Story of a Collection
Someone in a room somewhere made a very, very good decision around the Steven Alan line. Some creative director or team of designers realized that the world is starved for good storytelling. They also realized that there is a certain backlash to blatant advertising techniques that fueled our disposable culture in the last century.
How then would someone tell the story of a still disposable product, in the 21st century?
Steven Alan’s spring collection video for 2010 hits so close to the mark that it is possibly a reflection of an emergent culture, applied to the ficklest of industries.
This short film which showcases the spring collection for this year is much more than a brand teaser. Beyond the storyline it throws away years of fashion convention. Real people are used with little makeup, it is not highly edited material or hyper-realistic. In fact the models chosen look like my neighbors, classmates, and friends. Immediately I trust this brand.
The portion of the film that made me realize that something special was happening is the arm wrestle. I absolutely love when she says “take me seriously, take this seriously.” Are they a new couple? Have they been married for 5 years? Are they even together?
In the absence of the blatant fashion marketing one is able to see how the clothing lives, how it exists between human relationships, and ultimately that the CEO of Steven Alan is not trying to make you buy anything at all. He just says, “hey look these people are wearing this.”
Bay of Pigs
Alright so I found this playlist over at 160/90 called For Your Pleasure, 2009.
One track in particular has been slapping me in the face for days now, I just can’t stop listening! Perhaps it’s the length, it’s 14 minutes. Which may mean no one is going to listen. For the one that does, just prepare for the equivalent of peyote in your ears.
Listen, Bay of Pigs:
(I’d host it here, track is too big for my picky blog)
From 160/90:
At this point Dan Bejar’s Destroyer dwells in some magical Baroque hotel of blissed out self indulgence, across the hall from Jimmy Webb and drunk thespian Richard Harris. “Bay of Pigs” is his “MacArthur Park” – ridiculous, sublime, and, yes, drunk.
I’m a fan of comments, I dig what was said on YouTube about the track:
1. i’ve got news for you people: this is NOT a song. this is madness.
2. this makes me want to do a mini budweiser keg stand! SHALALALALA
3. this type of music isnt for androids thats maybe why you dont like it
Good job internet.
Wes Anderson Acceptance Speech
When The National Board of Review awarded Wes Anderson a Special Filmmaking Achievement earlier this month he gave his thanks in the same manner that his latest film The Fantastic Mr. Fox was created. The results are, well, fantastic.
Border Film Project
This may be old to you. It’s new to me as I was given the book to thumb through the other day.
I just want to say this idea was radical. Radical in the way that if I had done it I would not have been surprised if the FBI came knocking on my door. To which I would say “dude, it’s art.” They’d get it, I’m sure.
So here’s the program:
Border Film Project is a collaborative art project giving disposable cameras to two groups on different sides of the border: undocumented migrants crossing the desert into the United States, and American Minutemen trying to stop them.
Incredible, right?
The Border Film Project has a site and a book, plus some amazing videos. Check it if you want it.
Jess Hirsch
Jess Hirsch is having a show at Tilde!
From Jess:
“I picked at random from the 192 Nations of the world and then sought out certain animals and regional traditions. I was moved by the history of facial tattoos in Northern Africa and applied the patterns to the Fennec Fox, the national animal of Algeria. I examined the wood grain inlay of Sri Lanka and adorned the Jungle Foul with those patterns and colors. The intimidating Russian Bear was decorated with the painted pattern of the Matryoshka doll. Each country presented an intriguing historical tidbit to enrich the series.”
Opening reception is Friday, February 5th from 6-9:00pm.
Show runs Friday, February 5th through Sunday, February 28th.
Based on what is happening here this show will not disappoint!
