I learned how to swing dance last night. At the time I didn't know it, but there were some camera's rolling. I'm the one Lindy hopping with the white tux jacket on. Oh aren't I funny. If you don't enjoy the dancing in this scene from Hellzapoppin at least sit back and click your fingers to the music, Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside". I'm going to be rather busy for the next few days, but look out for a New Years post.
The new apartment beckons, and while of course there is no way in the world that I could afford anything from Factory20 i've been taking a peek. A man can dream can't he. I'd advise that you take a few minutes to look through all they have to offer, it's a wonder. Truly. It must have taken years to acquire such a vast and illustrious collection. Hats off to them. Incase anyone feels bad about not buying me anything for Christmas here are the items i'd most like. For late night reading sessions, this French Articulating Floor Lamp. For scripts that never meet the grade, vintage wire trash . Of course the Mac needs a home, walnut executive desk? For the walls, some Niko Icaic Cuban Film posters, and for the living room, to keep records magazines and stuff this Maurice Villency Walnut Credenza...thanks in advance you guys.
29/12/08 - Day of the dead horses
Moving North from yesterday’s Argentinean post I’ve decided to stop off in the Western highlands of Guatemala. Todos Santos to be exact, and for a good reason. You see the folks there have quite the tradition, a festival if you will. We've just missed it for this year. The special day falls annually on November 1st, the Day of the Dead. Sinister start, but it's all fun and games, for on that day the men mount their trusty steeds and race up and down the main street of the town. Of course the crowds lining the well-worn road scream, and shout, as each man struggles to deal not only with his increasingly stubborn mule, but his new found inability to remain upright. This new inability is a direct result of the copious amounts of moonshine and beer he has no doubt consumed up to this point in the day. They seem to know what they’re getting themselves into. It’s as if for years they just raced the horses up and down the street, then one year someone said, “Hey, this is too mundane, should we also have to be paralytic drunk?” I'm sure it all ends in tears, as the sober pony, by now fed up, takes off down the road with said town elder left nursing a hangover and a bruised derrière. For the people of Todos Santos there's nothing like a pony riding festival to celebrate the dead, and for us, there’s nothing like a pony festival to inspire some fantastic photography. All the photos are by Victor J Blue. You can see the rest of his Guatemala shots here. Please be warned there are some very shocking images.
Oh to be sitting astride of this beauty surveying the lush green hills of Argentina. What a country. Full of great art too. I came across Pituto Raro today, and while i'm not altogether sure what he is all about, I enjoyed some of his collective's [Fase] photos. Check out his handmade bits and bobs, journals and books here. Just click the little grey / white pages. Fase, his collective, have thought long and hard about what they are all about, yet have made little sense. I don't think english is their first language, but I think that's just how they wanted it; "Today we are 4, tomorrow could be 30, never one, less no one. It is a magazine and then it is not, tomorrow a party, after tomorrow a theatre piece, next week a shuttle agency taking you to neverland." As well as Raro I found Martin Tibabuzo. His "Living the life of another one" set on flickr is well worth a look. Be sure to check out the accompanying video.
There can be something so perfect about a flawed photograph, yet, in today's world of photoshop, the practice of inserting two images into one is commonplace. That is why, I think, while seeing original double takes on squareamerica.com I fell in love with the flaws all over again. You can take a look through them all here.
While we are on the subject of squareamerica I just wanted to
share with you some images which I rooted out. I have been on the
lookout for portraits and came across a wonderful selection here.
I'll not inundate you with links, but here are three keepers. one
| two | three.
In other news, my dream of starting a travelling doll project, [the one
where I send a doll to my friends in Australia, they take some snaps,
then send the doll to their mates in Spain, then to Iceland, then Fiji
etc etc] was dealt a cruel, premature and mortal blow today when, after
doing some research, I came across the American
Dolls. Lovely.
Anyone get anything stupendous from Santa? Feel free to post below. I'll start the ball rolling by letting you all know that I didn't, despite all my hinting, get one of these. Anyways, has everyone picked out their 2009 planner? It's only around the corner. I haven't got anything yet, so i've spent the morning hunting. It's harder then you think. Of course there are the likes of this Moleskine, or for the wood cairn in you this blank journal, but neither are what i'm after. I stumbled upon O-Checks shop, and this weekly/monthly planner. Perfect. Since it has to come the whole way from Australia I thought i'd get my moneys worth on the old shipping, so i'm trying to decide between this desktop calendar and these memo pads to go with it.
I am not alone today, but I'm sure there are lots who are, so
think on when you're complaining about Auntie Doris and her stale
breath, Grandad Paul's war time tales and crazy cousin Susie's drunken
promises. "I love you." I saw today's picture on Iambrutedeath
and thought i'd use it. Where is he today? Don't worry it's not all
doom and gloom. I have sought out The
Boswell Sisters for your enjoyment, and when you're done with the
1930's or the Heebie Jeebies, whichever you tire of first, I have this
quote from René
Daumal to get you thinking....
I am not quite sure where, when or why the phrase 'there or thereabouts' caught on with wewillbecome. I guess it was because I always, in jest, said that if there was one thing I learned it was that if you aim low you're never disappointed. Thus the phrase 'there or thereabouts' screams mediocrity. Perfect for a blog like this. I wonder then why Nigel Peake has 'Wherewithal' as the catch line for his blog. I stopped wondering however, and just spent some time marvelling at his work. If it's not his watercolours it's his architecture. Here is his website, and here is a link to a place where you can buy some of his books. The shed one if my favourite. There is a good interview with him here.
22/12/08 - Fantastic Mr Le Bec
I have been really busy this weekend writing this new blog for Balcony TV, but I have had a chance to find a few things. Firstly the simple, no frills 'I took photo's' - that's where I got todays image. It's just a photoblog, but well worth a visit. Then I came across Toby Triumph. He's a fun illustrator, and I love his self promotion work. Capital! Lastly, but my favourite today is Yann Le Bec. His Fantastic Procession is a wonder. Find one you like, save it. Change your desktop. I did.
I keep a journal. Moleskine of course. I was proud of my efforts, that was until I took a look at Jean Jullien's 5000 pages project. The boy is amazing. If he's not creating his own fashion label he's shooting short films, opening exhibitions or promoting club nights. A jack of all trades would do him an injustice. The above picture was snapped at the Reflet exhibition organised in the summer by manystuff. You should check them out here. Summer might be long over, but Jullien is still grafting, making sure we don't hit the streets in anger. Has anyone asked him about world peace yet?
19/12/08 - Ich bin ein Berliner
Berlin is slowly creeping to the top of my "Must go there when I get a chance" list. I'm not sure exactly what has me head over heels with the German capital, but I have a few notions, so here they are. Firstly Blu. His latest piece [above] was just filmed there in November. He never stops amazing me. If you haven't seen his other stuff spend some time here on his site. Then I came across the doyoureadme blog and subsequent shop front. I can see myself tucked in there on a cold saturday afternoon, reading rather then buying. Lastly, and most excitedly I happened upon indexberlin, a truly comprehensive review of what's on and a who's who of Berlin art galleries and venues. Way to go Berlin, I'm sorry I have been so distant.
18/12/08 - Worthless internets
"Without connecting people to people, the Internet isn't worth shit. A bunch of machines up-on-high presenting static information to us little people down below. More machines in our lives, taking us one step further from the world of love and life and work." I agree with Wes Modes, the internet has the ability to be worthless, but it's not. The internet, if I ever stop talking about it, is doing just great at connecting people. So, here I am, doing my little bit to connect you to some amazing people. It seems like forever since I wrote my magazine piece on the end of polaroid, I must admit despite my tone throughout the article I wasn't giving up on the old dog, and niether are lots of others. Poladiary is fighting the good fight. Long may it continue. Beth Schaible makes the most beautiful art, books and prints. Leigh Pearson writes and draws, and the shoestringartists are doing a great job at nullifying Modes fears of a worthless internet.
I am part of a generation to whom the internet has been a fellow class mate. One who is always smarter then us, but at the same time is growing up and learning along with us. Yes, the new is always shiny and alluring, but for too long we have just been using the internet to find everything that is new, hip and cool. It's about time we used it to look at some classics, and some which are not 1980's cult cartoons. For the last year bilko1234, a youtube user, has been uploading classic Irish folk videos. From Planxty to Christy Moore and all in between it's a brilliant collection, one which I have been lost in all day. The above video, for Paul Brady's - Arthur McBride comes from a performance in 1977. Where were you in 1977? I dare say you wish you were in the audience for this, I know I do. You see such a song we would never have heard if the likes of Paul Brady didn't stop once in a while and take a look back, not forward. Written in 1840 this song has been sang for over 150 years, but perhaps never as beautifully as above.
The beauty of having a bi-annual magazine is that everytime you launch an issue you can throw a party, just like these guys at Apartamento Magazine. Which brings me to my thought for today. Do you love where you live? Forget about the rolling hills, wide open spaces, city skyline or quirky downtown street for a second, because I mean your house, your apartment, your one bed, your downstairs loo, your hallway. Do you love it? I've been doing some re-reading of some old favourites recently. You see I've been on the hunt for a new apartment. A few weeks ago I posted about Selby, and today I wanted to tell you about Apartamento. Not because of their parties, but because of their excellent publication. Marco Velardi, the Milan based editor says of it, “Apartamento is there to capture the moment in life you start living in your own home and you want it to reflect your own personality.” They are only two issues old, but have already been hoisted high by the likes of Nick Currie on The Moment blog. They pride themselves on showing interior design as it is lived in. Design that works, that can be lived with, and that can be loved just as much for its crooked stairs as its clean cut Scandinavian lines. Isn't it great when the work of others inspires you. Apartamento has me all eager at the thought of moving in...
I don't live in NYC, but if I did I know where I would be off to
tonight. You see one monday a month Moma, the Museum or Modern Art, opens its doors a
little bit later, and well, by all accounts it usually turns into a fun
evening, complete with special exhibitions and audience participation.
They've been jumping for art recently. Here
is a link to some pictures. Nothing special, but then take a look at
the security guard pointing his toes in this picture. Priceless. It's all part of Allison
Reimus's Jumping in Art Museums project, which you can take a look at here.
For me, anything that's putting a smile on securitas's face is a
winner.
13/12/08 - How have you grown?
Faesthetic is almost
eight. A fully fledged tri-annual art magazine, it's a far cry from the
humble photocopied zine to which it first gave its name. It got me
thinking, just seeing how Faesthetic has developed over the years,
about the changes here at wewillbecome. So it's time for a look back.
Four years of wewillbecome.com. Have a laugh at my expense, for it
wasn't always the cutting edge design, no wait, it still
isn't....nevermind. It all began with this,
which of course served no purpose whatsoever. It didn't take long for
change, but that too was lacking, if not a little gimmicky.
I guess after a while I decided to keep it simple stupid, and so the
plain white wewillbecome was born. Here
is a look at the first attempt, and the subsequent developments here, here and here.
After a while the plain white began to cry out for some content, some
text, and so the blog
was born. That too got a revamp and went all grey, and that pretty
much brings us up to now. I suppose where Faesthetic has grown in size,
design, and popularity wewillbecome has faltered, but we'll not let
that hold us back. Besides, I bet they can't look into their past and
find beauties like this. Oh dear oh dear.
Today I have been marvelling at the work of Tim Knowles. It is
fantastic. I don't know where to start. His tree drawings are not only
novel and downright poetic, but the end result is aesthetically very
pleasing. Simple yes, but pleasing. Knowles attaches a pen to the
branch of a tree, sets up an easel and lets the wind and the wood do
the rest. You can take a look here. His Postal Works is another piece of
brilliance. He created a small hole in a package which a digital camera
captured images through. The result is a short animated sequence of the journey undertaken. Fun.
In his artist’s statement he quotes Paul Auster, saying; “The
pen moves across the earth: it no longer knows what will happen, and
the hand that holds it has disappeared.” Oh I always
knew an Oak would make a great illustrator.
"Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket – safe, dark, motionless, airless – it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable." C. S. Lewis. I just thought I would share that little C. S. quote with you today, and coupled with the animated GIF you're all set to swing back in your chair and think fondly of those around you who you love and hold dear. If you think they deserve a little something something from you then why not try one of these for the ladies, and one of these for the gents. "wewillbecome.com, bringing you sentimental nonsense bi-annually."
Steven Read had to create a vast amount of code to produce the image 'Please Wait' on this Apple monochrome monitor. He was so chuffed with his code that he let it sit on the screen continually for 9 months. The software image was eventually burned into the screen because the internal phosphor compounds, which emit light, lost their luminosity and left behind a ghostly trace. I like it, but I would have liked it more if it had occurred by accident, but alas Steven was fuelled in his quest by the desire to create some art, which he did. Neato Steven.
It's cold outside, so I thought I would find a nice picture of somewhere warm and fool myself by staring at it while sitting beside a throbbing radiator. It didn't work. In the process of doing this I came across Kevin Milly Morosky's work, for it is his picture you are looking at. He is part of the Gloria Loves Valentine collective, who I spotted after they did a shoot for Swear London. All the cool cats have jumped on the Swear band wagon, and why not? They're stupendous.
I don't dream many dreams, and those that I do are often quite attainable. One such dream is to own a great house / apartment. Now, not one that screams of luxury, or one that has views over the sea. My dream is for an abode that expresses exactly what I am about. One that I come home to and adore. That has all the simple things I love within it. Quirky books on vintage shelves, nourished plants draped over vinyl laden cupboards. Miss-matched chairs around an old wooden table. A kitchen smelling of freshly cooked food. A dream too far? Not for these folks. Todd Selby is a marvel. His website is truly amazing. Please, click here and go and look at his work. He goes into artists and creative homes, interviews them and snaps away. The results are the stuff of dreams.
05/12/08 - Something went amiss
It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees, they're putting up reindeer and singing songs of joy and peace...Oh Joni. It's coming on Christmas, and all over the country proud parents are digging out their Hi-8 video camera's just in time for the school nativity play. Wee Jonny has got the role of Inn Keeper, and cute little Martha has been given the duty of standing as the second angel on the right. Parents truly believe their kids to be talented, as they blurt out hurried lines, or better still go all light headed and dizzy from singing "We wish you a merry Christmas" one too many times. In truth all children have just been set a benchmark, and not by an adult, but by one of their own. Please be as amazing as the child above. If you are not. You fail. Simple. Oh I jest.
"Pop, pop, three times pop!" What can you not find in France these days? It is home to Kumisolo. She makes a joyful racket, one which I have been listening to all day long. Listen to Nasty Boy, Etude pour kinoko and Dalida Mourir Sur Scene here on her myspace, and when your speakers are crying out for something else head on over to her website, where she has done some special tracks, including a memorable Simon and Garfunkel cover "April come she will". She's got lots of merch, photos and videos to keep you occupied until Santa comes.
Today I would like to talk about Billy Childish. If you have never come across this fellow never fear, in fact rejoice. His work, in my humble opinion, looks like that of a simpleton. Now these are just my own thoughts on this former lover of Tracy Emin, but they have been created not only as a result of seeing his artwork, but from rooting through the plethora of other material he brings to the judgment table. His music, poetry and of course his manifestos. From a man who is quoted as saying "Art can achieve nothing." He has prided himself on filling the world with a whole lot of nothing. He is, at the very most, prolific. Cruel to be kind? Yes.
I dislike it when people ask bands about the origins or their name. I love the mystery of not knowing, and just creating a reason in my head and sticking to it. Luckily wewillbecome.com is not popular enough for people to even care why I picked the name. Now, if anyone were to ask me, I would just point them in the direction of the above video. Today I think you should do two things. The first is to listen to Page France. The second is to create a reason why they chose Page France as their name. Fun.
I know that the cold mid winter has set in, for of a morning I am looking for my boots, and not my trusty white plimsoles. Anyways, here are some links to some shots I really love. They are all by Jennifer Causey - China | Breakfast | Lobster.
In other news, isn't it great to see that Nevermind the Buzzcocks are giving back to the music industry, rather then just poking fun at it. This weeks guests included The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, with front lady Mette flying the flag. They make a mean video too.