Port has run their annual ‘curatorial round-up’ today. It’s a broad mix of voices, from the museum to independents (like myself), to the college/university level, as well as gallerists and newbies to the craft. Of course, their have been formal masters levels programs for the field since the 80s or so. Much of the focus of these studies are often on art history and administration. Some of our local crop defy those boundaries, often with a great sense of style. Sometimes the message falls flat, or simply misses the mark. But a curator has to stand tall in any wreckage, and stick true to their own truth. It’s a rough trade in my mind. One who hones in on specifics, or simply dreams up an imaginary, elusive conjugation of a world they see and want to share with the masses. These folks help shape, and/or change the creative template. This brief summarization scratches at what makes them tick. Curators are often celebrated for bringing together unbridled, overarching themes beyond the formal, into the conceptual, often unseen by the naked eye. Some play with formula. Some are just players, and others visionaries. You decide.

Hemmeda Hemmeda!

Speaking of the nines, this lil’ number was designed by none other than Antony (Hegarty), the haunting voice behind Antony & the Johnsons (winners of the ‘05 Mercury Music Prize). For fashionistas everywhere, this single model, one-of-a-kind and handmade white silk jersey dress which is part of a socially driven new venture with Yoox.com.On Valentine’s Day this piece will be auctioned on eBay (through AuctionCause) with the proceeds going to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project. The organization is the US rights organization for people to self-determine gender identity, regardless of income, race, etc. The dress itself evokes a kimono, complete with unfinished hemming. It is a marvelous cross between something one might conjure from one of Antony’s songs, then perhaps brought to life by characters like Sally from the dark animated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas.  A collaboration between varied creative spheres for sure, this online event will raise money, and much needed awareness.Love is in the air…..and the bugs have begun their descent before spring! Artist and crafty bloggerette Hilary Pfeifer has concocted a fantastic way of turning a former installation into a gift idea for your loved one(s). A few years back Pfeifer produced 1500 objects for a touring museum show called Swarm, which she is making available individually for the first time for the season. You can also own part of this grande work (individually measuring 3-8″ lengthwise and made from found wood) for your own special private nook, altar, or display case.  For more information visit Bunny with An Art Blog. ”Cute as a bug in a rug”.

Celebrating the spirit of the Northwest along the Pacific Rim was what these past days were all about.  Twas quite the winter wonderland up yonder. The abundance of pure, newly fallen snow didn’t at all deter Paul’s long birthday weekend away as we drove through Oregon to the edge of Washington, into Canada (the border took a sheer five minutes in our cross).  Oh, don’t blame us for bringing the current inclement skies back to PDX, what we experience here is so mild in comparison. There were parts of the road (maybe north of the Port of Alberni) where you could easily inspect a foot plus atop jutting cliffs. The drive was ultimately one of the more picturesque I’ve experienced in the larger region, topping out my forays to Silverton, OR or either Spokane or Wenatchee, WA. Maybe it was the snow-capped mountains, the rushing streams and creeks, or literally getting away from it all with a complete lack of television, internet and cellular (it’s just inordinately expensive to ‘roam’). We did, however, play a robotic golf game set among lava pits to jungle rhythms on the laptop.  There were many natural sights to see, my neck became somehow agile, birdlike. Paul had the wheel and once we had reached Delta, BC and the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (probably 25 miles or so from Vancouver) we boarded the Prius on the car deck and climbed the stairs of the ferry and enjoyed the comforts of the two hour ride across the Strait of Georgia. The on-board food was actually pretty good and the seas were pretty smooth, both to and fro. After landing on Victoria Island, in Nanaimo, it was approximately 3 1/2 hours to our final destination, Ucluelet.  Having lived on the reverse side of Canada in the late 80s, in the Maritimes, and  having travelled Iceland and craggy parts of New England in wintertime (Blizzard of ‘78, anyone?!), this all brought about so many memories of how much larger the outdoors is than the self. In a place like this I’m struck with so much awe that it quiets and centers me.  
Of course, along the way, aside from being stunned by the frosty mountaintops and changing scape, it was important to keep aware of the winding road, which was steep, sharp, rocky and slim two-ways in some parts. I like being part navigator, watching for black ice, especially in foggy areas, of which there were plenty. There was one town that emerged after driving through a mountainpass that made me instantly exclaim “we’ve arrived in Narnia”. Yes, it was sparkling in icy, snow covered forests, plains and quaint small homes and farms.  I said something about the majestic mountains and their purply hue and Paul noted, “you must be seeing things because we’re not in America”. I retorted “This is part of THE Americas”. There’s some pride in my sense of solidarity in my heritage with our northern cousins (I actually have cousins living throughout the country). It was in good fun that many comments like this were shared as we finally arrived at our resting spot around dark. We stayed on a private island, at the somehow contemporary and rustic Tauca Lea Resort & Spa, which was utterly comfort personified, nestled at the water basin inlet.  See their video. Our “cabin” (more like a condo!) came complete with a full kitchen, lovely warm fireplace (actually run off the thermostat), two bedrooms, a big old deep tub where we indulged in lounging soaks, and a deck that overlooked a gorgeous lake. They have an award winning spa and five-star restaurant, the Boat Basin, where we enjoyed a birthday dinner. We also ate at Matterson’s and Blueberries along Main Street, both hearty and recommended. In the morning I heard a sea lion, you know that really funny sound they make. It startled me. I had no idea we would be this close to the ‘real wild’.  Plenty of birdwatching, mostly blackbirds, ducks and gulls, and on our return trip we finally spied three beautiful bald eagles flying and high in the trees along the roughest neck of the woods.  A perfectly untampered ecology and delicate rainforest. Because of this particular season, we saw no bears or whales, and I was surprised not to at least spy a deer, but did see tracks. And they were pretty small rounded hooves, no sasquatch discoveries, sorry (Disclaimer: Paul is a Bigfoot fanatic)! The great outdoors! This area is also frequented by salmon and halibut fishermen, and the marina was full of boats, and the Coast Guard. We drove out to the Amphitrite Lighthouse, in the rain, I ventured solo along the craggy coastline, but it was great to see, yet, another vantage point from the land out into the deep Pacific. There was no one out there, it was quiet, and I know that wolves even roam the shore, there were postings not to feed them. But I was somewhat safe, perhaps because of the rain, and time of day. That said, it’s pretty wild out there, and I guess I don’t blame Paul for staying in the car waiting my return. This was more than enough outdoorsyness to catch me up for the next three plus weeks in Sisters, OR - where I hear they have just been having regular snowfall. I find it particularly idyllic, especially when it keeps you indoors in a state of thought and focus. I’m looking forward to February. A memorable trip, also caught in the form of a slideshow.  

If you would like to join me and other cinema-o-philes at the preview, I have eight tickets to offer to the first responders to comment on this blog entry. Master Shots will be presented at the Hollywood Theater this Thursday, January 31 at 8PM.  Let me know if you’d like one or two. 

ALTITUDE vs. ATTITUDE:
OK. I certainly don’t need to be asked twice, especially when faced with such natural grace. However, given two side-by-side opportunities to explore greater Cascadia within weeks of each other, sign me up! Consider me with snowshoe, canoe paddle or more often, camera in hand. I’m leaving the city behind for a while, in two parts. Paul, myself, passports and a set of tire chains will hit the pavement, the back roads, the open sea and finally the rocky hinterlands of upper Victoria Island as of the crack of dawn. Our final destination is a minimum of about twelve hours, Ucluelet British Columbia. My upbringing by a longshoreman and my Newfoundlandish ancestry will hopefully serve me well out there in the rainforest, among the salmon and in the cast of the great Amphitrite Lighthouse for four whole days.

And in February I will be one of only five artists serving a residency held by Caldera in Sisters, Oregon. I had heard about Bruce Conkle and Marne Lucas’ experiences, prepping for what would become their Blinglab project, showcased at PICA’s TBA Festival. So I applied, and couldn’t think of a better respite for me in the moment. Also part of this residency group will be my esteemed colleague, Vanessa Renwick. This time will be truly reserved as Mother Nature has me staring endlessly into her open sky and wide forest. I’ve done my basic research on sasquatch and as a bit of a bug-phobe, thrilled to be doing a woodsy residency in February. It’s time to workshop some of what I juggle, and to gather my last thoughts before the full-tilt-boogie production schedule for my Couture exhibition, opening May 8th (also my sister’s 40th birthday). The timing couldn’t be more apropos, and I am honored to participate, breathe deeply and get away from it all.

Our special guest this week is artist Cary Doucette, he manages the 12×16 Gallery and his own image-filled blog, Left Coast Ramblings. We discuss his current exhibition (open only through 1/27) and a bit about the growth and changes at his member-based gallery space, now in Portland’s outlying Sellwood neighborhood. His new work deals with our industrial surroundings, detritus and the re-collage of visual elements into various grids of imagery that he calls Visual Contextomy. After travels to New York and through a barrage of images of war of which we are often exposed, he lays out his visual plan and talks about the work intimately, both in its physical and conceptual details.  You can see Doucette’s work at 12×16 (8235 SE 13th Ave in Sellwood through Sunday).

 

 Standard Podcast [21:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences just announced the nominees for Academy Awards this year. Did you know they have a Museum? Writer strikes aside, the show will go on, February 24th! Including Oscar Night® America at the Hollywood Theater - Portland’s only sanctioned event - and a whole lot of fun!

Admittedly, this year I only saw a fraction of the nominated films. I still wish to get to see The Savages, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood before the February broadcast, though based on knowledge, clips, rumors and conjecture I am going to try and forge my opinion of what may take home the statuettes this year. Of course, with the debates all over the news, it hints at the split between the popularization of what may be as opposed to what deserves to rise to the top. Of course Cate Blanchett deserves to win both categories, but I am being conservative. And how many times is the so subtle Laura Linney going to be nominated before going home with gold? Philip Seymour Hoffman is the best actor of this generation, but the under-recognized brilliance of Tom Wilkinson was simply amazing in this particular film. Is this a comeback from Daniel Day-Lewis? And how cool is it to see the darling of the early 80’s Soho scene, Julian Schnabel, go from tossing plates to canvas, now an Oscar nominated director! He makes films derived from powerful scripts, here with almost impossible premise from the perspective of someone who speaks solely with eye movement? There are so many reasons built into questioning a process of greatness and half of that might sound like:

Ask Yourself?

- Have they previously been inducted?
- Where are they in their career?
- Will this be for entire career as opposed for this project?
- How consistent have they been in past projects and how does this stand out, or remain within the same consistent quality?
- Was this the right projects in their hands?
- Character acting is popular…did they play the same part before in a different film?
- Was it a surprise sleeper hit?
- Box office returns.

This morning I did a piece on the Oscars, and one of the better Hollywood actors, at his prime, Australian-born Heath Ledger, was found dead at age 28 in New York. The Herald Sun says “Ledger’s shocking demise is not only a terrible loss for his daughter Matilda, his Perth-based family and his many fans, it also throws into disarray two movies.” Aside from the point of the practical, it probably puts an important spotlight on the effects of being watched constantly through the public eye. The reports say it may have been drug-related (possibly an overdose, possibly a suicide). A lost soul with so much promise, taken potentially sooner than basic popularity would have it, yes? He took my breath away in Brokeback Mountain, a role that hopefully helped in some small way shape-shift people’s general perception of homosexuality. SEE STORY

• • •

[ Re-Print of my 2005 OregonLive.com review of Brokeback Mountain ]

RUGGED ROMANCE / SILVER SCREEN

Gentlemen do not always prefer blondes but is Aussie actor Heath Ledger the most gorgeous man on film? OK, so this is about the new Ang Lee vehicle, Brokeback Mountain set in the rural wilderness of Wyoming. From a short story penned by Annie Proulx (The Shipping News) it’s basically something of an unspoken love story between two straight, married cowboys. Or so they thought.

Taiwanese director Lee (The Wedding Banquet, The Ice Storm) is quite an interesting filmmaker who truly builds raw character stories, isolated and real, funny and paralyzing. In Brokeback Mountain (Focus Features) he captured the great outdoors and the silences between nature and its inhabitants - and between the characters themselves. The film captures the craggedly testosterone-fueled relationship between two men who meet in the Summer of ‘62 while working as sheep herders. The two, wide-eyed amateur rodeo guy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (Ledger), a down-on-his-luck strong, silent type, fall deeply in love, albeit at a safe distance. And though it’s not “love” at first sight, it builds like a campfire. Over time as careers and relationships and responsibilities emerge, they slowly grow apart, living in Texas and Wyoming, and both in and out of marriage with children. They keep in contact via postcard, which adds to the ultimate, deep romantic edge to the film. They meet up a few times annually for so-called “fishing trips”. The look is dusty, filled with open air and the essence of the wild west. The film depicts flailing, stale, failed, and otherwise quirky dry relationships in a matter-of-fact way (except for the energy between the two leads). And what they have is certainly a secret unto only them (well, almost).

A simple shirt is a metaphor for unrequited love. The women in the film (Roberta Maxwell, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams) all play a specific and pivotal role in making magic happen on screen, for adding an allure of silent understanding, domestic tension and even implied deceit. The film portrays the beauty of innocent passion without the use of blatant sex scenes (not to say that wouldn’t have been welcome) nor any implication of stereotype. They murmer about the possibilities of a life together, mull it, fear it, and nearly forget it. The life the two lead characters share is in the open wilderness of God’s country, portrayed in a staccato, vacation-style fleeting temporaryness. Momentary slices in time.

Despite being set in the 1960’s, the film points out the honest side of keeping secrets without being intentionally homophobic, and to some degree depicts a time when acting on your passion may not have felt like a political action, but more of a social taboo. Ledger stands out dramatically (award-winning performance) and is unbelievably real in his character. Though of few words, his physical performance is genuinely emotive and rooted in a gritty, self-loathing, very human, powerful man somewhat on the edge!

Judging by the near sold out crowds lining up to see this flick, on four screens no less, I recommend you may want to try and catch it before its general release. A rare cinematic glimpse into the life of two men who realize that life on and around the plain is anything but.

• • •

Rest In Eternal Peace

The early Fifties were hard for me and my family, struggling to raise four grown children and with my husband disabled in the war effort, I had to take a regular office job. Of course, before we were married, I enjoyed working in my dad’s manufacturing plant. This was 1938 Chicago and we were the most popular couple among our friends. We would go out dancing to live music at the Top Hat nearly every Friday or Saturday night. Prohibition had faded over the years, and we would enjoy a few martinis and dance until dark. Then, that fateful call just before Christmas came and Gerry was off in a flash. The Second World War seemed to never end, and he had already served a tour in Europe. This time the Battle of the Bulge was letting loose on the Western Front and under total covert circumstances. Thank heavens he came back in one piece, unlike his friend Harv who was partially blinded and George who wasn’t as lucky and never made it back. George only lived a few short miles from us, and left his very young wife Lucy behind, and she hadn’t even given birth to their lovely baby Susan when she received the news. All the men were hurt within the first few days of the effort, and many Americans died here. It was wartime, and Gerry was shot in the leg twice, though Army medics did manage to dislodge the bullet, he now uses a wheelchair, but has grown quite independent.

My youngest daughter, Caroline, is still at home, but even she will be off to college in the Fall. At 37 years old, most of my days of modeling for the calendar company are now past me. So, I feel lucky to have a job that can support my family with the food and clothing they need. This cigar manufacturer is one of the biggest around and I work in the front office for Mr. Hemingway, who is a good businessman and pays me well. My job consists mostly or arranging appointments for him to meet with travelling salesman and other business executives. He appreciates that I want to organize the offices by including the latest technology, like this telecom that I installed myself on his desk. That way we can talk to each other without my disturbing a meeting already in progress. There’s also now lots of light in his office after I removed the dark burgundy drapes and added sheers that really opened things up. The job keeps me busy for about 30 hours a week and I was recently promoted to executive assistant, so I even supervise the new office girl myself. Gerry and I still manage to get to a few dinner parties with old friends every now and then, and though he’s in better shape than ever, he still has disturbing nightmares that wake me in the middle of the evening. We plan on growing old together and our combined benefits should be enough to take us through any future hard times. You have to save for a rainy day after all….Oh, yes, I almost forgot, now with the sun shining into our offices, the boss orders fresh cut flowers to be sent directly to my desk twice weekly. I don’t even have to place the order!

[ * My entry for a project by Troy Briggs. ]

PINK ELEPHANT: Yesterday marked the 3rd time I’ve thrown a party under this silly moniker. Not at all your traditional white elephant (and I hope I made that clear). It’s a way of bringing artists, peers, friends and other newbies together. The last few years have had a dozen to twenty people involved. There are only a very few people (maybe 2 or 3) who have made all three occasions. It is an opportunity to get together post-holiday and exchange work among ourselves. As artists often asked to donate work, and time and effort, this is a way to self-assess and trade with those in our region. This year an unprecedented 50+ of the region’s absolute top talents came forth to participate, and NAAU was nice enough to donate the space for us to create what I will term an instant ‘flash mob’ exhibition, if you will (Matthew Stadler, I hope you’re reading this!). We should have invited some of the critics - but the space was wonderfully already near capacity. And perhaps this was, for one night, a sacred and inpenetrable art-for-art-sake type space. (?)

There were so many wonderful faces in the crowd. I am touched and honored to have been able to have been among y’all. By doing this I have collected wonderful pieces by Ellen George, Jesse Hayward and this year, Victor Maldonado. My work has gone to Troy Briggs, Matt Cosby and Eugenia Pardue (who got my clear-cut excerpt #3/3). We had a veggie potluck with music and wine, and the walls were full with great pieces by a wealth of fantastic folks. The gallery was packed with painters, curators and performing artists, videographers, sculptors, installation and graphic artists - of all ages and backgrounds. The most exciting part of doing this to me are the introductions that are made between artists. In fact, there were two folks who participated tonight that I met for the very first time. Who knows…if we continue the tradition next year perhaps as a group we could find a caterer, volunteers to help make it happen, maybe even an affiliated exhibition, and a guest MC? So, thanks to all for participating.

THE B-SIDE: News about the closure of the Portland Art Center, as you may have already heard is hard on the ear. Yes, the recent fundraiser brought so much hope, and sense that community spirit was alive and well. Alas, those glass doors at 5th and Couch are closed for good. However, they will remain a live entity without a roof for now. The promised re-opening in February, as well as the full roster of exhibitions for the entire calendar year has been cancelled. And though I was one of those exhibitions, for ‘Infinitus‘ (a small-scale sound installation, my final ‘Tribryd‘ project), I will have to locate a new home, perhaps in 2009. With all else on my ‘to-do’ list its probably a good time to table that in lieu of exploring a project I’ve been planning, so in August and September I will head to Sweden for a respite (a lil’ vacation and a mini residency). Here I will create an in-situ collaboration (multimedia w/a ltd ed multiple) with artist Leif Elggren. All change is wrapped in different layers, once peeled back revealing some other possibility (oh, that may have sounded a bit too new age, didn’t it?).

Without getting sidetracked, or making too lite of the situation, the community will have to watch how the young start-up, grass-roots arts center evolves its programming and rebuilds its board in time. The current format may not be ready for prime time, and needs to grow from deeper roots (and find as deep pockets), bit by bit, and then - in time - who knows? Portland, however, shouldn’t be viewed simply as the “Lil’ Place That Could”. But right now, one thing is for sure, there is a big gap to fill. Will the Oregon Biennial just fade away? Will the rumored CAM/P, slowly having hinted at, reveal itself? One thing is clear…there are a lot of very interesting ‘art provocateurs’ around town trying to launch something special for the rest of us. These ideas became the sweat labor of love that was PAC. And while its was DIY-imperfect (echoing something in the fiber of the larger collective spirit here), it did rise up to become a physical contender for a while. And there were some memorable moments under that meandering space. There was promise and hope - but not the $$$ and noble business-of-the-business minds to back up the much needed dream board of directors. With the major corporations in our backyard, and development bursting at the edges, it seems like it could happen, yes? With traditionally ‘mobile’ programming by smaller groups still seeking non-profit status like Gallery Homeland and Organism, how relevant is having an actual roof in the era of multimedia and experiential aesthetics? Perhaps Portland is more futuristic than we imagine? Maybe we are truly a 21st Century Town after all?

Of course, this falls after the loss of dedicated visual arts spaces like the W+K location for PICA, and also the sprawling warehousian Disjecta. Perhaps this will lead to another interesting entity arising? Or a collaborative effort of a few of the above! One thing is clear, real estate, especially that within central city neighborhoods is becoming more of a premium than ever before. Perhaps some of the leadership from these struggling organizations might ban together for once, bring about a larger community effort, pull together diverse supporters, build a broad board of business people and patrons. Infighting, back-biting, blah-blah-blah is so boring. Just make it happen, people. Ask for help, get involved.

I have to hand it to all those behind the scenes, it often only takes a singular vision, but takes so many people to pull things off. The concept of community is not one to scoff at any level. Within the parameters of cultural scale, Portland is still in its healthy incubating stage. Keep this in mind as these changes and shifts occur. Three to five years are really just beginning phases of anything that may gradually come to fruition, not to mention greatness, but all in due time. You can’t add water to create community instantly. It really exists and there are some key players, and hard workers who make it happen here. You know who you are, and don’t need the adulation. The few who are continuously at it, in the background (and occasionally popping to the surface), without practicality, but selflessly and without the real need for anything but a nod sometimes. As individuals, however independent, or introverted, we are not immune to our branch of the six degrees of inclusion of community. If you are here, you’ve chosen your physical place. You can play a silent role, or consume yourself with every last detail (neither is particularly recommended). Without strumming too thickly on the tiny violin, just keep community alive and play louder, damn it!

Cloverfield

It’s like taking aspects of The Blair Witch Project and any number of the endless Godzilla®-like features (w/a touch of Alien/Predator), adding a human element (via hand-cam) and creating a very un-Hollywood scary movie. Funny that it was made by J.J. Abrams who started his career back in the early 80’s as a sound effects composer, and as of late has made the series’ Alias, Lost and Felicity into popular television protocol. But who woulda thunk this raucous jaunt through another destruction of the Big Apple would be anything more than a been-there/done-that moment?

Well, if you like action films that hint at horror without being splatterfests, and that really keep you on the edge of the thrill ride throughout - this is your flick. At 84 minutes, it’s slightly shorter than most epic special effects pics, but this is so different, every minute counts, and Abrams had the wherewithall to know when to turn the camera off (though there is more than a hint of sequel). It’s a very physical movie that revolves around a group of mostly undefined average twentysomethings who are celebrating a friend’s decision to head off to Japan for a big job promotion. The goodbye party turns vivid after thuds and pyromaniacrobatic explosions through lower Manhattan. The previews and other web and viral advertising campaign have only built up the ante prior to landing in the theater seat. It must have worked because the 5:30PM show on opening night had a line and was packed (mostly with highschool age boys which was odd to me).

The magic of the ads (and the movie itself) is that you don’t really ever actually see the monster(s) in full detail, it’s all shuffled, scattered, raw-cut and hinted at, kept to playing with the recesses of your own personal fright. Of course it hints at everything from 9/11 to Planet of the Apes and even the classic ‘81 b-movie Escape from New York (w/Kurt Russell) - but this one has a retrofit fast pulsing heart. It’s a winning combo in fact. By the way - none of the images in the movie posters above actually appear in the film. And though I could tell you what I thought IT was I know if I were there I most certainly wouldn’t have thought videotaping the proceedings would have been as critical to the vantage point depicted in the camera’s eye throughout Cloverfield. But in this guise, it’s a clear filter of our YouTube generation for sure.

PS: Just before the film began the proceeding preview was for (”the new/old”) Star Trek (Christmas 2008), also directed by Abrams.

• • •

SITE O’ THE DAY: Artist A Day

Benatar, that Dylan film + the Portland Art Center…

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 Benatar, that Dylan film and the Portland Art Center [16:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

WRITING BETWEEN THE LINES: Holy poison pen, Batman! Talk about anomalies. A mysterious man has sort of appeared in my world. One “Zach Logan“. In an intriguing spin on blog commentary appears, perhaps, the world’s so-called 1st “Blog Comment Novelist” who seems to be taking my own blog and making it his (or her) own (hijacking, deconstructing, reworking it into genius lyrics for a rockmentarian opera?). Im certainly equipped to ride along….Though if you don’t have an Comments/RSS Feed set up you’ll possibly miss most of what’s said. Here are a few recent additions (scroll to Comments….):

PART I
PART II
PART III
PART IV

BRING IT / KICK IT / TURN IT OUT
Gives new meaning to spin me ’round like a record, baby…..

OK, it’s not really like every other Tuesday, since today marks the annual address by Steve Jobs and his company simply known as Apple®. Even it’s online store is down during the address, so you can rest assured that they are up to something. Predictions are high that they will release (or simply announce) the second rendition of the iPhone first released last Summer. This version may have a faster platform, but I am going to assume that the winning design won’t change until the next next variation. It will also be the first time they welcome third party products for this handheld as well (for current iPhone users - latest app updates here). There will also be a new movie download service announced, as well as some super secret, spelled amazing, new laptop, desktop or some combo thereof - see the ‘artist’s rendition’ above.

The Apple community is abuzz with news of a fascinating patent application the company filed for a laptop docking station which includes some extremely interesting concept drawings. Powerpage has a good piece on this patent. With a new OS (w/Time Machine, and new Time Capsule), new Microsoft Suite (finally), and new 8 Core tower drive the technology (r)evolution is in full swing in ‘08! Things just got started in Cupertino, so we’ll wait and see what rolls from their creative minds within hours. With a four year old PowerPC chip iBook G4 - though there were subsequent revisions to this model, on May 16, 2006, the Intel-powered MacBook replaced the iBook line altogether. It may be time to look at alternatives, especially given that I am now using all of the multimedia software I can grasp, including Garageband, FinalCut Pro, the Adobe Creative Suite and considering Aperture. So, keep your eyes and ears peeled…

Macheads Unite: MacWorld Expo site :: Macworld Podcast :: How to Debunk an Apple Rumor (Computerworld)

POSTSCRIPT: Announcements thusfar have included new iPhone and iTouch software updates, the movies as stated above (with the new HD flicks on AppleTV [see tour]), Time Capsule (500G + 1TB for $499), but the big announcement is the new superwaferthinmint Mac Air. Wow! It fits into an envelope. We’ll have to wait for that illustration to come to life…

The MacBook Air ad.

Lately I’ve thought a lot about personal ‘turf’. This has become part of a pre-occupation of mine as the formation of a collaborative project continues to crystallize. And in some way informs much of what I’ve been doing since I laid my roots here in the Northwest. A greater understanding of urban expansion/contraction. Sometimes I just stare out at the city skyline, in wonderment. Seduced by the glimmer of random light and cookie cutter geo shapes that dot the horizon’s edge. What will it look like tomorrow? How does much public distrust effect the imaginary apocalypse, reduced to only an outline? I’ve drawn and photographed this sense of emptiness. There’s a din to it, a sort of buzzing drone. It’s at once quieting and not very literal. And for me it’s also somewhat emotionless, still. The song “My City Was Gone” by The Pretenders plays like a scratchy, distant memory in my head.

The trope of playing god (or ‘mad scientist’) is at work often in my dreams. Of course, its all quite ridiculous, this notion of playing on or with evolution, or the natural course of things. As a collective, we the people have certainly changed the course of nature, haven’t we? Though it may be beside the point, it is never outside my daily picture. The way city planners and developers attempt to scope the future, pardoning the (sur)reality of the economy, or the cause and effect on the common people. For this and many other things, in the practical here and now, I am thankful to have such eloquent collaborators. These folks with whom working is often such a coop-learning experience. Artists seem to do this naturally, disparately, yet with a universal visual language that is engaging (or encoded). Though even here there is often a spark of intellectual property. This I like to question at every turn. How does one bear in mind the grid of thought? Collaboration is often a reliant strategy between two or more active participants coming to conclusions and shared outcomes. As I take steps towards a solo show of work in May, I feel very much out in this urban wilderness, on my own. It is a wide scape for sure. And here, independent, I’m not really as frightened as I am wide-eyed and bated by the many choices I must make. There is a lot on the table (or if you prefer, the drawing board).

David Tibet says: “Simply Superior® is an attempt, by the Hafler Trio and its esteemed associates, to address the situation with which the marketplace confronts those engaged in the creative act and to equitably deal with interactions there, thus providing an alternative way of approaching the problems and benefits such opportunities offer. Rather than complain about how changing circumstances affect creativity, it is an attempt to create a place where such endeavours can be seen in a new light, and take root in a new soil. Finally, it is also an attempt to repay the debt of being allowed to exist in this fragile system for many years.”

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