perfect for this time of the year
I still can’t quite believe this is stoneware. To see a blurring of textures and materials with their original assumptions never seems to tire me out.
I was in a car today and somehow this came up in my head...
- Q: What roads are the craziest?
- A: Cycle paths.
Watervilla de Omval in The Netherlands by +31ARCHITECTS
Floating houses in Amsterdam has always been a subject of fascination for me. It’s not a boat, yet it’s a living space floating on water. Just like the mobile home, it’s not stationary, yet it’s also a living space. In our world, where mobility is accelerated, housing prices widely fluctuate, and people are constantly moving from place to place, is the definition of a home calling for a re-definition nowadays?
C’mon, y’all—let’s work to get the Cookie Monster on Saturday Night Live. You need convincing? Here’s his audition tape.
I can totally hear that voice for two hours straight on my TV on a Saturday night. *face palm*
Fox News slogan, per The Simpsons: “Not racist, but #1 with racists.”
\via firthofforth
Love how the Simpsons nailed it with a layer of self-denial on top.
(via s4xton)
Loved how cartoonic this time-lapse video looked, especially when I used to drive on Lake Shore every now and then.
Reflections on Ai Weiwei’s Dialogue with Katie Hill at the Tate Modern
I was very fortunate to be able to attend Ai Weiwei’s Dialogue with Katie Hill tonight. Tickets were sold out very early on, but I managed to slip into the auditorium in the name of helping out. Apart from discussions on the Sunflower Seeds and several of Weiwei’s other works, there were also sobering thoughts on China’s social and political situation, especially censorship, and the power of Twitter.
While many ideas have already been discussed in various occasions where the artist was involved, I think the dialogue brought out a few themes that are worth keeping in my pockets:
Art is not just about making a statement, art is about making an impact.
While Katie and Weiwei were discussing the production process of the Sunflower Seeds and Fairytale, it was impressive to hear about his stories of mass employment at Jingdezhen (where the sunflower seeds were produced) and of mass travel arrangement for the folks participating in Fairytale. While the results are wondrous installations/performances, the processes in accomplishing these works created jobs, provided for families, established identities as in helping unnamed folks getting registered and getting passports, and they are no less meaningful than the works themselves.
Art is not separable from issues of concern.
In Weiwei’s case, the social and political conditions of China are consistent themes in his life. Art shows, on the other hand, serve to demonstrate only one aspect of a whole.
“Aside from my political and social activities, I have no other work.” He sees his artwork as an extension of his work in politics and culture, not the other way around.
Have a “keep it on” attitude.
When asked about his documentaries, Weiwei jokingly remarked that the key to filming is to “turn the camera on, let it roll, and make sure you have enough batteries.” While the quip produced much laughter in the room, there is quite a bit of wisdom that goes beyond filming. I think when one applies the idea to life, stays open and embraces what is thrown at you, pleasant surprises are bound to happen.
He was also asked of his feelings for the launch of Sunflower Seeds, and although he was still in an event that is directly related to the installation, he said that he already considers it as the past. I interpreted it as even when one has accomplished a major work and had a huge success, the moment it is done it is already time to move on, and focus on the next most meaningful thing.
Seriously, why is everyone so ridiculous?
Gossip Girl 50 Years On = my Board of Directors.
With the same logic: Current Board of Directors = Gossip Girl in the 60’s?
