2art + heart project
exhibition / australia /

Think outside the square this christmas, give a gift that's cute and quirky, and help out those less fortunate.
 
On 16 December for one night only, Melbourne clothing and toy store Curious Eidolon will be hosting a Art + Heart: A Group Character Design Exhibition. In the spirit of the season, over 40 uber-cool global artists including toymakers, urban street artists, painters, fashion designers, illustrators, photographers and graphic designers have donated a diverse and distinctive range of affordable, cult art gifts. These donations include original plush toys, paintings, artbooks, photos, vinyl toys, one-off prints, t-shirts and more. Celebrate the season of giving at Curious Eidolon!

100% of proceeds goes to ‘Life to Orphans’, a charity organisation providing money for the most basic survival needs for children living in orphanages in the Ukraine.

Heart + Art @ Curious Eidolon
16/12/05 6 - 10pm
80 Johnston St, Fitzroy, Melbourne

www.curiouseidolon.com

 

3cum*
street art collective / belgium /

"Sex is everywhere around us, so it's not that hard to find inspiration. In the beginning our girlfriends complained sometimes when we were constantly looking for pinup girls to use in our work."

How did you guys come together as Cum*?
We are three friends that go way back. We've all been interested and involved in graphic design/art/graffiti for some years now. We started making graphic work together and became simultaneously interested in the stencil and street art thing.

How did the name and concept for Cum* develop?
After one of us did a stencil of a pin-up girl, we came up with the whole 'erotic street entertainment' idea. We thought Cum was a perfect name for this, because of the enormous amount of times this word is mentioned in the adult entertainment and because of its meaning of course. Also the letters are perfect to cut out and stencil.

Do either of you have street art backgrounds other than Cum*?
We had made some random stencils and stickers before, but never a real concept.

How has Cum* developed your skills as a street artist?
Our skills in making stencils have improved a lot since we began of course, but also our graphic skills have evolved.

Where does your responsibility lie when it comes to the Cum* project, for yourselves or for the pedestrians?
We think about that a lot; first, most of our work is erotic and a smaller part of it is pornographic. Of course there's a thin line between those two. But we try to put the erotic work in the streets and use the more pornographic work in other projects. But we always try to keep it tasteful. We have a boundary set for ourselves that we try not to cross. Even our most 'x rated' stuff in the street isn't that shocking really, what you see now days on TV or in magazines are much worse. What we bring is a graphic interpretation of these images. We wouldn't feel good if we would just put raw pornographic pictures in the streets.

With the Cum* project it seems like you may have to do some research and think nasty for inspiration. How and where do you do research or gain inspiration for Cum* imagery?
Sex is everywhere around us, so it's not that hard to find inspiration. In the beginning our girlfriends complained sometimes when we were constantly looking for pinup girls to use in our work, but they're really supportive of what we do. But the Cum* project is always a perfect excuse for watching porn.

Has anybody from the pornographic industry approached you guys for illustrations or projects?
No, not yet, but if a decent company would ask, I guess we would consider.
If the police catch you in the act do you feel that they are more inclined to give you a ticket or arrest you because you are not pasting up some cute little bunny rabbit but some bitch with a dick in her face? I guess we are more likely to get fined, as we're not just putting up stencils, but also breaking the law for bringing sexual contents in public.

Do you guys have any close calls with the police or any chase stories?
We've never been arrested (touch wood), but we've had some close calls. Nothing more interesting than your average 'run, jump fences and hide' story.

What areas in Europe would you say that you guys are up significantly?
Most of our stuff is hanging in Belgium, but we've also done some stuff in France, Turkey and Spain. We're hoping to put more work in our neighboring countries; Germany, Holland and France.

Do you have any special or outrageous street campaigns/installations planned for Europe in the near future?
We have a lot of plans, but what or where the next big move will be we don't now yet. It'll also depends on which project or expo will bring us in which county/city.

Is there anything else we should know about Cum*?
That it's sticky.

What can we expect to see from Cum* in the future?
Some more Cum in the streets, but also more graphic work on canvas, wood, cardboard,... and some collaboration with other artists. Thank you, Cum* again.

www.cuminthestreets.com

Cum* are represented in Belgium by Maes & Matthys Gallery where they are exhibiting until 22 January 2006.

 

4rene kininmonth
fashion / australia

photos: james yencken. model: ryan euinton

RMIT student Rene Kininmonth pays tribute to men who are still dressed by their mums.

About the collection...
Nerdology 05: An affectionate tribute to the iconic nerd and nerdy dressing (ie. Men who are still dressed by their mums).

Key features of the collection...
Black, White, Cream with brown checks in dusty old man fabrics, and smooth crease proof cotton gabardine (ideal for storage on bedroom floor). Features boyish sailor and peter pan collars, French cuffs, lots of
handy pockets for putting things in (pens, books etc) and suits appear to be shrunken or misfitting.

About Rene...
Recent third year graduate of BA Fashion at RMIT, specialising in conceptual menswear. Strong interest in design theory, illustration, design and realisation. Part time cinema worker and apprentice movie buff. Enjoys drawing, making toys for friends, and visiting the stuffed animals at the museum.

Inspired by...
David Hockney, Walter, school uniforms, Yoshitomo Nara, Erwin Wurm, Jun Takahashi, Cosmic Wonder, Marcel Dzama, Peter Jensen, boys with nerdy glasses… “All you need is faith and trust and a little bit of pixy-dust” – Walter Van Beirendonck.

What's next?
Conquer fourth year fashion, then wait n’ see. “Live, Love, Learn & Create”.

For more info you can email Rene at rene_kininmonth@yahoo.com.au

 

5fiona lau
fashion / australia

photos: amanda de simone

Fiona Lau says F it, and as a result has created an intriguing collection that explores the virility of branding and logos.

About the collection
Basically it's called The F Collection. It utilizes a symbol association concept that is often related to branding. It's not about marketing, that hasn't been explored in this collection– because it's not about supply and demand. There is not a market. The concept essentially stems from a desire to manically brand my logo everywhere. The logo is the letter F which obviously represents Fiona, me the designer, and the lifestyle/image that I put forward.

The brand becomes the clothing
With branding it is not just about creating clothing, but essentially a kind of F branded world. This obsessive and exaggerated use of logo and branding is derived from fashion houses in the 80s. Labels like Chanel had their logo as fabric prints, large appliqués on jumpers etc. But in “the F collection” the logo is not limited to trims and prints, but it actually forms the foundations of the garments. The logo is inherent to the garments silhouette and structure. Furthermore, to demonstrate the branded world, the shape of the logo has been incorporated into the ‘living space’ as furniture and wall hangings.

The photographs
It was important that the photographs were fun and casual, and a little bit kooky. They were taken by Amanda de Simone, who graduated from RMIT in 2002. Look out for her at the Nextwave festival next year.

Keeping it simple
I felt there was no need to have a complex concept, but more importantly how I went about translating a simple theme. In this collection I have chosen to work with something I understand, and have focused my time on developing and growing from this initial idea. The straight-forward concept is easily understood by everyone, and avoids intellectual pretension.

Inspiration
I am inspired by other designers that work in a similar method, like Bernhard Willhelm and Cosmic Wonder. Bernhard Willhelm is driven by an intuitive and personal approach to design. His collections are a fun mish-mash of whatever interests him like cooking and happy meals. Concepts that are banal and self explanatory. Similarly Cosmic Wonder created the curtain and the coat hanger collection. Where the curtain was shown on a wall and attached to a dress at the end, and the wearer would have to wear the coat hanger when wearing the garments. I like how humor is always an element in their work.

For more info you can email Fiona at ffionalau@yahoo.com.au

 

6they shoot homos don't they?
magazine / australia

"If I was poor and a fag, or poor, faggy and lived in the Middle East, it would be much worse..."

1) What does TSHDT contribute to the human race?
The magazine contributes an alternate to images peddled by the mainstream (reality tv celebrities, nonsexual homo stylists and adominals). It has pictures of handsome boys but we also like to try and talk about these images and their context.

2) How do you feel about homosexuals' place in society today?
I’m lucky i’m a white bourgie homo as I only miss out on a few things like
the lawful recognition of same-sex relationships. If i was poor and a fag,
or poor, faggy and lived in the Middle East, it would be much worse. And
don’t get me started on lesbians.

3) Pornography or Art? What's better?
Both pornography and art serve as stimulus.

4) If you had to, who'd you rather stick it to:
a) Anna Nicole Smith b) Dolly Parton
c) Mariah Carey d) Pamela Anderson
I’d like to stick all four women . . . with a super tight tee saying, i am
more than breasts. Could you not think of four more hyper-hetero porn
fantasies?

5) Do you prefer men with their clothes on or off?
I prefer men endpunkt. But if you must know, I’m a tops on rather than a
tops off although i try not to discriminate

6) You've a diverse collection of contributors. Where do you find them?
The contributors are a part of an extended social network that I sometimes
refer to as ‘the brotherhood’. The nodes in the network outside Australia
(New York City, Paris, London, Amsterdam) stem from typical cultural
centres of power. Maybe, things will change. Do you know any fags in
Lagos?

7) ...and this issue's bigger too, are things going well? Can we
expect a lot more from TSHDT in the future?
Yes, more, more, more. But it does depend upon the talent. At TSHDT, we
wish to expand the idea of homosexuality. Expect TSHDT to become more than a magazine but instead a catalyst for dialogue and collaboration. The
problem is, how does one make dialogue in a magazine active? It’s real
deep, dude.

They Shoot Homos Don't They? is available at all the best not-so-popular bookstores, or visit their website for more details and a list of stockists.

Thanks to Tim for the above interview.

 

7family first
exhibition / new zealand

Family First, at the Physics Room in Christchurch, brings together a selection of Australian and American artists whose diverse practices reflect an affinity with counter-cultural groups or activities.

In doing so, the exhibition explores notions of individuality, community and belonging within this sub-cultural framework. Taking its title from the recently formed Australian conservative Christian political party of the same name, Family First uses the political party as a point of departure, instead drawing out ways in which sub-cultural allegiances can inform and contribute to the practices of artists that transcends traditional, conservative political constructions of identity groups.

Family First
24 Jan – 18 Feb 2006
The Physics Room, 2nd Floor
Old Central Post Office Building
209 Tuam Street
Christchurch

www.physicsroom.org.nz

 

8emiliana torrini
music / iceland

"Torrini's songwriting has matured and become first rate, and the moods that are invoked by each of the songs on Fisherman's Woman are strong and inescapable."

It's taken her six years, but the second release from Emiliana Torrini has finally arrived. No longer content to hang in the shadow of her Icelandic sisters, Torrini has developed her sound into a distinctive and sultry breed of folk music. On her debut record, Love In The Time Of Science, Emiliana evoked a sound that bore a heavy resemblance to the works of Bjork, albeit relying more on organic instrumentation rather than electronics. On this new record, Emiliana has become quite comfortable in her own skin, writing songs that are genuine, intimate, and earthy. Think of Bjork as the older, jaded, somewhat bitter sister to Torrini's younger, softer, jazz-tinged ballad lover.

The songs on Fisherman's Woman speak softly and cautiously of love and life experiences. The lead single Sunnyroad is a brilliant acoustic ballad that floats gently along, weaving a blanket of calm and relaxation around the head. Snow is a brief poem sung siren-like by the sweet voiced chanteuse, showing her incredible vocal range and depth of expression. Journeying into the territory of alt-country/Americana on tracks like Today Has Been Ok and Heartstopper, Torrini digs down deep and tugs almost effortlessly at the heartstrings of the listener.

Slide guitars and gentle rhythm parts form a perfect compliment to her indescribably beautiful voice. Torrini's songwriting has matured and become first rate, and the moods that are invoked by each of the songs on Fisherman's Woman are strong and inescapable.

In a record industry climate that has become somewhat jazz-centric, this record fits nicely into the current model. The difference is that Fisherman's Woman draws from the soul and jazz movements of the last century without emulating them directly. The songs are light and airy, with enough soul to draw any listener in for closer inspection, but not so jazzy as to offend the jazz-hating ear. Remarkably, this record proves Torrini's myriad abilities as a writer and vocalist, but also showcases her diversity.

The only release I've noticed between her first two records was the amazingly dark Gollum's Song from The Lord Of The Rings soundtrack, admist the hype that "how strange" that Emiliana had signed on to write a track for Kylie Minogue, thus spawning Slow, one of the best pop songs of 2004. So really who knew what to expect next? But I'm sure any old, or new fans will be pleasantly surprised.

Click here to listen to Fisherman's Woman

9walk the line
film / united states

"The brilliant performances by Phoenix and Witherspoon really keep this film from falling into formula. A pick who was approved by Cash himself, Phoenix intensely channels the country star's singing voice, mannerisms, guitar grip – everything."

You've got to give the filmmakers of Walk the Line a lot of credit, as they're about to take a lot of guff after this film debuts. I mean, how do you create a feature film that captures the story of a man as big and full and complex as Johnny Cash? That's the question that every Cash fan and country music enthusiast has been asking ever since this project kicked off in the late '90s.

The truth is that no film, book, or TV mini-series can really present the entirety of the giant that is Johnny Cash. So instead, what the filmmakers have created here is a tribute to what Cash seemed to hold so dear to himself about his own life: his triumph over his demons and the love of the "greatest woman" he ever knew, who gave him the strength to overcome.
It may sound sentimental (and even the makings of a country song), and it certainly is. But it was what Johnny Cash was most emphatic about at the end of his life – his story of redemption and love. And this simple, often sweet, and fascinating film with some fantastic performances definitely does the legend's tale justice.

The film follows the young rebel Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) through his stint in the Air Force, through his struggle to be signed to a record label in Memphis (competing with the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis), his rise to fame on the rock-and-roll circuit, and the partying that leads to a downward spiral into addiction. But the backbone of this story lies in his struggle with those childhood memories, and the thread of June Carter (Reese Witherspoon) in his life – from a tinny voice on the old family radio to a flirtation on stage during his days of touring.

The brilliant performances by Phoenix and Witherspoon really keep this film from falling into formula. A pick who was approved by Cash himself, Phoenix intensely channels the country star's singing voice, mannerisms, guitar grip – everything. And Witherspoon's Carter just lights up the screen with all the warmth, humor, and strength Carter was famous for in life. While the impersonations are hardly perfect, the chemistry is, and the duo impressively owns their roles without fear. They give this story a real soul.

www.walkthelinemoviethemovie.com