Chris Brooks is a London based photographer.
iamchrisbrooks.com
Posted by vostokone
Blanka
Blanka is a collection of original, vintage and limited edition posters and prints. Our ever-expanding website includes art, design, photography, film and music, brought together by collectors and leading creatives. We collect prints to sell or just to inspire, and we are constantly adding new, historic and unusual work to our permanent visual archive.
Posted by vostokone
Zipcar | Flexcar | Co-operative Auto Network
I just read this article on WorldChanging.com about the merger of Zipzar and Flexcar. I've never used the prior and only just learned of the latter but the article motivates me to look a little further into the Co-operative Auto Network (besides I'd be scared of getting one of those Zipcars with "We are all Canucks" all over it).
Posted by vostokone
Alertness Enhancing Device | Susanna Hetrich
"The idea is it stimulates goosebumps and shivers that go down your spine and make your neck hair stand up, waking up the alert animal inside. You become more alert and ready for the real dangers in life."susannahertrich.com
Posted by vostokone
Paul Rand tribute
"A 4 minute short about Paul Rand created for his posthumous induction to the One Club Hall of Fame in 2007. Produced for Imaginary Forces by Cara McKenney and executive produced by Maribeth Phillips. Additional I.F. credits go to designer/animators Joey Salim, Jeremy Cox and Liz Centolella and animators Andrew Chung, Sean Eno and Chase Massingill. It was edited by I.F.'s Corey Weisz, with sound design by Derek Lee."
Posted by vostokone
Smashing Magazine's Best of February
This is an amazing monthly gazette of all things design. It is a little heavy on the web development stuff, but the almost overwhelminging in the number of links and pictures make it worth a few minutes (3.74) stroll. http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/02/29/best-of-february-2008/
New motto for the U.S.
The Freakonomics people did a contest for a new six-word motto for the States. Although they are all amusing, it's the comments that really make the post. http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/and-the-new-six-word-motto-for-the-us-is/ If you don't want to bother linking through the winner was "Our Worst Critics Prefer to Stay", but I reiterate that the comments are what really make the piece.
Religious art from junk
A psychotic who God talked to creates shiny objects. These are now being exhibited at the Smithsonian. "In 1950, a quiet janitor named James Hampton rented an unheated dump of a garage in Washington DC because he was "working on something" and needed a larger space than his room in a nearby boarding house." http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/28/throne-of-the-third-heaven-masterpiece-folk-art-made-from-junk/
Human Smoke | Nicholson Baker
"A writer of some note, whose last book, Checkpoint (2004), was a novel debating the merits of assassinating George W. Bush, has now published a work characterizing Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill as warmongers and claiming that, thanks to them, Western civilization was lost. This is a view with some history behind it: it was, at least in part, Hitler’s view. But Nicholson Baker is one of those writers whose stock in trade is to shock, and that is what he has set out to do here."commentarymagazine.com simonsays.com
Posted by vostokone
RPM: The Lost Art of LP Covers | Deluge
February 29 to March 15, 2008
Opening Friday, February 29, 7 to 10 pm
Deluge Contemporary Art
636 Yates Street, Victoria
Exhibition Hours: Wed to Sat, 12 to 5 pm
"Remember the LP cover? Two square feet of eye-popping, groin-stirring, world-rocking graphics, titles, and liner notes rolled into one precisely measured object of desire? Well it's back! Deluge Contemporary Art presents RPM: The Lost Art of LP Covers from February 29th through the March 15th at the Yates Street gallery. This special leap year edition of RPM will feature the work of 60+ local, national and international emerging and established artists employing a variety of concepts to interpret this endangered species in a wide range of media. These creations will go on sale to the public for $45 each at the the gala opening on Friday, February 29th. If you missed the boat in past years, here's an opportunity to honour a disappearing medium and help a worthy cause."www.deluge.ws
Posted by vostokone
Funny Games, Funny Games
Funny Games trailer (1997)
wikipedia.org
Although Michael Haneke directed a suitably contemporary version of Funny Games which was released just barely over a decade ago it is presumable that since it was a German and French language film the majority of the English speaking world did not make the time to watch it. Such is the case an English language version has been filmed which, judging by the trailer, is staged practically identical to the older version. Although critical of remakes –especially those of films still so young– the fact that it has the same director adds and interesting additional layer of meaning to it. Michael Haneke is quite literally playing funny games with Funny Games and, although I have not seen the remake, I recommend you see both in whichever order you prefer though mI might suggest the prior first. Hell, why not watch them at the same time …
Funny Games trailer (2008)
wikipedia.org
Can anyone else suggest remakes that were directed by the same director as the original? I'm inclined to think there might be some Asian films that fit this category but am uncertain and not too inclined to do the research at the moment.
Posted by vostokone
No End in Sight
"The first film of its kind to chronicle the reasons behind Iraq’s descent into guerilla war, warlord rule, criminality and anarchy, NO END IN SIGHT is a jaw-dropping, insider’s tale of wholesale incompetence, recklessness and venality. Based on over 200 hours of footage, the film provides a candid retelling of the events following the fall of Baghdad in 2003 by high ranking officials such as former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, Ambassador Barbara Bodine (in charge of Baghdad during the Spring of 2003), Lawrence Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, and General Jay Garner (in charge of the occupation of Iraq through May 2003) as well as Iraqi civilians, American soldiers, and prominent analysts. NO END IN SIGHT examines the manner in which the principal errors of U.S. policy – the use of insufficient troop levels, allowing the looting of Baghdad, the purging of professionals from the Iraqi government, and the disbanding of the Iraqi military – largely created the insurgency and chaos that engulf Iraq today. How did a group of men with little or no military experience, knowledge of the Arab world or personal experience in Iraq come to make such flagrantly debilitating decisions? NO END IN SIGHT dissects the people, issues and facts behind the Bush Administration’s decisions and their consequences on the ground to provide a powerful look into how arrogance and ignorance turned a military victory into a seemingly endless and deepening nightmare of a war."
Posted by vostokone
Books 4 Sale
FULL DISCLOSURE: I admit this is a little shameless, however it may be of interest to you graphic designers out there. I am currently trying to eliminate my collection of books (technical / theoretical books in particular as I stopped keeping novels awhile back) and although I've had some success via Craigslist this seemed a good spot to reach a 'targeted audience'. Here is what I have remaining (all prices in Canadian dollars/shipping not included):
30 Essential Typefaces for a Lifetime, like new, $30.00 (OBO)
Confessions of an Advertising Man, good condition, $5.00 (OBO)
Design Rules for Letterheads, like new, $5.00 (OBO)
Rookledge's classic international type finder, good condition, $25.00 (OBO)
Stop Stealing Sheep & find out how type works, good condition, $25.00 (OBO)
Typographic Systems, like new, $15.00 (OBO)
In addition I have four issues 150, 156, 157 & 159 of grafik magazine (159 being the December 2007) all of which are in good to new condition and which I am trying to sell for $10.00 each (OBO).
Thank you for tolerating this proprietary indiscretion and if anyone is interested I also have some additional graphic design related paraphernalia you might be interested in.
You may contact me through vostokone.
Now does anyone know of a good source of design books in PDF format?
Posted by vostokone
Cormac McCarthy & the Coen Brothers
"Sorry, Douglas Adams. The answer is not 42. It is 117. But what was the question? In No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy's soul-chilling killer Anton Chigurh pursues another deadly piece of business to a motel door that bears that number. In The Road, the prior apocalypse whose aftermath the book recounts has taken place at 1.17, precisely, on an unknown date."independent.co.uk
Posted by vostokone
RIP Yuki | Segura Inc.
Yuki was the 'mascot, mail delivery, person-to-person courier, entertainment, scaring away intruders, doordog/host' at Segura Inc. Clearly I didn't know her personally but of her and, being fond of animals, always pleased to see one noted as one of the companies staff.
Of course animals go and die too soon which is also what I dislike about them.
segura-inc.com
5inch.com
t26.com
cartype.com
Posted by vostokone
Beautiful Losers
"Beautiful Losers is a feature documentary film celebrating the independent and D.I.Y. spirit that unified a loose-knit group of American artists who emerged from the underground youth subcultures of skateboarding, graffiti, punk rock and hip-hop. This documentary tells the story of how a group of outsiders with little or no formal training and almost no conception or interest of the inner workings of the art world ended up having an incredible impact on the worlds of art, fashion, music, film and pop culture."Also to note: beautifullosers.it
Posted by vostokone
How to Save the World | The Sketchbook Project
"We're sending out 500 sketchbooks. You fill them and send them back. Then we throw a show with all of the books lining tables around our gallery, free for everyone to flip through and view. Everyone has ideas on how they would save the world. Whether its something as small as planting a tree or as grand as beating up every boss at the end of each level on the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game, it's your solution to the world. Show it in your sketchbooks. The theme is "how to change the world". There is no restriction or censorship on content."arthousecoop.com
Posted by vostokone
Art + Commerce
"Art + Commerce was founded in the early 1980s by partners Anne Kennedy, Jim Moffat and Leslie Sweeney. Their concept was simple yet surprisingly unprecedented — to create an agency capable of supporting image-makers within the realms of both art and commerce at a time when there was renewed interest by artists in working for the printed page. The agency has grown to represent photographers, stylists, creative directors, hair and make-up artists and an illustrator for assignment, special projects, and image licensing. Art + Commerce offers long term guidance and support to the artists, and helps to build their archives of published work and digital files for perpetuity. Our cultural programs offer support and development for our artists’ exhibition, publication, and educational projects and extend the discussion of image making in general."artandcommerce.com
Posted by vostokone
Mirrors | Daniel Rozin
"The mechanical mirrors are made of various materials but share the same behavior and interaction; any person standing in front of one of these pieces is instantly reflected on its surface. The mechanical mirrors all have video cameras, motors and computers on board and produce a soothing sound as the viewer interacts with them."smoothware.com/danny
Posted by vostokone
WhiBal™ White Balance Reference Card
"We designed the WhiBal™ White Balance Reference Card to be the best Gray Card for White balance available. WhiBal™ technology is now Patent Pending and all WhiBals™ are made in USA. What makes it so different?"whibal.com
Posted by vostokone
Chip Kidd | The Learners
Chip Kidd has a new book out. No, not just another cover but another novel he has written and designed. (Apparently he types his novels out in Quark XPress) Did anyone read The Cheese Monkeys or were you unable to get past the cover? goodisdead.com
Posted by vostokone
Box.net | Free Online File Storage
Very recently I noted the online self-publishing service called Scribd and was subsequently researching a few online file storage sites. Although a fan of the no frills gDisk, which utilizes your unused Gmail storage space, I learned about a dedicated service called Box.net.
Not only does Box.net offer free online file storage and internet file sharing (as well a subtle variations and combinations of the two) it also integrates Scribd's iPaper technology allowing users to view PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. You cannot edit the files but you don't require the associated applications to be open or even installed on your computer.
I think that anything which allows us to avoid installing Microsoft Office is a good thing.
box.net
Posted by vostokone
Pantone Goe System
A NEW vision of color from inspiration to application.
More Colors. More Advancements. More Inspiration.
It has been 45 years since the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM (PMS) became the industry standard for color specification. Since then, the graphics industry has been completely transformed to include tools and techniques with a new set of demands. The introduction of digital elements into the creative workflow as well as the transition of the printing industry from cut-and-paste hard copy graphics to computer-driven hardware and software has created a new forum for color and technology to combine. PANTONE met this challenge with an entirely new color system – Goe. 2,058 chromatically arranged colors, the PANTONE Goe System answers the demands of the constantly evolving printing, design and publishing worlds by creating a comprehensive color library that reaches every platform from digital to print.pantone.co.uk
Attend the PANTONE Goe™ event on 12th March 2008 Heidelberg Graphic Equipment Ltd. (Heidelberg UK) 69/76 High Street Brentford Middlesex TW8 0AA United Kingdomgoe-future.co.uk
Posted by vostokone
Jerwood Moving Image Awards
A new prize from the Jerwood Foundation for artists working in digital moving art. The finalists have been announced and their works are being exhibited at the Jerwood Space*, Southwark, until 20th March. All shortlisted works are available to view on the website.
www.jerwoodmovingimage.org/shortlist.asp
* also serving some of the best (and most expensive) burgers in the city
Cutting Fine, Cutting Deep
click image
Posted by vostokone
Ticker Radio
"Ticker Tape is an internet radio for people who suffer from Euphobia, "a persistent, abnormal and unwanted fear of hearing good news". Designed by Will Carey, it was exhibited at the work in progress show of the RCA in London a few weeks ago.Ticker Tape is a working prototype that simulates the interaction but as this was a project done in only two weeks some details are still to be fixed. Using RSS feeds, Ticker Tape scans for light-hearted news stories from around the world broadcasting them to the listener who can manage the content via the Ticker Tape website (still in construction)."
from We Make Money Not Art.
Robots (post-fordist?)
"When I was a child (age 2 to 8) I lived in India, and at that time a Japanese monk who had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize taught me the philosophy, “The real essentials are not something you can see with your eyes.” Speaking broadly, what I want to do is create people, things, events, and worlds. What I’m doing now is using robotics as a platform to achieve that. I’m working on an assistive robot right now which is similar to KITT from Knight Rider. Once we can make a platform that anyone can use, that’s when the technology becomes really useful."
from PingMag.
Posted by Otto O'Brien
Barack Obama is your new bicycle?
Just visit. And refresh at will. http://barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com/
Posted by Otto O'Brien
Experimental Xerox Paper erases itself
"Xerox Corporation scientists have invented a way to make prints whose images last only a day, so that the paper can be used again and again. The technology, which is still in a preliminary state, blurs the line between paper documents and digital displays and could ultimately lead to a significant reduction in paper use."xerox.com
Posted by vostokone
Ubuntu
"Ubuntu is a community developed, linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more."ubuntu.com
Posted by vostokone
Tesla Motors
"Tesla Motors designs and sells high-performance, highly efficient electric sports cars — with no compromises. Tesla Motors cars combine style, acceleration, and handling with advanced technologies that make them among the quickest and the most energy-efficient cars on the road."teslamotors.com
Posted by vostokone
Tania Mouraud
""Si quelqu'un dit que c'est de l'art, c'est de l'art" affirme Don Judd proposition séduisante et certainement juste si ce quelqu'un est capable de réaliser ce qu'est la fonction de l'Art. Après Marcel Duchamp, les artistes n'ont cessé d'interroger la fonction de l'Art - mais en la réduisant souvent à "nature de l'art', "condition de l'art" ou même "forme de l'art". Ce processus de dégradation inconscient appelé soi-disant "explication de l'art" a conduit à ramener l'art conceptuel à un art formel. La "focale" est progressivement abandonnée; à la recherche d'idées plus neuves, on se fonde sur ce "qui a déjà été fait" plutôt que sur ce qui doit être fait."tania-mouraud.net
Posted by vostokone
Processing
"Processing is an open source programming language and environment for people who want to program images, animation, and interactions. It is used by students, artists, designers, researchers, and hobbyists for learning, prototyping, and production. It is created to teach fundamentals of computer programming within a visual context and to serve as a software sketchbook and professional production tool. Processing is developed by artists and designers as an alternative to proprietary software tools in the same domain."processing.org
Posted by vostokone
molo design
"molo, based in Vancouver, Canada, is a design studio dedicated to materials research and an exploration of space making. As a design and manufacturing company, molo creates and distributes unique and innovative products to clients around the world."molodesign.com
Posted by vostokone
Kelly Mark
"I have always had an intense preoccupation with the differing shades of pathos and humour found in the repetitive mundane tasks, routines and rituals of everyday life. Hidden within these spans of time can be found startling moments of poetic individuation, and an imprint of the individual within the commonplace rituals of society. Individuation, especially within this uniformity, although subtle and frequently paradoxical, is something I find myself returning to again and again. Through my ‘will to order’ and my frequently inane sense of humour my objective is the investigation, documentation and validation of these singular ‘marked’ and ‘unmarked’ moments of our lives..."ireallyshould.com
Posted by vostokone