Float On It: A Creative Community

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Tonight @ The Bridge

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Friday, December 15, 2006

Ravezooka

0prortyiuiopu.jpg"The Ravezooka is a musical weapon that shoots powerful "hardcore" sounds based on your target's distance from the instrument.

Squeezing the trigger handle initiates sound and a beam of light. As the user moves the Ravezooka around, the frequency range being played changes based on the distance of the person or object in front of the instrument. The closer the target, the lower the frequency range. The light emitted from the LED gives a visual clue as to what person or object is being targeted. Sliding the trigger handle back and forth modifies the distortion effect of the sound. The closer the handle is drawn towards the user, the greater the distortion. Volume is controlled by turning the potentiometer knob on the side of the Ravezooka.

The sound of the Ravezooka is generated by MIDI data collected from the sensors and is played through a guitar or bass amplifier from the computer. The sound resembles an analog synthesizer manipulating sine wave frequencies with the aggressiveness of a machine gun.

Inside the Ravezooka.

Developed by Lesley Flanigan and Benedetta Piantella Simeonidis.

Check out the final version of project at the ITP Winter Show, on December 17 and 18, 721 Broadway at Waverly Place 4th Floor South Elevators, New York."

::VIA

Wooster on Spring - The First Images Inside

"Damn, it's like a temporary MOMA in here. It's what MOMA should be, but unfortunately never will be. One of these days guys like Doze Green and others in this room will be in places like the MOMA. But until then, they're in here. I've never seen, or experienced, anything like this in my life " - Cycle

Later Doze Green added...

"Nothing like this has happened in New York since PS1 opened back in the day. The energy of Haring and Basquait, you can feel it in these walls. This is truly something special that probably won't happen again in a long, long time."

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"If you've ever spent anytime in New York's NoLita neighborhood, you may have noticed a giant deserted-looking building on the corner of Elizabeth and Spring. The building stands out because it's covered in ever-changing street art—from good old fashioned graffiti to paper paste-ups and milk crate-based sculptures. For almost 20 years it has been a place for writers to make their mark, as the unoccupied building was left virtually untouched by buffers or paint. When the news got out earlier this year that the building was sold, it seemed like the end of an era. Instead, in a unique turn of events, it has become an opportunity for something new. Recognizing 11 Spring Street’s place in the community, the new developers of the building contacted the Wooster Collective. Together they are celebrating the building and its history by having more than 45 street and graffiti artists paint directly onto the 30,000 square-feet of interior walls space and the exterior walls—no art can be taken away. Artists, who have made the leap from the street to the galleries like Daze, Swoon, Doze Green, BAST, Che Jen (pictured above left, click either image for more detail), FAILE are doing their thing, as well as lesser-known artists like, Diego, Elisita Balbontin and Borf. Also, the Wooster Collective invited old school writers like Lady Pink, John Fekner, MUCK and Cycle to give them their props. After Sunday the walls will be covered in sheet rock, preserving the pieces underneath like a time capsule, and the art on the exterior walls power washed. See more installation images here." - Wendy Dembo (CoolHunting)


Wooster on Spring
11 Spring Street New York, NY 10013 map
15-17 December 2006, 11am–5pm
On 17 December 2006 at 3pm there will be a panel discussion with many of the artists attending.

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A Collaboration By Judith Supine (New York( and Rekal (venice, Italy)

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Bo and Microbo (Milan)

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Left: WK (New York/Paris) and Shepard Fairey (Los Angeles)

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Left: Skewville (New York) Right: Elboe-Toe (Brooklyn)

Scope Miami 2006

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"Now in its third year, Scope is one of the more established of the many art fairs held last week in Miami, but still feels like the alternative to the alternative—a looser, more kinetic little sister to both Nada and Basel counterparts. Having graduated from their old digs in the Thompson Hotel, Scope now has a tent of its own. But, walking through it is not unlike walking through a labyrinth of galleries, all spilling over with artworks that are only rivaled by the multitudes of gallerists and collectors. What follows are the artists that stood our from the crowd, from Joachim Schulz' deceptively minimalist photos of theater curtains to Ian Wright's meta-pop art.

Long-Bin Chen
Using a universally near-obsolete publication as her medium, Taiwan-born artist Long-Bin Chen
sculpts phonebooks into Buddha heads and other busts. (Pictured right, click for detail.) Many of the works Chen exhibited at Scope (with Frederieke Taylor, her NYC gallery), appeared to use books corresponding to the specific country of the Buddha head she chose to make.

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Omar Chacon
New York-based painter Omar Chacon layers acrylics to create mesmerizing canvasses with a high-gloss finish. (Pictured above left, click for detail.) His technique of applying dried paint drips yields dense multi-colored fields thae take on sculptural dimension. When Chacon limits his pallette, he often chooses the colors of a national flag and fills the piece with concentric oval shapes.

Edgar Cobián
Guadalajara artist Edgar Cobián cuts delicate valleys and fissures into stacks of white paper creating topographical maps of imaginary geographies. (Pictured above right, click for detail.) His line drawings of skulls and more austere sculptures are worth checking out as well.

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Daniel Jackson
Far more stunning in person, Daniel Jackson's radiating line prints have the kind of precision only attainable by a computer. (Pictured above left, click for detail.) He uses an inkjet printer and computer programs to "draw" the images in a series, each slightly different but based on the same code.

Ryan Carr Johnson
The amorphous Lava lamp—like shapes of Ryan Carr Johnson's paintings are the result of layering and sanding latex house paint on wood. (Pictured above right.) Sometimes including upwards of 75 layers, the Washington D.C.-based artist's work mixes an industrial aesthetic with psychedelic imagery.

Joachim Schulz
On first glance, Joachim Schulz' panaromic photos look like blurry impressionist pastels. (Pictured above left, click for detail.) From a series called "lichtspiele" (literally, light-plays), they are in fact images of theater curtains lit in candy-colored hues from different angles. At times the patterns the lights throw on the folds of the curtain look like a graphic equalizer. Touching on theater and performance, the project also addresses the process of taking photography itself.

Ian Wright
Playing on Chuck Close's dot-based works, Ian Wright makes similarly large-scale portraits but uses the 1" pin as his medium. Here Wright pays homage to the master (pictured above right, click for detail), but other works feature appropriate pop icons like Hendrix, Dylan and Warhol, who also fit the form."

::VIA

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Books Are Made For Art

"It is amazing what mediums are used these days by artists to create pieces of art. Su Blackwell has created these stunning sculptures by cutting out pieces from books and using the cut outs to create a masterpiece. This is what Su Blackwell has to say about her book cut sculptures;

These works can be seen as metaphors for language. Like language, that is ephemeral and powerful. While I’m dealing with dark subject matter, such as loss, loneliness and fragility, I am dealing with it in a light manner."

You can view all the book cut sculptures at Su Blackwell’s website.



::VIA

ALAVs 2.0.

0danslcoin.jpg"Seoul is awfully far away but if you've got the chance to be in Korea, check out Fabrica. I've been waiting for you, curated by Andy Cameron, Silvia Marini and Ann Poochareon at the Triad New Media Gallery until December 17.

Still in Seoul, but at the Art Center Nabi until December 30, Connected, an exhibition curated by Suhjung Hur. Ann wrote a fun report of the show (where she and Mark Argo are showing Footprints). She seems to have fallen in love with ALAV 2.0 and i can't blame her.

These Autonomous Light Air Vessels communicate the concept of connectivity among people, objects, and the environment. Visitors can use their phones to influence the behavior of the ALAVs by starting conversations and building closer relationships with them.

2.0 builds upon the first ALAVs version and introduces a new, larger flock with more complex behaviors and interactions.

The Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) system allows mobile phone users to engage in a conversation with the blimps, affecting both their own and the blimps' behavior. People can carry on a dialogue with either the entire group or an individual.

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The ALAVs have the following predefined behaviors: flocking, feeding, bread crumbs, sour milk, hide, scatter, courtship, guardian, bump, call back and the "happiness factor."

The "happiness factor" of the flock is set by indirect interactions. Each participant (whether they decide to be a friend or a foe) will effect the overall evolving group behavior referred to as the "happiness factor."

The "happiness factor" adjusts accordingly to people's participation. On one of the spectrum, if the 'happiness factor' is "friendly," the group is closer to the ground, more chatty, and with consistent light activity. At the other end, if the 'happiness factor' reaches "foe," the group altitude rises overhead, they become quieter and blink their lights frequently."

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A project by Jed Berk, Julian Bleecker and Nikhil Mitter.

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10 years of anti-surveillance theater

SCP—Voices of Silence

"Silence is disappearing
Privacy is disappearing
Just because you can"t hear us, doesn't mean we are not screaming
Surveillance Camera Players 1996–2006 Voices of Silence"

—Voices of Silence

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the surveillance camera players, and, to mark the occasion, the scp published a 10-year report and did a brief performance during today's surveillance camera outdoor walking tour.


::VIA

Thermo Hemp ( veganic way of insulating ? )


"85% of Thermo-Hemp is composed of natural hemp fibres from domestic cultivation. Approximately 5% is composed of the natural material soda, which provides a high level of fire resistance."

::VIA

ReGeneration Gallery Art Auction and Benefit

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"A benefit to help homeless teens, Virgin Mobile's Regeneration is auctioning works tonight by several artists, including Barry McGee (pictured above, far right), Rich Jacobs, Caroline Hwang and Jordin Isip, with 100% of the net proceeds going to the non-profits StandUp For Kids and YouthNoise. If you're in the NYC area, you can buy tickets and go to the party for the silent auction or bid online by following the instructions here."

::VIA

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

How To Make a Pinhole Camera


Build your own camera with just a can and some tape!
at Fecal Face.



The Pixelated Christmas Tree

"We have all seen all sorts of variations of the traditional Christmas tree: they sell the Charlie Brown mono ball tree, the plastic glittering white stuff, the automated dancing one and such. All pretty ugly.

But this tree, not loosing leafs around and not in need t be watered, printed on a giant poster to hang on the wall, to decorate (or dissacrate) as you like, that on top of this is also pixelated, well, just makes me almost like Christmas again.

Sold and produced by French extravagance design shop Atypyk, it’s mockery proof (in case your friends are taking it against you because yes, you do love Christmas paraphenalia), because it is just too cool."

::VIA

UNKL Brand Going Big - HazMaPo And TinPo

"UNKL Brand have blown up some of their very cool mini designer toys in to awesome 12″ and 6″ figures. First up are the the 12″ HazMaPo figures which look absolutely stunning. The Kamo HazMaPo above is a collaboration with Kow Yokoyama and below is the “Peligro” model which goes back to UNKL’s roots and features hazardous signs and warning labels wrapped all over the toy. The clean lines and visual effect of these toys is breathtaking and I can not wait to see these in person. Both 12″ HazMaPos will be available in Feb 2007."

::VIA


Wooster On Spring Project - The Final Week

This weekend the Wooster Collective is wrapping up their amazing project on 11 Spring Street. Here's a update from them and we hope to see you there!

"As we head into the final week of preparations for this weekend's Wooster on Spring exhibition, here's a quick update...

1. The Wooster on Spring event on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be "B.Y.O.B.B" -- Bring Your Own Boom Box. All of the sonic tags (live DJ's and music) during the three days is being curated and produced by Soundlab. Using a wireless transmitter, all of the audio will be transmitted such that anyone with a boom box will be able to receive it. We're counting on all of you to be our contantly evolving and roving speaker system as you attend the event. The event will start with no speakers and then build over the three days as more people come in. (More on this from Soundlab later in the week)

2. We've received a few emails asking us if we were planning on having a live webcam broadcasting the event live on the internet from 11 Spring so that people around the world can participate. We think that this is a terrific idea, but have no idea how to set this up by Friday. The building has a DSL line but no wireless access. If you live in New York, have access to the webcam and wireless modem, and want to install it in the space before Thursday night, let us know at woostercollective@gmail.com because we'd love to have it, we just don't know how to do it ourselves.

3. If you're a member of the press and are planning on covering the event and project, drop us a note at woostercollective@gmail.com so we can make any and all necessary arrangements. At this point we're not planning on putting out any type of formal press release or event flyer as things will be changing and added right up to the last minute.

4. We've received lots of emails from people who will be flying in from all over the world to check out the exhibition and meet the artists. If you're coming in from somewhere else, let us know as we may get people together for a beer or something who have flown in from far places.

5. There are a ton of amazing restaurants and shops in the neighborhood where 11 Spring is located in Soho. A few of places that have been especially gracious to us over the last few weeks, that we encourage you to check out while you are in the area, as the food is great are: Barmarche across the street from the building, Bread, a block or so away on Spring, and Cafe Gitane, around the corner on Mott. All are fantastic.

Again here are the days and times for the three day event on 11 Spring:

Friday, December 15th: From 11am to 5pm
Saturday, December 16th: From 11am to 5pm
Sunday, December 17th: From 11am to 5pm

After these three days the building will be closed to the public.

And finally, some quick snaps from yesterday"

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The amazing Lady Pink.

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A freehand piece by Elboe-Toe on the outside of the building

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MUCK begins her wall

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A group of geezers

::VIA

COCOSOCOASOCO::installation by Reico Yamaguchi

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"The Japanese artist didn't work on his own but with Reico Yamaguchi as part of Perfektron (apparently he was a bit sick of navigating in a male-dominated techno-world.)

The installation is called COCOSOCOASOCO. Coco is "here", Soco is "there" and Asoco is "further place."

The giant tea cup, spoon, apple and mini buildings invite the visitor to play with their mental and spatial perception. The objects are painted in grayscale and have a distorted optical relationship between one another, created by different scales to emphasize the linear perspective. Walking through the white space of the gallery filled with these simple and odd 3D shapes was a bit surreal.

There is no visible technological process in COCOSOCOASOCO, but the objects are drawn and designed on the computer, to be reproduced with precision on a planar surface and then built in 3-D. Ryota Kuwakubo and Reico Yamaguchi want to surpass the disillusionment gravitating in technology nowadays.
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On a table at the entrance of the gallery are cubes of different sizes, each of them contained a small world in soapy water. Same play on perspective but this time the shapes are flat and black. The difference of grey shades is created by the slight opacity of the liquid.

The gallery is also selling little souvenirs such as the Bitman devices Kuwakubo made with the Maywa Denki. Apparently, they stopped producing them, i immediately got my hands on one.

COCOSOCOASOCO runs until January 27 at the Galerie Lucy Mackintosh, Lausanne (Switzerland). "

::VIA

WoodWood, Berlin

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"Despite the recent influx of mega-stores, Berlin's indie shopping scene is still flourishing and continuing to attract an innovative international crowd of artists, designers, and other visionaries hoping to preserve Berlin's progressive rep. The newest addition to the city's prosperous center is none other than WoodWood, a Copenhagen export with an eponymous sportswear line, a selection of electric T-shirts and sneakers and a sampling of international designers who fit the store's as well the city's hip factor. WoodWood selects the most colorful and at times outrageous pieces for men and women by Nike, Commes des Garçons, Cheap Monday, Maharishi, Camilla Staerk, and Yazbukey—the kind of stuff that gives a playful context to the quirky collection of toys and elaborate mobiles that punctuate the space."

WoodWood
Rochstrasse 4
10178 Berlin
tel. +(49) 30 280 99 039

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Cocoa Vino

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"Made with regional, sustainable and organic ingredients using ecologically sound wind power and packaged in recycled materials, Cocoa Vino's "eco-forward" business practices are as sound as their products are exquisitely decadent. The Fig Caramels are a blend of organic fig and buttery caramel with a dark chocolate shell. One box contains 12 caramels in three flavors: Madeira Wine, organic Orange with Anesone liqueur and farm-fresh apple with Calvados for $35. The extremely rich Drunken Figs are filled with vintage port and covered organic dark chocolate. Packaged in a reuseable tin, the drunken figs are $22 for four or $50 for ten."

::VIA

Monday, December 11, 2006

12/16/06::Art/Tape Swap::Potluck Dinner::Concert @The Bridge

12/16/06 event

Dec. 16th 06
@The Bridge
7:00pm
Free
Pot Luck Dinner
Art/Tape Swap

Nude Black Glass
White Boy Reggae
Pat Clifford
Pome
And More..

184 Mechanics St.
Southbridge, MA
01550

Contact us for more info.
float.on.it@gmail.com

Three Gift-Worthy T-Shirts

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"Everyone has a T-shirt wearer on their gift list. These picks combine eye-catching original design with high-quality cotton shirts for tees a step above vintage reproductions and wink-wink-nudge-nudge one-liners.

This mesmerizing Dots Tee (pictured left) is made by Brooklyn based T-shirt designers Rise and Fall. The cotton T-shirts are hand-printed and custom-dyed making each one unique. Available for $38 from Urban Outfitters.

The Elio-Tree T (pictured center) has a asymmetrical screen-printed design inspired by traditional Japanese graphics. The 100% cotton T-shirt is available in women's small, medium and large online for £23 from More T Vicar.

Momimomi, one of our favorite tee companies that aims to treat the t-shirt "as a billboard for the body, not the other way around" is offering a new monthly T-shirt subscriptions service that they're calling Tea Party. Subscribers will receive a original custom-dyed silkscreened t-shirt in the mail once a month. Subcriptions are available for 3 months ($120), 6 months ($210) or 12 months ($360)."

::VIA