Once In A Lifetime

Ian Ross, Pink and Green, 2009-ish?

It's now a new year, 2012, and I've come back to my blog to find I haven't written a damn thing in over 3 months. *I'm letting out a disappointed sigh* To be honest, it's not surprising to me, but it is sort of a personal let down to know I haven't written or done anything creative, really, in that long. I think about how uninspired I've been, and how consumed I can be with the limitless bullshit that life throws at me, and I think to myself, "How did I get here?" <--- Yes, that was a Talking Heads reference, in case you didn't catch it. And, unlike previous posts where I've set goals for myself to write here more often, and usually to no avail, I will spare myself the planning and just take this one in particular for what it is, and hope that this year I become more and more inspired even living in a place I've already deemed tragically uninspiring. Yes, San Diego, I'm talking to you. However, I believe I need to remember two things: 1. Remember one of my favorite quotes, "Life has taught me not to make too many plans, and even if I do, not to say them out loud." and 2. I've grown up/live in a place many people dream to live, and if I continue to take it for granted, I will continue to be discontent. Simple as that.

With that being said, and since this is a goddamn art blog, I want to share with you something that has been particularly inspiring to me this week. It's an old friend actually who I should have written about years ago (and I think I'd meant to, but you notice my track record), Ian Ross. I met Ian doing art shows in a variety of venues when I lived in San Francisco. He's a live artist, living in Mill Valley, and kicking ass currently in the art world. It's been pretty amazing seeing him grow as an artist, and I feel proud to know him as a friend. This week he was in sunny, SD for a new event called "Artists at Work" that's started this month at OMA. Turns out my friend Tara Smith organized this event and kismet have it, Ian was the first artist to be featured. Small fuckin' world, eh? It's been a great week catching up with Ian, meeting his new fiance, seeing his work again in person, and greatest of all--feeling reminded of a life I used to live that was inspired by and truly revolved around a passion for art and its artists. If you have a chance to be influenced in a major way by a very hard working individual, check out Ian's artwork and follow him as he continues to make huge moves and create even more amazing projects. As always, his art is for sale, and I'm sure he'd appreciate you buying it! ;-)

All that said, it's been an awakening I hadn't expected, but is coming at an opportune time as I try and start 2012 with personal progress, passions, and change. <---- Not an Obama reference, but similar idea. . .I guess. . .hopefully more successful. . .
Anyway, laaaaterrr!

Kiss.

Spanish Connection

I wrote this in June, right after I got back from Barcelona. I believe I had intended to post it on the blog I was writing for at the Museum, but this was probably also around the same time they shut us down. So, here it is, out of hiding.

"Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’ve been M.I.A. from the blog for a little while. Reason being: I was in Barcelona! If you can remember a while back I had inkling to check out the Catalan capital, and my premonitions proved true. After a lot of fish-like, flip-flopping back and forth on whether it was a good time for me to go, I decided to buck up and take my flight. I travelled a good 15 hours by plane to Barcelona, Spain, solo again, and arrived there for my two week Spanish trek. If you’re familiar with Spain at all, you will know that it is very serious about claiming their artists as their own. So when I got there, there was no mistake that the likes of Picasso, Gaudi, Dali, and Miro had their roots in the city of Barcelona and other regions of Spain. Being an Art History major, I was pleased with this. Though, Barcelona had its not-so-finer points -- one being their not-so-welcoming attitudes-- I took comfort in the thought that there was still familiar personalities around me, those being of the artists I’ve studied in the past. Walking around the city I found myself interested in not just the museums, galleries, and institutions that preserve these artists work, but also the more contemporary connections that people are currently making with the artists. There was a lot of street art that portrayed or referenced different works, mostly Salvador Dali, around Barcelona and even parts of Granada, Spain. I came across a protest in a plaza in Barcelona (a common sight) that also referenced Dali’s work, and they were calling for an end to the death of the arts. Also in Barca, there was a high-fashion “pop-up” shop conveniently located next to one of Antoni Gaudi’s wild architectural creations, “Casa Batllo”, whose clothes, though most likely unintentional, seemed to channel the crazy color and gaudy pattern combinations that Gaudi’s work often does. In Granada, I attended a flamenco show in a small cave called “Le Chien Andalou”, which referenced the surrealist, short-film created by Salvador Dali and Luis Bunuel in 1929. I also found out that popular bands such as the Pixies and David Bowie have also used this film in their work—Pixies used “Un Chien Andalou”‘s content as lyrical material and Bowie actually showed the entire 16 minute film at the opening of his world tour shows in 1976 because “he felt that the film would more appropriately set the tone for the evening”. I guess what I’m getting at is that it was more exciting to see these artists being portrayed in a contemporary manner, by current creative-types who admire their work, rather than just seeing their work in stagnant museum spaces. "

Ciao,

Kiss

Mold Toast

I'd like to start keeping this blog afloat again. Not only can I not stand the idea of my dusty thoughts hanging out, rotting, in cyber-space, but I can't stand my fresh ones getting lost in the labryinth of my brain lobes. If anything, using this tool to track, organize, and distribute the things I come across will be mostly beneficial for me, and hopefully for anyone else that comes across this space or is featured in it. Well, alright, with that being said. . . . hoo-rah! I'll (hopefully) be back soon with something more interesting to say. Laaaterrr.

-Kiss.

http://vimeo.com/27893276

ArtUncovered: Notes from the Front Desk: Our Inner Psychologies ...

ArtUncovered: Notes from the Front Desk: Our Inner Psychologies ...: "Here are my two cents on Wes Bruce and Ms. Augustine Greane; because I know you’re just dying to hear what I have to say! Sitting up..."

ArtUncovered: These are a Few of my Favorite Things. . .

ArtUncovered: These are a Few of my Favorite Things. . .: "Can you hear Julie Andrews now? The holidays are upon us, and we all know that it is better to give than to receive. Or, in my case, it’s t..."

New Shit

People get ready. . . I've been hired to blog at my Museum, so I figure I'll post those blogs on here too. Feel free to follow here: http://artoperation.blogspot.com/ if you want to view the posts that the Museum Director and the Curator are posting as well.

Happy Holidaze.

Kiss. xx

I have zero interesting thoughts. The only thing I can think about is how edible the color of my nail polish looks. Which, by the way, has chipped faster than any other manicure I've ever gotten and I think the asian lady did it on purpose. Because I have this theory that all asians who do my nails are conspiring against me. Mostly because I have no idea what they're saying in front of me and it makes me nervous, and smile nervously, and nervous smiles don't look good on me. Neither does chipped paint.

Chipped nail paint doesn't look good on anyone, especially when you're looking for a job and meeting future employers. I know because it happened to me today. I went in to fill out an application today at a country club, and this asian man (go figure) was the one to help me. I got really uncomfortable because I think that asians have a radar that is sensitive to shitty nails. Like mine. I hope he doesn't judge me for this. I'd rather him judge me for the fact that I checked "Yes" on the "Have you ever committed a felony or misdemeanor" question, not for my hell hands; because, you know, everyone has had a DUI, but raptor claws are unacceptable when you're applying for a job in the food service industry.

Anyways, enough about asians. My stomach is starting to hurt from the thought of MSG.
What's really important right now is the fact that my best friend introduced the term "meat curtains" to me last night. This girl has an unusual knack for talking about the most inappropriate things at the most inopportune times, but somehow she always makes it sound hilariously intriguing and almost intellectual. Almost. Anyways, don't ask me how we got onto the subject, but I thought it was amazing the fact that some men, and apparently women, refer to the vagina as "meat curtains". I once heard a friend of my ex's tell me that his girlfriends vag smelled like beef tacos, so I guess this term isn't completely off the wall. I'm not sure what a meat curtain looks like but I'm assuming that its fleshy and such. . . but the question remains at what level is the meat cooked, because Im sure girls have different colored vaginas? Something to ponder.

On a healthier note, I'm drinking wine right now. I saw on the Today show that drinking a glass of wine or a shot of booze or a beer a day is good for you. I'm still having one hang-up though, and that's the fact that she said "one". . . I'm going to go ahead and re-work this a little to be ONE bottle, because it seems more reasonable to me. And my health. . . mostly my sleeping patterns.

Let's see. There's really not much else to say, except I have a bad case of "Post-grad Syndrome" and even though I have a college degree I'm still a failure at life. The whole college education thing was only cool for like a month and a half. . .then people start to forget what you've accomplishe and think you're a loser again. To quote my good friend Amy's favorite quote, " I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful!" Whatever that means. . . you already think I'm wonderful though, right? Right?

This post has no relation to art things whatsoever. Fuck it. I do what I want.

Tik-Tok

'Cuz it's worth not forgetting. . .


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdcObAQ5OOM&playnext=1&videos=Qc9RuHUMz6U&feature=artistob

7 Is The New 4

Senioritis. . .

Im so jealous of my afternoon. It was great. Just the alone time I needed. I took a wander through the city and found my way to SFMoMA. Had to find a piece to do my senior project on. I actually had one in mind going into it, but came across this gem. I plan on writing a 10+ page paper on it. For now I have to write a 3 pg formal analysis. I was so taken with it, I spent around 30 or some odd minutes staring at the darn thing. I think the security guard was annoyed by me. . . At any rate, the piece is lovely. It speaks to me. And I hope to conversate with it over the next few weeks till graduation. After my saunter through MoMA was complete (which I highly recommend, there are some great pieces there now. Their anniversary show is up and its awesome!) I walked through the Yerba Buena Gardens, under the MLK waterfall, stared at a man fishing for change in the ponds and then get kicked out, and then found myself having happy hour at a delicious mexican restaurant. I took my time reading and taking MUNI back home, and now have a fresh perspective on the upcoming weeks and a livelier spirit in tackling the end of the semester. This city is so inspiring, I am forever grateful to it.

the orient. . .

Got some things on my mind. . .

Viva la revolucion

I've been thinking a lot about revolution. Si, revolucion. I guess thats what happens in this society when people fuck with things that are important to you and at the same time tell you there is nothing you can do about it. Coming from a capitalist driven society means that the time for action is only realized when someone is screwing with your money, and right about now I'm getting pretty pissed at the current state of things. Not only is the nation in an unprecedented economical crisis, but our own sunny state of CA is falling under the cash wagon and shit ain't looking so sunny anymore. The budget crisis has affected my education and I never thought I'd say it, but I am HELLA mad. Classes are closing, kids are being turned away from a chance at a higher education-- something that the very people that are denying them are also saying they need to survive in this society-- teachers and lecturers are losing jobs, funding for school expansion and re-building is being suspended, and my chance at a college degree that will be respected even after I graduate is now looking farther and farther away and less credible than if I were to have gotten it a year or two ago. Class sizes increase while class meetings decrease, leading to a more crowded space and less curriculum to account for it. I'm having to pay more for less. My Dad, who is a flaming Republican and has held up thus far in the hamster wheel of Capitalist society, has even said that revolution is coming. He said the people are going to have to take a stand, and until they do things will stay their course: the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer. There is no one in politics for the people, there is only politics for the profit. And until that changes we will continue to suffer, and our country will go under, all for the greed of a certain percentage of citizens. I dont know about you, but I was born here too, and I don't feel comfortable having my opportunities, that are said to be my rights, taken away from me or made harder to obtain. People, rise up. Seize the opportunities to be heard when you can. Excercise the rights that you still have to take back the ones that are being taken from you.
Rise up, rise up, rise up.

How Quickly We Forget

I was just reminded how unfortunate it is that I often completely overlook Surrealism. Surrealism. Surrealism. The staple style of artistic stylings that has completely given birth to a lot of the work I LOVE at present. So many have been inspired by it, yet so many ignore where it comes from. Check out the Godfather.

Magritte--Te amo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7lr0SYUfEo

"Not The Same Without You"

So, on Tuesday I bought my first fine art piece. Despite my punctuation, this is a very exciting thing, but I'm trying to maintain the fact that this is actually a very serious event as well. It's the start of my fine art collection. Yes, that's right, this is the real deal people. It's the start of a long line of investments, for which I am very proud and excited! I've started small here with this $150 Kris Markovich deck painting, but I'll tell ya, I'm more stoked about this than any pair of boots, pretty necklaces, or fancy piece of clothing I may ever come across. I think a good work of art is something that has weight and longevity and holds continual inspiration. . . I hold no guilt then in making this purchase. Only excitement and gratitude. Check it out!

XXX- Kiss

PS: BIG thanks to Desiree at Swiv Tackle Circus in Oceanside for holding on to this piece for me, and being so helpful in selling it. And of course thank you to Kris Markovich for creating such amazing, amazing paintings, one of which will now and forever hang on my walls. . . wherever I may be. Cheers!

Swiv Tackle Circus Galleritique:

http://swivtacklecircus.com/

Kris Markovich Myspace:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=1637257

Don't Forget, You Forgot To Forget Me

Okay, Okay, Okay, I'm sorry! It's been a while, I know. But things have been quite hectic since I last posted some shit on here. ((Now that I think about it, I'm not sure who I'm apologizing to, since I don't think anyone really reads this blog. . . but, I suppose an apology to myself is in order.)) So, there ya go. I'm sorry. And I'm back. And I have plenty to write about! I may have to break it into several different blogs, as there are many art related things I've come into contact with in the last couple months, but I'll start I suppose with an artist who has been on my mind since the first night I met him and his UH-mazing work, and that's DAVE CROSLAND. Dude, this guy is so fresh!

I got the chance to meet Dave at an event I work every Tuesday night @ DoubleDutch, in the Mission District of SF. I got this gig through an internship I acquired about a few months ago with a party promoting company called ArtNowSF. (CHECK IT OUT: http://www.myspace.com/artnow) Every Tuesday we have an artist come in and paint live, right inside the bar, and at the end of the night we raffle off the painting for a $5 entry fee. That's where I come in. Basically, I promote the artist within the bar, and try and make him a little mula while he's there. All the proceeds go directly to the artist, so that's pretty cool. . . and I get paid, and drink for free while I'm there working, so it's a pretty legit set-up for the both of us! The first night I did this, Dave was the artist, and I'd never heard of him before. He had mentioned that he had just gotten back from ComicCon in San Diego, my hometown, and so it cued in the fact that he's mainly an illustrator. The animation is definitely seen in his work, but the piece he did that night had SOO many more elements playing into it than just cool character sketches. He really employs a lot of different techniques into his pieces, one of the most interesting being collage. It adds some great texture to the piece that you wouldn't really be able to notice until it's done. The build up of paint and newpaper adds a great quality, and it completely contributes to the fact that Dave totally has it all under control. He seems to go into the paintings with a secret that only he knows, and that only he could reveal to you. And the end result is always well worth the wait.

You could tell he'd painted live before, as he came prepared with all necessary tools, a primed canvas with the base of his design already sketched and ready, and a Scotch--neat, resting in his free hand. Once he got going, it was hard to tell what it was going to be, but once the image started formulating, it was awesome to see his point-of-view and style really start taking shape.

He would stop every now and then, to take a picture at the developing stages of the artwork, and I later came to find that this was for his blog: http://www.hiredmeat.blogspot.com/, (you can find it to the right in my "Good Friends, Good Reads" section) where he runs through his creative process piece by piece to document and describe the very intricate stages of development. I find this so cool, because the viewer is not only seeing it from their own perspective, but they're also able to sneak in and see it from Croslands own crazy mindset. One guy in particular hanging out (by himself) at the bar found Dave's point of view quite intriguing, and stared with the utmost intent at his work ALL NIGHT LONG. I mean, this guy was actually leaning in and watching Dave from afar as if it were a soccer match or something. And then every once in a while, when Dave would finish a stroke or add a new element to the piece, the guy would literally stand up and cheer! Ha, I'm not joking, he might as well have had an "I (heart) Dave Crosland" t-shirt on! ((Maybe I'll suggest that to Dave! His girlfriend does screenprinting for a non-profit, and actually gave me an awesome shirt!)) Yeah. That's how bad-ass Dave is. Needless to say, I felt pretty bad when the guy didn't win the painting. I could tell he really wanted it. . . Maybe he'll be at the next show. I wouldn't be surprised.

Anyhoo, I've now lost my train of thought. That fan was amazing. Umm, well. . . maybe that means this is a good time to wrap this up. Dave is a freakin' amazing artist and person, and you should check out his work and support it, wherever you may be! Definitely an artist to watch.

I'll be back with many other updates of artists and people I've met who are equally as legit. SF has been good to me these past few months. . . I'll continue to share the love. Until then.

Ex Oh Ex Oh,

(Art) Gossip Girl

The final product of the painting @ DoubleDutch

and cool illustration. . .

Pop the Bubbly

Someone PLEASE buy these for me. . .NOW.

They're on sale-- $$89.95 . . . mmmm!

Subliminally Sublime

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1287040724/bclid1295326981/bctid1667900306


Hey, so turns out Shepard Fairey and his wife Amanda have a gallery in L.A.! How cute is that?!

Ha, well, all girlish envy aside, this is probably a very good place to check out. The gallery opened up in 2003 (even though it's been an established project since '95) and is newly located in Echo Park. They only feature 6 exhibitions a year-- focusing mostly on contemporary/up-and-coming artists. They've had some pretty rad showings so far, including Banksy inspiration: Blek le Rat! Their place is intended to serve as a community space to expose eager eyes and ears to new art, lectures, and special events, and also to create a "forum for contemporary dialogue". Pretty sweet concept if you ask me. Who wants to accompany me on a visit while I'm in S.D.?? I'll drive! :)

So Long, Farewell. . .

So, Art History is over my friends. Well, this portion at least. I must say, my summer school experience has been MOST enjoyable. Though it went a little TOO fast, I really did learn a lot, and as cheezy as it sounds, I got a lot out of it. This class was oodles better than my last Art History class, and I'm so, so happy I was able to take it this summer. My only regret is that it wasn't longer-- and yes, I really mean that. So what if my teacher is gonna read this--I'm no cheat, this is the truth folks. A little sad to see summer school go, but completely content with what I've learned, and what I will come to know in the future. Super excited about having a break before fall semester, and going home to SD for a bit. I think the most intriguing thing about this class that I will say, is that I really feel like I was enlightened about a lot of the art I've seen over and over before, but really had no insight towards. I now feel like I look at art a different way. I've always been in appreciation of the subject, but never really had a hunger to find out its hidden meanings, agendas, truth's, motives, and originators. I'm configuring connections between the old and the new, and the few and far between. It's a philosophy applicable to most things in life. Always taking things at face value is no way to live, and I feel like I'm looking at a different side of life. What an amazing thing to now have. . . What a way to live.

xoxo

Stickin' It To The MAN!

Man, I feel like a little kid again! And aren't we all? I mean we're living in a world that is no longer private! With the boom of the internet, Youtube, and Myspace to "security" cams and wire taps, I can't help but get the feeling that I'm constantly being watched. Question is-- who's watching? The government? Societies elite? Corporations? Aliens??? I'll tell you who it is-- it's all of the above. And all of the above is most commonly known as: "The Man". We're living for the "Man", by the "Man", and under the "Man". . . and MAN, that sucks! This is a problem, a big freakin' societal problem, and it's interesting to see it through an artistic perspective. While I was at the De Young Museum, I saw it so literally I couldn't help but laugh. I walked right up to Viola Frey's "Man Observing II", and felt so strangely small and insignificant. Like I was really being watched, observed, even scolded. The piece had to be at least 13 feet tall, looming like a giant right above me. I was forced to look up and observe the piece straight on, and it was an interesting experience. Immediately I started thinking of the social implications I mentioned before, and finally concluded that the artists perspective and intent at the point of actual production, was easily translated into my, the viewers, consumption of the piece. The physical perspective that the piece gave out and simultaneously called back, is directly correlated with the societal message the artist is trying to convey. It sort of makes me think about the government giving 'hand outs' to our people, but at the same time taking it right back! I felt like I was being watched, I felt weak, and that is often how the common citizen feels within their own society. I thought this was a perfect example of how the artists perspective is directly involved with the viewers! Yikes!

Modern Art Must Cure My Disease

Link to Baudelaire essay:

http://eres.sfsu.edu/eres/docs/33513/art_202_s05_f9.pdf

First off, I think I'm too focused on the way that Baudelaire is writing, rather than what he is saying. I love his syntax. There is such an emotion and sense of sarcasm in his voice that I L-O-V-E! His way of wording is so, so powerful and hilarious. Like he is truly disgusted with his society and the way it is portrayed. Why are artists trying to idealize in their works a society that is not deserving of the Classical treatment? A society that doesn't even fit into the mold of the Classic forms and ways and beliefs? One that is so caught up in themselves, that they don't even need to have an artist represent/re-create them-- a simple mirror would suffice. And though this essay was written in the 18th century, the frivolousness, excess, narcissism, and decadence that once plagued Baudelaire's society, is still--if not even more so-- plaguing our own society today. People now in days are sick with self-indulgence, and art isn't always reflecting it appropriately. Baudelaire is calling for the attention of the modern artist, who has an open eye to what is both current and true.

A funny thing while reading this was the comments he made about women in (his) society and how they were being portrayed versus how they really were. Women were objects, complete artifice. They were there to be seen, and not concerned with the fact that there was nothing going on underneath all the pretty pin-curls and petticoats. It totally reminds me of when I get together with my girlfriends and go out. Getting ready is like an event, with great amounts of pressure added-- stemming not from the notion that we might meet some handsome suitor that night, but rather from the crude competition that one MUST look the best out of all of us, according to us, and according to the other FEMALES that we might see out that night. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: "Girls dress for Girls". Sure, we care what a boy might think of how we look, but really what it comes down to is how we compare ourselves to the other women we see. Going out is a matter of being seen. It's sitting around with a drink in your hand, acting unaware of what's going on around you, but knowing every detail of what is happening. It's acting completely complacent, when you're freaking out at the fact that everyone may, at one time or another, be looking at you. Baudelaire said it best when he described it in this way:

"And now the doors are being thrown open at Valentino's, at the Prado or the Casino -- those Bedlams where the exuberance of idle youth is given free rein. Women who have exaggerated fashion to the extent of perverting its charm and totally destroying its aims, are ostentatiously sweeping the floor with their trains and the fringes of their shawls; they come and go, pass and repass, opening an astonished eye like animals, giving an impression of total blindness, but missing nothing."

How true this is, and how guilty I am of partaking in it. How many times have I stomped around a lounge or a bar, seemingly blind to my surroundings, but being more intuitive than at any other part of my day? How many times have I freaked to do some last minute shopping so I could look as fabulous as possible wherever I might be going, and then when I got there made sure to make it a point to float about in hopes that someone might notice my fancy-schmancy ensemble? How lame am I? And how imperative it is for an artist, a modern artist, to expose this viciously vain conceit that is a disease to our current societal norms/beliefs, and that is often fueled by the popular images within it.

We've talked about how art and image influence a society. It then is important that these images are portraying the truth, rather than idealizing it, because then it will only reproduce a society that is still unaware, and only aware of itself.

That is the plight of the modern painter. That is what must be done!