harsh realities

As a high school student, I remember spending many an afternoon [and often an early evening] in my school's darkroom. When the time to figure out where I wanted to go to school came around, one of my good friends worked on a portfolio to submit to the Savannah College of Art and Design. My brother was already in college studying music at the University of Michigan. At the time I considered, ever so briefly, the idea of pursuing photography or art more generally. I never really felt I had the talent or skills necessary to become successful at photography, not enough so to make a living, support a family one day, and so on.

Because I saw as too risky it was something I ended up turning away from and failed to pursue. I do not regret that decision...in many ways photography is still a passion and hobby of mine, albeit one I need to spend more time developing [in all honestly, the thing I probably miss the most is all those hours in the darkroom...printing pictures is simply therapeutic for me in many ways]. But I do sometimes wonder what would have happened if I didn't have to worry about the whole economic side of things.

At the same time, I know how lucky I was to have all the opportunities available to me outside of the arts. I figure that I probably was not going to reach a level of achievement or accomplishment that I would have been satisfied with in the arts and so I'm OK leaving to be a hobby, an interest, a passion [altho who knows...maybe that's just a rationalization and telling myself what I need to hear to be OK with that decision from over 10 years ago now].

But while I likely did not have the talent and instead had other opportunities, there are far too many who do have the talent but who simply cannot pursue their dreams or fulfill all that potential because they are not so fortunate. I came across this article a couple weeks back and it really saddened me in many ways and reminded me just how important it is to support the arts and to support artists.

First, no teenager should have to face all that the young girl from that article has had to face...not by that stage in her life. But worse is the fact that pursuing her musical talents is simply not an option to her. It is clearly unfair to her, but it is also a travesty for the rest of us...as we lose out on all her ability and all she could potentially create. It is unfortunate that this young woman and many others like her face a world in which they may not even have the opportunity to discover their talents due to a lack of funding for the arts.

A society can be judged in many ways by its arts. A lack or creativity, especially when it is due to a lack of opportunities to discovery and explore one's creative talents, is indicative of a lack of culture and civility. Obviously that is a somewhat highfalutin statement that makes me sound somewhat ridiculous...but the arts are important on many levels. Most of all, the provide an important role for many of our nation's youth. They are an outlet to find oneself, to express oneself, to work through the many troubles of adolescence, and also an alternative to many of the ills that ail our youth. Further, the creative process allows for development and growth...not only on an individual level but also as a society and nation. Stifling creative also stifles innovation...something we are in need of more than ever in this time.

Personally, tho I didn't end up pursuing anything artistic in life, my brother has and that friend of mine did eventually end up S.C.A.D., and it's important to ensure that our society appreciates and encourages such pursuits. Such creativity needs to be nurtured...

[this post was originally intended to appear and does appear on my music blog.]

some catching up

Aight...been slackin' and so i'm going with an oversize post tonite...

Money bear.

via Like cool

A teddy bear made from dollar bills? Awesome! You can even up him [or her] up and replace the filling with your own crumpled dolla dolla bills. Awesomer! Price = $1,250.00. NOT AWESOME.


An Imaginary Life

A short film about what happens to the imaginary friends we all end up leaving behind. It's a sad part of growing up...and this just makes it sadder. All the more reason to refuse to grow up and remember that age ain't nothing but a number and a state of mind.



Ghost in the Machine

via iri5

A sweet collection of works by iri5, an artist whose specialty is non-traditional media. These works are made from old cassette tapes...impressive.




Your Inner dj.

Learn to dj in a few short classes [or even just one extended session]. DJ 4 Life offers classes in dj'ing and will teach u all u need to get those wheels of steel spinning. Hot ladies interested in you as the pictures below display not guaranteed. At least I assume they're not guaranteed. But if they are, sign me up!

Editorial update [4.25.09]: the nyTimes is biting my style!

Checkout this article.

Hotel in the air.

via Limited Hype

The world's first flying hotel, also the world's largest helicopter [to be expected when it doubles as a hotel] is set to take off this summer.




Mmm...BACON!!!

via Bacon Salt

I'm sure you know I love bacon. Well...many of us have heard of Bacon Salt:


Some of us are lucky enough to know about Baconnaise:

But the real question is, do you know about Bacon Lip Balm?

Air Yeezy's...the making of...

via complex

Article on the process behind the hyped Air Yeezy shoe. Let's of sweet pics to go with.

thinking...sometimes require inspiration

via kanYe West

The School of Visual Arts is attempting to get people to think with its aptly titled "Think" Campaign. Everyday objects are made to look like college-ruled loose leaf paper, so u can write down your thoughts and ideas when inspiration strikes.

Copyright

via hypebeast

Takeshi Murakami's ©Murakami exhibit is apparently on the last stop of it's world tour. It was a great exhibit to take in a while back when it was here in Los Angeles at MOCA. As an artist he has managed to tie high art and the masses unlike many others, setting a trend that many attempt to follow now. An important and influential artist you can see more of my personal thoughts at this previous post. If you can, definitely make your way to the Guggenheim in Bilbao by May 31, 2009.

shoe art

via hypebeast

digital artworks by french artiste Phoks of "NighKees." pretty sweet collection of fully digital pieces that come close to being simple advertisements...they should be advertisements in my opinion and Nike should be so lucky. Checkout Phoks' website for more shoes and other pieces.

Stenciled Graffiti

via Banksy

Banksy is a graffiti artist from the UK. His true identity isn't really known (at least not by most), altho rumors run rampant. His stenciling [which not a great many do when it comes to graf] often incorporates satire based on something already present. Often times hilarious, other times just witty...he's caused his fair share of trouble, including hanging works of his own art in museums around the world, including the Louvre and MoMA in NYC. Definitely check his website out (a couple of clicks will get u to some of his art) and you can find more info on wikipedia.

also, looks like he's been up to his same old tricks recently...per hypebeast.