American Illustration + American Photography
Our friends over at American Illustration + American Photography have given us a copy of each of the recently released books [AI26 and AI23] which they launched at a gala event in New York a few weeks back. The books showcase the hottest talents in both creative fields at the moment, and features – among many others – the work of illustrators Gordon Wiebe, Emiliano Ponzi, and Graham Roumieu, and photographers Lynsey Addario and Gail Albert Halaban. To be with a chance of winning — and fill your loved one’s Christmas stocking with more than just a Gary Larson calendar — leave a comment below this post telling us about your favorite featured artists in either of the books and why they rock you so. Entries close 5pm Friday Dec 21. [photo from AP 23 by Cass Bird]
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 (10)
Lisa said | 15 December, 2007
I absolutely love Paolo Marchesi photo of the squid from the AP 23 and equally love Bryan Ballinger’s illustration of the grim reaper!!!
charmie said | 18 December, 2007
Cass Bird with the illustrations on the sheets are pretty cool
mia said | 18 December, 2007
Lynsey Addario is a brave women. I first noticed her work when i saw her pageant series. She has an ability to put herself in situations that I imagine would be extremely intimidating but she seems to just slide into the background. She doesn’t portray her subjects in a patronizing obvious way.. this is a rare quality in conflict photography. As she is included in this book i am sure the content must be a inspiring mind field.
Jane Abma said | 18 December, 2007
I really can’t say who evokes the most inspiration for me, although after looking through the artists who are all equally impressive in their own ways, I find myself captured by Istvan Banyai works – largely the illustrations from the collection ‘stop the insanity’. The minimal use of colour is so effective, and communicates straight away, the similarities and repetition or people going through their day. Love it. Really digging the above photo as well however. I think that’s what happens to my doona when I dream…..
tata said | 19 December, 2007
at this point in time, at this beginning stage, there’s no one illustrator that rocks me so*.
what does is the discovering & exploring of them & their works…
& that is exactly what last year’s online AI25 has already provided thanks to the AI-AP link above: an endless field in which to discover the myriads of colours, lines , stories and styles out there- and of course, the talented mind behind each story. bookmarked it for sure.
*although i am a sucker for marc boutavant’s work, (search for ‘amanda’ in AI25). why? because as a children’s book illustrator his editorial works has a style so cute you swoon. (that & french is cool!)
Lola said | 20 December, 2007
Graham Roumieau has been one of my favourite illustrators for a really long time. His book, “Me Write Book: It Bigfoot Memoir” is just wonderful.
Cynthia silvestri said | 21 December, 2007
Lisa Adams is amazing. I want to paint like her someday.
Rosie said | 21 December, 2007
I enjoyed Andrea Bakacs’ photograph of a giant fir tree covered in snow, with flakes hurtling down towards the lens. I realise it doesn’t say much about war, poverty, or any other of life’s crises but it makes me feel small, insignificant and pensive all the same. Perhaps I’ve become desensitized to photos of bloodshed and tragedy. It’s strange that a fir tree moves me more. Maybe it’s because it’s the last day at work and for once I’m looking forward to Christmas.
Zolton said | 29 December, 2007
Thanks to everyone who entered this give away. The winner of the Photography book is Mia and the Illustration book, Jane Abma. Can you both please email me with your postal address details. Z
HAVE YOUR SAY
Australian singer-songwriter Ben Lee recently contributed some posts to Lost At E Minor on some of his favourite cultural things and people. We checked in with him to see what sort of head-space he’s been in the time since the release of his latest album, Ripe. Read more
It’s comforting to know that in these times of tough mortgages and foreclosures, you can always afford one of these stylish cardboard homes by designer Javier Mariscal. At just £155.00, you can buy a few of them, rent them out, and become mayor of your own little town. Now there’s a thought.
There was a time, many moons ago, when I would only listen to bands off New Zealand’s Flying Nun label. Yup, I would strap myself into a comfy chair, put my headphones on and, armed with a chunk of chocolate coated Peanut Slab and a can of L&P, soak up album after album of wonderfully self-indulgent low-fi melancholy. Read more
A project that has been a pioneer of the revitalization of downtown Kansas City, this building’s goal was to promote the Central Library as well as represent the city itself. Read more
We got the inside word from Josh Diamond of New York experimental group, Gang Gang Dance, on the music that is moving him right now and he started off by propping the beautiful Ryuichi Sakamoto track, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence: ‘It’s just an amazing piece of music — serene, austere (in a heavy, beautiful way), emotional, a great mix of electronic sounds, patient, and a wonderful melody, with a quality of yearning for a better place. Every time I listen to this song, it puts me in a trance’. Read the rest of Gang Gang Dance’s Secret Playlist.
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I had the pleasure of seeing Duran Duran play a few weeks back in the balmy drizzle of New York’s Central Park. I always thought the guys had more cheek than they were ever given credit for. But don’t be fooled! For a band so rooted in the immediacy of disposable pop, they wrote some timeless songs, none more so than The Chauffeur.
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Australian t shirt label Das Monk create the coolest tees this side of Sydney. Or Melbourne. Or New York, for that matter. Made from super soft, one hundred per cent cotton, they’re comfy and unique, and quite possibly Australia’s best fashion secret. Wait! No, they are. Grab one now from the Lost At E Minor store for just US$45.
WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
A little infectious lollipop rock anyone? Feel free to embarrass yourself singing along at the stoplight. If the other drivers give you that look, roll down the windows and spread the love.
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Communication prosthesis by Sascha Nordmeyer
This ‘communication prosthesis’ by designer Sascha Nordmeyer is hilarious and awesome. I want to wear one to a job interview.
Pencils made from recycled newspaper
The problem with awesome things like these pencils made out of recycled newspaper is that you almost don’t want to use them.
Benjamin Edminston’s psychedelic heads seem to have some fearful wisdom behind their blissed-out eyes. Read more
Get lost in a daydream or a craving for something sweet while gazing at these cool sculptures by Brooklyn-based WiNK WiNK PONY. Made using clay, tree bark, wood, and mossy moss.
Sometime in 2010, the folks behind Dirty Dishes had the slightly silly idea of using cheeky vintage photos and putting them on dinner plates. After doing lots of research, talking to lots of people, and receiving loads of positive feedback, they wondered if this idea was so silly after all. And thus Dirty Dishes was born. 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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Ana said | 15 December, 2007
like the picture. cass bird is pretty effing sweet.