WWF's EARTH HOUR
Labels:
Climate Change,
Cut-Off,
Don't Use,
Earth Hour,
Electricity,
Environment,
Planet Earth,
WWF
Earth Hour - 29th March - 8.30pm (your local time)Info above
(click on picture for link)
One hour (8:30PM local time, wherever you live on planet earth) of 'non-essential' electricity shut down around the world. So if I do my math that ensures that each 'room' (or time zone) on earth will be darker/less energy sapping than usual. Or if you look at it in another way the earth will have 24 hours of less electricity consumption around the world...right...?
Anyway... Saturday 28 March 2009, 8.30pm, your local time, turn the leccy off.
Simple no?
Let's save those monkeys in the forest OK!?! And other creatures of this planet, including us of course... Anyway... Saturday 28 March 2009, 8.30pm, your local time, turn the leccy off.
Simple no?
Sign up here(click on picture for link)
And a bit more info here(click on picture for link)
Nothing more to write except GO DO IT!?!?
CINEMA REDUX
Labels:
2001: A Space Odyessy,
Brendan Dawes,
Cinema Redux,
Dr. Strangelove,
Films,
Frames,
Movies,
prints,
The Incredibles,
There Will Be Blood
2001: A Space Odysseycopyright MGM
Cinema Redux. A software program that captures one frame [or screen shot] for every second the film runs and places it onto one print [or sheet of paper]. Each line represents one minute so it's 60 frames [screen shots] for every line shown. I had to read that back to myself a couple of times...
I have looked at these for a long time, wondered why I have looked at them for so long and then asked the question of why I like them. Which puts me back in the middle doesn't it?
There Will Be Blood
copyright Miramax / Paramount
copyright Miramax / Paramount
It's most comforting to look at these even if you cannot see each frame and the idea is wonderful. Brendan Dawes was the man who created Cinema Redux and has created many a special edition. Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey being one of them.
The Incredibles
copyright Disney / Pixar
copyright Disney / Pixar
The prints convey two angles; one that lets you see the images from afar (as this post shows) allowing you the viewer to see another image (which could be influenced by the film that's on the image perhaps?) and another that, if viewed up close, shows you the film proper, which would be fascinating by all accounts.
Dr Stranglove
copyright Columbia / Sony Pictures
copyright Columbia / Sony Pictures
Some say the prints represent the film's DNA but I think it's more like the soul of the film. Softer, not so 'scientific' as DNA and a lot more approachable.
All those frames on one print make for a beautiful piece of art too. A simple concept transformed into stunning reality. These I would hang on our walls without hesitation.
There are applications allowing you to make your own 'Cinema Redux' poster. Thumper for Mac and Ruby on Rails System, which is difficult to track down. I have yet to use or see them but guess the process would take some getting used to. I could be wrong though, I could be wrong.
GRAFFITI WITHOUT THE SWEAT
Labels:
Amazon,
Banksy,
Basquiat,
Blek Le Rat,
graffiti,
legal,
New York City,
NYC,
Sherwood Forlee,
Tracy 168,
Walls Notebook,
Wildstyle
Wall Notebook copyright sherwood forlee 2007
Now this I like.
'The Walls Notebook'. A cunning publication that allows you to become a Banksy, Blek Le Rat, Basquiat or even a wildstyle Tracy 168. Who knows eh? All I do know is that you can define your own style in the comfort of your own home or favourite café.
Wall Notebookcopyright sherwood forlee 2007
Me? Well, if I were to live in NYC then i'd go to the physical place shown in the book, sit down on the floor with my back touching the said wall and let my pen do the talking. Once done, look at the wall, look at the book, back and forth, up and down, merge the two places and I'm there in my own graffiti world untouced by the cops and unfazed from doing a possible runner?! Blimey...
Wall Notebook copyright sherwood forlee 2007
Although some of the places they show in the book may not be the best place to sit and dream huh? I could be wrong though.
Wall Notebook copyright sherwood forlee 2007
You can also sketch your stuff on the website; pick your pencil size, colour and away you go.
The book is on pre-order at Amazon here, good price too. I now keep my fingers crossed for a London edition...
Want more info? email info@wallsnotebook.com
OFFICE TRIPTYCH
Labels:
Barbican,
Composite,
Images,
Imagination,
London,
Megapixels,
Offices,
Skywalk,
Stories,
Story,
Triptych
From my travels around The Barbican Centre I shot a series of images focussing on an office block. The Barbican has a number of skywalk's or raised walkways and offer a great view into the many office buildings that hug its outer skin.
Barbican Office 1 (2009)(click on image for larger size)
All Rights Reserved
When I returned home I thought these images would do well as, what I call, passing-by pictures. Somewhere like a hallway or a walk-thru from room to room. Interesting when looked at for a brief moment out of the corner of ones eye but also has the ability to offer that something else when studied deliberately.
Barbican Office 2 (2009)(click on image for larger size)
All Rights Reserved
I have put these images in order and separated to give an individual view. The last shot, a composite/triptych of the three, shows this brief capture in time - about 10 seconds - and provides a certain animation to any story you care to conjure up about the office workers. My favourite being the stretching man on the fifth floor.
Barbican Office 3 (2009)(click on image for larger size)
All Rights Reserved
My camera is still in the 10mp(megapixels) range and many photographers put an issue on pixel size and state that image quality doesn't matter between 10, 12 or even 24mp's. But in my mind the last shot, the triptych, would look fantastic blown up to about 4 foot high and 6 to 7 foot long within a large room. This however does require a larger pixel count preferrably going into the medium-format 39, 50 even 60 mp range (see my earlier post). The aroma and clout would be lost if I blew these up from a mere 10mp.
Barbican Office Triptych (2009)(click on image for larger size)
All Rights Reserved
But the mind is powerful and if you look long enough at the shot, create your own story(s) and transfer to an imaginary wall then I think you will be suitably impressed. I certainly was even if I say it myself...
THRU YOU - KUTIMAN
Labels:
DJ Shadow,
editing,
Endtroducing,
Genius,
Kutiman,
magical,
mastermind,
mixing,
on-line album,
youtube
Thru YouKutiman Mixes YouTube
(click the above to play album)
(click the above to play album)
Now I haven't been excited about an album for a long time. Songs get me excited when I have found a rare track hidden in the archives of some torrent site but an album??
Thru You Kutiman Mixes YouTube
This my friends is genius. Kutiman, a man born in Jerusalem with tags such as musician, composer, producer and animator has come up with this DJ Shadow-esque, (Endtroducing...) on-line album. All samples have been taken from YouTube users and then mixed and edited together for 8 tracks of pleasure (there's 7 tracks of music but an additional 'about' which is marvellous too).
It took him three months of work and he spread the word via Twitter - some say the first Twitter star but who knows or even cares. The man is, in my books a musical mastermind. To make one song takes vision and patience but to make an album...?!?
I don't think the album touches Endtroducing but given that Kuliman has produced this in his house the scope for this guy, if given the pro suite, could be huge.
Although imagine the logistics of royalty payout if this went out on a label...?! Woof Charlie...
Respect to you sir. I hope this is the shape of things to come.
It took him three months of work and he spread the word via Twitter - some say the first Twitter star but who knows or even cares. The man is, in my books a musical mastermind. To make one song takes vision and patience but to make an album...?!?
I don't think the album touches Endtroducing but given that Kuliman has produced this in his house the scope for this guy, if given the pro suite, could be huge.
Although imagine the logistics of royalty payout if this went out on a label...?! Woof Charlie...
Respect to you sir. I hope this is the shape of things to come.
SOUTH BANK, BANKSIDE & MONUMENT CHALLENGE - PART 2
Labels:
Bankside,
Daily Express,
Fire of London,
Fleet Street,
London Eye,
Monument,
South Bank,
Stroll,
Tate,
Thames,
Tourist,
Tower Bridge
Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
The sequel if you please! Another gap too long for my liking but read on, you'll understand why.
Tate Modern, Bankside, LondonAll Rights Reserved
One London stroll, if one can call it that, which lasted 6 hours. Yes 6 hours.?!My eyes were weak, my spine creaked, feet were swelled, back it ached... It was glorious!! One of the sights that I took in was (i)The Monument to The Great Fire of London, all 311 stairs worth of climbing recently refurbished and opened a month or so ago. Now I must say vertigo gets the better of me and I did think twice about spiralling up the flights but I was a Londoner being a proud tourist in my own city for the day.
Union Jack, View from The Fire of London Monument,Monument, London
All Rights ReservedNow when I move about London from A to E, sometimes diverting via C and D, the sights are secondary to me. The backdrop of the city is just that, it serves a purpose to house the public, move the public and entertain the public. I also think it's the case of when you want to get somewhere there is no time to look and stare therefore it's head down and full steam ahead. This, I wager, is the case for most city folk - workers and Londoners alike.
I never 'tourist it up'.
Underpass, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
So I did.Last week.
From South Bank to Bankside to Borough and back to South Bank. Across the water to Embankment then down to (ii)Monument ending up east side at The Tower of London and St Katharine's Docks. Burr-you-tee-full.
London Eye Capsule, South Bank, LondonAll Rights Reserved
It put a whole new perspective on London for me, being a tourist that is. My camera was out all day, I mingled with the foreign crowds, took in the sights and waited for Tower Bridge to open. I must add that last week was the first time I saw it open in all my 36 years of visting and living in London...!? Bloody marvellous it was to see the road lift, even though it would have been more exciting if I were six or thereabouts.
Tower Bridge Fully Drawn, Tower Hill, LondonAll Rights Reserved
So, here's my thought of the day.
I recommend that if you live or work in London become a tourist for one day in the month, every month. It makes you appreciate what amazing tourist spots we have and also puts you around lovely people throughout the day. Even if the tourists do swear, shout down the phone or slag people off you don't understand what they are saying and it sounds so much nicer in Japanese, Thai or French...n'est pas??
(i) I must thank the cashier in The Monument who gave student passes to the two girls in front of me. As I was a tourist I thought i'd be cheeky to these London folk and asked for a student concession too (£2 instead of £3). She shook her head, smiled and gave me a tut then asked for £2!! Fantastic! It was only a pound saving but the view up top seemed even sweeter somehow. Thank you! You also get a certificate when you come back down pronouncing 'You have climb the 311 stairs to the top"
(ii) I did pass by - on the way to Monument - one of my favourite buildings in London. The old Daily Express offices on Fleet Street. I wanted to take pictures but the streets were busy with activity. A Sunday should prove more fruitful and images will appear on a future post.
DAYLIGHT DRAMA
Labels:
controversial,
Daylight Drama,
dummies,
dummy art,
Level 42,
Mark Jenkins,
sellotape,
street art,
street installations,
tape art
Roofgirl(liking the pigeon stencil too)
Washington DC
Right, after an absence of much too long - redesigning a blog eats spacetimecontinum but much thanks to eblogtemplates, couldn't have done it without you! -
I give you! Street installations that step over the fine line of "Is it?" and "No! It couldn't be! Could it!" Blimus!
I give you! Street installations that step over the fine line of "Is it?" and "No! It couldn't be! Could it!" Blimus!
Embed #1Washington DC
'Daylight Drama', created by Mark Jenkins and 'performed' all over the world from London to Sweden to Washington DC is all about taking the interaction of street art to the upper most level. Level 42 perhaps, which in some cases is the answer to everything and others, like myself, a perfect marriage of jazz-funk and slap bass perfection (we're talking early Level 42 here, not your pop years...)
I have found a site that is run by Mark Jenkins and i'm pretty sure it is him who makes the art. It hosts plenty of pictures and a few videos showing the reactions of the public. Here a video shows the local authority 'rescuing' the dummy from a river in Sweden. Controversial? Not controversial? You decide...
The more you look at them though the more fascinating they become. And this is just via images on the web for gawd's sake...
I have found a site that is run by Mark Jenkins and i'm pretty sure it is him who makes the art. It hosts plenty of pictures and a few videos showing the reactions of the public. Here a video shows the local authority 'rescuing' the dummy from a river in Sweden. Controversial? Not controversial? You decide...
The more you look at them though the more fascinating they become. And this is just via images on the web for gawd's sake...
Bin Bag RummagePrato, Italy
Two strains take up the installations:
i) Tape Art - involving wrapping copious amounts of sellotape around an object then carefully cutting and reapplying. The babies I love. Delicate beings surrounded by dangerous and awkward situations.
i) Tape Art - involving wrapping copious amounts of sellotape around an object then carefully cutting and reapplying. The babies I love. Delicate beings surrounded by dangerous and awkward situations.
Storker ProjectWashington DC
ii) Dummy Art, if that is the correct term - mannequins dressed up, sometimes cut in half but always placed in full view of the passer-by. These are my favourites.
Embed #2Washington DC
Instead of the viewer appreciating with an instant smile or scowl the works really pull the person in, sometimes to a point where help or assistance is given, and make you question before giving judgement. It may be going a bit too far on some occasions - see 1st paragraph - but this is what I think art is about. Drawing you in from your normal existence and allowing the piece to tell you what you should be doing or thinking. Abandonment as such.
Although I think this is why cities are so blasé about seeing stuff like this. If you have been burned before and taken in too many times then you assume everything is dodgy and if you assume art is dodgy then the whole fabric of society is DOOOOOMED!!! It really is...
Storker Project
Take a look through my selection of favourites, many more here and if it is Mark Jenkins or someone else or a group of people doing this then keep it going!
Although I think this is why cities are so blasé about seeing stuff like this. If you have been burned before and taken in too many times then you assume everything is dodgy and if you assume art is dodgy then the whole fabric of society is DOOOOOMED!!! It really is...
Storker ProjectAmsterdam
Take a look through my selection of favourites, many more here and if it is Mark Jenkins or someone else or a group of people doing this then keep it going!
UnnamedWashington DC
More works in London though please! I'm growing tired of wall art...Zzzzzzzz...
Oh, and if you want to make a sellotape figure, object or wrap yourself up then here you go (also run by Mark Jenkins)
Oh, and if you want to make a sellotape figure, object or wrap yourself up then here you go (also run by Mark Jenkins)
CHARLES AND RAY EAMES - POWERS OF TEN
Labels:
atoms,
charles and ray eames,
eames,
furniture,
human,
light years,
massive,
miniscule,
powers of ten,
science,
universe
Powers of Ten(click the above to play the video)
Charles and Ray Eames
Commissioned by IBM - 1977
I think this is what a TV producer calls a 'damn fine link'.
Following on from my 'The Tenth Dimension' post; we all know about the ten dimensions now don't we? This post showcases the Powers of Ten film that Mr Charles and Mrs Ray Eames were commissioned to produce by IBM. It takes you on a journey from a couple having a picnic in the US to the furthest reaches of the universe back down to the atoms in your own body. As with the 10th Dimension film i'll leave the film to do the talking.
Released in 1977 the style of the film reflects this decade and the narrator's voice, as pointed out by a YouTube viewer sounds like Tigger from Disney's Winnie the Pooh. He was in fact Philip Morrison who was the science behind it.
Following on from my 'The Tenth Dimension' post; we all know about the ten dimensions now don't we? This post showcases the Powers of Ten film that Mr Charles and Mrs Ray Eames were commissioned to produce by IBM. It takes you on a journey from a couple having a picnic in the US to the furthest reaches of the universe back down to the atoms in your own body. As with the 10th Dimension film i'll leave the film to do the talking.
Released in 1977 the style of the film reflects this decade and the narrator's voice, as pointed out by a YouTube viewer sounds like Tigger from Disney's Winnie the Pooh. He was in fact Philip Morrison who was the science behind it.
Powers of Ten
Charles and Ray Eames
Commissioned by IBM - 1977
Charles and Ray Eames
Commissioned by IBM - 1977
Fascinating on all levels and a nice tight 9 minutes to keep you focussed.
The real thing that gets me about space and the human is that the darkest depths of the universe look exactly the same as the nerves in our brains.
Mark Miller vs AstrophysicistsBrain on the left - Universe on right
2006
Coincidence? Tweaking of the computer modelling software? A link?? I remember a scene in National Lampoon's Animal House where Donald Sutherland explains to a student that our universe could be a spot in someone's finger nail, therefore many spots in a human could be billions of universe like our own... They were smoking *mowee-wowee at the time
Now i'm not a man of God but the similarities are astounding and it feels to me like there's a game going on somewhere by something to that someone being us... I could go onto the reason why oil is so hard to find and extract or why lungs look like trees, that's a good one, or why the ocean conveyor belt is more 'mechanical' than just a natural occurence.
Woof Charlie! Anyhow, enjoy the film and let the famous furniture makers take you on a trip that's as beautiful as their designs.
Apologies for using a YouTube film. There is an official website but the film did not load. Take a look around though, it may work for you.
*reference Nine to Five film - Lily Tomlin explaining what they (Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda) are smoking.
Now i'm not a man of God but the similarities are astounding and it feels to me like there's a game going on somewhere by something to that someone being us... I could go onto the reason why oil is so hard to find and extract or why lungs look like trees, that's a good one, or why the ocean conveyor belt is more 'mechanical' than just a natural occurence.
Woof Charlie! Anyhow, enjoy the film and let the famous furniture makers take you on a trip that's as beautiful as their designs.
Apologies for using a YouTube film. There is an official website but the film did not load. Take a look around though, it may work for you.
*reference Nine to Five film - Lily Tomlin explaining what they (Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda) are smoking.
MASS GAS RALLY
Unknown, circa Unknown(click on image to increase size and quality)
What. A. Picture!
Beautiful? Haunting? Enthralling? Sad? Motivating? Essential? Just downright creepy??
There is much deliberation to what and where this picture is. Russian partisans posing for the picture to show how well prepared they are in World War II? Schoolchildren on a gas drill? A show of preparedness for the enemy?
I think this picture, regardless of where it was taken, shows their war in an almost theatrical sense. If you look at the kids behind the mock field gun there's a comedy 'showhall' feel to it. But this is dispelled when you look at the way everyone is standing and the vigour in which the kids are lying behind the gun.
You can tell a lot from a face but here they are obviously covered in *masks.
It's the three children at the front with heads cocked to the right that invokes a sense of question from them as if to ask,
"Is this correct? Are we standing right? What is this for...?"
This is the beauty of this photo. It makes you think, it fires back questions to your questions and makes sure you look at every detail so when you stop looking you cannot stop thinking.
*I wouldn't be surprised if Pink Floyd got inspiration from the above when animating the teacher in 'Another Brick in The Wall' I may follow that up in a future post...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
