NEW math

Every now and then, I seem to run into something that articulates my jumbled, fragmented thoughts perfectly. Contemporary artist Craig Damrauer does a good job of doing this in his latest project, New Math, where he takes familiar subjects and breaks them down into more practical, realizable terms. I have included some of my favorite above and below, but you should check out All the rest of them on his website.

He also has a website that shows some of his art.

This is Great.

I ran into some very pleasing news today. Due to the unfortunate situation concerning the Late, Great J Dilla's estate, some of today's most prominent hip hop influencers have stepped up and decided to release a special, 25 track compilation of Jay Dee's dopest Beats. The project, Jay Stay Paid, is being spearheaded by an independent, hip hop record label based out of Brooklyn - Nature Sounds. And, a couple of days ago, the kind folks over at okayplayer released a teaser for the album that features one of my favorite rapper's, Black Thought, over one of my favorite Jay Dee Beats. Mr. Thought's recent gig as Jimmy Fallon's Late Nite emcee has, apparently, not slowed him down one bit. In the teaser, Reality Check, he cleverly comments on the effects Reality TV has had on pop culture and our society as a whole... (she) dropped out of Charm School when she fell in love with New York/and Loved Money, but that's what I'm not made of/I bought a membership to the Celebrity Fit Club/to see if I could stand a Real Chance with this love...


As far as hip hop goes, it really doesn't get in better than this. The album is set to release June 2, 2009. I will probably/definitely get it and you should too. Listen/pick up Reality Check here. Support Jay.

PROTECT PROTECT

(pic brought to you by Jenn in Brooklyn)

Jenny Holzer is an artist unlike any other. Using language as her primary medium, Holzer's work makes an instant connection with her audience. Sometimes, the connection is pleasant and hopeful, while other times it can be dismal and troubling. Whatever the case, her productions undoubtedly provoke thought in the mind of the viewer.

Her latest instillation, PROTECT PROTECT, is something very special. Adding to her laundry list of unusual mediums, JH uses custom LED lighting (light sculptures) to display some of her selected works from the past 30 years. In other pieces, Holzer displays declassified government documents that span from the Regan to Bush Jr. eras. For instance, Purple, features autopsy reports of detainees that died while in custody at Guantánamo Bay. By highlighting such controversial themes and topics, Miss Holzer forces the public to confront, question and examine some of the most crucial events of our society.

PROTECT PROTECT will be on display until May 31, 2009 at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. If you are in or around Manhattan before May 31st, I recommend you stop in to take a peak. If not, be sure to take a look at the two videos below, where Miss Holzer offers some explanation on her new experience as a light sculptor and her long, sometimes painful, relationship with writing.

Let the Beat Builddddddd

Earlier, I mentioned the growing diversity of hip hop music. I couldn't have said it any sooner. I just ran into this video of Nyle, remixing the Carter 3 track, "Let the Beat Build." Originally, I thought that this Kanye-produced track couldn't get any better. But, Mr. Nyle certainly proved me wrong.

Nyle is a Philly born hip hopper that has mastered the NY-underground rap scene. He was accepted into New York University two years ago and decided, for whatever reason, to release an album for every year of college. I picked up his Sophmore album, S'more, and didn't LOVE it but definitely respected his art and liked where he was headed. The video below is Nyle's personal interpretation of "Let the Beat Build" and it is an awesome showcase of a diverse group of young, talented artists. In my favorite line, Nyle displays his lyrical skill and knowledge of sushi all at once - I'm ILLL/call me Unagi/Wild out like Amy Winehouse on Paparazzi.

Even better, the whole video was shot in one take.

Nyle "Let The Beat Build" from Nyle on Vimeo

Check out his myspace music page, where you can pick up his Freshman and Sophmore projects.

House of Waris

what's over there Waris ?

Meet Waris Ahluwalia. The Indian American jewelery designer based out of New York. You may recognize him from the Wes Anderson cult classics, The Darjeeling Limited and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. He does a little acting in his free time. However, his main passion in life is the art of jewelery-making. And his latest collection, Omnia Vincet Amor, really shows his skill. Inspired by a recent trip to India, Mr. Waris' latest work mainly features various winged creatures bedazzled in diamonds, emeralds and 24-karat gold. Have a look at the video below, to see Ahluwalia in Action.

La Mala aka La Mala María aka La Mala Rodríguez

As I expand my knowledge of music, I continue to run into more and more diverse forms of the art of hip hop. It sure has come a long way from the days of beatboxing and B-boying in the streets of the Bronx - and boy am I glad it has.

A good friend of mine, Jenn in Brooklyn, sent me a mix CD a couple of weeks ago, and one song on the mix Really Shined. Like turkey out the oven shine. It was the only song not in English and I liked it the most. Thankfully, Jenn attached an 8 1/2 x 11 with the CD, listing all of the artists on the mix. And the one responsible for that particular track is who you see above - Ms. María Rodríguez, and the song was Volveré. I liked it so much that I iTuned her latest effort, Malmarismo, and have enjoyed listening to the Entire album, even though I have no clue what the hell she's talking about. But, according to our trustee friends at Wikipedia, "some of her lyrics talk about the problems of the outcasts of society and women." I digress. Be sure to check out the video for Volvoré here.


She's signed to Universal and they have issues with embedding their artists' work. But, you should check out the video of her freestyle below. The girl is bad.

Mala rodriguez
by Si_TV

Oh, did I mention she's fine as hellllllll ??

Dub(do)Work MIXTAPE - April 2009

ddw 4.09

While sitting at work today, I found this picture. I was also trying to come up with something new and exciting for le blog - a certain crack dynamic if you will. After much deliberation I came up with the grand idea of releasing Dub(do)Work mixtapes! I'm going to try and post one each month and try to make it really good - I promise. And so, without further ado, I humbly present to you the tracklist of the inaugural DDW mixtape...

1. Comin' To Get You/POPO/Kill Tonight
2. Chrome's On It/Telepathe/Dance Mother
3. Stuck On Repeat/Little Boots
4. That's Not My Name (LA Riots remix)/The Ting Tings
5. My Life/U-N-I & Ro Blvd./A Love Supreme
6. L'Amour et La Violence (Boys Noize remix)/Sébastien Tellier
7. Be By Myself feat. Cee-Lo/Asher Roth/Asleep in The Bread Aisle
8. Bathroom Gurgle (Tronik Youth Remix)/Late of the Pier
9. Summerfest '86/Miami Horror/courtesy of Kenyadig
10. Get on Your Boots (Justice Remix)/U2
11. Corner Store Music/Nickelus F/Heathen
12. I'm So Tall feat. Bun B., Talib Kweli and Mickey Factz/Chester French & Clinton Sparks/Jacques Jams Vol 1: Endurance
13. Karate Kid 2/Mexican Institute of Sound/Soy Sauce
14. Nattura (Switch remix)/Bjork
15. Hear it inThe Cans/WE HAVE BAND
16. Blood/Band of Skulls/Baby Darling Doll Face Honey



Ladies and Gentlemen, if you like what you hear, don't hesitate to Buy their music when you run across it. They'd really appreciate it. And you'd be the envy of all your friends.

listen/download here. Enjoy.

Blast from the Past: Ms. Badu, Bag Lady

Got damn there's something sexy about 5 sistahs in prime colors. Or maybe it's Erykah's soothing, soulful sound that you could recognize from milessssss away. So lovely. Take a second and check out the music video from her 2000 hit, Bag Lady. A real Classic.

a triple. Filtered. FILM

Yes, that's right. TRIPLE FILTERED FILM. What the hell is that? It doesn't matter. Why would someone want to turn the most BADASS, ALPHA MALE, MOTHER FUCKER ON THE PLANET into a wimpy, charismatic Frenchman? Why mess with something so perfect!!?? The creatives over at Stella Artois have unleashed three remakes of some of America's Favoritest films and television shows. My personal favorite was their reinterpretation of 24 and it's leading star, Jack Bauer. I can't believe these guys were brave enough to undermine the prowess of special agent Bauer. They've got some nerve...

If you are still in the mood for laughter, stop by smooth originals dot com and watch their remakes of 8 Mile and Die Hard.

Howww cool

It's comforting to know that (one of) the artists I support recognize dub(do)work. I hadn't Googled "dub do work" yet and when I did, instead of my actual site, Mexican Institute of Sound's blog popped up. I hope Señor Lara continues to stop by the site..

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Dub (Do) Work praises M.I.S.

dope.

Mexican Institute of Sound will be performing LIVE in Austin, May 30 2009.

Felix da Housecat, Kick Drum

more melanie.

(who wants to buy the earth)

(vision quest 01)

(metamemory)

(fatal flower garden)

The above are selections from Dutch photographer Melanie Bonajo's 2008 showcase, The Modern Life of the Soul. Melanie's photography is something very special, mainly because I've never really seen anything like it. Its very raw, somewhat disturbing and, yet, possess a natural form of beauty. She uses the most basic material to create the most surreal, dreamlike images - and then takes a picture of it. Whatever it is and whatever she does, I like it. more melanie.

(furniture bondage)

Don't forget to stop by her website - here.

soooooo tiny...

A (very) short film from Michel Gondry...

sleeve•face |slēvfās|

The new hotness - Sleeveface. Ingredients: a friend, a camera, and a vinyl collection. With a little creativity and a lot of album covers, the possibilities are endless...

And these aren't the only one's - If you google the term you can view maaaaaaaaany many more.

STARS & STRIPES

Ahhhh, the proverbial rock/hip hop mix. I have been a bit weary of these since I listened to the Viva La Hova project. However, when I ran across this mixtape from Flint, Michigan-based DJ, Adrian Champion, I was quite impressed. Not that Mr. Champion is seeking my approval, but I found the production of this tape to be much more original and entertaining, than other projects I've come across with similar intentions. He even offers an original rap on one track.

STARS & STRIPES: The White Stripes Reimagined is a solid project that mixes The White Stripes with some of the best rhymers of our time - M.O.P, MOS, 'YE, JAY, EM, and BIG - just to name a few. And as it turns out, the lo-fi, bluesy instrumentals from The White Stripes proves to be a good compliment to some of the dopest rhymes from the last decade and a half. My favorites were Ms. Doorbell featuring Mos Def and Cash Run featuring BIG and PAC.


If any of this sounds interesting to you, check out the trailer for the mix below and get the entire album for FREE straight from his website.

Adrian Champion Presents: Stars & Stripes - The White Stripes Reimagined from Adrian Champion on Vimeo.

THE REDS ARE COMING. THE REDS ARE COMING. THE REDS ARE COMING.

castrobama

For the first time since 1986, American artists have Finally been invited to showcase their works in Havana's famed Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. For years, both countries were headed by stubborn leadership that made it nearly impossible for a cross cultural event such as this to manifest. The showcase, Chelsea visits Havana, features more than 30 contemporary American artists from New York's Chelsea art district. Including, Padraig Tarrant, who is responsible for the work you see above - Castrobama. Wood cutouts of the two leaders facing each other, in red of course.

Naturally, citizens of both countries hope that this cultural exchange is a sign of things to come. The possibility of art being the catalyst for a more diplomatic relationship between Cuba and the U.S. is something very exciting. If you'd like to read more about this fabulous affair, I'd recommend reading the article in The Times. And just in case you get any ideas, the exhibition will be on display until May 17th, so you've got some time. The cost is about 4 cents per Cuban citizen and about $5.40 per foreigner.

Survivors
giant cockroaches. Cuban artist Roberto Fabelo.


Duke Riley

New Mount Rushmore
NY phone books. Long-Bin Chen.

Your magazine's favorite Magazine.

Once referred to as the "the couture version of a magazine," Visionaire will ooh and ahh their devoted following once more. For their forthcoming issue, the magazine will feature intricate pop ups, envisioned by today's most prominent artists and designers ( one even features dubdowork favorite Gareth the Hareth ). All pieces were individually designed by world famous paper engineer Bruce Foster and will be issued in a dark purple cloth case with an engraved, numbered metal plaque. And at $175 a piece, I wouldn't be surprised if that was some good ass metal. Check out the preview for Visionaire 55 Surprise below.

That Rock With You remix goes hard.