INFLUENCERS: How Trends & Creativity Become Contagious

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

I am currently reading The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. I picked up the book after reading a quoted passage in featured in this film, INFLUENCERS. The film, just like the book, highlights the idea of influence and stickiness in the creative world such as fashion and music. The book goes well into detail how such epidemics get started, but the film shows a wealth of New York-based creatives being interviewed and they offer their own respective insights into what it means to be influential and how that notion is achieved. I highly recommend the book as well as watching this film first.

Panda Bear – Atiba Song

ATIBA EVANS Panasonic GH2 Skate from skatefairy on Vimeo.

New song by Panda Bear which is used as a soundtrack for this skate video, funny enough directed by skate photographer, by the same name as the song, Atiba Jefferson. This short film features veteran acts like Eric Koston, Marc Johnson, Paul Rodriguez, Andrew Reynolds and Tony Hawk. Panda Bear's new anticipated album Tomboy is set to be released by April 19th.

Oliver Peoples - Devendra Banhart

This short film was created by Lisa Eisner for Oliver Peoples new eye-wear collection and features folk musician Devendra Banhart. Working with his real life partner Rebbecca Schwartz, Banhart and his girl friend are captured at their most intimate, to create "infatuated cant-keep-your-hands-off-each-other moments." The Venezuelan-born Banhart's Spanish serenade "Brindo" (from 2009's What Will We Be; a new album is in the works) sets the mood for love. "The last lyrics are ‘the only thing open right now is the hospital’—there’s something weirdly beguiling and beautiful about that. But the majority of the song is about: 'I’m going to say a toast to this person who has given me a reason to drink joyfully.' And she’s definitely that person," he says of his girlfriend.

Read about how he first seduced her while dressed as Courtney Love here.

Salvador Dali Museum

One of the greatest surrealist painters of any generation, Salvador Dali’s efforts were recently commemorated in the opening of a museum in his honor. The museum located in St. Petersburg, Florida is a 68,000 square foot space which boasts the largest collection of the painter’s work. Just as stunning as Dali’s artwork is the architectural design of the space which also had to be mindful of the region’s yearly hurricane situation. Both paying tribute as well as ensuring intelligent and functional design were two important issues that required addressing. The museum’s design is made up of two juxtaposing elements, a “treasure box” made of unfinished concrete with a glass atrium that allows natural light in. Dali’s personal interest in spirals are notable throughout the space. The project was achieved thanks largely in part to the efforts of HOK.

Basquiat by Leonhard Emmerling

In an upcoming publication by TASCHEN and Leonhard Emmerling, a biographical look into the prominent artist’s life is offered. The book is part of TASCHEN’s “Basic Art Series” collection which uncover in chronological order “the artist’s life and work, covering the cultural and historical importance of the artist.” Approximately 100 pages of illustrations will compliment the 96 page book which will be available soon through select channels including Amazon.

Preface - Lonely Season EP

In a time where hiphop is refreshed with up-and-coming MCs, the story of 22-year old Texas native Preface brings some excitement to the game in Dallas. Influenced by the greatest, Pref's lyrics touch on everything from the struggles of his upbringing to the ups and downs of relationship drama. With his producer Perplex providing innovative beats that leave you questioning reality, Preface is evolving through barriers... and he don't stop.

Check it out for yourself as he has released a new 6-track EP. The beats are dope, the lyrics are on point, you do your part and download and listen to it

Joshua K. Stuart - Solo Exhibition Show

Good friend of mine, Josh Stuart, I call him Jersh, is having a solo show right before leaving for NYC to explore and create more amazing art. The show will be open for the month of February, but you don't want to miss out on the reception night.It will be a bad ass party.

Reception night is February 10, from 6-9pm at the ArtSpace - Metropolitan Press. Come out and support local Dallas artist.

Dallas Contemporary - 2011 Exhibitions Calendar

Kicking off the year, The Dallas Contemporary is starting off February with a big bang. Multiple and simultaneous shows will be featured with local and international artist. Get the whole list of exhibitions here.

SG13 - Black Roses

Sour Grapes 13 having their first show of the year at Tractorbeam Gallery. January 20. 7-10pm

Ballard Bee Company

Corky Luster is a Seattle-based certified beekeeper. Two years ago he launched Ballard Bee, an enterprise he calls an "urban pollination company." His fast-growing initiative includes 60 onsite beehives at his Northwest Seattle home, plans to expand to 100 in the coming year and hives placed throughout his neighborhood. Luster maintains the hives and compensates sponsors for their time and the use of their property with jars of Ballard honey—a deal so sweet that next season's spots are already filled.


Each jar's laboratory-inspired packaging lends a modern feel to the product, while the honey itself actually comes in a more natural state than most conventional brands. Whereas many mass producers heat their honey and press it through very fine filters which not only destroys natural enzymes but also alters the taste, Luster's honey is raw and unfiltered.

Ballard honey sells in 22-ounce jars at vendors throughout the Northwest, as well as online from Blackbird for $21 per jar

Familiy House - Pavilniai

Gorgeous family home in Pavilniai regional park, Vilnius by Architektu Biuras G.Natkevičius.

Super Symmetry: Painting the Particle Accelerator

Artist Josef Kristofoletti created a four story mural of the ATLAS particle accelerator directly on the walls that contain the actual structure. Read the whole interview here.

Man About Town Magazine - Kilian Martin

The latest issue of the bi-annual Man About Town is hitting newsstands this month. The theme: “Life’s a beach – the Winter Sun Issue ” is the second issue for the Paris-based creative consultancy Atelier Franck Durand, who explored the West Coast American spirit for the Autumn/Winter Issue.” Profiles on Raf Simons and others fill the pages. Worth picking up.

New Starbucks Logo

Starbucks unveils a big update to their iconic logo: Bolder, smoother lines, more expressive. The siren is brought out of her ring and the words have been removed. In my opinion, I like how the got rid of the brown and made everything green.

Scott Schumann - The Sartorialist

The work of Scott Schumann aka The Sartorialist has always fascinated me. The way he captures a culture through a moment has brought up an very influential blog in the street fashion genre. I personally visit this blog at least 3 times a week, not only for ideas, but because Scott has created some sort of romantic space in which through his photographs one can sense the timeless value of such pictures. Watch it and he'll explain it better.

New Blu DVD

The first dvd published by Blu. Containing a collection of the videos made during the last 10 years including: wall painted animations, time-lapse documentation of many murals, other hand drawn animations and over 40 minutes of extra contents

Great Movies - Montage

Kubrick vs Scorsese from Leandro Copperfield on Vimeo.

Golden Radio Voice

Centre X ATAMA - Show Me The Munny! Recap

Just before the year ended, Centre moved shop to a bigger and cooler spot at Mockingbird Station. It's new integration, ATAMA, opened up at Centre's new location and they opened up with their first annual Munny design contest, Show Me The Munny!. They invited 5 talented artist from the Dallas area to customize a Mega Munny, and the outcome was dope.

At the spot was Don Julio for some margaritas, food from Urban Taco and beats by Sober.

Feature artist were: Cody Phillips, Magnificent Beard, NReazon, Sour Grapes 13, Unkommon Kolor.

Check out the ATAMA Facebook page and add your email to the mailing list at ShopAtama.com to stay up to date.

Cool Product - Fluent Stash

This unique, compact design unfolds to reveal three stash pockets and a zip-secured mesh pocket. When open, the Fluent Stash can either be hung or folded back on itself to be made free-standing. Both the die-cut wool felt and aluminum buckles are 100% recycled. Available the 1st of April. $80.

Genograffic

The New Shape of Street Art

"A new generation is making street art that is conceptual, abstract, and even sculptural in nature." Carolina A. Miranda of C-Monster fame writes a very interesting story in the January issue of Artnews about the shift of street art to a more abstract/conceptual imagery. Read it here,

iSee - Preface

This the first photo of my new series iSee, where I use my iPhone 4 and Photoshop Express App to try and capture a simple moment and make it epic. This is my good MC bud Preface. Follow him and look out for his new mixtape this year as he promised to drop a track every month.

JR - Women Are Heroes - Trailer

Offered above is a look into the trailer for Women Are Heroes, a new film from multifaceted French creative JR – hands down one of the most prominent street artists of the past year. Following his usual social undertones, the film takes us into the harshest of conditions abroad to learn about the power of women. An official release is scheduled for January 12, 2011. Enjoy!

Letterpressing

Reverting to Type from Lima Charlie on Vimeo.

Undercity Film NYC

UNDERCITY from Andrew Wonder on Vimeo.

Urban dwellers Andrew Wonder and Steve Duncan engaged in some underground activities last year, deep under the city of New York. Offered above is their film, which captures the entire experience through sewers, freedom tunnels, and just about every other grimey aspect of the underground. Enjoy!