Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change

Today is Blog Action Day, "an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day" to raise awareness and create global discussion. This year's topic is Climate Change, a subject that I am deeply interested in.

Artists can impact climate change in big ways, from choosing environmentally-friendly supplies to creating work that sparks meaningful discussion of how we treat our planet:




My current work reflects on climate change and responsible use of Earth's resources. I've been experimenting with recycled materials, specifically magazine pages:



I love making art from magazines that would likely end up in a landfill or consume energy during the recycling process. They are also one-of-a-kind creations, since I can never recreate the exact same combination of pages.



And just because I love it:



This Current pod is one of my favorites. Visiting other countries really makes one stop and think about how most Americans live their lives. If we all lived on a little less, we could make a big impact on climate change.

Modern Knight

Another inspiring pod about a great artist. This time it's NYC based Ted Riederer, who makes armor and skulls from records:



As for my own artwork: I've been working, but I haven't been photographing. I hope to have some shots up by the end of the week.

J-E-L-L-O!

This little pod is just delightful! Artist Liz Hickock works in JELL-O, making moulds of San Francisco's Mission District buildings, and casting them in the famous snack food:



I really love how Hickock's choice of medium allows for fun expression of color and light. It reminds me of childhood, though I admit I didn't eat much JELL-O growing up. Maybe I'm reminded of watching The Cosby Show with my grandparents. Still, good memories!

Are you serious? [A rare soap box moment]

Friend Ellis G. on Facebook.

Awhile back I linked to a Current TV pod about street artist Ellis G. (a.k.a. Ellis Gallagher). He does some really cool work where he roams the Brooklyn streets and outlines shadows with chalk.

However, it seems the NYPD does not think Ellis' work is awesome at all. His Facebook status recently informed us fans that he was taken into custody for breaking anti-graffiti laws. This isn't the first time Ellis has been arrested for his art, but I sincerely hope it's the last.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for keeping punks and thugs from deliberately defacing/damaging public and private property. This, however, is completely ridiculous. Chalk is water soluble, and is in no way permanent. The point of Ellis' work is that it's temporary, and subject to fading and changing over time. If the NYPD wants to go after Ellis' for covering Brooklyn in chalk, then they better be prepared to arrest or fine every six year old kid who does the same. Oh wait... apparently they do that already.


Current TV Programming + Chalk = Yet another reason I need to visit NYC (7/5/2009)

Art vs. Craft

I stumbled upon this Current TV pod today, which caught my attention because my "art" has taken much more of "craft" feel lately.:



Personally, I think both art and crafts are equally important to society. Each offer insight into the culture that created them, and both can reflect the era in which they were made.

Welcome Home!

Current TV correspondents Euna Lee and Laura Ling arrived safely in Los Angeles this morning after nearly five months of imprisonment in North Korea:


Just wanted to give a quick shout out to these brave women, and I look forward to more of their excellent reporting-- after some much deserved family time, of course!

(I know, another non-arty post. It's just hard to ignore the news sometimes, especially when it's a happy story like this.) :)

The Best Laid Plans...

I tried photographing my lovely paper owl today, only to have my digital camera battery die after just a couple shots. Even so, I will not let this little set back derail my schedule. I sent off four rolls of film for developing, and sorted out magazine pages for future projects. So far, so good!

Off to fold some magazine pages while enjoying Infomania on Current TV.

Next stop Mars...

(This has absolutely nothing to do with art or design-- I just think it's very cool!)

Today may be the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, but Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins aren't looking back. Yesterday the astronauts voiced their desire to send men to Mars, not back to the moon. While President Obama endorsed George Bush's plan to return to the moon, a panel of experts have been asked to reconsider that goal. Perhaps we'll see a Mars landing by Apollo's 50th anniversary?



(Please see my previous post to view Walter Cronkite's coverage of this event back in 1969.)

Typewritten Art

Another fun art pod from Current:

Current TV Programming + Chalk = Yet another reason I need to visit NYC

The TV has been on nearly all day today (Fourth of July recovery was needed), but the channel hasn't been changed once. That's because my family has recently discovered Current TV. Well, re-discovered it actually. My dad showed it to me last year, but we both kind of forgot about it, what with the regular television season being in full swing.

Anyway, they aired a "pod" about street artist Ellis Gallagher that I particularly loved. Ellis has made a name for himself by creating chalk outlines of shadows on the Brooklyn streets. The outlines are of everyday objects like mailboxes, streetlights, or his bicycle. The effect created is really beautiful: transforming the mundane sights of everyday life into something people actually stop and look at.



Also, a quick shout out to my friend Amy who is currently residing in Brooklyn. When I saw this video I thought of her. I also got a little jealous because she probably has a good chance of seeing Ellis' work in person. I'll make it up to her by plugging her blog, all those nothings. Enjoy!