Art MoCo: August 2008 Archives

The Octonauts and the Frown Fish
Posted by sabine7

Books | Aug 31, 2008

Blame it on the Olympics. With Beijing behind us, thoughts turn to Vancouver, then Meomi, the team that designed the 2010 mascots. Next thing you know, we remember there is a new Octonauts book coming out in October. Why write about clown fish when there’s a frown fish that needs cheering up? In The Octonauts and the Frown Fish by Meomi, the underwater crew use activities such as a baking marathon to entice their new friend to smile. Another affordable piece for the adult collector of cute.

Hardcover, 36 pages. Immedium, 2008. $10.85 at Amazon.

+ The Octonauts and the Frown Fish at Amazon

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Art MoCo Meta
Posted by sabine7

Meta | Aug 30, 2008

Dezeen features Ground Zero, the work of Slinkachu who creates scenes using tiny figurines for model railways and inserting them into the urban landscape at relevant spots, but where they can hardly be seen.

Learn about sausage knitted up into the form of a large bird and Lego’s series of mini people over the years at Icon.

"Sweet Devil"
Posted by sabine7

Mixed Media | Aug 29, 2008

Buff Monster's new show, The Sweetest Thing, is a new collection of prints, panels and paintings that depict the usual suspects in fine form. The visual candyland of pepto-pink, grey, white and black is the landscape for maraschino cherry-type forms, stylized breasts and the iconic "devilish scrubbing bubble gone bad." Geometric patterns and kanji characters join the happy squirting. Eyes closed or crossed, in Buff Monster’s world, it’s all about the sweetest thing.

Artist: Buff Monster
+ coreyhelfordgallery.com

"Pavo Real"
Posted by sabine7

Digital | Aug 28, 2008

Argentina’s Azul de Corso does some detailed work with her bright-on-black pieces, like the peacock above or the sea horse below, where a myriad of forms gives way to exuberant movement. Layers of colour at first appear as an abstraction, but look again and watch the peacock appear. The sea horse is more of a kaleidoscope mix, even bringing to mind bits of Murano glass. But lest you think that that this artist specializes only in the depth of the black background, follow up with the tea-stain softness of Canela.

Artist: Azul de Corso
+ azuldecorso.com.ar

"A Moment of Serene Perfection"
Posted by sabine7

Digital | Aug 27, 2008

Dr. Woohoo uses software developed to extract pixels by the millions in any image to then reconstruct the composition by using combinations of circles. All the colour data is analyzed and sorted, as part of a technique referred to as the visualization of colours. The compositions are printed onto a variety of surfaces that include rice paper and frescos by way of archival pigment inks. Dr, Woohoo has a new book out that takes a look at over 100 prints and shows the process—sort of what the colour composition of a picture might look like if you let your vision blur…

Artist: Dr. Woohoo
+ inthemod.com

"Working With The Light"
Posted by sabine7

Photography | Aug 26, 2008

Working With The Light is a series of 45 photos by Hugh Symonds that is based on activity around the Newlyn Harbour. The boats are an integral part of the picture, but the people whose lives are very much attached to them play a tremendous part. The light and the sky have a role as well, and this area of the Cornish coast has attracted artists for many years to the lively nature and the colours of the fishing industry.

Artist: Hugh Symonds
+ hupix.net

"Aurora"
Posted by sabine7

Sculpture | Aug 25, 2008

Jennifer Maestre creates incredibly intricate sculptures of sea urchins out of coloured pencils. Maestre cuts pencils into small pieces, sharpens each bit, pierces a hole through and creates a bead that she then sews together to form a prickly, spiny wooden sea creature. The shading of each sculpture is obtained by varying the placement of various shades of pencil crayon. Sea urchins use their spines for protection against their vulnerability and likewise, the sharpened points of the sculptures belie the fragility.

Artist: Jennifer Maestre
+ jennifermaestre.com

Wall and Piece
Posted by sabine7

Books | Aug 24, 2008

Wall and Piece by mysterious yet prolific street artist Banksy is a terrific sampler of this artist's treasures. Although Banksy’s work appears all over the world, not enough fans have had a chance to see any of it. This compendium of classic Banksy style contains examples of his stencils, paintings and screenprints, along with some of his writing, opinions and pranks. Any fan will find this a handy guide to the artist’s work and wit, and anyone unfamiliar with public art of a subversive nature will find that the work shown (and the commentary) extremely thought-provoking. This is the type of book that very tidily makes us question our own views on art and society.

Paperback, 192 pages. Random House, 2007. $15.61 at Amazon.

+Wall and Piece at Amazon

Art MoCo Meta
Posted by sabine7

Meta | Aug 23, 2008

Jennifer Marsh used over 5000 square feet of fabric to make a gas station cosy – yes, to completely cover this abandoned gas station to make it easier on the eye. Via Wooster Collective.

Great interview with Parisian street artist and logo-buster Zevs over at PingMag, and the comments that follow are lively.

"Jellyfish5"
Posted by sabine7

Textiles | Aug 22, 2008

Textile artist Elide Endreson creates jellyfish out of vintage lace and tulle, and silk. There is something of a wedding posy about these stingers, but what at first may seem Victorian in style is really a modern use of delicate materials to create a simple seascape.

Artist: Elide Endreson
+ redcakegallery.com

"Big Fake Cake"
Posted by sabine7

Sculpture | Aug 21, 2008

Tasty temptations by Sherry Koyama may look mighty chocolatey, but resistance is key, given that Koyama’s cakes include plaster of Paris, spackle, paint and boxes as main ingredients. Decorative doilies are included, and although these beauties can be wall-mounted, we would prefer to see them on a cake pedestal, beckoning seductively.

Artist: Sherry Koyama
+ redcakegallery.com