Wasteland

Until last week there were only 2 movies that have made me cry - The Green Mile (who doesn't?) and P.S. I Love You (ok, don't tell me Gerard only being in the first 10 minutes doesn't tear you up inside).

So a third has been added.  Wasteland. Maybe it was the full moon, maybe it was the stress of finals week a-comin. But I don't think so. This is a powerful documentary. Vik Muniz is an incredible artist and through this project, an anthropologist, philanthropist, and social activist.

His idea was to change the lives of a group of people with the same materials they use in their lives everyday.

You need to see the full thing (instant view on Netflix!) - the trailer doesn't do it justice. But here it is .


WASTE LAND Official Trailer from Almega Projects on Vimeo.

"The moment when one thing turns into another thing is a beautiful moment. A combination of sounds transforms into music." - Vik Muniz

Here's the poster I made for a class in response to the film.  I arranged our glass bottles into a mosaic in my driveway and stood on the roof to take a picture. Can anyone guess what it's supposed to be? It's a bird in mid flight (inspired by this image).

I had a gay sandwich for lunch today

Don't know it's original source, came across it on facebook. {Liz Feldman}, you speak to my heart. 

"Sounds like My Bloody Valentine minus the guitars."

Butterfly by Delicate Steve
{Found this on NPR}. Delicate Steve's bio/press release was written and sent to millions - but nothing in it was true. The author had never even heard the band's music. Clever way to get attention and test our ability to discern sh*t from real.

The video makes me smile, too. There used to be a comment on YouTube that said something like "this video is what would happen if we smoked a bunch of weed with some circus people in a field. and then filmed it" Um..yea? That probably is what happened. I couldn't tell if they were berating the video or lovin' on it cause it went on to talk about filming things like this but, like, running out of film cuz then the issue would be to buy more memcards or just stop?... Maybe they were just stoned themselves...So, yea. Good video.

Producing Independent Films

Christine Walker, co-founder of {Werc Werk Works}, a Minneapolis-based production company (what up, home town) and an alumni of the Univeristy of Utah Film Department, talked about the struggles and rewards of producing independent films.

"Some films simply deserve to be made because they are art, for their social value...the world is a better place because of it."

Walker organized the lecture into 3 sections based on her core values - art, money, and community - but they were so intertwined she kept jumping back and forth between sections.

Here's the poster I made for a class in response to her talk. Her favorite artist is Leonardo DaVinci because he "would have been a film-maker", thus the Mona Lisa. It may be too small to see on here but I've filled in the gaps between letters with her ideas, teachings, and quotes. I'm teaching myself Adobe Illustrator - let me know your thoughts.

Click on the image for full-size.

Why Can't We Walk Straight?

"There is a profound inability for humans to walk in a straight line when blindfolded or when there is no fixed point - no sun, no moon, no mountaintop - to guide them."

Interesting. And I like the animation. Reminds me of {L'illusionniste}.



A Mystery: Why Can't We Walk Straight? from NPR on Vimeo.

Emily, Shelby, & Chris

Look at these beautiful people. Chris let me borrow his equipment and have my own photoshoot. (yea, that's him in the photos - not only is he an incredible photographer, he can dance!) Setting up was an experiment in itself since I didn't really know what I was doing, but I'd say it turned out ok. I didn't break anything, so that's a plus. Emily and Shelby are both dancers in the Modern Dance dept at the University of Utah and I am so lucky to get to work with these peeps. They made the process so easy. Essentially, all ll I said was "move" and this is what happened. Here are some of my fav's from the sesh, although choosing just a few (x4) was nearly impossible. I can't wait to do more of this. I think I'm in love.

 Fabric makes things pretty

Boots = magic

This = magic

The movement in her hair and the torque in her legs makes this a favorite

 The lighting on her face makes me happy

 Juicy

 I love the negative space between her left foot and his right leg. See it?

This makes me want to shoot fashion stuff. Cause pretty shoes are in

the full gallery is {here}

F*ck You, Pay Me

Mike Monteiro of {Mule Design Studio} (and his lawyer) discuss how to run a design studio as a business.
Anyone interested in working in design or using the services of a designer should really watch this. He is hilarious, very very clear, and gives great advice!


2011/03 Mike Monteiro | F*ck You. Pay Me. from SanFrancisco/CreativeMornings on Vimeo.

Holi, Festival of Colors

Largest celebration in the Western Hemisphere? I did not realize the Indian Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah held such a title!

This is a beautifully edited video and captures the joy of this festival. I was there, we were smeared in rose-scented colors, and everyone was just so happy. Hari Krishna!

Here are some of my photos from the party.

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Flash Mob Enforces Recycling!

Awhile ago I was walking through the library and as a student tossed something in the recycling bin, the guy manning the front counter said "Thanks for recycling." The student was surprised and kind of stuttered a "no problem". I, too, was caught off guard by the acknowledement. It was amazing the effect this simple recognition of a good thing had on me. It made me smile and want to recycle in the future...in the hopes that I'd get a pat-on-the-back as well!

I just came across this video of somtehing similar on a larger scale. A FlashMob crew in Quebec uses the power of positive re-enforcement to get people to recycle!

Pie Charts Never Lie

Watch out, world. There's trouble at hand. :)

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