Graffiti Research Lab

Check out their website for more project info:

http://graffitiresearchlab.com/


Heroes!

Amazing Ant Colony Ruins

Do not fear... the colony was abandoned before they began to pour!

Whiteread

Rachel Whiteread, Place (Village), 2006–2008, dollhouses, crates, boxes, wood, electric fixtures, electric fittings, electricity. Installation view, 2008.

Sharing yet another piece I'd love to see. Check it our at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Debo Eilers

Debo Eilers, Coolhaus (blue), 2008, mixed media, 60 x 59 x 46"

While I am still formulating opinions about this work, I can immediately declare that I LOVE the fruits, animals, and energizing colors! Although the animal cut-outs remind me of the sad bankruptcy of 'Mothers;' (no more pink and white animal cookies with sprinkles), I am also taken to a place where Miami-Vice reigns. And we have already established my lifelong connection with bananas (see Banana Mania).

This is what Art Forum had to say about the work:

"Debo Eilers’s New York solo debut appears to herald the return of squat art—a home-brewed 1980s phenomenon that feels entirely appropriate to an economy, freshly ruined, that heralds the return of abandoned real estate. Partly cooked up in an unfurnished East Berlin apartment, Eilers’s exhibition “I’ve got $3,000 in my wallet” is an acid-colored mélange of digital prints and very-mixed-media assemblages that overwhelms the clean, well-lighted space of this gallery with all the dissonant charisma of a rave at a board meeting."

Having been born in '84 I grew up with young parents who listened to big-hair 80's butt-rock, mixed with tie-dye tee-shirts, cuttoffs, and high-tops, I can see some of the connections that ArtForum makes. But somehow I feel like my nephew takes me back to the 80's even more by referencing early Jane Fonda.... in a good way! Anyway, Kudos to both Eilers and leg-warmers!

Cutest Pepper!

As I was throwing together a stir-fry this evening, I was SOOOO excited to discover the cutest bell-pepper ever! Look how tiny!!!

Is it strange to think a vegetable is cute? When I was younger (and to this day) I wasn't a fan of baby dolls or teddy bears. Perhaps I just needed a giant plush carrot by my side.

Fond Memories...

I hope you had the chance to be a super-sleuth like me! This photo definitely takes me back to sitting with my Dad to watch "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" together. The computer game rocked, too, let me tell you!



Rockapella: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuzc4jgwlT8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKDENs3A7js&NR=1

Toilet Paper Trivia, Trials, Tribulations....

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Pink_Toilet_Paper.jpg



Today I thought about our obsession with plushy, WHITE, ass paper. Marketers call it "quilted," to remind us all about the days when we snuggled with grandma's handmade quilt.

I used to work as a tour guide at a historical location in Oregon. The setting was 1840-1860. A living history museum, I got to dress the part. I learned a lot of fascinating facts about the settlers, which included the use of dried corncobs amongst other items, to wipe their bums. In order to further my education and entertain myself, I turned to Google:

The following info AND AN ENTIRE TIMELINE of toilet paper history can be found at:
http://www.toiletpaperworld.com/encyclopedia/navigation/funfacts.htm#timeline

The pentagon uses…? <<

"The pentagon uses, on average, about 666 rolls of toilet paper every day."


>> How much does the average roll of toilet paper weigh? <<

The average roll weighs 227 grams, including the cardboard core tube. This is just over half of a pound.

>> What are the measurements of a standard sheet of toilet paper? <<

The measurements are 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches per sheet

>> What is wet-strength? <<

Normally, paper loses most of its strength when saturated with water, and one which retains more than 15% of its dry-strength when completely saturated with water may be correctly referred to as "wet-strength paper". (Etherington & Roberts)

>> What makes toilet paper soft? <<

During the drying process, the toilet paper sheet is adhered to one large steel cylinder to dry and is then scraped (or "creped" off) by a metal blade. "Creping" imparts flexibility and stretch into the sheet, while lowering the strength and density, resulting in soft tissue products. (Georgia-Pacific)


Another cool site, which is a little more navigation friendly:
http://nobodys-perfect.com/vtpm/ExhibitHall/Informational/tphistory.html

For giggles (this is very technical):
http://www.quiltednorthern.com/ultraPlush.html

Banana Mania

International Banana Club Museum
Harrison Exhibit Center
16367 Main Street
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 244-5488
www.bananaclub.com


Amongst my best friends there is an inside joke that basically requires a shout out of "Banana" at each other during the most random times of the day. We've been exclaiming "Banana!" for years now, and we never seem to get sick of the strange expressions that are flashed at us by strangers who happen to be within hearing distance.

Honestly, truthfully, I eat a banana every day. Every day. Unless I run out of bananas, but then I promptly go retrieve a bunch from my local "hippie" store, as Eric would say. Yes, I pay the extra $.20 for organic bananas.

As a person with reoccurring digestive issues, bananas are heaven-sent (by heaven I mean the tropics.) My boss and I had a conversation about bananas last week and, to amuse myself, I tried banana.com to see what I might find: http://banana.com/

At banana.com I found the medicinal uses section particularly interesting. See "warts."

It turns out there is also a banana blog: http://banana.com/blog/

And a banana museum (see picture above)

AND, folks, there is a banana CLUB!!! http://www.bananaclub.com/


So, I thought I would share my mini banana adventure with you all. Hopefully by the time you are done checking out the information you are as hooked on bananas as the stereotypical monkey with banana:


Did you know that monkeys peel bananas from the butt-end? That way there aren't any strings. Thanks Angela!

"Definitely worth the $1.50 I spent on it..."

We look forward to your return next month, Janell, though I can't say the same about the cat. Love you!

My Favorite Warhol

"My Favorite Warhol" sounds like a TV sitcom...

I am the only person I know who will eat ice cream even while cold. In winter. While it is snowing. Because of this tendancy to eat ice cream year 'round, I wouldn't survive in the wild. I decided to google 'ice cream' last night while I was savoring "Tillamint (limited flavor-- get it now!), and stumbled upon what is now my favorite Andy Warhol artpiece. I hope you think it delicious, too!

Pipilotti Rist

Pipilotti Rist creates video artworks with such vivid, saturated color that you are immediately swept out of this world and are immersed into hers. The accompanying music is equally as compelling and as the imagery.

Rist's currently occupies MoMA's gigantic second floor atrium with a show entitled "Pour Your Body Out (7354 Cubic Meters)." The show closes in February.

The sculpture placed in the center of the gallery was designed by the artist herself and serves as a resting post for visitors.

Check out videos at: http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.php?id=9760

I am trying to figure out ways to get to NY to see this show:

1. Catapult
2. Lasso the state of NY and pull. I may need help.
3. Grow wings
4. Team of Sled dogs. "Mush!"
5. Patent my idea about cash growing carrots