funny – people who are trying to be serious, or want to be taken seriously, and, for one reason or another, it’s just not working. Like Glenn Beck, or this kid, or Glenn Beck.
I’m not sure why I thought of that, because it really doesn’t have very much in common with the rest of this post…
Anyway, the recent “serious that doesn’t know it’s funny” situation was featured on a blog called the Denim Guy. Without trying to discredit them, or the parties involved, like my friend Samuel, they posted a funny observational piece on our recent golf outing in Vegas. Maybe it’s only funny because I know the back story; here goes:
Please keep in mind, I’m not trying to be negative, because I’ve done the same thing before – written an opinion piece based solely on my observations without getting the facts straight [here]. And I sling my good share of BS too, so try and read this in the light-hearted way I intend it.
Here’s a paragraph from their post:
“While golf has never been the most fashionable sport (polo shirt, Dockers and golf shoes…sigh), Samuel has photographed what is becoming a new era in what used to be your grandpa’s favorite past time on Saturday mornings. He has captured everyday golfers taking in everyday trends and merging them together to make their own relaxed style at the 18th hole. Combining old school tradition with modern appeal and style, the end result is a look that the fashionable can embrace while still adhering to the rules of the game. Take a look at the images below and see why Samuel Lippke is the master of capturing modern style one click at at time.”
I love that sentence in bold above. Everyday golfers? The author of the post on the denim guy grabbed photos from Samuel’s blog where Samuel explicitly states, “My first round of golf…ever.” Not only was it Samuel’s first time golfing, but it was also Danny’s first time golfing. Like most golf courses, there is a dress code, so when we decided to go golfing that morning we ran to the mall to find clothes that we could wear on the course. Danny bought a pair of womens shorts on the sale rack at Levi’s for $9.99. Samuel found that plaid green long sleeve for $19.99. I kinda went all out at J Crew with the khakis and polo shirt, because I wanted to look like a sappy golfer, and I even bought that dopey cowboy hat. Evan happened to be wearing those black cords, and the plaid shirt, so he didn’t have to buy anything – but, ironically, he’s the only one out all of us that actually golfs on a semi-regular basis. But, look at the kid, he’s a rail, and couldn’t possibly fit in anything other than skinny fitting trousers.
Unknowingly, we picked up on, according to the author, “…a new trend that ties the worlds of golf and fashion together in a way that hasn’t been seen before.”
We are fashionable!
A couple points on that.
1. Golf has always been a very fashionable sport. In fact, it has a very distinct look that is instantly recognizable. Well, let me modify that – it may not be fashionable per se, but it has always been the one sport where we can count on fashion statements being made.
2. Golf [and tennis] was one of the driving forces in fashion development at the turn of the last century. Men and women were shedding their Victorian garb, embracing a more recreational lifestyle that involved sports such as golf and tennis. (The bicycle and the automobile were also very influential.)
3. Golf was a gentleman’s sport – Gentleman wear nice gear.
4. Cardigans, V-Neck sweaters, Ivy Caps, Fedoras, Tweed and Wool Trousers, Saddle Shoes.
4. It’s all been seen or done before. Here are a few examples:
Above: The late, great Payne Stewart, who dressed like this in the 90’s!
photo credits: Samuel Lippke, Golf.com., Time, LIFE archive
November 18, 2009
Pick Your Pot and Pot Your Plant
I don’t think that I’ve ever officially mentioned my little succulent stand at SEED People’s Market.
It’s simple, pick your pot and pot your plant.
I round up a bunch of interesting containers, or just make my own, and you get to pick a plant and pot it on site.
I’ve also been making a lot of table top plant stands recently, which are available for purchase also – like these, they have 4″ terra cotta pots in them.
Stop by SEED and pick up some great gifts for friends and loved ones!!!
November 18, 2009
Where are the Gentleman Broncos?
Word has it, Fox Searchlight canned the nation wide release of the new Jared Hess film, Gentleman Broncos. After a poor opening weekend, though it was only at 2 theaters in the whole nation, they’ve decided not to go ahead with the release. Details here via Cinema Blend. Bummer! But wait, another report was released that the studio is back on to release the film! Details here via Cinema Blend.
Though I haven’t seen the film, it seems to me like this is going to be on par with Hess’ other films, with an extra twist of the bizzare. Simply having Jemaine Clement in a movie is enough of an assurance that the movie will do well enough – then add Jennifer Coolidge and Sam Rockwell, blow dart guns, battle stags, and amazing costuming, they’re sure to pull in at least a couple of million.
And I’ll bet that half of you haven’t even heard of this movie yet.
Here’s the trailer:
I know! how could they can this!!!?
Still coming soon…
November 11, 2009
Behave Yourself
New stuff from my friends, Cold War Kids and Long Beach Film Company.
This has been out for a couple weeks, but I was reminded of it when I was driving to work yesterday and heard them on Morning Becomes Eclectic.
Well done.
November 10, 2009
Golfing In Vegas
Or rather, looking like a golfer on a golf course in Las Vegas, trying to hit balls – I don’t think I would consider what I did “golfing”, but it was fun.
See Samuel’s full run down of photos HERE.
Here’s a select few of me, looking like a PGA pro, or something:
Shanked this one so far into the woods… You can tell I played more hockey and baseball as youngster than I did golf.
Don’t worry, I made this putt…I think.
Beautiful fairways in the middle of the desert. Good times.
November 9, 2009
Men Who Stare At Goats – review
Watch the Trailer:
Looks good, right? Funny, right? It has all the right actors that you’d want to see in a move like this, right?
Yes. Right. It was good, and funny, and Clooney, Bridges, Spacey and McGregor had quite delightful characters.
But, it was lacking that magic factor. That little piece of extra goodness that draws a line between a “good movie” and a “great film”.
You know what I mean?
That’s all I have to say.
Had a good time though, and there are definitely some great quotables…
November 6, 2009
Weekend Preview via photos…
I know, the weekend has started yet, but I wanted to give you a preview of what I’m up to.
I’ve got so many projects to catch up on, and yet another wedding to attend.
Here’s the plan for tonight thru Sunday:
Have a great weekend
November 2, 2009
Trade Show…
In Vegas for a trade show…
Posts to be slim over the next few days….
I’ve already had my customary Las Vegas-It’s dry as hell-retarded-I’m a 10 year old-nose bleed episode-in the middle of a sports bar… Neat.
Hope everyone had a smashing holiday weekend.
The shows start tomorrow and there will be plenty of postings with excellent photos in the days to come.
Also, we’ve hire Samuel Lippke to come out for the next few days and shoot our events.
Check back soon for radness..
October 29, 2009
Tim Burton short film, Vincent Price, Spookiness etc…
Heather and I were reviewing some spooky films for our halloween bash this saturday, and this old Tim Burton short film came to mind.
Vincent Price narrates -
Enjoy
PS – did you know that Vincent Price was the Inventor in Edward Scissorhands?
The Original House on Haunted Hill Trailer:
Kermit the Frog and Vincent Price:
And, of course, we can’t forget that Vincent provided the voiceover for MJ’s Thriller. I liked this remix and montage:
October 28, 2009
Lend me a (creepy) caption! (5)
Got a caption for this creepy photograph?
Leave em in the comments…
Photo from the Life archive hosted by google
October 27, 2009
Recent Acquisition (Golf Cart!)
I own a Tee-Bird! A 1961 Taylor Dunn Tee-Bird! What a genius name for a golf cart!
It’s in great shape and running condition, although the top speed is not much more than a brisk walk, well, a very brisk walk, kinda. It’s a good thing too, the 3 wheel set up makes it a little squirrely – but it’s a head turner nonetheless!
Looking forward to doing some fun projects with this new little vehicle!
October 26, 2009
Bruce Sterling on a Multitool…
I was going through a bunch of old bookmarked pages on my computer and found this.
Taken from the Last Viridian note found here some time ago. If you have time, the entire note is a great read. He draws out some very insightful distinctions regarding sustainability, materials possessions, and why it’s important to buy high quality shoes. I particularly liked this excerpt on carrying a multitool:
I strongly recommend that you carry a multitool. There are dozens of species of these remarkable devices now, and for good reason. Do not show them off in a beltpack, because this marks you as a poorly-socialized geek. Keep your multitool hidden in the same discreet way that you would any other set of keys.
That’s because a multitool IS a set of keys. It’s a set of possible creative interventions in your immediate material environment. That is why you want a multitool. They are empowering.
A multitool changes your perceptions of the world. Since you lack your previous untooled learned-helplessness, you will slowly find yourself becoming more capable and more observant. If you have pocket-scissors, you will notice loose threads; if you have a small knife you will notice bad packaging; if you have a file you will notice flashing, metallic burrs, and bad joinery. If you have tweezers you can help injured children, while if you have a pen, you will take notes. Tools in your space, saving your time. A multitool is a design education.
October 23, 2009
Holy Drum n Bass, Jungle Jesus, etc…
This
Is
So
Good!
Pentecostal style church gatherings + drum n bass = awesome!
That should get your weekend going!
If Church meetings were more like this, I’d definitely be more inclined to go!
October 20, 2009
Recent projects and displays at SEED
Here are a few pieces that I’ve built recently at SEED Peoples Market at The Camp:
Above: This was my most recent project. I made custom shelving using 16 gauge steel sheet metal. Covered the wall in different shades of contractors paper.
Above: Custom made 1/2 picnic table for the world music listening station. The 2 listening stations our mounted to the wall – The wall is covered with a collage of world book encyclopedia covers and the pages of the encyclopedias provide the shelving.
Above: The final incarnation of the magazine rack made from salvaged steel. Also a stump pedestal I made using a vintage rolly cart thingy.
Above: Put some feet on the boat, and we loaded it up with toys in the kids section
Above: This is the $20 rack that I bought and dialed out with some new shelving. Looks great when it’s fully loaded with product.
Rad.
October 19, 2009
The Irony of Irony – and diamond encrusted skulls!
What would the world be without it’s endless supply of knock-offs?
Rather, what would the world’s greatest monuments be if you couldn’t purchase them in snow globe form at the nearest gift shop? I mean, what is Michelangelos’ David without those boxer shorts you can buy in every store in Florence?
How would you’re friends know that you went to visit the leaning tower of Pisa had it not been for those quirky salt and pepper shakers you got there.
We just need those pocket sized pieces of history to bookmark where we’ve been and what we’ve been up to – it makes us look credible, sophisticated, well traveled, etc. Of course, this is all in the eye of the beholder buyer. One mans kitsch is another mans ironic kitsch, and another mans ironic ironic kitsch. Similar to one mans mustache is a serious mustache compared to another mans not so serious mustache to the other other man who has a seriously unserious mustache.
Thus, it leads me to our current specimen: The Metallic Skull available at Z Gallerie – (enter resounding WTF chorus!)
If this looks familiar to you, well congratulations you haven’t been sleeping under a rock the past 2 years, and consequently, you’re probably not the kind of person who shops at Z gallerie. If this doesn’t look familiar to you, well then, allow me to introduce “For the Love of God” a piece by British artist Damien Hirst:
The piece cost 23 million to make and went to auction at 100 million. The largest price for any new piece of artwork, ever.
This was a landmark piece in the ongoing debate on conceptual art and the prices we should pay for it. Some say, Hirsts’s motivation was primarily money driven, aimed at increasing his wealth, and others say it was a critique of the art market – Either way, he was laughing all the way to the bank! My question today, is not so much the nature of this piece, but the nature of the derivatives of this piece. However, before going there, I think the best response to this piece was a prank pulled by another artist who made a copy of the piece and put it in the trash outside the gallery of the original – below: From wooster collective
Anyways, back to knock -offs – There are 2 possibilities that emanate from this piece of mass producted Z gallerie consumer bullshit:
1. They were not aware that Hirst had created the diamond encrusted piece – Therefore it’s fair to say that anything that Z gallerie creates is culturally un-savvy and not worth a dime of your time; and let’s them off the hook for not technically copying the artists’ work.
2. They were aware of Hirsts’ piece – therefore they are still culturally un-savvy for blatantly copying another artists work; and furthermore casts them into the pit of unrespectable house furnishing mass producers…
Potential buyers:
1. Someone who actually thinks this metallic skull is cool, unaware of the artists knock off. (serious mustache syndrome)(but ironic, because they are unaware of the greater cultural construction at play).
2. Someone who actually thinks this metallic skull is uncool, but buys it anyway as a joke to show their friends. (ironic mustache syndrome)(irony on purpose is ironic because it’s not ironic).
3. Someone buys 500 of them and sculpts them into a giant metallic skull! (Awesome)(Takes it to a different level)(Brings the original piece back around full circle)
4. Someone does not buy it, goes to a halloween store, buys a plastic skull, then buys some elmers glue and a big container of glitter and makes their own damn glittery metallic skull. (as long as they combine it with some “experimental” video art)(triple ironic points).
Thanks to Apartment Therapy for the tip off.
