Adam Savage, one of the hosts of Mythbusters, shares his insights into colossal failure. He shares 2 great stories that are crucial to who he is and his career.
Aside from the moral of the story, that failure is ok and to ask for help, is Adam’s storytelling. At every turn, there’s an obstacle that he over comes. But the triumph is short lived when his success turns into another obstacle. And so it goes, that by the end of the story, you desperately want him to succeed. But he doesn’t. That’s good storytelling.
Brooklyn-based illustrator, Kiersten Essenpreis, has had her work featured in American Illustration 23 and 24. Her clients include Wired Magazine, L.A. Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, Bitch Magazine, Maverick Records, Boston Globe, Nylon Magazine, New York Times Magazine, and GQ Magazine.
In recent months, Kiersten has run into some misfortune. Her drawing hand has been suffering serious poor blood circulation and doctors have not been able to diagnose the problem yet. To offset some of her medical costs for bloodwork and neurological tests, she is selling her artwork at half the normal price! You can browse and purchase her paintings here.
“Following” is a montage of clips illustrating one of my favorite types of shots: one where the camera physically follows a character through his or her environment. I love this shot because it’s neither first-person nor third; it makes you aware of a character’s presence within the movie’s physical world while also forcing identification with the character. I also love the sensation of momentum that following shots invariably summon. Because the camera is so close to the character(s) being followed, we feel that we’re physically attached to those characters, as if by an invisible guide wire, being towed through their world, sometimes keeping pace, other times losing them as they weave through hallways, down staircases or through smoke or fog.
I think the shot was used to great effect in Gus Van Sant’s Elephant. In it, Van Sant follows various high school kids going about their daily lives.
The shot is very reminiscent of those used in 3rd person video games. You get a clear view of the area around the character, but at the same time, feel you’re in control. It gives a sense of presence in the scene, as if you are experiencing the things the character on screen is experiencing.
If you haven’t noticed, Penguin hasn’t been posting that much lately. Why? Well, first there was the whole shingles outbreak, then catching up on all his school work/papers, and now he’s in Wisconsin for an internship! He does send his love and this little viddy of a group of dancers wearing Hammer Pants who flashmob a trendy store. Enjoy!
Whew, I spent the weekend attending a bridal shower (didn’t get home until 1 AM) and prepping my guitar for the Kaki King guitar project, which may be in a gallery show. I’ll keep you posted as I find out more info. ~__^
First off, Congrats, Michelley & Dan!
And now, the guitar:
The guitar arrived in a simple cardboard box sans bubble wrap.
The sides were completely detached from the top and bottom of the guitar. There were also minor fractures in the top’s surface.
I popped off the bridge and stripped off the varnish using this citrus-scented goo.
The A Kiss From Tokyo trailer is perfect, and oh the Saul Bass-esque titles! But my favorite part is the rear projection driving scene.
This animation was created for the release of Kevin Dart’s new book, Seductive Espionage, the world of Yuki 7. The book features artwork by Mr. Dart (of course), and includes selections from Brigette Barrager, Elizabeth Ito, Ted Mathot, Chris Turnham, Daniel Arriaga, Don Shank, Josh Parpan, Justin Parpan, and Megan Brain.
I adore Kaki King and am completely thrilled to collaborate with her on her guitar art project! Last Friday, Kaki emailed me to tell me that I was the last artist chosen for her project (yay—lucky number 13). Woo hoo!! ^___^ She should be shipping it out soon; I wonder which one I’ll get.
A bit of trivia: in February 2006, Kaki was labeled a “Guitar God” by Rolling Stone Magazine, becoming the first ever female to make this list. Without further ado, here are some Kaki viddies for your listening pleasure.
Following a successful exhibition at Shepard Fairey’s LA Subliminal Gallery, House Industries’ Letters & Ligatures returns to the East Coast. Hosted by 222gallery in Philadelphia, Letters & Ligatures features the type foundry’s prints, patterns, installations and sculptures. The Letters & Ligatures show opens this Friday, June 5 and runs through July 31, 2009.
When
Opening reception: Friday June 5, 6-9 PM Letters & Ligatures runs through July 31, 2009
Where 222gallery
222 Vine Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
open Mon – Fri, 9-6p
or by appointment
