Larry Sultan - R.I.P

A great photographer died recently. Larry Sultan, a fine art photographer died back in December due to cancer. I was reading one of my month-to-month must read photo blogs by Magnum photographer, Alec Soth.

I first came across Sultan's work during my second or third year in SFAI. A teacher of mine suggested it to me even though I've seen the work but what really kept me curious was the fact that Sultan was a former student at SFAI. As it is with most schools they like to boast the fact that certain artists, etc, came from this school. Sultan was one of those (other notables Annie Leibovitz, Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead). When I started looking at this work I was amazed - the tone of work, particularly in his Pictures from home series (the two pictures above, a series about his parents) shows a intimacy with the subject separated with a distance which is akin to the documentary style.

What is really special is that he had his show and book The Valley (cover picture for the book, same title below), a look into the pornographic film industry in California debuted at the SFMOMA while I was still in SF. A little time after that the staff at SFAI managed to get him for a talk which turned out to be a sell out crowd.

I can't say it enough but if you're given the opportunity to see work in person, do it. Be it a film or a painting or a sculpture, see it. I was amazed at the scale (most of the prints were 40"x60", the middle size 30"x40") but most of all I was pleased with the presence.

When I read this news from Alec Soth's blog, the only thing I could think was that another great photographer that has influenced me as left the building. Larry, we're still following your lead.

Mashups - Girl Talk

So I think it was a couple of weeks back, Dan Wu wrote a blog about a mash-up artist that was on Letterman or Leno and posted a video up. It’s just the term mash-up that got me going cause a few weeks later I bought a copy of the new US GQ (yes, the one with an overly retouched Olivia Wilde on the cover) and read an article about this group called ‘Girl Talk’. When I say group really it’s just this guy Gregg Gillis. So I was thinking, ‘what the hey let me sample some of the music, it won’t hurt’. Lo and behold I have become a fan. It’s really fascinating cause he uses a lot of the music I like (even the sad bastard music I listen to) as a base and then runs rap on the vocal. Genius. Check it out.

Top 25 chest hair designs

Okay okay, to keep up with the theme of strange I got a great one here.

Funny is one thing and super funny is another but when it gets to the point where it comes out of my nose and I smirk, its beyond the boundaries of my planet of stupendous-ness. Now, I am myself a lifelong chest hair-less Asian boy. I remember a friend of mine saying she was in love with Asian boys because, and I quote, 'they don't have any hair'. What, are we a special breed of cat? But I do admit, I was intrigued with what she said, with her, though she wasn’t intrigued with me.

With delight, I am proud to serve you the subject in hand - chest hair designs -

http://www.collegehumor.com/pictures/gallery:chesthair#1899914

Weird Japan - improper webcam uses

Occasionally I’ll come across something that is totally funny and totally inappropriate as you will find out in this case. As usual I was going through my end of the day updates – technology news, lolcats, etc. With the technology blogs I read the editorial is excellent, comical in most cases, often playing on puns of the product with insertions of popular culture for extra juice. This one is baffling. Just read:

Japanese Erotic Game Uses Webcam for Boner Detection

"How's this for a bad idea: Japanese erotic game Love Death 4 is using face tracking and shape detection to add a nice dose of horror to the game's already-questionable content.

There are scant details for how it'll work, and hey, maybe there are other shapes that an erotic game would want to detect other than the shape of a baby's arm holding a crabapple. But I can't think of any.

But hey, maybe this is a good thing! It's innovation! It seems weird now, but when Natal comes out we'll probably be using our boners to reload machine guns in Gears of War 3. [TeaTime via Canned Dogs via Kotaku]"

Note: Sourced from Gizmodo.com

 

Halloween costumes - early considerations

Halloween is around the corner, again. I used to like it as a kid and not until college, in Boulder, I was persuaded to engage in some sort of costume. I last minuted something that made me look like a shower stall and/or shower curtain. However with the way conceptual art is, most people took me for a condom. And I guess from then on I haven't been afraid - for the most part - of making a fool of myself. During my last years in San Francisco I overkilled one Halloween and got a rayon leisure suit - in powder blue – and pair of Elvis glasses with sideburns. Yeah, sweet. My bestfriend Mike, a perennial Halloween lover, did an elaborate DIY Super Mario costume. It was a while back before people could afford digital cameras so the negatives are somewhere so I’m sure I’ll come by them in the next month or so.

Last year, AliveNotDead did me a justice by throwing a smasher of a Halloween party. I hadn’t been to one in ages, let alone a costume party so this was a challenge. Terence introduced a bunch of us to a costume shop somewhere in Kwun Tong. I took several trips with Shan, Stephan, Wing, Steph, and some other people, each trip a trying experience, each time trying to imagine what I could be. I think it was either Shan or Wing – at least one of the girls – saw by chance a panda costume. The panda costume that people that rowdy night recognize me by. Many times over last year I’ve been recognized simply as Panda. Hell, its my profile picture. Last year the ‘hot’ costume was Joker from Dark Knight, but who cares? There were at least 4 at the party last year but I, I was Panda.

So what’s the problem? How can I top the panda? Well, I’ve got an idea but its just an idea. I’ve found myself thinking of costume ideas for other people. So why not do something nice for the people – show them what people have been doing early.

This is the best I've seen in a while, a couples AT-At costume. I'm not with anyone right now so I think a single man/boy in this costume would look kind weird. Anyone?

Brilliant chewy costume, again from Star Wars. See, people have imaginations. Like this kid.

I'm sure you're thinking about the night right now. Think hard people.

Intro to Visual Art: Photography - Gregory Crewdson

I've been asked a number of people over the last few months to start writing blogs about the photographers or artists I talk about. Most of the time when talking about pictures, whom ever I'm talking to never really understands who or what I'm talking about. Sure, some people know about photography, whether it be fine art or commercial but usually to a certain degree. Though I do try and read up on whatever my friends into, I can never grasp the entire picture. Take for example when hanging out with Jason Tobin, Dax Phelan or Glen Chin - these guys are emerced in film knowledge simply because they have to be. Its their job to know a reference to a film or a style of a director. I, and I thought I was well versed in film, don't know that much. My ankles are in but if I want to really know something I want to be up to my eyeballs in whatever I'm interested in.

But to return to the purpose of this blog series is to introduce and even reveal some photographers, artists and movements you may not even know about. Today, I'm going to talk about someone on the top of the photographic pyramid (mine anyway), Gregory Crewdson.

By chance a few weeks ago I watched a show late night on NowTV (channel VOOM) that introduced Crewdson's work. I've been studying his work ever since art school. The work is incredibly complex and deeply layered. I've always had a eerie feel when looking at his work. He always includes details that go far beyond a single frame usually to the point where you have look past the initial glance. I've interpreted the work as exploration of the psyche in an environmental portrait composition. In past literature and interviews Crewdson talked about himself as a young boy trying to listen in on his father - who was a psycho-analysis - and his patients. Of course he never admits to ever hearing any of the sessions, but the idea of making this effort translates into the work.

Rather than say too much or give you my impression, I’ll leave you to your own devises. Happy learning and stay tuned to future episodes.

* note. I realize that the pictures I've linked are not appearing in they're supposed to be. If you're interested in look at more of Crewdson's work google 'gregory crewdson' or click on this link for the pictures i've included in this entry. Top image link, bottom image link

Lolcats - eurhoria dressed in a cat

I've been doing and feeling great recently. I've got to share the secret to my happiness. Lolcats.

Before you think, this guy has totally lost it, you've got to let it grow on you. In fact one of my brothers brought it up in an email to me one day. I didn't get it then so that was end of that first instance. The second time was when Jason Tobin mentioned it to me. Now Jason and I share the same sense of humor, movies, critism, and whole of other stuff. I still didn't get. Then as wise as the man is, he said, 'Let it grow on you'. So as it was with me, the perennial pessimist, I had to know. I have to know why I didn't like it and in the process I found that I really liked it. And being a cat owner/wrangler, why shouldn't I like it.

These are some of my favorites from http://icanhascheezburger.com/. enjoy.