Postcards from Québéc City

A shark rearing to chomp up a Fleur de Lys on a fishing line

Whenever I go somewhere new, I'm always lookout for street art and graffiti.  I think that you can learn a lot about political and social situations, as well as get a sense for a places humor through street art that you stumble across.  It is a way to visually connect with people from a place that is foreign to you through signs and symbols. In a way, these messages can help you make sense of an environment that is strange to you.  On my trip to Québéc City, I was quite impressed at the amount and the quality of street art on the old fortress walls of Old Québéc.  Québéc street artists create large, colourful pieces that appear to be stenciled or free handed onto walls.  I noticed that the use of text and words is abundant, and often acknowledges social situations in the area.

Tammy Salzl

Tammy Salzl is a painter from Edmonton, Alberta working on her MFA at Concordia University in Montréal.  Her work is currently being exhibited at the FOFA Gallery in Montréal.  I attended the FOFA show, and an artist talk that she gave in a class that I am enrolled in.

Her work is juicy, tactile, and relates directly to the squidgy, oozing nature of oil paint.  Her work deals with issues regarding the environment, gender, mutation and the body.  I admire her ability to combine these topics, and have them displayed so clearly in the medium of painting.

You can visit her website here, to view more images of her work and her artist statement.

Shifting Scapes

Shifting Scapes is a stop motion animation film that is describes the pulsating, interconnected, and continuous nature of the natural environment.  The Canadian landscape serves as inspiration for these vibrations and changes.

The music is from the band Summer Heart and the song is I Wanna Go;  I have a post about them here on this blog.

I made this work, and I value your feedback on it!

Please enjoy in full screen for full effect.



Shifting Scapes from Christine McKeating on Vimeo.
A stop motion animation about how landscapes move, shift, and change over time.
Music by Summer Heart - I Wanna Go

"A Love Story" Michael Bastian

What is there to love about this love story?

The Fashion.

The Food.

The Couple.

The Architecture.

The Music.

The list goes on!

Make sure to view in full screen for full effect:


GANT by Michael Bastian - A Love Story from NEWNEW by Fashion Tale on Vimeo.
GANT by Michael Bastian “A Love Story” Spring 2011. Produced by NEWNEW.
Director: Carl-Axel Wahlström
DOP: Niklas Johansson FSF

Fleetwood Mac Revisited

Julia Holter re-explores Fleetwood Mac's "Gold Dust Woman" in the album "Rumors: Revisited, which features contemporary pop covers on Fleetwood Mac's album "Rumors".  This particular cover by Holter retains a spooky feel, with a digital crescendo and wailing lyrics.

Give it a listen:



See the full album line up Here.

INSiDE

A short film highlighting the frustrations of multiple personality disorder.



INSiDE from INSiDE Short on Vimeo.

Benjamin Kyle

Imagine being stranded by your own amnesia, unable to remember your own name or personal identity, searching for any opportunity that could be lent to you...

What would you do in Benjamins' situation?

Make sure to view in full screen for full effect.



Finding Benjaman from John Wikstrom on Vimeo.

Daughter

The song "Youth" by the band Daughter has very powerful lyrics, and something for everyone.

"We are the reckless,
We are the wild youth
Chasing visions of our futures
One day we'll reveal the truth..."

The music video is done live in a church, which makes for some very interesting acoustics.

Clair De Lune

Light, mesmerizing and orchestral, Flight Facilities and Christine Hoberg remix Clair De Lune in a way that makes the song seem to go on forever... In a good way.

Chris Natrop

I have been looking at artists who utilize literal shadow and light concepts in their work lately.  Chris Natrop's work catches my eye.  I would really like to visit one of his installations.  They seem so ethereal, and layered.  Or maybe I could construct a Natrop-inspired mobile over my bed...

All Photos are taken from Chris' website: http://www.chrisnatrop.com/

I Wanna Go

Summer Heart makes perfect summer sounds with their song I Wanna Go.  You can almost feel the heat waves bouncing off of you!




What is your favorite summer song?

Icelandic Street Art

Icelandic street artist Theresa Himmer uses giant reflective sequins adhered to the sides of buildings to create vacillating surfaces.  Her work reflects light and seems to mimic water or scales.  I'm almost buying a plane ticket to Iceland.
To see more of Himmers work, visit this website.

Brad Kunkle

Brad Kunkles' work is like something out of a dream.  Nature mixed with figures float through space.  These oil paintings encapsulate the etheral in a way that seems within reach.
Visit his website.

Le Mystere de Papier

Artist Peter Gentor has a new exhibition up in Northern France called Le Mystere de Papier.  His sculptures are delicate and ethereal.  They remind me of being underwater in the ocean, and looking up to see a new and fascinating creature above you.  To see a short film and photos of the exhibition, I encourage you to visit Gentor's website.  Happy exploring!

Apricot

A cute video that I found on Lily and The Muse, which has a plethora of sweet ethereal videos.

APRICOT — A Short Film by Ben Briand from Moonwalk Films on Vimeo.