Introducing yet another social network...

Executives and developers have been leaving MySpace in a steady flow over the last year (and with good reason). With all these smartypants now walking around as free agents, cool things are brewing in Tech Land.

Check out the teaser for Gravity.com, [yet another] new social network coming soon. Dare I say it looks like it might be cool?

[via TechCrunch]

Laundry! blurs the lines between art and ad.

In a world that is looking more and more like a giant billboard for advertising messages, we prefer at least when the advertising is artfully executed. If you're going to sell us widgets, sell them to us with an ad that we want to frame after, a video that we want to share with friends, a campaign that inspires our creativity, not just our wallets.

Working with brands to do just that is Laundry! Helmed by artists and Creative Directors Tony Liu and PJ Richardson, Laundry! gets its kicks by 'making it right and making it rad.' Never has a more respectable company motto been spoken. The studio has worked on the animation and illustration in music videos for the likes of Kanye West, The Strokes, and Duffie, commercials for brands including VEVO, Doublemint, Honda, and SONY, and has created graphics for Mountain Dew, The Cool Kids, Nike and others.

Check out the music vid for artist Uffie (watch for the incredible design and animation created by Laundry!)...

[This post originally appeared on http://curated.culturejam.com.]

Water: our thirsty world [art in LA]

What a phenomenal exhibit that opened tonight at the Annenberg Center for Photography. It's so incredibly easy to forget what a powerful role water plays in our lives. Even in the desert cities of California where we should most remember it.

While I love bottled water with electrolytes as much as the next person, water's so much more than America's favorite calorie-free beverage.

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ROA paints the town. Literally.

I know very little about ROA and while I can't be certain that the Belgian artist's intent here was as political and morbid as I'm interpreting it (perhaps the dead duck can be understood in another way?), I find this piece stunning and moving and totally severe.

[via UNURTH]

Spring styles to adore from Rojas. [Design Dish]

LA's Rojas can be hit or miss. The lookbook for Spring 2010 just came out and it's looking like a lot of hits. Hits that I want to own. Hits that I want to wear. Hits that I wish were available for purchase immediately/right now/yesterday for sale online. I will have to stop into the Melrose shop this weekend to indulge my Spring shopping fix and fill the season's quota for poofy pants and pastels.

Chambers Clothing Preview Party: tequila + VICE + rabbits' feet [We Like to Party]

Last night, we headed downtown to celebrate the launch of Chambers Clothing, the sharp looking new line of menswear from Matt Goldman (artist & promoter extraordinaire) and Devin Carlson (of Fremont Apparel). The party was held at one of Cedd Moses' (many, many) new watering holes, Las Perlas. Las Perlas is a tequila bar and, to save you the trouble of asking should you go in, they do not serve other liquors. Though they may try to make you believe that certain tequilas taste like other certain liquors. Hmm.

The Chambers collection looks incredible. Incredible enough to make me wish I was either a dude or a much larger woman so that I could sport some of the looks. Fingers are crossed for a women's line to follow...

View the Chambers Look Book.

Skull candy for your home c/o Poster Child Prints. [art in LA]

Poster Child Prints, the lovely folks bringing you affordable prints from the artists you'd love to love a little closer in your home but previously couldn't afford to, just released work from my friend and  very talented cohort, Mister Matt Goldman (known about town for his awesome parties under promoter moniker MFG Productions).

Check out the three prints online now. Because skulls don't belong on Affliction tees. They belong on your wall.

A cynic's guide to St. Patrick's Day.

First of all, I had to google leprechaun to figure out how to spell it. Nothing should be that difficult. Second of all, it's St. Patrick's Day today, otherwise known as St. Patty's Day, more often known as a day of ridiculous drinking, debauchery, and green clovers.

I don't get it. Perhaps this has something to do with me growing up Jewish in Long Island. We are usually busy getting ready for Passover at this time of year--which is another holiday I don't understand--and it was never explained to me that drinking green beer, wishing on four leafed flowers, and believing in little people was celebratory.

But, for those of you who enjoy this sort of thing, here's my guide to a festive, greenwashed day of fun based on the things I know about St. Patrick's Day...

1 & 2. Drinking is a big part of this day, yeah? While all the other Irishmen and partygoers are seeking out bars with names like O'Dooles and Casey's Irish Pub, you can skip the lines and hit up Hooters. I assure you you'll find plenty of beer there. And you will probably get lucky too. Which kills two St. Patty's birds with one inebriated stone.

3. To my understanding, folks just love their leprechauns. Well, I looked up leprechauns in Wikipedia and apparently they're just "a type of Fairy...usually taking the form of an old man, clad in a red or green coat, who enjoys partaking in mischief." Keep this to yourself...but you can find one of these guys down on Skid Row. Just buy him a beer and he'll hang all night, I'm sure.

4. To me, green beer sounds like a recipe for food poisoning. For those who'd like to seem festive, but aren't at one of these pubs serving the colored ale, just throw some green liquid food coloring in your pocket before your night out. One drop of this stuff in your pitcher of Miller will have you seeing green all night. Awesome.

Safe and happy holidays to all. And top o' the morning to you. Or something like that.

It seems that Spring is springing in Los Angeles.

Since I moved to Los Angeles more than four years ago (god help me, the time does fly), the years have melded together in a way I'd never imagined possible back on the East Coast where turning leaves and occasional snowfalls remind a person that the time's indeed passing. But here in sunny Southern California, each morning's a new opportunity to put on your flip flops and ride with the top down. It's like it's been one long day since I arrived to Los Angeles--one long, sunny day.

That said, the one thing that's reminded me each year that winter--if you can call it that--is over and that Spring's begun is the smell of jasmine on the streets. I didn't know what the white flowers I smelled in even the dingiest neighborhoods was called at first. I just knew that the scent of jasmine was intoxicating.

Last week, I smelled the first jasmine of 2010 from a bush off a cracked sidewalk near my apartment in Koreatown. And I knew that the seasons were changing. And for the rest of this season I would linger a little longer on the jasmine-filled blocks. Even if lingering anywhere too long in my neighborhood is ill advised according to tourist advisory boards and police reports.

The new Gaga vid - soft porn or Virgin Mobile ad?

Last night Lady Gaga's new video premiered. I'm not sure if the end goal was soft porn, bad hat showcase or product placement opportunity for Virgin Mobile.

Either way, I'm a little confused, a little impressed, and maybe a wee bit scared.

It's like a 10 minute long, live action David LaChapelle photograph. Enjoy.

Amy Winehouse 'designs' a line with Fred Perry. Uh huh.

In case you missed the news, Amy Winehouse (who considers smeared eye makeup and cocaine residue appropriate evening wear) has announced a design collaboration with Fred Perry, the preppy UK brand known for its once trendy polos.

So far, the sketches I've seen look uninspired and the only thing 'Amy' about them is the pompadour. Which last I checked, is more outdated style than design savvy.

Party outside the box. [The RSVP Line]

Drinking for drinking's sake is alright. I have nothing against it and occasionally, in fact, encourage it. But sometimes it's nice to drink next to someone who has more on his mind [both literally and figuratively] than cheap PBRs.

Mindshare LA, is a monthly forum for Angelenos who'd like a little learning with their liquor. And next week, the Mindshare folks will meet again and invite you to join them in an evening of talks, talking and, yes, drinking.

Next week's program will include...

David Orban / Founder, Chief Evangelist, WideTag, Inc. & Advisor, Singularity Univeristy
The Internet of Things

Matthew J. Smith / Harvard Law School
Negotiation & Mediation Afterhours

Wil Carson / Senior Project Designer, Michael Maltzan Architecture
New Questions for a New City

Emily Tyrant / Pervert Extraordinaire, Den of Iniquity
Acclimating Men to Pain

DJ'ing this month will be Joanna Gikas of IO Echo

Thursday, March 18
7 p - 1 a

Club 740
740 S. Broadway
(Enter through the alley at 8th Spring St.)
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Purchase tickets online.

Sounds by Gil Scott-Heron. 'Me and the Devil.'

Feeling this song. Feeling this video.

Me and the devil. Walking side by side.

Thank you Gil Scott-Heron.

Artist Mercedes Helnwein on her work, culture in America + Archie comic books.

To look at Mercedes Helnwein's work you wouldn't guess that she's a young, contemporary artist living in Los Angeles in 2010. Her drawings portray subjects that appear to be plucked out of another era--one in which modesty and conservative, feminine dress were still en vogue and taking the time to fashion one's hair was a given. Helnwein is best known for her drawings, but has produced several videos as well--live and choreographed interpretations of her styled characters--as well as a novel, "The Potential Hazards of Hester Day," which was published in 2008 by Simon & Schuster.

Helnwein graciously took time out between projects to answer some questions for Curated and share her thoughts on her process, culture and education (or lack thereof) in America, and her childhood interest in Archie comics and "Murder She Wrote."

For those who don't know your work, how would you describe it...in 5 words or less?

Southern Gothic occurrences in a vintage insurance office.

That’s eight words, sorry.

Little Boots does the El Rey. I do YouTube.

Unfortunately I am not one of the lucky hundreds going to see Little Boots tonight at the El Rey. But I can watch this YouTube clip of her performing 'Meddle' to my heart's delight. Granted it's not my favorite version of the song, but it's an interesting twist on her usual fast-paced dance style. And I'll take what I can get.

Liberty of London for Target appears not to stink. [Design Dish]

It is no secret that most of the guest designers who create dumbed down lower priced lines for Target don’t exactly keep true to their collections’ original quality, style, or cuts (did we mention quality?). When we learned that the UK’s very own Liberty will be debuting a line for Target, however, we held hope. Founded in 1875 by one Arthur Lasenby Liberty, Liberty is known for its patterns and craftsmanship. And, thank the masstige god, Liberty of London for Target does not completely lose its identity in its collection of fashion, home and novelty items. Target is currently showing a preview and video on its website and even hosting a quiz app on Facebook where users can match their personality to a pattern. We can’t wait to see the full collection though–somehow we anticipate that we’ll be pleasantly surprised.

And don't be surprised if you see me riding around on a Liberty patterned bicycle some time very soon.

[This post originally appeared on http://curated.culturejam.com.]

Currently Listening to: Regina Spektor's Two Birds

You know I love Regina Spektor. Not in a scary way. But more like in a I could listen to her all day, every day and be kinda happy way.

One of my favorite songs off her 2009 album is 'Two Birds.' This video is not an official one. But it's a fun exploration of the lyrics as well as Spektor's erratic tempos.

Oscar Style - the good, the bad, and the odd.

Last night, the stars came out for the Academy Awards. Some with class and style. Others with, well, see for yourself below...

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Camille Rose Garcia Interprets Alice. [art in LA]

Want to turn an old children’s book into a nationwide sensation? Apparently all one needs to do is ask Tim Burton to step in. The 3-D theatrical release of Alice in Wonderland--out now--has created such a frenzy that you’d suspect we’d all gone down the rabbit hole ourselves and lost our bloody minds. From Alice inspired marketing campaigns to games and toys, it’s all of a sudden all about Alice.

Out of all the recent Alice hype, one interpretation of the iconic story (originally created by Lewis Carroll in 1865) has emerged as a clear and beautiful winner. Camille Rose Garcia, the LA based artist known for her work in the lowbrow art scene, was asked in 2009 to illustrate a new Alice in Wonderland book by Harper Collins. The result is a gorgeous, watercolor masterpiece.

Watch a behind the scenes of Garcia’s creation.

Garcia's exhibit of her work will be on display at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery in LA starting tomorrow. Don't miss a look at this new Alice.

March 6 - March 27, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 6, 8-11pm

Merry Karnowsky Gallery
170 S. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is available now on Amazon.com.

Palm Springs: The Ace Hotel + Mods + Snow in the Desert

You like pools? You like drinking? You like desert air? You like gay men and gray haired, antique shopping retirees? Well, aren't you glad that Palm Springs is just a hop, skip and a drive East along the 10 away from Los Angeles.

As an Ace Hotel aficionado (I love the NY location and you remember my recent Seattle stay), there was no other place we would have lodged when we headed to the desert a few weekends ago for the dual birthday celebrations of the BFFs than the Ace Hotel Palm Springs.

It happened to be Modernism Week in PS which meant airstreams and retro-styled hotel guests. But save a few funny folks, the hotel was it's usual Ace style awesomeness. Except with two pools and a hot tub. Score.

Planning a trip to Palm Springs soon (Coachella, perhaps)? Don't miss out on the Palm Springs Tramway. A five minute ride in the tram and you're 8,000 + feet up a mountain and in SNOW. Yes, SNOW. Granted, we stayed inside and enjoyed the concessions area and gift shop for longer than we did the freezing temperatures outside. But still, snow in Palm Springs?! Well worth the trip up.

 

Watch this now: Masterpiece 2.0, a social media art project.

When arts collide, sometimes you end up with a big mess of a multimedia collage. And sometimes you end up with a masterpiece. Masterpiece 2.0 is a “social media art project” by Baschz and Selfcontrolfreak. Get over the goofy names of these guys quickly because their art supercedes their monikers.

[This post originally appeared on http://curated.culturejam.com.]

Andreas Gursky at the Gagosian.

Blogging live. It's quite the art. And quite the scene.

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Love Hurts, as depicted by Tim Burton.

If I still lived in New York I would have been all over this Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA like cleave shirts on Jwoww. But alas, I'm here on the Left Coast and all I got was this rad sketch from the exhibit's website showing Cupid's arrow as the eye-popping lethal weapon that it is. My man Tim Burton knows what's up.

[Art: Tim Burton. Untitled (Cartoons). 1980–86. Pencil on paper, 13 x 16” (33 x 40.6 cm). Private collection. © 2010 Tim Burton]

Billboard as art, not ad. [art in LA]

Though we are all for great advertising, sometimes the billboards crowding the Los Angeles skyline all start to look alike–a mass of marketing that clouds our view of, well, of the actual clouds. Surely such prime skyline real estate could be put to better use than hocking the latest bad movie or energy drink, no?

Enter the MAK Center, a center for Art and Architecture in Los Angeles who has recently launched ‘How Many Billboards?,’ a public exhibition of art using billboard as canvas. 21 artists participated in the project and their works are now on display around the city. What a refreshing change to see art above our heads instead of supermarket ads.

Angelenos may see the works on display through the end of the month.

Everyone else can see them online and in the publication to be released in May.

[This post originally appeared on http://curated.culturejam.com.]

Genius viral campaign from the Swedes. [Marketing that moves me]

There is not too much I can say about this campaign beside wow.

Watch it, be patient through the 100 seconds of intro, and see what I mean. And see if you can't spot your fave blogger's cameo in the spot (I mean, I'm your fave, right? Right?!).

Why is this campaign successful?

1. It's beautifully and artfully shot.
2. It's viral. It is easy to create. Easy to share.
3. The human ego.

Genius.

art in LA: Manifest Equality for Full + Equal Rights

Tonight is the press preview for Manifest Equality, the 5 day exhibition in support of full and unrestricted rights for all Americans. And when they say 'all Americans' they mean all--as in straight, gay, tall, short, and even folks with questionable taste in fedoras. The list of a-list artists participating in the show is too long to include here. But not too long for the show's own website so go peep the list there. Some of my friends and faves participating include: Gary Baseman, Freddie C, Kofie, Barry McGee, Blaine Fontana, Matthew Goldman, and Karen Kimmel.

If art and/or gay rights are not your thing (because there is something seriously wrong with you), there is also a full roster of rad DJs and bands performing throughout the week.

March 3 - 7
Wed & Thurs - 11 a - 6 p
Fri - 11 a - 10 p
Sat & Sun - 10 a - 6 p

Manifest Equality

1341 Vine St.

Los Angeles, CA 90028

Become a fan of Manifest Equality on Facebook.

OK Go is still viral. And still awesome.

OK Go has earned and impressed fans with their creative music vids since day one (you surely remember their treadmill video?). And though the viral nature of their distribution was recently threatened by the band's label, EMI (you can read the band's response to the label's restrictions here), they're still plugging away. They premiered their latest video of single 'This Too Shall Pass' via YouTube yesterday. It's embeddable (thank you EMI!). And it's a-flipping-mazing.

Imagine my childhood fave game Mouse Trap. But awesomer and lifesize.



Directed by James Frost, OK Go and Syyn Labs.

And hey Angelenos--OK Go will be hosting a fundraiser concert on March 5th at LACMA. Get tickets. Support art, good music, and LA hipsters.

Currently listening to: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes

It's a very musical Monday. And this is what I'm listening to...

It sounds like a jamboree on stage. Which is awesome. If you're into that kind of thing.

Give Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros a listen.