So I spent the past few days battling the heat and the smoke in Melbourne as the mercury soared and the city shuddered a collective sigh of foreboding. Damn it was hot! But enough of that. I’ve moved from Brooklyn back to Sydney in recent weeks – albeit temporarily – leaving behind a city which is as mesmerizing and captivating as any Sinatra song would suggest. There’s an aura of world-weariness that permeates the air in New York City; a real sense of manifold destiny amongst those that inhabit it. It truly is the cultural and creative melting pot that E.B White and co alluded to, just in different shades of grey. I couldn’t help but get the feeling that the gentrification of the city – and its recent metamorphosis into a safe urban playground – has shifted the ‘edge’ away from Manhattan and into the outer reaches of the other boroughs. But it’s still as exciting and stimulating an environment as any to be immersed in. Now if only you could find a decent takeaway coffee somewhere. [cd covers by Jesse LeDoux]
Also by ZOLTON
Maths explains the origin of superhero characters
I love the colours and simple reasoning in this clever series by Scottish illustrator Matt Cowen, which uses basic maths equations to explain how certain pop culture icons came to be. Read more
Star Wars Uncut: a fully crowdsourced version of Episode IV
The project of creative technologist, Casey Pugh, this full length version of the George Lucas masterpiece was created from multiple 15 second segments recreated from the original movie and submitted by thousands of Star Wars fans, which were then spliced together by editor Aaron Valdez to form the final product. Genius, as both a commentary on contemporary pop culture trends (there are references to LEGO, stop motion, memes and the like) and on the power of tapping your audience for quality material.
Filmmaker creates LEGO stop motion to propose to girlfriend
Now, this is one for the ages: back in 2010, Atlanta film-maker Walter Thompson created a jaw-dropping LEGO stop motion to propose to Nealey Dozier, his girlfriend of four years. The video took 22 hours of shooting and some 2,600 pictures to splice together, a small sacrifice to pay for years of happiness together. Right? Right! Oh, and she said yes. Bonus.
YOU'RE SAYING (5)
Zolton said | 11 December, 2006
Well, that and Thai restaurants …
NYSH!tty said | 14 December, 2006
I agree — I used to Live in NYC and everyone kept dreeaming of the NYC that used to be. TRUMP has taken over and the artists have left the building… so to speak. NYC is great but it is really riding the dream of the late 80′s!
The CBGB has recently closed! Lofts in downtown, are no longer an artist mecca but a Wall Steet and trust fund babies playhouses!
R.I.P. NYC
Sarah L. said | 14 December, 2006
You forgot to mention NYC has the worst coffee in the world. Melbourne Coffee anyday
Gary said | 15 December, 2006
New York, New York… I would really like to visit there one day. I only detest the gloomy weather there during the autumn and winter months. Only prefer a warmer and sunnier weather all year round.
Also from what I’ve heard these days, NY seems to have lost its appeal of being one of the greatest cities in the world.
And no decent coffee? That’s tough.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Whoever said ‘good things come in small packages’ was probably right in many respects. But when comparing the satisfaction of a single Gummi Bear, compared to treating yourself to an Astro from Vat19; the only decision you need to make is how you’re going to eat it. Knife and fork, anyone?
Cut social programs, welfare, and education budgets, but make sure we have enough money to for this Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2, which can go up to 13,000 mph (20 times the speed of sound) and get from New York to LA in 12 minutes. WE NEED IT!
Run Wrake is an illustrator and animator based in London whose recent short animation Rabbit has turned him into an underground hero. Read more
If you’re in New Orleans and you love barbeque, make sure to stop by The Joint in the Bywater neighborhood. Their brisket is outstanding, and for under $11 for a pound of the fatty, delicious beef and two sides, it’s a super good deal. Their ribs are also pretty good, but seriously, the brisket is the jam.
When Arcade Fire won Album of the Year, a certain percentage of the population had their mindhole explode. This Tumblr page documents the feeling when Eminem and Lady Gaga miss out to some Canuck nobodies.
Now this is fun. The aptly named The Kooks cover the equally as aptly named MGMT for Australian radio network, Triple J. The song, Kids, is about as upbeat as any minor key progression can get. We like.
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The new range of Alexander Wang for Uniqlo just hit stores this week in New York. This is the perfect collaboration for budget-minded fashionistas, allowing us to wear Alexander Wang at an affordable cost (in the $50-60 range). Read more
WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
Never ever, ever, ever, ever park here
Some friendly advice for the neighbours, who simply don’t get it, or street art? You decide which one it is.
Honest Food Preparation Instructions
Yes, we’ve all been there: the chinese food from last week that still looks edible amongst the bare surrounds of an empty fridge. But really, we shouldn’t. Just let it be. Or College Humor will expose you! Read more
Christoph Niemann illustrates a nightmare flight
New York Times illustrator Christoph Niemann has created a brilliant visual diary outlining the peril and pitfalls that beset the everyday passenger based on his recent experience flying from New York to his home town of Berlin. Read more
Michelle Blade’s psychedelic artwork
Michelle Blade’s washed out paintings are deceptively simple, her washy acrylics creating psychedelic textures and conjuring ghostly figures from the past. Read more
It’s refreshing to see artists like Joe Kievitt who are contented to explore the beauty in simple forms and asymmetrical patterns. Read more
This cool black unisex t shirt by UK label Client is made in England, printed in Berlin, and beautifully packaged in East Berlin cartonage, especially designed for Client. Read more
If you have a Twitter feed that focuses on cool pop cultural things and you’d like to swap Tweets with Lost At E Minor and other like-minded Twitterers, drop us a note (with Tweet Swap in the title). We have a system in place and we’d like to have you in on it! [illustration by Brad Fitzpatrick]
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Fabian said | 11 December, 2006
You mean Sydney actually does something better than NYC?