Music: St. Vincent

This is "Actor Out of Work ." Weird how she can be so simple, yet sooo intense.

Music: The Shins

Turn Me On

Comment: Hate Crimes Bill

I normally do not use this blog to make political statements, but wished to make an exception for what I feel is an important cause: battling modern day discrimination and hate.

Yesterday, President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would effectively expand the federal definition of hate crimes to include those motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. It also will allow federal authorities to pursue hate-crimes cases when local authorities are either unable or unwilling to do so.

Matthew Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998)

There has been the argument against this law, namely how can you make a violent act weigh more consequentially because of what a person thinks as opposed to what is the actual crime itself? Isn't murder for money, or passion the same as one that is perpetrated out of hate? And if we do this, how do we define hate? How can we punish those for thought?

James Byrd (May 2, 1949 - June 7 1998)

These are legitimate questions. Yes, murder IS murder, but when you consider that killing or maiming based upon prejudice has been the basis for acts from lynching to genocide... These are societal values we are talking about... NOT acknowledging crimes perpetuated for these reason, I feel, poisons a society. If the trait of bigotry is not culled, singularly and solidly demonstrated as wrong, and is treated as no different, we set stages for a blase attitude about bigotry that we should leave in the past.

For those that protest that we are encroaching upon people's freedoms, I say YES it is. But WHICH freedom do you support to be protected: the freedom to act upon prejudices you hold, or the freedom to be seen as an equal by society's laws? I will go with the latter.



We are setting societal standards with this law. We are shaping the dialogue of our nation to recognize when something is wrong, just as our predecessors had to shape the language of this country to recognize equal rights for women, protection of children in labor, condemnation of racial segregation...Many citizens today take for granted these values, but at one point in our country's history, these values were questioned. Now we have the value that any crime perpetrated out of bigotry (race, religion, ethnicity and now sexual orientation) is a denial of a person's individual liberty and has no place in America.

Injury inflicted upon someone for who they are is the most personal violation of civil and individual liberties, something that slaps in the face of what is the individual freedom and right to just EXIST. Who you are should be no reason for someone to validate an attack upon you, or be a reason to take you out of this world.

And no, the government shouldn't have to legislate this, but there are people STILL discriminating and using this discrimination to justify attacking others based upon their racial/ethnic/religious/sexual differences ....there is need for this protection.

Fashion: Rock n Shop

If you are in NYC, I recommend this event to check out!
Rock-n-Shop is a concept, hybrid retail/live music experience designed to explore the fusion of fashion and rock-n-roll. The concept is to emphasize this Fall's biggest trend, rocker-chic fashion, via a 3-day, retail/entertainment, shopping/listening event.

Rock-n-Shop will include up to 20 apparel/jewelry/accessory brands and live performances by up to 5 NYC-based bands. They need one band to perform on opening night, October 22nd at 7:30; 2 bands to perform on October 23rd at 2:00 and 4:30; and 1-2 bands to perform on October 24th at 2:00 and 4:30.

Fashion: Charlie Le Mindu

I affectionately call this "Cousin It Couture", but Mr. Le Mindu most definitely has a way with tresses. You may have seen his avant-garde work atop the head of Lady Gaga.


Not since the B-52's & Dee-Lite have wigs been so much fun.

For a nice article about Charlie Le Mindu: Charlie Le Mindu, Beyond the Fringe

Animation: "Nude" by Hayato Nove & Tomoko Miyahara

Oh, I wish there were more information about the creators of this lovely clip. This was from the Aniboom "In Rainbows" contest last year. I'm not crazy about the subtitles, but I really wish I could find more of their work...

Fashion: Alex & Chloe

Organic shapes (here, a Cypraea shell) treated with a black rubber exterior on an antique brass chain. My xmas list has officially started.

go to Alex & Chloe

Retro: Audrey Hepburn

Music: Paper Scissors

Nice & sexy from down under.

art art art: Luke Jerram

Apologies-- been a bit distracted-- finishing up personal things, but I've saved a lot of clever things while doing so.

I found this link looking at Kanye West's (!) blog....I'm sure everyone's heard by now about the hoopla over him and Taylor Swift, but this posting isn't about that.

e coli

Mr. West featured the glass work of an artist named Luke Jerram. Artists like Jerram excite me because they fuse science and art together beautifully. Here is a collection of several well know deadly viruses recreated in blown glass. Gorgeous, poignant, correct and compelling.

small pox

To see more of his work, go here: Luke Jerrams's site

Excuse My Cuteness! : Animals with Casts

Norman Rockwell once said - and I am paraphrasing - that if a drawing was not going well, to put a dog in it. If it was going REALLY badly, put a cast on the dog.


What is it about seeing these little casts that make my heart jump so?



Click here to go to the link!

Le Sigh: Josh Holloway

Ah, summer.

art art art : Devin McGrath

I can't remember exactly how I came across Dsvin McGrath's work, but they are futuristic, unnerving and luminous. Really gorgeous work.



Click here to go to Devin McGrath's portfolio site.

Check Out: Sleeveface

Cheeky and hilarious!!

Click here to go to Sleeveface

Animation: Fleet Foxes

I am always charmed by stop motion animation.. such a rare form of animation these days. The band is called Fleet Foxed and the video is directed by Sean Pecknold. Gotta love Seattle!

art art art: Caitlyn Shearer

"Little Knickers"

I love the fragile lines, the milky vintage colors, but most of all, I love the eyes!


"Blue Blood"


"Anne Frankenstein"

Just beautiful. These drawings make me think of boudoirs, vintage perfume bottles and ghost stories.

I found her stuff on DeviantArt, but she is no longer posting there. However, there is a great gallery of her work posted there as well as other links listed

Here

and

here

And her Deviant Gallery link

Music: Passion Pit

Video for Sleepyhead. Like Snow White, acid and snowy mornings...

Excuse My Cuteness!: My Milktoof

Existentialistic cuteness! Love this.

My Milktoof by Inhae

Design: Brush & Rinse

First: Why didn't I think of this

Second: How did I not hear about this earlier? Apparently this has been online for a little while...

The germaphobe of me is looking forward to getting rid of my crappy rise cup!




Way to go green (and germ free... sort of)

Pre-order now....!Visit this link: Amron Experimental

Retro: Siouxsie & the Banshees

Le Sigh: Gabriel Aubry

No words, except "lucky bitch."

Comment: Creepy or Cute?

Not really sure about this one...

If you want to order them, click here

Music: Solid Gold

Look what Minnesota has given us!



You will like, trust me.This is "Bible Thumper."

Photo: Amber Gray

Amazing, fairytale-like drama. Incredible eye... Haunting and gorgeous.



please click here to go her site

Le Sigh: Christophe Galfard...continued...

Videos... the first one is my favorite.

Christophe Galfard
Uploaded by FranceInfo. -

What a charmer. Of course I don't speak French.

THe second clip is more recent. For some reason, he strikes me as a touch awkward on camera... but it's Christophe Galfard, so what else needs to be said?

Christophe Galfard "Le Prince des Nuages"
Uploaded by EditionsPocket. - Discover more animation and arts videos.

On an extremely shallow note, it is GOOD that we have men this handsome in science. There need to be more!

Art Art Art: Jenny Hart

She is amazing. I'll never look at embroidery the same again.

Junko -2002

Click here to see more

Check Out: Jemal Wright

Just in case you didn't have EVERYTHING in life, you can have a crystal studded commode.



WHY THE FUCK NOT?!

Click here to access this fabulous touch of drama to your bathroom

Fashion: Gareth Pugh

A new favorite designer, Gareth Pugh.
I drooled over the shoes.



Click here for more, but more effectively, google him.. the links are better than his website.

Music: Holy Fuck

Holy fuck, indeed! This is "Lovely Allen"

Film: Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Terry Gilliam has always been hit or miss with me-- here's hoping for a hit. Looks incredibly intriguing!


Also, this was Heath Ledger's last (unfinished) film.

Here is the trailer---It's very pre-production, but it looks like it has great potential:

Photographers: Abandoned Japanese Amusement Park

For anyone who was a fan of Spirited Away, this may feel strongly familiar. It's a great site-- the photographer tends towards abandoned sites like this amusement park.


It's all in Japanese, and you only need see the images, but I WISH I had the photographer's name.


Click here to go to the link!

Something extra... how freaky and amazing is this shot of a statued Gulliver?

Animation: Mary Blair

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

A great link that I found with some images of the great Mary Blair's work. If you have ever been to Disneyland (the one in California) and have seen the It's A Small World ride, you've experienced some her great imagination as she had a great hand in designing this experience...

Ideas for character and costume design of Cinderella (1950)

Click here to go to the link!

Please click here to go to Cartoon Brew - a GREAT resource for retro 50's style animation-- one of the best and most beautiful phases of the art form....

Yum: Siggi's

Like eating a rich dessert... but not too sweet. Really good!

Click here to go to Siggi's

Check Out: Barbie!

This bitch gets everything!!!!

The new Barbie Store in Shanghai is here... and look at this staircase! Three stories tall with 800 dolls encased.

I never get too old for her.

Check out more here: Barbie Shanghai Store

Check Out: Alice in Wonderland

Ethereal, tenderly executed taste in fashion and style, I love Alice Saga and her eye.


Click here to go to Alice in Wonderland

Retro: Olivia Newton John

"Magic" from 1980. SHe was absolutely ADORABLE!

art art art: Will Cotton

Sweet, surreal,spooky...

Alpine Ruin -2008

Eutopia - 2008
Candy Curls - 2003

Click here to go to Will Cotton

Le Sigh: Parisian Guy

I love. And the shoes, the shoes....

The Sartorialist

True Blood: Ad Campaign

Damn.

Excuse My Cuteness! : Baby wolf & mom

Baby wolf cub playing with his mother.

Photo: Alin Dragulin

Photography appreciation is something that is starting to develop on my life's horizon.



Here is Alin Dragulin-- Romanian-born and living in Portland.. amazing eye and subjects.



Click here to go to his site

art art art: Carter Hodgkin

(Whatchamacallum- 2008)

Some time ago, on a dusky eve in SoHo, I found myself mesmerized in front of a shop's window, watching a ceiling of twinkling little lights changing color againsta a black surface. Once again, I find myself mesmerized, but by the still works Carter Hodgkin's Electromagnetic Series.

(Electromagnetic Circles-2007)

Her spirited work is reminiscent of physics and science studies for me, with the Lite-Brites feel. I could stare at her work and see galaxies. I could stare and see elegant women moving gracefully. I could just stare at this all day....while listening to the Devils. (Dark Equation 2 - 2009)
(Dark Equation 2 - 2009)

Click here to go to her Website

Comment: Erin Featherston's pants

I can't quite figure myself out on this one. On one hand I really really love those pants.. they remind me of Crystal Barbie when I was in 5th grade and anything that shines I have an inherent weakness for. Opalescence? Forget, I'm all over it. Of course, I want to try them on.. but, there's where reality kicks in.

The IDEA of the pants is amazing. I love the outfit.. but something... SOMETHING.. just seems off on it, and I have to pass...

Music: Hot Chip

"Ready for the Floor" V. cool video, fun fun concept. Love the yellow paint splashed on the hidden bodies.

art art art: Jen Corace

Airplane
Tub Monster

Jen Corace's work reminds me of the vintage animation work created by Winsor McKay-- sort of if Gertie the Dinosaur met Marc Jacobs.

Click here to go to Jen Corace's website

Music: The Flying Horses

I know nothing about this band, except that they are from Japan and I really love their cover of Paul McCartney's "Take it Away."

Click here to see more of The Flying Horses!

Le Sigh: Another Christophe Galfard pic!!

Oh, to be the scarf draped around his shoulders...

This is the gorgeous gravitational physics guy Galfard, and the lovely (and lucky ) lady in the pic is Stephen Hawking's daughter, Lucy.

Thanks to Lindsay

Check Out: The Great Gatsby

Last winter, I began revisiting some of my assigned high school readings. I came back to the Great Gatsby, and just want to remind everyone how incredibly touching this book is. I think if F. Scott Fitzgerald were alive today, he could be a film director.

Gatsby is just the saddest character ever.

art art art: Kathie Olivas

I've been looking at Kathie Olivas' work on and off for the last couple of years...It suits my darker moods (obviously) and admittedly, I can only take so much of it. However, I've never been able to NOT check in and see what's new. Do I need a psychiatrist?



Click here for Kathie Olivas' site

Animation: French Animation

I'm not sure who this is by, but I fund it googling "French animation"... wonderful, non?

I need to take French lessons this summer. Gah...