Travis Louie

Armed America portraits by Kyle Cassidy

The Armed America website compiles portraits of the owners of weapons in America. Photographer and writer Kyle Cassidy traveled more than 12,000 miles for more than two years taking pictures of armed Americans in their houses, all the while looking for the answer to the complex question: ‘Why do you own a gun?’ Cassidy’s work has become an item of incalculable value, not only because of its conceptual strength, but also because of the description of the way of living, feeling and thinking of many inhabitants of America. Read more

Rafal Milach’s Black Sea Of Concrete series

Of his series, Black Sea Of Concrete, Polish photographer, Rafal Milach says: ‘Eight photographers from Sputnik Photos collective were asked to cover contemporary Ukraine. Some got particular assignments, but I was free to choose the topic. As I knew I would be working in winter, I decided to go to the Black Sea. I wanted to have raw landscapes and real people. It was the only time of the year when I was able to avoid the tourist facade. The other reason why I picked the Black Sea coast was the fact that, for many years, it was a place where the entire Soviet Union went for summer holidays. Since the Orange Revolution in 2004, Ukraine has been an independent country, but still, very often, people are not able to detach it from its Soviet past. You can feel that strange mixture by the Black Sea coast’. Read more

Art For Obama book

Previous Guest Editor of Lost At E Minor, Shepard Fairey, and Jennifer Gross have a fantastic new book out through Abrams entitled, Art For Obama. Featuring artwork from more than a hundred International artists, including fellow Lost At E Minor Guest Editor Ron English [illustration above], Lukas Ketner, Kwaku Alston, Maya Hayuk, and Lisa Anne Auerbach, many of the works were created before the election to raise money for the Obama campaign. Pieces range from fashion to installation, and most refer back to Obama’s likeness. This will be a great book to look back on many years from now. And it’s a guilt free purchase, as all of the authors’ proceeds will be donated to Americans for the Arts charity. Read more

The Electric Illuminati

Super catchy old-school pop songs delivered by the enigmatic raspy-voiced Jack Medicine keep The Electric Illuminati on regular rotation here at the English household. Subjects for songs range from a messianic Barack Obama, to MC Supersized (the 500 pound Ronald McDonald), to a sequel to the Beatles song, Fool on the Hill. Jack sings the clever, darkly optimistic lyrics I have always wanted to hear in pop songs with energetic aplomb and a glee that would make Kurt Cobain’s corpse blush. Full disclosure: I am the band’s lyricist.

Morgan Spurlock on finding Bin Laden

Morgan Spurlock takes on the role of the viewer’s best friend as he explores some pretty intense social terrain. The technique allows him to explore controversial subject matter without ever coming off as preachy or holier than thou.

Bethlehem, Palestine

You may have to work your way through the flock of sheep being hustled down the street by your local shepherd on your way to breakfast, but the people are extremely friendly and helpful. Everything is cheap. You can get a nice four-ounce glass of cognac for three dollars. Shopping is not as extensive as some other locations, like Dubai, but they have the coolest hand-carved olive wood sculptures, and you can visit the many mom and pop factories that make them. Read more