I want to talk about music today, songs I've discovered this past week that I really enjoy that are out of my usual circle of what I listen to.
First of all, "Modern Drift" by Efterklang is a really interesting song, but the video for it is absolutely amazing. This is the sort of video making I really like and appreciate, though I can't say I make my videos like that. Sometimes I wish I did, and sometimes I just wish I always had a handycam on me so I could shoot everything around me. But anyway, here is the video/song:
Efterklang - Modern Drift
Secondly, the song "Limit to your love" by James Blake. It's a cover, the original was done by Feist. The song is so emotional, his voice is incredible! And the video for this song? It is very innovative I think, I really really like it.
James Blake - Limit To Your Love
Incredible sounds from Animal Collective's Avey Tare's solo release (debut) called "Lucky 1". Really weird, dreamy, electronic, and everything that is wonderful. I give 9/10, though I hate rating things.
Avey Tare - Lucky 1
Rye Rye! Ok before this song I've only heard her "Shake It To The Ground" and it was a remix. This time, she teams up with MIA for the song "Sunshine". And as much as the video is nothing special, except MIA wears a "Fuck Google, Ask Me" t-shirt, the song is incredibly cool and their vocals go so well together.
Rye Rye feat MIA - Sunshine
I have recently started obsessing about Salem (the Chicago/Michigan Salem consisting of 21-year old druggies). Their sound is incredible - as if it belongs in outer space, or in the back of your head, I am not sure. It's electronic, it's harsh, it's tasty. Here is their song/video Asia.
Salem - Asia
Zola Jesus is amazing. She is dark, melodic, melancholic... Everything that is good basically. Here is a song I greatly enjoy, called "Sea Talk"
Zola Jesus - Sea Talk
I think I am going to see Zola Jesus+Xiu Xiu on Monday at XOYO, if I don't forget.
As for other things, I had an incredible dream - I was in the desert with some friends and some woman constructed a neo-gothic cathedral out of one of the huge rocks there, and it stood there in the distance, towering over us in the sweltering heat and strong direct sunlight. Our sweat was dripping, we were a little bit intimidated, and the rock cathedral stood there silently. It was incredible.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
save your face
I am not going to Robots in Disguise. Why? Because I am completely exhausted, that's why. Besides, I realized I don't even like them that much, and as much as their live performance in Prague was... less than stimulating, an acoustic set would be even less exciting. And on top of it all, I am actually really tired. I need to use this weekend to relax as much as possible, plus I have too many art projects on the way, and I want to finish them this weekend. Plus I have to really clean my room and bathroom because tomorrow I am filming, finally.
Aaaaand I have about 3 videos to finish off, or something like that. I am going crazy. I just carried 4 kilos of stuff and I forgot what it's like to carry weights. Today has been all about carrying stuff. I carried the camera and tripod all the way from Goldsmiths to Dalston, which reminds me:
A tripod is the coolest art accessory you can carry around. The bigger the tripod, the cooler you look.
I totally think so. Everyone looks at you in a different way, like, ohhh you're gonna make some film stuff, you're so cool and artsy and ohhhh hahahha I don't know why but I always feel so proud when I'm carrying a tripod, as if finally the world can see who I really am. I guess. Because carrying around canvases and stuff is just too awkward and uncomfortable. Everyone carries cameras around anyway, so it's not cool, because photography stopped being cool a very long time ago, in my opinion. I guess having paintbrushes in your hair is alright, but a lot of people do it who don't even paint. Carrying music instruments is a bit overdone, at Goldsmiths everyone does it. I also think little art boxes are super cool as well. I have one, and it's almost see-through but it's very colorful from the oil sticks I used to keep in the box my freshman year. I think walking around with one of those is uber cool as well. Unfortunately, I left the box in Bloomington, so I can't carry one around here.
This post is kind of turning into worthless words. I guess this is my way of unloading some thoughts that are stuck in my head all day. I've listened to CC+Robert Smith twice on my ipod today, and was really excited. I also thought of a performance art piece which would take place in a very public place, but without people knowing that it's supposed to be a performance piece, only select few. That would be the main idea behind the piece, that people expect you to do something, and partly you will be doing it, but you will also be standing out a lot and messing with their heads a little. But I have no idea how to get this done because it would involve music and I can't do music, at all. And all the people I know that do music would definitely not be up for it. So we'll see when I get back to IWU.
I am loving the fact that I've been wearing my (p)leather jacket for over three months now, and if I was in Illinois right now, I would probably be wearing something more tangible and warm. But here it's perfect. Besides, wearing it makes me feel more like Alice (yeah yeah no post goes without mentioning them and her) or I guess just makes me feel comfortable since it is insanely comfortable. It makes me feel like Alison Mosshart as well, and just a little bit like a punk rocker from the 70s.
Aaaaand I have about 3 videos to finish off, or something like that. I am going crazy. I just carried 4 kilos of stuff and I forgot what it's like to carry weights. Today has been all about carrying stuff. I carried the camera and tripod all the way from Goldsmiths to Dalston, which reminds me:
A tripod is the coolest art accessory you can carry around. The bigger the tripod, the cooler you look.
I totally think so. Everyone looks at you in a different way, like, ohhh you're gonna make some film stuff, you're so cool and artsy and ohhhh hahahha I don't know why but I always feel so proud when I'm carrying a tripod, as if finally the world can see who I really am. I guess. Because carrying around canvases and stuff is just too awkward and uncomfortable. Everyone carries cameras around anyway, so it's not cool, because photography stopped being cool a very long time ago, in my opinion. I guess having paintbrushes in your hair is alright, but a lot of people do it who don't even paint. Carrying music instruments is a bit overdone, at Goldsmiths everyone does it. I also think little art boxes are super cool as well. I have one, and it's almost see-through but it's very colorful from the oil sticks I used to keep in the box my freshman year. I think walking around with one of those is uber cool as well. Unfortunately, I left the box in Bloomington, so I can't carry one around here.
Yeah, this guy knows what he is doing. He's gonna get all the ladies.
This post is kind of turning into worthless words. I guess this is my way of unloading some thoughts that are stuck in my head all day. I've listened to CC+Robert Smith twice on my ipod today, and was really excited. I also thought of a performance art piece which would take place in a very public place, but without people knowing that it's supposed to be a performance piece, only select few. That would be the main idea behind the piece, that people expect you to do something, and partly you will be doing it, but you will also be standing out a lot and messing with their heads a little. But I have no idea how to get this done because it would involve music and I can't do music, at all. And all the people I know that do music would definitely not be up for it. So we'll see when I get back to IWU.
I am loving the fact that I've been wearing my (p)leather jacket for over three months now, and if I was in Illinois right now, I would probably be wearing something more tangible and warm. But here it's perfect. Besides, wearing it makes me feel more like Alice (yeah yeah no post goes without mentioning them and her) or I guess just makes me feel comfortable since it is insanely comfortable. It makes me feel like Alison Mosshart as well, and just a little bit like a punk rocker from the 70s.
Since I am having an argument with someone as I am writing this, the argument being about new wave and I'm trying to explain what it is, as in the music genre, here is Robert Smith:
I wish I was him. Everyone secretly wishes they were Robert Smith.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
a lot of wonderful things
When I got home today, after buying the last NME with the cool list, I went online only to see that I received NME's newsletter, which said that Robert Smith is providing vocals for the new version of "Not In Love" from Crystal Castles (II). How cool is that?? Almost all of my dreams are coming true, one by one. Even dreams I didn't know about until they come true, like this one. Who ever thought that CC and Robert Smith would be collaborating? I love it. Robert Smith's voice is so perfectly sad. Here is the result:
CC feat Robert Smith
Then, there was also an interview on NME that made me laugh a lot: Noel Fielding interviewing Bryan Ferry. Mighty Boosh fans might know that Vince Noir was supposedly brought up Bryan Ferry in a jungle - in the Hitcher Episode.
Link to the first part of the interview
I wish someone would buy me a CC shirt. The Doe Deer ones are awesome. Hint Hint Hint Hint....
As for other things, I found my favorite street in London, but I will keep it a secret unless you really want to know. I also realized that I keep meeting the same people in my area, and somehow miraculously I remember their faces. I saw this guy on the overground train a few weeks ago, and he was very distinct so I remembered him. And today I saw him at Sainsbury's. How awesome is that?! I don't think he remembered me though. It's funny, on the train he was eating, and then I saw him buying groceries today. I also somehow always end up paying at the same cashier lady, who is very nice. But I don't do it on purpose.
Here is another photo of Alice. Sometimes I think I am their biggest fan.
CC feat Robert Smith
Then, there was also an interview on NME that made me laugh a lot: Noel Fielding interviewing Bryan Ferry. Mighty Boosh fans might know that Vince Noir was supposedly brought up Bryan Ferry in a jungle - in the Hitcher Episode.
Link to the first part of the interview
I wish someone would buy me a CC shirt. The Doe Deer ones are awesome. Hint Hint Hint Hint....
As for other things, I found my favorite street in London, but I will keep it a secret unless you really want to know. I also realized that I keep meeting the same people in my area, and somehow miraculously I remember their faces. I saw this guy on the overground train a few weeks ago, and he was very distinct so I remembered him. And today I saw him at Sainsbury's. How awesome is that?! I don't think he remembered me though. It's funny, on the train he was eating, and then I saw him buying groceries today. I also somehow always end up paying at the same cashier lady, who is very nice. But I don't do it on purpose.
Here is another photo of Alice. Sometimes I think I am their biggest fan.
Monday, October 25, 2010
tate britain, take one
I was supposed to go to the Royal Academy of Arts today, but unfortunately the exhibitions I wanted to see there were closed on Monday. I know, why didn't I look beforehand, right?
But I ended up going to the old Tate instead, in the hopes of finally seeing the Turner Prize exhibition, which I didn't see in the end, but I still walked around Tate for some time, and took notes of course. Except I was so exhausted from running around the city all day, that I didn't even manage to see a lot before I knew I had to collapse or die.
Here are some art works I greatly enjoyed.
But I ended up going to the old Tate instead, in the hopes of finally seeing the Turner Prize exhibition, which I didn't see in the end, but I still walked around Tate for some time, and took notes of course. Except I was so exhausted from running around the city all day, that I didn't even manage to see a lot before I knew I had to collapse or die.
Here are some art works I greatly enjoyed.
Bethan Huws "Boats". It's a little tiny thing on a table, these little "boats" which I thought were boots with sticks representing the leg, or something. It's amazing. So minuscule, so slight.
Duncan Grant "Bathing". He was part of the Bloomsbury group, which were post-impressionists that wanted to do everything against the Victorian ways. Not a fan of Vanessa Bell, but this Grant's painting is pretty amazing.
It seems no visit can go without mentioning Bacon. There was this small study he did for "Head of Lucien Freud" and the green color is just so lovely. So acidic, so vile, so unnatural, just absolutely lovely.
As for Turner, he was in this one room and the description of the room had this phrase, which I greatly enjoyed "... attempt to make idea and technique inseparable - interlocking image and paint" and it was all about how some artists try to make the actual paint part of the whole idea of art. I think it's very interesting, and to some extent I try to do that as well, I guess.
Here are more works that I liked:
David Bomberg "Vigilante". There is something incredibly sad, almost deathly about this painting.
Richard Hamilton "The Citizen". I'm a big fan of this double painting, and I am not really sure why.
Now, I am not a fan of this painting, but I made a note of it because one day I would like to paint something like this, just to prove to myself that I can. It's Samuel Colman's "The Temple of Flora".
Turner "Death on a Pale Horse". I've never seen this one by Turner before, and I was in a state of pure pleasure when I discovered that there is more Turner in the world. Me and Turner, we are similar, at least at the moment, as I explore color and death motives. Love him.
Even in Turner's earlier works he still used that peachy yellow sunset color, it persists with the melancholy lightish blue (that comment was not referring to this work but overall).
I also saw Gilbert & George for the first time, and was not impressed. I mean, I've seen their stuff in magazines and such, but in real life, not that great.
That's it for today kids.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
incredible days and horrible nights
Today I had a very brain stimulating day. I haven't had one of those in a long time. My brain definitely got some long needed exercise, except the brain is not a muscle, so it can't actually exercise, but that's a whole different matter.
I think it's fun to meet people that you only know through other people, or from the internet, or in this case, both. I thought today it was the second time this happened to me, but then I searched my memory and remembered there were actually a few. Let's count them off:
1. Canadian boy whose name I can't remember right now, who lived on a farm with his mother and about 12 siblings (mostly adopted) near Prague. They had transported 50 horses, among other animals, across the ocean, but evil Czech people poisoned most of their animals, so when I came to visit the farm, there were only 3-4 horses around. How horrible is that?!?!!?! He is truly one of the most tragic boys I've ever met. He is a gay Jew, the oldest of the children of a single mother, his father was in prison (I think for killing) and half of the children were mentally handicapped. He was also home schooled, a goth, and completely self-destructive and depressed. I met him 3 times, but I just couldn't go on. Every conversation would turn to the same thing, and I couldn't do it any more. If he wasn't going to help himself, nobody else could help him. I told him that. And we never spoke again. I found him online on some goth website prior to these meetings, that's how I got to know him.
2. A Spanish girl from a little town near Barcelona. I got to know her on Myspace, which was before FB was the shit, and everyone used Myspace, or at least everyone around me. I don't remember much about her, she came to Prague with her Mom and Anda was visiting then, and we went for a couple of drinks in Harleys Bar, and that's all I remember about her. I think her name was Adriana.
3. A group of young people from Denmark. I met one girl on Myspace, and she said her + friends were coming to Prague and would we like to hang out? And I said absolutely. We met in a club, I forget the name of it, it was on Vaclavske Namesti, and we hung out for a bit, then we went to another club, which I have no idea where it was or what it was called, but then I lost her. So the meeting consisted of about 30 min conversation in which neither could hear the other, and then losing each other in another club. Great.
4. Steve Aron!! Nuff said.
5. Simon. Today. It's so good to talk to someone who is very intelligent and knows things in areas I don't, so I can't be a snob because I am absolutely fascinated by those things that I know nothing about. It's also nice to get away from art students who are so... bleh.
I know there were others, but after a severe migraine that I had earlier, my brain right now is not functioning as well as it should be. I met some girl in Paris, and in our hour together she told me all her love problems. And then there were others still.
Migraines are no fun kids. What started out as a little poke in the brain when I was travelling on the Victoria line and thinking about how the bus stop is closed and I would have to walk to another one which would probably be really full of desperate people trying to catch a bus home, and really not wanting to walk that extra block because I was developing a poke in the brain - all this turned into a severe head-splitting nauseating eye-hurting and brain-shivering migraine which made me collapse in bed, in the dark, with my eyes closed shut and tears running down my face because I hate pain. Then the pulsating stopped for a bit, I ran downstairs, got some juice, took some pills and lay down again, this time face up, staring at the ceiling and wondering how many more years of migraines I would have to endure. I fell asleep and woke up 10 minutes later to find my head completely normal, healthy, with no tension or pain, and went down to dinner. I guess sometimes a tiny nap and pills do work after all.
I think it's fun to meet people that you only know through other people, or from the internet, or in this case, both. I thought today it was the second time this happened to me, but then I searched my memory and remembered there were actually a few. Let's count them off:
1. Canadian boy whose name I can't remember right now, who lived on a farm with his mother and about 12 siblings (mostly adopted) near Prague. They had transported 50 horses, among other animals, across the ocean, but evil Czech people poisoned most of their animals, so when I came to visit the farm, there were only 3-4 horses around. How horrible is that?!?!!?! He is truly one of the most tragic boys I've ever met. He is a gay Jew, the oldest of the children of a single mother, his father was in prison (I think for killing) and half of the children were mentally handicapped. He was also home schooled, a goth, and completely self-destructive and depressed. I met him 3 times, but I just couldn't go on. Every conversation would turn to the same thing, and I couldn't do it any more. If he wasn't going to help himself, nobody else could help him. I told him that. And we never spoke again. I found him online on some goth website prior to these meetings, that's how I got to know him.
2. A Spanish girl from a little town near Barcelona. I got to know her on Myspace, which was before FB was the shit, and everyone used Myspace, or at least everyone around me. I don't remember much about her, she came to Prague with her Mom and Anda was visiting then, and we went for a couple of drinks in Harleys Bar, and that's all I remember about her. I think her name was Adriana.
3. A group of young people from Denmark. I met one girl on Myspace, and she said her + friends were coming to Prague and would we like to hang out? And I said absolutely. We met in a club, I forget the name of it, it was on Vaclavske Namesti, and we hung out for a bit, then we went to another club, which I have no idea where it was or what it was called, but then I lost her. So the meeting consisted of about 30 min conversation in which neither could hear the other, and then losing each other in another club. Great.
4. Steve Aron!! Nuff said.
5. Simon. Today. It's so good to talk to someone who is very intelligent and knows things in areas I don't, so I can't be a snob because I am absolutely fascinated by those things that I know nothing about. It's also nice to get away from art students who are so... bleh.
I know there were others, but after a severe migraine that I had earlier, my brain right now is not functioning as well as it should be. I met some girl in Paris, and in our hour together she told me all her love problems. And then there were others still.
Migraines are no fun kids. What started out as a little poke in the brain when I was travelling on the Victoria line and thinking about how the bus stop is closed and I would have to walk to another one which would probably be really full of desperate people trying to catch a bus home, and really not wanting to walk that extra block because I was developing a poke in the brain - all this turned into a severe head-splitting nauseating eye-hurting and brain-shivering migraine which made me collapse in bed, in the dark, with my eyes closed shut and tears running down my face because I hate pain. Then the pulsating stopped for a bit, I ran downstairs, got some juice, took some pills and lay down again, this time face up, staring at the ceiling and wondering how many more years of migraines I would have to endure. I fell asleep and woke up 10 minutes later to find my head completely normal, healthy, with no tension or pain, and went down to dinner. I guess sometimes a tiny nap and pills do work after all.
Some images for entertainment. I'm off to read Fowles.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
murder
I've had some deep reflections this weekend. I've had some revelations too. Let's start with them, because they are positive. The rest is very very negative.
1. London weather is beautiful when the sun is shining. It reminds me of my childhood. I went to Regent's Park today and didn't go to the Frieze art fair because I think it's stupid to spend that much money to see some modern art when you can go online and see it without thousands of people crushing you. Instead, I was going to go to the zoo to see the animals, because animals make me feel better. But the line for the tickets was also huge and the tickets cost a lot too, and I didn't bring enough money with me anyway.
2. Sometimes some things were never meant to be, so no point in fussing over them.
3. Sometimes some things do work out in the end, even when at first it seems impossible.
4. 80s teenage movies are so interesting. I started watching movies again, after a long long break. My old favorites got me back in the game, Velvet Goldmine and Party Monster. I am glad I can watch movies again without having to read the plot beforehand, because I can now entertain myself again. I watched 16 candles and Pretty in Pink, and I love Duckie. He's absolutely amazing. If I had a friend just like him in real life, I would never need any friend ever again. And the rich boyfriend totally has cat eyes.
Now the revelations aside, I got some ideas for art work. For some reason, they are all very dark but I just think it's because I've been in a very dark mood all weekend, for several reasons. Murder. I am still in that Crystal Castles mood and I am thinking about murder. People getting stabbed in tunnels, getting shot under bridges, getting strangled in their own homes at night. I do have a fascination with death, that part of it is not new. I've just never thought about it before as a fascination, but I think it's totally there. That's why I like everything dark, dark videos, dark art, dark things (things of the dark).. I don't know. Death, murder... and my tutor Bernie thought it was weird when I spewed some pessimistic world views on him... just wait till he sees my murder drawings. Art school is not that bad, if you forget the 80% of stereotypical art bullshit that comes out of art students. And I don't mean their art. I love art, I love everything about art. Visual anything gets me going. But not when art students open their mouths... those mouths need to stay shut. I'm being a hypocrite right now, because as much as my mouth is shut, this blog is still a fuck load of crap from my brain. I don't think I can categorize myself as an average art student though... and besides, all of their typical art crap comes from where they picked it up from, their country, their culture. I haven't got any of those things. I don't belong to any culture, and I don't have a country. So in the end I had to come up with my own art crap so I think that's why I am a little bit different. But whatever they tell you kids, being different is not all cool and all exciting. It's really hard and sometimes you just want to belong, but no one will take you in because they think you want to stand out.. ah it's a difficult situation. In the wise words of Moss "it's a pickle, Terry". And with that, I am going to bed.
1. London weather is beautiful when the sun is shining. It reminds me of my childhood. I went to Regent's Park today and didn't go to the Frieze art fair because I think it's stupid to spend that much money to see some modern art when you can go online and see it without thousands of people crushing you. Instead, I was going to go to the zoo to see the animals, because animals make me feel better. But the line for the tickets was also huge and the tickets cost a lot too, and I didn't bring enough money with me anyway.
2. Sometimes some things were never meant to be, so no point in fussing over them.
3. Sometimes some things do work out in the end, even when at first it seems impossible.
4. 80s teenage movies are so interesting. I started watching movies again, after a long long break. My old favorites got me back in the game, Velvet Goldmine and Party Monster. I am glad I can watch movies again without having to read the plot beforehand, because I can now entertain myself again. I watched 16 candles and Pretty in Pink, and I love Duckie. He's absolutely amazing. If I had a friend just like him in real life, I would never need any friend ever again. And the rich boyfriend totally has cat eyes.
Now the revelations aside, I got some ideas for art work. For some reason, they are all very dark but I just think it's because I've been in a very dark mood all weekend, for several reasons. Murder. I am still in that Crystal Castles mood and I am thinking about murder. People getting stabbed in tunnels, getting shot under bridges, getting strangled in their own homes at night. I do have a fascination with death, that part of it is not new. I've just never thought about it before as a fascination, but I think it's totally there. That's why I like everything dark, dark videos, dark art, dark things (things of the dark).. I don't know. Death, murder... and my tutor Bernie thought it was weird when I spewed some pessimistic world views on him... just wait till he sees my murder drawings. Art school is not that bad, if you forget the 80% of stereotypical art bullshit that comes out of art students. And I don't mean their art. I love art, I love everything about art. Visual anything gets me going. But not when art students open their mouths... those mouths need to stay shut. I'm being a hypocrite right now, because as much as my mouth is shut, this blog is still a fuck load of crap from my brain. I don't think I can categorize myself as an average art student though... and besides, all of their typical art crap comes from where they picked it up from, their country, their culture. I haven't got any of those things. I don't belong to any culture, and I don't have a country. So in the end I had to come up with my own art crap so I think that's why I am a little bit different. But whatever they tell you kids, being different is not all cool and all exciting. It's really hard and sometimes you just want to belong, but no one will take you in because they think you want to stand out.. ah it's a difficult situation. In the wise words of Moss "it's a pickle, Terry". And with that, I am going to bed.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
why i love crystal castles
I feel like I need a post describing my undying love for Crystal Castles and Alice Glass.
They had me at Alice Practice, and I got absolutely hooked. They totally invented their own thing. When I listen to CC, I think of hard angular uncomfortable dangerous frightening things. I think of darkness, the kind of darkness that exists only in people's hearts. The kind of darkness that is so purely dark, it's almost like dark matter. CC makes me think of deep depression, of insomnia, of hysteria, of vile acts, of violence. Songs like Alice Practice, Love and Caring, Doe Deer disturb your mind, your ears, your little expectations. They drive a hole through your brain. And then songs like Black Panther, Baptism, even Vietnam make it all right again, like putting soothing creams on your aching back. This music punishes and gives you candy.
Their video for Courtship Dating couldn't be any simpler than it is, but I cannot get enough of it. Alice chewing on her hoodie's string. Ethan the sloth and the unknown drummer, all in some dark room with what seems like a strobe but could just be a light thats turning off/on.
And how about the newest video for Baptism?? It's not just a great fucking video, but Alice looks more alive than ever in it.
Here are some of my favorite photos of Alice and the band:
Why am I obsessed with Alice? I don't know... that's a hard one. She is kind of like the 21st century cool role model. She is the new generation defining human. She is more ballsy than any of us, she is a true demon. She's got hard features on her face and you can never go wrong with panda eyes. Ethan the sloth (he totally looks like a sloth) is apparently a cool dude (yeah I totally know someone who hung out with them... I'm that awesome) but he still looks like a rapist. Maybe that's the look he's going for? Crystal Castles are the future of music. Everything else is dying, especially all those folk-y guitar-y stuff that's just getting on my nerves. Everyone needs to move to electronic music, nobody needs real instruments any more. Oh em. Such a radical thought.
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