WE'RE SUPPORTING

We get a lot of great things forwarded to us here, but Melbourne-based artist Eugene Plotnikov’s work really wowed me and made me feel like he was a kindred spirit artistically. I’m equally obsessed with monsters, and the ones Plotnikov conjures up are amazing. His stuff reminds me of Skinner, but Plotnikov has a more delicate touch that I appreciate. Read more

WE'RE THINKING

Here’s a meme blog I can roll with cuz I loves me some meat, although I can’t eat wheat, so half of these dishes won’t be on my menu.

Heavy metal and hip-hop are perhaps the most popular forms of rebellion for kids the world over. In Malaysia, metal — particularly black metal — has taken such a strong hold that the Fatwa Council there banned it, fearing that the music would compel listeners to rebel against religion. Contrary to the council’s intentions, black metal is as popular as ever in Malaysia, and is a recognizable cultural touchstone there, as indicated by the above clip from the 2005 film Filem Rock.

WE'RE TRAVELLING TO

The street art in Berlin, where I’m living, is just amazing, as these photos suggest. Read more

WE'RE READING

The clever folk behind Scandybars do what the rest of us would like to. Cut up the tastiest candy bars from around the world, eat one half and scan the other for posterity. Tasty, indeed. Read more

WE'RE LISTENING TO

If you ever happen to find yourself riding across the mid-west on horseback with an iPod jangling about in your holster, be sure to let Calexico soundtrack the experience. They’re cleverly fusing a range of genres, mixing some good old country with US indie, a bit of jazz and even, in 2003’s Feast of Wire, some smatterings of electronica. Lead singer Joey Burns gives a healthy amount of cowboy twang and the soaring orchestral background and sweet country guitar licks add a real atmosphere to the music.

Listen to the Calexico song, Convict Pool.

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WE'RE WEARING

As if this season’s dresses weren’t delightful enough, here’s another reason to liquidate some stock and ruin your credit rating. First Prada and James Jean, now the top end retailer, Nordstrom: the exploration of art by fashion is long overdue, but well worth the wait. The Nordstrom campaign brings together three great things: the Cuban illustrator Ruben Toledo, the fashion photographer Ruven Afanador and the elvin Jenny Sweeny. Just looking at it makes me want to wrap myself in Cavalli and paint my walls bone shell white.