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.