Summer Reading Poster

I posted this about a year ago just after I completed the assignment. Illinois' summer reading program officially begins on June 8th, so here's a refresher. You can click on the image for a larger view.

Robots and Bugs

I was listening to a podcast about Dung Beetles this morning. Yeah that's right wise guy. Now that your snide remarks are finished I'll continue. It was extremely interesting. They were discussing the various horn configurations, and segued into Rhino Beetles. The scientist being interviewed described one specimen that was crawling up his arm at that moment as being nearly 4 inches long! I had to check these bugs out, and long story long, stumbled across the site of a man called Mike Libby.

I love robots and I love bugs, so Mr. Libby's site, called Insect Lab, was mash-up heaven! He's what is known as a bio-mechanical artist. Using real (dead) insects, electronic components, and antique watch parts, he creates "robot-like insects and insect-like robots". They're amazing and beautiful pieces of art that are not really functional, but seem like they could be. Each insect is presented in a glass dome or custom black shadow box. I have a birthday coming up soon and I'm clearing off shelf space.

Blackboard Bird

Experimenting

I've been playing with acrylic gouache and unusual surfaces lately. It started with this old wooden cutting board I found. Then I did this quick study on the spine of an old book from a resale shop. After all of the digital stuff I've been doing it's scary and fun to use real paints and brushes again! I have paintings in progress on the front and back cover of that book and another one on a small framed slate chalk board. The temptation to spend all of my time on them is strong, but deadlines are keeping me away for the time being. I'll post them when they're finished, unless they look bad, then we'll pretend this never happened!

In A Dream

I can't wait for this film!


IN A DREAM: Theatrical Trailer from Herzliya Films on Vimeo.

Lost Tribes of NYC

The Lost Tribes of New York City from Carolyn London on Vimeo.

Urban Anthropologists, Andy and Carolyn London interview some of New York City's more overlooked citizens.

Nick Cave's Soundsuits

AMAZING!!

"Reminiscent of African ceremonial costumes, yet similarly connected to haute couture, Cave’s Soundsuits are physical manifestations of his energy. He has said, ‘I believe that the familiar must move towards the fantastic. I want to evoke feelings that are unnamed, that aren’t realized except in dreams.’ Thus, through the acts of collecting and reconfiguring, Cave explores and reiterates cultural, ritualistic and ceremonial concepts. Concurrently, his focus on the connotations of materials as a way to construct narratives, coupled with the fact that the wearer is at times completely concealed, allows the work to transcend preconceived notions of class, race, and sexuality. Cave, who studied fiber arts at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, is Associate Professor and Chairman of the Fashion Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago."