Viva la Revolución: Members Opening Photo recap. MCASD Downtown
July 19, 2010
San Diego artist, Acamonchi and Jyumoku workman, Ted Galvez.
The heavily guarded room exhibiting our favorite existencilist, Banksy.
Above is Otávio Pandolfo, one half of Os Gemeos. They were definitely one of my favorite participants at the show. Be sure to catch a glimpse of their large scale piece on Horton Plaza’s G-Street facade. Some of you sneaker collectors may recognize the Zoom FCs that they designed for Nike a couple of years back. I forget the name of the gentleman below. Nice guy and a pretty good DJ. After I took this photo, he reached down his pocket and handed me a sticker with Andre the Giant on it. Thanks dude.
Telekom by Jordan Josafat at Gravity Shapes
July 19, 2010
Last Saturday I swung by the Gravity Shapes art show to check out Jordan Josafat’s (above) “Telekom” series. The collection focuses on a post-apocalyptic world dependent on satellite energy sources. And with all the Mel Gibsons and “spilling” going on in this world, living on a floating island with a remote energy source doesn’t sound too bad, no?
Recommusings: 038
July 16, 2010
Os Gemeos for Viva La Revolucion ~ Arrested Motion
Apple opens their Paris Opéra Store ~ Apple
Upstart Music Site Becomes Establishment (via catdirt) ~ NY Times
Vintage Car Culture + Chet Baker = Heaven ~ A Continuous Lean
Viva la Revolución Updates in San Diego. Os Gemeos and Shepard Fairey
July 16, 2010
Here are some photos that I took earlier today. The first couple of photos highlight a painting by Os Gemeos and the second series of photos highlight a mural by Shepard Fairey. These were both put up within the last couple of days and coincide with the MCASD’s Viva la Revolución: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape. Read here for more info.
A Weekend at Wieden+Kennedy. Portland, OR
July 16, 2010
WK12 is an experimental school housed within Wieden+Kennedy’s Portland headquarters. Only open to 13 students a year, the school — disguised as an ad agency, has been able to gather some of the country’s most talented individuals seeking to express their craft under one of the world’s most successful ad agencies. Known for composing some of Nike’s most innovative campaigns, W+K brought life to the Just Do It, I am not a role model, and Bo Knows spots. Their current claim to fame can be found within their work with Old Spice — which stars a cool, nonchalant and sometimes an equestrian-chic, Isaiah Mustafa.
Now why was I in Portland last weekend? Turns out, I was (humbly) selected as one of the final 26 applicants chosen to spend the weekend in Portland with current WK12 students and W+K staff. Hopefuls from all over the country were flown to The City of Roses to meet, greet and get familiar with brains behind W+K. The weekend also provided as the final stage of the selection process; where 13 members will be chosen to succeed the current WK12.6 class. It was an honor to spend the weekend with so many great minds. Who’ll make the final 13 and be named WK12.7? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
This is Dan Wieden, co-founder of W+K along with his long time friend and collaborator, David Kennedy. He’s the man responsible for coining Nike’s culture moving “Just Do It” slogan. He’s pretty much shaped the way we digest the modern world of advertising. Just being in his presence was inspiring. In an open discussion, Wieden fielded questions about the humble beginnings of W+K and shared his thoughts about the current state of advertising and some of the social conflicts between the advertising industry and its audience.
Wieden also revealed the story behind the Just Do It slogan and its grim connection to the execution of convicted murderer, Gary Gilmore. The story reveals that before Gilmore was sent off to be executed, he was asked if he had any last words. Gilmore simply replied, “Let’s do it”. Wieden felt that that the gusty reply related well with the physical hurdles that athletes face on a daily basis. Wieden then replaced the word “Let’s” with “Just”, and the rest is history.
I have a fondness for well-built spaces. The Wieden+Kennedy headquarters was constructed by Portland’s Allied Works Architecture firm under the direction of Brad Cloepfil. Its concrete laid construction reminded me a lot of the Salk Institute in San Diego by Louis Kahn.
On my desk: Things I brought home from Portland
July 13, 2010
I seem to accumulate a lot of things on my trips. I spent the last couple of nights at the Ace Hotel in Portland and managed to gather pretty much every hotel-branded stationery piece that they had. More items to supplement my design hoarding addiction! Portland is a beautiful city. It reminded me a lot of Seattle, sans the section of franchise eateries. I was in town over the weekend spending some time with the kind folks at Wieden+Kennedy. More on that later.
Currently listening to: “My Baby” by Christmas Island
July 11, 2010
Portland is beautiful.
Marlon Brando enjoys being mysterious. Ace Hotel. PDX
July 10, 2010
Portland, Oregon. “The City of Roses”
July 10, 2010
Looks like I’ll be here for a couple days. Definitely excited. Photo by Tommy of thisisnaive.
Currently listening to: DâM-Funk
July 9, 2010
I took this photo last night (via iPhone!) at the Irons Brand release party. Dâm-Funk was the night’s tune-smith and towards the end of the evening, Dâm found the DJ booth a little too restraining for him and his keytar. Taking matters into his own hands Dâm played a few jams in the middle of the dance floor. Funkadelic bliss! Congrats to the Irons family. Welcome back.