Archive for April, 2009
Into the West: The Rat Pack
The Rat Pack was definitely a West Coast crew — from the Sands to the Hills. Their brand of style, glamour, and cool distinctly tilts left and is evident in photos of the men suited up for their late night romps and album covers that reflect their playful banter and laid back swing.
Into the West: Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots! I love them! My favorite are the rugged, no-nonsense, no-frills kind — the kind that only look better the more dirt you get on them.
Though I can’t say I haven’t been tempted to get a pair with fun colorful patterns.
Especially when there are so many to choose from…
Into the Sunset: The Dragon’s Claw
A timely tangent on my Spaghetti Western tangent!
Like the lone heroes of the spaghetti westerns, the protagonist in friend and animator Robert Bruce’s recently released and lauded video for Justice of the Unicorns‘ The Dragon’s Claw lives in solitude… until, of course, he sees reason for action. Check out this modern day Man with No Name, sporting a monster costume instead of a poncho.
“The Dragon’s Claw” by Justice of the Unicorns from Robert Bruce on Vimeo.
Into the Sunset: Spaghetti Westerns
Geographically, Spaghetti Westerns are filmed nowhere near the American West, but they’re obviously about/influenced by it. These low-budget films introduced an international audience to cinematic and musical talents and maintain a significant place in film culture and history.
They’ve also produced some badass film posters.
Tangent from: Into the Sunset
Last week, Mike and I checked out the MoMA exhibition Into the Sunset.
I’m no art critic, so this will not be a detailed review. I will, however, offer the highlights of our trip.
1) Mike taught me a thing or two about Cindy Sherman.
Kid: Storybook Art
Apartment Therapy featured these lovely painted frames with illustrations from children’s books…
…which put me on the hunt for more whimsical wall art.
Kid: Books of Wonder
Last Friday I had the day off and decided to visit AIGA to check out a great exhibition full of innovative and inspiring ways to use type and material. Since I was in the neighborhood, I decided to stop by Books of Wonder, where I’m guaranteed a treat in the form of beautifully illustrated and produced books, as well as yummy cupcakes.
Here’s a visual summary of my visit.
Kid: The Tramp (and The Kid)
The recreation of heartwarming scenes and the combination of varying colorful type make for some very sweet and touching film posters for the Tramp’s The Kid.
Tangent from: Kid (by The Pretenders)
I’m currently on a Pretenders kick. Oh, heck, I’m on a Chrissie Hynde kick. Not sure what inspired this. (Could it be the near daily visual assault of these street ads penetrating my design/music psyche? I hope not…) But here she is, with her killer boots, dark wild hair, and black eyeliner, kicking at my shins like an angry kid that needs to be mollified.
The first time I heard this song, it was stuck in my head for days. And now, despite multiple listens, it’s still happily lodged in my brain. Maybe it’s the holiday-esque opening. Maybe it’s Chrissie’s soothing voice singing ‘Kid…’ Maybe it’s all the fun flourish within the song. Maybe it’s the Fellini scene I imagine of a pouty child and an apologetic and hopeless parent. Or maybe it’s because I could sing this to some adults and it would still apply. Whatever it’s got, I like.
The Third Man: Graham Greene
I love the consistent use of imagery on the Graham Greene covers from Penguin Classics.
