Mini to the Max

Powerage, Aussie teenage rockers tear it up

Ok, so the leadsinger of this Australian band, Powerage, is barely into his teens, and already he sings like Axl Rose and Brian Johnson’s love child. Perhaps he is? They are unbelievably good, and will rip it up on stage for many years to come. For those about to rock, Powerage salutes you.

Australian International Animation Festival

Between October 21-24, the Australian International Animation Festival is heading to Newcastle, just out of Sydney, where 110 films from 26 countries will amaze, delight, amuse and confuse — perhaps all at the same time. There will be ‘two international programs, a showcase of Australian animation, highlights of SIGGRAPH Asia, a digital program for for the brave, a late-night hour of oddness in Late Night Bizarro, and for those under 18, there’s a special kids program of international animated treats’. Tickets are $5 per session or $30 for festival pass to see all eight programs. No pre-sale — at the door and cash only. If you’re in the area, be sure to check it out. Read more

Rod Smith’s card designs

Founding member of the ethereal Newcastle acoustic band, Firekites, Rod Smith is also a designer and artist. His latest project involves collage works, bringing together vintage papers with everyday objects. Of the project, he says: ‘I started collecting and collating bits and bobs, everything from magazines and yellowing paperbacks, to Japanese lolly wrappers and ticket stubs. Catching my eye were colour palettes and text-based references, taking on profound qualities or referencing things relevant to me at the time. Each card has a story. Sometimes it takes me a while to like them, so I keep working until they make sense. I might use the same materials for a few cards, but each one eventually finds its own identity. I’ve settled on cards as my medium for the time being. On a card, I do have limited room to explore themes, but people can feel the textures and smell the glue. I also like that cards have the random potential of being displayed or thrown away with wrapping paper’. Read more

Yigal Ozeri’s photorealistic paintings

Israeli-artist Yigal Ozeri’s provocative photo-realistic paintings of young women in nature look like a large format photographs, but are actually the work of minute brushstrokes laced together. Inspired by the Pre-Raphaelites, the paintings are exotic portraits of woman enraptured by nature, caught in the lens of the artist’s eye. Ozeri’s inspiration lies in Carl Jung’s concept of the Anima, the psychology of the female’s true inner self. Read more

Anti-Theft Lunch Bags

Tired of having your food stolen by sticky-fingered coworkers or roommates? Bullies taking your kid’s lunch? Well, worry no more. Anti-Theft Lunch Bags are sandwich bags that have green splotches printed on both sides, making your freshly prepared lunch look spoiled. So don’t suffer the injustice of having your sandwich stolen again!

Creative advertising packaging

Despite the intentions of many, it’s not so often that advertising — as an industry — truly thinks outside the box. Yet, when executed well, clever eye-catching advertising actually works. It does. As these examples will attest to. Read more