Alex Da Corte | I Attach Myself to You

Take advantage of the shitty weather tonight and head out to Stonefox Artspace in Soho to check out the opening night of Alex Da Corte’s I Attach Myself To You. The exhibit will feature color portrait photographs and related sculptures that explore the nature of intimacy in a digital world where online dating, chat rooms, MySpace.com, blogs, etc. increasingly supplant real human interaction.

The photographs on view document the Philadelphia artist’s ongoing project, ”Activities,” (ie. Activity #9 – stuffing strawberries in your mouth) a series in which Da Corte invites strangers he meets in public parks to perform simple actions utilizing a variety of props in his studio. The props are often childlike in nature and include fake flowers, happy-face balloons, holiday party signs, brightly colored ribbon, costume make-up, glitter, etc. and the “Activities” are equally whimsical as well. The main directive is “to play spontaneously with a chosen object(s), and do something with it you wouldn’t ordinarily do.”

The exhibit opens tonight (December 11th) at 6pm and runs through February 12th. Shots from Flickr can/will be uploaded here. Check it.

Get Crafty

The Holiday season is upon us and for me, this means getting crafty. I’m big on handmade gifts, not only to save money, but to give something from the heart. Most people really appreciate the effort despite if it was on their “list”.

Last year I did custom framed photos, some shirts with original artwork, and a skateboard deck with a my own graphics. If I could knit, I would love to make some beard caps like the one above…just awesome.

Keep an eye on design blogs (some very girly), like Craftster , Supernaturale, Get Crafty, and magazines like Ready Made and Make for good Holiday DIY gift ideas. If you want to buy handmade, I suggest checking out the local Designer’s Market every weekend on Mulberry. You’ll find some very unique and very New York gifts there.

Have a great Turkey Day!

Indie Rock T-Shirts That Would Never Sell

These ironic t-shirt designs made me laugh. Almost so much so that I would actually wear one.

Also, I’m not a big fan of Busted Tees and I’m sure this is already on its way for mass Urban Outfitters’ production, but you can’t deny how good it is. I can see strangers coming up behind you to rock the Guitar Hero. Gives a whole new meaning to the term “reach around”.

Love Tears Me Apart | T-shirt and Podcast

I love this shirt from threadless that plays on Joy Division’s famous album, Unknown Pleasures. It made me think of someone I know right away. I think we can all relate to that message sometimes.

Speaking of heartbreaks, my favorite podcast had a great show a couple weeks back. Check out Ira Glass’ This American Life episode on breakups here, including the perfect breakup song and whether really sad music can actually make you feel better.

video of the week | theo jansen

Being an engineer and having a love for art, I’ve always been inspired by the kinetic sculptor, Theo Jansen. Working on the beaches of the Netherlands, Jensen constructs large sculptures that resemble skeletons of animals which are able to walk using the power of the wind. My favorite piece, Animaris Rhinoceros, is at the end of the video. Simply amazing.

Katrina Remembered

Tomorrow will mark 2 years since Katrina made landfall in New Orleans and devastated the city costing the lives of over 1,500 people. The tragedy has left an indelible mark in our minds of death, crime, heartache, and poor government response for what is now known as the Lost City of New Orleans. But many of us at home came to together and through non-profit organizations raised over $4 billion to date. In fact, that’s how FRICTION got started. The sole purpose of our very first show was to raise money for the victims of Katrina. All of the proceeds were donated to Oxfam America, which focuses on rural and urban poor victims.

So as we celebrate our two years of FRICTION we’ll be putting on not one but two shows for the momentous occasion. In remembering Katrina, we all have our own ways to reflect. I personally will be heading out to Socrates Sculpture Park to view Japanese sculptor Takashi Horisaki’s latex replicas of a NOLA shotgun house. I may also get one of these artful T-shirts like the one shown above from Dirty Coast, local NOLA designers. Pick one up and wear it to FRICTION to show your support!

[MP3]: Lil Wayne  ”Georgia Bush”

Ready for Peace

I’m not the protesting type, but I do voice my opinion in my own way about the war. Expression through art is one way to make your statement heard. I love this stop sign modification found in Bloomington, Indiana by counterclockwise.

You can also wear your message through these nifty T-shirts. I have the peace gear one from those creative folks down in Philly.

People, people, why are we fighting? | Ready for peace. | Peace Gear