When Halloween rolls around, I start thinking about what horror movie I want to watch. Anyone who has been to this site a few times knows there is a special place in my heart for the undead. While shopping around for a good flick, I came across retroCRUSH’s top 20 zombie movies! I was simultaneously joyous over my discovery, and shamed to see that I have barely seen half of these. I apparently have some work to do. Enjoy the list!

In protest of the pollution problems in Singapore, Andy Heng of toysrevil has produced a series of solutions using various figurines called HazeGear. He has damn near 40 of these, and they are fantastic. I love art, and I love toys, so this is right up my alley. Each figure has a very powerful expression.  I imagine it would be difficult to maintain the serious feel of the subject matter when using toys like this, but Heng keeps it straight through the entire series.
For more info on the haze, click here.

We have painstakingly collected what we consider to be the best comic book weapons of all time. Comics are one of our favorite art forms, and we pay tribute to that with this list. Vince and I are confident that any reader will enjoy this. The list includes write-ups and pics of each weapon by Vince and myself. Please feel free to share your thoughts!

This Swiss design firm challenged designers to repurpose everyday objects in interesting ways. The results were fantastic. Some are quirky, but I especially like the ones that actually function. The clothes pin/chop sticks combination for those short on manual dexterity has to be my favorite. This stuff gets me excited… This is what Cardboard Monocle is really about. (Yes, it means something.) It’s the thing that makes me want to keep up with this blog, that moment where something of little value transforms into something more… into art. When I see something like this, it excites me and I want to share it.

[www.atelier-v.ch]

[Source= BoingBoing.net]

Jeremy Forson’s illustrations are so rich and imaginative, it’s no wonder the guy is pumping out comissioned work left and right. From graphic to painterly, his works have a nice diversity of look and emotion. Nice little portfolio site and blog as well. I know I’ve been on a bit of an illustrator kick lately… I think I secretly (or not so secretly) want to be one.

[JeremyForsen.com]

I’ve said before that I usually don’t get off on “found-art” sculptures, but I think I might have to abolish my prejudice and start getting into this stuff.

Nemo Gould creates some of the coolest “sculpture/machinery/push toy/I don’t know what” pieces that I have ever seen.  I honestly don’t even know how to describe his work in a way that does it justice, but I honestly and truly dig the heck out of his whole 50’s-Future aesthetic.  Most of these creations are built entirely from found objects, but the craftsmanship on this stuff is so good that you can look at it and think that it’s fabricated from scratch, not that it’s cobbled together from assorted cast-offs.

Go check out his site at the link below.  You could spend hours looking around.  Make sure and watch the videos of how some of the pieces work.  It really adds another dimension to what are already really cool pieces.

[nemomatic]

A book collecting some amazing illustrations is coming this December. The more I look at this stuff, the more I love it.

The Nucleus Gallery describes it:

In Bliss Express, 21 of today’s most striking pop artists explore the idea of happiness… Bringing together short stories, artist quotations, biographies and over 280 images in full color, Bliss Express paints the normalities and absurdities of modern life. It is a reel of snapshots of the artists’ visions and obsessions—their unhinged, funny, heartbreaking journey to that elusive inner state of grace.

There is a preview of the book that absolutely captivated me. Sign me up.

Woodson is a 23 year old illustrator with skills. The guy is fresh out of college, and already has an impressive list of clients. His illustrations, with their smooth lines and muted colors, are like a frozen moment… a memory. Most of the work on his portfolio site is a combination of sumi ink and photoshop. His ink work is gorgeous.

I’ve never seen the him, but I’m guessing that is him on the left. That likeness is portrayed in many of his illustrations. The guy is an amazing artist, but needs to mix up the models a little.

[ghostco]

thanks Corey!

Nick Cave’s latest Soundsuits will be on display at the Jack Shainman Gallery in New York this month. Cave, a black man, describes the suits as protection against prejudice. They also resemble ceremonial costume. Cave creates these wearable sculptures from a wide variety of throw away materials like twigs and bottle caps and garbage ties, making reference to society’s attitude towards minorities. Highly textural and visually stunning, his suits make sounds as they perform, creating a deeper experience for the viewer.

Beth Blahut, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, compares his work to that of a quiltmaker. Taking something of little value, and creating something. Looking at some of his older suits compared to his newer ones, it is clear that the suits are evolving and becoming more beautiful, possibly representing some personal growth and most definitely artistic growth.

I can’t seem to find how many he has created so far, but I think it is around 50. I also failed to find a collection of his suits online. If anyone knows the answer to these mysteries, let me know.

[Jack Shainman Gallery]

I do not have a psychiatrist and I do not want one, for the simple reason that if he listened to me long enough, he might become disturbed.

-James Thurber

Created by RESOLUTION: 4 Architecture merely as piece for a charity event, these birdhouses were lovingly inspired by the urban shoe/powerline trick.  This project also served as an opportunity to experiment with digital rapid (SLA) prototyping.  Flung over a telephone line, or a tree limb, they come in different sizes for different birds.  This is the sort of genius that comes when designers that are used to more complex problems, take on a simple one.  These are functional, eco-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing… I want some in my neighborhood.

[Source= Inhabitat]

I managed to swing by the Suspended Dreams show at 621 this past Friday. It has been a while since I could hit any art shows, so I went with hopes for a good show. The artists showing were John Wilson, Linda Hall and Gary Duehr. Let us review:

Now, I have seen John Wilson’s work more than a few times over my duration in Tallahassee. His large paintings are super clean and interesting, but after seeing him at multiple shows, I find that it lacks the depth to keep my attention for very long. That being said, I think he has a bright future ahead of him. It’s the nature of his paintings… simple and clean.

Linda Hall had a pretty strong showing with a series of creepy sculptures. Mostly little creatures, but some other small installations as well. She used some nice textures and a diverse range of materials. The image above was my favorite from her.

Photographer Gary Duehr made this show worth while for me. His large scale photos have a cinematic quality and depth that make you feel they are screenshots from a really awesome movie that you have never seen, but want to. I dig his work.

-Eric Shepard

First of all, let me say that I am a huge fan of British author Neil Gaiman.  Whether it be one of his new best-selling novels or his innovative comic-book works, I devour it equally.  So needless to say, I was pleased to see that one of my favorite stories from his short story collection, Smoke and Mirrors, had been adapted in online comic form.

The story in question is a cautionary tale entitled Babycakes, that asks a very important question about humanity.  I’ll admit that the story leans a bit away from my own personal politics, but it’s so well written that I have to love it.  Artist Jouni Koponen’s adaptation is starkly rendered in a smooth cartoony black and white style that belies the seriousness of the story, but I think it’s that dichotomy that makes it such an interesting adaptation.

Warning: This story is not for the faint of heart or the overly sensitive, but it is very good, and pretty thought-provoking.  Check it out for yourself.

[Babycakes]

[source=needcoffee.com]

Upon entering Moore’s site, I was hesitant.  At first glance, the work seemed sloppy and boring.  Only after I examined them did I find that each piece walks a thin line between a child’s drawing and something more– or should i say moore.  I know that was lame, but it is true.  It is as if you can follow the journey from innocence to corruption within the piece itself.  Like some creepy child that never really grew up.

[kellymoore.net]

If the glass there in front of me astounds me more than all the glasses I’ve seen in painting, and if I even think that the greatest architectural wonder of the world couldn’t affect me more than this glass, it’s really not worth while going to the Indies to see some temple or other when I have as much and more right in front of me.