2.25.2011

MFA

'There’s nothing sillier than an M.F.A. What does it mean? Did you learn anything? No. To be a master you have to learn languages and you have to have these things. Nobody gets them. I don’t think the art form is so complicated that you need a college course in order to read it. I really don’t. Art and fashion are the last two bastions where the product itself is what attracts attention; it really doesn’t much matter who made it. There’s this legitimization of something with an M.F.A. But Gaultier draws a shoe, they look at it, they put the shoe in production, it comes out, and it works. Nobody had to know anything about the person. Art is the same thing, something is built and shown, and it enters the culture. I like schools, I like people to go to school, but the purpose of the Academy is to give answers. If they don’t have an answer, they give a solution. The purpose of art is to ask questions. They’re antithetical.' —Lawrence Weiner

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I've been thinking about going back to school...
But it wouldn't be for another two years or so.

solidarity.

As we speak, Libyan people are being massacred, because they’re rebelling against an unfair government. The elderly, women, children, everyone in Libya is in danger tonight. It’s genocide.
Reblog this to raise awareness and support the revolution.

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2.24.2011

capture.

'Longing is, at bottom, a creative impulse. "There's no doubt in my mind that you're destined to end up a writer," a college teacher once told me. "You have all the right problems." The constant wistful sense of loss, the need to slow it all down for the capture before it drifts away—this is why writers put things into words.' ─ Nathan Heller.

hold


Thao and the Get Down Stay Down - You've Really Got a Hold on Me.

potential.

In my dream I was almost there
And you pulled me aside and said you're going nowhere
They say we are the chosen few
But we waste it
And that's why we're still waiting

h2o

'I want to be like water, I want to slip through fingers but hold up a ship.' —Michelle Williams

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2.23.2011

3.

Photobucket
Three paintings by Agnes Martin, Untitled #21, Homage to Life and The Sea.

Agnes Martin's work is so incredible in person. The last two seem like they would be particularly moving in the flesh, I'm especially drawn to the dark spaces she creates, she seems to have really captured the feeling of staring into the abyss. It's the same feeling as night canoeing and being a kid on the ferry with
arms flailed over the railing staring into the splashing water underneath.

elite

amazonian guard
'The Amazonian Guard is an elite group of 30-40 (reports differ) virginal women who are tasked with protecting the leader of Libya, Muammar al-Gaddafi.

Candidates for the Amazonian Guard undergo extensive firearms and martial arts training at a special academy and must be hand picked by Gaddafi himself. Members of this elite group are allowed privileges not deemed acceptable in the Muslim world, such as dressing in Western-style fatigues and wearing makeup, or displaying Western hair styles and high heels.

The existence of this elite group has created controversy as it challenges the role of women in the Muslim world.

Is it wrong and unfeminist of me to think this is sort of badass?
I also appropriate the lesbian erotica and fantasy fiction potential of this.

success.

Some insightful lessons from Wieden+Kennedy’s Executive Creative Director, John C Jay.

1: Be authentic. The most powerful asset you have is your individuality, what makes you unique. It’s time to stop listening to others on what you should do. 2: Work harder than anyone else and you will always benefit from the effort. 3: Get off the computer and connect with real people and culture. Life is visceral. 4: Constantly improve your craft. Make things with your hands. Innovation in thinking is not enough. 5: Travel as much as you can. It is a humbling and inspiring experience to learn just how much you don’t know. 6: Being original is still king, especially in this tech-driven, group-grope world. 7: Try not to work for stupid people or you’ll soon become one of them. 8: Instinct and intuition are all-powerful. Learn to trust them. 9: The Golden Rule actually works. Do good. 10: If all else fails, No. 2 is the greatest competitive advantage of any career.

Via.

2.22.2011

begin


Here in my place and time/
And here in my own skin
I can finally begin/

Arcade Fire - Deep Blue.

2.20.2011

sheets.

City of Dreams: You and Me.
City of Dreams: You and Me, 2011.
A quick sketch with pen.

braids


Braids - Lemonade

hired.

beauty


A cute 80's clip on gap toothed women (insert flower child script font here).
Speaking of which, I do have a rather fleshy 'mound of venus'.
Via.

2.18.2011

better


We could live so much better.
Michael Pawlyn's TED Talk on using nature's genius in architectural design.

2.17.2011

qing

A_Lady_from_Qing_Dynasty_LiFeng_D
Li Feng Di. Girl in Festive Costume, 1996.

2.15.2011

luisa

luisa casati
Marchesa Luisa Casati

"Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety"
Read more.

yes.

'Don’t be afraid to be a fool. Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow. Saying yes leads to knowledge. “Yes” is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say yes.' —Stephen Colbert

Via.

cozy

Photobucket
My dream room, so comfy and cozy.
It has everything I like: art, quilts and rugs.

2.14.2011

VD

ashkan
I've loved a good collage ever since the fifth grade.
This one is especially good.
Ashkan Honarvar.

Also, Happy Valentine's Day, aka VD.

2.12.2011

make

Criteria for Art Criticism
By Raphael Rozendaal:

Am I drawn to it?
Do I feel a strong attraction or connection?
Does it trigger a series of thoughts?
Does it change my thoughts?
Does it set a mood?
Does it amplify my emotions?
Does it encourage me to make something?
Does it provide new information?
Is it beautiful?
Does it intensify perception?
What is the level of abstraction?
Does it awaken memories?
Does it make me curious?
Do I want more of it?
Does it summarize an era?
Is it innovative?
Does it stand out?
Do I remember it after 10 minutes?
Does it surprise me?

Via.

2.03.2011

space

massimo vitali
sarah morris
aquapark
Some art things I've been into lately.
1. Massimo Vitali. Scala dei Turchi, 2009.
2. Sarah Morris. Pools Century, Miami, 2003.
3. Stephano Cerio's book Aquapark.

2.02.2011

500


The Drums - Down By The Water
This is my 500th post!
Here's another lovely song by The Drums to celebrate.
I'm going to Indonesia with my family on the 4th, see you guys when I get back.