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November 30, 2004
Share FRESH PRODUCE 04 with a friend
Fresh Produce 04 is on its way and we've had a number of you asking how you might send the invitation along to your friends. We've made it easy for you. Just follow this link, scroll down to the "Send this message to a friend" form, fill out the form and send away. It's that easy.
We also have plenty of printed announcements left if you'd like to drop by and pick up a few for your friends or to leave at your favorite hangout. Until then... Peace.
Posted by Brian at 03:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
To Insure Proper Service
TIPS are one of those things that have come to lose their attachment to where they originally came from over the years. What once literally translated as "To Insure Proper Service" has now come to be a societal expectation before we've even begun to enjoy a meal, have a drink or get coiffed for that matter (even if the end results are dreadful). But as the holiday season rolls in, that feeling of taking care of the people that serve us well all year long builds up to a longing to return the favor.
I came accross a link to help ease you through anxieties of what you can do to keep your mailman, your gardner or your local babywrangler in your good graces for another year. Just check out this guide to Holiday Tipping. Please share any other helpful suggestions...
Posted by Brian at 11:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 24, 2004
What dreams may come...
"The world already possesses the dream of a time whose consciousness it must now possess in order to actually live it." ~ Guy Debord
I came across this quote a few days ago by Guy Debord, the self-proclaimed leader of the Situationist International; I was reading A Hacker Manifesto by McKenzie Wark. Dubord's words stuck with me like some long lost friend. The saying goes that when the student is ready the master will appear. Years ago I thought I was waiting for some great wise soul to walk up, stand before me and show me the way. But one day I came to realize that we must become a student of the universe in order to ever master this surreal existence we know as life. We must listen to the voice within that calls out to us to change things.
Visionaries are the one's who feel the possibilities lurking in the periphery. They know "it" already exists because they dare to listen. When we turn to look, the possibilities become a point of experience; they manifest based on our own personal perception. It's the simple laws of Quantum Physics revealed, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
We used to tell our students if they truly desired something that would benefit the Greater Good, put it out there. Dwell on it. The Universe will conspire to make it happen. You can imagine the overall reaction to a statement like this in the middle of a Communication Design class. But as the weeks rolled along the stories from those that put our words to the test began to trickle in. Much to their astonishment, it worked.
Let's take this a step further and jump to some more thought's on Cherri's previous post. I can't tell you how many times we've been in a city meeting, bringing up something we see as vital to our culture and daily life only to hear, "Not in our lifetime." I just have one thought when I hear this, "If you can't see it, please step aside." There are those of us who still believe a single thought or action can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that every has. We come from a DIY (do-it-yourself) culture. With you or without you we will accomplish what we set out to do. We will find a way to make it happen.
We've all had those moments of insight when we have a great idea pop into our head. Our theory is that a thousand of us get this great thought and think, "Wow, that's pretty cool." A hundred of us go, "Hey, I really ought to do something with this." Ten of us think, "I'm gonna do this one day." Two or three of us actually make it manifest.
I've heard the genius described as the one who has a thought and merely follows it through. The fool has to hear about his/her idea from someone else's accomplishment(s) in the future.
The world never remembers the one's who played it safe. It celebrates the square pegs in the round holes. The risk takers. Those who deviate from the norm. Where do you fit in? What do you wish to change? Dwell on it.
Posted by Brian at 01:05 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 23, 2004
GoldynChild CD Release this Saturday
Goldenchyld's "Ear Infections" project is an eclectic mix of experimental, jazz, hip hop and even rock music. With artists like Bjork, Outkast, Amon Tobin, Prefuse 73, Smashing Pumpkins, Dj Shadow, and some exclusive Fingerbangerz appearances, you'll be sure to enjoy the moodswingy mixture of some very cool music.
The Fingerbangerz will be holding a release party on the 27th of November here at Anno Domini gallery. Their new release from Goldenchyld starts at 8pm with the Fingerbangerz, Fuse One, Rezz, Chaz, and some very special performances from some very special folks.
Posted by Cherri at 02:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Too Many Galleries!
Carmel has put a limit on new incoming galleries in favor of a more "diverse economy." A nice problam to have I would think. Read more here.
Posted by Cherri at 11:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 21, 2004
"it's Your Downtown" ...isn't it?
UPDATE: Good comments being posted....keep 'em coming! (clik "continue reading")
So we were in (yet another) downtown arts roundtable yesterday. Without going into all the familiarities from every other arts roundtable we've sat at in the last four years, let us say that there is a glimmer of hope as to the realization of the need for affordable artist housing, studio space and a need for "cool" people downtown. The "theys" are beginning to realize how important arts and culture are to our way of life and the artist's/creative's contribution to the economics of our city.
Our question to you guys is...
What would help you to create, develop or catapult an artistic endeavor or lifestyle that YOU want to see. What kind of services, retail, hangouts would make downtown more vibrant and liveable? (Personally, I'd like to be able to buy a cool pair of shoes downtown. I'd like to see some spontaneous breakout of Capoeira performers in the paseo. I'd like to see art any day of the week after 5pm. I'd love to buy some funky clothes from a local emerging designer, etc... but that's just me.)
Seriously, if you don't speak up, the "theys" will decide FOR you. YOU are who they want downtown which means you are at an advantage... spell out what you want. Post your comments and we'll relay them to the powers that be at our next meeting and we'll keep you posted.
Peace.
Posted by Cherri at 11:16 AM | Comments (14) | TrackBack
November 16, 2004
Alfonso and Artemis
Alfonso Kellenberger has been hanging out with us here at A.D. painting a mural to wrap around the chiller container which makes the ice for the San Jose Downtown Association's new skating rink. Seen here with his loyal assistant and trusted sidekick, Artemis.
The walls go up around the equipment this Wednesday on W San Fernando between South First and Market Streets. Take a stroll and enjoy his creations.
Downtown Ice kicks off Friday, November 26th at 5 p.m. in it's new location at the Circle of Palms (between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel).
Posted by Brian at 10:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 15, 2004
SHINE! San Francisco Art Walk
Head out to the Mission District (SF) this weekend for SHINE! San Francisco Art Walk. The San Francisco Art Walk Event Series is produced and developed by Elliot Lessing, Executive Director of BUILD. SHINE! begins Saturday, November 20th and runs through Sunday the 21st from 1-6 p.m. Stop by any of the participating galleries for maps and more info (see list below).
Participants: The LAB, Southern Exposure, Intersection For The Arts, Artists' Television Access, Jack Hanley Gallery, 667 Shotwell, Pond, Ratio 3, Femina Potens Gallery, 66 Balmy, Michelle O'Conner Gallery, Budget Gallery, Slingshot Gallery, Adobe Books, National Product, Otsu, Rayon Vert, Black and Blue Tattoo, Mission 17 and BUILD!
SHINE! San Francisco Art Walk is an annual art event series that has the Mission District as its epicenter. The Mission District consistently provides San Francisco with a rich, multi-cultural backdrop that both embraces and challenges current precepts of urban living and group dynamics. San Francisco Art Walk hopes to deepen the Mission’s role as a cultural resource while strengthening and celebrating San Francisco’s commitment to cooperative models and artistic milieu.
Posted by Brian at 09:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 14, 2004
GraffBot
Design Engaged turns out a cool little animation utilizing simple ingenuity, time & effort....let it loop for a while.
Posted by Cherri at 09:38 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 12, 2004
V. Vale hosts "The Counter Culture Hour"
FINALLY! The TV premiere of "The Counter Culture Hour" with host V. Vale. Sat, Nov 13, 2004 6:30 PM, Cable Channel 29 (San Francisco Bay Area Public Access). We dig V. and can't wait to check this out!
Now is your chance to see V. Vale interview Dirk Dirksen, Mabuhay Gardens impresario from 1974-1984--early punk rock! With rare photos and footage - mostly in the first ten minutes, so don't be late! Be ready to sit for an uninterrupted hour for this riveting show. Stay through the final segment: The Mutants on stage with Dirk at the Mabuhay circa 1978 starting their last public performance of "Insect Lounge."
Also includes a "Counterculture Show-n-Tell" with Yoshi from Japan telling about his "incredibly strange book collection" -- very "amusing."
There may be a future DVD of this, but don't count on it! So don't miss your chance to see this episode "The Counter Culture Hour."
"The Counter Culture Hour" will be broadcast every 2nd Saturday of the month at 6:30 PM.
Posted by Cherri at 09:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Securitree by Torolab
Securitree is a new site-specific multimedia installation that addresses issues of surveillance and public space by the Tijuana-based artist collective Torolab. We got to meet these guys a couple weeks back. Looking forward to viewing their installation. Opening reception is tonight from 6-8 p.m. at MACLA. The exhibit runs through the end of the year (December 31st to be exact).
Artist's Talk
Thursday, December 2, 2004, 7:00 p.m.
Join founder Raúl Cárdenas Osuna for a lecture about Torolab's multi-faceted and socially engaging work.
Gallery Hours
Wednesday & Thursday 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Free Admission
Posted by Brian at 05:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Breaking Out of the Black Box
This morning I was pointed to the Yahoo and MSN search pages by a friend that noticed they'd adopted Google's long standing minimalist entrance appeal. It's not surprising, in fact, quite expected; the "black box" type products have been haunting us since the early days of the industrial revolution. According to Bill Clem's black box philosopy, "These devices are nondescript products defined by their lack of external originality, or awareness of their own brand space in the world."
We could argue that both Yahoo and MSN are both aware of their own brand space, but are they throwing in the towel on competing with what Googlers have recognized for years now? Less is more.
But just to be fair to history, Google wasn't the first group that recognized this when it comes to search interfaces. Do you remember HotBot? While everyone was running around yelling "Yahoo!" on the streets, the rest of us were out having a fling with HotBot and her simple interface. The love affair was short lived though, HotBot gave in to Yahoo's strategy and cluttered up the entrance. What a sad day that was. :(
When Google appeared we thought, finally, someone that recognizes the beauty of simplicity.
But let's get back to the whole "black box" mentality. It's the greatest dis-service to mankind I can think of. One-mindedness is a great thing, but one flavor? Maybe my aversion to no choices has something to do with growing up in a family with 5 kids and walking into Baskin Robbins with more than 31 flavors to choose from and hearing my dad say, "Okay kids, do you want Chocolate or Vanilla?" That's what this past election reminded me of; That's what I think every time I here the masses repeating verbatim the new politically correct terminology; That's what I think when an artist walks up to us and shows us work that looks just like another artist's work in the spotlight. It truly saddens me.
I'll never forget the day when my mom stepped up to the plate and said, "Honey, let the kids choose what they really want." Dad smiled because he knew we were all onto him. He gave in to peer pressure and ice cream became beautiful again!
Seems like there's a lesson to be learned here. It's like the last clip in Eminem's, "Mosh," where the kids fade in, "Can you guys hear us?!"
Can you?
Posted by Brian at 08:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 11, 2004
NYC's $500 Fine for Stickers
NI9E launches a counter measure against NYC new anti-sticker legislation.
Posted by Cherri at 06:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The 2005 Summer Literary Seminars Fiction and Poetry Contests
Summer Literary Seminars in St. Petersburg, Russia, announces the opening of its annual literary contest (prose, poetry), held in conjunction with Fence magazine. The authors of the winning poetry and prose entries will receive airfare, accommodations, and a full tuition waiver to the 2005 SLS program in St. Petersburg, Russia, AND publication of the winning entry in Fence. Second place receives a full tuition waiver to SLS 2005, and third brings with it a substantial tuition scholarship. Other hand-picked contest participants from among the non-winners will be offered tuition scholarships as well, based on the strength of their work.
The contest deadline is Feb. 28, 2005. Entries should be mailed to: Fiction/Poetry Contest, Summer Literary Seminars, PO BOX 1358, Schnectady, NY, 12301. Queries may be directed to info@sumlitsem.org.
See the full guidelines on the website at: www.sumlitsem.org
Posted by Brian at 08:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 10, 2004
Croation Sensation in NY
VS Correspondent Erik (the "Croation Sensation) officially arrived in NY on Monday. Lucky guy hooks up with MC Hammer on the plane. Watch for Erik's comments and suggestions soon.
Posted by Cherri at 12:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Barry McGee at the Headlands
As of Saturday, November 7, Barry hadn't yet begun to work on this installation. You may want to give a call to the Headlands Center for the Arts prior to making the trek (although the journey itself is worth the trip if you haven't been out there before). Here's the number 415.331.2787.
Posted by Brian at 08:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 06, 2004
Speaking of Barry McGee
DATE CHANGE: This event will be held Friday, Nov. 18th at 8pm (not the 9th).
Headlands Center for the Arts presents Barry McGee, Josh Lazcano & Friends: In the Project Space October 21 thru December 5, 2004. Artist Talk: Tuesday, Nov 9, 8 PM (free). "During their time in the HCA Project Space, McGee and Lazcano will invite several artists to join them to create chaotic artist studios."
Here are some books you may be interested in if you are inspired by Barry's work.
OuterSpace Hillbilly exhibition catalog from the Outerspace Hillbilly show at the Luggage Store Gallery in San Francisco. Scratchy new art and some modern photography. Lots and lots of pieces by Barry "Twist" McGee! Also featuring art by Leif Goldberg, Clare Rojas, and Andrew Jeffrey Wright.
Street Market features the in-yo-face art of street-wise tough guys Twist, Espo, and Reas.
Barry McGee by Barry McGee, Germano Celant, Miuccia Prada.
Posted by Cherri at 09:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 03, 2004
One last hurdle
The proposed Mineta San Jose International Airport Public Art Master Plan (art and technology focused art ) will be presented to and considered by the San Jose City Council at the Tuesday, November 16th Council meeting.
The meeting takes place at City Hall, 801 N. First Street, in the City Council Chambers. At this point we are unsure of the exact time the item will be heard, however, the meeting commences at 1:30 p.m. Public comment is taken at these meetings (which means "speak up!").
Posted by Cherri at 08:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ride 'em cowsquirrel
VS correspondent Miel took this photo in the basement of "this crazy funeral parlor in Madison. The owner filled the place with these taxidermied animals, and some are on little mechanized round-abouts. some of the best art I've ever seen!"
Posted by Cherri at 11:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 02, 2004
Tyrants Fall
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall - think of it, always."
~ Mahatma Gandhi
Posted by Brian at 10:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A Broke Down Melody
The Moonshine Conspiracy stays true to the roots of surf filmmaking in releasing the anticipated fourth and latest project, “A Brokedown Melody” under the new banner, Woodshed Films. The title track is written & performed by Moonshiner Jack Johnson, who also showcases his surfing skills. The film explores the times, travels and experiences of a tribe of surfers who search for the spark of life and look to pass it on to the younger generation.
“A Brokedown Melody” takes a step back from the informative approach and allows the viewer to experience surfing in a different context. In a more traditional surf film format, “A Brokedown Melody” allows the visuals of the latest surfing combined with music, images and select commentary to tell the story of a surfer’s journey. Featured is the surfing of Kelly Slater, Tom Curren, Gerry Lopez, the Malloys, Rob Machado, CJ Hobgood, Jack Johnson and others. These surfers take us on their travels to Jamaica, Indonesia, Tahiti, Hawaii, Mexico and South America. Finally, in this age of big wave surf exploration, this film reveals Kelly Slater and the Malloys pioneering two new waves never before seen.
Music from: Jack Johnson, Eddie Vedder, Beta Band, Kings of Convenience, Doug Martsch, Matt Costa, and more.
Check it out this Thursday at 7:15 or 9;15pm, at The Roxie
3117 16th Street (@ Valencia)
admission: $7
Tickets also available at Aqua Surf Shop
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FYI: From the same group of people who made Shelter and the September Sessions, along with Thicker than Water. So, likely to be some good stuff. It should also be available in shops as of right about now.
Posted by Brian at 10:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack