I just love that Google searches and the like will now probably associate Item Idem with the “bovine mutilator” qualifier. A meme is born!

Monday night I stopped by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Yurakucho to catch Lisa‘s talk about her book, Urawza: Secret Everday Tips and Tricks from Japan. She actually talked about much more, including the insane amount of work that went into the piece on 2-Channel‘s Hiroyuki Nishimura she wrote for Wired.

Martine Cotton sends me info for the following event, which sounds like it could be of much interest for those of you into filmmaking.

For those interested, I’ll be hosting a panel at Tsutaya Tokyo Roppongi (the big one behind Roppongi Hills, near the TV Asahi building) on Saturday (October 25). It will cover the book Tokyolife, and the panelists are Ian Luna, editor and contributor to the book, and photographer/filmmaker Mika Ninagawa — Ian is working on a new book with her. Things will kick off at 14:00, and I think it will run about an hour.

Ponystep interviews Cyril, the man behind Item Idem, and bovine mutilator.

I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, but part of the new episode of Patrick Macias‘ Hot Tears of Shame podcast (#30) was recorded at the Arcade Mania launch party, and includes Brian and me. I’m actually a bit scared to listen to it, because I was quite drunk at the time I contributed (out in the street, in front of Cafe Pause). Also worth noting: Marxy‘s rant on reuben sandwiches and taco rice.

I don’t know much about this video,”Papers,” by artist Yoshinao Satoh, but I know that it’s mesmerizing to watch. Would love to see a higher-res version. Via Shane Lester.

Today marks the start of “Cut Mars Black,” an exhibition at Cafe Pause by German artist Gudrun Rau. The show runs until October 26, and there will be an informal opening tonight (October 20) from 19:00 at the cafe, with the artist present.

Gudrun was one of the participants at this month’s edition of PauseTalk (Vol. 25), and so now’s your chance to see her works on display.

Tired of browsing Tokyo Art Beat using boring old lists? Time to access “The Bubble Machine,” an interface created by Reuben Stanton using TAB’s open source API.

PingMag interviews Japanese design unit Tonerico.

Everyone’s favorite OK Fredder, Audrey Fondecave, has a new exhibition, “Le musée des histoires – The Museum of Stories,” that opens today at La Galerie des Nakamura (it runs until November 3). The opening reception is tomorrow night (October 18, 18:00), but is proceeded by a talk given by Egaitsu Hiroshi at 16:00.

There will also be a workshop event, “Le petit musée,” on October 26. It’s by appointment only, and you can contact the gallery directly for more details.

PS: When it comes to OK Fredders, let it be clear that we all love Yoshi too.

Assistant‘s Megumi gets interviewed over at Shift.

Digiki has a new Polypunk out (35), “People and Places,” selected in Tokyo and LA.

The premise for “Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School” is awesome: illustrators/artists get together regularly to sketch a burlesque performer. The event in Tokyo is held every month at The Pink Cow in Shibuya. The next one happens next week, October 21, with the sketching starting at 19:00 (entry is 2,000 yen, which includes a drink).

It really sounds like a fun event, and like Pecha Kucha Night, it’s a truly global affair. Afraid to go because you don’t think you have the talent? As they state on the site: “No drawing experience necessary at all! And don’t worry, nobody will be judging your pictures!”

Below, this month’s model, Violet Eva, leader of the Japanese burlesque troupe Murasaki Babydolls.

As part of the Néojaponisme-produced “Meeting Modernity” exhibition — recently held at the Young Art gallery in LA — sets of eight postcards, wrapped in handmade envelopes, were also put on sale. There are still a few sets available, and you can purchase them online here.