Please & Thank You

Someone better tell the pants-less their days are numbered.

Tomorrow Comes Today

I'm obviously an animal person, but living in New York the only animals I get to see on a day-to-day basis are flying rats and canines. New Yorkers might think they have it all, but what we lack is a tangible link to nature. Sure, we may have the occasional coyote in Central Park, but that's nothing compared to what's really roaming out there. Photographer Joel Sartore knows all about the great beyond. As a National Geographic Magazine contributor, he spends his days capturing a huge range of creatures from across the globe. For his most recent book, Rare, he focused on documenting America's endangered species and the results are astounding. Click here to find out how you can help, and watch this for a sneak peek of what you'll find in the book:

Via Flavorwire

Les Clichés Sont Conservés

Yesterday I visited the Affordable Art Fair, and fell in love with the work of British artist and writer Charlotte Cory. For some reason I have a thing for these kinds of dark pieces, perhaps because they still emote a sense of humor. Cory takes Victorian calling cards which are often discarded and found in junk shops throughout Europe, and digitally combines them with images of stuffed museum animals. Both elements have been long forgotten, and were initially produced for humanity's vapid enjoyment. In the artist's own words, her inspiration came to her suddenly and without warning: "Why not recycle the dispossessed pictures and long dead creatures. Grant them all a new lease of life. Better, more colorful, more deserving than before." I just ordered a book of her work entitled "The Visitors," and I can't wait for it to arrive on my doorstep. There are so many melancholic hybrids I have yet to meet.

The Thin Red Line

Have You Heard?

Spring is almost upon us, and with that comes the search for the perfect summer soundtrack. Sometimes you have to go looking for music that makes your heart swell, but sometimes you're lucky and the music finds you. There are so many young musicians out there trying to make the perfect record, but very few of them have what it takes to succeed. It's not that they aren't trying, often times they try too hard. And then there are those few, those musicians by happenstance, that find their calling through song. Christopher Owens of San Fransisco band Girls is one of those people. His story is so far fetched, so chaotic and poetic, that it could easily be the plot for a Russell Banks novel. Born into the Children of God cult, Owens was shielded from music and the outside world until his teenage years. His story is best told through his own words, and this interview tells it best. But regardless, you really don't need to know about Owens to like Girls. Their influences range from Buddy Holly and Elvis, to the Beach Boys and Nirvana. It's all there in a whirlwind of sun, hair, and above all: love.

Mad About Edie

Andy Warhol's first book of photos, Andy Warhol's Exposures, was published in 1979, and of course many of the images that he initially wanted to include in it didn't make the cut. Thankfully the rejects have made it into a second book, Andy Warhol Unexposed Exposures. The images are currently on view at New York City's Steven Kasher Gallery until April 10th. The show looks like a real gem, and as Edie would say: "I'm pulverized by this latest thing!"

Andy Warhol, Edie Beale, ca. 1976-79. © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Courtesy Steven Kasher Gallery, New York

Via Flavorwire

Flower Power

Artist Stephen Eichhorn created this series of plants on cats, and I just can't look away. There's nothing groundbreaking about this work - no hidden meaning for us to scratch our heads over. It's simple really, just cacti, succulents, and flowers coupled with cat glamour shots. Why didn't I think of this?

Via KitsuneNoir

Filth & Beauty

The plastic bag from American Beauty has got nothing on this guy. He's even voiced by my beloved Werner Herzog. Unbelievable!

The Golden Era

So much focus is placed on Germany's dark history, but what is often ignored are the astonishing cultural and intellectual feats that were made just years before Hitler's rise to power. This time period, called the Weimar Republic, lasted from the end of World War I to around 1933 when Hitler gained power. Weimar culture was vibrant, daring, and unnervingly modern. Artists who were scarred by what they had seen during the Great War, used their medium as a way of dealing with their pain, and in doing so they unleashed a type of realism that is rarely seen even to this day. My favorite works emerged during this short but productive time, and artists like Otto Dix and Christian Schad (works pictured above) were part of the Neue Sachlichkeit movement, whose work was gritty, dark, and purposefully ugly. Thankfully I don't have to travel all the way to Germany or Austria to see these pieces in person, as my favorite New York City museum, the Neue Galerie, exclusively caters to my obsession. From now through August 30th, the Galerie is exhibiting a collection of Otto Dix's work, the first such collection ever held in North America. Now put down your bratwurst, and get yourself over to the Neue for a taste of some real German culture.

A Right Delayed Is A Right Denied

Photographer Charles Moore captured some of the most powerful images from the civil rights movement. He died last week at the age of 79, but his photographs will continue to speak volumes about a time that for many seems far removed. There's something incredibly contemporary about his images, even though they capture a distant and incredibly tumultuous time in history. Maybe it's because when I look at this photograph in particular, I can transpose myself and my friends onto the faces of those young women. My gratitude will forever rest on their weary shoulders.

Making Lemonade Outta Lemons

Even though my mother has had an obsession with Hummers since I was a kid, I always thought they were repulsive. I'm not sure if it was because of their ridiculous size, or because every person behind one of their wheels seemed like a total douchebag. Either way I always thought they were wasteful, and way too Schwarzenegger for my taste. Artist Jeremy Dean and I obviously see eye to eye. His piece entitled "Back to the Futurama" is exactly what you think you see pictured above: a hummer that's been turned into a horse-drawn carriage. The New York Times ran a short article about Dean last week, and "Back to the Futurama" will be on display at the Pulse Art Fair in NYC from March 4-7. Dean's blog sums it up best: "Unless we come up with alternative fuel sources and rethink our reliance on a hyper inflated consumption based economy; we may be left with no other options than to hook our cars up to a horse."

Think With Your Head

Gabriel Orozco's "Black Kites"
Check out the rest of his work at the Museum of Modern Art before March 1, 2010.

No Glove, No Love

I'm loving the new Cyndi Lauper & Lady Gaga campaign for MAC because it's not just about glitz and glamour, it's about AIDS awareness. As with all Viva Glam products, every cent raised goes to the MAC AIDS Fund to support the fight against HIV/AIDS. Watch the lovely ladies chat about the campaign on Good Morning America:

That's Money, Honey

Craig Gleason makes these amazing (yet possibly illegal) Gaga dollars. His blog is totally bonkers, and full of his strange illustrations - think Ren & Stimpy goes phallic... very phallic. Visit his blog but know that if you're a prude (read: lame) you may be offended.

The Mystery Of The Mind

Brooklyn band Grizzly Bear has made quite a name for themselves since they released their first record in 2006, and their latest video is sure to excite fans and new listeners alike. The video for "Ready, Able" off their 2008 record Veckatimest is directed by artist Allison Schulnik, and features her intense claymation creations. I'm not sure how to even describe these creatures, but the words "creepy" and "haunting" come to mind. Just take a look:

Growing Up Is Hard To Do

Growing up, I was never a complete dork, but I was also never one of the "cool kids" because I cared too much about school work and pleasing my parents. I dubbed myself "a floater" somewhere between 6th and 8th grade, and even through college and into my adult life the label has stuck. I pride myself on being friends with all sorts of people, and I love surrounding myself with interesting people from all walks of life whether they're complete extroverts or painful introverts. But during those awkward adolescent years, I think we're all lucky if we find something to grab hold of. Whether it's sports, music, or good friends having a social outlet to preoccupy the mind is incredibly important when it's constantly gravitating towards insecure thoughts. Case in point, the amazing kids who made this ode to Gaga with their own version of "Bad Romance". You can tell they are having the time of their lives, and it just doesn't matter what anybody thinks. In the words of Gaga herself: "Holy shit!"

Via Jezebel

Have You Heard?

I can't believe it's taken me this long to blog about my dear college friend Benoit Pioulard. Sure, when his first record came out I made the bold move of approaching a senior editor at SPIN (where I was a lowly intern) to pitch a story to him, but that was years ago. Now with two full length records under his belt and another hopefully on the way, Mr. Meluch aka Benoit Pioulard has been making waves in the underground music scene on all his own. Both Précis and Temper are beautiful examples of his meticulous song writing, and haunting melodies. I just hope he decides to test out new material on my ears, like he did in college. I'll be waiting patiently. Below is the video for "Ragged Tint" off of his sophomore release, Temper. Give it a listen and discover the perfect soundtrack for a cold winter morning.

What Lies In The Shadow Of The Statue?

Scott Campbell's "LOST Showdowns" are just one of the many LOST inspired pieces you'll see on display at L.A.'s Gallery1988. I can't get enough of Mr. Ecko versus the Smoke Monster, or Boone versus the plane! Simple cartoons that speak volumes to LOST fans - the perfect way to get pumped for the final season. The exhibit runs until Christmas eve, so you better hurry if you want to get a glimpse of the action. Check out Flavorwire's interview with gallery owner Jensen Karp to get the whole story behind this unique venture.

Welcome To The Dollhouse

This week seems to be full of great finds that only exist in the minds of artists. First there was the Philco PC, and now these Lady Gaga dolls! But this situation is extremely cryptic... All I know is that this incredibly talented 28 year old guy, that goes by the Flickr name veik11, has been replicating some of Gaga's ensembles and his work is amazing. The attention to detail is shocking, at least to someone who knows nothing about hobbyists who take doll dressing very seriously. There's a whole community of people who make outfits for dolls, along with those who make the dolls themselves. Thank goodness some of them are hip enough to realize that Gaga is an ideal muse. Her outlandish outfits may cause an uproar in the real world, but in Barbie's world she's right at home.

Via Jezebel

Lykke Li, Sång Fågel

I first met Li Lykke Zachrisson on a cold winter evening almost two years ago when I was working on a piece for Trace Magazine. Although the article never came to fruition, meeting the young songstress was a refreshing experience. At only 21 years old she was confident and eloquent - this was someone you could tell had figured out who she was from a young age. She told me how as a child she traveled a lot with her family, and those experiences helped shape her music. Li's music is a strange mix of upbeat pop songs coupled, with darker stripped down pieces. It's within these songs where she shows both her vulnerability and a softer side. The live rendition of "Tonight" filmed by Christian Haag, from her 2008 album Youth Novels, showcases her talent as both a performer and musician. Also if you're a fan of The Shirelles like I am, check out Li's homepage for a cover of their 1960 hit "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." Expect big things from this Swedish song bird: