Christian Maychack lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Combining epoxy clay with various pigments Maychack creates dynamic marbled abstractions that dance around their wooden surroundings. The nature of the clay and pigment allows the forms to appear as paintings upon first glance. In this way the work blurs the line between abstract painting and sculpture.
Photographer James Florio created the series Homeless in Orlando. Alternating between slides of text and black and white photographs. The series captures the home and life of a homeless couple, Robert and Heather. Robert and Heather live in the woods of Orlando, Florida. The words and images describe the events that led to their home among the urban forests of the über-developed tourist hub.
The series feels much more like a film with its strong and touching narrative. Using a minimal amount of words and elegant photographs, Florio presents Robert and Heather in a way that is surprisingly emotionally engaging. He shows how typically simple tasks such as taking a shower, can become absurdly challenging. Homeless in Orlando provides a rare insight and is especially affecting. The rest of the Robert and Heather’s story unfolds after the jump. You’ll want to see it through to the last image.
The medium of artist Caroline Slotte is a familiar one. Dishes commonly found in homes and thrift shops become surprising dioramas. The simple images usually hidden under food become multilayered narratives. The many memories associated with family meals, dinner parties, milestone celebrations aren’t lost on Slotte. She says of her medium choice:
“ Objects in our private sphere stir feelings in us and connect us to our history. They are tangible reminders of the past, of our own life story, and that of the family. In this way the most humble object can function as a key to the past, as a key to our inner.”
Seattle based band, Minus The Bear, continues to turn out lively and inventive music. Their recent music video for the song “Listing” on their latest album “Infinity Overload” is no exception. LA studio Six Point Harness and past renown B/D apparel artist Jesse LeDoux teamed up to create a transforming scenic walk about. When I saw this for the first time I knew that Jesse had to of worked on it. The shape shifter walks through a long stream of LeDoux’s signature quaint landscapes. I think this video has fun with the popular illustration style, ordinary objects adorning legs, but it takes that idea one step further adding the collage photography element. It reminds me of an exquisite corpse drawing brought to life.
Behold the “GOLDEN SOURCE POWER THREE”, a powerful union between Jesse Balmer, Niv Bavarsky, and Michael Olivo. The trio has been passing papyrus for a year now, resulting in over 50 drawings/paintings. If you are in the Bay Area you’ll be able to see this year’s work in the flesh at Needles & Pens. Stop in and observe these worlds of harmony and violence.
Matt Perrin believes in the magic of classic photography. Perrin decidedly does not use Photoshop or manipulate his photographs once the shutter clicks. Rather, he fully utilizes the simple features of his camera and experimental lighting to create his dreamy images. His photographs glow like cosmic abstractions. Perrin is intentionally ambiguous as to the exact nature of his subject matter. Rather, he encourages a more open reading similar to abstract painting. He says of his process:
“ Any object seen, in any photograph, was physically in front of the lens when the shutter opened and closed. It’s the twists and turns that have occurred between those points that have brought you here today.”
Viktor Gårdsäter lives and works in Stockholm, Sweden. He recently completed a series of photographs that examine the passing of time, fragility, and memories. Composed as a fashion shoot, the underlying idea of life and death resonates in the graceful imagery of a calm and dignified protagonist. The artist explains, “Balloon man’s last walk” is a fashion story about an elderly man’s last day alive. We get to follow this man on his nostalgic journey through significant places and memories of his life, in a last walk and a farewell to his city. He is dressed up and in his hand he holds the balloon. The balloon works as a metaphor for death and in the end takes him to the sky.” (via)
Director David Wilson along with Colonel Blimp and Andres Guzman created this trippy and colorful music video for the Australian band Tame Impala. It is a trippy sensory overload ride through a young man’s fantastical desire to forego a sexual escapade with his teacher. This video thoroughly illustrates “Mind Mischief” with a youthful and coming of age sensibility.
To view more about the project and to view a making of “Mind Mischief” video, visit here.
