Archive for the ‘community’ CategoryI’ve discussed graf in depth here in the past. I was interested to see that the Graffiti Research Lab has “made it big”. Check out the video.
Ever since the OPP renovated the bar, one thing has bothered me and that’s the lOWERCASE ls on the beer signs. Now, I’ve always loved the artwork on the OPP’s chalkboard, don’t get me wrong. I think each panel is absolutely beautiful. I remember, just after the remodel, wondering when the chalkboard would return. Finally it did, and WTF. One of my favorites is the LAKE MISSOULA AMBER from the KETTlE HOUSE. I mentioned it to some of my friends, and we had a laugh about it, ordered another round, and (they) forgot about it. But I couldn’t. It was one of those things that was always slightly annoying. But I should just get over it, right? Well, I found some other folks who think lOWERCASE ls are equally as absurd. I guess this validation is enough to let it go.(yeah, another restaurant post. This one deals directly with local art, so cut me some slack, eh?)
Check out more lOWERCASE ls here. Why not buy me a MOOSE DROOl? Click below to buy me a beer. Thanks! Tags: 59801, art, art in missoula, bar, beer, lOWERCASEl
Last night there were rumors that Missoula’s newest hip place to eat, 515 would be closing. It was supposed to be all hush-hush, apparently, and there was a blowout party for selected invited guests. A phone call to the restaurant at 7.20PM this evening confirms that 515 has indeed closed its doors permanently. It’s a shame. This town needs more variety in its dining choices, especially downtown. Good luck, Paul and Carrie. Tags: 59801, arts and culture in missoula, community, creativity, dining, drinking, economy
The only CD I ever checked out of a library that I never returned was “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts”, the David Byrne/Brian Eno collaboration. (After many overdue notices arriving in the mail, I went down to the library, told them I’d lost the item, and paid for it. they now have another copy in their stacks). I loved MLITBOG for a lot of reasons, the layered sounds, the samples, the beats, the moods that it created. At the time, I was already familiar with David Byrne’s solo work as well as his work with The Talking Heads, but I had only heard about Eno. Since then, I’ve come to love Eno and his work with a variety of other musicians, including his production work with Devo, Talking Heads, Jane Sieberry (now Issa, who, like Reznor, gives her music away for free) and especially James and the “Laid” and “Wah-Wah” albums. Eno, the “non-musician”, is most known for his prolific catalogue of ambient music, including the fantastic “Music for Airports”, as well as being an amazing record producer and contributor to such movies as David Lynch’s “Dune”.
Eno has always been fascinated by technology and how to twist and bend it for his own purposes. He’s experimented with generative music, music that composes itself, and has branched out into visual art as well, creating a computer game that generates a possible 77 million paintings, chosen by Eno himself. He is currently working on the soundtrack for the multi-player game Spore, “that allows a player to control the evolution of a species from its beginnings as a multi cellular organism, through development as a sapient and social land-walking creature, to levels of interstellar exploration as a spacefaring culture.” [Wikipedia]. I’m here to make the case that Trent Reznor is the new Brian Eno.
Reznor got his start in Cleveland creating what would become Pretty Hate Machine by himself after-hours at the Right Track Studio where he worked as an assistant engineer and janitor. He became proficient at manipulating sounds and bending technology to his own purposes as well, just as Eno learned to do. He’s produced many record albums, including a handful for Marilyn Manson, as well as the phenomenal “Natural Born Killers” soundtrack and the “Lost Highway” soundtrack. His subtle contribution to Tori Amos’ “Past the Mission” on her “Under the Pink” album showed how quiet he could be when he needed to be. It was also the first time I can remember hearing him sing quietly while someone else took the spotlight. Reznor’s original music from id Software’s video game “Quake” was long one of my favorite ambient pieces of music to load into iTunes when I needed to get some work done and didn’t want to be disturbed. He expanded his fascination with technology and its possibilities with the release of “Year Zero” and its companion alternate reality websites/reality game and subsequent user-submitted art in 2007. Eno once predicted that music would one day become user-modifiable constructs, and imagined a day when future generations would look at past generations in wonder, asking in wonder, “you mean you listened to the same music over and over?”. Reznor took that idea and ran with it, releasing “The Hand that Feeds” from his dismal “With Teeth” 2005 release as a multi-track Garage Band download that fans could get for free and remix as they pleased. His newest release “Ghosts I-IV”, was released in a variety of formats, including a free torrent seeded by NIN itself. “Ghosts” was released as with a Creative Commons license (no copyright), and Reznor announced yesterday that the tracks can be used to participate in a NIN sponsored film festival on You Tube. Talk about user generated content. The album itself is supurb. I’d love to hear Eno’s thoughts on it. Those of you who haven’t hear it, go grab it at NIN’s official site and give it a listen for yourself. Grab the torrent if you’re familiar with the technology. “Ghosts” ranges from smooth and quiet piano to the heavy muddy guitar and keyboard laden layers we’ve come to expect from Reznor. I’m looking forward to what people come up with, and might even make a contribution myself if I can find some time along with everything else I have going on. NIN Ghosts Film Festival on YouTube .. Tags: alternative, art, artist, artists, arts, call to artists, community, creativecommons, creativity, experiment, festival, film, inspiration, internet, music
Originally uploaded by love not fear The festival has come to a close. I watched over 21 films this year. In the coming days, I’ll be reviewing them here, so drop by and see how they were. In the meantime, you can check out my ratings of the films. Thanks to the organizers of the festival, once again, for a great week. Tags: 59801, art in missoula, arts, arts and culture in missoula, bigskydocumentaryfilmfestival, creativity, documentary, festival, film, inspiration, missoula, montana, northwest, public art exhibitions |
JIMMY ROSENBERG: THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE TALENT, Directed by Jeroen Berkvens
CONVICTION: THE TRUE STORY OF CLARENCE ELKINS, Directed by Mike West & Bill Ward
CLASS C, Directed by Justin Lubke & Shasta Grenier
WHEN CLOUDS CLEAR, Directed by Anne Slick & Danielle Bernstein
YA SHADAD, Directed by Keren Shayo
The bad news comes via the Grizzly Growler blog.
Dear City of Missoula,
It is with great regret that after eight years, we at New Belgium Brewing have decided not to bring the Tour de Fat back to Missoula in 2008. We never thought that the day would come when our little bike celebration would grow into the behemoth that it has become. It is our hope that the Tour de Fat has benefited the community of Missoula and the bike shops and non-profits who have contributed so much over the years.
As our show grows, sadly the number of weekends in the summer does not, and with our current limitations, we cannot add other worthy cities without passing the torch from the groups we have worked with in existing cities. It is our hope that you will find ways to bolster your support even in the absence of our shenanigans and tomfoolery.
As we end this chapter of Tour de Fat, it is not our desire to leave our partnering non-profit’s missions unattended. Future events, sponsorships, and philanthropic grants are tools we have available for those who have helped us for so many years with so many shows, trials, and triumphs.
May your good work continue for many years to come.
Sincerely,
New Belgium Brewing
and Team TDF (the now sad Clowns)
Originally uploaded by love not fear
Tags: 59801, activism, arts and culture in missoula, missoula, montana