Perlabra!

Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion

2009-02-11T12:29:29-06:00

I'm your average Animal Collective fan. They've successfully managed to put out a new lp almost every year since their 2003 release, Here Comes the Indian, and I've successfully managed to collect them all, minus one. Their latest album however, Merriweather Post Pavallion, has topped them all — it's been on constant repeat for days and is the first album that I have listened to in while that I can say has me completely psyched to start on some new personal design projects again. Sometimes, you just get in that rut of client work day in/day out that you need something inspiring to come around and jump start the creativity again; this time, it's in the form of idiosyncratic sounds produced by Animal Collective and psychedelic pop-art aesthetics.

Mardi Gras begins!

2009-02-08T15:16:33-06:00

The Krewe du Vieux is a non-profit organization dedicated to the historical and traditional concept of a Mardi Gras parade as a venue for individual creative expression and satirical comment. It is unique among all Mardi Gras parades in the city because it alone carries on the old traditions of Carnival celebrations, by using decorated mule-drawn floats with satirical themes, accompanied by costumed revelers dancing in the streets to the sounds of jazzy street musicians. We believe in exposing the world to the true nature of Mardi Gras—and in exposing ourselves to the world.
[via http://www.kreweduvieux.org]

One of my most favorite parts of Mardi Gras is the big kick-off, Krewe du Vieux. I was in this parade, once, back in 2004 (or was it 2003? my brain is slow today) and had a blast. This year was perfectly themed — Stimulus Package.

Mardi Gras Parade Krewe du Vieux

It's Handmade Nation Time!

2009-02-06T00:01:11-06:00

Very cool stop-motion sequence for the upcoming indie craft documentary, Handmade Nation, that I keep hyping up. Tonight was the premiere in Milwaukee and on February 12th at 6:30, it premieres in NYC at the Museum of Arts and Design.

DGTL WTF: An Evening with Corpus NYC

2009-01-29T20:24:26-06:00

If you're in the New Orleans area tomorrow night then I urge you (yes, urge!) to attend and evening with CorpusNYC at Loyola's Monroe Library from 5-7pm.

The world is undergoing a dramatic transformation with each generation finding itself increasingly immersed in a hyper-digital society. Media and information abound to the point of oversaturation, and personal electronic devices, webready or not, are becoming the primary way in which people interface with the world around them. Young designers are coming of age in this context - in what is arguably a completely new world - and are faced with its many obstacles.

Corpus, a New York-based design collective, is meeting some of today’s challenges with innovative concepts and designs. Whether it’s creating apps for social-networking sites, widgets for mobile devices, or dynamic interactive websites, Corpus is part of an emerging reality in which fluid structures and self-run organizations are becoming ever more pervasive.

Loyola Students & Members: FREE

Non-Members: $5

Your morning coffee just got a little better with Poketo mugs!

2009-01-20T23:04:21-06:00

Poketo just launched a fun series of mugs by four great artists: Leah Chun (Los Angeles), Luke Ramsey (Canada), Peskimo (U.K.), and Silvia Portella (Spain). I love them all but I think the above may be my favorite.

Poketo mugs have fun! from Poketo on Vimeo.

Is Obama President?

2009-01-20T14:02:02-06:00

Is Obama President?

I dedicate this song/video to you!

2009-01-19T22:10:34-06:00

I spent so many hours this weekend glued to all of the pre-inaugural coverage and as the hours get closer and closer to hitting that January 20th mark, the more I just can't contain my excitement and happiness that this is finally (and really) happening!

So, while I have these warm and fuzzy feelings, I thought I would post this incredibly sweet and exquisite video for "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson for the all-female album The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs. This is for all of my wonderful friends in Chicago who are having one hell of a winter, to my friends visiting D.C. who were braver than I to brace the crowds for the chance to witness history (and who are also cold!) and to all of the old friends that have come out of the woodwork of late to find me on Facebook! Wow, talk about an "I love the internet" moment; so great to be reconnected with people who I thought would always just be a part of my memory (and totally 80's style journals and scrapbooks) we tightly hold on to. But, most importantly, I dedicate this song to my mom who will be undergoing a biopsy tomorrow at the exact time Obama takes his Oath; maybe this will help put a smile on her face :)

Where are/were you?

2009-01-19T18:34:50-06:00

Ten:15 is asking, at 12:15 PM/EST, for a glimpse into where you were and what you were doing while Obama takes his oath of office. Simply send your picture, taken from a camera phone or camera, via email to photo@ten15am.com. Remember to include your name, the location, a title for your photo and your website link (if you have one).

What an amazing weekend/week

2009-01-19T12:39:28-06:00

We're all looking forward to tomorrow - it's almost unbelievable that it's already here and that this is all really happening. But, today, let's not forget why many of us have this day off. If you have just 17 minutes to spare, take the time to watch the speech that has helped build the path to get to where our country is today:

And don't forget that today is a national day of service. Although, I should have posted that link way earlier and it's probably too late to find something for today (but you never know! plug in your zip and see what comes up.) At the least, we can begin today to make the responsible decision to play our part to get involved and to give back to our communities.

Shepard Fairey: Barack Obama "Hope" poster

2009-01-19T11:58:08-06:00

The "Hope" poster will hang in the U.S. National Portrait Gallery on January 20, 2009.