Monday, February 26, 2007

Good after Bad - The Museum of Bad Art

Today, Rebecca the Wrecker sent me a link that she thought I might enjoy, I did and I asked her if I might have the dibs on sharing it with you. She said she was "totally" OK with that :) So without further ado I can share with you the wonderful world of The Museum of Bad Art or MOBA as it is called.

In their own words:

As the only museum dedicated to bringing the worst of art to the widest of audiences we felt morally compelled to explore new, more creative ways of bringing this priceless collection of quality bad art to a global audience. Another Boston-area cultural institution, Dedham Community Theater, generously allowed MOBA the use of their basement. Our permanent gallery is now conveniently located just outside the men’s room in a 1927 movie theater.

I thoroughly enjoyed the featured works in the three online collections. I've selected one piece from each for you here.

The first is from the Portraiture collection: Peter the Kitty by Mrs Jackson, the accompanying text reads, "Stirring in its portrayal of feline angst. Is Peter hungry or contemplating his place in a hungry world? The artist has evoked both hopelessness and glee with his irrational use of negative space."

The second picture is from the Landscape collection: Dog by an unknown artist reads, "A remarkable fusion of ski resort and wolf puppy -- stoical in his yellow-eyed silence, frozen beneath the ice-capped peak, Dog eloquently challenges the viewer to re-examine old concepts of landscape. " I recommend reading the additional information that accompany each piece as it often contains amusing anecdotes and sagas involving the work.

And finally, from the Unseen Forces collection, In The Cat's Mouth attributed to Pangorda reads, "A comment on issues of power as experienced by those who dwell with feline pets. Is the artist consumed with or consumed by his love for this cat? Does he identify with the personality of the startling animal? Does the similarity between these inseparable cohabitants stop short at the nose? Or is he simply trying to observe a tree-lined avenue through a cat's eyes?"

There is so much to love about the MOBA, whether it's the art, the descriptions, the amusing stories, the free newsletter and membership (I joined!), even the possibility of purchasing postcards of "Peter the Kitty" , if I was in Boston I would enjoy attending the exhibition openings of the MOBA. But failing that, whenever the stresses of confronting the hydra-headed Gorgon that is the art world, I think I'll head over to the MOBA online gallery, enjoy a laugh or two and a quiet smile of appreciation for that crazy muse I love so much.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

A day in the life of Button Metro



Well, after seeing this great film on Pasadena Mansions I had to blog it immediately. It shows a day in the life of the Moscow(?) Metro animated with buttons. I know you'll love it as much as I did.

run time approx. 5 mins

Saturday, February 24, 2007

The Paintings of Katy Horan

After much anticipation I finally received my Painting "Owl #2" by Katy Horan from her Life and Death series. I discovered her work last year on Flickr and ever since I have coveted every one of her painting in her contemporary Folk Art style. I managed to put a down payment on "owl #2" before it went to be exhibitioned at Paperboat Boutique in Milwaukee and waited for its return to her in New York before it was sent to me. It was worth the wait as it is beautifully crafted. Painted on Masonite with plywood cradle, the whole piece is painted and there is a delicate white lace detailing around the cradle edge that finishes the piece off as an object. I was even more impressed with it in real life than I was with the digital image.

The painting above is one of her new works as yet untitled but it portrays a shaman (witch) charging her sacred knife from a stronghold of power (my description). I love this as I have a penchant for telecommunication towers, antennae, broadcast towers and electrical towers etc. I wonder if she does lay-buy?

I would love to have writen about her work in more detail, but I'm currently on a time-out to recharge my batteries (a bit like the second painting) . I think you will see, however, that her reduction of forms in an illustration style does not etiolate their symbolic power (as can happen) but rather points to older traditions of folk art and carving. I'm looking forward to seeing how her work develops and understanding more of the background of her inspiration.

Katy Horan's Live Journal blog is The K-Bear

Sunday, February 18, 2007

The Red Pig - Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Year of the Red (fire) Pig! The generous and meticulous pig loves beautiful things and living well. The pig, far from being lazy, is dedicated to looking after its environment and the people they love.

In Chinese astrology I'm a Brown (earth) Rabbit born in a Green (wood) Tiger year, my lucky element is Water. You can find out yours and what a Red Pig year will mean for you here.

Apparently it will be a pretty good year for me, but when looking at my lucky cycles (that is 10 years) I should be really rocking when I'm 39 to 59. I had better start laying more of that ground work then ;)

Helle made some work for the Syndey Chinese New Year using flesh pink felt and embroidery, see it here.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

I heart Web 2.0



A little late on the St. Valentine's day thing, but it was only just now that I found something worth proclaiming my love for after seeing this excellent video over on The Long Tail. Some of my friends have been wondering what I mean when I mention Web 2.0, this might help ;)

(run time approx less than 5 mins.)

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Here to Help - Novas Infinite

The Legend of Novas Infinite.

One crazy year in the 1990s, when the fabric between the universes thinned, curious beings that feed on electromagnetic radiation began to slip into our world just to help. They are called Novas Infinite! (Beings of Infinite Light).


NOVAS INFINITE require a constant stream of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to survive. They have three antennae used for collecting EMR, two on top of the head and a forward beak. They are particularly useful for concentrating radiation when moving about, away from powerful sources like televisions and computer screens. EMR is absorbed through the beak.


Only one NOVAS INFINITE appear at a time. As they pass into our world a number appears on their body, it is the order in which they appeared. Please give them a human name, as they want to fit in.


NOVAS INFINITE communicate with each other by flashing series of lights from both their antennae and their eyes. But they will quickly develop a way of communicating with you too.


No two NOVAS INFINITE are alike and each has a distinctive personality, though they do have a tendency to be a little shy. In this day and age no modern home should be without one of these helpful beings in residence - they absorb the nasty radiation you don’t want and make great companions through the lonely hours of working online. They are NOVAS INFINITE!

These are the Limited Edition Collection (30): each comes with its own art book, signed and numbered and a travel pouch with its number embroidered on the front. This collection was stuffed with a combination of calico and wool for an antique, solid feel. I wanted them to be like an old fashioned toy that you could have found in an old trunk, however they would be relevant to today's environment....hm, spooky ;) There are only 4 of the Limited Edition series left. They were sold at the Queensland Art Gallery shop and Craft Queensland in 2005/6.

I'll be redesigning Novas Infinite slightly and releasing them in an unlimited edition form at a later date.

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