Archive for August, 2009
Liz Hickok is a San Francisco-based artist working in photography, video, sculpture, installation, and currently, Jell-O.
When describing her work, Liz says, :
I create glowing, jellied scale models of urban sites, transforming ordinary physical surroundings into something unexpected and ephemeral. Lit from below, the molded shapes of the city blur into a jewel-like mosaic of luminous color and volume. The gelatinous material also evokes uncanny parallels with the geological uncertainties of San Francisco’s landscape. While the translucent beauty of the compositions first seduces the viewer, their fragility quickly becomes a metaphor for the transitory nature of human artifacts.
[via http://www.lizhickok.com/]
I’ve really been digging the music and videos of Canadian singer, Lights. A dream pop superstar singer and songwriter, she is also an animator, which explains her quirky animated music videos with cartoon elements.
When she isn’t flying across other planets with her cape trailing in the wind, she can be found in space stations adorned in superhero headbands and wrist cuffs. Her videos have a playful 80’s reminiscence to them, as well as a modern techy vibe that screams fun, fun, fun!!! I love watching Lights play the keytar (a lightweight keyboard/synthesizer that drapes like a guitar) in her artistic dream-space videos. This winner of the 2009 Juno (basically the Canadian Grammy) sites Björk as a major influence and her first full length album, The Listening, will be released October 6th in the US, and Sept 22nd in Canada. Can’t wait!
“When I write songs I think about how my music makes people feel, and I hope that when it goes into your ears you feel happy. Not sexy happy but apple pie happy. If I’m sad then the last thing I want is to be made even more sad by music. If my music could be drawn I would picture it like a comic, with simple border lines and bright colors. On first glance there is a nice composition, but upon closer inspection there is a deeper story,” she says, divulging a little Lights philosophy.
http://www.iamlights.com/
http://www.myspace.com/lights
I love watching other artist’s processes, so naturally I was fascinated by this site. You can select an artist and watch them sketch away to music as they complete a signature piece of art. Be sure to check out the Tara McPherson video (pictured above).
Visit the site to view more! www.sketchtheatre.com
A purple neon crown glows among the fake ivy that blankets the entire facade of Royal/T, a cafe, shop, and art gallery located steps from downtown Culver City. Royal/T is a Japanese-style cosplay (costume play) café, so the staff wear Japanese lolita maid costumes. Inspired by the meido kissa (maid cafes) of Tokyo, this eclectic art space has an equally eclectic menu that includes great dessert items like Matcha green tea flan as well as a long list of coffee drinks and cocktails, a standout being the watermelon chu-hi martinis.
Unlike most cafés, Royal/T displays big name artists. Paintings and sculptures by Japan’s contemporary art stars and other rising starlets line the exposed brick walls. The art is from the collection of Susan Hancock, a collector who has served on several museum councils and is also the owner of Royal/T. You’ll find works by Chiho Aoshima, Chinatsu Ban, Yayoi Kusama, Mr, Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara, and Aya Takano among many more. It’s quite an experience to sip your tea among Murakami’s and beside hanging anime head sculptures by Mr. Even the walk to the restroom is wallpapered with floor to ceiling Japanese fashion photographs.
Royal/T
8910 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
310.559.6300
We absolutely LOVE this video by Israeli singer, songwriter, playwright, and theater director Oren Lavie for its extreme creativity and relaxed mellow mood. Not to mention it’s the perfect accompaniment to a sleepy Monday morning like today when you just don’t want to get out of bed.
Deer Head Coat Hanger
