Yoga + breakdance + grace. [video]

If I could do even one of these arm balances for 10 seconds, I would be happy. This guy can do them while breakdancing, appearing as though this routine is what he casually does before breakfast every morning. He probably does.

Break ton Neck from Alex Yde on Vimeo.

The incredible song, if you're wondering (you must be), is by Awolnation. [via Yoganonymous]

Between the sheets with model Daisy Lowe.

In the name of my many friends who continuously surprise me with their unbounded talents, I present the work of one more of these splendid, creative folks in my life.

(As an added bonus, British model Daisy Lowe rolls around for most of this video only half clothed.)

Enjoy.

Lazy Daisy from Patrick Fraser on Vimeo.

Director+DP: Patrick Fraser
Model: Daisy Lowe
Shot on location in Paris along side a fashion shoot for Blast magazine.

Prada's virtual video lookbook. Awesome.

Oh, hey there Awesome. So, that's what you look like in Prada!

Courtney Love, a Birkin bag & her magical journey through stop-motion.

Because Courtney Love doesn't share quite enough with us and the media. And she loves a good, controlled message to her adoring public. We now have 6 plus minutes of an animated film portraying Love's transition from 'kook' to Birkin carrying, upstanding member of style, song-singing society.

Except Michael Mouris' short is more disjointed Scanner Darkly meets Heatherette ad than enjoyable film. It weaves in and out of sense (more out than in) and, though colorful and fun to watch, doesn't tell much of a story.

Which is to say the film sort of mirrors its star herself...

[via WWD]

Love--recorded, animated, & sure to make you cry.

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

You may have heard stories from StoryCorps on KPCC. The non-profit roves the country allowing folks to record their stories--the happy ones and the sad ones--in a portable recording studio.

Danny & Annie's story is simple: love, cancer, more love, death. It's the kind of simple story that Hollywood has told over and over, but adds bells and whistles and melodrama too. There are no bells necessary here. This story will make you cry, even without a Nicholas Sparks ending on it.

[via VSL]

Mall closes. Man cannot shop. Man goes apesh*t.

Man completely loses his sh*t because his mall is closed. I completely lost my sh*t at my desk watching his tirade.

Only in Toronto. Only in Toronto.



[via Racked]

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.

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.]

Harry Potter...only better...via the wonderful art of puppetry!

I have never seen a Harry Potter movie. Nor have I read a book. Nor do I think I will.

However, I could probably watch this video over and over and over. All. Day. Long.

I have never seen a Harry Potter movie. Nor have I read a book. Nor do I think I will.

However, I could probably watch this video over and over and over. All. Day. Long.

Design Dish: Sonia Rykiel [doesn't really] design for H&M. Again.

While the behind the scenes of the creation of Sonia Rykiel's new collection for H&M (the last was a tacky Bebe-esque lingerie line) is cool-ish enough, it proves my sneaking suspicion that the big name designers H&M (and other mass stores like it) partner with to bring luxe to the masses, have little to nothing to do with the real design work. Which would explain why the final collections are always a far cry from the actual brands' feel, fashion and quality.

Do watch til the end of the video though to catch the snazzy presentation of the line. Models riding their hearts out on bikes that don't go anywhere. Fantastic.

[via New York Magazine]

Where the Wild Things Are. As interpreted by dirty hipsters.

I saw 'Where the Wild Things Are' last week in the theatre. I was disappointed. Spike Jonze and Warner Brothers turned my beloved childhood tale by Sendak into a drawn out, emo, plotless film. It was beautiful, yeah. But as my friend noted--it totally could have/should have been a short.

I just saw 'Where the Dirty Hipsters Are' about two minutes ago. I was thrilled. Secret Sauce turned an underwhelming feature into a smart, two-minute short with fun LA references for us Eastside Angelenos. It was awesome.

[via FishbowlLA]

Little Red Riding Hood. Digitized for 2009.

I came across this cool video via Very Short List this morning. It's a design student's digitally-enhanced, uber-smart take on the Brothers Grimm's tale, Little Red Riding Hood.

Ok, so the story may not be as quaint when you know Grandma's nutritional breakdown and the cost of the hunter's outfit. But it's a whole lot cooler.


Slagsmålsklubben - Sponsored by destiny from Tomas Nilsson on Vimeo.

[Very Short List: Girl in the Hood]

Happy early Hanukkah from Jessie B. R. and the state of Texas.

I didn't realize there were Jews in the South...or anywhere between LA and New York for that matter. But according to this video, not only are there Jews in Texas, but they sing country. While I'm no News 8 broadcaster, it looks as though this particular Jew, Mark Rubin, also enjoys his fair share of potato pancakes.

I'm sure we'll all want to note that this musical moment was brought to us by Don's Grass & Landscaping.

Happy early Hannukah,
Jessie B. Rubin and my fellow Jews of Austin