More Marlene.

Measuring Your Own Grave. The string of words pack a powerful punch. And that's just what South African painter Marlene Dumas had in mind for her latest exhibit. Measuring Your Own Grave is a mid-career retrospective of Dumas' work And is the first time the artist has brought her work to The States. Her paintings and the images they create can be very, very crude. Often looking unfinished and dirty. Just as crude, are the subjects she portrays - naked babies, corpses, prostitutes, black people, etc.

The tour for Marlene Dumas: Measuring Your Own Grave ends here in Houston and will be on display at the world-famous Menil Collection until the 21st of June. Here are some of my favorites...followed by a video of Ms. Marlene's thoughts on the instillation.

(Moshekwa)


(the painter)


(Dead Marilyn)

two Two Weeks

Today marks the day of Grizzly Bear's highly anticipated third studio release, Veckatimest. Today also marks the day that the Brooklyn-based rockers released the official video for their debut single, Two Weeks. I can't say I'm too thrilled at the outcome because I was definitely satisfied with JT Helms' interpretation of the track - a charming remake of the classic French film, "Le Ballon Rouge". Either way, the song is outstanding. Perfect for summer.

Have a look at the two Two Weeks videos below and see which one you like.

I wouldn't want to leave you guys empty handed so pick up the song here and listen to the entire, streaming album via their myspace. Of course, if you like it, Buy It!

Happy Belated BIG

Yesterday was the Notorious B.I.G's birthday. He would have been 37 years old. Check out the video of him doin his thing at age 17..

more/better posts coming after this monster weekend...

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Dub(do)Work mixtape - May 2009

it's true.

As promised, I compiled a list of my favorite tracks, from the past month, that I think some of you guys and gals would like. There's a good amount of Hip Hop in this one - Red & Meth's tracks really shine. Cool Kid's record is dope. Mungo Hi-Fi's Herbalist really jams too. Anyway, poke around and see if you find anything worth getting into. Enjoy.

1. Herbalist feat. Top Cat/Mungo's Hi-Fi/Sound System Champions
2. Lazer Boom 1/Major Lazer/Gun's Don't Kill People...Lazers Do
3. Help I'm Alive (Twelves remix)/Metric/Fantasies*
4. Heroes (David Bowie cover)/TV On The Radio/War Child Presents Heroes - courtesy of Kenyadig
5. Dangerous MCs/Redman & Method Man/Blackout 2*
6. Reality Check feat. Black Thought/J Dilla/Jay Stay Paid (J$P)
7. H Muet (Jokers of the Scene remix)/The Brash/Mude + Nude
8. Hustler (Joakim remix)/Simian Mobile Disco/Hustler
9. In For The Kill (Skream's remix)/La Roux/Quicksand EP
10. Ghetto/J Dilla/3 beat tapes
11. 4 Minutes to Lock Down feat. Raekwon & Ghostface/Redman & Method Man/Blackout 2
12. Pennies (the updated roster remix)/The Cool Kids/Gone Fishin
13. Pop/M.I.A + Diplo/Piracy Funds Terrorism Volume 1
14. Heat/Finale/A Pipe Dream and A Promise*
15. Lifetime (Lifeline)/Madlib/ Beat Konducta, Vol. 6 - Dil Withers Suite
16. Casa Bey/Mos Def/The Ecstatic
17. Dancing Choose (Prefuse 73 remix)/TV On The Radio


Click on the Mt. Olive marqee above to listen/download. And of course, if you hear anything you like, please support the artist!

Plus Tellier

Two months ago, I wrote a post on Sebastien Tellier, highlighting his latest album, Sexuality, and his video for the song "Kilometer." Well, just when I thought that video couldn't get much better, ole Se-Bass dropped another one on me. There are a couple of things that make the new video for "Kilometer" great - the balloons, the pantsless ladies, the dancing hot dogs...the list goes on. And although this looks like a party I would never be invited to, it still looks like a ton-o-fun...

Henrique Henrique

pic brought to you by Rei Rei in Houston

Henrique Oliveira. What a talent. Last Friday, Curls and I headed over to the Rice Gallery to see what all the fuss was about over this young, instillation artist from Brazil. When we got there, we were confronted by a massive,abstract sculpture/painting/building/wooden thing. It took me a second to take in, there was alot to process - size, form, color, shape - all these things. The piece you see above, Tapumes, is the only work on display at the gallery. And after watching the video below, you will see why (It takes a long ass time to build these things).

In Portugegse, tapumes, means "fencing" or "enclosure." The wood used in Mr. Oliveira's pieces come from the enclosures of construction sites in his home town of São Paulo, Brazil. This wood is Very cheap and, typically, does not last for the duration of construction. So, when it deteriorates and gets thrown out, Henrique picks it up, paints it, molds it, and shapes it. Boom. Art.

When I found out about this instillation, I was a bit reluctant to go because I wasn't sure if I was going to like it - there was only one piece showing, and, frankly, it looked really ugly. But, I am certainly glad I decided to go. It is a true pleasure to see in person.

In the first video below, Henrique gives us the story behind the wood and in the second, we get to see exactly How he and his team bring this beautiful work to life.

Tapumes will be on display at the Rice Gallery until August 11, 2009.

Henrique has a great website, where you can see more of his "tridimensional" paintings and some of his awesome, normal paintings - www.henriqueoliveira.com

SUPREME spring/summer 2009

NY based skate/clothing store, Supreme, recently unveiled a preview of their new Spring/Summer 2009 collection. A few things piqued my interest. Particularly, a collaboration between the brand and Funkadelic MegaArtist, Pedro Bell (check out the video here) got me pretty excited.

As usual, Supreme does a superb job of creating clothes that represent street culture and maintain classic style. Some of my favorite looks from the collection..

take a look at more on their website

M O S D E F

Casa Bey. The latest release from Mos Def's upcoming album, The Ecstatic, set to release June 9, 2009. On this track, Mos lays his flow over a stellar sampling of Brazilian jazz jam band Banda Black Rio's 1977 hit "Casa Forte." The song involves Mos doing what he does best - clever rhymes, delivered jaggedly, melodically and smoothly. Pick it up here and get a sneak peak of what his forthcoming Summer Release has to offer.

The Trae

third ward, Houston, tx

If you're in Houston, on a Thursday, and have nothing to do, go to the Museum of Fine Arts and have a look at what this world class museum has to offer. This past Thursday, after an early exit from work, I had a good idea of what I was going to do. Little did I know, I would find inspiration from inner city high school students participating in an annual photography showcase. It reminded me of that old saying - "Don't judge a community by it's dreary, decrepit Welcoming Sign."

Eye on Third Ward is a collaboration between two seemingly opposite Houston landmarks - The Museum of Fine Arts Houston and Jack Yates Senior High School. In this collaboration, students of Jack Yates High showcase their photography to give museum-goers a firsthand look into the historic, unique area of Houston known as Third Ward, more commonly referred to as The Trae.

Below are some of my favorites from the exhibition and you can check out others from years past, here. If you are in or around Houston before May 25, 2009, I recommend you go and take a look (free on Thursdays).

Chau Tran, I can

Ilana Duhon, Home Sweet Home

Sarai Vargas, Through My Eyes

Matthew Griffin, Cry Baby

Gone Fishin ..

The latest from the too cool for school hip, hop duo - The Cool Kids. This time, the Chi-Town rhymers hooked up with Atlanta-based superproducer Don Cannon. The mixtape has built up considerable hype and should surely be a pleasure to listen to. The tape came out today and was unavailable for download by the time I got home from work. Actually, by the time I got done receiving my ticket for doing 51 in a 35. Fuck. Anyway, my diligent pursuits were not done in vain - you should pick up the tape and have a listen (click on the image above). Enjoy.

Also, their video for Pennies was released earlier this year and is pretty dope...

Mama Said there'd be Days Like This.

After a nice, stressful day at the 9-5, I got two personal letters from the Houston Police Department and the other members of my duplex. Freaking speed traps! No music after 10pm??!! Those bastards, I should start blasting Nickelback from the time I get home until I go to bed. No, that would be impossible.

Needless to say, I was in a down mood. And like any man in a down mood, I had some donuts and watched a little Martin to cheer me up. Check Out this clip below of Bruh Man at his best.

ahhahh