Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
What would you like to happen by the end of the day
Fifty People, One Question: New Orleans from Benjamin Reece on Vimeo.
Fifty People, One Question is back with more beautiful videos. Their first video was in New York with the Question, "Where would you like to wake up in the morning." Now they have produced several more videos in London, New Orleans, and back again in New York. Their newest question is "What would you like to happen by the end of the day." I am in love with their style and the way they are able to capture people so naturally. The simplicity of it all just makes me so happy and I'd love to see a video done in DC. In the mean time you can still give your own profound answer by going to their website and posting it on their message board.
For me, I'd like to manage my own successful design firm, not have to worry about my electric bill and spend quality time with everyone who is near and dear to me by the end of the day. But in the realm of things that are actually possible I'd like to have a not too stressful Friday at work and enjoy a good italian dinner with friends.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Women Are Heros Project
JR is an undercover photographer who transforms his art into posters, using public street space as his gallery. His latest project titled "Women Are Heros" is what really got my attention. JR has spent the past year shooting portraits of victimized women in Africa, South America and Asia. He is now plastering them all over buildings, trains, buses in post-conflicting zones where he wishes to share these women's stories.
What really touches me is that he is using his art and talent in such a unique way to impact change and help the lives of others. I also love that his photographs aren't all heavy and serious but many of the women in the portraits are having fun despite their tough circumstances.
It also started me thinking about what if he started a similar campaign here in DC. What better city than DC, full of politically minded citizens and our nation's decision makers. While walking to the metro through capitol hill this morning, I started visualizing these posters on sides of buildings or buses. I'm not gonna lie it looked very cool in my mind. While the logistics and building codes may be too tough to get around, I can still dream about using art to make a difference in our city can't I?
Finally a visual way to express my road rage
Everyone who has ridden in the car with me knows I have a tendency to display road rage while driving. Being a pretty nonaggressive person outside the car, I have no idea what switch gets flipped when I get in the car. I like to blame it on all the crazy Maryland drivers that drive like maniacs on the streets of DC. And the Virginia drivers that drive like grandparents going under the speed limit and braking at every intersection. (Full disclosure I used to be one of those Virginia drivers)
There have been many times when I wished I could tell the drivers why they have pissed me off so much. Whether it be because they stole my parking space, or cut me off then decided to go 5 mph, or the multi tasker who is doing anything but paying attention to the road. Now I can finally speak my mind while driving with these 10 double-sided signs that range from "Are you Drunk?" to "I'm so sorry." Because lets face it, there are a few times when I make a mistake and wish I could tell the driver I realize what I did was stupid. I'd like to think this could help cut down on my road rage, finally being able to speak my mind. But it could probably also dangerously encourage it.
{via Swissmiss}
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tulip Memories
Turner surprised me with these on Saturday thanks to the little hint I dropped. They made me so happy because Tulips are my absolute favorite. He asked me why I loved tulips so much and it got me thinking.
It wasn't at all for the obvious reason of them being so beautiful with clean colorful lines. No my love for tulips started long before I developed any sort of aesthetic or even the realization of how special you feel when you receive them.
My love for tulips started when I was a child and they were my mother's favorite flower. At least that is how it started. My mother was raised in a dutch home in a dutch community called Holland, Michigan. It really was like a miniature Netherlands with windmills and wooden shoe factories and even a tulip time of their own. I have so many fond memories of spending summers up there as a child.
My mother was constantly collecting posters, photographs, and artwork of quintessential dutch scenes and tulip time. It became a tradition that every summer we would add to our collection. While I don't remember having live tulips in our house very often, the flowers still surround so many of my happy childhood memories. Memories of summers with my family.
It has been close to 8 years since I have spent a summer in Holland. And I am sure it is nothing like what I remember it to be. But I am so glad that Turner asked me why tulips were so special to me, because I couldn't quite put my finger on it before. But now I realize that one flower has all my carefree childhood memories wrapped up into it. Because while flowers are beautiful on their own, it makes me really happy to know there is a special one that can bring some of my carefree days back to me. And that makes me feel really lucky.
What really happens during commercial break
All I can say is wow and how long did it take them to come up with that routine! But it is nice to see people having fun at work. Judging by the crews lack of a strong reaction I wonder how often they do this routine.
{via clusterflock}
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Colors of Spring
It has reached that time of year where I am done with winter. Done. I've celebrated all the traditionally cold winter holidays, had my fill of jackets and hot chocolate, experienced the annual 2-inch snow fall and I'm ready to move on. I'm ready to start dreaming up my spring wardrobe. And what better place to start than looking at what colors are in this year.
Pantone puts out an annual fashion color report that breaks down what colors to wear in the upcoming season. My favorite out of the bunch include slate gray, fuchsia red, super lemon, palace blue, and dark citron.
"With bluish-green undertones, cool Slate Gray is a nuanced neutral that can be paired with any of the other colors"
"With its blue undertones, this cool red is a real show-stopper, adding a sense of elegance to the palette."
"Super Lemon brings a fun, optimistic outlook to the palette. Its luminosity is determined to evoke a smile and attract the roving consumer's eyes."
"Palace Blue, a favorite among designers, takes a steadfast, classic, spring navy-like tone and makes it sparkle. Paired with just about any color in the report, it offers many intriguing spring combinations."
"Dark Citron, a citrus-inspired green, is calmer and more serious than most, offering an element of sophistication to the mix."
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