Lose yourself in lines dissecting

The work of Los Angeles artist, Aili Schmeltz is fantastic.

Initially, it was the name Aili that stole my attention and desire to click - the unique, rare Finnish name is the same which my lovely sister just happens to go by. I was pleasantly surprised to find the art did not disappoint, either.

Bling - 2008
styrofoam, spray foam, enamel paint, wood
34" x 21 " x 22" 

Scrolling through the 3D mixed media installations, I recalled past instances in which I attempted to create perceptive sculpture in fine art studio classes, and this is why my appreciation is great. It's not easy in the least to create something with profound conception, that is equally visually interesting as it is aesthetically pleasing. Yet to some, it looks like a pile of garbage - likely the same people who dismiss modern art without even slight consideration. 

via More New Math 

Right!?

In studio practice, Aili draws her inspiration from natural events and her most recent work is fueled by her love/hate relationship with Los Angeles, where she lives and works. 

"I am especially interested in how the landscape and weather systems are altered by the human hand, the driving social attitudes that guide those decisions and the aftermath of those alterations in terms of natural hybridization and human lifestyle shifts. This process of research began with an interest in the history of the midwestern suburban landscape and culture from my youth, where the middle class idea of “the good life” fueled a massive overhaul of the American landscape that would drastically alter how we live for generations to come."

I was mostly impressed with Aili's 2009 La Fuente de la Vida Project: Disco 1 through 5. The vivid neon colours are incredibly captivating and the sporadic patterning + linear composition is music to my eyes. 

La Fuente de la Vida Project: Disco 1 - 2009

vinyl paint and ink on paper 

96" x 72"

La Fuente de la Vida Project: Disco 2 - 2009
vinyl paint and ink on paper
96" x 72"

La Fuente de la Vida Project: Disco 3 - 2009
vinyl paint and ink on paper
96" x 72"

La Fuente de la Vida Project: Disco 4 - 2009
vinyl paint and ink on paper
72" x 96"

La Fuente de la Vida Project: Disco 5 - 2009
vinyl paint and ink on paper
72" x 96"

I think m

I'm seeing the future account of a toxic waste disaster and its glowing after effects, leading to hell on Earth. Not too far-fetched. 

I really love this Berlin Study 2, too. It just as a certain je ne sais quoi, non? ha.

Berlin Study 2 - 2009
gouache and ink on paper
18" x 24"

From Finland, Delay Trees

I'm feeling slightly guilty that I haven't gone completely gung-ho for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, like seemingly everyone else on the planet! I didn't watch the opening ceremonies - I did however go to a Toronto Rock lacrosse game, which should count for something, since it is the most Canadian sport ever (... maybe tied with hockey).


On Saturday night, while He was glued to the hockey updates, I opted to organize my wardrobe and design my newly purchased and assembled Portis clothes rack from Ikea, instead. 

Organization is pretty + Bob.  

It's not that I don't completely respect the athletes and think the sense of competition and community is awesome - it's just that I feel so bad for the people who's life dreams are shattered by missing the mark by 0.000001 of a second, or worse, their life is literally shattered like in the case of Nodar Kumaritashvili - so tragic and heartbreaking. 

Tonight it was speed skating that caught and kept my interest and I found myself rooting considerably for the Finnish team, as Mika Poutala raced the Men's 500 m. Both my dad's parents were born in Finland and while I am 100 per cent Canadian, I love that this European culture is part of my heritage and would love to one day visit. Besides my own family, I have never met anyone who has shared this background with me and I have a strong desire to further my knowledge about EVERYTHING the Finnish culture has to offer. There has to be more than cold winters and hot saunas!

I began researching, starting in the music department. My little 18-year-old bro would be happy to know Children of Bodem hail from Helsinki, although I'm sure he already knows - 1) being a fan and 2) being a fan who geographically categorizes all his bands on iTunes, rather obsessively. 


Aside from C.O.B and HIM, I didn't recognize too many of the bands, Wikipedia has so nicely catalogued for me, from the country. Even Architecture in Helsinki (a band I adore) is from Australia, despite being named after the Finn capital. There does seem to be a fondness of metal and metal sub genres (ie: dark metal, melodic heavy metal, death metal, symphonic power metal, thrash metal, black metal, epic metal, power metal, doom metal, gothic metal, viking metal (ha!), folk metal...) and I think the point is across. FINNS LIKE THEIR METAL. I wonder what the difference is between dark metal and black metal... hm!

Sadly, I'm not big into any type of metal, but I did come across cute indie pop quartet called Delay Trees, and I quite liked them. Here is a video, made by "someone" :Markus Kontiainen of a gig they played in Lahti, Finland. It's amazing... especially for just a "feel good video" and not even the official video for the song About Brothers, which plays in the background and that I am quickly falling in love with. The song is from their 'Soft Construction EP' which I plan to delve into in the coming weeks. Looks like all their upcoming gigs are in Finland... so now all I need to do is start planning that trip to Europe I was supposed to take forever ago. 

Delay Trees, Kaskas @ Torvi 6.2.2010 from Markus Kontiainen on Vimeo.


Love it. Enjoy =)

If cupid's got a gun, then he's shootin'

Happy Valentine's Day lovers. 


(Actually, happy family day! A day that I did not only, not see my family, I had to work - since apparently other people chose to spend their family day shopping at the Eaton Centre with their children... fun times). 


Trust me when I tell you - I'm not the mushy kind. However this Valentine's, I was feeling the love and wore red tights. So festive, right.  


I was treated to a lovely meal @ Gio Rana's Really, Really Nice Restaurant, on Queen East. You may have passed by it without knowing exactly what it is, but surely you've noticed it. Without signs indicating the title of this elegant Italian eatery, it is a giant sculpted nose that marks the location, instead. Pure class. 

Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant - 1220 Queen St. E. 

When HE lived down at Queen E. and Jones a couple summers ago, we would drive by often and when we finally discovered what this sizable schnoz disclosed, we vowed to one day visit. Finally, the day arrived yesterday with surprise reservations for 6:30p.m. 


We ordered:

 Fritto misto - fried calamari and shrimp, appetizer to share. 

Ossobuco- finished w/ cremini mushrooms and asiago with a side of asparagus w/ gorgonzola for him. 

Seared salmon w/ tomatoes and lemon/thyme salsa with a side of bean and potato salad for moi! 

Everything was incredibly delicious, seriously timely, not overly-priced and the atmosphere was mellow. The wall art was intriguing, and the staff was super nice and laid-back, and I can easily say, Gio Rana's definitely lived up to it's really, really nice proclamation.   

Jason Schwartzman for Opening Ceremony Spring 2010

Opening Ceremony Spring/Summer 2010 brought to us in a short French nouvelle vague inspired film, with Jason Schwartzman and Kirsten Dunst, by Gia Coppola and Tracy Antonopoulos. I wonder if I'll ever get sick of this style... I think not.

The film screens tomorrow, but here's the "exclusive first-look" via Style.com. 


Music by Coconut Records, Is this sound ok? Yes, Jason... it's wicked.







LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! I would... but it doesn't matter, because I really do! Jason Schwartzman is on my top 5. 

You remind me of home

72. William and Emily 

There is something about Death 

Like love itself!

If with some one with whom you have known passion, 

And the glow of youthful love, 

You also, after years of life

Together, feel the sinking of the fire, 

And thus fade away together, 

Gradually, faintly, delicately, 

As it were in each other's arms, 

Passing from the familiar room-

That is a power of unison between souls

Like love itself!

Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950).  Spoon River Anthology.  1916. 

Happy Valentine's 2010. May we all find the love which we truly deserve. All you need is love, love is all you need. ♥

untitled (2010) helvetica on screen

After researching the Mudd Club era this morning, I came back later in the day lusting for more details. I'm infatuated with atypical-type legends of underground/emerging art scenes who knowingly or not, created waves of artistic revolution, reinventing originality and designing new forms of perception. As Diane von Furstenburg so mildly comments regarding her impact on forever changing pop culture alongside Warhol in FASHION's March 2010 issue:

"You can't tell history while you're living it. It's only when you look back, and even then you don't say, 'Oh, look at what I have done.' You just live it."

Just thought I'd throw that in there since I just finished reading over the glossy pages and it feels fitting, as well as, part inspirational, part redundant. If I could hang with an underground arty avant-gard crowd forever changing the face of pop culture history - don't you think I would just do that and live it myself? Isn't that why I go to small indie concerts at Reverb on Queen W. and attend parties like "The Rager" at Sneaky Dees, duh. Or I think I'll just settle with finding my place in this universe and balance the act with some soul and artistic expression.

Speaking of artistic expression... while fulfilling my lust for everything Mudd-related, I veered down the avenue of artist Keith Haring, you know the one who curated the rotating gallery for the club... since you're following my blog so diligently... @smtwtfs. 

  

untitled (1982) marker ink and acrylic on found canvas

untitled (1987) acrylic on canvas

untitled (1990) sumi ink on board

Turns out, I'm far from alone in enjoying the work of Haring. Keith Haring is everywhere - literally! From Swiss water bottle brand SIGG's special limited-edition collectors' series (released in July 09), to Jeremy Scott/Schott collaboration result: 'The Perfecto' motorcycle jacket with all-over b&w Keith Haring inspired design, to Kanye's head at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

 

SIGG "Celebrate America" special limited-edition collectors' series

'The Perfecto' by Jeremy Scott and Schott.

Kanye West @ 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

I guess no one cared too much about his hair after his appalling antics of the evening.  

At the beginning of this year, Keith Haring Journals was inducted into Penguin Classics as a Deluxe Edition with 90 b&w images of his art, Polaroids (never-before-published) and "a remarkable glimpse of a man who, in his quest to become an artist, instead became an icon." That was so unsubtle and lame, I couldn't resist. Still, I'd be interested in flipping through the pages, wouldn't you? 

Mudd Club Moment - Freedom, Opportunity, Subversion

I was estatic to open my inbox this morning and see that Elizabeth and James had sent some big news! MK & A's Spring '10 collection is now available in stores and online. I decided to do some finder window shopping. Sad but true.

The collection is descibed as:

A gritty 80's vibe reminiscent of New York City's Mudd club era with pop embellishments, tonal tie-dye, leather panels and washed down fabrics.

The Mudd Club was a TriBeCa nightclub (1978-1982), a hub for underground music and counterculture scene in NYC. It was the anti-Studio 54 until downtown celebrities took over the scene and the club establised an elitist rep.

It had gender-neutral bathrooms and a rotating gallery curated by Keith Haring, live new wave and experiemental music performances - I'm thinking it was to NYC what CiRCA is to T.O., maybe in the later years?

Nearly a decade ago, Tim Blanks chronicled the Mudd Quake in The New York Times Magazine, in an colourful account of living in this fashionable, avant garde moment.

Mudd Quake: "The Mudd Club meant something: freedom, opportunity, subversion, all cosseted by the nurturing insularity of a genuine underground scene."

...

 And once you distill the elements of the look from Maripol's Polaroids, you see it everywhere for spring, from prom dresses, cocktail sheaths, pedal pushers and leather jackets over slips to fur stoles, rhinestones, red, red lips, black, black eyeliner and bad-girl hair.

The apotheosis of thrift-shop chic, Mudd fashion was embodied by Debbie Harry, Cyndi Lauper and early Maripol-styled Madonna, and eventually entered the fashion vocabulary of the wider world. Which makes the current revival inevitable, since what goes around comes around.

MARIPOL'S POLARIODS

And that's where the story would stop if all we were talking about was a renewed appetite for fingerless lace gloves and crinolined party frocks. But Mudd redux is much more than Mudd reduced to fashion nostalgia. After all, the Mudd Club meant something: freedom, opportunity, subversion, all cosseted by the nurturing insularity of a genuine underground scene, perhaps the last real one New York had. Après lui, le déluge: AIDS, MTV, recession, crack, Reagan's war on drugs, yuppie gentrification, celebrity culture, each in its own way restricting individuality and creativity. Is it any wonder that people should now be lending totemic significance to the Mudd moment? It has been more than 17 years -- a generation -- since Mass shut his club down. Nostalgia tends to run in cycles. Muddites were as attracted to the 50's and 60's as we are today to the 70's and 80's.

But the Mudd Club's studied rejection of disco culture has an even deeper resonance. When Maripol goes to clubs now, she sees a void. "The Mudd Club was not something that would leave you empty," she says. "It wasn't only about dancing. It was a merging of artists. There was a lot of intellectual exchange in art, literature, music, films.* "


In other words, the Mudd blazed trails. It created a liberating environment, most singularly and romantically in the way it exalted art as a way to set yourself free. The club was the first downtown venue to celebrate graffiti art and rap, to give significant exposure to artists like Basquiat, Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf. It was a magnet for free spirits from all over America. Even if you weren't an artist, musician or filmmaker, it offered the empowering possibility that you could be.

(This article is amazing... I want to include the entire thing, but you can just go read it yourself here if you want).

Nine years later, designers including MK & A are drawing inspiration from the Mudd moment one more time.

These two looks are my favourite. The tie-dye doesn't scream hippie - but hot grunge. The dress on the right is gorgeous - it is actually a deep rich blue. I like the full shoulder detailing, reminiscent of 80's but still very modern.

I liked most of the pieces except for the hideous beaded Dietrich Tunic and matching mini - normally I like embellished beadwork, at least on models, but this is just wrong. With red and green sporatic beads - I wouldn't even wear this at Christmas time. Take away the red and green top layer of beads and it would be a beautiful piece IMO. 

Kristen Stewart wore Elizabeth and James to the New Moon premier in Madrid - simple but an awesome piece. I like the model's shoes better though, sorry Kristen.

xxx

Strange Love

It's 2:30 AM and I'm having far too much fun creating sets on Polyvore. The fact that I came across Delfina Delettrez (heir to the Fendi empire) jewellery for the first time while doing so delights me even more so, because it's abnormally incredible and incredibly abnormal! I want this hand clenching my wrist indefinitely - unfortunately, it costs more than four months rent... HA! DIY project brewing in my mind!

This piece (above) has a price tag of $21, 307.00. I wonder how many Haitians that money could feed?

Purely unusual and fabulous. Check out more of the collection (and outrageous price tags) here. 

It's educational. Suzy Menkes on Fashion Blogs

I found an interesting video this morning via BryanBoy by Mary Scherpe, Still in Berlin blogger, interviewing Suzy Menkes, head Fashion Reporter and Editor for the International Herald Tribune since 1988, among other influential fashion bloggers. The video sheds light on the vast array of opportunity ahead for the fashion industry as far as the blogosphere goes (endless opportunities, really), what makes a good fashion blogger and what to watch for in terms of increasing pressure from brands and marketing their product.


On Fashionblogs from Mary Scherpe on Vimeo.

TUT @ AGO

I feel comfortable admitting that mostly all my knowledge of Ancient Egypt, acquired in grade five history, disappeared long ago. Recently my mum and sister came to visit me in the city and we spent a highly educational and culture-filled day becoming reacquainted with King Tut: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs - currently on display at the AGO (until April 18, 2010). 

It was pretty spectacular.  

The lineup went fairly quickly to enter, however, because it was a Saturday, admission was $18.50 for students, $32.50 for adults and the exhibition itself was quite crowded and slow-moving. (It's cheaper to go during the week and I'm sure less busy).

Harrison Ford narrates the introductory short film which gave me chills... (HAHA) Honestly though, Ancient civilizations really just boggle my mind! And the preservation of their belongings from THAT long ago!? HOW?! (Not to mention it's Han Solo himself, total babe. Likely making me, a total dweeb! bahah). Anyways, moving along...

Tut became king at age nine and died mysteriously at age 18. Although his reign was brief, his was the only tomb found in the modern era, mostly intact. The exhibition showcases 50 objects found in his tomb, including his bed made of woven reeds, a ten-foot tall statue of the Pharaoh and my favourite - jewellery and footwear!

The gold, lapis lazuli and red palette was beautiful - each piece unique and exquisite. It's no wonder designers have been drawing inspiration from this ancient wonder for their modern day collections continuously, season after season. 


John Galliano was hugely inspired by the antiquities for his Spring 2004 Couture collection.

Alexander McQueen channeled Nefertiti and Cleopatra hair and makeup, alongside an abundance of gold in Fall 2007.  Cleopatra (below) with the same elongated black eyeliner. 

Sophia Kokosalaki was inspired by tomb paintings for Spring 2009, pairing strong-shouldered jackets with A-line skirts. She chose patterns derived from early hieroglyphics and mimicked the colour palette of ancient Egypt. 

Most recently, Diane von Furstenberg was inspired by antiquity for her Spring 2010 rtw collection - gorgeous beadwork.

They say to draw inspiration from everything you do and see in the world around you - King Tut tells me I'm going to be seeing some ancient Egypt in my spring and summer wardrobe for 2010.  


Runway Images from Style.com.

No distance that can hold us back

Generally, I feel a sense of eeriness on New Years Day – especially reflecting on 2009 – a year that threw so many curve balls at me I almost didn’t know what to do with them all. 2010 is going to be amazing, I can feel it.

In 2010 I plan to focus on education & career based goal-setting.
I will UP my blog-posting frequency. And Tweet more.
I will graduate from Rye High with a certificate in Image Arts/New Media - becoming a Flash Master along the way.
I will get a job in my field of study - journalism, pr, communications, media relations, writing, editing – somewhere along these lines.
My site will go live and I will continue enhancing my portfolio.

Take millions and millions of photographs with my new Nikon D3000! Santa was quite generous this year! (YAY) 

I will do what I love and F**K the rest.

 Happy 2010! Here’s to starting fresh and doing what you love. xo