JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT:

RADIANT CHILD

Caught this documentary last week, and am so so so glad that I did. If you're unfamiliar with Basquiat's life or work, that's even more reason to catch the flick at Film Forum (where it has been held over).

His handwriting, child-like strokes, vision and message remain unique until this day. The pain and turmoil reflected in his work is heart-wrenching, even if it's splashed with a bit of humor.

This is also a story about New York and its art, immigrants, love, brutality and beauty.

It has been a long time since I've been so touched by a film. I might go see it again.

Check out the opening scene below and read more about the film here.

ZIMOUN

A friend shared this video with me today....and now I'm having trouble concentrating on anything else!

There are certain rhythmic sounds that I love (the click-clack of shoes hitting the platform floor at the 53rd street E train station, the sound of rain hitting a window pane during a storm...). Swiss artist Zimoun seems similarly taken with certain sounds, and has created "sound sculptures" that he compiled into a short video.

Beautifully shot against white and black backgrounds, the machines that the Swiss artist built create the most lovely orchestra.

Check out the video above...you won't be able to avert your eyes. Or ears.

And see more of his work here.

YES,

this is for real.

Jen Stark creates these BEAUTIES by cutting intricate forms out of construction paper (yes, construction paper) and layering them infinitely. The effect? Waves upon waves of sumptuous color. I am COMPLETELY entranced. 

From top to bottom:

Burst, 2007

Coriolis Effect, 2007

On the Inside, 2008

Afterglow, 2007

Radial Reverie, 2009

Plasmascopic, 2009

Prismatic, 2009

Check this out (!!!):

And of course, see more of her work here.

SEEING DOUBLE: 

PAINT YOUR FACE + HELMO

By French music artist, Sliimy

Directed by ???

I'm so obsessed. 

It's amazing what can be done with black tape and a projector!

Doesn't the above video still remind you of something?? Black background, polka dots...French. Even the balloon formation (around 0:29) is somewhat like the white smoke that Helmo is so fond of.

And....replay.

2046

Stills from Wong Kar Wai's film, "2046" (2004)

I saw this film a couple of years ago, and while I couldn't quite wrap my head around the twisty turvy plot and equally twisty turvy characters, I'm completely unable to erase the GORGEOUS imagery from my memory.

Moody and sultry, the above stills have a way of grabbing my heart and keeping me from looking away.

Read more about Wong Kar Wai here.

BROKENKITES + 

HARRIET MACDONALD

Above is a music video for Brokenkites' Touch.

I loooooove the tiny floating heart, the waves, the glowing Buggy, 

the exquisitely detailed city....with laundry lines to boot!

Harriet Macdonald animated and directed this lovely piece. Read more about the Australian artist here.

Also, check out Brokenkites here.

PEDRO ALMODÓVAR / IN COLOR

Sensuous, unforgiving, saturated color palettes +

Strong, fast-paced and very dense plots +

Magnetic, thought-proving soundtracks +

Penelope Cruz

Does that sum up Almodóvar's work? Not even close, but at the very least, it scrapes the surface.

I caught Broken Embraces, his latest film, yesterday. If you're unfamiliar with this Spanish director's work, this film is a good one to help you get your feet wet.

And once you do, your world will seem a bit more magical.

"I don't want to imitate life in movies; I want to represent it. And in that representation, you use the colors you feel, and sometimes they are fake colors. But always it's to show one emotion." – Pedro Almodóvar

Above: Various stills from Volver, Bad Education and

Broken Embraces.

Check out the trailer here:

NOUREDDIN ZARRINKELK

Interestingly, Iranian illustrator, Zarrinkelk, received a degree in pharmacology in 1961. 13 years later, he established the first school for animation in Tehran, and hence has been dubbed the "Father of Animation" in Iran.

He's known for his illustration of children's books...but I find that his pieces are probably just as magical, enchanting and endearing to adults as they are to kids. Humorous, quirky and at the same time, undeniably delicate.

Also, I can't help but question if there are some deeper (political? social?) themes in some of his work. Take a look at that second illustration....

Both of the above works were published in The Crows in 1970.

Here's an animated piece called A Playground for Baboush:

Read more about him here.

Also, here's a pretty cool interview that gives insight into his transition from the world of pharmacology to that of art and design.

GUERNICA IN 3D

A three-dimensional exploration of Picasso's famous work (and one of my favorites of his), Guernica. It was created by German digital animator, Lena Gieseke.

It has helped me to discover details in the painting that I've never noticed before.

Here's the original:

(click to enlarge)

And here's an interesting article that gives insight into the massacre that inspired the painting.

COCO CHANEL

Photographed by Douglas Kirkland

"Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future." – Coco Chanel

There have been a slew of great fashion films lately: Valentino, The Last Emperor , The September Issue, and my favorite of the three (that I just saw tonight), Coco Before Chanel. 

Her ground-breaking vision and uncompromising drive kept her working until she died in 1971. Incredible style, incredible spirit.

SEE IT.

LIKE CHICKEN AND WAFFLES...

...I'd never think that Q-Tip and Norah Jones would go together, but for some reason, it just works!

I just caught their video for Life is Better on VH1 Soul, and honestly, I fell in love with the fluttering stars before I even realized who the artists were.

It's so visually stimulating! Between the tiny horses, the high-contrast posterized effect, the floating shapes of transparent color, the dandelion (:39)...I can't figure out what my favorite element is.

Might have to watch it again. And again.

 

GUTS, we miss you...

Grace Jones' album packaging (various)

Frankly, her music scares the bejeezus out of me, but LOOK AT HER IMAGING. Raw. Uncut. Uncensored.

My faves are: 

My Jamaican Guy (center column, bottom row) and

Living My Life (top, center)

Nope! Doesn't get better!

Take a look at her 2008 video, Corporate Cannibal: