Helen Thomas in Vice Magazine

 Vice Magazine has posted an interview with Helen Thomas online--an interview that will also be published in the next issue of the magazine, but hurried to the web due to the fire-storm created recently in regards to Thomas' remarks on Israeli/Palestine relations.  This is a very insightful interview with a news veteran. It is an interview--coupled with Thomas' now famous remarks--that underscores just how afraid the public and the media are to share opinions that may be contrary to positions assumed to be held by the majority--even afraid to ASK questions (a reason Thomas gives as to how the nation was carried to war after 9-11). What is wrong with "rocking the boat?" Helen Thomas has recently done so--and no matter if you agree with her opinions or not--hopefully her openness will serve as inspiration to others to at least look at issues from all sides.
Read the interview HERE.  
Pic from Vice Magazine: by Richard Kern

Kris Van Assche: Londerzeel

I was taking a look at Kris Van Assche's website to see his SS 2010 Menswear collection. But I found more than fashion on his pages. Kris Van Assche is a designer. He is also an artist and the Artistic Director for Dior Homme. What I found, and what I have linked to below, is a magazine put together by Kris with help from several artists and creatives. Londerzeel starts with a quote from The Little Prince; to tame… something too often forgotten. It means to create ties.”Ties between him and other artists, between him and men, between him and you.

The magazine showcases work by Van Assche, including an installation entitled  Poet On Strike (pic below), and others such as Ali Kazma and Andrea Mastrovito (the drawings by Mastrovito, like the one above, are very moody and incorporate looks designed by Van Assche).

I recommend taking a look at Londerzeel for inspiration and/or thinking about the life of a creative individual as he relates to the world around him.

As for Kris Van Assche's Mens Fashion designs: I feel like the man who wears these clothes may be introverted yet there is some "thing" that is a created product of his deeply inward thinking and lifestyle and this "thing" is shared with the rest of the world and "ties between men" continues.

Kris Van Assche site HERE

Londerzeel HERE

The Grass Eaters on SLATE

A recent article on SLATE took a look at the trend of "grass-eating boys" in Japan, or soushoku danshi and examines why trend is present and what it is all about.

Definite CHECK OUT.

It made me wonder if a trend like this could find its way to the American society. Particularly due to the slow down in our economy. The Recession has already caused people to reevaluate personal spending and priorities. I believe that it is plausible that many young guys will, more and more, turn away from the larger corporations that may have generated huge incomes, but in a volatile manner and at a cost of free spirit and free time, and they will turn to means of income that are more in line with a more "humble" lifestyle. I know that there are already several "Grass Eaters" in my neighborhood. I, for one, hope that the trend does pick up. I think that the way we consume in America is shifting and that includes the ways in which we use our consumption to evaluate our lives in terms of "measuring up." The eating of grass symbolizes turning away from "the hunt" and finding greater solace and value in what you already have and in what may be more easily obtained.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt in NYLON GUYS

The September issue of Nylon Guys is jammed packed, like usual, with great looks, clothes, and cultural tidbits. It is sporting a slightly new look, too. On the cover is Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He is featured in an article where he discusses what he thinks of fame, but more importantly, his newest work in 500 Days of Summer and GI Joe. Gordon-Levitt does not want to come off as self-important and even compares acting with prostitution.

BERLIN, the city, is featured. These days, it seems as if the German City is destination number one for creatives and outliers. Burlesque Dancer Miss Marz Star says about BERLIN, "[It's] like New York was 30 years ago."

ALSO IN are plenty of interesting creatives/artists/designers.

ON STANDS NOW

Current Issue of DAZEDandCONFUSED

The August Issue of DAZED features a look into the movie industry in Africa, specifically Nigeria. NOLLYWOOD is allegedly the 3rd largest movie industry in the world. It's an industry unto itself minus the exploitation that takes place with films that are shot in Africa by folks from abroad. The movies of NOLLYWOOD are made by and feature local talent. Themes are those apart of Nigerian culture: from folklore to very modern issues. They have a distinct flavor. Photographer Pieter Hugo, with the help of local makeup artist Gabazzini Zuo, embarked on a project creating vibrant images to help showcase some of that flavor.

Dazed article by Federica Angelucci

CLICK HERE for DAZED

ALSO IN: Hal Hartley Boxset, "Dogging: A love Story," and a look at Tantric Sex in Sweden

Belle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch in PASTE

Paste Magazine has a nice article about Belle and Sebastian frontman, Stuart Murdoch, in the issue on stands now. It's actually apart of Paste's International Issue #2 (the first out after devoted readers helped to save the mag from financial collapse). Anytime is a good time to peer into the life of Glasgow Scotland's best known music man. And, the article takes readers on a ride from Glasgow, to the countryside, to Murdoch's own church. The frontman talks about his latest project, "God Help the Girl." He decided to make a movie, but before filming a single scene he has produced a soundtrack. Unorthodox, perhaps, but fans won't mind. We can only hope that the movie will turn out as good as the music which features fellow Belle cohorts and vocals from several female vocalists. Best quote from the article (Scotland Bard: Stuart Murdoch Finds Inspiration in Glasgow, Girl Groups and God by Nick Marino for Paste Magazine): Murdoch trying to calm the nerves of his wife says, "What's somebody going to do, beat me to death with their knitting needles?"

Read Article: Stuart Murdoch in Paste Magazine

ALSO IN: Album reviews featuring Regina Spektor and Moby. Movie review of 500 Days of Summer. Meet artists from around the globe including 4 from Iceland. Funny homage to the eccentrics of Bjork.

PASTE, Online Here