The TSiG blog has now been launched. I’ll be blogging there, as well as some other folks you should know by now (Audrey, Jesper, Midori, Nao, Robert). I’m sure there are still little bugs here and there that will pop up as we start using the site regularly, so feel free to give me feedback on any problems encountered (or even general thoughts on the project). I’m very happy to be involved with this, and I think it’s going to be fun to be part of a group blog, especially with this group. Let the parallel blogging begin!
This mention in Momus’ latest Click Opera entry made me blush:
His blog jeansnow.net is, indisputably, the fastest-moving and best blog guide to what’s happening in Tokyo.
The pic was taken during our Pause outing from the other night.
Architect Kawahara Kazuhiko, who goes by the name Palla, creates beautiful parallel images of pictures he takes in Osaka. He’s been mentioned here before, but if you haven’t already, check out his site for tons of beautiful imagery. He’s now created a book, called THE BOOK OF PALLALINK, which he will be printing himself. To make this work, he needs people to place enough orders to go to print. The thing looks beautiful, so have a look, and then go to this entry form to place your order/donation.
I’ve just realized that I missed July’s exhibition at the Ginza Graphic Gallery, which pisses me off as it was something I really wanted to see (the annual ADC show). Well, nothing much I can do about it, except make sure to go early to the next one, which starts August 5: “Friendly Fire – the work of Barnbrook Design.”
In August 2004 Ginza Graphic Gallery will hold an exhibition entitled Friendly Fire – the work of Barnbrook Design. Jonathan Barnbrook is one of the most influential graphic designer in Great Britain today. His activities during the past 14 years have invariably generated a great deal of discussion and debate, both favorable and unfavorable. The present exhibition represents the first large-scale showing of his work. Beginning with his collaboration with Damien Hirst, it includes everything from his anti-advertising activities to commercial work such as the CI project he created for Roppongi Hills. Experimental projects that have never been publicly seen before will also be on view, along with representative work from his early years. The exhibition will afford an invaluable opportunity that takes up even his most recent works addressing social problems and political issues, works that are as yet unknown in Japan.
The show runs August 5-28. Here’s a link to the Barnbrook Design website.
I’m done work. For 3 weeks. I’m broke as hell, and so can’t do much during this time, but hey, who cares. Let the good times roll.
I so want to see this. I saw a video installation by Kyupi Kyupi at the Jam show a while back, and loved the hell out of it.
The unit led by video artist Ishibashi Yoshimasa of “Oh! Mikey” fame. This entertainment supreme, immensely popular in the Kansai region, hits Tokyo. Heart-wrenchingly fast video projections, dance by heteromorphic characters Fish Heads and Panoranoia Dancers, as well as chantress Wakeshima Mami debuting her Showa ballads in a full-body direct-hit. Kansai-style gags tempered with touches of eroticism makes for good vibes and a little spice. Kyoto shows make brilliant use of old architecture; in Tokyo they consciously chose spaces devoid of history. Hats off to spirit of service that offers wine and nudity. (
REALTOKYO)
Happens at Spiral in Aoyama on August 18-30. I hear they have a new DVD out, which I would love to have. I wish I wasn’t broke right now.
Update: Here’s an article from the DAILY YOMIURI.
I am so in love with my new Captain Porno. Designed by Shu-Thang Grafix, it’s a product of Roughtoyz. A huge thanks goes out to Jun, who not only runs Roughtoyz and the Pause cafe, but also the Rough empire, which includes the Collector’s Showcase figure shops. One of them is just down the street from Pause, so have a look next time you’re in the area. I’m also very happy to report that Roughtoyz will be part of TSiG, and their products will be on display in the designer figures exhibition.
I like these new t-shirts that have been produced by PAPER SKY and ROIAL. There’s one for all the different countries that have been featured in the magazine, in different colors. You can buy them at the BOOK246 shop, or online.
One of the Nihon University buildings, directly across the road from where I work on Wednesdays.
Shot taken with the A5403CA mobile phone.
In two days time I will be enjoying my Summer holidays, which will last for 3 weeks. I obviously cannot wait for this, as this month as been killer because of the heat, and I really need the rest. It also means that I’ll have a lot of time on my hands, and some of that time will be used to be productive. First thing, a new issue of my ezine GEISHA. I haven’t done anything with that in what seems like ages, and a message I received the other day got me thinking that it’s about time I get back to that. I’ve been concentrating too much on the technical side of the site (like with the conversion to WordPress), but not enough on the creative side. So expect something happening on that end.
Also, I want to bring the moblog over to WP, and start posting with larger pictures. I’ll probably fiddle around with the site a bit also, so we’ll see what ends up happening on that end.
For now, I’m counting the days, and hoping I don’t end up having to come back from work tonight in the middle of a typhoon!
Jesper sent me a few pics, and it looks like TSiG is really coming along.
The above is one of the displays at the Roda Sten building, where the event will take place. I absolutely love his use of Brockmann figures (and try to find the one that he bought from me).
One of the ads for the event in a train in Gothenburg.
And while on the subject of TSiG, the blogs will be launching very, very soon, hopefully in the next few days. Of the bloggers involved, you’ll definitely recognize some of the names that have been popping up here of late. I think it’s going to be a great project.
While one can’t quite say “money is everything the world over”, money problems are always an issue in art-related endeavors. The money it takes to create art, the monetary value of art. A flea market exploring the relationship between art and money: shop and think about “art and economics”. The variety of booths range from Group 1965 artists to Nakamura Kengo, Grinderman and Matsumoto Chikara. You might just find an unexpected treasure! Part 2, which starts in the evening, is dedicated to Kondo Kei’s “Outdoor bowling lane-making project in Sarajevo”: what got that ball rolling?! The evening includes video documentary of the project and a talk show. (
REALTOKYO)
It happens August 7 in Shinjuku. More info here (in Japanese).
Tokyo resident Audrey Fondecave acts as the editor of the culture magazine OK FRED (contrary to popular belief, it’s not just about music, as the last few issues have suggested), and is also an illustrator and photographer for the Slidelab group. On top of this, she works in fashion design, and has done various art installations. Go to the following site and check the “Eye” section, where you’ll find some of her works. The cover of the third issue of OK FRED was also done by her.
And while on the subject of OK FRED, Mathieu Briand will be creating some sound art at the launch party for the next issue, and he has a very nice site worth exploring.
Got the following info in the SHIFT newsletter the other day, and thought I’d help spread the word.
DOTMOV Festival 2004, a competitive digital film festival launched last November, is now inviting submissions from throughout the world. The festival’s aim is to discover talented creators and provide them with an opportunity to show their work. The deadline is September 20th.
For the first time this year, all selected works will be shown on a web site so that everybody from all over the world can participate and enjoy the festival. By inviting international creators who are active in the forefront of design as a judge, this festival promises to deliver the future of digital film and new possibilities to the world.
For the detail to entry this festival, please visit http://www.shift.jp.org/mov/
Feel free to contact me with any questions or if you require press material to: staff@shift.jp.org
I’m quite excited by the fact that all the works will be shown online. This also reminds me that I keep wanting to mention Morimoto Koji, who is the cover interview of the current issue. I’ll do a separate post on him sometime soon.
About 1,500 Tokyoites lined up to get their hands on the first shipment of iPod minis to Japan, according to Apple. But when the store’s doors were thrown open at 10 a.m., the two young men at the head of the line refused to enter because of the small army of reporters waiting inside to greet them.
The two men, who began queuing at 5 p.m. the day before, were intimidated by the cameras, they said. Refusing to give their names, they said they didn’t want their pictures taken as they entered the store. More than 40 reporters from Tokyo’s major newspapers and TV stations were positioned just inside the store’s front door.
This bit is also interesting:
Two days before, Apple held a swanky press event on Omotesando, Tokyo’s famous fashion street. While skinny fashion models posed for cameras with the iPod mini, journalists sipped cocktails in five different colors. Apple invited more than 300 members of the press; about 100 reporters from the tech press attended, but most were from fashion magazines. Each was given a souvenir iPod mini.
Read the rest of the WIRED NEWS article here.
Jean Snow is a contributor to 
He will be contributing to the upcoming fifth editions of 
