Rome

Speaking of cities… in the fall of 2009 my wife Katie and I took a trip to Italy. We went to three cities. We took a lot of photos. (A lot.) Here’s one photo for each city, very representative of our time in each place. From the celebration of being together, to the grit of “old as modern”, with an eye to the what next, always looking for the unexpected and the beautiful. Enjoy. (more…)

Posters from The Heads of State

Speaking of America… those outstanding designers at The Heads of State have released this wonderful series of travel posters highlighting some of America’s greatest cities. Only thing its missing is a Nebraskan representative. I nominate Weston.

Via.

I was asked this question the other day. It caught me off guard. I really haven’t thought about “collecting” anything since the baseball, basketball and football cards I feverishly acquired in grade school. Today though, I don’t really collect anything or think about things in terms of collecting. But obsess? Yes, I think I do. How about this. I obsess about the idea of America. Strangely enough I always come back to this thought: just what the hell is this place, this thing, this idea that’s called America? Most of the people I’ve met in my life live in America. Most of the news, information and entertainment on television is about America. Pretty much all of my entire life has been spent here, in America.

So what is it? Is it going somewhere? And is it taking us with it?

I don’t know. I have no answers. So I’ll probably just keep obsessing over it.

I do know one thing. A nice series of “America the Trading Cards” sure would be nice right about now.

Manifest Equality Gallery: Photo by DAILY DUJOUR

Manifest Equality Gallery: Photo by DAILY DUJOUR

Manifest Equality. In Los Angeles. March 2010. The event wrapped up on the 7th. I didn’t make it out to the gallery but found some great photos of the event by NOTCOT and DAILY DUJOUR. As a visual spectacle, it was a powerful statement for equality in America. It was our culture creating momentum for change. And the work to make our place we call home a little more equal and just, goes on. 
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Wieden + Kennedy has a new episode of their D.I.Y. America series online. This one is about skateboarding and selling out.

I’ve been a fan of Kelsey Brookes for awhile now and this video is a great peek into his story. He’s an inspiring artist, not only in his work, but also in his attitude.

Cover art for Live at KEXP Volume 4

Let’s hear it for the honest and the authentic: KEXP! The coming together of an amazing, wonderful and extraordinary music community. (No corporate hacks found here.) If you aren’t a member, do consider it. You’ll be supporting some of the best efforts at keeping music alive and well today. The KEXP Podcast Songs of the Day (free downloads) are more than worth the membership. And not to mention their live albums they put out every year. (Yeasayer playing 2080 in their studios is one of the greatest things I’ve ever heard.)

Just to be clear, I have no ties to the station, other than I just think they kick so much ass, it isn’t even funny. I don’t even live in Seattle. But there is for sure a special place in my heart for KEXP. So listen up!

I love these maps by Raven Maps & Images. I’ve always had a deep respect for mapmakers. The level of detail and exactitude that goes into a map is a staggering task in my mind. Also, having seen enough shitty tourism maps, I’ve come to respect a well-made map. The Raven maps are designed by Allan Cartography and I love the warm colors and exquisite detail. Via.

Here’s a great video of Thomas Campbell preparing for his October 2009 exhibit Copenhagen, Denmark entitled “Ummmm.” I’ve always loved Thomas’ work but I think what I like almost as much as the finished product is his lighthearted approach to making. He’s a maker, a doodler, a sewer, a surfer… its just an inspiring way of life and this video does a great job of capturing it on film.

The Save the City project will bring together emerging artists and city residents to imagine and prompt creative social engagements and civic activation.

I recently discovered Broken City Lab: “an artist-led interdisciplinary creative research group that tactically disrupts and engages the city, its communities, and its infrastructures to reimagine the potential for action in the collapsing post-industrial city of Windsor, Ontario.” I really love the idea of “MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.” I’m blown away by all the projects and research on the site. And I guess I’m still processing all the radness. So yeah, please just visit their site.

Broken City Lab’s creative activity is located at the intersection of social practice, performance, and activism. The lab attempts to generate a new dialogue surrounding public participation and community engagement in the creative process, with a focus on the city as both a research site and workspace. It is not about doing the work of the city’s officials, or social workers, or politicians; it is about finding new creative ways to address our concerns with the city, while recognizing that our concerns may be similar to those of other community members.