Haha-cute animals are a bunch of manipulative, conniving jerks-according to this guy

I just came across a blog called fuck you penguin...

I for one am vulnerable to the multitude of deviously cute little creatures, whose pictures and videos are plastered from here to the moon and all over the interweb.  But enough is enough! How many hours will I waste looking at their smug, adorable faces before I flee my computer forever? Probably, I will waste many more.  A few of which will now be focused on reading the snarky commentary of FYP.  Its tag line simply states "A blog where I tell cute animals what's what"...indeed!

One amusing example reads: 

"Platypus: The ultimate buzz-kill"

"What. The. Fuck. I don't even know what to say, Platypus. YOU MAKE NO SENSE. You're like some kind of anti-drug message, designed to make high people totally freak the fuck out. You are so weird, Platypus that they don't even have a universally agreed-upon word for the plural form of you.  That's because if you see two of these animals together, the fabric of space and time will literally tear apart. Remind me to never close my eyes again, Platypus, you duck-billed asshole." ahahhah

One Animal I Can't Believe Exists...

Really? A pink fairy armadillo?  That sounds pretty damn ridiculous if you ask me, but none-the-less it is as real as its Texas cousin, though much much more mystical.

We were at the Museum of Natural History in DC the other day, and upon seeing this guy, Alexandra and I decided that there was no way such an animal could exist.  

But they do, in Argentina.  Unfortunately they are endangered due to destruction of habitat. 

Not only does the pink fairy armadillo have pink armor, it also has furry white sides and can bury itself within a few seconds (You wish you were this cool).  They eat termites and ants, and apparently do not make good pets, because they cannot survive in captivity for more than a few years.  Sad.

Roll Models exhibition--National Museum of Women in the Arts

The photography I find the most compelling is sharp, intimate and vivid, documenting symbolic or emotionally direct instances of human existence that some people find discomforting, subversive and occasionally inappropriate.

Whether through social self-submersion within a subculture via role playing or the exploration of coming of age femininity portrayed through dream-like lucidity, two contemporary female photographers grabbed my attention in the current Role Models exhibition at the NMWA in DC.

The first, Nikki S. Lee is a Korean-American photographer based out of NYC that has been shooting projects focused around her chameleon image as a woman in contemporary American society as she morphs into stereotypical feminine characters within different socioeconomic and social groups around the US.  She has been working on these projects since the early 90's and actually spends time with each group, conforming to their aesthetics, before shooting any images.  A master of composition, she achieves an effective level of sincerity in each role through careful attention to dress and gesture that is touching and visually authentic. I found this especially true of photos from the Ohio Project and the Hispanic Project.

The other photographer who piqued my interest was Justine Kurland, who like Lee, works with staged photography.  Many of her images in the Role Models show were from her trip to New Zealand, lending a ethereal, romantic quality to her work, as she documents the semi-feral nature of adolescent school girls. 

Other notable photographers in the exhibition include Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman, Sally Mann, Catherine Opie, Angela Strassheim and

 Collier Schorr.  The exhibition will be on display through the end of January.

Are you ready for the future?

The National Gallery of Art in DC has an instillation in the concourse between the east and west wings of the museum that is a massive LED light sculpture made up of something crazy--some 41,000 computer controlled LED nodes spanning the full length of the 200 foot tunnel.

Ok, you are now passing through the future.  

Multiverse, created by American artist Leo Villareal, is programed to emit abstract light patterns.  The instillation will be on display until 2009.  

I recently had the unsuspecting pleasure of standing on the escalator, er,  walkalator, as it shuttled me through Multiverse from the main building to the modernist/contemporary side. The concourse instillation itself was one of the more stimulating experiences I had in DC. Combing movement and programed light patterns creates a interactive and subjective experience, with no repetition occurring during a single passage.  It was kinda psychedelic and definitely an effective addition to the interior architecture of the NGA.  

Check out this video.  Note--Ambient music was added in post production.

Retro Photo Set from Flickr

Sooo many good images in this Flicker archive.

So check it out...

Haven't posted in a while, but...

Now, I'm back. Still getting the hang of this thing, and there should be more authors (ahem, alexandra...). 

via Boing Boing

Jovontaes, Electric Damn and Tony Wain and the Payne--Sat. 13th at NFB

Attention Weekend Warrior:

So, if there was ever an incredibly miss-matched line up for a show in Asheville, this is probably it.  All good bands, but what else do they have in common? Not a damn lot.

Jovontaes (formerly Tight Leather) hail from Lexington, Kentucky. As Tight Leather, they've played here a bunch of times with The Chops and The NEC.  Somehow I ended up with like three of the t-shirts, although I'm pretty sure I didn't buy any of them.  To me, they sound like psychedelic garage rock, or something of that sort.  Here's a video of them performing.

Electric Damn most of you probably know.  Classic Asheville: fast, heavy and fucking insane!

They might not be around too much longer, because I think Josh F. is moving? So see them while you can.  Plus Bradly is a rad vocalist.

Lastly, Tony Wain and the Payne.  I mentioned them in my second post of this lovely little blog. If you ever woke up and found someone sleeping next to you, and you didn't have a damn clue who they were or where they came from...you probably met them blacked out at a Tony Wain show.  That sorta thing just happens around these guys..and gal.  But you already know all this.

Guerilla Swing Projects in Europe

I think there should be more of an effort to make guerilla projects for the purpose of fun.  We live in a busy society that is not only stressful, but also pointed away from spontaneity and playfulness. And I think that absolutely sucks!  

I read a statistic that 71% of adults played outside and on the street as children.  Now, only 21% of children do the same.  What the hell are they doing then? Locked inside playing video games? Getting fat and turning into social mutants? I dunno, but I do think there is something seriously wrong with a society that shoves play and fun out of the public sphere.  

A UK artist started a public art and social commentary project called "Playful Spaces" where he is doing gorilla instillations like this one of a swing in a bus stop.

Another artist, Kamila Szejnoch from Poland, transformed a communist monument in Warsaw into a giant swing.

Where would be a good place for something like this in Asheville? I know we could all use a little more fun to get through the winter slump. Ideas?

Broccoli Obsessed Kitteh

This little kitteh is a bit odd.

Barbie of the Undead

Zombie barbie! Step by step guide to turning boring old barbie into a zombie.

Curtosy of Paranaiv.

Beards? I'm not so sure.

I noticed the trend over the past few years of hipster guys growing gruff facial hair. For a minute there it was like every guy wanted to look like a hippy or Devendra Banhart, although I'm not sure there's a real distinction between the two.

Don't get me wrong, plenty of people have facial hair AND practice good hygiene. So it doesn't look like there is necessarily a direct correlation. Either you're the type of person who walks around with food crud on your facial hair, or you're not. Period.

Anyway, over the past few days, I've come across several guides to beards/facial hair online completely by accident. I thought, "huh?" Because it seemed like this trend had subsided. Maybe not. Maybe it's already back. Who knows. But here I am, sharing them with you. Can you believe there's a hierarchy?

All about beards is quite the Web site, featuring such highlights as "Beards on the street: the beards of today, maybe from your neighborhood," and "Add more beards to the world! Spread the word about beards!"

Uhh, that's really odd.

Click pictures for larger image.

Biological Ceramic Creations

Heather Knight, a local ceramic artist had a booth at The Big Crafty this past Sunday, and I was stuck by the freshness of her biologically influenced ceramic creations.  The bowls and sculpture call upon the forms  of sea urchins and coral as inspiration. The effect: modern, bright and animate.  In the same way that the mid century artists sought to redefine the art object, Heather's pieces possess the essence of a living creature, emancipated from their maker.

All while maintaining a rich texture and a simple, clean aesthetic.  

Her work is for sale on Etsy and at her studio. (link above)

3-D star ornaments

Brush up on your origami skills. 

The instructions are really thorough with pictures of each step.

Puppets Singing ELO's Jungle!!

Oh My God, yes!

I'm going on the record here and now, proclaiming my ever lasting love of ELO.

Vintage French Paper Craft

OK, this set of vintage french paper craft is exquisite!  

Check out Pillpat's other Flickr sets. Lots of beautiful vintage images of anatomy, animals, cars, workbooks, comics, 3d, etc.

Definitely one to keep

bookmarked. Enjoy.

Tuesday Night at Static Age

Tuesday at Static Age: Off With Their Heads, Dear Landlord, Terrible Twos and Party Grave.

If you're ready for pop punk craziness come out. 

I like Dear Landlord a lot. Waited in line to see them and Queer Wolf at the Fest and never got in, which was a pretty big bummer. Now they're coming here. 

Off With Their Heads seems pretty silly, never seen them before, but they're big. Here's a ridiculous music video they made for their song "Fuck This, I'm Out."

Terrible Twos--dunno, sorry. 

Party Grave--Asheville! Heck yea!

Probably will get started early.  Bring some money for the bands.

Old Time Radio Drama Archive

Wow. Now if I want Moby Dick or Through the Looking Glass acted out for me in the privacy of my living room, I can. Or at least, I can listen to old timey radio dramatizations of these classics via Columbia Workshop's online archive.  Among the mp3s of better known tales, you'll find more obscure titles like Wilbur, The Psychoneurotic Car or The Day They Gave Babies Away. 

Zombie Killing Chainsaw Maid

Here's a video of some particularly well done claymation.  I never get tired of zombies.

Sunday Night at NFB!-Strange Boys

The Strange Boys are from Austin, TX, and they're on In The Red Records.

It must have been close to a year ago now that they played at the Jolie Rouge with the Reigning Sound, and I have to say they played a great set.

These guys are young and have that wholesome, garage rock sound à la everything on In the Red. But hey, no one should begrudge them for sounding a bit trendy. At least they do it well.

Anyway, they're playing at the New French Bar with Shark Knife, and I'm not sure who they are. 

Here's a video of them playing live at some festival.

Photo Archive of the Ramones by Jenny Lens

They're mostly candid shots from the Ramones first tour on the West Coast (1976). They look so young.

Jeny Lens is an LA based photographer who took 1000s of photos documenting the early days of punk.

Here's a link to her Ramones ebook.

Via Boing Boing

Obligatory Cuteness

Scottish Fold Kitty playing the theramin...

Songs to Watch Girls By

Check back for playlists each week.

Attack of the Suicidal Demons Video--Peter Stubb

Don't forget to come see the documentary Saturday.

Saturday--cure you're hangover by shopping

for vinyl at Harvest Records...not that Matt and Mark need anyone to plug them. 

One thing we all know for certain is that records are hip.  

So, if you want to be hip, or at least, if you want to look hip, you better get your ass down there.

Stuff to do this weekend instead of hibernating.

Let's face it, the weather around here isn't exactly ideal.  Promises of snow that end in disappointment, and that biting wind.  I can't (won't) ride my bike in these conditions.  All in all, not the type of atmosphere conducive to outdoor fun.

Lucky us, instead of staying at home and watching tv on dvd,

 there are a few indoor activities going on tonight.

 

1.) Tony Wain and the Payne (your favorite drunk country) playing in Black Mountain at the Town Pump.  I hear Aaron Gunn (ask him about eskimos) will be accompanying on fiddle.  This is a bar where you can feel comfortable slipping a bit further into your drawl after your fourth or fifth pbr.  

2.) Go to the opening at the Asheville Area Arts Council on Broadway.  It's an

interactive instillation presented by MAP (media arts project).  

Should be interesting, possibly full of Asheville's liberal elite.  But go anyway, and say hi to Megan.  After all, you can go across the street to the New French Bar when you're done and drink gin and tonics until you black out.

Have fun!

Peter Stubb Movie!!! And reading by Erick Lyle

So this Saturday (the 6th) at Apple Alley in West Asheville, there is some amazing shit going down.

First off...I'm Like This Everyday, the Peter Stubb documentary produced by Mitchell Powers (of Ye Olde Buttfuck) and Josh Mayfield...so yeah, do not miss this!

For those not familiar with Peter Stubb, he's pretty much a legend, so joke's on you.

Hah, no really, I have never heard such soulful music accompanied by the level of insanity present in this guy's lyrical prowess.  I guess that's what Dalton, GA does to a man.

Also, Family Night Records just released the first Lp of 3 Peter Stubb greatest hits albums, which you can buy on their Myspace--way to go, Jesse!  Just click the link.

Also check out Peter's Myspace.

And a reading by Erick Lyle--a writer, zine editor, activist and musician, who wrote a book entitled On the Lower Frequencies and wrote/edited Scam zine, since the early 90's.  He's also in the band Onion Flavored Rings.  I guess he has quite the resume, so if you want to read more about him, then ummm, that's up to you. Just look it up (link above).

Also, Josh Mayfield and B Menace will be reading.

Ok, see you there...

The Big Crafty

Hey everyone,

Welcome to this new venture I'm undertaking in an effort to express and share things I love to you.  This is the premier blog entry, and don't worry, there will be vast design/content improvements in the near future.  My hope is to get info out there about events not to be missed in Asheville, while posting about random pieces of wonderment, found around town, on the internet and anywhere else.

Ok, here goes with the inaugural post.

THIS WEEKEND in our little mountain town....THE BIG CRAFTY!

If you need gifts for your fam, or just like supporting your friends art (and you know you do)...

Come down to Pack Square on Sunday Dec. 7th from 12-6 pm.  In addition to 100 local/regional crafters, there will be music and food=awesome. And, wait for it........free beer from local breweries!

You get double points for looking cool and having the best gifts.

Stay tuned for more posts, and i promise to figure out how to properly embed links soon.