Mame's House

Chutah took me to a small town hippie artist commune last week. She takes me to the best places. It was very interesting; a group of artists living together and sharing a house. Then they vote someone off. Just kidding. They saw a lack in their community, and decided to bridge the gap by hosting a get-together every week.

Their description of the night’s upcoming events reminded me of the zaniness of Auntie Mame. They do art related stuff when they get together, but usually nothing structured. If someone wants to play music they do so (and I think they had enough guitars to cover everyone if it was a sing-a-long), or they might paint, or do a craft, or even cook if the mood takes them. Mame would have fit in well. They were incredibly gracious and welcoming people, sharing their work with us, and inviting us to participate in everything from the projects to the drinking and making of quesadillas.

I didn’t feel my usual nervousness with them; I was there for business, so business mode was on. But there were actors there. Talking to them was like getting to speak your native language in a foreign country. Oddly, not many women talked to me. I don’t know what that means.

Everyone was excited about one guy coming to the gathering, and it seemed everyone made a point to tell us about him and how they didn’t think he could make it. He did make it. This may not seem especially crucial, but the thing was, when he came in the door, I could tell why he was so important to the group. After talking to him for about 30 seconds, I felt a connection. I wanted to talk to him more. It was so strange. I can’t remember the last time I was that interested in someone upon the first meeting. He wasn’t really remarkable in any way, but somehow, he was the most interesting person there.

We were invited back, and with our new project, we’re probably going to be spending some time with them over the next few months. I think I need to go back for art night at the hippie commune; I need to speak my native language.

Something About the Eyes

Death Note is addictive and intoxicating in a lot of ways. The story and characters are great, unexpected and genre-defying in many ways. But the art–the art is mind-shatteringly beautiful. At first, it seems strange and harsh, maybe even grotesque. As I continue in the series, though, it makes me sigh and pause to just look and take in the drawings.

The main character, Light, experiences a reversal of character in book 4 or 5, I can’t remember which. He loses his ambition for godhood and his power to cause death. And when he does, his eyes change. His gorgeous, half-closed, and penetrating eyes become wide-open windows into his pure soul. The change was startling and unwelcome.

The change in the character’s actions and words are not so hard for me. But his eyes are changed, feel wrong. I never knew there could be so much power invested in what seems to be a somewhat insignificant detail. Just the width of the character’s eyes.

Avant Garde?

http://www.flickr.com/explore/panda

Courtesy The Slog: My newest obession.

Creative Energy

*At the risk of my boyfriend calling me a "hipster," I need to express that I'm big into this art and design stuff. I want it like an evangelical wants truth.....I need art and design in my environment, even if I have to create it myself.

When I go to a new city, I'm thrilled to discover new things...new culture, design, architecture, history, art in public places. As the Oklahoma Art in Public Places page states, " Public art reflects the local environment, cultural values and artistic vitality...and provides a vehicle for [communities to express their identity]."

I want to see the unexpected and unfamiliar everywhere...even in my own neighborhood...because I've got a thing for ideas. Seeing something different, new, or innovativeis exciting and makes ideas bubble up in my own mind. Creative energy is thrilling.

I was in an unnamed Oklahoma town a few weeks ago, and I couldn't help but feel the drag of disappointment when I realized it was like many other small Oklahoma towns. The Chiliswalmartcitgotargethobbylobbycvswalgreensribcriblowesbiglots and french provincial-style mcmansions with their endless oceans of pitched roofs didn't give off anything remotely unique or display any historic or cultural identity. I know there's got to be something different about this community...right?

I'm not just talking about a statue on a corner or another sculpture of a buffalo. I'm talking about functional art, architecture, parks designed for relaxation. I'm talking about making something ordinary and, whether people like it or not*, making it interesting.

* and you know, I might not like it, but if it gives me something to think about...i support it!

The anatomy of a cartoon

An artist in China has recreated what the skeletons of cartoons would look like, if they were real creatures and had actual dimensions. It is at turns really cool and very weird. It does draw attention to the style of animation that the Looney Toons are drawn in. Bugs Bunny is pictured at left, but I think you'll all agree Tom from Tom and Jerry is the strangest.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/2579628/Cartoon-skeletons.html