FROM THE ARCHIVES: ART INTERVENTION


For the next three weeks I am off on an adventure—the best adventure possible! I am getting hitched, an amazing event and process that has inspired my ongoing series of posts called The Wedding Files. While I am on my honeymoon I will be featuring some of my favorite posts from past years (including this street-side number from September 2010) to tide you over until I return. Hope you enjoy them!

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I have been bookmarking a lot of videos about super cool street art recently. Here are three of my favorites I thought I would share with you. Enjoy!



Some background on the project:
"In 2007, the New York City Transit Authority began installing LED signs on subway platforms that display estimated wait times for arriving trains. Unfortunately the information is little more than trivia: except for a few stations, it is only visible to travelers after they’ve paid their fare, so the data has little bearing on commuter decision-making.
Their primary effect, then, is to erode faith in the system, to create expectations that can’t always be met, to raise false hopes, and to erase the mystery and magic of the wondrous system that transports more than five million riders a day.
These LED signs also threaten historical social behaviors, rendering obsolete the time-honored New York tradition of leaning over the platform edge with the hope of glimpsing headlights from an approaching train.
The Spoiler Alert signs warn waiting riders of this potentially unwanted information – allowing them to avert their eyes so they may preserve their spirit of adventure – while still leaving visible the data for travelers who wish to ruin the surprise for themselves.
Learn more about Jason Eppink (a major player in my favorite group: Improv Everywhere) and his other projects here. Found via the awesome Subway Art Blog.




Some background on the project:

"This summer mural painter Matt W. Moore created a series of live painting performances on walls in MARSEILLE, LYON, and PARIS. Directors Le Groupuscule captured the evolution of each mural, gathering over 700,000 pictures, that were edited as a stop-motion animation to an unreleased track by Monsieur Monsieur to create this music video. This collaboration of 3 artistic disciplines to make walls dance is part of the global initiative : Let's Colour Project."
Learn more about the collaborating artists here (in French) or here. Found via Wooster Collective.


 

Some background on the project:
"Multipraktik is a multi-disciplinary platform motivated by the pursuit of new practices at the crossover between design, photography, video production, music, events and art. We operate as an evergrowing collective of designers, artists, musicians, producers and programers. We create teams based on projects and with each project we try to challenge conventional approaches. This project was organized cross-slovenian street TapeArt actions with different artists (in particular Fejzo & Luka Ursic) as part of the new campaign for Orto (Simobil)."
Get more information on Multipraktik and the artists here and here (website under construction). Found via Wooster Collective.



BACK IN BUSINESS!




Did you have a good holiday? You may have noticed I was gone a bit longer than I promised. Whoops! I was in Vermont with my husband's family two weeks ago—enjoying lots of delicious food and hours of reading and playing with my sister-in-law's puppy—and last week I was in Boston doing archival research for my dissertation at Harvard. It was a whirlwind of fun, relaxation and research and in the midst of it I didn't pop in to say hello. Apologies!

Even though I was off the blogging grid, I did manage to sock away some sweet finds to share with you. I couldn't wait to share this awesome video. I have a geeky love of acapella (music made solely with one's voice, including instrumentals) and I found myself watching the television competition show 'The Voice' several years ago when this amazing five-person group Pentatonix rose up through the ranks.  Now they are touring (hooray!) and making incredible videos for our enjoyment. I recommend all of them but this evolution of music (not unlike this) is so well done it's hard to believe it covers hundreds of years!

Learn more about the group here.

UPDATE: I am also obsessed with this song!

THE COLOR OF MUSIC



























I love this idea! Created by the design collective Dorothy, this poster enumerates 154 bands with colorful band titles including obvious ones like Black Savage but also obscure options like The Blue Nile. Clearly it combines the best of all my favorite things: color wheels, bright graphic patterns, popular music and clever/humorous graphic design.

Pick up your own copy at Fab here or on the Dorothy website here. Learn more about Dorothy here.



ART INTERVENTION


I have been bookmarking a lot of videos about super cool street art recently. Here are three of my favorites I thought I would share with you. Enjoy!


Some background on the project:

"In 2007, the New York City Transit Authority began installing LED signs on subway platforms that display estimated wait times for arriving trains. Unfortunately the information is little more than trivia: except for a few stations, it is only visible to travelers after they’ve paid their fare, so the data has little bearing on commuter decision-making.
Their primary effect, then, is to erode faith in the system, to create expectations that can’t always be met, to raise false hopes, and to erase the mystery and magic of the wondrous system that transports more than five million riders a day.
These LED signs also threaten historical social behaviors, rendering obsolete the time-honored New York tradition of leaning over the platform edge with the hope of glimpsing headlights from an approaching train.
The Spoiler Alert signs warn waiting riders of this potentially unwanted information – allowing them to avert their eyes so they may preserve their spirit of adventure – while still leaving visible the data for travelers who wish to ruin the surprise for themselves.

Learn more about Jason Eppink (a major player in my favorite group: Improv Everywhere) and his other projects here. Found via the awesome Subway Art Blog.



Some background on the project:
"This summer mural painter Matt W. Moore created a series of live painting performances on walls in MARSEILLE, LYON, and PARIS. Directors Le Groupuscule captured the evolution of each mural, gathering over 700,000 pictures, that were edited as a stop-motion animation to an unreleased track by Monsieur Monsieur to create this music video. This collaboration of 3 artistic disciplines to make walls dance is part of the global initiative : Let's Colour Project."
Learn more about the collaborating artists here (in French) or here. Found via Wooster Collective.


Some background on the project:

"Multipraktik is a multi-disciplinary platform motivated by the pursuit of new practices at the crossover between design, photography, video production, music, events and art. We operate as an evergrowing collective of designers, artists, musicians, producers and programers. We create teams based on projects and with each project we try to challenge conventional approaches. This project was organized cross-slovenian street TapeArt actions with different artists (in particular Fejzo & Luka Ursic) as part of the new campaign for Orto (Simobil)."

Get more information on Multipraktik and the artists here and here (website under construction). Found via Wooster Collective.


MTA MUSIC


Like most New Yorkers I have a love-hate relationship with the subway system. But this beautiful graphic, called 'Conductor', by Alexander Chen manages to make the movement of subway trains into lovely string music. As Chen describes, "Using the MTA's actual subway schedule, the piece begins in realtime by spawning trains which departed in the last minute, then continues accelerating through a 24 hour loop. The visuals are based on Massimo Vignelli's 1972 diagram."

Watch the interactive in your browser here and learn more about the design on Chen's blog here.

(Thanks to Elisabeth for the heads up!)


HAVE A LOVELY LATE SUMMER WEEKEND!




















What are you guys up to this weekend? I am taking off for Connecticut tomorrow to help out with my Dad's 70th birthday party (recap and DIYs next week!). So I am leaving you with some links to distract you on Friday and tide you through the weekend.

Photo above is from this (mouth watering) article!

I have been in an old school music mode this week, rewatching some 90s music videos. Check out these blasts from the past (cartoon cat, teleportation, bagpipes)!

Secret book paintings (so cool!!).

Everything you need to know about the latest Apple announcements.

Why your mind . . . wanders.

New (cabin) on the block.

Turning back the (cellular) clock.

Can you imagine being stuck in traffic for nine days?!!

An invisible skyscraper (what about the birds?).

Mmmm, tastes . . . fuzzy.

Letters to Ms Magazine.

Best birthday present for this polar bear EVER.

Whoa! Your touch tone could have looked like this.

Wouldn't want to meet this guy on a leisurely afternoon swim.

Step away from the computer and s-t-r-e-t-c-h....

Ready for wedding season to be over? This may make you smile.

As a Patriots fan and wife of an HLS alum, I find this pretty darn funny.


Have a great weekend, everyone! See you back here next week.



8TRACKS




I just came across the website 8tracks.com, which allows subscribers to upload music, make mixes and share them with their friends. While I am not completely thrilled with the interface (and the fee which starts after the 14 day trial), I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite "summer" songs with you. These songs never fail to make me smile, crank up the music in the car, and sing along at the top of my lungs. Hopefully it will for you too!


Check it out my mix here and sign up for 8tracks here.


UPDATE: The kind folks at 8tracks left me a note to remind me that the subscription fee only applies if you want to avoid ads. If you don't mind some ad intervention into your listening the site is completely free! After a little more exploration (and the super nice people at 8tracks), I am also coming around to the set up of the site. All in all, I am giving 8tracks my resounding vote of approval!

OK GO DID IT AGAIN



I have written about the band OK GO's amazing music videos before (see here and here), but this one may be my favorite. I love the intricate interplay of color and perspective and, of course, the occasional introduction of stripes and polka dots!

You can watch more of their videos here; which one is your favorite?


(thanks to swissmiss for the tip)

NYTIMES OLYMPICS INTERACTIVE

NYTIMES SNOWBOARDING

NYTIMES SNOWBOARDING

NYTIMES SNOWBOARDING


I don't know about you all, but I have major Olympics fever. I can't seem to tear myself away from the prime time competition and yesterday completely lived up to my every hope. Five american medals in some of the most exciting events: speed skating, downhill skiing, and snowboarding half pipe. Truly awesome.

Also awesome? The NYTimes coverage of the Olympics. There have been some great interactive features, including a video series that interviewed the world's best snowboarders on things like listening to music while boarding, their first trick, training, and being a veteran.

Check out the coolness here.


UPDATE: The NYTimes just added another interactive feature that describes the tricks snowboarders use on the half-pipe and how Shaun White managed to win his second consecutive gold medal. Check it out here.


A MOVING MASTERPIECE AT THE MET: JANET CARDIFF



Last week I went up to the Cloisters—the Medieval outpost of the Metropolitan Museum—to see a beautiful new exhibition that's been getting rave reviews. It's called The Forty Part Motet and it's a sound art piece by Canadian artist Janet Cardiff which features forty special speakers each playing one vocal part in a powerfully moving choral piece by Tudor composer Thomas Tallis. The work is usually shown in the blank white boxes of contemporary art museums and modern art galleries, but someone got the brilliant idea to install the piece in the cathedral-like atmosphere of The Cloisters. Listening to the gorgeous music, with each voice distinct and blended at once, while sitting in front of beautiful religious artwork from hundreds of years ago becomes almost reverential. One feels like you are sitting in the middle of the chorus, surrounded by singers, transported back in time and place to a church service in the Middle Ages (though the choral piece is technically from circa 1555-1575).

Trust me when I say that this is an incredible installation, not be missed. It's a bit of a trek up to the museum, but it is well worth the visit to see this show, which closes December 8!

Learn more about the exhibition and hear a clip of Tallis' choral piece here.




WEEKEND UPDATE: GUSTER AT THE MET


GUSTER EASY WONDERFUL
GUSTER EASY WONDERFUL


Yes, you read that title correctly. This weekend (Friday, to be exact) I saw the band Guster give an acoustic performance in the theater at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The event was put on in conjunction with their Guitar Heros exhibition, and was presented as a conversation between the band and their latest collaborator: the artist Jon Sarkin. The event started awkwardly—two Met curators trying to force the band to talk about artworks that feature musical themes in their collection—but ended up being a really special evening.

I wasn't familiar with Sarkin's art before; turns out he makes drawings and paintings filled with brilliant color and obsessive scribbles. Apparently, Sarkin and Guster worked together on the art for their new album 'Easy Wonderful' and the video for their catchy new single 'Do You Love Me'.

The album art is almost cool enough to tempt me to buy an actual hard copy of the CD—the music is happy and fun enough (as to be expected from Guster) to listen to on repeat for the next two weeks. Perfect for a sloppy rainy day like today. You can take a listen for yourself here, see more videos promoting the album here, and check out Sarkin's other work here.


(Thanks to Amanda for hooking me up with the tickets!)



OK GO'S LATEST MIND BENDING VIDEO



I have written about Ok Go's crazy music videos before. This group is incredibly creative, both musically and visually. There color palette, costuming and choreography are on point. But, seriously, my mind is BLOWN but this latest video for the single 'Upside Down & Inside Out'. It was shot entirely in zero gravity. No special effects. Enough said.

Learn more about Ok Go here.



GANGNAM STYLE



Fill this under very random but highly hilarious. Have you seen this new music video, sweeping the internet, of Korean artist PSY singing his hit song 'Gangnam Style'? The lyrics apparently point to an incisive critique of Korea's upper class social norms, but the scenes in the video point to a crazy pop frenzy of ridiculousness. It's pretty fantastically over-the-top.

Learn more about PSY here (he went to BU, crazy!), read the Atlantic article about the video here, and see his funny appearance on the Ellen Show here.

(Also, in the last scene, that backdrop totally looks like every school photo I took from 1994-1997, ha!)


POSTMODERN JUKEBOX








Recently I stumbled something amazing. I may be the last person onto this trend (given their millions of views already), but have you seen the performances of Postmodern Jukebox? It's a musical group organized by band leader Scott Bradlee that reworks popular songs—by famous folks like Meghan Trainor, Queen, Miley Cyrus, etc.—with a big band style. Now you can hear the Guns N Roses hit 'Sweet Child of Mine' in the style of New Orleans swing or Macklemore's catchy 'Thrift Shop' with a ragtime beat. As someone who has seriously eclectic taste in music, I love hearing many of my favorite songs remade in some of my favorite classic genres. The arrangements are incredibly well done, almost seamless, with fabulously talented vocalists. Once you start up on PMJ's YouTube playlist here you likely won't stop. I have included some of my favorites above to get you started but I can guarantee there is a lot more musical fun to be had.

Learn more about the group on their Facebook page here and about their tour dates on their website here.






p.s. They even cover cartoon theme songs. Awesome!



A CAPPELLA + DISNEY = ADORABLE!



A cappella is often nerdy, let's be honest. But there is something adorable and sweet about this video that reminds me that a cappella can also infectious and fun. This performance—a joint endeavor by Peter Hollens, and the BYU groups Vocal Point and Noteworthy—definitely made me smile and I hope it makes you smile too!

Like a cappella? Check out this post or this one. Like music in general? Head over here.


GRACED WITH LIGHT: INSTALLATION BY ANNE PATTERSON










I am not a religious person but, as an art historian, I can appreciate the palatial beauty of cathedrals. Now add on a beautiful installation to that magnificent church space and you really have my attention.

This breathtaking work was created by New York-based installation artist Anne Patterson. It features twenty miles of silk ribbon strung from the high above the nave in the famous San Francisco chapel, Grace Cathedral. The work, inspired by the music and color combinations that spin through Patterson's brain (she suffers from synesthesia), has prompted community members to associate the ribbons with their hopes and prayers, sending them heavenward in the vaulted space.

The work was supposed to come down last fall, but has been so popular it has ben extended until this February. If you are in the neighborhood, I suggest you check it out!

Read more about the project here.




IN THE CLASSROOM

I am starting a new (roughly) weekly column entitled "In the Classroom". I will be writing this piece to share the artists and designers I learn about in my graduate school colloquium 'Topics in Graphic Design Since 1950' taught by my brilliant Professor Thomas Crow. Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions about this new column would be greatly appreciated!

ALVIN LUSTIGALVIN LUSTIG
ALVIN LUSTIG

Alvin Lustig was a famous magazine, promotional and book jacket designer. He is most famous for his work on the "New Classics" book series sold by the publishing company New Directions. His work played off the tradition of bold, graphic poster design in Europe. Lustig was incredibly canny, occasionally designing black and white covers to stand out in a market that was completely color saturated. Tragically Lustig died at the early age of 40, but his work lives on through his website here.



ALEX STEINWEISS
ALEX STEINWEISS

Alex Steinweiss is best known for his complete reinvention of record covers. In the early 1950s records were still played at 78 rates per minutes, meaning that only a few songs could be put on each record and thus albums were packaged in big bulky sets. Noting the bland impersonal designs on these cases--usually containing small explanatory type on the front and nothing else--Steinweiss decided to use this free "ad space" to make covers that were eye-catching and alluded to the style and feeling of the music inside. When the 32rpm record came out, Steinweiss rewrote the book on package printing to be able to produce his brightly colored and inventive designs on a new, slim cardboard sleeve. He worked in various positions over several decades for Columbia Records while doing freelance in various other media. These two covers, however, are even today understood as two of the first and best works by this graphic master. Learn more about his work here.


MISSADVENTURE



Guys, guys! Pitch Perfect 2 comes out this weekend! Are you going to see it? I have a shameless love for the first Pitch Perfect movie, so I will certainly be hitting it up asap.

My excitement for the sequel has me realizing something . . . I kind of have a girl crush on Anna Kendrick! Not the least because of this adorable new ad campaign she worked on for one of my favorite brands, Kate Spade. Called Miss Adventure, it is a sweet, funny, beautifully shot video series highlighting Kendrick as a stylish if hapless cool girl. I mean, don't we all need to embrace a bit of #missadventure in our life?

Check out the first video in the Miss Adventure campaign here and learn more about it here.


p.s. Doesn't the background music in these videos remind you of the interludes in 30 Rock?

p.p.s. Original girl crush, hands down, Lily Tomlin. She's awesome in every way.




DANCING AND TYPING WITH COLOR

Just two bright, colorful things to start your day. That is all.

TANGA TANGA
TANGA TANGA

Beautiful new Tanga Tanga typeface designed by Velckro. Part hieroglyphs, part capitals, all fabulous.




Yet another super cool OK Go music video. Simple, clever and gorgeously chromatic.


(thanks to Plenty of Colour for both tips)


COLOR STRIPES



A beautiful, if incidental pairing, I came across on Black*Eiffel this week. Above, Debussy's Calir de Lune by Music Animation Machine; below gorgeous buildings designed by Emmanuelle Moureau Architecture & Design (I am so in love with everything in their portfolio! You think they design NYC apartments?).


EMMANUELLE MOUREAUX ARCH AND DESIGN
EMMANUELLE MOUREAUX ARCH AND DESIGN

(This bottom building reminds me of this awesome building, no?)