Saturday, July 31, 2010

[ART] Jacques-André Boiffard




Jacques-André Boiffard (1902-1961) born in Paris, lived in Roche-sur-Yon. He was a medical student until 1924 when he met André Breton through Pierre Naville, a Surrealist writer, and childhood friend. From then on, Boiffard decided to dedicate himself to Surrealist research in the Bureau of Surrealist Research, writing the preface with Paul Éluard and Roger Vitrac to the first issue of La Révolution surréaliste. Preferring photography to literature, he became Man Ray’s assistant. During the 1920s, he took portraits of the English writer Nancy Cunard and photographs of Paris which Breton used to illustrate his novel, Nadja. In 1928, Boiffard was abruptly expelled from the Surrealist movement for taking photographs of Simone Breton. From 1929 he was closely associated with Georges Bataille and Documents where his best-known work was published, illustrating articles such as Bataille’s "The Big Toe" (1929, issue 6), Robert Desnos’ "Pygmalion and the Sphinx" (1930, issue 1), and Georges Limbour’s "Eschyle, the carnival and the civilized" (1930, issue 2). In 1930 Boiffard also contributed to "Un cadavre" that attacked the surrealist leader. He then set out on a world tour with fellow photographer Eli Lotar. Although partly financed by museologist Georges Henri Rivière and the Vicomte de Noailles the trip came to an early end in Tangiers. During the political turmoil of the 1930s Boiffard was a member of the October group led by the Prévert brothers, and he exhibited his work as part of the Association des Ecrivains et Artistes Révolutionnaires. Following his father's death in 1935 Boiffard resumed his studies to earn a doctorate in medicine in 1940 specializing in radiology, once and for all putting an end to his career as a photographer.

[TEXT: wikipedia]

Friday, July 30, 2010

[ART] elmgreen and dragset

Throughout their career, Elmgreen & Dragset have redefined the way in which art is presented and experienced. Drawing from disciplines as divergent as institutional critique, social politics, performance and architecture, in their sculptures and installations the artists reconfigure the familiar with characteristic wit and subversive humour. From the transformation of New York City's Bohen Foundation into a 13th Street Subway Station in 2004, to the siting of a Prada boutique in a Texan desert in 2005, and the insertion of institutional spaces within the architecture of a public gallery, as in the Serpentine Gallery's critically acclaimed The Welfare Show in 2006, their work raises issues around social models and social spaces, and prompts a re-thinking of the status quo.

Based in London and Berlin, Michael Elmgreen (b. 1961, Denmark) and Ingar Dragset (b. 1969, Norway) have worked as a collaborative team since the mid-1990's. Major solo exhibitions include MUSAC, León, Spain (2009), Malmö Konsthall (2007), Serpentine Gallery (2006), MCA Chicago (2005), Tate Modern (2004), and Kunsthalle Zurich (2001). In 2003, Elmgreen & Dragset won the prestigious Preis der Nationalgalerie für Junge Kunst at Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin and were awarded both the Danish and Nordic Pavilions for the 2009 Venice Biennale, for which they curated The Collectors.

Reposting some of my favourite artists atm, was lucky enough to see a stunning work
by Elmgreenand Dragset during the SCAPE 2008 Biennial in Christchurch, I still think back to
it today.

x

[IMAGE: cashonlyroadtrip.wordpress.com, TEXT: victoria-miro.com]

Thursday, July 29, 2010

[ART] gregor schneider




Gregor Schneider began working on Haus u r in 1985 at the age of sixteen. The rooms on view here are part of his ever-changing construction and reproduction of the interior of his house in Rheydt, Germany. This work is built within his house and is contained—by a slight scaling down—within the rooms that the work exactly replicates. .Schneider’s work reveals evidence of his various layers of construction, the elaborate process of their making, and the intense materiality involved in re-creating an entire home.Haus u r is a quotation and extension of the original that reveals how an apparently normal and benign space can trap and disorient through illusion and mystery.

Gregor Schneider is possibly one of my favourite artists - I have admired his work for many years and will for many years to come! Die Famille Schneider is also well worth looking up.

x

[IMAGES: artist's website, TEXT: cmoa.org]

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

[WHAT I AM READING] SNUFF by chuck palahnuik


Palahniuk's audacious ninth novel tells the story of Cassie Wright, an aging porn queen who intends to put an exclamation point on her career by having sex with 600 men in one day on film. The story begins with Mr. 600—the pornosaur who introduced Cassie to the business—as he describes the other 599 actors awaiting their moment on screen. The perspective then shifts to Mr. 72, an adopted Midwestern 20-something who is one of the many young men claiming to be Cassie's long-lost son. Mr. 137, a has-been television star hoping to revive his career, wants to ask Cassie's hand in marriage so that the two can star in a reality TV show. But for a novel centered around a gargantuan gangbang, there's surprisingly little action; the small amount of narrative movement takes place backstage, where the characters attempt to get a sense of one another while waiting for their number to be called. There are sharp moments when Palahniuk compassionately and candidly examines the flesh-on-film industry, but mostly this reads like a cross between the Spice Channel and Days of Our Lives. (May)


I added in this description without reading it because I don't want it to tell me anything so I hope it is good! I'm just typing and not looking at it!! Fatastic book - still early days but I love Chuck's books, such as Fight Club, Choke and Diary

x



[TEXT: AMAZON, PHOTO GOOGLE]

Monday, July 26, 2010

[ART] james ensor






continuing my love of all things from Belgium

x

Saturday, July 24, 2010

[DESIGNER] KRIS VAN ASSCHE


"Balancing a nostalgic historical sense with radical modernism, Kris Van Assche has created a distinctive, refined world of nonchalant elegance.

Van Assche's work is characterized by attention to detail, a strong feel for ritual and the exacting depiction of a chic that evokes "days gone by". His designs arise from a sophisticated approach that breaks away from the uniformization of sportswear.

Kris Van Assche was born in Belgium in 1976. Shortly after graduating from the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts, he moved to Paris in 1998. After working with Hedi Slimane at Yves Saint Laurent and then for Dior Homme, he began to show his original creations in January 2005. Today he heads his own label, KRIS VAN ASSCHE, and artistic director for Dior Homme since april 2007.

Impelled by a vision of the man who takes the time to "dress up", Kris Van Assche has embarked on an esthetic quest, pursuing a new masculinity infused with poetry and authenticity."

Currently the Creative Director of Dior Homme. Another amazing Belgian designer

[TEXT: Kris Van Assche website bio, PHOTO: kai-juenemann.com]

X

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

[WHERE I'D RATHER BE] Among many places


Already looking to summer - this is where I plan to be. Ok, maybe not there exactly, but something like that. I don't even know where this is - I'm sure it's not Victoria though. I'll be in Victoria. Perfect mix of city life and beach life (I don't think I could handle this for too long) . Yes please. Next 4 months - longest of my life. I'll be sure to take my lumography camera of course, otherwise there is no point.

x

[QUOTE]

We are spinning our own fates, good or evil, and never to be undone. Every smallest stroke of virtue or of vice leaves its never so little scar... Nothing we ever do is, in strict scientific literalness, wiped out.

- William James
(1842 - 1910)
American psychologist, philosopher

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

[FASHION] HAKAAN



Hakaan is definately one designer to watch over the next year. Four months ago the question was "Who's Hakaan?", now his reputation has changed as the winner of the ANDAM Fashion Award. The Turkish born designer made waves in London with models such as Lara Stone and Natalia Vodianove walked on his show. His front row brought some of the biggest A-list personalities including French Vogue editor Carine Roitfield - she looooovvves Hakaan. Roitfiled was rumoured to have flewn to Paris just to see Hakaan's show.

Previous winners of the coveted award include the likes of Gareth Pugh, Margiela and Viktor & Rolf.

See (or buy!) some of his gorgeous pieces on LUISAVIAROMA



[IMAGES: SASA REPORT]


[MUSIC] SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES







getting me through the week right now . . .

x

Monday, July 19, 2010

[GAMES] ROBOT UNICORN ATTACK



I'm practicing for the tournament!!! Bring it!

try it here

Sunday, July 18, 2010

[MUSIC] THOM YORKE


Saturday, July 17, 2010

[DESIGNERS] TRIMAPEE





Trimäpee- say; (Trim – mar – pea)


Trimäpee is Mario-Luca Carlucci and Peter Strateas. Carlucci and Strateas were born 1985 and 1984 in Melbourne, Australia. After studying Industrial Design and Communication Design respectively in 2005, they pair collaborated on a number of private commissioned based art-works, mainly in sculpture. In a sudden change of profession, the pair were guided by their intrigue and exploration of sculpture and the human form, and became self-trained menswear designers, effectively launching the Trimäpee label 2006.

4 years on, and Trimäpee now have extended what was only a small menswear collection, to a full ready-to-wear men’s and women’s range, offering accessories, hand-made shoes, bags and eyewear. Now with their second store launched in 2009, Trimäpee have become an established brand within the Australian fashion community.

Despite the craftsmanship and fine tailored aspect of each Trimäpee garment, the physical product is not the driving force behind the label. To create moods, to become a storyteller and to bring an idea to life is more important. Unique collections with conceptual themes make each Trimäpee garment a product of character expression, rather than the attempt of mimicking mainstream fashion. With thematic and historical influences, Trimäpee aims to transform the humble wardrobe into a means of expression. This multifaceted brand is fused together by music, art, images, performance and words. Inspiration is not only drawn from tales of the past, however by events from day to day activities, to the intimate and private details of the designers lives. This, combined with the labels dark and moody underlying aesthetic, creates collections not only with depth and purpose, however invites you into the minds and worlds of the story-tellers themselves. Trimäpee is inspired and designed for the confident outsiders, who seek uniqueness and individuality and breaks the mould of the mundane.

The symbol of the “Arlecchino” is the essence of the Trimäpee brand. Arlecchino (the Joker or Harlequin) represents the outsider; one who does not conform to any suite, yet stands alone. Arlecchino is mischievous, yet always creates a challenge. He is ambivalent, neither good nor evil, but a leader in his own right, breaking the mould for others following his path.

X

[TEXT AND IMAGES: DESIGNER PROFILE AND WEBSITE]

Friday, July 16, 2010

[GAGA] CHOERO AND TUTORIALS





This lady is amazing - she has all the choreo for the GAGA music videos.
She has videos of the actual choreo and the tutorials so even I can learn
it. Which I have. Telephone down - Poker Face in the works! BAM!

see them all on her youtube channel here


love x