Street Art : Stickers

Not that CNN is the first place that one runs to for movie reviews or fashion commentary, but just came across a couple of good articles from them--you know, the type they air during lunch time.

The first tries to explain the role of street art in society.

Even in a culture mecca like New York City, some capable artists and designers feel the need sometimes to flee the pressures of the market and take to the streets to paint the pulse of the city and the scene.

The second article is also by Al Matthews, about Sticker Art. We've all seen the stickers in our commute, and now we know that you can look for them specifically through stickernation.net. It has illustrations and profiles, not to mention downloadable stickers.

Hot Books:

• Street Logos
• I NY
• Stickers : Stick Em' Up

So you live in Siberia and can't even get your hands on the literature? Try this.

related : REVS | Corporate | Art in Odd Places | Julian Beever

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Previously . . .

Previously on mi-xology.com...

• River Statement
• Fashion Forward
• PostSecret
• Peace One Day
• Make Poverty History
• mi-xology mixology : Sex On The Beach
• PocketMod
• Data Fountain
• Dark Room
• mi-xology mixology : Banana Smoothie
• Smart Fun
• BioArt
• Name the Panda
• m.i. favorites: Petrified Forest
• Vanishing Point

More previously . . .

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Encyclopedia of Spices

The Epicenter has histories, articles, and perfect descriptions for all those spices that sound so cool and taste so fabulous. Now you can find out what the plant looked like before it was dried and ground up.

Cardamon, for example, is used in m.i.'s Thai Iced Coffee and Mango Lassi.

related : 8 Legs left | mi-xology mixology | Sweet Treat

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Art in Review: National Ballet of China

When we think ballet, we usually think Western culture, but like many Western cultural icons, ballet has expanded and has been adopted by countries looking to gain status (what is more sophisticated than having an opera house, a symphony, and a world class ballet company?). So it is with China. The National Ballet of China grew out of the Beijing Dance School in the 60's as an experiment and is now a beautiful professional company. m.i. recently saw NBC perform the ballet version of Raise the Red Lantern at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

For m.i., the most striking element of the evening was the production work. The Artistic Director, Zhang Yimou (famous for his work in films such as Raise the Red Lantern, Hero, and House of Flying Daggers), began his career studying photography before moving to cinematography and stage. The photographer/cinematographer eye is apparent and has stunning results. In one scene, the wedding night/rape, Zhang Jian as Second Concubine and Yang Lei as Master dance behind a screen onto which their shadows are projected. As they move further and closer to the screen, their shadows grow and shrink dramatically, heightening the violence of the scene.

Also impressive was the quality of the dancers. The Russian influence on the company is evident in the dancers' elastic movement and elegant line. Zhang Jian and Jin Jia, who appeared as First Concubine, gave a beautiful performance, showing strong technique. However, overall the dancing seemed a trifle cool considering the dramatic plot in this ballet. While there were moments where the emotional quality emerged, often the steps took precedent.

The one element that detracted from the evening was the choreography. While the actual movement was very beautiful, the use of the ensemble as a whole was at times awkward. Most notably, towards the end, the ensemble enters as emotional intensifiers, creating more movement on the stage. At least for m.i., this usage was not particularly effective- it seemed a gratuitous use of the corps.

m.i. was unable to find a website for NBC, but information about their appearance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center is available at the OCPAC website:
www.ocpac.org

related : Brava Diva | Heart of Grace

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River Statement

On a New York Times article refered to as "Art Pirates in the East River", a serious art statement goes to hilarity.

Some quotes from "A Miniature Gate in Hot Pursuit of a Miniature Central Park":

A motorboat with a tiny replica of one of Christo's Central Park sculptures nears a tugboat pulling Robert Smithson's "Floating Island" in the East River.

When Bob Henry, captain of the Rachel Marie, who is in charge of towing Smithson's island, looked out across the East River Thursday afternoon and saw another piece of conceptual art gaining on him, he did not view the development kindly.

related : Petrified Forest | Men in Black | The Press Event

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Fashion Forward

m.i. is supporting this year's Fashion Forward. This is ASIAC (AIDS Services In Asian Communities)'s annual benefit to take place in the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.


It's a great cause in a beautiful setting. m.i. material will be appearing at the show as a featured designer.

Saturday, September 24, 2005
8:00 P.M.
Buy tickets now!

related : United Reflections | Asian Journal | H.T. Chen & Dancers | Screen Savers | La Mode | Conscientious Consumption

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PostSecret

Everyone must know about PostSecret by now, but did you know that there will be a book? PostSecret : Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives is available on pre-order through Amazon. Founder Frank will curate the best anonymous, homemade, confession postcards in the book. There may be a bit of irony in the book concept, since the beauty of the PostSecret blog is the constant renewal of introspective visuals slowly receeding into recent memory. The weekly postings replace the previous week's shame, emptiness, and terror.

On a similar note, FOUND magazine is doing a 51 city tour to collect material (or have some promotion parties). Outside of their regular magazines, they already have one book with a second on the way. There will be a live band.


related : Elevator Moods | BioArt | Art In Odd Places | NINEAEM

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Peace One Day

m.i. will be attending the Peace One Day Gala at the Ziegfeld Theatre. Last year was the first that Peace One Day had American events. The Gala will celebrate the documentary (of the same name) DVD's feature on Netflix.

A little background. September 21st is the United Nations International Day of Peace. Never heard of it? That's the problem. It is an officially recognized day, but not in the collective consciousness.

m.i. has been in support of Peace One Day and its efforts for some time. Make a purchase, and we will donate 10% of proceeds to Peace One Day. Also check out the Peace One Day shop for Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney t-shirts.

related : International Day of Peace | Peace One Day | SHOP | Make Poverty History

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Make Poverty History

At an United Nations event recently, m.i. received a little white wrist band.

It is not the first one we've ever seen, and we do not believe that wearing one externally make you a caring person internally. However it was a good reminder that we've been in support of Make Poverty History and the One Campaign for sometime. Please visit their websites and learn more about the plight of developing, especially African, countries.

These are project to promote awareness to the masses. They are flashy and entertaining. One organization under the One Campaign that we particular interesting is Heifer International. Yes, that's right. Your donated dollar buy cows for stuggling family!

Although some argue against celebrity endorsed Non-Governmental Organization, i.e. they could do more by giving money than doing commercials, the commodity of celebrity is one that cannot be simply be replaced by cash. Without the exchange of money, the motives appear more transparent. So check out the One Campaign commercial, and make up your own mind.

related : Live Strong | Peace One Day | Commanding Heights

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mi-xology mixology : Sex On The Beach

Last chance to enjoy the boardwalk and sun. Okay, maybe reminisce about the beach is more like it. Autumn will soon be upon us.

• 1 oz vodka
• 3/4 oz peach schnapps
• cranberry juice
• grapefruit juice

Add vodka and peach schnapps to ice-filled highball glass.
Cover with equal amounts of cranberry and grapefruit juice.

Nice and not so naughty.

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PocketMod

Horray for no PDAs. Who really has a pocket big enough to hold technology upon techonology upon keys upon cards upon cash?
Try out PocketMod, a fresh little flash program that lets you print out a little organizer that you can just throw out after you've transfer everything to your DayBook or Outlook.

I know I've got PostIts all over the place, but now you can do it more neatly and with less sticky.

related : How to fold a fitted sheet | How to fold a shirt | Instant Pick Me Up

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Data Fountain

Imagine an Excel spreadsheet charted by water.

The Data Fountain is a project that aims to chart ¥ € $ currency strengths using H2O.

Some creatives have envisioned this "Alternative Information Display" to display explicit data implicitly. In otherword, more than a number, and with a cultural context -- water flows, money flows; financial is stressful, water is claming; and technology is 2-D, water can be seen, heard, felt, tasted.

Some of the creator washing their hands in money.

related : Vanishing Point | Global Connections | Smart Fun

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Dark Room

m.i. has just discover the "Dark Room" from Wooly Thinking.
So it's not about photography (see Diane Arbus), but a puzzle game. Think along the abstract and interactive.
Anyone, at any age, speaking any language can enjoy this one.

Have fun.

related : Mission Inspiration | Educative Recycled Games | Global Connections | Human Origins | Smart Fun

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