Don't Be a "Dickhead"

Oh, the satire. Just be true to yourself and you will be fine no matter what others think--do it for yourself, not them...just don't be a dickhead about it, i.e. THINK. Very funny video and catchy song. Enjoy! Source: Zephyr-files HERE

Tokyo As Seen by Samuel Cockedey

I love this city--so I could sit and watch this all day. These two videos by photographer Samuel Cockedey are time-lapsed epics that capture the personifying features of a city--Tokyo. The newest video emphasizes light and its movement. The second video finds emphasis on shadow and clouds. Towards the end is a great scene that finds the movements of cranes (on what I believe to be the site of the Tokyo Sky Tree) resembling fingers working--almost as if the building were indeed constructing itself. What a thrill. Best viewed in fullscreen mode.
Source: Selectism

inter // states from Samuel Cockedey on Vimeo.


floating point from Samuel Cockedey on Vimeo.

More Robert Longo

Untitled (Shark 12) by Robert Longo

Robert Longo and Ryder Richards

Both of these artists' works touch on ideas of masculinity. Ryder Richards' work connects men with their guns while Robert Longo's famous Men in the Cities connects men with capitalism--"suits." Read an interview by Ryder Richards HERE from homo-neurotic in which he discusses manhood 'n Texas. Robert Longo was a music video director among other things, directing the video below for New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle." Check out the great dialogue at about 2:42--"I refuse to come back as a bug or as a rabbit!" His Men also make an appearance as they flail about in the air against a blue sky.

From Richards' Trajectory

From Longo's Men in the Cities

Source: Varon HERE

Lost in the Supermarket

Shopping for groceries in Japan can evidently be a sexually tense experience--at least, these signs would indicate such a state. The first is a funny bit of "lost in translation-ism." What was meant to indicate that the check-out clerk would not bag groceries (self-bag, please) becomes a affirmation that one will refrain from relations with said clerk. The second sign adds to this message of self-control by having a cartoon cop declare that such bad behavior will "ruin your life." Very Stuff. Read more about this shopping experience HERE on Japan Visitor.

The Irrepressibles--"In This Shirt"

The Irrepressibles' work lends itself to visionary pursuit such as the two examples below by Roy Raz and Shelly Love.

From The Irrepressibles' Myspace: "Led by composer and artist Jamie McDermott, The Irrepressibles are a 10-piece 'performance orchestra' that, through the power of their instruments, can transport and transfix, break moulds and collide worlds."





Source: Sundance Channel and The Irrepresibles' Myspace

"Enter the Void" from Gaspar Noe

This film sounds very interesting and Gaspar Noe appears to be a director who believes in a submersion into worlds via film. Even better, Enter the Void is set in Tokyo--however distorted the setting may be treated. I am searching for interviews from Noe in which an explanation on why the film is set in Tokyo is given. I have said before that Tokyo will soon be the center of the world--the foremost city on the planet--at least in regards to being coyly hedonistic and gorgeously amusing. Tokyo is a place to experience something new and truly original: as in apart of yourself, even.  I can't wait to see this film and only hope it isn't overly edited before its U.S. release: eveidently thru IFCfilm.
Gaspar Noe and Enter the Void on Viceland HERE
Enter the Void review HERE
Gaspar Noe Wiki-info HERE

Nissan commercials in Japan

These commercials for the Nissan "Note" vehicle feature Heidi. The Japanese is over my head, but what is more interesting is the animation itself. Take a look at some of the other commercials too--featuring cloud flight, green monsters, and lots of childish yelling.There is history behind the music used in the ad and you can read more about that on The Hopeless Romantic. Its seems as if 90's dance music made quite the impact on the Japanese psyche.
Source: The Hopeless Romantic HERE

Michael Jackson at Tokyo Disney Land

Michael Jackson is more popular after death than during the last decade of his life. Case in point: Captain EO 3-D adventure in Tokyo Disney Land. It was an attraction running from 1987 to 1996! You can read more about the film--directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas!! Whoa!--HERE. The Captain EO attraction is reopened at the Tokyo amusement park as demand for anything connected to the fallen pop star is soaring. It has been reported that Jackson's estate has made $1 Billion since his death. Watch the video below to see a snippet from the film attraction--so richly odd.
Source: Japan Probe

Siouxsie and the Banshees-"Arabian Knights"

I love this video for the "sword fight" montage about halfway thru. This is early '80's video at its best.

"Loved" by Alexander Ocias

 Alexander Ocias' Loved is a game but it is also art. Well, I am sure that many would argue that all video games are forms of art. It is true that many hours and creative manpower go into making games for Xbox, Wii, Play Station, and the rest of the gaming systems one might interact with. However, Loved is simplified in the graphic front, yet it's infuriating and makes you think. I spent about an hour playing, and have just missed finishing the game. It's not so easy. I'm not usually a "gamer" by any means which may contribute to the fact that I haven't made it to the end just yet. Still, I am weirdly connected to the "mind" or "being" behind the scenes, urging you to continue on. If Loved is a game about love, it's a love that is slightly twisted. Ocias calls his game a form of short story--there are quick sentences to read as the game moves forward. What is left unsaid and how you interact with the game is what is most intriguing. Play it HERE. Ocias is a graphic artist and on his website you can experience more of his work. The pic and source came from Matt Bell's blog HERE.

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

20 Years of Seinfeld

It has been 20 years since Seinfeld first aired on May 31, 1990. It's beloved by me and millions--you too, I'm sure--and reminds me of a time when folks really did watch NBC. The staff at PASTE magazine have put together 20 great moments from the show including this nugget--FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US!! Check out the Iconic Ensemble from Seinfeld HERE. Thanks Paste.

Emeralds "Candy Shoppe"

Emeralds is a band that can be classified as "Hypnagogic Pop." The term stems from a Wired article wherein this ambient sound is discussed. It's like hazily remembering all the 1980's sounds--somewhere in your subconcious--Korg keyboards, et al. You can read more about this style of music and the ideas behind its conception HERE. This is a video featuring the song "Candy Shoppe" by Emeralds--from Cleveland, Ohio. The video features some vintage track&field imagery.

Food Party on IFC

Food Party is the biggest trip I've seen in a while. Thu Tran is hilarious--a talented artist too. Tuesdays are now a time for indulgence and escape 10pm on IFC. Thu gets into misadventures while preparing interestingly disgusting yet weirdly appetizing dishes--a la Martha Stewart and Pee Wee. Gotta Watch It!