Why have so many of my recent posts been about visual arts and popular culture? How does this fit in with my planned “creative days off” next week? “Once Saturn moves to stronger orbit on and after 19 April, your getaway plans will fall into place,” says one horoscope. “Keep searching for the right solution. Saturn will stay in strong orbit until 19 December, so you have time.” Today is 19 April. I feel good, for some reason.
The Grammar of Ornament
The classic book The Grammar of Ornament has been digitised! Thanks to The Other Andrew and Things Magazine for the heads-up.
Photos of a world gone wrong…
“Irwin Allen’s model train layouts?” asks my friend Richard. “Fascinating.” And I reckon he’s right.
This image is Accidentally Kansas from American artist-photographer Lori Nix, who creates miniature landscapes “out of any material that will simulate a real landscape; for example faux fur becomes field grass, buckwheat flour becomes dirt.” She then photographs the results as evidence of a world gone wrong.
Richard found this stuff on BLDGBLOG, a blog about “architectural conjecture, urban speculation, landscape futures” — something that deserves exploration in its own right, by the looks. Thanks mate!
It’s also worth cruising through the whole photo-eye website and especially their photographers’ showcase galleries. Paying attention, ’Pong?
Film: Paris, Je T’Aime
The movie Paris Je T’Aime (“Paris, I love you”) opens in Sydney today, a collection of eighteen 5-minute love stories from different directors. “Is this going to be heartwarming,” I grumbled before Monday night’s preview. “This had better not be fucking heartwarming!'” But no. ’Pong’s review is a bit harsh. I found it an acceptable chocolate box of entertainment, if French. And it’s the only time I’ve laughed out loud when someone was diagnosed with leukaemia! Cute cameo by Marianne Faithful. Warning: there is mime in one story.
Out to Space updated
’Pong has updated his Out to Space photoblog site with a new format that allows him to present photo essays. Lush.