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September 30, 2005
Dave Ortiz. Dork of the Week
Dork of the Week | Dave Ortiz: This week's Dork delivers the freshest in sneaker delicacies. Dave Ortiz, owner of Dave's Quality Meat - a sneaker boutique in NY - is constantly innovating. From managing the Zoo York Skate Team, to his debut kicks with bacon colorways, to creating a store with possibly the hottest concept I've seen in a minute, there is no doubt that Dave is pursuing his passion with relentless vigor.
Dork recently caught up with homeboy to ask him the usual DoW questions. Check out the pics and words from this week's inspiration and biggest dork!
DM: What's your passion?
Passion... Wow that’s a tough one. I guess it would be to make dope products that people can buy and be happy with, but if I had to pick something I would say BMX. It was always something I loved and because of BMX I’m here today. It was what got me off the streets and into something beautiful. I think if I didn’t ride BMX I would have turned into a drug dealer that’s what was around me and the easiest way to make money.
DM: What keeps you motivated to create?
Well it’s now my JOB. You know once you open the doors you have to keep it moving. It’s a living and breathing monster that never sleeps. So I come to work everyday even on my days off like today.
DM: Who are some of your inspirations?
Willem de Kooning - great painter, Chris my partner for believing in this crazy idea for a shop, my homeboy VIPE who just got out of jail after 18 years locked up. He’s been one of the strongest men alive at least to me that is.
DM: Favorite Song?
The bed is too big without you the Police
Breaking the girl RHCP
DM: Favorite Movie?
Meatballs Bill Murray
Empire strikes Back!
DM: One thing that you can't live without?
My dog Squishy…and beer….
[Thanks Dave! You can check out Dave's Quality Meat in NY - 7 East 3rd Street | Website]
[Also look for Dave in the latest edition of Sneaker Freaker - Get it Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 12:42 AM | Comments (25)
Gadgets. New York on PSP
Gadgets | NY on PSP: You know a week can't go by without us giving you some PSP news. Yesterday engadget* hipped us to Dave's latest creation, NY Subway maps for the PSP. Thank You!
I'm from Philly, and he's just made my life a lot easier. Sure I know how to get to key points in the apple with ease, but it's figuring out those new travels that can get a little tricky. So be gone Ipod Photo envy. I too can have Subway maps. Check it out [here]
Posted by taj at 12:40 AM | Comments (11)
September 29, 2005
Music. Casual's Smash Rockwell
Casual Presents Smash Rockwell: My early high school years were well bred on the musical tunes of Casual and the Hiero crew. The beats were crazy. Casual's sly cadence over the rhythm was crazy. He was the man. In my opinion he got the best of Saafir back in the day with their infamous freestyle battles. He was no carbon copy.
Since then, he's continued to rock mics. But, folks have been hungry for more Casual madness. His long awaited follow up to "He Think He Raw", shows us that the wait was worth it. Cas brings 15 tracks of Heat, Heart, and pure Hiero. The new album features Tajai, Opio, Too Short, E-40, Richie Rich, Psalm One, and Young Zee. The album is in stores now. Check out some of the tracks below or [Buy]
Say That Then produced by J-Zone [Listen]
Rap Game produced by Domino [Listen]
Posted by taj at 06:39 AM | Comments (27)
Habitat. Design London & MocoLoco
Design London: Last weekend London hosted one of the dopest contemporary design shows on the planet. 100% Design assembled an exciting program of events for folks to see, touch and learn about contemporary pieces. It's always cool to see what makes these post modern folks tick.
Of course MocoLoco was on the scene and did a fantastic job covering it. They have some great pics for all of you that reside on the other side of the pond (like myself). They broke it down into three parts, so go and enjoy [1.2.3]
Posted by taj at 04:12 AM | Comments (8)
Music. Jneiro Jarel's 3 Piece Puzzle
Jneiro Jarel's Three Piece Puzzle | October 18: Our pals over at Ropeadope* sent us the new album from one of Philly's finest, Jneiro Jarel. Homeboy has serious musical abilities. As an emcee, producer or singer, Jneiro's album Three Piece Puzzle is proof positive of his diverse talents.
Listening to the album will remind you of the best times during the 90s. And yet, the album still manages to present something new and refreshing. With guest appearances from Vinia Mojica, Rocque Won, Mel Owens, Dr. Who dat and others, there is enough variety in concepts and harmony to prevent it from being boring. Jneiro is a hit in the Netherlands and abroad. Hopefully the record will catch on domestically. Go out and support on October 18. [More]
Posted by taj at 02:33 AM | Comments (47)
Art. Carolina Chaves Urruzmendi
Portfolio Highlight | Carolina Chaves Urruzmendi: Ms. Urruzmendi's work is clean, concise and delivers her clients' message with accuracy. She was born in the United States, grew up in Uruguay, and now resides in Los Angeles. Looking at her work you can see the various cultural influences shining through.
After completing her studies, she acquired an impressive list of clients for whom she has produced a diversified collection of works. Her clients include Hennnessey + Ingalls Books, Cal State LA’s Opera Program, The City of Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Eastern Developments Music, Todosonidos Presenta, IRT: Interborough Rock Tribune NYC and Honey for the Bear. Dork looks to Carolina for inspiration and we're confident that once you see her work, you will too [Carolina Website].
Posted by taj at 01:35 AM | Comments (13)
September 28, 2005
Too Fresh! Brand New Video 'Ye & Rhyme
Brand New Video | Kanye and Rhymefest: Oh man! I love this video. We've been cranking Brand New at the Dork parties for a minute. Rhymefest has endless charisma, and his music absolutely charges a party. Dude has talent, poise and all those other good things. I hope this video sets things in motion. His new album is due out later this year and boast guest appearances from Tip, Common, Carl Thomas, Twista & Kanye.
If you've never heard or seen this dude, allow us the introduction. Sit back, relax and get ready. Our homeboy is about to set it on folks. Watch Brand New Video [Here]
Posted by taj at 07:44 PM | Comments (16)
Music. Big Boi's New Label
Big Boi's New Label: From the moment we heard Hootie Hoo we knew legendary status was in the future for Outkast. The group has been pushing the envelope since day one, and now, both Dre and Big Boi are exploring their artistic options. Get ready world.
Purple Ribbon is Big Boi's latest project. His new label boasts a talented roster (i.e., Killer Mike, C-Bone, Rock D & Blackowned) and promises to get things moving in the club or where ever you are. Check out audio and video from the label's latest release, Kryptonite, off of the album Got Purp, Vol. 2.
Kryptonite [Video] Watch
Kryptonite [Audio] Listen
Posted by taj at 02:10 PM | Comments (2)
Tees. Threadless' Control Z
Threadless' Control Z Tee: One of Dork's favorite tee's is back at threadless. Control Z (pictured above) is classic. If only we had the undo option for everything in life. Until apple devises something, I guess we'll always have this tee. ha! [Check it]
Speaking of T-shirts, we're in the midst of designing dork tees. There's some hot collabos lined up and we're always looking for more. If you know of someone, or are that someone who would like to collab with us on a fresh tee-shirt design, you can give us a shout [here].
Posted by taj at 01:48 AM | Comments (12)
September 27, 2005
Books. Semi-Permanent New York
Books | Semi-Permanent New York: A few weeks back, the Semi-Perm fam came through and rocked NY with their art conference. Now they're back with a new book. Semi-Permanent New York captures the awesome artwork from speakers, sponsors and contributing artists from this event. It's 240 pages of dope expression.
We had a blast covering the NY conference and we know you'll love the book. Below, we've posted a full pic of the cover. You can get your own copy [Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 03:51 AM | Comments (9)
Dork Audio Tuesday!
Dork Audio Tuesdays: Broadcasting live and in stereo, we present some audio goodness coming straight from the offices of Dork. Well, maybe its not as grandiose as the previous sentence suggests, but we have some tunes that we've been cranking and thought you might be interested in them as well. There's nothing new, but it may be something you don't have in the ipod yet.
Cold Check it [Move] [Paris] [Universal] [Fever]
Posted by taj at 02:49 AM | Comments (3)
On Newstands. Wired Magazine
Wired Magazine: For the 154th month in a row, Wired Magazine proves why it reigns supreme. Their range of diverse topics is unparalleled. Who else could talk about biospheres, hackers, King Kong, DangerDoom and Juelz Santana while making it all make sense?
In this months edition, they've interviewed Mr. Santana about his portable hard drive. To prevent bootleggers and pirates from getting a hold of his music, Juelz saved all his tracks and vocals for his latest album on a 200-Gbyte drive. The only problem was that homeboy kept the jam running for 24 hours a day for an entire year. Ultimately it overheated, leaving Santana severely distressed... What happened next? Find out the fate of Mr. Santana and his hard drive by copping the latest wired. [Bird Gang]!
Posted by taj at 01:21 AM | Comments (18)
September 26, 2005
Games. Deadly plague hits Virtual World
Deadly plague hits the Virtual World: Dork would be remiss if we didn't keep our readers informed about gaming news and the tech world. If you're like me, you get completely lost in the virtual world (i.e., Halo 2, Everquest or Warcraft). Halo 2 is an admitted addiction in these parts, and I envy those college cats who can live online all day. But, Warcraft folks beware! The BBC has recently reported a deadly plague that wipes out your characters. Yikes!
Originally it was thought that the deadly digital disease was the result of a programming bug in a location only recently added to the Warcraft game. However, it now appears that players kicked off the plague and then kept it spreading after the first outbreak. [Read more]
Posted by taj at 05:46 AM | Comments (12)
Store Updates. Ubiq and Turntablelab
Ubiq Update: We've always checked for Ubiq, but lately they've been especially fresh. Those cats are on their game. The service and merchandise has been top grade. Their most recent Center City Philly update includes an expanded women's section, the men's clothing and kicks section has been moved upstairs and the presence of art in the store is heavier. Think of it as an American version of Colette. Check for the latest [here]
Turntablelab: The fellas behind Turntablelab should be on the Apprentice. One of them would surely win. Their progression from turntables to tees to designer books to all things cool is too ill. And, now their opening a physical store in LA - go ahead mang! Their latest update includes new incase products, lrg gear and all the techno gadgets you could ever want. [Here]
Posted by taj at 04:37 AM | Comments (1)
Events & Design. The Quiet Life
The Quiet Life: These cats design some of my favorite tees. But, let's not get it confused. They do much more than tees. The Quiet Life is a small project from Los Angeles that's run by Andy Mueller and Jennifer Pitt. They rock skateboards, photos, zines and everything else creative. The latest edition of their publication is out now (pictured above).
Andy Mueller was raised in the mid-west on a healthy diet of BMX, skateboarding, music and magazines. At an early age, Andy became addicted to the art of image making and photo taking. In 1993, Andy founded OhioGirl Design, a small design/photo/film studio. Then in 1997, Andy started "The Quiet Life", as an outlet for purely creative ideas, with a few friends from within OhioGirl. Originally producing only one or two designs a year, The Quiet Life has grown into a much larger project. The Quiet Life now releases a fresh magazine 2 seasons a year, produces special designs for Upper Playground's 50-24-SF artist line and for 2K by Gingham, and releases limited edition items. Check out the latest edition of The Quiet Life [Here] They're having a realease party for it in LA [Details]
Posted by taj at 02:00 AM | Comments (31)
Review. Writers United: The WUFC Story
Book Review | Writers United: Over the weekend, the Dork offices received Writers United, The Story about WUFC - A swedish Graffiti Crew. The book chronicles the rise of six members who've come together to form one of Europe's most notorious graf teams. They started out in an indoor soccer hall in the Stockholm suburb of Nacka eleven years ago. And, since then, they've written their name on thousands of trains and walls across Europe. WUFC, Writers United Football Club, have created all kinds of striking pieces that demonstrate why graf is much more than colorful vandalism.
The beautifully bounded hard cover book that stands at 23x30cm, contains 160 pages of glossy photos and passages that take you into the mind of the artists. Emil Hagelin, the book's photographer, says it best when he states, "Most graffiti books concentrate on the pieces themselves. We wanted to show what their lives look like, and how graffiti appears on Joe Blow's wall or the subway train he takes to work every morning." This book serves as a great source of inspiration and also looks great on the coffee table. Check out some of the photos below:
[Writers United is published by Dokument Forlag]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 01:20 AM | Comments (8)
September 24, 2005
Weekend Re:Up & James' Bday Extravaganza
Birthday Extravaganza: You probably noticed a slight slow down in posts yesterday. It was for good reason. It was James' BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday man. We had a great time celebrating. There's nothing like hanging out on a rooftop in Brooklyn and then chilling at Triple Crown. Good times were had by all. I hope this year bares all that you wish for bro.
Weekend Re.Up: Another week has passed and summer is gradually, but suddenly, becoming a memory. I was actually cold on Friday night. But, long sleeves are a good thing - I guess. Here's this week's highlights:
[Para's Art]Read
[ResFest | Just for Kicks]Read
[Babble Box]Read
[Rich Medina's Connecting the dots]Read
[Review of A History of Violence]Read
[Bedroom Rockers]Read
[Dork of the Week | Bill]Read
peace.taj
Posted by taj at 08:16 PM | Comments (7)
September 23, 2005
Brainchild. Dork of the Week
Brainchild | Dork of the Week: Bill aka Brainchild aka One Soulful Negro has been carving a niche on the web and in the music world for some time now. You may have heard him spin some funk, obscure hip-hop, or soul in a New York Club. Or, you may have been hooked to one of his daily blogs (extra-medium was one of the best).
All in all, he's a nice dude and he loves music. If you ever chat with him for longer than 10 seconds he'll school you on something funky. I remember one time we were talking and he broke down this ill deejaying template for crushing dance floors. To this day I still set my deejay clock to those words (a la - I'll hit them with Jeru now!) Check below for some words from today's Dork of Week!
DM: What's your passion?
Music. Although, I think it's more of an obsession slash addiction than anything. 95% of my waking hours are spent looking for, listening to, or creating it.
DM: What keeps you motivated to create?
What else am I gonna do?
DM: Who are some of your inspirations?
I've been blessed to have a lot of creative minds in my inner circle: writers, designers, djs, emcees, musicians, beatmakers & producers (there's a difference...), singers, idea-persons... so i look at what they are all doing, and i get the itch. Not that one, the other itch.
DM: Favorite Song? & Favorite Movie
I don't play favorites. There are some I dig more than others, but nothing stands taller than the rest.
DM: One thing that you can't live without?
My circulatory system. You try living without one.
[Check out Bill's audio site Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 12:21 PM | Comments (43)
September 22, 2005
Habitat. XLR8R presents Bedroom Rockers
XLR8R presents Bedroom Rockers: Viewing studios, offices or any creative-space is always interesting. XLR8R takes it to another level with their latest book release, Bedroom Rockers - Where DJ's Call Home. The flicks in this photo journal are fantastic. They've managed to document some of the greatest habitats from artists like Kon (from Kon & Amir), Edan and others. Funny enough, as I type this, Dork Audio is going through a transition. We're moving our studio out of the bedroom to another space. Hopefully all this electronic stuff we've amassed can be put to some use. We're focused, so be ready for mixtapes, beat-tapes and anything else we can make with this stuff.
Anyway, If you're out west, Berkeley to be specific, be sure to check out XLR8R's release party at the Adidas Originals store [2333 Telegraph Ave | 2pm - 6pm] on October 22. Music will be provided by B Love, Tomas and Toph One. Below we've listed a few pics from the book to serve as a preview:
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 12:11 PM | Comments (14)
Review. A History of Violence
Review. A History of Violence: The other day, dork film aficionado, Jesse and I checked out the new film, A History of Violence. It's directed by legendary director David Cronenberg (The Fly & Crash). Here is the ultra-generic plot summary.
Tod Stall's (Viggo Mortensen) average family is thrust into the spotlight after he commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner. This sudden attention unravels the family's ideal reality and throws their lives into a cloud of suspicion and mystery. After the film, Mortensen did a Q&A with Rolling Stone writer Peter Travers. We figured that we'd give you our take on the film. Think of it as Ebert & Roeper meets The Family Guy.
Jesse: Since I was a wee lad I've always felt that titles were under-appreciated. Whether it be an album, song, movie, book or essay, the title is the first impression and if for nothing more, it's valuable. In 7th grade I was erasable-penning great Summer Vacation papers with brilliant titles. And the title’s not the only part that David Cronenberg knocked-out-the-box with A History of Violence.
The first ten minutes were uhhhh, peculiar, but the film creeped forward with subtlety and an odd combination of both stellar (Ed Harris, Viggo and William Hurt) and awful performances. An adaptation of a graphic novel, Violence is shamelessly paced, quiet and feeling. And once the brutality arrives, you’re thankful not to have to view it from behind a filter of uber-stylized Audio-Visual gimmicks.
Plenty of this film was transparent formula-filler but not without real purpose and the high points were high for a reason that is unlikely to be fully appreciated in the first viewing. This title is kick-ass but a major overstatement. He wanted to use it before someone else did.
I’ve gotta give a shout-out to the nutty old battle-axe in the row in front of us who turned and hissed “WILL YOU STOP TAKING THOSE PICTURES!” during the Q&A. Nice touch indeed, and a telling conclusion to our experience with A History of Violence.
James: I spent the first third of the movie wondering what I was watching. I wasn't sure if I was watching One Tree Hill or an actual feature film. I had to remember that the movie is an adaptation of a graphic novel, so they had to stay true to the source. Also, I know Cronenberg is a weirdo. He is probably best known for Crash, a film about intentionally crashing your car into somebody else's car and having sex with them. So I had faith that this film would take an unpredictable turn.
The Q&A helped me appreciate the film. Mortensen spoke about the fact as humans we have this “thin layer of civility.” Underneath this layer, humans are a bit unpredictable and can be a bit savage at times. Basically, we have free will, and not everyone wants to be peaceful. This is a movie that you'll be talking about minutes after it is over, but you are going to have to watch it twice to see all the nuances.
peace. james
Posted by james at 04:30 AM | Comments (7)
Events. Tokion's Creativity Now Conference
Tokion's Creativity Now Conference: Beyond the grind is the hope for big lights, fame and glamour. Or, maybe it's just artistic freedom. Tokion presents it's 3rd annual Creativity Now Conference. On October 15 and 16, this unique symposium will bring together top figures in art, design, fashion, photography, film, new media, publishing and marketing.
Definitely check this event out if you're in the New York area. The conference will be held at Cooper Union. Invited guests include Neil Brennan, Gideon Yago and others. For more information - cold click it [Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 03:00 AM | Comments (9)
Event. Apple Expo Paris
Apple Expo Paris: Who doesn't love the Nano? Is the Ipod phone really that cool? Since Steve Jobs made all of Apple's big announcements a few weeks back, this year's Expo has accrued less fanfare than usual. But, that's not to say there aren't some great innovations debuting.
ILounge has done a terrific job of covering the event. One particular point of interest was Numark's DJ set up for the ipod. It seems pretty cool and scary at the same time. I'm not one to fight technology but some of the essence is lost with this invention (even more than with final scratch or serato). Peep the pics below and be sure to visit ILounge for full coverage [Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 12:00 AM | Comments (10)
September 21, 2005
Habitat. Hip(per) Hotels in Dwell
Hip(per) Hotels in Dwell: The latest edition of Dwell Magazine is on newstands. It's entitled America Goes Modern and includes some great articles. This issue is packed with conversational pieces and other print that is highly useful for folks interested in the modern scene.
One article in particular, Hip(per) Hotels provides readers with a directory of affordable modern hotels. Whether you're looking for a spot in Oklahoma or NYC there's a modern piece of heaven waiting for you. Below you can find a cover image of the Mag or visit [Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:59 AM | Comments (7)
Events. RESFEST Wrap-up
RESFEST RE-CAP: The 2005 edition of RESFEST kicked off last week at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York. Stéphane Sednaoui, celebrated photographer and music video director, began the fest with a keynote and it was pure fiyah from then on. There were tons of fantastic films and panels throughout the three day spectacular. It's been an engaging experience overall. I'm confident folks learned a lot about the art of film-making during the fest.
Personally, I've been inspired by RES' event. It was great to interact with people who are passionate about film. The panel disscusions were especially enlightening. Below, you can find my highlights and photos from Sunday:
Panel | Inside Music Video: Holly Schomann (director of music programming, MTV2), Jill Kaplan (Atlantic Records), and director Jon Watts (Smuggler/Waverly Films) were the panelists for this converstaion about “What makes the perfect music video?” and “What makes the perfect pitch?” Well at least this is what the program guide said. It was more like a tense, awkard debate. Let's face it, when you put indiephiles and corporate types in the same room together, it is going to get confrontational. John Watts is cool. He was so honest, and asked the questions that you would ask. Like, “Why do you guys show My Sweet 16 all the time?” and “Why is the Fallout Boy video always on?” Very funny.
Ginga | The Soul of Brasilian Football: Ginga is the undefinable, mystical quality of movement that sets Brazilian futbol players apart. Ginga is a slick documentary that can be best described as a visual mixtape. The three young directors tell a tale of several aspiring football players and stars, Falcao and Robinho. It reminds me of Hoop Dreams. This is truly an inspiring film.
Traktor Retrospective: Swedish collective Traktor, is what happens when a bunch of friends from school work together - greatness. Traktor has made hundreds of insanely funny commercials and is the most awarded director of commercials in the history of the medium. The Retrospective featured some rather interesting Axe deodorant commercials that they would never be able to show in the States. Their Discovery.com commercials are pretty funny too. [Check it]
Live Music | Hot Chip @ Hiro Ballroom: Funky! I did the robot all night long!!!
RESFEST moves on to San Francisco, Los Angles and Chicago over the next three weekends. Be sure to catch it if you can. Who knows, maybe Dork will cover RESFEST in London, or Tokyo. Also check RES for a cool podcast interview with the director of Flesh.
peace. james
Posted by james at 08:59 AM | Comments (14)
Art. Connecting the Dots Mixtape
New Music | Connecting the Dots by Rich Medina: First. That's the illest high school picture I've ever seen. Rich is the cat with the mean mug and specs. Second. This mixtape sampler hosted by Bobbito has the office buzzing. Philadelphia is clearly repping with this one.
For those who may not be familiar with Rich, he's an accomplished producer, dj, poet and artist. "Big Rich" is about to set it on cats by bringing together the essence of Hip Hop, Jazz, House, Spoken Word, Afro Beat and Bass Heavy Future Soul. The sampler, boasting Bobbito's perpetual excitement, gives you a good taste of his upcoming opus. Listen to a track [Check it out]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:49 AM | Comments (8)
September 20, 2005
Dork Office Music: Madlib and Friends
Madlib and Friends | Studio Kinda Cloudy Volume One: Today has been quite the music day. Why not roll with it? With all this "kinda cloudy weather," I figured what would be better than a dose from Madlib and Friends. [Listen]
Random thought: It appears that people either love or hate the musical products from Madlib. I'm on the love side and I think many others are too, but it seems like there's never an indifference from fans with this cat. They always stand at either end of the spectrum with their affection for his music. Yes, Quasimoto is a bit out there, but it's still fresh. I'm not sure where I'm going with this but it's an observation. The deejaying, beatmaking, and creative imagery shared is quite admirable to say the least. Love it or hate it - you gotta respect it.
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:59 AM | Comments (42)
Art. Kev Brown's I Do What I Do
Kev Brown | I Do What I Do: Ever since the Brown Album, Dork has been in a trance. Kev's basslines are absolutely bananas. If you favor the styles of Pete Rock, Dilla, 9th and those other bass heavy samplers, you'll love Mr. Brown's latest release. I Do What I Do hits stores today and he's taking no prisoners. You can hear the new album [Here].
We'd be remiss if we didn't give you a taste of what inducted us into the Kev Brown Fan Club. Below you'll find his version of Allure. I thought Skateboard P did a fine job with this track, but Kev came along and created my favorite version to date. You decide [Download Allure]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:41 AM | Comments (13)
Art. Babble Box by Ric Stultz
Babble Box by Ric Stultz: 32 pages of high contrast illustrations are waiting for you. Believe me, you don't want to sit on your duff and miss this. Ric Stultz presents Babble Box - a fresh tale told with brillant lines, and creative imagery. It's only 6 bucks. Get down with the git [down]!
Morning Tunes: If you haven't heard, Jay Dee is coming out with a new album - Donuts!* I can't wait for this jam. I've been bumping his beat tapes for the past few months. And, this morning is no different. The Dork office is type focus due to this track [Download]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 06:27 AM | Comments (16)
September 19, 2005
RESFEST. Just for Kicks
Just for Kicks: I don't know about you, but I think this sneaker thing has gotten way out of control. I've contemplated wearing penny loafers so I don't seem like a too kewl for school psuedo-hipster elitist jerk. Then I see a sick pair of Adidas Decade Hi's and I have to buy them. So I guess you are what you consume. Besides, sneakers marry two things I value: style and comfort.
The movie Just For Kicks isn't just for sneaker-nerds. Although they probably think it is. It's a documentary that's both entertaining and informative. You could watch it with your mom. The coolest part of the movie is this pitch Run DMC sent to Adidas via videotape to get sponsorship. In the video, DMC and Jay point out that Run DMC's My Adidas has been climbing the charts and they've basically been getting free advertising out of it. Run, with the swagger of young Zach Morris, simply yells “give us a million dollars!” A classic moment indeed.
I have to extend a fat shout out to Megan from Res, for inviting me to the afterparty: Champagne & Sneakers. I got a nifty pair of New Balance at the jam. I'm jogging in those babies! Peep the pics below:
peace. james
Posted by james at 05:28 PM | Comments (14)
Movies. Manhattan by Woody Allen
Manhattan | Woody Allen: I love cities - especially Philadelphia. So, the other day I was making a grilled cheese sandwich. Consequence was playing over my computer, and Woody Allen's movie, Mahattan was on in the background. Within 15 seconds of seeing this flick, I knew I had to stop what I was doing and pay attention. The cinematography was supa-captivating. There is no doubt in my mind that Woody pioneered the art of making cities breathing characters. He did it with Manhattan and I wish we could see someone do it with Philadelphia. A contemporary version would be perfect.
Here's a quick summary of the plot, but it does the flick no justice because the true art lies in Woody's visual efforts. In Manhattan, Issac Davis (Woody Allen) is a divorced writer of a TV show unhappy with his job. His ex-wife left him to live with another woman and is writing a book about her relationship with him. Issac presently dates a seventeen year old high-school student, Tracy (Mariel Hemingway), who is in love with him, but he doesn't like her. Then he meets Mary Wilkie (Diane Keaton), the mistress of his married best friend Yale (Michael Murphy), he has a crush on her. Once Yale and Mary determine that things could never workout between them. Issac ends his relationship with Tracy and begins one with Mary, which ultimately affects the lives of many persons including his own. This movie is highly recommended. Check out more [Details]
Posted by taj at 08:59 AM | Comments (33)
Art. Pieter "Para" Janssen
Pieter "Parra" Janssen: Dork's number one homeboy, Ray, has hipped us to another dope artist. Pieter "Parra" Janssen has done work for companies ranging from Footlocker to Ben & Jerry's. His work blends silhouette designs with vivid colors and expressive curves.
Pieter was initially influence by his father who was a painter and sculptor, but as time went on he became heavily inspired by Skateboard culture and Hip Hop. For him the early 90's were about "sarcasm, post rebel feelings and sampling images like strange post pop art." He continues to present the world with his stunning designs, and has also begun his own clothing line. Below, you can find examples of his work.
Visit Parra's site [Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:45 AM | Comments (68)
Habitat. Eames Kubrick Set
Eames Kubrick Set: Goodness! Designs from the mid-century were classic and smooth. Ray and Charles Eames created some of the most influential furniture, patterns and habitat-wares the planet has ever seen. In the early 1940s, Charles and Ray moved to California where, because they knew no one, they hoped to be able to use that anonymity to pursue their passion in molding plywood. They managed to not only find elegant solutions for molding plywood, but their curiosity stretched to embrace furniture design, industrial design, films, toys, photography, museum exhibitions, graphic design, and, of course, architecture.
Kubrizzzick, Kid Robot and the Eames Foundation present more of this classic freshness for your home. Created and previously available only at the Japanese store STITCH, the 100% Kubrick 3 piece set is available online. [Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 06:03 AM | Comments (10)
September 17, 2005
Weekend Re:Up & RESFest Continues
Continued coverage of RESFest: Stay tuned as Dork brings you the latest news from this year's RESFest. It's been one heck of a festival celebrating the most innovative cats behind a camera. Check us on Monday or Tuesday for a complete review of the jam.
Weekend:Re.Up: Here we are again. Another week has rolled by for the Dork Crew and we've had a blast covering the latest in art news. Last week presented some serious high moments with lots of dope events. Check below for all the highlights in case you missed it. Until next week my friends [Be Easy]
[Dave White | The illest] Read
[Adfunture Invasion in Taipei] Read
[Movie Review | Woody's Celebrity] Read
[Sarah Doyle | Pop Culture and Growing up] Read
[Music Super Villains listen to] Download
[Ricardo Reyes' Gallery] Read
[Dork of the Week | Rickey Kim] Read
[CMJ Jam] Read
[RESFEST Coverage] Read
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 03:30 PM | Comments (6)
September 16, 2005
Events. Dork's RESFEST Coverage
RESFEST Coverage by Dork: I'm a bit of a recluse, so two social events in one day can be a bit stressfull for me. I've a new found respect for Access Hollywood's Billy Bush. Thank goodness I was heading to the super-rad RESFEST and not The People's Choice Awards. Ha!
Last night I checked out the RESFEST Shorts. All the films were amazing, inspired work (especially The Raftman), but everyone seemed to be buzzing about Flesh. Hmmm...How do I describe Flesh? Well it depicted a NY skyline, pre-9/11, superimposed with girl on girl pornographic images. I'm not a pervert. This is in the film. Well the events of September 11 are then reenacteded, this time planes destroy the towers and every other porn-clad building in New York. There was a Q&A right after the Shorts and an offended woman whose brother died in the WTC, asked the director why he would make a movie like that. Eduoard Salier, the director, didn't want to offer an explanation. Can you blame him? You have to be objective about art – it's all about understanding someone else's perspective. Tonight I'm checking out Just for Kicks and Shorts 2. For more info on The Raftman – which rules! Check [Here]
peace. james
Posted by james at 07:28 PM | Comments (10)
Events. Nicolay, J*Davey & Steve Spacek
CMJ Event | J*Davey & Others: Sometimes living in New York has its perks. This is especially true if you're immersed in the alternate reality some call Scion-Hop. Yesterday they sponsored a nifty rooftop party downtown. Free beer, bbq, and funk. I was glad to see a performance by J*Davey. I'm pretty sure this was one of their first performances in NYC. They have this fresh, playful yet smart sound. That's the best way to describe it.
Hearing Steve Spacek's performance was also a great moment, it was as if My Top Rated playlist came to life. Okay, I apologize for that, a little iWorld humor. Anyway, Nicolay closed the show out accompained by singer Yah Zarah. He played the beats out of his laptop and layered them with his keyboard – very kewl. So that was my afternoon. Not like you care. Peep the pics below:
peace. james
Posted by james at 04:53 PM | Comments (23)
Dork of the Week. Rickey Kim
Dork of the Week | Rickey Kim: This week's Dork is an inspiration. He's sparked a cross-genre movement far and wide with his social products. His online magazine Evil Monito urges people to think critically and act postively. His designs in fashion are innovative and fresh. And, his store brings accessibility to the rarest of items. This cat has an abundance of self-motivation. His desire to untangle the mess pop culture presents makes him a serious dork in our book. It's refreshing to know that in the world of media, we're not alone.
Dork caught up with Rickey last week to ask him the usual DoW questions. Check them out below.
DM: What's your passion?
Reading books on an overcast day. Drinking coffee with friends and sharing stories of good times.
DM: What keeps you motivated to create?
I want to make people think. I want to make people laugh. I want to make people cry. I want to move people.
DM: Who are some of your inspirations?
As a life mentor - Alyasha Owerka-Moore - he has introduced me to different ways of thinking and has been a huge inspiration.
As an artist - Kaws - I simply can't get over the whole psychology of his work. It's simply brilliant.
As a writer - Doestevsky - I read Crime & Punishment when I was a student in high school and it just blew me away, and how deep his words sunk into me.
DM: Favorite Song?
The Beatles - In My Life
My roomate was a drummer in this punk band and they did a cover of this song. I remember one day I was sitting alone in my dorm room and I just started tearing up when I heard it for the first time. Maybe it was the anxiety and the bittersweet emotions that I was no longer going to remain young. Who knows...I'm a sap.
DM: Favorite Movie?
Last Days of Disco
It's a movie I watched while I was in school and in some weird yuppy waspy way, it inspired me to want to live that fantasized life of having a group of witty intellectual friends. And I think I found that now living in the city.
DM: One thing that you can't live without?
Email. I know that sounds bad but I'm being honest here.
*Check out Rickey Kim's Evil Monito Brand, Store and Magazine [Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:24 AM | Comments (24)
September 15, 2005
Events. RE:UP & KUDU live
RE:UP & KUDU Live: There is nothing better than a great live performance. I checked out Kudu the other day at a RE:UP magazine party. I like their music, but I've never seen them live. They really put on an amazing show. Sylvia G's vocals are hypnotic and Deantoni Parks' beats can incite riots! This group is definitely worth checking out.
The new issue of RE:UP is pretty awesome as well. It has features on the aforementioned Kudu, Dangerdoom, and DJ Shadow. Plus, Dork homey extraordinaire, Wayne Pate gives his take on life in the Big Apple. The art direction for the issue is particulary cool, the mag cover is tabloidesque. It looks like the Hipster National Enquirer – very fresh. [KUDU | RE:UP]
peace. taj
Posted by james at 07:51 PM | Comments (7)
Art. Ricardo Reyes' Gallery
Art. Ricardo Reyes' Gallery: Ricardo Reyes has masterfully applied various artistics styles to portraits of hip-hop's greatest. From Q-Tip to Peter Rock he's brought to life some of the illest musicians. He's also written small pieces to accompany the portraits that explain the influences used in his design, as well as his feelings about the particular artists.
Ricardo has done all kinds of design work including illustrations, comics and advertisements. His skills spread across many genres. Be sure to check out his gallery [Here].
Big shout to our homeboy Raymond from the Netherlands for putting us on to this great artist. If you know of any other artists that should be featured on Dork - email us [Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:05 AM | Comments (19)
Events. RESFEST Tonight! Dork Coverage
RESFEST Begins: Well, well, well, the game is truly afoot. RESFEST begins tonight and it kicks off in the NYC. The tour includes cities like San Francisco, Vancouver and Montreal (that's only their North America line-up). They'll also be in South America, Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia.
The tour is RES' biggest festival. It features innovative short films, music videos, documentaries, broadcast design, live music, panel discussions, interactive entertainment and great parties. Make sure to get tickets. If you're in NYC tonight, here's a quick rundown of the happs:
6:00PM @TPAC w/Stephane Sednaoui
Stephane Sednaoui, has become one of the most internationally renowned photographers and directors since his introduction to the world of fashion by Jean-Paul Gaultier. His first major video breakthrough was the MTV award winning music video Give It Away for The Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1992. He has since gone on to create classic music videos for The Smashing Pumpkins, U2 , MC Solaar, and Bjork. Sednaoui will be joined by moderator and Festival Director, Jonathan Wells for this special event.
8:00PM @TPAC RESFEST Shorts
English music video impresario Adam Smith
premieres his hilariously entertaining video What Goes Up (Must Come Down), a rap musical set in a London cab; Napoleon Dynamite
director Jared Hess short film Winner Take Steve is a sardonic commentary of the competitive spirit of Middle America.
10:00PM @Dekk: Gettin' Funky with Brother Question
I made that title up. The internationally known and locally accepted DJ ?uestlove digs in his bottomless crate of MP3's for the opening night party at the unofficial RESFEST headquarters, Dekk. Complimentary bar provided by Dos Equis beer and Svedka vodka.
If you didn't get a RESPASS, do it now! Check www.resfest.com for more festival information and updates.
Tribeca Performing Arts Center:
199 Chambers Street
btw. Greenwich & West Side Hwy.
1, 2, 3, 9 Train to Chambers
Dekk:
134 Reade Street
btw. Hudson & Greenwich
1, 2, 3, 9 Train to Chambers
peace. james
Posted by james at 08:04 AM | Comments (19)
September 14, 2005
Gaming. PSP & GTA Liberty Stories
PSP | GTA Liberty Stories: Freewill is rated for mature audiences. Get it straight. There's nothing in GTA that forces you to talk to prostitutes or kill random pedestrians, but you can. And, that seems to be enough to cause controversy. The "you can" part makes parent groups go crazy.
Well... PTAs get ready for a portable version of the controversial, "you can" game. October bares the release of another version from the GTA series. This time it's for the PSP. I'm waiting for some sociologist to do a study on our culture over this thing - perhaps it's not the game but the player. Who knows at this point? [Details].
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 07:24 PM | Comments (9)
Habitat. Eldridge Smerin & Legion of Doom
Eldridge Smerin | Architecture: Back in the day Q-bert used to talk about using silence as an element of music. The lack of sound was just as important as its presence. I didn't understand that at first, but now it's making more sense. Especially as it applies to other genres of art. In architecture we see silence take the form of minimalism all the time. Check out the aboved pictured work from Nick Eldridge and Piers Smerin.
This duo formed Eldridge Smerin in 1998. Eldridge Smerin's projects draw on their skills and interests in contemporary architecture while blending the existing urban fabric. They seem to use straight lines, space and lighting to create their overall aesthetic. I can dig it. It looks like some place where all the baddest super villains would hang. They'd probably listen to tracks like [these] and plot to take over the world. Find out more about Eldridge Smerin. [Here]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:50 AM | Comments (13)
Product. 10.Deep Design & Clothing
10.Deep | Design & Clothing: These cats are some of the freshest art minds in the business. Established in 1995, 10 Deep / Tenth NYC is a design firm and creative collective. Their main output is the 10.Deep Clothing line but they've done design work for clients like The Gap, Akademiks, and Ecko. 10.deep is one of the original New York "underground" clothing lines. Through bold graphics, and quality design, they create apparel that intelligently conjures thoughts of movements, individuals and ideologies of days past and present.
At 10.Deep thier motto is simple, "..forget everyone and listen to yourself." You gotta love that. "Strength lies in the hands of an individual (10 fingers), not in the approval of one’s peers." [Website | Buy]
So fresh. taj
Posted by taj at 08:01 AM | Comments (4)
Contest. Aretha's One Step Winner!!!
Aretha's One Step Contest Winner: Last week Dork posted one of Aretha's classics and asked readers to respond to the following: Name the Hip Hop Artist, Song and Producer to use Aretha Franklins' One Step as the sample for a track off of their critically acclaimed solo debut (Answer: Mos Def, Ms. Fat Booty, Ayatollah). We never anticipated that we would get such a huge response.
Thanks to everyone who participated. The majority of responses were correct, but we could only pick one winner (the 25th entry). So without further ado, we'd like to congratulate PST for winning the "Name that Sample" game with Dork Magazine. You're the man homey! As your reward you'll receive a $30 iTunes gift card. Stay tuned for more cool give-aways at Dork!
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 07:42 AM | Comments (17)
September 13, 2005
Audio Visual. Todd Drake & Joey Blanco
Todd Drake: Recently Dork came across the work of Todd Drake. His artist statement is pretty interesting. In it, he tackles an issue I think many artists face, but instead of running from it - he take it head on. "In a search to paint more honestly, I've opened my art making process to the influence of others. This may seem like a contridiction, but this duality more completely represents who I am and what I believe is most important; that who we are is shaped by who we come into contact with over the span of our life." [Word Up!]
Irreplaceable by The Funky Lowlives: Joey Blanco put me on to this group one day when I was record shopping. The above artist statement reminded me of him. Back in '98 I used to hit up Armand's after work everyday. There wasn't a record on the planet he wasn't aware of. You could get the release dates for Black Star, cassette dubs of the missing Fantastic Volume 1 album from Slum and advice about life all in one stop. He definitely shaped my perspective when it came to the art of deejaying. So, big up Joey Blanco! Much respect. I played this record at a jam and it turned the place out. You were right. [Download | Irreplaceable]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 03:25 AM | Comments (25)
Art. Pop Culture and Growing Up
Sarah Doyle | Pop Culture & Growing Up: Sarah Doyle's art deals with popular culture and growing up. Her work's central theme is the emulation of icons and obsessions, feelings of isolation and trying to fit in. She uses pop music and its accompanying images because she is, “very interested in the mimicking involved in the search for an identity of one’s own and the inherent security of finding an idol to latch onto.” This interest is fueled by her own experiences of moving to Zambia as a teenager with her family when she was suddenly seperated from western pop culture. As a result, she became obsessed with celebrities as a form of escape from her own isolation at the time.
Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson are reoccurring icons in her work. Sarah employs the use of mixed media. In particular, she's fascinated with toys. To her, toys “...represent a ‘transitional object’; an object which helps one cope with chaotic times.” Her work is provocative, it sheds light on the impact of pop culture. We are all like Sarah, there is someone in pop culture that we as individuals identify with on a personal level (Dork's pop culture icons: Pharrell, Qtip, and Woody Allen). It makes me wonder if there is anything other than pop culture. [Check it out]
peace. james
Posted by james at 02:50 AM | Comments (16)
Reviews. Woody Allen's Celebrity
Movie Review | Celebrity: They say the new American dream is fame. I have to agree. What's Paris Hilton's motivation in life? She's rich. Why would she want to be in the public eye? But can we really criticize her? Since kindergarten, we've all been vying for the attention of others. Woody Allen's film Celebrity is an incisive satire that explores the world of the famous.
After having the cliché mid-life crisis, Lee (Kenneth Branagh) leaves his wife Robin, buys an Aston Martin, and makes attempts at writing a screenplay and novel. Robin (Judy Davis), a schoolteacher, goes to an asylum, meets a man at a plastic surgery consultation, and becomes a TV talk show host. The movie is a series of absurd vignettes. The most interesting of which features Adrian Grenier (aka Vinny Chase) as a member of a young actor's (Leonardo DiCapario) entourage. Talk about art imitating life, or is it art imitating art? Celebrity was a flop in the states when it debuted in 1998. It seems more relevant now that celebrity culture has “become our favorite source of escapism.” I'm quoting myself. Goodness, I'm self-absorbed. [Celebrity]
peace. james
Posted by james at 02:38 AM | Comments (8)
Magazines. New Mass Appeal on newstands!
New Mass Appeal: The latest edition of Mass Appeal is on newstands. Go get it! The quality of this magazine continues to grow and develop despite being 35 issues in. The design direction has been especially insane over the last couple of issues. I mean, can it get any better than a cover that includes Tracy Morgan's Hair Salon head-shot? That's too funny. I'm still cracking up about that.
Even though issue 34 is a tough act to follow, this edition's cover boasts some of the greatest graf artists. They're front and center for an article about Mark Ecko's latest venture, a video game entitled Getting Up, "...a game that celebrates and illustrates the subtle nuances of writing culture." Personally, I can't wait to play it. But, as I read the mag I found the best part of this issue to be an article by Russ Bengston. Flight From Forced Rarity sets forth a thoughtful commentary about the sneaker game. One of my favorite quotes, "A hobby gets started by enthusiasts, then gets taken over by spectators." Russ you're on point with this one.[Website]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 02:11 AM | Comments (81)
Habitat. Paola Lenti & Vinylux
Vinylux: I'm a vinyl fanatic. Let's get that clear. However, Final Scratch and Serato are devastating the vinyl landscape. You gotta give it to them. The convenience of carrying a laptop from Philly to NY for gigs instead of lugging a few record bags had me sold. Besides, you can always convert that precious vinyl - you know, the rare tunes - into Mp3 and rock the crowd twice over with a gazillion songs to choose from. Soooooo, if you're bored and don't know what to do with that wall of plastic-antiquity give Jeff Davis a shout. He's a brooklyn designer who makes eccentric pottery out of vinyl. ha! *Please note if you're offended by this post you're too sensitive. And, I'm just kidding! Vinyl is a religion. [Jeff Davis Designs | Buy]
Paola Lenti: We were checking out Moco Loco and came across the classic stylings of Paola Lenti, an Italian furniture design company. The interpretation of colors and shapes, refined design soluitions and a distinctive timeless style are at the core of their philosophy. The company specializes in contemporary furniture and flooring. Although we suspect that their stuff is pretty expensive, it's always nice to spend that money before you get it - Kanye style. [Website]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 01:49 AM | Comments (14)
September 12, 2005
Artist. Dave White: One of the illest!
Dave White | One of the illest: Dave has a huge following. One look at his work and there is no doubt why. He paints the things he loves, and what he loves quickly becomes the long desire of on-lookers. Whether he paints a rare Jordan piece, or a Storm Trooper from Star Wars, you can't help but become fixated with this cat's work. Although we're not exactly sure when his site relaunched, it's news to us. The site is dope. Check it out and prepare yourself because what you're about to see is too fresh. [Cool Dave]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 07:44 AM | Comments (29)
Events. Adfunture Invasion in Taipei!
Adfunture Invasion: Last Saturday the Adfunture group wrapped up their gallery in Taipei, Taiwan. For those who don't know about Adfunture, they're an art collective who've created some pretty fresh toys, sneakers and clothes. They describe themselves as a group of friends exploring art opportunities - producing what the heart feels and money permits. This recent gallery was about their art, not about the toys. There were pieces by D*Face, Parskid, Nick Walker and Wiseman, which were spread all over the walls of the two story gallery. Check out the photos from the event [Adfunture Invasion Photos | Website]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 06:58 AM | Comments (9)
Product. Cool baggage from Gravis
Gravis Products: Back in the day my Pops and I would have the greatest ping-pong battles after dinner. I would've loved to have that Gravis Paddle Case pictured above. My professional aesthetic would have rose to a whole new level. But, in any regard, Gravis makes some of the most practical travel products one could imagine. From paddle and ipod cases, to backpacks with all the right padding for your precious Powerbook. They're some of the best in the business. And, they don't comprise the style meter at all. The Dork offices carry great admiration for balancing form and function. Gravis has that licked. Their product line gives you everything you need to carry your stuff comfortably and safely - while maintaining some fashion sense. Get some Gravis in your life [Here]
Brief Digression: This morning's soundtrack is one of our favorites. Dorothy Ashby brings the pain and delivers music as if she was creating it with an MPC in mind. Unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, the songs are too perfect. Who would want to sample them?! [Download | Too Funky to Sample]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 06:41 AM | Comments (4)
September 09, 2005
Weekend Re:up & Electric Chillaxation!
Weekend Re.up: Another week has come to a close and if you thought we were shaking then, wait till you see next week. Big shout to all those that participated in our Aretha Franklin contest. I never knew so many people would respond. Shoot! I never knew so many people would know the answer. Anyway, if you missed it, you still have the weekend and a few days to get in there for good measure. Also, don't forget tonight, we'll be rockin at Low Bar for our monthly Dork Jam (now entitled Electric Chillaxation). As I always say, you can't beat good food, music and convo. We've got tons of that at Low. [81 Washington Street, Dumbo BK] Okay, I'm going to catch this train and I hope to see you there. Check out the links below for some highlights from last week...
[Damian Marley Interview] Check it
[New Music from Lupe Fiasco] Download 1 & 2
[Mighty Mos Def addresses Katrina] Download
[Semi-Perm is on Blast] Read
[One Step Contest for $25 iTunes gift card] Get Down
[New Meka Board] Check it
Until next week my friends.
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 06:06 PM | Comments (14)
Dork of the Week. Marsha from Brown712
New Segment: Now that we're clicking on all cylinders we'd like to introduce a new segment. Every week Dork will profile a unique and interesting person - someone who has made the choice for art and is pursuing their passions vigorously. We'd like to call this segment... (drums please) our Dork of the Week. You could be next! So without further ado, this week's Dork is:
Marsha from Brown712: Marsha is an accessories designer that writes for an online publication called Brown712*. She has a keen eye for anything stylish, bold, and eccentric. Get ready to see her work everywhere, from bracelets to handbags. Recently, she made a serious career move for art's sake and now is pursuing her love without trepidation. This week we were lucky enough to catch up with her to ask a few questions:
DM: What's your passion?
M: Accessories. I love looking at them, buying them, creating them, creating an outfit around an accessory. I recently bought a great Cole Haan bag. It's an eggplant color (or to some purple) large hobo bag. I created a whole outfit just to match that bag. It sounds crazy, but to me, a bold bag or a great piece of jewelry can add such funkiness and life to your outfit. It makes me feel good when I can create something that I've imagined in my mind.
DM: What keeps you motivated to create?
M: My daughter. I want her to grow up and see her mommy living life. To see that her mom had passions and dreams that became reality. And, to know that, that is what she should be doing with her life - living it daily. There are way too many girls and woman out there who lose a sense of themselves. It's a daily challenge to balance what you want out of life with what you think you should be for others. It's a work in progress.
DM: Who are some of your inspirations?
M: People who are able to push themselves constantly. Those who are able to put forth effort in their work because their desire to succeed is so important that they don't let their fears and anxieties get in the way.
DM: Favorite Song?
M: My favorite song is Casanova Brown by Teena Marie. I love the range of emotions in it as well as the range in her vocal abilities. Another great song is I Decided by Erykah Badu. It's a super sad song, but the range of emotions is so powerful. There aren't many instances in music where a song is a complete story that is being told - and a good one at that.
DM: Favorite Movie?
My favorite movie is Devil's Advocate. A great story of good and evil and the thin line between the two. There is always an opportunity to do make the right choice or the wrong choice. You are always given an opportunity.
DM: One thing that you can't live without?
Of course my family. But also chocolate. Hmmmmm....
[Visit Brown712.com for the latest info on Accessories and Design] Here
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 07:38 AM | Comments (29)
Fresh Artist from BK. Nathan Fox
Nathan Fox | BK Artist: The first time we came across Nathan's work it was in an issue of Print Magazine. He's got a distinct style that speaks to the comic book fanatic in all of us. But, there's something in there that makes his imagery feel real. I'm not saying that comic books aren't real. We all know there's a real Dare Devil and Green Lantern out there somewhere. It's just that his work seems to mock what we take for granted as reality. The stress caught in a person's face, or the angst caught in a child eyes. Its all there, captured in the forefront of colorful hues and purple folks. I love that. This Brooklyn artist has done work for The New York Times Book Review, The Village Voice and other influential prints.
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 01:15 AM | Comments (18)
September 08, 2005
Reviews. The Gray Ali: New Music
The Gray Ali: I love a song with a funky bassline. So I flipped out when I heard Fonky Sh*t by The Gray Kid and Ali. There's nothing better than a song that extols the virtues of chiefing. Ali's classic Brooknaum consciousness mixed with Gray's breezy non sequiturs make for a splendid audible experience. The song has a Madlib meets Bootcamp feel. My favorite line: "You rap just like a decimal/ You only got one point." The dudes got chemistry. This makes sense, Ali did a great interview with Gray Kid a few months back. I gotta hear some more collabos! [That Fonky Ish | The Gray Kid Article]
peace. james
Posted by james at 03:40 PM | Comments (4)
Events. Dork Jam & Fall Wears
Electric Chillaxation: Tomorrow night the Dork crew will be meeting up in Dumbo, BK for another evening of good food, music and convo. Last month's event was a blast and this month's promises the same. One memory that stands out in my mind... around midnight, I looked up from deejaying and saw folks standing on bar stools, cheering and acting crazy while James was serving up some dance moves against an out of town rival. They got served, or did we get served. I don't remember - either way it was way funny. ha! So, come on through and hang. It's always a good time. Tomorrow night's music will hit up some new selections from LB, Ye, DangerDoom, D.Marley, J.Santana, Maspyke, and others. [Friday, 81 Washington Street @ Low | From 9pm until...]
Fall Wears: Last night, Small Professor and I were walking to the park and I noticed that it's getting much cooler. So, in anticipation of the fall, the pic above is a random shout out to all the fall-wears out there. I loved the summer, but I'm looking forward to the long sleeve. [Complex Buyer's Guide]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:41 AM | Comments (11)
Funk. Spider Harrison & Stones Throw
Spider Harrison & Stones Throw: A few years back, James hipped me to this Funky 16 Corners record put out by Stones Throw. Lately I've been revisiting it for samples, beats, etc. There is this one song that I can't seem to get past. Everytime I hear it, it puts me in a complete trance. The funk-o-meter is on ten with this one. All of the song's elements work so well together. You can't help but stop and take notice. The artist, Spider Harrison is a seriously dope individual. Stones Throw took some time to interview him and I thought that you all might be interested. Check the interview [Here] Download Spider Harrison's [Beautiful Day]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 07:02 AM | Comments (8)
September 07, 2005
Design. Skateboard Fanatics Get Ready!
More Meka Boards: Our homeboys over at Mekanism have released more boards. After their collaboration with the artist Invader, they're now giving carte blanche to John MAEDA for a limited-edition board. John MAEDA is a world leading figure in digital creation and its education. As a professor at the Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, his goal is to reconcile man with machine by building a bridge between digital programming and aesthetic creation. Multiplying the mediums of creation, John has already created digital animations for the Internet, posters for cultural events, illustrations for magazines, photo digital montages as well as lithographies and interactive installations for exhibitions. Check out a pic of one of his latest creations below:
This board is called “thrrrrrrust”, the concept is two thousand little arrows arranged in a collage as a kind of representation of “thrust” as often seen in physics films. This MEKANISM/John MAEDA board is limited to 100 numbered copies. It will be available in select stores worldwide in September 2005.
For any info about [John MAEDA]
Also Note: He will have an exhibition in November 2005 at the Fondation Cartier in Paris, France.
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 01:14 AM | Comments (14)
Contest. One Step for a Gift Card
Sample Contest: Lately, the Dork offices have been getting quite a few emails from cats displaying their sample knowledge. Soooo, we decided to put that bravado to the test. With Apple making all these announcements, what better way to honor the day than to give away a $25 iTunes gift card to the 25th person to email us with the correct answer to the following quiz: *Name the Hip Hop Artist, Song and Producer to use Aretha Franklins' One Step as the sample for a track off of their critically acclaimed solo debut. Listen to the track [Here] Email answers [Here]
Good luck and we'll announce the winner Wednesday, September 14th!
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 12:47 AM | Comments (11)
Events. Semi-Permanent New York 2005
Semi-Permanent NY 2005: New York is the greatest city in the fall. Creative people are getting back to work, and inspiration is running rampant. For example, we already talked about RESFEST. Fashion week starts this Friday. And, if that weren't enough, Semi-Permanent hits Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center September 9 & 10. Twelve of the world's top creative minds are gathering to share their knowledge and inspiration. You'll find perspectives coming from varying spheres of interest such as animation, architecture, broadcasting, fashion, graffiti, graphic design, illustration, photography, and the web.
This weekend offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into the current competitive climate and future of creative industries. Semi-Perm serves as a valuable forum for creative minds from around the world to meet and exchange ideas. Kewl companies like Vice, Karmaloop, Turntablelab, Beautiful Decay, and Vapors will be sponsoring parties and panel discussions. The opening party is this Thurday at Home ( 532 W. 27th ), 8:30 pm and will also serve as the The Royal's Issue 6 launch party. Check it out [Semi-Permanent]
Oh yeah, the Dorkjam is this Friday at Low in Dumbo, Brooklyn - come out and chillax with us.
peace. james
Posted by james at 12:32 AM | Comments (5)
September 06, 2005
Kicks. Medium Design Group
Medium Shoes: This is one brand, that could easily win "Most Slept on Design of the Decade." Medium is one of our favorite new brands repping footware. Their designs are fairly original and have a classic style that accents the best of wears. I'm no Elaine from Seinfeld, so I'll let Medium's site description do the rest:
The Activist (pictured above) is a creative adaptation of classic outdoor styling. The upper depicts a classic, rugged trail runner profile that is colored in a combination of perforated suede and soft full-grain leather, and outlined in contrast stitch. The upper comfortably rests upon a bed of natural cork, protected by a gum rubber tread. You gotta love that! Check them out [Online | @Ubiq]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 08:05 AM | Comments (8)
Gadgets. Apple Announcement Tomorrow
Apple Announcements: It looks like Apple is planning another big announcement tomorrow. Will it be flash based ipods, the new ipod phone or something else? Who knows? My bets go on the phone. But regardless, what ever it is it'll most likely be pretty huge. In the last week or so there's been a lot of backstage orchestrating. Press announcements have been released and Steve Jobs cancelled his appearance at this year's Apple Expo, which leads us to believe that tomorrow's affair is going to be something special. Here's hoping! We're a little nervous that Apple may be a tad-bit full of themselves and release something totally ridiculous, but until tomorrow I guess we'll just have to have some faith. Check out [Think Secret's predictions]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 07:45 AM | Comments (0)
Music. Damian Marley & Lupe Fiasco
Damian Marley Interview: Over the weekend I was listening to the radio and heard the original sample from Damian Marley's latest heater, Welcome to Jamrock. The deejay did a fine job of mixing the new and old, which ultimately made the new version sound more monstrous. Jamrock carries so much weight. It's got it all - message, energy, passion & a heavy heavy bass line. Recently, Damian sat down to discuss his life, family and the new album. [View Interview | Website]
Lupe Fiasco: Ever since we heard this cat on Kanye's Touch the Sky, we knew he'd be one to watch. Yesterday I came across the following songs and they're proof-positive that you should be ready for a Lupe invasion. [Download | Jesus Walks Remix & Switch]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 06:38 AM | Comments (5)
September 03, 2005
Weekend Re.Up & Donate
Donate Time, Resources or Funds: Dork is deeply saddened by the tragic events that have taken place down south. If possibe, please make a donation to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Relief. Any amount will go a long way to finding resolve for the victims. [Red Cross Relief]
Weekend Re.up: Another week in the Dork chapter has flown by. Next week promises more great articles, posts and another Dork Jam in Dumbo, BK. Don't miss it. But in case you missed last week's jammies, please click the link below for some of the highlights!
[Pharcyde & Jay Dee | Why it got to be like that!?] Download
[Yoshitomo Nara Reps Simplicity] Read
[Restaurant Review. The Chip Shop] Read
[Movie Review. Naqoyqats] Read
[RESFEST Event] View Schedule
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 06:01 PM | Comments (4)
September 01, 2005
Events. RESFEST 05: New York!
RESFEST 05: The 9th Annual RESFEST kicks off in NYC at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center September 15th – 18th. This is your opportunity to discover emerging talent in film, music, art, design, and technology. Dork will be covering the event - hitting up everything from panel discussions, short films, features and parties. Expect an extensive recap after the conclusion of the festival. Some festival standouts include: Infamy; Just for Kicks; Ginga: The soul of Brazilian football; and A Beck Retrospective. Also the Wooster Collective is hosting a walking tour of street art – way kewl!
Check the schedule below:
September 15-18, 2005
Tribeca Performing Arts Center (TPAC)
Thursday, September 15, 2005
10:00AM - STUDIO TOUR #1
(Loyal Kaspar, Q Department, Honest, Psyop, Mass Market)
6:00PM Keynote Guest: Stèphane Sednaoui (TPAC)
8:00PM - RESFEST Shorts 1 (TPAC)
10:00PM - Opening Night Party (included with Shorts 1 ticket purchase)
Friday, September 16, 2005
10:00AM - STUDIO TOUR #2
(Hornet Inc., Curious Pictures, Plus et Plus, Freestyle Collective, VH1)
4:00PM - First Look: Panasonic HVX-200 camcorder (TPAC)
6:00PM - Feature: JUST FOR KICKS (TPAC)
8:00PM - RESFEST Shorts 2 (TPAC)
10:00PM - CINEMA ELECTRONICA (TPAC)
Saturday, September 17, 2005
12:00PM - Seminar: BEYOND DV – HD and the Future of Indie Filmmaking(TPAC)
2:00PM - TRIPLE THREAT (TPAC)
2:00PM - Panel: STREET ART OR NOT (Dekk)
4:00PM - RESFEST Shorts 3 (TPAC)
4:00PM - Panel: ICON CHEF DESIGNER SHOWDOWN (Dekk)
6:00PM - BY DESIGN (TPAC)
8:00PM - Artist Retrospective: BECK (TPAC)
10:00PM - Feature: INFAMY (TPAC)
Sunday, September 18, 2005
12:00PM - Wooster Collective Street Art Walking Tour (FREE)
12:00PM - Two By Mike Mills: Not How, What or Why But Yes showing with The Architecture of Reassurance (TPAC)
2:00PM - VIDEOS THAT ROCK (TPAC)
2:00PM - Panel: COPY FIGHT (Dekk)
4:00PM - CUT & PASTE (TPAC)
4:00PM - Panel: INSIDE MUSIC VIDEOS (Dekk)
6:00PM - Feature: GINGA: The Soul of Brazilian Football (TPAC)
7:00PM - Director Retrospective: TRAKTOR (TPAC)
9:00PM - Live Music Event: HOT CHIP w/SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO (Hiro Ballroom)
Tribeca Performing Arts Center:
199 Chambers Street
btw. Greenwich & West Side Hwy.
1, 2, 3, 9 Train to Chambers
Dekk:
134 Reade Street
btw. Hudson & Greenwich
1, 2, 3, 9 Train to Chambers
Hiro:
366 West 17th @ Maritime Hotel
btw. 8th & 9th Ave.
A, C, E Train to 14th Street
Ticket Information:
Screenings ($10 advance/$12 door)
Keynot Guest ($10 advance/$12 door)
Panels ($15)
Studio Tours ($75 at resfest.com only)
Hot Chip @ Hiro Ballroom ($15)
RESPASS ($99)
events; a one-year domestic subscription to RES Magazine, and
complimentary admission on a space-available basis to panel discussions.
peace. james
Posted by james at 11:38 AM | Comments (1)
Colette. PSP covers, Design-a-Qee & Ricky P.
Colette Update: In the most recent update by Colette they have a few items to note. First up is their run of Ricky Powell's latest book, "Public Access: Photographs 1985-2005," which unveils a selection of his work spanning twenty years. From RUN DMC to Public Enemy, his photographs capture fleeting moments and spotlight everyday faces from NYC. Then, Colette presents the winner from the "Design-a-Qee" competition. French artists So-Me & Gaspirator designed those funky kubricks pictured above. We gotta get a pair of those jawns. And, lastly (as if my infatuation with PSP is any large mystery) Colette has conceptualized an accessory for winter 2005 and proposed a collection of PSP console covers. They're pretty cool and they've been created by various designers including Adidas, Respect ME, Burberry Prorsum, Chanel, Eley Kishimoto, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, Goyard, Jeremy Scott, Maharishi and Miu Miu. Available in limited-edition exclusively at Colette. [Check PSP-Fashion for More]
peace. taj
Posted by taj at 12:52 AM | Comments (27)