Matt Relkin – “The Big Bang” (Artwork)
May 9, 2011 § Leave a comment
The Big Bang is a 16″ x 18″ acrylic on panel artwork by Matt Relkin. Other geometric artwork and photography by Matt is available to view on his site, http://www.downfaster.com/.
MannequInspiration: “Crooked Rot”/ “Manny” (Stop-Motion Animation)
May 7, 2011 § Leave a comment
Growing up with a visual diet of stop-motion animation has ceaselessly endeared it to me for its beguiling, dark charm. A regular fixture of my televisual intake, from the synonymous Ray Harryhausen to the pure magic of Czech Animation, stop-motion captured my head and my heart from a very early age. Czech surrealist filmmaker, Jan Švankmajer, is, of course, still propagating his auteurism within this cinematic field, but reaching a new generation with his mastery of the craft, largely via the internet, is the UK’s very own David Firth; animator, musician, video artist, and he of Salad Fingers fame.
Notoriously time consuming, stop-motion has been less of a viable filmmaking option for Firth, but today, reader, we’re going to have a mini retrospective of mannequin-based animations from this particular realm of artistry, beginning with Firth’s own Crooked Rot, and, as inspiration does beget inspiration, Adam Rosenberg’s tributary Manny.
And so I present to you, with music composed by Marcus Fjellström, Crooked Rot…but not before some introductory words on the film by Firth himself:
This project really began when I discovered a treasure cave of strange items in my own back yard including mannequin heads and rubber hands. It inspired me so much that every time I returned I gathered more inspiration.
And now for Adam Rosenberg’s heavily-influenced yet sufficiently self-stamped Crooked Rot homage, Manny:
And here are some links should you wish to further investigate the talents involved:
http://www.fat-pie.com/ for David Firth
http://kafkagarden.com/ for Marcus Fjellström
http://www.youtube.com/user/Moose13088x for Adam Rosenberg
Converging Separatism: The Carapicuiba House By Angelo Bucci And Alvaro Puntoni
May 6, 2011 § Leave a comment
For Brazilian architects, Angelo Bucci and Alvaro Puntoni, a site topographically unusual for its depression became more advantageous than problematic in relation to meeting the clients’ brief for a live/work environment. Utilising the abrupt drop in ground level, Bucci and Puntoni responded to the need for separatism of these two existential necessities by elevating the 3mW x 25mL tubular office area by two reinforced concrete supports, the only section visible at street level.
Connected to the office space by a steel bridge, but nestled below the street level, the two domestic storeys of the house in Carapicuíba, Brazil, lay in distinct, desired separation. But just as the site encourages this brief to be so surprisingly well-realised, so, too, does its geography allow for great incorporation of indoor and outdoor space. Woods, valley, gardens and pool surround the home storeys, merging with living spaces through sliding glass doors onto a terrace and patio. Similarly, the windows at either end of the office structure allow for a unique aerial viewpoint of the green spaces, thus offering further converging separatism within the property.
Working with the site’s geography and landscape, to allow its unusual topographical dictates govern the realisation of the project, has not only created distinct living and working environments and a merging of nature with structure, but has also meant simplicity of materials. Built from two material elements – concrete and glass – Bucci and Puntoni were less constrained by budget and more able to focus on the build itself. The result is exemplary of the great design and wellbeing that can and should be derived from environmental attentiveness.
Photography by Nelson Kon.
Chip Tha Ripper – “(Bitch I) Feel Good” (Gold Panda Unofficial Hancock Version)
May 3, 2011 § Leave a comment
“The French Doors” Short Film By Steve Ayson
May 3, 2011 § 1 Comment
Written and directed by Steve Ayson, this 2002 New Zealand short is not only one of my favourites, but over 12-minutes-worth of innovative creepiness to put you off any domestic renovations you might have in mind for, approximately, forever.
Westworld Movie Poster By Alien Corset
May 3, 2011 § Leave a comment
Completed for the Castro Theatre, San Francisco, is this 24″H x 18″W limited edition silkscreen print by David O’Daniel aka Alien Corset. Signed and numbered by David, you can, at a cost of £75, purchase this printed loveliness at the Richard Goodall Gallery.
The Photography Of Neil Krug
May 2, 2011 § Leave a comment
Should I ever realise my life-long dream of canine companionship, I would love for a snapshot of our adventures to be captured by the beautifully psychedelic, vintage aesthetics of Neil Krug.
“Amer” (Trailer)
May 2, 2011 § Leave a comment
Released by Anchor Bay in January 2011, Amer (Bitter) is Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani’s deliciously formidable inaugural feature and open homage to cult Italian horror genre, giallo.
This near dialogue-free French/Belgian giallo extraordinaire a – triptych tale of Ana amid the lust and violence that shapes her – shows its devotion to its generic procreators with more than enough aplomb to seamlessly anchor it in French art-house cinema. Elated for days following the screening, it’s no secret that this gloriously fervent psychoanalytic hotbed ignited in me some hope for the filmic future.
Frankly, a staggering first feature and nothing less than essential viewing for fans of giallo and art-house alike, or, for the virgin masses, an intoxicating cinematic opiate that will leave you seeking out your erstwhile fix.














