Haunted Splendor of Mr. Frost's Film

Beyond surreal and totally artistic this astounding time-lapse short film produced by Jeff Frost is captivating in its zooming portrayal of the haunted world we inhabit.

Like some fully formed ghost in a rainbow colored robe its sweeping juxtapositions of the heavens and the stark landscape captures the very essence and hypnotic beauty of the unseen world that is right in front of us and yet we don’t even notice.

Dimensional paintings of optical illusions created in abandoned houses only adds to the effect of creating a mirage woven of saturated light and frightening contrasts.

Mr. Frost's freaky sci-fi vibe is partly inspired by actual space science...one of his paintings draws its inspiration from a NASA diagram of evidence of The Big Bang of universal creation. 

 His soundtrack also includes sound clips recorded by the spacecraft Voyager 1.

Certainly try to watch this in full screen and Max HiDef to

 fully experience the films amazing visual nuances.

Forget the damn cat videos and rock bands. 

This is where social networks like YouTube really come alive and have some real artistic value. My advice? Watch this!

http://vimeo.com/51584025

Having spend over a decade living in the West Indies I've always been fascinated by the saturated Caribbean light and the charming tropical beauty & elegance of colonial decay.

Cuba is near the pinnacle of this sort of thing, and here are some cool shots from there... 

 And Around Havana...

 

 

Space Science as a Cinematic Thrillier

This short documentary is a novel and groundbreaking approach to the often tedious genre of space science from the documentary makers at NASA, who've really put an exciting spin on the subject in a creative style that we've never seen them use before. 

Their work here turns the exacting nuances of design & industrial engineering as applied to the creation and problem solving of landing an exploration vehicle on the surface of Mars into an exciting roller coaster ride that is pure cinematic drama. 

As a piece of film making I think it's done brilliantly, is more than noteworthy, and is certainly well deserving of a few minutes of your time...

Thought This Might Get Your Attention! Jamming in some cool pix to bump up the thumbnail file count to compensate for no thumbnails when I post videos. Capische?

Super Funky Vedic Tinged Dubstep Duo Rocks the Floor! 

These two Indian cats really put a clever twist on their ultra creative dance routine, mixing up the best notes from east & west in a thoroughly modern expression of physical art & social protest/commentary.

You can't help but be amused & amazed at how much wit they cram into these short and highly energetic videos. 

Namaste Y'all !!!

Free Lanka (Stop The War)
 

 Why This Kolaveri Di? (Statement on Race)
 

Twitter Feed Now In Effect!?

Trying to get with it & suck less every day, I'm experimenting with TwitterFeed. This simple post is so I can follow what happens when I post here, where it shows up. Here we go!

Absolutely brilliant execution on this Wizard of Oz 
Mashup Media Dancetrack Remix really sets new standards of excellence in the world of digital cool.

Pogo, AKA Nick Bertke, is the genius behind a bunch of similar Mad Remixes. This one is a contest entry by a gal named Jen that was done in response to a Mellow Brick Road contest Pogo put on. 

It wasn't the winner, but I think it's beyond perfect, 
and hope you'll dig it as well.

As spooky and really upsetting as the digital world is
 (thanks to the ultra creepy mafias that governments are made of)
 it's clever trends in modern digital art like this 
that makes it all seemingly worth the total loss of 
all of our individual rights & privacy....

Click This Link to Trip on the 'Mellow Brick Road' Remix

The Ultimate Hangover Cure

If you find yourself playing in Vegas it’s fairly certain that at some point you will have a hangover. Well, StoryJet has some NEWS FOR YOU!

Here is a unique offer/connection to someone you’ll want to know. Even if you really never want to meet them, give the Doc a call and get back to get on with your Ring-A-Ding–Ding wild thing!

Here's The Link;

Hangover Heaven Ultra Cure 

Adventures In Spicy Chocolate Chili Sauce

Honestly, the one and only thing that I truly missed while living the expat life in various and sundry paradises around Asia was Mexican Food. 

If you have ever known the almighty taco, the eternal enchilada, and the ever radiant chile relleno than you will fully understand what I’m talking about. 

Here in Southern California we are blessed with perpetual sunshine, the blue Pacific, and a rich abundance of Comidas Mexicanas. 

Those of us in the esoteric inner circles of aficionados of this cuisine know that MOLE SAUCE is the holy grail of Mexican food. Done well its rich spicy chocolate chili flavor is like some kind of orgasm of exotic gourmet ecstasy. 

If you are willing to make the effort to drive into the dark heart of the most unglamorous part of LA then you will be rewarded with a treasure worthy of the journey. I hope you don’t beat me there and steal my favorite table, and if you do, the guacamole is on you…

The Maximo LA Mole Cantina Link 

It’s hard to think about the 1980s and 1990s without thinking of photographer Herb Ritts. And it's hard to think of Ritts without thinking of L.A. Ritts fully incorporated the L.A. landscape, the sea and surf into his unique work.

When it came to fashion photography, Ritts helped put L.A. on the map as the premiere destination in the world for shooting fashion editorials and advertisements.

Malibu, Point Dume, the dry lake bed at El Mirage near Palmdale and the Santa Monica Pier were some of his favorite locations to achieve the pointillist and chiaroscuro-like shadows on the skin that were his favorite effects.

Gerald McBoing-Boing & Mid-Century Modernism

This stunningly clever 1951 animated technicolor cartoon from Columbia Pictures stands as a classic of pure Mid-Century Modern design. 

Produced by Robert Cannon with a script by Dr. Seuss the clean & spare look of the illustration style is enough to send all the fans of MCM motifs into a frenzy of bliss.

 It's a clever piece that really is a museum quality icon of the era. 

I clearly remember that this was the first cartoon I ever saw on TV as a child, albeit it was on a black & white tube two tone red and white (with space-age gold trim) portable RCA TV with rabbit ears

 (color TV came a few years later).

Smart, clever, fashionable, fun, and just plain delightful this charming black & white animation by Christian Borstlap for Louis Vuitton possesses a curios blend of both the 19th & the 21st centuries. 

Personally, we think it's Brilliant!  

Take a little trip around the surreal world with the LV bag tag globe...

Stunningly Dreamlike Film Noir Kiss Elegantly Explodes & Floats

 

Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.

This passionate short demo reel by Arev Manoukian takes on an otherworldly atmosphere that is a strange mix of the Twilight Zone, French Film Noir, and an CG effects laden Hollywood blockbuster. Its a magic combination, and landed it's creator a plush job in the movie industry...

 Link To Robert Montgomery's Outdoor Typographic Art 

Created by Scottish artist Robert Montgomery this brilliant outdoor poetry casually disguised as advertising  totally rocks! Montgomery has been papering over ad campaigns with poetic commentary about culture and consumerism for 10 years, and I hope you dig it as much as I do....

Musical Art At Full Speed

 

In case you missed it, check out this Trippy Ultra Creative new music video from OK GO.

OK Go set up over 1000 instruments over two miles of desert outside of LA.

A Chevy Sonic car was outfitted with retractable pneumatic arms designed to play the instruments and the band recorded this version of Needing/Getting, singing as they played the instrument array with the car.

The video took 4 months of preparation and 4 days of shooting and recording. There are no ringers or stand-ins; Damian took stunt driving lessons. 

Each piano had the lowest octaves tuned to the same note so that they'd play the right note no matter where they were struck.

 

Mattel Announces Release Of Limited Edition Barbie Dolls For The South Orange Country California Market:
 

Huntington Beach Barbie --

This modern-day homemaker Barbie is available with pimped out Scion ultramini-van and matching jogging suit. She gets lost easily and has no apparent occupation or secondary education. May come with assorted tattoos, Ed Hardy gear, Black Fly glasses, Pay Pal account, ugly dogs, bad temper, and a fondness for French fries and Jagermeister. Traffic-hazard cell phone and skateboard sold separately. Can swear in English and/or ‘Surf Jive’.

HB Ken comes with tats, trucker hat, Buck Knife, chain wallet, and oversized four wheeler with iron cross stickers. Available at any ‘Heartland’ Target. 


 Harbor Boulevard Barbie--

This recently paroled Barbie comes in ultra thick platform sandals and a cutoff denim hotpants ensemble, with a switch-blade knife, crack pipe, and phony ID accessories. A very limited edition, Boulevard Barbie covers the entire length of Harbor Boulevard, from Costa Mesa to La Habra, in her 1979 Trans Am with black tinted windows, and is made of much more durable material than the other OC Barbies. This model is only available after dark and can only be bought with cash, preferably small bills, unless you’re a cop, then we have no idea what you are talking about. 


Corona Del Mar Barbie--

This smart looking and fashion forward Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or tricked out Range Rover. Included are her collection of personal Starbucks cups, 32 piece credit card set, Pelican Hill Spa Platinum Membership, a case of Far Niente Pinot Noir, and a trust fund attorney. Golden retriever and Broadcom stock certificates come separately. Also available are Shallow Ken, Spanish-speaking Nanny, and Vietnamese manicurist.

Newport Beach Barbie--

This exceptionally privileged Barbie comes with an extensive accessory collection that includes oversized diamond ring set, 300 pair shoe collection, perfectly matching designer outfits, and a spacious Newport Coast or Lido Island playhouse. Comes complete with choice of convertible Mercedes or Bentley coupe, Cabo tan, Botox treatments, Don Juan yacht party invites, and Beverly Hills divorce lawyer on retainer. Most Newport models have standard breast, nose and dental enhancements. Available at any Nieman-Marcus, or at special semi-private seasonal events at The Ritz restaurant.  

Newport Beach Princess Barbie--

This OMG doll has long straight blonde hair, a very short mini-skirt, Versace, Fendi, Missoni, and Moschino tube-tops, Volcom cutoff tee shirts, and  six colors of UGG boots. She comes with her own Gucci sun glasses paved with rhinestones. She does not need or even want a Surfer Ken doll, because so many other 'Kens' are available to pay her way. A matching pink beach-cruiser bike and iPhone complete the NBPB set. Workaholic older semi-boyfriend on blow Ken comes with, like, a new Porsche Carrera. DUI lawyer Ken and Semi-Annual  Rehab outfits sold separately.

Laguna Beach Barbie--

This popular doll comes with all natural hemp clothing made by a Mayan cooperative for an Italian Designer, natural hair color, rainbow producing crystal mood jewelry, and open toe shoes. Laguna Barbie includes a complete Roxy beach togs & accessories ensemble, Nature Conservancy membership, case of  BV Chardonnay, large French glass jar of ‘DaKine Kush bud’, four cats, and new Audi with Laguna parking permit and board racks. This model comes in a cool variety of basic outfits, including prophetic artist, mermaid loving surfer girl, or stoned & loaded trust fund babe, and is available exclusively at Mother’s Natural Foods, Toes On The Nose, or Trader Joes.   

Laguna Nigel Barbie--

This domestic princess Barbie is only sold at Nordstrom in the Irvine Spectrum.
She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long haired foreign lap-dog named Tiffy, Ritz-Carlton Tennis Club/Spa membership, St. Regis pool privileges, and a cul-de-sac dream house with Jacuzzi and lawn service. Available with or without tummy tuck and face-lift.

Tustin Hills /San Juan Capistrano Barbie--

This freckled  and fair skinned model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small and a swallow tattoo on her shoulder. She drinks Coors Light long necks and knows the words to every Hank Williams, Jr. song. She can spit over 6 feet and kick Ken's ass when she is well into her Jack & Coke. Purchase her Dodge Hemi Ram pickup truck separately and get a complete Stars & Stripes-Support the Troops bumper sticker/antenna flag/ license plate frame set absolutely free. Available only at Wal-Mart and CVS.

Santa Ana (sanTana) Barbie--


This sassy Spanish-speaking-only Barbie comes with a cherry pinstriped 1987 Impala with expired temporary plates y two babies & a toddler in the back, all without car seats. This is the only Barbie willing to do manual labor, and kick it hard with the homeboys. Has ‘Yo Amor Puppet por Vida’ tattoo.  Matching Santa Ana Ken comes with a weed whacker, lawn mower and leaf blower, lottery ticket, Machete, and a primered ’49 Packard. Green cards are not yet available for Santa Ana Barbie or Ken. Available at any 99¢ Store or check cashing place.

FBI Director Robert Frankenmueller and the 'Director of National Intelligence' James "Evil Yoda' Clapper, try to convince the Senate and "the American People" that we need to go to WAR with Iran...

Gee, the same gang had it right so many times before there's no reason not to believe them, right? They'd tell us the truth, right?

 

Water Dragon Lunar New Year

Area Man Investigated for Posing Online as 16 Year Old Cheerleader

Claiming he was just doing “research” a foxy area cheerleader has turned out to be a sixty eight year old political pundit and former public official who “just has a thing for athletic kids”, and thought it would be “neat” if he could get to know some of them better.

While records show the culprit has a history of questionable ethics the local authorities have yet to file any charges. Now that he has been outed it looks like ‘All American Girl’ would be well advised  to stick to simple texting and keeping a low public profile. 

Time to sort out your plans for The Year of the Dragon. 

The parades in both LA & SF are amazing to witness. 

The vibrant energy is astounding, super fun, and by just being you become part of the pageantry. 

I'm doing my 35th year of observance of the

Lunar New Year! 

Gung Hay Fa Choi & Sawadee Pi Mai & Chuc Mung Nam Moi! (in Chinese, Thai & Vietnamese)

Up Close & Personal With The Worlds Great Art Treasures 

If you ever wanted to find the ultimate, soul enriching internet time sink, this is it!

Take a trip into the millimeter close-up world of some of the greatest known works of ART.

Besides Google buying Keyhole (now Google Earth) this may be the coolest thing they've ever done...

Log on and Zoom In! Wow!

Stunning Portrait Gallery of Faces of the Dispossessed

These seven photos are a astounding collection of faces of the homeless in the UK, and each of them carries a story of otherworldly hardship & beauty. Some of them look like masks torn from ancient mythology. Truly Stunning Photographic Art...

The lowly Twinkie (all clever racial or sexual connotations aside) is one oddly amazing little treat. And honestly I can't believe that any normal American over 40 could say that they've never enjoyed eating a pair.

Kids don't care, but with grown up kids Twinkies always inspire deeper questions, like; "Is it really cake? Do they really survive unaffected by a nuclear blast? -and- Can I have another one?"

As it turns out, they are partly made from Chinese petroleum, five different kinds of rocks, & dangerously poisonous substances, and pretty much last longer than a can of Spam. And boy, do they taste yummy!

The Twinkie...Deconstructed

Chris Burden's remarkable new sculpture is now available for you to experience personally at LACMA. This work actually embodies complex architecture as well as signaling a major cultural transition towards the eventual urbanization of the world and the resulting revolution in transportation.

Cars as we know them today will be relegated to horse & buggy status sooner than we expect, and the reasons & need to travel will be dramatically changed. There is a lot going on with this amazing piece of ART...

Metropolis II - Pacific Standard Time at LACMA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I get a little thirsty from time to time & do adore my bubbly. I had to tell the delivery truck guys to be careful climbing around on my Moet. Luckily there's 2 bottles in every flat magnum box so they'll hold up pretty well.

It's taken them hours to unload all of this, and it's taken up a pretty large part of the garage (had to move one of the cars out), but C'est la Vie. Now to get on with the chilling & sipping! Cheers!

As I've Said...Everyone sees the world not as it is but through the lens of their own desires. 

The challenge is to dispense with all the filters and perceive things as lucidly and objectively as possible...