LumiGram - luminous fabric

via: lumigram.com

Janus Motorycles

via: janus motorcycles

"We are currently in production of our first model, the “Halcyon”, an homage to 1920’s and 30’s record-breakers; Brough Superior, Indian, Triumph, and Zenith, to name a few... The bike comes complete with sprung leather saddle seat and panniers, wide handlebars, and a long, low polished aluminum fuel tank."

Swedish toymaker publishes 'gender-neutral' children's Christmas catalogue

via: rt.com

The Mysterious Cities of Gold - Les Mystérieuses Cités d'or: Is coming back!!

I found a few French media sources that claim the return of  Les Mystérieuses Cités d'or or known in the States as The Mysterious Cities of Gold.  Appears a production company names Blue Spirit is handling the reigns.

I am thoroughly glad that the character designs and aesthetic of the original show is kept; though the production value has been vastly improved.  Gotta hand it to the French; an American production would most likely have "amped-it-up" or give it an "animated-look" a-la the WB.  Also I'm am happy to hear that this is not a reboot, but an actual continuation of the original series; taking off after the events at the end of the first series.

media:
http://alpha.heroshock.com/?p=25779#more-25779

Blue Spirit:
http://www.spirit-prod.com/site_bsa/

I grew up watching The Mysterious Cities of Gold on Nickelodeon with my brother in the mid-80's.  It was part of a group of Japanese-European produced cartoons that made their way stateside.  From the opening music and stylistic Mesoamerican themes, I remember this series fondly.  With an over-arching storyline you journeyed along with Esteban, an orphan and so destined "Child of the Sun", from Spain and overseas to the undiscovered land of the Americas.  Along the way he is befriended by would-be treasure and adventure seeking mercenaries, Mendoza and his bumbling sidekids, Pedro and Sancho.  He would also meet his most trusted friends, Zia, a daughter of a Incan priest, and Tao, the last survivor of the Mu empire.

When they're not running from the Spanish conquistador Pizarro and his men, their adventures lead them to  the discovery of wondrous temples and cities, new and different people,  and even sun powered machines made of gold.

Had a link to all the episodes on youtube, but looks like the videos have been removed since; here is a link to one of the other shows imported to the states via Nickelodeon we also watched,that was equally intriguing to me as a kid.

Le Monde Engloutis:

01 LES MONDES ENGLOUTIS by djoik

Childhood Dreams - Wars of Man

Ziv Koren's book 'More than 1000 Words

reddit user, jaclar, claims the locaion in the picture is "Eastern Prayer Road" in Herbron/West Bank.

"I know where this place is. It's the so called "Eastern Prayer Road" in Hebron/West Bank. The story behind this street is that it is used by the Israeli settlers which live in Kiryat Arba to go to to the Cave Of The Patriarchs during Shabat (each Saturday). During this time no Palestinian is allowed to step on the road to "avoid conflicts". The stone barrier where the kid is hiding behind serves the purpose to ensure this policy.Here is the same place from another perspective. As it seems the picture is already a couple of years old because the wall looks much newer. I don't think the soldiers are particular searching for the kid. They are mostly their on patrol 

but knowing Palestinian kids of this age they are usually horrified when Israeli soldiers approach

."

*note: The costume is not an Easter Bunny, but a costume worn for, Purim, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther).

1910 artists' depiction of the year 2000

Home Cooked Craving - Filipino Breakfast -

Woke up this morning with a craving for Filipino breakfast.  First off, I want to disclose I live a very veggie friendly/heavy diet.  7 days of the week  I eat heavily on greens and a variety of non-meat proteins.  Not quite vegetarian, but pretty much only eat meat if someone has gone out of there way to prepare it for me; not gonna turn a generous gesture down.  Plus, I think my Filipino DNA prevents me from going full vegetarian :P

So, to justify my cooking a meat dinner for myself, I took a walk to the local Filipino store to gather the main ingredients. Longganisa (a sweet, garlic-y, pork sausage), bitter-melon (a bitter melon :p), bagoong (tiny salted shrimp paste) and rice vinegar.  Also picked me up some shrimp crackers, coconut water, and Hawaiian sweet buns.

Hawaiian sweet bun; grew up with the plain, but these are honey wheat.  still tasty, but nothing beats the original.

Coconut water.  I find funny that the western market is totally just now jumping on this, selling small oz. containers for an arm and-a-leg.  Asian markets been selling 'em in large cans for a dollar or less since forever...

Oh, and shrimp chips (couldn't pass these up); def a thing you have to grow up with I think.  Found these ones spicy!!!

PINOY BREAKFAST -  My Attempt

I'm using a long grain rice which will be less sticky than what I'd rather, but is what I have on hand.

Gotta start by cleaning your rice like a good Filipino.  Rinse and drain 2-4 times to get rid of any dirt/dust and excess starch.

 Follow the water-line marker relative to the how many cups of rice you used; or me, the good-ol'-knuckle tip.  Barely touch the surface of the rice an fill slightly above first knuckle.

 Like the infomercial says: "Set it and forget it".

 Here dem tasty sausages, Longganisa.  If you know an old Filipino lady who makes these, talk to her.  Unfortuately on a whim, gotta suffice with the store bought, but still will hit the spot I'm sure :)

Give 'em a nice rinse and cut apart.

Drop in a pre-boiling pot and reduce to a healthy simmer and halfway cover to allow some evaporation.

Time to cut the bitter-melon.  Cut in half and gut the seed and middle pulp.  Cut into coins and half those.  Set aside.

 Smash and mince some garlic

After the water has reduced a bit drain, but leave a little of the juices left to evaporate out and let those puppies fry a bit to get that nice browning and glaze on the outside.

Next, drop the bitter-melon in with some oil and add the garlic a spoon full of bagoong and a splash of rice vinegar; let simmer and reduce, turning occasionally.

 On to the eggs.  Have to point out, these have to be hard fried the pinoy way.  relatively high heat and never flipping.  Gotta have the semi-soft yolk, but the crispy bottom and edging of the white part; just something about that contrast in texture, espcially with the rice...  mmm.

 Check the bitter-melon and set aside

Eggs should be done too.

 TA-DA!!

 Bon appetite 

 Also good to have a side of vinegar for dipping.

 Here's all the fixings together.  Nothing beats waking up at a cousin's house with an auntie cooking this in the morn.  Definitely something lost in my translation, especially in the bitter-melon recipe, but think I did a descent facsimile on the whole.

Well, I think that'll satisfy my meat craving for a while.  Next time I hope to break my streak at an actual family gathering; I will be going back for 4th's or more when that day comes.  Enjoy and hope this got you mouth watering.  Are there any dishes, cultural or not, that get you nostalgia bug in your gut going?  If so please comment and share your story.   

Rare glimpse into an illegal Iranian Rave

Posted by YouTuber DaBoing, this video shows a glimpse into the rave scene of Iranian youth.  Under government and religious law is considered illegal.  Regardless of clashing cultural or religious beliefs, I personally I find the conviction of the Iranian youth to seek expression and enjoyment thru "western" means inspiring.  Perhaps one day ideas and actions like these won't be thought of as "western", but rather the enjoyment of the human experience.

On a side note:  Though often times police are able to be bribed, it is often that the police are out on the look for such parties in search of said bribes.



http://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/12ispu/illegal_rave_party_in_iran/c6veqtl

Halloween/Dios de la Muerte 2012 - face paint

Rain City Brew - Nov 2012 show submissions - Alex Pascual

Here are my pieces for the Rain City Brew art and home brew show happening Nov 4th.  Both pieces are obviously inspired by old-school 8-bit art.  To add to the vintage feel, gave the pieces a worn box look, with  wear-n-tear, stains, and period appropriate "price" stickers.

event info:

http://seattlebeernews.com/2012/10/beer-as-art-stache-bash-homebrew-competition-tasting-art-show-on-sunday-november-4/

past RBC events/art:

2010 - Hopsession Vicotrian & Batman

http://seattlebeernews.com/2010/03/beer-is-art-homebrew-inspired-art/

2011 - Black Mamba Mango and Hop Springs Eternal Whey Pilsner:

http://raincitybrew.com/past-events/

2012

I am the Lorax Basil Honey Beer

Ape Hanger Harley Black Barley Wine

event details (not my work):

Siskid - Gun Stubs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3wynxtxEzo

http://www.telerama.fr/musique/bien-ou-bien-la-playlist-electro-181-recoit-david-shaw,88563.php

soasig-chamaillard: sculpture artist

http://www.soasig-chamaillard.com/sculpture-sainte-vierge-galerie

I grew up in a Christian Western society. My perspective on life has been a result of my environment and background.

The playful interaction of society’s many icons, physical transformations, and the resulting improbable combinations, have culminated in my vision of a woman’s role and place in our society.
This inner questioning of a woman’s role, has led me to use one of the most sacred icons in my work, namely, the Virgin Mary.
Initially, I begin with damaged statues, either donated or discovered in garage sales, which I then restore and transform.

I surely do not mean to chock those who believe but rather to move those who see.

I can relate to this artist's aesthetic.  Having grown up in a Catholic environment my self from the upbringing and tradition in my family and 13 years of Lutheran, Catholic, and Jesuit school combined, the grotesque and morbid images of western religion permeate my mind.  

The juxtaposition of pop-culture and religion with these sculptures blend the iconic-ism of both ideas of nostalgia and spiritual worship.  The ambiguity blends the idea of what people idolize with imagery and challenge their validity and/or importance.

I have a few religiously based tattoos; a Frida Kahlo Virgin Mary and a seraphim angel.  As it is, I am an atheist, basing my morality on reality, emotion, and experience rather that based in a traditional western spirituality.  But with my upbringing I can't help but be engrossed in the imagery of the Catholic imagery of my childhood.  It is ingrained in me as such that they have this aesthetic relevance.

Graziano Panfili: Alienation - man lands on earth photos

http://cargocollective.com/grazianopanfili/Alienation

Graziano Panfili's photograph series of man "landing" on earth.  The idea of man and his-self exploration.  An immediate visual of the physical; the image of an astronaut in a stunning, yet recognizable and even familiar setting.  The suit serving a constant barrier to the environment, the astronauts remain only as observers to their surroundings.  The reflection of the physical, to land in one's own "backyard", can in part psychological and as much as metaphysical.  How well does humanity know itself?  To be an observer of our own actions, of our existence?  But also begs the question of our curiosity of exploration to the outer and into the inner.

Chip-Tuning and music

CHIPTUNE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiptune

GATARI 2600 by cTrix - https://www.facebook.com/pages/cTrix/118258328189500

article - http://www.pcworld.com/article/247169/this_atari_2600_chiptune_guitar_rocks_like_its_1977.html
tracking solution - http://vimeo.com/23589320




THE PIANOCADE - www.pianocade.com/ w/ video and audio clips

Our Story In 2 Minutes

seems about right

Song: Mind Heist
By: Zack Hemsey

Week 1 - Cafe Mural - progress begins

 The previous mural was done mostly by hand and I utilized a more free-form approach; which was fullfilling in it's own right as such.  But with the illustrative nature and complexity of this mural, I am incorporating the use of a projector and a comp of my sketches to help speed the process.

 As you can see the projector had to be pulled quite a ways back, past its intended use making the images slightly blurry.  Though still having to rely on the original reference sketches and having to /battlecompensate for my own shadow blocking my view, it is still speeding up the process like I'd hope.

With the projector of, you can see how crisp the line-work is from a far; great thing about working large, any variances in the line thickness or quality gets lost from viewing it as intended, far away :) 

blast from the past - art circa 1983-4??

pascualamural.blogspot.com

http://pascualamural.blogspot.com/

designs and sketches for next google mural :)  comprised of the 30+ team logo/mascots withing the office.

SKETCH: composition 001

sketch composition 001