Art MoCo: April 2007 Archives

"Ruth"
Posted by sabine7

Photography | Apr 30, 2007

David LaChapelle’s recent exhibition at Tony Shafrazi brought together c-prints from a few different series. The eye is brought in by the clear and simple life-sized forms of individuals representing biblical figures floating up towards heaven, or in limbo, from a water tank. These are in juxtaposition to group photos of drunk middle-class Americans, complete with rifles and party snacks. And to bring it to a close, a few end of the world s we know it shots. But no matter what topic, all the photos are typically very lush LaChapelles.

Artist: David LaChapelle
+ tonyshafrazigallery.com

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Picturing and Poeting
Posted by sabine7

Books | Apr 29, 2007

Picturing and Poeting by the late Alan Fletcher, graphic designer of international renown, is the final monograph by a creative doodler who believed strongly in ideas and thinking visually. This book is a great compendium of about 300 colour images of Fletcher’s doodles, collages, graphic objects, drawings and visual surprises, all of which point towards the usefulness and, in fact, necessity of keeping a spirit of playfulness present during design. Sometimes ideas are best conveyed through visuals, and their needs better met this way than through text.

Hardcover 376 pages. Phaidon 2006. $26.37 at Amazon.

+ Picturing and Poeting at Amazon

Art MoCo Meta
Posted by sabine7

Meta | Apr 28, 2007

Jonathon Liu at Rainy Bay Art is a master of the Etch-A-Sketch and the pictures he creates are incredible. There goes my self-esteem – it was a good day if I could make something resembling a rectangle. All we need now is a Spirograph master to come out of the woodworks. Via design*sponge

Nika Zupanc's acrylic cradles are pretty stylin’, but those polycarbonate dolls are not to be messed with! Via Core77

"Mr. Yeah Kou"
Posted by sabine7

Toys | Apr 27, 2007

Mr. Clement is the creator of toy figures and graphic novels featuring characters such as mushroom-like Mr. Yeah Kou who observes the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and its dangers. His adventures are based on those experienced by Mr. Clement when he first made London’s acquaintance. But we see that he did manage to do a little shopping at Dolce & Gabbana, so things can’t be all that bad.

Artist: Mr. Clement
+ mrclement.com

"Bisbiglio d'Amaranto"
Posted by sabine7

Sculpture | Apr 26, 2007

Adam Wallacavage’s series of octopus lamps, Il Lume Della Piovra, is an absolutely incredible collection of sculptures that are also working chandeliers. Wallacavage, who is also a photographer, creates these sculptures out of drystone plaster and threaded pipe, all coated in resin. One of the most ornate chandeliers, Fenicologia, incorporates pearls and Swarovski crystals by jeweler Tarina Tarantino. Each one is gorgeous in its own right. It is not difficult to incur a case of Neptune envy, if this is any indication of a fanciful underwater kingdom.

Artist: Adam Wallacavage
+ jonathanlevinegallery.com

"The D.J."
Posted by sabine7

Painting | Apr 25, 2007

Justin BUA has always been fascinated by street culture and comes from a family of artists, so it was natural for him to be schooled at New York’s High School of Music and Performing Arts, with a bit of graffiti and breakdancing on the side, performing all over the world. Artwork for the skateboard industry led BUA into more commercial work, and today BUA is a renowned and well-respected icon of urban art and hip hop culture.

Artist: Justin BUA
+ justinbua.com

"Scarygirl - Episode 5"
Posted by sabine7

Toys | Apr 24, 2007

Not only is Nathan Jurevicius a great illustrator, he is the creator of Scarygirl, an abandoned baby who was cared for by the octopus that found her. This baby girl is groomed into a happy little pirate who heads off on adventures with Blister the octopus and her Toycat and other jazzy friends, like Bunniguru, the traveling oracle. Of course, there is some dark mystery surrounding Scarygirl’s past … Who are some of Nathan Jurevicius’ influences? Miro, Gaudi, Bosch and Dr. Seuss, to name but a few. Scarygirl figures prominently in her own comic series as well as a line of vinyl Scarygirl toys. Sigh. Something else to want.

Artist: Nathan Jurevicius
+ scarygirl.com

"Barcelona and Cooking"
Posted by sabine7

Illustration | Apr 23, 2007

Nathan Jurevicius is a Melbourne illustrator with a great cartoon style and fantastic colour schemes who often depicts situations set off against imaginary backgrounds where the octopus and the snowman each have a role. Insects and animals share the stage with his human characters while snowglobes and pieces of meat are not to be forgotten. Jurevicius’ sense of rhythm permeates his pieces with a poppy, trippy vibe. A strong sense of humour is evident, but take a good look, for sometimes unexpected shadows do lurk.

More Nathan Jurevicius tomorrow.

Artist: Nathan Jurevicius
+ nathanj.com.au

The Beat of Urban Art: The Art of Justin Bua
Posted by sabine7

Books | Apr 22, 2007

Master of Distorted Urban Realism, Justin Bua melds classical art with graffiti and a hip-hop vibe. His book, The Beat of Urban Art, is a tour of Bua’s own life a well as journey through the streets. This nicely laid out book is a compilation of photos, drawings, sketches and studies that serve as practical guide to Bua’s art as well as a background to the urban jungle and the nature of hip-hop.

Hardcover, 160 pages. HC 2007. $23.07 at Amazon.

+ The Beat of Urban Art at Amazon

Art MoCo Meta
Posted by sabine7

Meta | Apr 21, 2007

We just discovered an Australian blog called Lost At E Minor that covers a mix of art, music, pop culture and cool from Australia and beyond. This week you can listen to the music of Melbourne’s Spoonbill and take in some skater photography by Sydney’s Tristan Still. Nicely formatted and easy on the eye, this blog produced by brothers Zac and Zolton Zavos is a great place to unearth new talent.

"Scary Chair"
Posted by sabine7

Painting | Apr 20, 2007

Amanda Visell’s art is full of people who see pink elephants, the pink elephants themselves and an assortment of children who are up against things that go bump in the dark. In a word, delightful! Visell started off using a portfolio of paintings to get into animation, but eventually found that the same portfolio was able to get her into galleries, so things took a different turn. Visell’s work is of the tiki-based school where monsters eat babies and elephants get stuck between skyscrapers, but everything works out in the end, usually quite colourfully.

Artist: Amanda Visell
+ thegirlsproductions.com