Head On Competetion: Australia

This image is by Edwina Pickles and is apart of the HEAD ON photography competetion of Australia. The Comp has been around since about 2004 and puts the focus on the image, not the subject or photograher's name. It's an exhibition of Portrait. Click the link below to check out the other finalist photos.

Check Out the HEAD ON site HERE

Projects by Gary McLeod

Gary McLeod is a researcher/traveler/photographer who documents much of his subjects using a lense from the 19th century over his 21st century camera. The result (after accumulating upwards of 400 pics per final image) is a tiled effect. It's a creative process and brings a quality to the work that would not be there otherwise by uncovering a bit more of the image than would be seen with the "pure" photo approach.

The project that got my interest was that entitled "Privilege." McLeod photographs English Teachers in Japan using the "tiled" process. Being a English teacher in Japan myself, at one time, the images took me back. I even noticed that most of the teachers wore watches. This is typically a must for the profession. You have to keep the pace of those 45min lessons. The "Privilege" project gives a good look at the expat work force in Japan: who they are and where they come from. McLeod notes that the photos, "are a record of people taking an opportunity that may or may not be around forever." The idea for the project was heavily influenced by "native race" photos thru-out history.


His website is worth checking out, particularly if you like photography. CLICK HERE

Discovery

If you like RaRaRiot or Vampire Weekend, you should check out the new band, Discovery, comprised of Wes Miles (RaRaRiot) and Rostom Boltmanglij (Vampire Weekend). Their vibe is described as Experimental RandB'ish. I think it is definitely more on the experimental side. Cool stuff. The band's site is great, you can listen to the entire album. I like so many of the synth/keyboard breaks in VW's stuff, and this is heavy on it with Rostom on board.


Check Out http://dscvry.net/

http://www.myspace.com/discoverdiscovery

Sandy Lam's "Spaceless"

Sandy is a designer working in Canada. I came across this design in a magazine. The "Spaceless" is an award winner and serves to add more function and space to your outdoor living area. I thought it was pretty clever, particularly if you are living in a small space. The bench and table fold up from the floor. Very smart.

Check it out HERE.

Sandy is an all 'round designer. Here site shows her renderings, interactive, communication, and photography designs. But, it is her INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS, including "Spaceless" that stand out.

Bruce Weber Special Exhibition

There is a lot that can be said about Bruce Weber including his vision, amount of work, effect his work has had, and the array of his work. It's prolific to say the lest. There is a special exhibition brought by Sundance Channel that is ONLINE. It features photos, interviews, video clips, and even a playlist. It's a great look at the man. I enjoy his work so much because he is able to reach into his subjects and pull out a feeling that only he can and that feeling is represented throughout all his work.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

GONE FISHING - A LITTLE JOURNEY IN MY BACK YARD is the first online exhibition of the films and photographs of acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Bruce Weber. The exhibition features clips from Bruce's award winning documentaries and shorts as well as the full-length Pet Shop Boys music video BEING BORING, and YOU FEEL ME, a documentary short film. --Sundance Channel Site

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.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta & Project Runway

If it is on BRAVOtv, then I will probably watch it...at least a few times. They know me, they have researched me, they have me hooked. I will even watch the Rachel Zoe show in which the cast is in a constant scramble to find the perfect dress for Anne Hathaway. I will watch Flipping Out, where a house flipper spends most the time abusing his assistants.

But, the BEST show on BRAVO right now is...THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA

Hands down. This is my favorite show at the moment. I have watched a few other housewife shows, but none can match what they are doing in ATL. The show even looks more glossy (which I love) and the women just have more going on, literally. They jam pack their shows with so much and they have a good time doing it. There is enough drama, gossip, and "hood" luxuriousness going on in this show, how can you not watch?

In what other show will you get a housewife stripping on camera or hamming it up with her Best-Gay as he puts on heels during a photo shoot? Oh, NENE. An entire show could just center around this lady. Oh wait, it already does. It's called THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA.

A guilty pleasure of mine.

WATCH IT...site here 10/9c

This leads me to what used to be my favorite BRAVO show, PROJECT RUNWAY.
It's definitely different than Housewives ATL because I watch on a much more mellow level, watching artistic creations take shape. Tim Gunn's voice can put you at ease and his Gunnisms are the best. And Heidi Klum, she can be mean sometimes, but look so good at it.


Watch HERE

Unfortunately the cast of designers this season are a bit lackluster in the personality side. In previous seasons, you could count on having at least a handful of spitfire personalities, but that just is not the case this season which finds the show moved to LIFETIME. It's not as fun, and the designers are just so serious. Even worse, the entire show looks cheaper: It doesn't have the glossy sheen it had when on BRAVO. Like some of the designs on the show, the show itself just isn't constructed as well as it has been.

But, I will keep on watching. Hoping it will get better as I invest time in the cast of designers. Truth be told, I do tune in a 10 and then flip to BRAVO for Housewives ATL. Luckily BRAVO knows me so well, they are smart enough to rerun the show immediately at 11. So intuitive. And, lets be honest, RUNWAY is the only show I am tuning into on LIFETIME no matter how hard they try to pull me away from my true TV mistress, BRAVO.

Oh, and funny enough, when I did a Google search for "Project Runway" the BRAVO site is listed first, followed by the LIFETIME site.

Three Olives Vodka AD

I like this ad. I've never really thought that much about Three Olives, but know that I have had it before. I'm not much of a liquor drinker, preferring beer or wine, but this ad definitely makes the brand stick in my head.

The set up is bizarre, and a bit racy maybe: Guy slapped in the face with fish and gets an "O" face... It's funny.

I think the suit is cool in a work-a-day way and I love the close-up of the socks.

There are actually several commercials featuring this guy in similar setups.

I'll have to check those out, too.

Good Job, Three Olives.

Fumi Nagasaka PHOTOGRAPHER

Fumi Nagasaka's work has a bluntness to it. Perhaps this is to do with her love for Rock and sometimes grittier side of music in general. On her site you can find edge, but also a softness in her work. The site is well organized and I am loving that she uses her inspirations so well in her photos. I'm loving the Fleetwood Mac inspired spread so much (picture above featured). Her work can be found in many magazines including Dazed and Confused. You can check out her blog, too. There you will find more of a "behind the scenes" feel and a look at Fumi's world.

Fumi Nagasaka ONLINE HERE

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

J.A. Daye: Designer in Hong Kong

www.jadaye.com

J.A. Daye is a designer located in Hong Kong. He moved there about 3 years ago from NYC. The website is worth checking out for more than just fashion. It gives great insight on the most interesting parts of Hong Kong. You can download a guide on the city from the "about" page. The site is very fresh. Daye, himself, poses for pictures wearing his designs, taken at various spots around Hong Kong.

Daye wants to provide a more tailored option for guys. A nicely tailored suit, shirt, or pair of slacks can truly set you apart from the rest of the men in the room. Daye's clothes are tailored in Hong Kong, but you can watch videos on his site that explain how to properly measure yourself (Daye recommends having a friend to help, a glass of wine, and the measuring tape, of course) so you can input those measurements into a personal account, created right on the site, and wait for your personally fitted garment(s) to arrive. The designs have a classic feel but with a modern edge. The colors and materials are also unique; coming from a wide range of places including Japan and China. Prices are very reasonable.

J.A. Daye, his business, and website are a real example of a new-wave global business. It has an international feel but delivered with local (in this case Hong Kong) flavor.

The Sounds "Beat Box"

I can't speak enough about this band. The Sounds have been around for awhile, but they still haven't had the mainstream success that they deserve. However, that means nothing to me as long as they are able to continue as a band for sometime longer. They make some of the best party music out there and they put on great shows. I have had the pleasure of seeing them live many times. The Sounds are currently on tour with No Doubt as well as playing some shows in Europe before returning to the USA to embark on their own headlining tour. It should not be missed. The video is a clip of "Beat Box" performed during a show with No Doubt in California. It looks to be a fan clip, but I tend to like to no gloss quality.

www.the-sounds.com

"Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong

This is a good read. It moves quickly and there are moments of humor and sexual mindgames to keep you turning the page. It is somewhat of a travel novel, too.

The book printing that I have is older with very small type that takes up the entire page. From an aesthetic standpoint: the cover is a bit questionable, too. But with this being an old book, those issues are beside the point.

There is humor here no matter how self-depreciating it sometimes becomes. There are many famous names, ideas, and passages used throughout the novel. The main character, Isodora, drops these intellectualisms at a steady frequency as if to demonstrate her breathe of knowledge. The character is written as such that you can't help but think it is a very close self-depiction by author Erica Jong. Of course, I could be completely wrong. The education that our protagonist holds is a hindrance as much as it is an asset. At moments she is completely confident in her brilliance and at other moments she tends to resent her education entirely. Points in the novel demonstrate how great knowledge can sometimes drive a person to the depths of human despair. It is also evident how using ones knowledge to self-evaluate your mental state can prove lethal. Isodora is a mixed-up character, literally and metaphorically, who seems to relish in the effect.

I have heard that this book is supposed to be a statement on female sexuality. I hardly found it sexy in the narrowest view. But, in a broader view of sex and the female state, it is quite sexy in a realistic way. In many instances, what you think is going to lead into a passage about great sex actually implodes with no sex happening between characters at all. There seems to be more written about when libidos fail or when even good sex is missing a much wanted, possibly needed, extra something. There is a sleazy, dull, or unfulfilling aspect to many of the scenes that Isodora finds herself in sexually. The sexiest moment in the novel is when readers are presented with the idea of the "zipless fuck." We are given a story to show how such a rendezvous works. However, the bliss and freedom that makes a "zipless fuck" what it is never materializes for Isodora. I suppose that is the main statement of the book.