Digital Maverick

Karl Skinnyfeld’s quote of the decade

In my opinion Karl Lagerfeld should write a book (ASAP) on his philosophy titled: Karlology: the Chanel afterthoughts on arts & culture :). The man has been dropping cultural gems for decades. Besides the fashion victimes, simple human beings like moi would most definitely purchase it.  Pour example the quote above; it’s cynical and yet profoundly true for many poutch rocking women and men who are trying to fit into that glow in the light legging or sharp Italian cut jeans :). Delete the crisis, this is the return of ‘refined’ materialistic philosophy :).

By admin , Posted in Digital Maverick , Tagged , , Comments (1)

Where the not so wild visual things live

The past two weeks, I explored the worlds of www.todaysart.nl and I’m still processing all the inspiring conversations I’ve had with people. Here’s some stuff which inspired this digital girl.

http://www.vimeo.com/6832882

I’ve been thinking about how my generation is mostly a generation of culture collectors and samplers. We all travel to past decades to shop around for tools to (re) or (pro) create something ‘new’. Inventors are most definitely redefined by this generation of slash slashers. The video above is a great example of this.

http://www.vimeo.com/2806475

I heart Ebony Bones, and will write another time about her kick arse fashion and stage shows. But, here comes the butttttt…Maskomi, the ‘audiovisual’ agency, which created the video for Warrior, is reaching beyond what the eyes can see, and so far its pleasing to the eyes of the I&I.

YouTube Preview Image

36 glowing Freebord riders on the streets of North Beach, Donutland. I mean how cool would it be to play  a game of neon head skaters live. Scratch that, this is much cooler by D. Kele.

By admin , Posted in Global Visual Culture , Tagged , , , Comments (0)

The Hallway: quarter-life crises

http://www.vimeo.com/1976212

(please watch the video of the installation The Hallway by Miranda July first)

Me, You, and Everyone We Know writer/director/star Miranda July created a 125 foot hallway art installation for the 2008 International Triennale of Contemporary Art in Yokohama, Japan. The Hallway is a meditation, the expectations, hopes and realities of life. If you haven’t seen any of July’s prior art work or films, be warned, Miranda’s work is an acquired taste.

The installation; The Hallway is melancholy at it best.  Some might consider it the visual soundtrack to their life, others will dismiss it as mindfuckery for the intellectual hipsters. I found it quite confrontational, awkward at a few moments. Yet,  I was hypnotized and after five minutes and some, all I could murmur was…yes, she’s right. Perhaps, her next 300 ft installation should explore ‘how to free oneself out of the hallway’, maybe then I might not feel like it is time to visit a life coach :).

By admin , Posted in Global Visual Culture , Tagged , , , Comments (0)

A silent quote

IN THE FUTURE PEOPLE DON’T DO ANYTHING ANY MORE, BUT MERELY CUT AND PASTE FROM THE PAST.

douglas coupland

By admin , Posted in Digital Maverick , Tagged , , Comments (0)

ANTI 80s

In the past decade we have been bombarded with pop culture dominated by the revival of 80s fashion, music & art. The epitome might have been the return of the plastic tights and autotune. Yet those who consciously experienced the 80s are more inclined with one of my 35+ friends.  She is of opinion that the 80s needs to be deleted out our collective memory”. May sound harsh, but after the 5th time of rereading that the 80s are back in various magazines and hearing the syntizer’s howling of La Roux, I’m starting to appreciate ‘critici’ like the gentleman below. I must underline that I’m  sucker for the subtle combination of humor and hate. ENJOY!

Nothing of any significance happened during the 80’s. Everyone had thick, shitty hair, and all the music from the 80’s blew ass. I dreaded the day I’d see “Hits from the 80’s” being sold on TV. What hits? From who? Vanilla Ice? Milli Vanilli? Cindy Lopper? Sounds like a list of shit-eaters if you ask me. And who could forget that fat bastard, Meatloaf, possibly the worst creation of the 80’s. Him and the ever slutty punky brewster. I hated her; but mostly her ugly dog Brandon. All the mut ever did was show off that it could jump through a hoop and stand on its hind legs. What a shitty trick. Anything can go through a hoop if you throw it hard enough.- the best page in the universe


By admin , Posted in Nomad critiques: , Tagged , , , , Comments (0)

Parachut Landing

http://www.vimeo.com/5003279

Those early Saturday mornings, when the birds rhyme to you in their lingua franca and you stroll through empty Paris streets or Mogadishu back alleys (a dream)..those days are perfect for bumping into the great things in life, such as coming across great work or a cute shabby store. Great example is Steve’s Scott’s new video for the Birdy Nam Nam. The London based animator and illustrator knows how to captivate the hasty mind through the power of story telling.

According to him, Parachut Landing is a sci-fi adventure gone strangely wrong. Influenced by Planet Sauvage, 80s kids cartoons, Nausica and Prog rock album covers.

I’m a big fan of obscure sci-fi. Personally, I think Parachut Landing with its Fantastic Planet- style aesthetics & clever contemporary touches,  could be the poor man’s Kraftwerk in a new pimp coat. What do you think?

By admin , Posted in Global Visual Culture , Tagged , , , , , Comments (0)

Petals of Blood

Back in 99, I came across Ngugi’s Petals of Blood in a tiny bookstore in an even tinier town in the Netherlands. It was during a time, where I was piecing together my identity and practicing the art of identifying me in the mirror (JOKE).

Back to Ngugi: Ngugi has seen many different faces of Africa; tribalism (disgusting word), happiness, corruption, activism, (neo) colonialism etc. Faces, which made him and many other like minded people, disappear or exiled to promised lands such as America or UK. His lifetime spans much of what Africa has experienced in the past century.

I find his work deeply political, deeply engaging and deeply provoking.  Even though he’s hailed across the globe, I believe my generation of twenty-something Afropops, is not familiar with his fiction or drama. Forget those who are born after the world cup in Germany.

My obsession with collecting interviews comes in handy. Especially since I saved a great (but lengthy) interview with Ngugi. In this particular article he discusses oral tradition, performance and Africa.

So, I’m sitting here and typing these words…I think it is time to start a petition for big name rappers to use more often the titles of African literati to promote great work. I mean how cool would it be if Jay-Z’s next song featuring a hip white band ala  Hot Chip rocked the title ‘Petals of Blood’?

By admin , Posted in Africa+Media= priceless, Nomad critiques: , Tagged , , , Comments (0)

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Sometimes words speak louder than images and oxymorons run the world.

By admin , Posted in Global Visual Culture , Tagged , , , Comments (0)

Buraka Som Brussels

Earlier this month,I decided to visit Brussels. The city with the personality disorder. Where code-switching is the anthem and Tin Tin,the mascote. Besides, one of my favorite bands, Buraka Som Sistema was performing at Recyclart in Brussels. Therefore, I had no choice but to travel south.

In Brussels, me and my sidekick did a quick tourist tour to all the worth-while locations, but I can not deny that our search for perfect food took us to all kind of interesting comic book-like places.

By admin , Posted in Journey, Traveling & Cities , Tagged , , , Comments (0)

Remixed Proverbs

I love proverbs and sayings. A perfect example is this modern twist on traditional proverbs. Nikki Farquharson remixed 65 proverbs to ” capture” today’s western and digitalized mentality.

I mean let’s be honest. In today’s world, internet is god and the evangelism is currently based upon the proverb above :).

By admin , Posted in Global Visual Culture , Tagged , , Comments (0)