Looking at Music : David Bowie at the MOMA

As a part of the Looking at Music Exhibition, at the MoMA through January 5th, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) will be introducing a special evening retrospective of David Bowie's early music videos. The iconic Space Oddity video, directed by filmmaker/photographer Mick Rock, is a featured part of the exhibition.



About Looking at Music:
Music was at the forefront of interdisciplinary experimentation in the 1960s, when the mixing of mediums took off. Portable video cameras, electric guitars, and an aura of technical innovation all fostered radical experimentation; it seemed as though every artist was in a band, and some artists studied music formally before gravitating to one of the new art forms. Word repetition, strings of ordinary sounds, and evocative melodies materialized on the palates of artists.

Looking at Music explores the dynamic cross-fertilizations among music, video, installation, and what was known as “mixed media” art in the decade after 1965. Rapid changes in technology can be traced in early music videos by The Beatles, David Bowie, Captain Beefheart, The Residents, and Devo, all drawn from the Museum’s collection. They are characterized by the same raw innocence that can be found in the small-press publications and artists’ books that emerged as an important forum for writers, artists, and radical thinkers investigating the novel art forms of the day.

My Levis Hold Helium

I love it when I hear people outside of the advertising industry talking about commercials. One such conversation came up at brunch on Sunday when the question was raised- could you in fact fill your jeans with helium and float? I love it - viral success proven by an unknowing suspect plagued with the ultimate question - is it real?

In honor of my french toast convo, from the Levi's Unbuttoned campaign.

Mullen is at it Again for The New England Aquarium

Remember this summer when the cabs in Boston had fins and there was even that video of a shark following a Duck Tour down the Charles?

Well this time Mullen is "seeing" turtles everywhere for the New England Aquarium's Sea Turtle Exhibit.

Xbox Lips Take Me On

I needed a pick-me-up today, and 80's music is always something that can make me smile. Throw in some animation and karaoke ( though I'm usually too shy or too sober to participate) and it's like puppy dogs and moonbeams.

Directed by the uber talented Tom Kuntz. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Sweet Melissa

I stumbled upon this campaign for shoe brand Melissa Plastic Dreams on Ads of the World. The dream sequences and print ads showcase the new line and feature a cross section of designers including Melissa Joy + Alexandre Herchcovitch, Fernando and Humberto Campana, and famed architect Zaha Hadid.

Watch Dreams 1Watch Dreams 2
Watch Dreams 3
Watch Dreams 4

Timothy White Snaps Hollywood Pinups

How cute are these classic pinup remakes from Timothy White's new book Hollywood Pinups. The Hollywood stars are styled to look like retro Vargas or Petty girls.

aniBoom Introduces Vast Food Nation

Imagine a world where food brand mascots are celebrities - great idea isn't it? From the pigtailed daughter of a burger empire, to a one gloved "helper' who happens to be a chain smoker.

In the first episode of the series the Green Giant has died and it looks like foul play. For more visit aniBoom.

The Visual Art of Bright Eyes

In a hunt for inspiration the music videos of Bright Eyes are a treasure trove. From the eye candy of stop motion work from Cat Solen, to the beautifully directed emotional relationships captured by John Cameron Mitchell for First Day of My Life. Enjoy.

"At the Bottom of Everything" Directed by Cat Solen

"Bowl of Oranges" Directed by Cat Solen

"Easy Lucky Free" Directed by Lauri Faggioni and Lily Thorne

"First Day of My Life" Directed by John Cameron Mitchell

"Lover I Don't Have to Love" By James Frost

New Hand Made Photos From Impactist

Impactist was one of the first inspirations I wrote about on this blog. It was a happy accident that I stumbled upon their website full of film, photography, animation and music, all with the hand crafted signature of duo Kelly Meador and Daniel Elwing.

Impactist has recently updated their portfolio with a new album, animated promos and my personal favorite these new photos from a collection called paper. I love this so much, to hand cut and assemble these patterns with paper and then photograph them so we are asked to take a closer look. I think it's really special and of course - inspiring.

Toshiba Plays with Motion and Time

This new commercial from Toshiba "Timesculpture" is a feat in choreography, directing, camera work and special affects - the result is very very cool.



For those dying to know exactly how the "timesculpture" was achieved, Toshiba, Grey London, Director Mitch Stratten from Hungry Man, and the artists from Whitehouse and The Mill talk us through the experiment.



The spot obviously uses the 360 camera techniques that first wowed us in The Matrix, but there is also something about it that reminds me of that opening from the Drew Carey Show where each cast member enters the office one by one by repeating the same actions until its a full on choreographed scene. I'll post as soon as I can find it.

Mastercard Shop Full of Laughs, Hugs, and Smiles

I know, they play this spot all of the time, but it's so sweet, isn't it? I love the knitted hug box, and the magical visual representations that were giving to each of these intangible items. Wouldn't you love to walk into a shop that was art directed like that?


Wish you had a hug of your own? Here is a crafter that makes them, how cute are they?!

A Peek Inside the Worlds of Gaelle Denis

Director Gaelle Denis recently created this new spot for Dupont, "Open Science" with the help of VFX firm MassMarket in a miniature world that is a hybrid of CG and actual models. The experimental filmmaking style results in a unique commentary on reality. What is it about miniatures that forces you to look so closely?



Denis is an expert at creating alternative universes using animation and miniatures, the result is always an extreme version of the world. Her short films, "City Paradise" and "Fish Never Sleep" are whimsical and oozing with creativity, and give us a great sense of the signature this director is sure to carry with her as her career undoubtably progresses. Danis is currently represented via Stink.


City Paradise


Fish Never Sleep

Honda Civic's Musical Highway

More of a testament to science and engineering than to the car, this commercial showcases a pretty cool achievement. A highway's rumble strip that plays the William Tell Overture when driving over it, a metaphor for the connection drivers feel to the road when driving a Honda Civic. See more from behind the scenes on the Honda website.

Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective at MASS MoCA

MASS MoCA has been feverishly preparing for this new retrospective of wall art for months. Each installation an ambitious undertaking, that is changing the face of the museum, to be officially completed and opened on November 16th.

Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective will consist of one hundred works that LeWitt created from 1968 to 2007. The works will remain as a part of the museum for 25 years.

The exhibition website, which is still a beta work in progress, is full of drawings, insight into each of the art pieces, and my personal favorite - time lapse footage of the instillation of a number of the pieces. You must check it out but be warned, you could find that you spent more time poking around than planned!

About the artist from the MASS MoCA site:

LeWitt—who stressed the idea behind his work over its execution—is widely regarded as one of the leading exponents of Minimalism and Conceptual art, known primarily for his deceptively simple geometric structures and dynamic wall drawings. His experiments with the latter commenced in 1968 and were considered radical, in part because this new form of drawing was purposely temporal and often executed not just by LeWitt but also by other artists and students whom he invited to assist him in the installation of his artworks.

Shepard Fairey Unvails New Obama Print

Famed propaganda and graphic artist Shepard Fairey has created a new print for MoveOn.org and Barack Obama. The print is a follow up to the original HOPE and PROGRESS designs, this time with the message of "Yes We Did."

The artwork is available through the organization as a sticker for MoveOn.org supporters, with a limited edition print available for purchase beginning tomorrow, 11/7.

Fairey is most widely know for his unmistakable Obey Giant posters which today appear in most urban areas, in fact 2 new posters showed up above Storrow Drive only a few days ago.

Salvation Army Bell Ringer Commercial

I saw this spot for the Salvation Army, which happens to not be new, during election night coverage. I think it is pretty beautiful and foreshadows the fast approaching holiday, and bell ringing season.



The spot was done via The Richards Group/Dallas.

CNN Interviews Will I Am Via Hologram

Another amazing feat from last night - the hologram interview. Will I AM explains his inspiration for the "Yes We Can" song and video in Chicago and the CNN studio simultaneously.



And for some celebratory inspiration, the video. As much as it meant months ago, now I can't help but get teary eyed with pride. Amazing what a day did to change my perspective on the country I am a part of, and for the first time in a long time, proud to be a part of.

Barack Obama 44th President of The United States

Mad Men Intro Gets Simpsonized

Two of my favorites combined for the Tree House of Horror XIX when The Simpsons presented their take on the Emmy Award winning Mad Men intro.

Beck "Gamma Ray"

I try not to do this, but one of my clients, Eight VFX, just completed work for the newest Beck video, Gamma Ray, with artist/director Jess Holzworth. Sooo good, sooo colorful.

MTV Music - Nothing but Videos

Those of my generation may recall the days of watching MTV when hour after hour was chock full of videos and live performances until Beavis and Butthead or The State came on to break up the evening, the good ol' days. Now MTV has launched a new website that is very much the same, all music, all artists, and dedicated to the essential MTV generation.