Outside of the PDC on Melrose (where I’ve been spending a lot of time lately), there’s a collection of strange yet totally awesome sculptures. I took a photo of a few of them a few days ago. I researched the random pieces of public art and found out they were created by Miranda July.
July is a filmmaker, writer and artist. She might be most well-known from her film Me and You and Everyone We Know. Her new film, The Future , comes out later this year.
I love her “Eleven Heavy Things” project (the sculptures outside the PDC), as they were designed for interaction and photography. There are basically 11 witty photo opportunities. You should totally check out the front lawn of the PDC if you are in the area.
From July’s website:
“…Though the work begins as sculpture, it becomes a performance that is only complete when these tourist photos are uploaded onto personal blogs and sent in emails — at which point the audience changes, and the subject clearly becomes the participants, revealing themselves through the work.”
Production of this work has been supported by Deitch Projects
RAD.
Cool Find: IdeaPaint
July 24, 2011
I just came across IdeaPaint. I’ve seen blackboard paint, and have even used it at clients used blackboard paint at client’s homes–but I really love this dry erase formula. You don’t have to worry about chalk dust! Apparently, the paint has been out for a couple of years now.
I’d love to paint the wall next to my front door with IdeaPaint. It would be so much easier than trying to go through the random sticky note reminders I have on the back of the door. I’d also love to have an office with one wall covered in this stuff.
From the website:
“Millions of worn out and unwanted whiteboards and blackboards end up in landfills each year. With IdeaPaint, there’s nothing to throw out. You apply it directly over the existing wall or surface in your home. When you’re ready for something new, just paint over it. IdeaPaint can even restore your old whiteboards and add years to their life. “
IdeaPaint is so great that it won a bunch of awards. It was created by some college kids
”The ‘idea”’for IdeaPaint came out of a brainstorming session in the e-tower, a dorm for entrepreneurs at Babson College (Wellesley, MA). True to the entrepreneurial spirit of the school, the students decided to cover their walls in large sheets of paper to write down their ideas. As their ideas grew the paper became filled with writing and had to be torn down and replaced– writing on the walls was great, but there had to be a better way! e-tower founder Andrew Foley suggested and looked for a paint that could turn every wall in their dorm into a dry erase writing surface. Surprised to find this paint didn’t already exist, John and friend William Gioielli set out to find one while Andrew began working on the business plan and created the name. When students and visitors from across campus began stopping by to write on the wall the team knew they were on to something!”
Here’s some more cool IdeaPaint rooms:
Inspiration…
May 22, 2011
Rad Documentary coming to Downtown Independent #DTLA
May 15, 2011
Nearly twenty years later, still profoundly affected by his experience at Showbiz Pizza, small-town disc-jockey Chris Thrash sought out Fechter and purchased a Rock-afire band of his own. Some clever programming on Chris’ part, and the band was once again performing for millions, this time on YouTube.
The Rock-afire Explosion reveals how Chris came to revive this fallen 80′s gem, explores his and a number of other fan’s obsessions with the animatronic band, and chronicles the rise and fall of Showbiz Pizza and what was once a 20 million dollar per-year venture for inventor Aaron Fechter. More than this, the film is a look at the importance of nostalgia, ever-changing media culture, and the eternal quest to stay young.”
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 – $10
7:30 PM – Downtown Independent
251 S. Main Street
My Little Ponies Still Make Me Happy
May 8, 2011
I’m at my parent’s house for Mother’s Day Weekend, and I came across a box of my old toys. My mom told me “My Little Ponies” are super hot collectibles right now-especially the 1st generation-1982-1983-Hasbro. But, that doesn’t really matter to me. I just remember all the fun I had with them. I can never forget the aroma of opening a brand new MLP. They still smell faintly like the 80s- and evoke those great memories.
I was very creative as a child. I once told my parent’s friends not to walk in my room, because there was lots of MLP poop all over the floor, and they would step in it. I guess I wasn’t really into using these:
Here’s some more photos of my collection. I was obsessed:
Cute Accessory
I think I had every MLP stable/building ever made
Magical Unicorns!!!
This one had fluttering wings.
1980s color inspiration!
Playfully Patching Potholes in Paris
May 3, 2011
“guerrilla knitting”
adore
Art in the Streets @MOCALosangeles
April 24, 2011
I’m a huge fan of street art. My friend Matt introduced me to the beauty of graffiti and other urban art ages ago. We’d drive around town and look for new work. I actually think that’s how I ended up finding my loft in the Arts District six years ago. No one would come over here. It was pretty bare–except for the walls of the old buildings, which were decorated with spray paint. I fell in love with the industrial part of the city.
Shortly after I moved into my loft, I traveled to France, where I discovered one of my favorite street artists- Fafi. I used one of her pieces as the inspiration for my commercial design thesis.
I’m still so inspired by the work I see on the streets. Right now, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA as an exhibit completely devoted to Street Art. If you get a chance–you simply must check out this collection. It’s more of an experience than merely a trip to the museum.
See below for my experience in photos:
Eggstra Special Easter Decorations
April 17, 2011
We wear a lot of hats at work. This week, I ventured away from autocad, shopping for fabrics and client meetings to the strange and wonderful land of decorating Easter Eggs for TV. Getting an egg ready for its close-up is no easy task. Especially, when the main attraction is so fragile and cracks so easily.
Error part of trial and error.
But after hours and hours and hours of arts and crafts (which I enjoyed), we (Nathan, Charity and I) finally came up with our stars….that’s not to say this wasn’t without trial and error. All’s well that ends well-be sure and check out Nathan on the Today Show on Tuesday, April 19th with Kathie Lee and Hoda to see some eggstra special Easter Decorations (including my favorite-silk-dyed Easter Eggs).
Sneak Preview
*Antique Easter Postcards from the family collection.
Reinventing Recycling Through Art
April 6, 2011
I just ran into one of my super cool neighbors in the elevator. He told me about his awesome job. He’s part of the Global Inheritance team. He invited me to a rad “TRASHed” party-TOMORROW NIGHT in Hollywood. See invitation above. It’s a preview party for this year’s Coachella TRASHed recycling bins. I wish I knew about this organization earlier. Last month they had a call for artists for this year’s Coachella Festival. I totally would have submitted an idea. There’s always next year! (Moral of the story-talk to your neighbors in the elevator more often. Put your iphone away, and make a real, live connection. It’s fun -and you may learn something.)
“The TRASHed :: Art Of Recycling campaign is an ongoing recycling education program that redefines the way people view recycling and trash collection. Global Inheritance arranges the artistic redesign of recycling bins, then integrates the bins at high visibility events to encourage recycling and provide additional outlets for people to appreciate the artwork. Live paintings often occur at events in addition to the ongoing display of artist bins created beforehand.
TRASHed appoints the right talent to match each event’s aesthetic. Artists who have worked with us in the past include: pro-skateboarder Bob Burnquist, artists from Volcom and RVCA, rock musicians Blink-182, pro-surfer Jodie Nelson, Freestyle Motocross rider Mike Metzger, artists like Mear One and Freddi C., author Hunter S. Thompson, and many more.
Events: Coachella Music Festival ESPN Summer & Winter X Games Treasure Island Music Festival Virgin Festival Canada & USA National History Museum – LA Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival Hollywood Bowl CMJ Music Marathon Dew Tour Epicenter Music Festival Live Earth Sundance Film Festival Swerve Festival SXSW and many more.”
Also, check out the Global Inheritance Recycling Store….get free stuff just by collecting recyclable material.
*images from Global Inheritance.
True Story.
April 3, 2011
