One of the perks of this job is getting to work with truly amazing people all of the time. But occasionally, I get to collaborate with people who have had a direct impact on my life. Such is the case with Dave McKean.

Dave McKean is what we used to refer to as a “hyphenate.” He’s a multi-talented illustrator-photographer-comic-book-artist-graphic-designer-filmmaker-musician, who just happens to excel at each one of his specialties.

As an artist, Dave McKean changed the look of comic books when his illustrated-photo-assemblage works began gracing the covers of Neil Gaiman’s reboot of the Sandman character at DC Comics. He next tackled an incredibly ambitious Batman tale that focused not on the caped crusader, but instead on the mental institution that housed the more macabre among his rogues’ gallery. That story written by Grant Morrison was Arkham Asylum, and it quickly became (and remains) one of the best selling graphic novels of all time. His comic book works have won numerous well deserved accolades and awards, but he’s also won a World Fantasy Award for “Best Artist,” three Spectrum Awards in the categories of “Advertising”, “Book”, and “Comic,” A British Science Fiction Award in “Short Fiction” (shared with Neil Gaiman), and his film directorial debut, MirrorMask premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005. His concept designs shaped the look and feel of two entries in the Harry Potter film series, and if your CD collection veers on the darker side of pop, metal, and avant-garde, odds are you’ve got a few Dave McKean images there, too. Did I mention that he’s an accomplished jazz musician and discerning foodie?

So it would be an understatement to say that I’m feverishly proud to welcome Dave McKean this weekend at two incredible events:

On Friday, February 12th, from 6-9 PM, Dave is signing comics, books, DVDs, CD’s and limited edition art prints at La Luz de Jesus Gallery (inside the Soap Plant / Wacko complex at 4633 Hollywood Blvd., LA, CA 90027). For every item that purchase at the signing, Dave will sign one item that you bring from home. NO EXCEPTIONS! So don’t bring your entire collection of Sandman comics for him to autograph unless you plan on buying 75 items at the signing. He’s a wonderful guy and he’ll be happy to speak with you and answer questions -especially about his new body of work, which is debuting on Saturday night at Billy Shire Fine Arts.

New Works from Early Cinema is showing in conjunction with Nitrate & Kinogeists, an event sponsored by Chicago’s Century Guild and includes highlights from their inventory of historically significant and undeniably beautiful silent film posters, most of which have been lost and unseen by the public before now. In addition to large format paintings, Dave has included a series of ten smaller ink illustrations that are priced for fans. Believe me -you can totally afford these, so check out the preview on Thursday evening. Whether you’re a comic book fan or a patron of the fine arts, if you’ve been looking to add a McKean original to your collection, this is your opportunity to do so. There are also some limited edition prints for which this will be a Release Event.
Since the exhibition references and pays tribute to lost films from the silent era, there will be Video Installation with two screens playing footage of recently unearthed and restored films previously thought lost.
The artist’s reception is Saturday, February 13th, from 7-10 PM at Billy Shire Fine Arts, 5790 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. A full and complete preview will be available by Thursday evening. The paintings and posters are live on site now.

The trailer to Banksy’s new film, Exit Through The Gift Shop, has just been released and is apparently coming to theatres in the Spring of 2010. Somewhere during this filming Banksy created a monster in Mr. Brainwash. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing for the rest of us.

If you haven’t already enjoyed the monthly  Cinema Tuesdays at Nike Sportwear’s The Montalbán, next Tuesday (1.5) is a perfect opportunity to start; enjoy a free advanced screening of Youth in Revolt curated by Flux. Directed by Miguel Areta and starring Michael Cera and Portia Doubleday, Youth In Revolt explores the outrageous lengths Nick Twsip (Cera) will go to in order to be with Sheeni Saunders (Doubleday) surmounting parental and geographical obstacles.

While the event is open to the public, you must RSVP @ Flux.net.  The doors open @ 7:30 for the 8 PM screening which will be followed by a reception featuring a performance by ‘Paris Loves LA’ featuring Adele Jacques and a complimentary Belvedere Vodka bar.  We can’t think of a better way to do an evening out on the cheap – movie, snacks, Belvedere – all on Nike’s tab.

Nike Sportswear at The Montalbán
1615 Vine Street
Hollywood, CA 90028

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The screening for my friend Patrick Epino’s film Mr. Sadman is finally here.  You can buy tickets for $5 (till 11/17) or $10 thereafter.  Come by for a fun time!!!  Also, did I mention that I cameo as a Boba worker in the film? Um, I do.

“Mr. Sadman” is now available as a download for purchase at http://mrsadman.com. We’re donating a dollar from every download to Oxfam’s typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region. And for those of you in Los Angeles, we will be doing a week-long theatrical run (Nov. 20 – Nov. 26) at the Downtown Independent Theater. Please join us on Friday, November 20th for the launch party and screening!

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A while back, I did a cameo and design for my friend Patrick Epino’s film Mr. Sadman, which is shown above.  I recently got a chance to catch up with talented writer and director buddy Patrick Epino about his film Mr. Sadman. He told me of an upcoming screening and how his movie is now available as a download.

On Friday, November 20, 2009, he will be starting a weeklong theatrical run over at the Downtown Independent theater in Los Angeles near Little Tokyo. It will be the first time anyone will see his movie Mr. Sadman on the big screen. Come to the opening night event or catch one of the other showings.

Mr. Sadman
A film by Patrick Epino.
Genre: Dark Comedy

In 1990, before the First Gulf War, Mounir, an impressionable and sheltered Saddam Hussein body-double, loses his job and moves to Los Angeles in search of a new start. But once the real Saddam invades Kuwait and makes international headlines, Mounir learns the truth about the Iraqi dictator and vows to shed his Saddam persona forever. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know how to be anyone else.

Mr. Sadman has officially been released from his binds and is now available as a digital download in two different resolutions and file sizes. DVDs, amongst other things, are in the works.

From now until the end of the screening run, Mr. Sadman will be donating $1 from every purchase to the typhoon relief effort in the Philippines and other parts of the Pacific. All donations will be made through Oxfam America.

If you’re interested in supporting their work directly, you can donate here.

Here’s a preview below:

I recently bought a Flip Ultra HD Video camera.  It’s a tiny, cell phone sized video camera that shoots on HD.  A few days later, a friend told me about a possible museum show consisting of videos shot on this new technology.  Last week I shot this video about becoming a Robot.  I hope you will check it out.

Greek artist Alexandros Vasmoulakis, showing with LeBasse Projects in 2010, just finished another large scale mural in Athens. No guerilla work here, as the project was commissioned for Greek, film director Nikos Perakis.

Perakis is shooting a docu-fiction film which shows the life and the difficulties of young artists today. Vasmoulakis plays himself in the film while working on the mural.

Alexandros tells us:
“…according to the script, this mural is a commission from a big company and the boss is not satisfied at all with my work so a hard conflict between him and me rises. Iit was not too bad to play there, i dare say it was funny…”

While the mural is a commission, the content was left to Alexandros and he was strongly influenced from the wide riots that had taken place in athens in December 2008.

We are looking forward to his show next year, his first in LA and first solo in the US, at LeBasse Projects.

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Julian Callos "Life, or a Husk of Hares"

This month Gallery 1988 San Francisco will be opening their new show “Battle Royal” (note: not Royale, a common mispronunciation a la the book and film by Koushun Takmi, circa 2000, rent it.) The show will feature works by:

Julian Callos, Anthony Clarkson, Joshua Clay, Patrick Gannon, Gene Guynn, Walt Hall, Martin Hsu, Aaron Jasinski, Marcus Schafer and Jeremy Tinder

Up until the show opens on June 26th  Gallery 1988 will preview a few pieces online from each artist every few days, be sure to check in here.

Additionally Gallery 1988 in L.A will be hosting an afternoon event Saturday, June 27th, from 12 – 4 PM. LA artist Greg “Craola” Simkins will be partaking in what is a first at G1988 – an “afternoon hang-out.”

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June 12-14th 2009

Curated by Rebekah and Sara Maysles

We decided to get in the act and bring it all back to the house that Grey Gardens built. STAUNCH! is a tribute to the documentary film and most of all, to its many, many fans. Hang out in our living, breathing diorama of Big and Little Edie’s bedroom as recreated by artists and designers, with ephemera, specialty foods and sound booths with outtakes of dialogue from the two ladies.

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Above is a preview of the video art/mural collaboration between Faune and Faust. We worked until 3am and it looks amazing. More updates from our live event posted shortly. Event starts at 3pm.

Culture Shock NYC is pleased to announce our inaugural curated art event. We have teamed up with our friends at Center of Operations to present two special project rooms at the Bushwick Market Fair, held Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 3pm to 5am. Project spaces feature live music, a video art installation and mural collaboration between artists Faune and Faust, and a video series program presented in partnership with Bipolart. Installation viewing, video series program, and DJ sets start at 3pm; live music starts at 10pm. Please visit our facebook page for details and to RSVP. We hope to see you there! It’s going to be quite an event, one you wont’ want to miss! Below is a preview of the 10′ x 20′ video art and mural installation by Faune + Faust and video by artist Stefen Seeger. More updates on the installation-in-progress will be posted posted shortly.

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By Debra Anderson and Nika Offenbac. Photo courtesy f5fest.com.

f5fest

The first edition of f5fest held at last week at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom (April 16- 17), reinforced Motionographer as the keystone to the burgeoning motion graphics community. As the field continues to define itself, conferences such as this become an integral platform for showcasing the diversity of processes, individuals, and ideas.

From experimental collectives like illustration-inspired, The Black Heart Gang of South Africa, to Digital Domain – visual effects creators for Benjamin Button – the conference was an exploration of creativity for outsiders and luminaries alike.

The two-10 hour conference days were packed with speakers and presentations all focused on what inspires these creative as artists; either expressed through through commercial work or independent of it. The range in sensibilities imagination and technique was impressive underlying what is fundamentally exciting about design and the moving image.

Perhaps Walt Disney represents the ideals of these talented designers when he asserted: “We don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make more movies.”

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last night, i was at the sheridan 2009 grad show.  it was the second since my graduating year, but the first i’ve had the chance to attend.  it was amazing.  i was so blown away in fact and got to see so many wonderful friends and teachers that despite my bringing a camera, i neglected to take a lot of pictures.

lucky for me, greg dubeau, a graduate of this year made a really cool documentary appropriately named ‘drawcumentary’.  i know for a fact that this will not capture the energy of last night’s show- but i hope it shows the spirit and dedication these guys have toward the art of illustration and creating in general.

and on a more personal note, my girlfriend erika is also graduating from sheridan’s renowned animation program.  she put together a short but sweet demoreel of her work.  here it is:

congratulations to everyone last night, but also to all graduating art students this year.. i hope you are all met with warm welcomes!

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