Magical Khufu : 823 was created over a period of three days. All of the fabrication and craftsmanship was performed by our close friend, designer, fabricator and other-worldly artisan, Kristian Kluver. Our relationship with Kristian has grown and matured over the last decade in a manner that supports an exceptional level of collaboration. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s very special and we value it highly. Working with friends can be difficult, we operate a studio comprised of three near and dear, so we know the deal. But, the potential of working with those closest to you is spectacular, and we’ve found the outcomes tend to far outweigh the pitfalls. In our trade ideas, concepts, and visions for a piece of art, a chair, a logomark, a typeface, a poster, an installation – countless things that could be made and shared with the world, flutter in and out of our busy little brains all day long. Rarely does their creation, their ultimate manifestation, live up to our initial vision. In the case of Magical Khufu : 823, Kristian far surpassed our vision and created a truly beautiful work beyond our imagination. It’s not often in life that ones dreams, even the little ones, are realized on this sort of level. And, when it does happen, it’s a wonderful feeling. While our 11″ x 7″ sculptural creation pays homage to The Great Pyramid of Giza, this blog post, be it meager and simple-minded, pays homage to our friend Kristian and his spectacular abilities. Below is a truncated visual summary of Kristian’s workflow during the making of Magical Khufu.
Snowblinded just dropped a radtastical new screen print titled Polygon 30. This 18×18″ beauty is printed on high quality 100 lb. paper, limited to 30, signed and numbered. With the print run at 30… I’d suggest gnabbing one ASAP if you dig ‘em.
We’re pretty damned pleased to help announce the release of the Josh Keyes catalogue for Sprout, his exhibition at the David B. Smith Gallery this past May. The catalogue is a work of art in and of itself. Designed in landscape proportions of 12″ x 9.5,” the catalogue boasts 48 x 100lb velvet cover pages, an exceptional fold-out of Keyes, Burst I and a brilliantly crafted essay by George Melrod. This hardcover edition was produced in a limited run of 1000 units. In addition, each catalogue is packaged with a pencil signed and embossed 8″ x 10″ archival giclee on Hahnemuhle Velvet Paper. The catalogue was printed and bound in the good ole’ U S of A, produced by Limited Addiction Publishing and designed by cypher13. Get yours while there’s still some left!
Gesamtkunstwerk: is a work of art that makes use of all or many art forms or strives to do so.
In my opinion, probably one of the closest examples of someone producing a “total work of art” in contemporary times…Open Space – A Film: The Untold Stories of Mike Basich is amazing and inspiring. Reminds a quote my friend was fond of saying, “The world is run by those who show up.” Basich is in tune with life and it’s opportunities.
While in Art Basel over the weekend I happened upon a number of wonderful new works by young emerging contemporary talents. I’ll be attempting to share them here over the coming weeks. Hidenori Ishii is one such talent. Hidenori moved from Japan to the U.S. at the age 18 to study environmental science, but soon transitioned his focus to fine art. Clockwise from left to right, Anchor State, Dissolved Reflection, 12 p.m., and 12 a.m. All of the above works were produced in 2009.
Friend of the Night - Oil & acrylic on linen - 46 x 72 in. - 2009
In regards to his work, Hidenori says this, “My work suggests integrated psychological and environmental systems that allude to a self-contained biosphere built on a lifetime of collected idiosyncrasies. Following constellations reminiscent of the realization and the submerged mind, I rigidly depict the structure of fantasy.
I believer Painting is where actuality and possibility meet with one’s intention. As a landfill utilizes the progresses of nature over a long period of time, I’m interested in the visual and symbolic dialogue of and between man’s intentions and natures inevitabilities. Using a combination of patterns both from nature and man-made, my paintings suggest transformations, erosions, and constructions of improbable environments. Through its evident execution, my work creates a space where submerged human or natural potentials are rendered visible over time.
This created space, based on a disconnected experience of landscape, operates as an environment where I can search for clarification of self psychological articulation in the face of an ambiguous cultural identity.”
There’s still a couple days left to catch We Live in Public at the Starz Film Center last week. If you can make, do so, cause this is one of those films that everyone must see. Seen it? Then its important to get others to watch it, especially teenagers…
If you are consuming social media in any way, for either personal or professional reasons, you have a responsibility to be informed of the potential pitfalls associated with “living in public.” Trust me, you’ll rethink your approach to technology in everyday life.
Tomorrow evening when you’re making your first Friday rounds, be sure to check out the festivities at IndyInk. The Gift of Getting show touts a great lineup of local artists, contains no art over $100, and promotes the noble concept of giving local art as Christmas gifts. How can you lose?! So if you’re in the greater Denver area, get there early and get first crack. You can even take your newly purchased treasures with you. Suck on that baby Jesus.
Josh Wills bringing his typographic wizardry and south of the border corn dog inspired illustration steez to this year’s Bordo Bello skateboard art fundraiser. Extra fresh!
All the way from Minneapolis, our good pals Rob Angermuller (aka Lifter Baron) and Celeste Prevost will be contributing to this years Bordo Bello skate board show here in Denver. The show is going down at Andenken December 11 at 6PM. We’ve teamed up with KLVR for our entry – but that’s top secret for now.
Mentioned the ‘We Live in Public‘ film earlier this year. It’s been making the global rounds and is finally coming to Starz Film Center next week. Film’s director, Ondi Timoner, will be in town to participate in screening.
Special DocNight Presentation Thursday, December 3 – 7pm
Exclusive Denver Engagement continues December 4 – 10
It’s going to be a good one and encourage as many folks to check it out. Very relevant and thought provoking, might even scare you some too…
This is a pool that was painted by an art collective called Nevercrew. They, and the pool, are in Lugano, Switzerland…More can be found on their blog.
All the Denver wanna be graffiti artists who keep tagging the 20th street park need to pay attention. If your going to spray, please do a better job. Most of the stuff you see these days is pretty weak…
MCA Denver is pleased to screen Joshua Hassel’s documentary about artist Rex Ray on Sunday, Jan 3 at 3pm.
12.18.09
Help give back to hungry humans when you pick up an UGMONK shirt before December 25th with a 10% off code. Check Ugmonk’s blog for more information on how to participate and join the giveaway.
Jan 22, 2009 – Design After Dark: SKIN – at Redline Gallery. A fundraising party for the Dept. of Architecture, Design and Graphics of The Denver Art Museum.
Mike Graves will be dropping new works entitled, “Vacation Time” at The Shoppe on Dec. 12th. Woohoo!
12.01.09
On Friday, Dec. 4th Tom Bond drops his first ever solo show at Boulder’s Atmosphere. Check it out.
11.20.09
Mather:Kunst is very proud to present their newest exhibition Mish Mash KaBash at Streetlab_, Amsterdam. The show will feature artwork from Evan Hecox, Buff Monster, Rich Jacobs, Kenyon Bajus, Exploding Dog and Amanda Marie. Show opens to the public on Friday, December 11th, 2009, 8pm. More info: www.matherkunst.com www.streetlab.nl
11.18.09
Andenken Gallery cordially invites you to the opening reception for the new Amanda Marie solo show this Friday November 20th, Opening starts at 7pm. The show runs through December 10th.
11.13.09
Stop by Mod Livin tomorrow night, Saturday, the 14th of Nov. to say goodbye to the Fabric Lab’s storefront and check out some fresh local fashion!
11.13.09
Max Kauffman’s Ramshackle Deluxe closes this evening. To see Max’s works and collaborative installation stop by the Guerilla Gardens.
11.02.09
Superstar illustrator and graphic designer, Aaron Ray runnin’ freshfriday on S. Broadway at INDYINK this November 6th.
10.26.09
Be sure to check out BFF09 Denver. The fun starts on October 28th and runs through the 31st.
10.21.09
Bevel Emboss
A monthly gathering for industry professionals, graphic artists, and enthusiasts to talk shop, drink beer and have fun. If in the Chicago area, def swing by and get to know your neighbors. Nov. 5th, Twisted Spoke – Chicago
NEW!!! from DEEJAY IDULL: A brutal pre-Halloween journey of horror and dubstep. Download Now.
10.15.09
Yo, Artists – Mentor a design student – or not, but get arty on a skateboard for Bordo Bello! Register today.
10.07.09
PKND volume 7 is Tuesday, October 20, at the Buntport Theater Doors open at 8 pm / Starts 8:20 / $5 suggested donation – Reserve yourself a seat today!
10.01.09
Friday, October 2nd Chris Huth will be showing all new works at INDYINK under the exhibition title, Tug of War. It’ll be good. Show up.