Perspicacious Dabblings

Again... and again - Runaway

2010-10-23T19:17:00.000-07:00

I know this blog has devolved into a kanye west fan club.

but honestly

this is phenomenal.

It shouts out to some of the greatest artists out there. It is so raw, so fantastic that I couldn't just avoid posting it. Yes, his ego might be huge, but the guy follows it up with something more artistic and pure than most these days. This is modern art, he is driving what this generation should embrace - innovation.

'nuff said.

Runaway.

Rosewood Movement

2010-10-13T04:37:00.000-07:00

G.O.O.D. Music

Simpsons x Banksy

2010-10-11T03:04:00.000-07:00

OMG he's SUCH a SELL out... Get over it people. The intro was exciting.

Projectors and Freestyle Skiing

2010-10-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Red Bull - Off the planet - (the Making) from ENESS on Vimeo.

Notre Jour Viendra

2010-10-04T14:31:00.001-07:00

notre jour viendra - feature film trailer from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

Hardcore.

Windmill Club AW

2010-10-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Windmill Club AW 2010 from Buffalo Picture House on Vimeo.

Hardcore.

Kanye on SNL

2010-10-03T02:02:00.000-07:00

Power

The polish of the presentation of these performances is impecable. None of those strobe lights or video screens. So polished, just straight up ye, again pushing the boundaries. Loving the ballet background dancers.

Runaway

Challenges for the European Union

2010-09-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Europe According to America

Europe According to Britain

Europe According to Bulgaria

Europe According to Italy

Europe According to France

Europe According to Germany

Europe According to Gay Men

AHAHAhahahahahahaha. Well done.

Van Gogh Photographed via Tilt Shift

2010-09-23T03:02:00.000-07:00

Van Gogh, Tilt Shift. Wow! What a new perspective!

Some will have issue with messing with such classic examples of post-impressionism. However, I see it as a deconstruction of one's perception of the paintings. Anyways...

2010-09-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Jake Davis Test Shots: Joshua Kissi from Jake Davis on Vimeo.

This dude has mad style.

Also, I hear Chuck Bass is dressing a little more like Ed Westwick these days...interesting.

Runaway

2010-09-13T02:20:00.001-07:00

Cool background dancers.

Reinventing the Fidel

2010-09-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg was invited to speak with Fidel Castro, in light of his article on Israel and Iran. The resultant conversation held many interesting tidbits. Not only has Castro spoken out against Ahmadinejad's antisemitism and Holocaust denial, but he has questioned his own brash attitude towards the United States.

Here are some highlights:

His body may be frail, but his mind is acute, his energy level is high, and not only that: the late-stage Fidel Castro turns out to possess something of a self-deprecating sense of humor. When I asked him, over lunch, to answer what I've come to think of as the Christopher Hitchens question - has your illness caused you to change your mind about the existence of God? - he answered, "Sorry, I'm still a dialectical materialist."

...

He then noted that, unlike Cuba, Iran is a "profoundly religious country," and he said that religious leaders are less apt to compromise. He noted that even secular Cuba has resisted various American demands over the past 50 years.

...

"The Iranian capacity to inflict damage is not appreciated," he said. "Men think they can control themselves but Obama could overreact and a gradual escalation could become a nuclear war." I asked him if this fear was informed by his own experiences during the 1962 missile crisis, when the Soviet Union and the U.S. nearly went to war other over the presence of nuclear-tipped missiles in Cuba (missiles installed at the invitation, of course, of Fidel Castro). I mentioned to Castro the letter he wrote to Khruschev, the Soviet premier, at the height of the crisis, in which he recommended that the Soviets consider launching a nuclear strike against the U.S. if the Americans attack Cuba. "That would be the time to think about liquidating such a danger forever through a legal right of self-defense," Castro wrote at the time.

I asked him, "At a certain point it seemed logical for you to recommend that the Soviets bomb the U.S. Does what you recommended still seem logical now?" He answered: "After I've seen what I've seen, and knowing what I know now, it wasn't worth it all."

...

"Fidel is at an early stage of reinventing himself as a senior statesman, not as head of state, on the domestic stage, but primarily on the international stage, which has always been a priority for him," she said. "Matters of war, peace and international security are a central focus: Nuclear proliferation climate change, these are the major issues for him, and he's really just getting started, using any potential media platform to communicate his views. He has time on his hands now that he didn't expect to have. And he's revisiting history, and revisiting his own history."

Read the article here.

DIY Cameras

2010-09-07T15:11:00.001-07:00

Kiel Johnson's Cardboard Twin Lens Reflex Camera Time Lapse from Theo Jemison on Vimeo.

Very cool. This one even works as a pinhole camera. Check out more Kiel Johnson.

Graffiti War

2010-09-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

Banksy's success seems to be coming at a price.

The Video also offers some insight into graffiti art, its history and techniques. Perhaps one interesting aspect of this artform is its access, alterability and exposure to the elements and such.

Living in London, this Robbo-Banksy war is quite visible. The latest I've seen was on Regent's canal that says "If I see a Banksy, I paint over it". Unfortunately, I don't find Robbo's comebacks to be terribly creative. Either way, the public nature of graffiti art and its immovability make it more temporal than other traditional pieces of art. It almost becomes a photograph, capturing a space and a moment in time rather than a permanent fixture on the landscape. The anonymity of persons involved lends more mystery to the whole issue - one this video tries to resolve, but also one that definitely draws an audience of curious onlookers.

While hip hop is experienced in tit for tat attacks, it is interesting how this translates to other art forms. I can't imagine Picaso and Matisse going at it in such a way. While allusion and sampling are common techniques in different forms of art - perhaps paintovers or creative editing could be added.

Living life Like a Video

2010-09-05T13:54:00.001-07:00

Not entirely sure what to make of this, other than a possible audition for the rumored to be newly vacated throne of Bond, James Bond.

Dressed to Impress

2010-08-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

Why is Kanye always in suits these days?

"Leading by example is being taken a step even further. Rap singer and record producer, Kanye West, is apparently requiring everyone associated with his G.O.O.D. music distribution company to dress alike---something he is calling the "Rosewood Movement". West and his posse, which at times includes fellow musician and G.O.O.D. client John Legend, are seen at events dressed in matching attire.

The Rosewood Movement is a fashion initiative in which Kanye and his group wear the same sharply tailored suits. It stems from the Rosewood Civil Rights Movement, but in this case is meant to raise the level of sophistication within the rap and hip hop worlds. Kanye is known to be a fashion trend setter, so this is meant to influence his followers to dress a bit sharper.

The current dress code is a Dior Homme Black Classic Skinny Suit (as seen on West in this photo). It is sold in Beverly Hills and New York City boutiques and retails for $2,200. It is available during every season.

West has explained in interviews that the Rosewood Movement is much more than just a fashion statement. It also includes good manners, no profanity in public, "calling your grandmother" and "taking care of your kids."

The Rosewood Movement launched in July and other suits West's group have worn include Lanvin and Club Monaco. Dior Homme will continue to be the suit of choice until further notice."

In the words of Barney Stinson - SUIT UP! I know where the next $2, 200 i make is going. (to rent)

Inside The Artist's Studio - Kanye

2010-08-07T02:29:00.000-07:00

Some technical problems, some dead air, but all in all, the guy gives some raw details on his influences. I like the Matisse part and the McQueen part. He clearly puts a lot of effort into his stuff. Sometimes its difficult to reconcile stardom with artistic talent.

He may not be humble, but he is a bit like Apple - the brand has some common themes, but keeps reinventing itself. It may not have been the first to come up with something, but it has polished these things, and made them user friendly. Weird comparison? whatever, I think it works. There's a compliment in there I swear!

Power

2010-08-06T03:46:00.000-07:00

Amazing

Truth in Advertising

2010-08-06T01:39:00.000-07:00

While this video is a pretty funny, if not cute way to advertise for Sky, I can't help that point out that sometimes football players are like a bunch of children!!!

That aside, CBC hockey night in canada needs to get on the fact that NO ONE, especially TSN, covers hockey like they do.

Music Video - Chose your own ending

2010-08-05T16:41:00.001-07:00

very cool.

She's a bit mischievous though.

Closer to Midnight

2010-08-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

An absolutely mind blowing video showing every nuclear explosion to have taken place between 1945 and 1998.

Note how South America is the only unaffected continent.

Also note how much Britain bombed Australia and the United States.

And finally note how peppered the world is with bombings - without nuclear war.

The ticking of the months draws an unmistakable connection to the infamous doomsday or nuclear clock. While we face dangers from terrorism and whatnot, note how close we currently sit to midnight, despite the end of the Cold War.

A New 'Ye

2010-07-31T05:01:00.001-07:00

Rocking a nice-ass tailored suit, and apparently some Dries Van Noten lace-less shoes, Kanye tells us about artistry. Loving this new style, this guy knows more than anyone how to reinvent style. Just when you think he might become a caricature of himself, he hits you with something completely different. Yes he's a self-centred ass at times, but he certainly also knows a thing or two about style and maybe art? Anyways, now the Vuitton Don (though maybe we should expand that to include a number of others) is changing his outlook on life. Can't wait to see what he hits us with next.

For All you Landlocked People

2010-07-24T03:39:00.000-07:00

Love how seriously they take this. So good.

Look at me, now look at your grades

2010-07-18T04:38:00.000-07:00

Ahahaha, funny take on the Old Spice Ads...

T'll the Vibe is Right

2010-07-16T14:41:00.000-07:00

Janina Gavankar - Love Lockdown from ianlyman on Vimeo.

Cover of Kanye West's Love Locked Down.

/\/\/\Y/\ - on Letterman

2010-07-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

Love the Doppelganger thing.

All Summer

2010-07-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

Out with a video already!
Its a pretty sick song...
Halloween costume for next year? Me with a GIGANTOR (well bigger than normal big) head.

Old Spice - moustache

2010-07-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

Food 101

2010-07-07T03:09:00.001-07:00

How to feed the world ? from Denis van Waerebeke on Vimeo.

Hello Brooklyn

2010-07-01T03:29:00.001-07:00

Jay Z - "Hello Brooklyn" from Gregory Solenström on Vimeo.

Sick!

At-At! SIT!

2010-06-30T08:20:00.001-07:00

AT-AT day afternoon from Patrick Boivin on Vimeo.

Welcome Back Yeezy

2010-06-29T05:12:00.000-07:00

Kanye West returns from a performance hiatus.

Alba Fierce

2010-06-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

Never took J Alba for the particularly fashion forward type.

These pictures suggest otherwise.

Reasons to Cheer for Paraguay.

2010-06-26T05:22:00.001-07:00

Some phenomenal pictures of the World Cup.

DSLR Bag for Women

2010-06-26T05:20:00.000-07:00

Took Long enough, a non-hiking looking bag for a camera.

By Nevis.

Jay-Zed and Em

2010-06-26T04:43:00.001-07:00

A throwback to high school. Word.

The Google Street View dude has a Vuvuzela

2010-06-26T03:52:00.001-07:00

Awesome part 2. I love how they give personality to such little inanimate characters.

iPlunger

2010-06-26T03:47:00.001-07:00

Awesome

LV FW 2010

2010-06-25T06:13:00.000-07:00

This campaign brings a certain polish that has been lacking recently on the runway. (in my opinion). Featuring Christy Turlington, Karen Elson and Natalia Vodianova. I wonder if such polish can transcend the runway, and apply itself to street-wear. Grunge has now been played and played and played, the recession is 2 years in - what next?

Please Introduce this to the Tube

2010-06-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

And Ad campaign for Volkswagon.

We Love you back NBA

2010-06-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

nice commercial.

On my radar this week

2010-06-03T16:08:00.000-07:00

Check the Last picture for the source.

Really Progressive McDonald's Ad.

Taxonomy of the iPhone

2010-06-01T15:05:00.003-07:00

Shows you every dimension that in sum, resulted in the iPhone.

"These are not maps in any conventional sense, but rather diagramatic representations of the interconnected space of technology, capital, instrumental value, exchange value, social and environmental impact that surround the device."

Ben Millen has thus also done a Heideggerian analysis of the iPhone.

Check that here.

Absolut Brooklyn

2010-06-01T04:19:00.000-07:00

Pure Brooklyn. Awesome. Love how they urbanized Lars Olsson Smith!

"Absolut Brooklyn ~ a collaboration with Spike Lee, it has one of the most unique Absolut packaging changes… can you believe they Spike Lee’d the seal?!?! Adding glasses and baseball cap on Lars Olsson Smith! Additionally they have a line from Lemon Andersen’s spoken word poem “Somewhere in the world Brooklyn in da house and you know we won’t stop spreading love cause that’s our way.” on the bottle alongside the silk screened image of an illustrated Brooklyn Stoop, which is #165 as a nod to Spike Lee’s brownstone roots. As for the flavor ~ it is a Red Apple and Ginger flavor ~ “its flavor evokes the spice and vibrancy Brooklyn brings to the big apple”" - From NotCot

Chic

2010-05-31T17:21:00.001-07:00

Mac & Milk Fashion Week 2010 from Kalvin Lazarte on Vimeo.

Why pre-aged denim is dumb.

2010-05-31T05:15:00.000-07:00

" Traveling Denim " Recording color fade for two years from Takayuki Akachi on Vimeo.

Amazing News Captions

2010-05-29T16:43:00.001-07:00

The Big Caption gives us more revealing captions to news photos.

This one is amazing...

Skatistan

2010-05-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

Skateistan from POP Magazine on Vimeo.

Using Skateboarding to bridge cultural gaps.

Where not to go

2010-05-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

This map shows the most touristy places in the world, using an infrared like display.

Next time you take a trip, now you can avoid the hot-spots.

Click the picture for the Google overlay.

The Medium is the Message

2010-05-23T09:14:00.001-07:00

Ron English turns well recognized brands into left-wing statements.

Broken Plaster, Everywhere

2010-05-23T05:14:00.000-07:00

This stuff is really amazing...

Check it all out here.

World Cup Storylines

2010-05-21T08:25:00.001-07:00

This Nike ad is pretty good.

Here a dude uses GDP and other info to predict the world cup.

Click HERE for the full picture.

Epistemic Closure

2010-04-29T04:41:00.000-07:00

A brilliant term coined by Julian Sanchez, used to describe what seems to be the fact that American conservatives get their information and facts from themselves, rather than listening to the broader discourse.

Here, my favorite IR blogger discusses it.

It truly is unfortunate that the American Right has decided to embrace epistemic closure. There is no doubt a lot of very important opinions coming from the right, especially when it comes to financial issues that need to be heard. The argument that the healthcare bill is incredibly expensive is a rational, even integral one. Instead, the news was inundated with reports of Obama being a Socialist, Nazi etc., insane claims that don't exactly take a scholar on the matter to decipher. David Frum seems to be one of the only voices expressing such contempt for a Right, gone wrong. Many countries (I'm thinking the UK and Canada) suffer from a convergence of ideologies, so that it is almost impossible to parse some of the differences between parties. The US has taken quite the opposite stance. I believe that both approaches are flawed. Democracy flourishes with debate, as long as rationality might find a way through the chaos. If two sides are able to engage in some form of dialectic, or a conversation leading towards a greater understanding, everyone might profit. A complete convergence or divergence of ideas cannot be the best we can offer. Utopian in thinking, perhaps, but something we might strive for.

Born Free

2010-04-29T03:44:00.000-07:00

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

The video is clearly controversial. I am not that into it, other than the fact that places like YouTube have banned it. I just have a sinking feeling that such massive internet-based, privately owned social media are becoming giant international social norm makers. Why should this video be banned? because it makes people feel uncomfortable? Well any half-witted human being can see that there are reasons why it does. 1984, Huckleberry Fin, Apocalypse Now etc. all made its audiences uncomfortable, but were equally all masterpieces that have changed our perception of the world. Yes redheaded people are singled out in this video, but it is the ludicrous nature of this act that would be the clear point of the video, in an evocation of Martin Niemoller's lucid commentary on Nazi Germany:

"THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

THEN THEY CAME for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up."

-in essence, telling us, the viewer, to speak up.

In the name of freedom of expression, free from hate, full of passion, outrage and careful reflection, here is "Born Free" by MIA.

IR Phone Home - Inter-Galactic Relations

2010-04-26T03:36:00.000-07:00

In reaction to Stephen Hawking's Claim that Contacting Aliens has dangerous potential, mostly due to the fact that these beings might be like ourselves, and in search of resources having exhausted their own Planet's, Daniel Drezner delves into some Inter-galactic relations analysis:

"1) In space, does anybody understand the security dilemma? In international relations, there is at least full information about who the other actors are and where they are located. Clearly, we lack this kind of information about the known universe.

What Hawking is suggesting, however, is that efforts to collect such information would in and of themselves be dangerous, because they would announce our presence to others. He might be right. But shoiuldn't that risk be weighed against the cost of possessing a less robust early warning system? Isn't it in Earth's interests to enhance its intelligence-gathering activities?

2) Carried to its logical extreme, isn't Hawking making an argument for rapidly exhausting our natural resources? If Hawking is correct, then the sooner we run out of whatever might be valuable to aliens, the less interest we are to them. Of course, this does beg the question of which resources aliens would consider to be valuable. If aliens crave either sea water or bulls**t, then the human race as we know it is seriously screwed.

3) Why would aliens go after the inhabited planets? Ceteris paribus, I'm assuming that aliens would prefer to strip-mine an uninhabited planet abundant with natural resources than an inhabited one. Three hundred planets have already been discovered in the Milky Way, and there are "likely many billions." Even rapacious aliens might try some of them first before looking at Earth, since we are mostly harmless.

There is a counterargument, of course. Over at Hit & Run, Tim Cavanaugh tries to assuage fears of aliens by observing, "Why would a race of superintelligent jellyfish or blue whales even take notice of us, let alone want to conquer us?" This cuts both ways, however. If those jellyfish fail to notice us but notice our abundant amounts of salinated water, they could decide to come without a care in the world for the bipedal inhabitants of Earth.

4) How do we know that some human aren't already trying to contact aliens? Stephen Walt and others assume that the presence of aliens would cause humans to form a natural balancing coalition. I'm not so sure. My research into other apocalyptic scenarios suggests that some humans -- that's right, I'm looking at you, Switzerland! -- would bandwagon with the aliens. Indeed, for all we know, some humans are already trying to welcome their future alien overlords. Which begs the question -- wouldn't Hawking's isolationist policy allow the quislings to monopolize the galactic message emanating from Earth?

5) What about preventive action against the microbials? Hawking admits that most forms of extreterrestrial life will likely exist as micro-organisms. Which is swell, except that, if you believe those crazy scientist types, then humans also started off as little microbes. But if Hawking is correct about the motivations of any alien that would seek out strange new worlds, then we are missing a golden opportunity to wipe out any and (nearly) all extraterrestrial threats at the preventive stage. Perhapsw we should nuke all these emergent microbial life forms from orbit -- it's the only way to be sure. "

Read the whole thing HERE.

Lastly, speaking of Inter-galactic relations and empires... Here is a galactic empire state of mind:

"Galactic Empire State of Mind" Wall Video from Pheasant Plucker on Vimeo.

Click HERE for the finalized version of it.

The Burbs, for spring

2010-04-22T07:25:00.001-07:00

Love Burberry. This is a pretty sick idea. "April Showers collection"

Check it. Click picture for link.

Also click here.

Just Blowing in the Wind

2010-04-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

William and the Windmill from Randy Risling on Vimeo.

Was on TED a while ago... This is a well-shot version telling you something similar. William is a Home-Grown engineer who has created windmills from junk to pump water and create electricity for his village.

Afghan Scenarios

2010-04-20T07:04:00.001-07:00

This site has some really cool visualizations of information. Here, they chart Afghan Scenarios. Click here:Afghan Scenarios for a hi-def version of the above picture.

Volcanos vs. Space-time Continuum

2010-04-20T06:58:00.001-07:00

As an Icelandic Volcano reduces the Western European Space-Time Continuum to around 1900 standards, the environmental impact is another thing to consider. Here, at "Information is Beautiful" they have created a diagram contrasting CO2 emissions of the Volcano vs. the potential release of CO2 were flights not grounded in Europe (which accounts for approximately 30% of world air-travel). Pretty interesting. They keep updating the chart as information becomes available. Click HERE for the actual website.

Nice Medium

2010-04-17T04:11:00.000-07:00

The Medium Really is the Message here.

Solidarité from La Boite Concept on Vimeo.

On Photography

2010-04-16T09:46:00.001-07:00

Reverse Graffiti

2010-04-03T05:01:00.000-07:00

This artest removes dirt to create graffiti.

Right place Right time

2010-03-27T06:09:00.001-07:00

Matt Stuart takes pictures of moments that evoque humor.

Check them out here.

I'l have the golden apple please

2010-03-27T05:56:00.000-07:00

Edible golden food spray. Found here.

Lupe on climbing Kilimanjaro

2010-03-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

Jay-Zed a look into the blueprint 3-9/11 concert

2010-03-23T04:35:00.001-07:00

They even arrange that hip-hop. Some interesting stuff.

iPood an iPad

2010-02-11T12:36:00.001-08:00

Brilliant! Click image to read more.

Place of Work

2010-02-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

Brilliant Blog Post of artists in their element.

Click picture to read it.

Symphonies - Dan Black/Cudi

2010-02-10T03:43:00.000-08:00

Pretty cool. A shout out to movie intros.

DatNewCudi.com: Dan Black Feat. Kid Cudi - Symphonies Remix from DP on Vimeo.

What the World Eats

2010-02-10T03:34:00.001-08:00

Really good pictures done by Peter Menzel for Time Magazine's "hungry planet" I, II and III series.

Click here for an interesting summarizing blogpost on the whole thing.

Memories - Cudi/Guetta

2010-02-10T03:21:00.000-08:00

DatNewCudi.com: Memories - David Guetta Feat. Kid Cudi from DP on Vimeo.

I think David Guetta needs to hire a new Director... What is GOING on in this video???

Salade Tomates Oignons!

2010-02-10T03:19:00.001-08:00

Salade Tomates Oignons (Yuksek Remix) from Lionel Hirlé on Vimeo.

Gang Tours

2010-01-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

This is weird.

" And after careful consideration, it was decided not to have residents shoot water guns at the bus and sell “I Got Shot in South Central” T-shirts..."

Its almost like doing tourism in a third world country...thinking you can somehow feel the plight of the local people. The difference is, after your vacation is over, you get to go home. These people live in these places. I suppose it was only time before such tours would exist.

"Mr. Lomas rejected initial plans to drive through two housing projects, a concession, he said, to critics concerned it would be insensitive."

Yes, yes it would.

(Click picture to see article)

Sartorialist

2010-01-11T22:26:00.001-08:00

Pretty Insightful interview... now that everyone and their mother has a fashion blog...Scott Schuman explains what sets his own vision apart from the others'.

Click picture to go to video.

Tonight

2010-01-09T23:13:00.001-08:00

Lykke Li

First Best - NO PANTS!

2010-01-09T20:06:00.000-08:00

NYC! - No pants

The Second Best City

2010-01-09T20:04:00.001-08:00

(NYC still has top spot in my heart...)

Paris Vol. 4 from The Seventh Movement on Vimeo.

Get up!

2010-01-09T18:51:00.000-08:00

Sometimes its not THE VOGUE that pushes the boundaries...

I think this is kinda funny.
From Vogue Italia. January '09.

BROOKLYN we GO HARD

2010-01-05T21:17:00.001-08:00

BLKOPS-122009-Snowboarding in Brooklyn from jsjcreative on Vimeo.

Awesome! Especially check out the part after 6:50 hahaha! for dem urban boarders!

Musical Year in Review

2009-12-31T13:53:00.000-08:00

kinda cool?

Mad Times

2009-12-18T01:36:00.000-08:00

The NY Times is making a case for 1950s-1960s dressing (Mad Men)

See the whole editorial here.

While GQ's "GQ Eye" blog is making a case for turn of the century dressing.

What I see is a battle brewing between Williamsburg and Manhattan dressing. I do like the sleek (but often stiff) lines of the 1960s, but I have to say the necessarily tailored pieces of the turn of the century, and the level of detail and quality which they require appeals greatly to me. Uh oh... I think we can probably add the next stage to this.

In any case... young vs. old? Romanticism vs. Revisionism? anybody? anything?

Maybe I'm grasping at straws, but this new direction of fashion is bound to provide much of interest in the coming months.

The Rake's Progress - "Tailored Suits, Like We Mobsters"

2009-12-18T01:13:00.000-08:00

Italian suiting is not what we once saw adorn the likes of De Niro, Pacino and Brando.

(I don't think anyone will have a problem with silk scarves any longer...)

(Wow! the Cuff of this jacket has five buttons!)

Taken from Rake Magazine via. Here.

(Shot in Tuscany)

This Week in Style

2009-12-15T16:37:00.000-08:00

GQ Magazine does a good job critiquing what famous men are wearing each week...

This week jumped at me for some reason.

"The Kaiser's latest muse/model appears to be learning a thing or two from the master—though he's still a few pieces of neck-chain flair (and one pair of fingerless gloves) short of going Full Karl."
For whatever reason, I think Lagerfeld is a pretty awesome dude.

Their caption read "Never has a man holding a toy video-game turntable looked quite so badass" - awesome

check it out here.

Case in Point

2009-12-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

These journal cases by Bythreads are sexy...

Click the picture to check out the others...

Flute Boxing

2009-12-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

What is up with this flute beat boxing guy??

But its kinda amazing!

Love how this rapper ends his bar...

Gnome Chomsky

2009-12-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

For all you SOAS kids...

Put it All in Perspective

2009-12-11T02:37:00.001-08:00

Busking State of Mind

2009-12-09T13:21:00.001-08:00

Empire State of Mind - not the way you've probably heard it before...

(More reasons why NYC is pretty damn awesome...)

Elisabeth Toll Photographs

2009-12-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

These are pretty good...

Click the picture to see the rest.

Pursuit of Happiness

2009-12-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Thats one way to pursue happiness...-i've tried it-They tell me it has long-term side effects though ;) I suppose we'l see.

Why is Drake in this video?

Who's Gonna Run this Town Tonight?

2009-12-07T08:20:00.001-08:00

I just liked the way they interlaced the instrumental into this trailer...

The Evolution of the Hipster

2009-12-06T05:10:00.001-08:00

Uh oh... There are many disconcerting things about this, mostly it is how closely I fit this progression...

Keffiyah? check, white belt? check, ironic t-shirts? check, faux-vintage t-shirt? check, checkered shirt? check, deep-v? check, and iphone, check.

fortunately I do not have the facial hair to grow some of these trends.

Check out the full version here.

Where is Harper?

2009-12-04T08:28:00.001-08:00

I suppose there was no way of taking a good portrait of him...

This is pretty cool though.

Click here to see all of them...

The Militarization of Sex

2009-11-26T04:35:00.000-08:00

This article in the FP drew my attention. Even in the constraints of religion, there are still ways of heeding to man's desires. From Korean Comfort Women to modern-day escorts, this is quite an interesting take on prostitution.

The Militarization of Sex
The story of Hezbollah's halal hookups.

Straight Killing it

2009-11-17T02:51:00.000-08:00

I'm a fan of all three. They will be appearing in the next GQ. (From Kanye's Blog)

Here's the Text:
"Have you been listening to hip-hop this year? If not, we’ve got good news: The gangster persona is finally dead, and these are the kids who killed it. One song at a time, they built a new era in which duct-taped kilos, exotic firearms, and freaky girls are out and real life is the focus. That can still mean trumped-up egos and battle raps, but it also means family, drama, vicious hangovers, and regular chicks who will make good love to you, then stomp out your heart. (Weed? Weed is always in.) Wale is as famous for his live shows as for the slick-witted lyricism of his debut, Attention Deficit. Kid Cudi is the cutup who scored with the stoner anthem “Day N Nite” and his album Man on the Moon. And then there’s Drake, who found himself turning down multimillion-dollar offers after his single “Best I Ever Had” exploded. (It helps that the girls like Drake. A lot.) Drake’s debut, Thank Me Later is easily the most anticipated album of 2010 So what do these underdogs thing about being cast as gangster slayers? “The dope boy is going to be a fixture of black culture as long as “thug” is a legitimate option alongside a job” Drake says. But I’m not going to rap about how much crack I’ve sold.” Cudi also laughs at the idea of talking tough. “Anybody from cleveland will tell you I wasn’t in the streets” he says. “Ask them! They’ll say, ‘Scott was the goofy class clown.” -GQ

The Marriage of Art and Marketing

2009-11-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

Burberry and the Sartorialist (Scott Schuman) have collaborated on a project called "The art of the trench". The site is an extensive series of Photograph's Scott has taken of people wearing Burberry Trench coats. Its pretty brilliant. My favourite is the picture of Garance Dore Rocking the Trench with the NY Yankees hat, but there are several other really good ones. What a better way to market a product than to let it sell itself on real people in real situations. Not that I think Hermione's new campaign for the brand is by any means bad (I think its quite good actually) this is just another great strategy.

Check out the site by clicking on the image.

Also check out Garance's blog, it is rather brilliant in itself. She is also an incredibly nice person if you happen to meet her!

Concrete Jungle Where Dreams are Made Of

2009-10-31T12:50:00.001-07:00

... Yah i know a bit of a rut...

Jay-Z - "Empire State Of Mind" ft. Alicia Keys

Jay-Z | MySpace Video

Empire State of Mind

2009-10-30T08:14:00.001-07:00

Such a good song... the sound quality sucks for obvious reasons, but I think the video evokes the song better than anything else...

This article on music inspired by New York fits in well...

Heath Ledger, Director

2009-10-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

I wasn't a fan of "A Knight's Tale" ... I then saw "I'm not there" and without a doubt knew this guy had talent. IT appears, he was good at more than just acting:

Made in his garage in Sydney, Heath Ledger directed the following Hip Hop video "Cause and Effect" by N'Fa.

The Wire Relevance

2009-10-28T11:01:00.001-07:00

In the UK, after years and years of non-existent gun crime, it appears the honeymoon is over. Though, as most governments have done, the response has been to clamp down on gun violence with massive increases in policing, it seems that the UK government HAS indulged in some good ol' "The Wire" practices...

Read about it Here.

To quote the show... "The game done changed..."-Cutty "Game's the same, just got more fierce."-Slim Charles