The Creator's Project

I got an email a few weeks ago saying I should sign up now for the Creator's Project. I read the rundown, Interpol, Mark Ronson, XXXchange, NASA, Sleigh Bells, Spike Jonez, Graffiti Research Lab, arts, all at Milk Studios. Plus free booze. Yeah- I signed up right quick.
Little did I know exactly how cool this event was going to be. It well surpassed my expectations. Its impossibile to explain everything that happened here because it was a total sensory overload and there was SO much going on at all times, but I'm going to make the attempt.
Also- I have to say never have I been so pleased with the staff. The security guards were helpful and polite instead of assholes, the event staff were super chill and calm instead of stressed out. In fact, I'd say they were happy to be working the event. It was so well organized, everything came together with close to perfect timing. No waiting around for an act or event to start, and the crowding was kept to a minimum. Whoever organized this event, you go girl, it was as close to perfect as you could have hoped, and the people working it made all the difference.
Spike Jonez screened a really sweet film about robots in love. I won't ruin it for you but I will say it tugged on my heartstrings. The short featured a band that played during the movie and provided much of the sound track. The last scene had a really charming song to bring the film to a bittersweet end and as the last frame flickered against the screen, the screen rose to reveal the band playing behind it. The had actually played the last song live. It was a beautiful surprise. AND THEY WERE WEARING GOLD JUMPSUITS!
This was a really interesting/creepy installation. These two very attractive models would stand, android like, in front of the Plexiglas cone. As one approached it the boy on the right would take you into the cone, seat you down and say "Look into the scanner." Then everything went dark and the participant would be almost blinded by the light of the scanner. A curt motion was made to leave and it was over. A minute later a distorted version of the face of the participant would be projected above the cone on a circular screen.
This was a nice video installation that was a nice escape from the loud noises and crowds. Very calming in a way.
I might have enjoyed this interactive installation the most. A cube made of LED lights strung from the ceiling that the viewer could walk into and have an experience. While I was waiting my turn to go inside I could watch everyone else. It appeared that once a new person entered the piece the cube would choose a new sound-and-light show for each viewer. This is what happened when Barbara went inside-
This installation disappeared itself once the shows really started going. Basically one could play these instruments and they were connected to a video panel on the wall. When a drum head was hit it would play a short video clip. Very cool. There was a lag that was almost a full second so you couldn't quite get a rhythm going. Very annoying.
The only installation I didn't play with was the video game hacks. They were obviously popular becuase there was always a line and I hate waiting on line really. However, it is with regret as they did look creative, well produced and fun to engage with.
Remember how I said the Creator's Project was well organized. Let me elaborate on that a little bit more. They really took technology to the next level. There were interactive touch screen kiosks on every floor that had a schedule of when and where things where taking place, a map of each floor and information about each of the events. There were flat screens hanging on the walls saying "Hey! Check out this thing going on here right now!" to remind us what was hot and happening. Plus instant updates from their twitter feed right on the wall screens. PLUS instant live video feeds of other events happening in different parts of the building. The second Interpol's set was over a screen flew down and we were able to watch the end of Die Antwood's set, which was probably more fun to experience in person, but still cool that we could watch it, as it was happening, instead of trying to run through a crowd of people trying to get up stairs to catch those last sweaty minutes. Very very well done, you can color me impressed.
ON TO THE JAMZ!
We caught some of Sleigh Bells. Now I am in love with their music, I can't get enough of A/B Machines. I think they have put together some catchy-as-fuck tunes and my co-worker and I often have them blasting out of our computers and giving our office a swift kick in the ass. If only I could say their live show was as good. Because its not. Its kinda just noise. Letdown.
Oh man, Interpol. Can I just sum it up like that? They were number one on my list of bands that I had to see. It was my first time seeing them, and it was so good. Words cannot express. Neither can my photography really. What can I say... I was in le moment.Neon Indian puts on a damn good show, complete with Theramin playing.
And Mark Ronson ended the night in the most perfect way. The hugest, sassiest, balls-to-the-wallsiest dance party. I can't decide what was the best part- oh wait yes I can. Dancing really hard to "Work It" by Missy, making eyes at a really hot dude, and then realizing that dude is Josh Hartnett. Yeah, that was the best part.
I dare anyone to top this festival. DARE YOU TO. And if you do, please be sure to invite me, darling.
Video coming soon!

Pick up the Pieces!

I took Nick on an abbreviated Nora History Tour of Brooklyn. We walked by a house my parents almost bought, and the house we lived in for several years on Wyckoff. Up the street from my old house is this amazing mosaic-ed house, that has been there for a hot minute.
This house is certainly one of those special things in Brooklyn that make it SO Brooklyn. Special, unique, you know someone who thinks lives inside, and they want to reach out and make their community a better place. So lovely.
I went to the artist's website, and there wasn't too much information, but she does say "One day in 2001 I went outside and started gluing things to the front of my house. I have not stopped yet. My hope was to make a celebratory statement that would cheer and amuse." Susan Gardner has most definitely succeeded! She goes on to say, "The neighborhood has embraced and encouraged the project. The joy of sharing it with strangers has made me very happy."

Factory Fresh

I got an invite to check out galleries in Bushwick, so instead of cleaning the apt as I should have (being a responsible adult...) I decided the best way to spend a Saturday was doing that. One of the ballerest ones was Factory Fresh with Anxiety Room being the show that is currently up.
One of the gallery owners, Ali (who was super sweet and talked with us a bunch about the show) invited these two artists Jon Burgerman and Jim Avignon to hang out in her living space for two weeks and make art. The collaborative results in the current show.

The gallery seems to be dedicated to street art, according to the website.
Ego, Id, SuperegoThis was the Board of Anxieties which I loved. It was very cutesy, but that never bothers me. The gallery space was once a factory (hence the name) and I supposed the large fridge on which the Board of Anxieties was plastered on came with the space. I kinda like that there is a thermomonter in the middle of the piece.


Probably the best part of the space for summer time openings was the graffitti yard in the back. I want to have a beer out there, and a bbq.

Stephen Sprouse

Darling Stephen Sprouse, although dead, has been making a huge comeback, probably thanks to Louis Vuitton revival. I stopped by the exhibit at the Dietch Projects... the big one. It was great, although I think the space could have been better exploited.
What was cool was a whole wall of poloariods that had photos of all the people he chilled with, like Debbie Harry, and naked dudes. And also, a black light room with many of his sketches.


Literally the next day I went to a desinger's studio/house (I don't want to say because it is one of our clients) but she had a REAL Mies Van Der Rhoe bench that had been Stephen Sprouse graffittied by the real Stephen Sprouse. Aparently they had been buddies and worked together to design a line of fabric, which has only recently been discontinued.
That is cool.

Bad Pussies?

I don't know. I saw this in Alphabet City last week.
And there is a cat doing a beer bong.

KAWsome!

I was invited to a slammin' gallery opening last night. It was a private event, but the real deal is tonight at the Gering and Lopez gallery. KAWS's work was up for the viewing, and it is stunning. Completely and totally up my alley.
I wanted to tell him that I too once made Sponge Bob art, except mine was a video piece and also had to do with Sex and the City, and he probably didn't want to hear about it...
But I loved on the work.





A billion KAWS heads.

Also, Ashlee's baby's daddy, Pete Wentz was there. That was kinda... he was there. I guess he also likes sponge bob.
And Karim Rashid, in pink, as per usual. Here he is with the artist, and Julie who was wearing the HOTTEST back-seamed stockings. Yowzah.