An Ontario artist is holding a Second Annual Exhibition entitled Just Imagine...(a world without cancer). It's a postcard exhibition that accepts national and international submissions. Submissions are exhibited in September during the Deer Trail Studio Tour. All money raised goes directly to cancer research. It's a fun, easy way to get involved in a project that can make a difference and affect the lives of others. Deadline is September 15, 2007. Thanks to mailart.org for this one.

Labels: cancer, exhibitions, postcards, submissions

No, seriously, read here.

The Ancient Egyptions used nanotechnology to build them.

The pyramids (in part) were built with cast concrete blocks, except they used limestone cement. Turns out the limestone version is more durable and environmentally sound than today's Portland cement*... well, what do you know.

*For those who don't already know, I have a thing for Portland (OR), and concrete (anywhere)

Ever wondered what it would be like to have several artist living in a small enclosed space, like rats in a maze? Well, wonder no more. Flatland was a New York project involving six artists who decided to live communally for twenty days in a structure measuring 4 stories high, 24 feet long and only 2 feet wide. Basically, they lived in a performance piece that simulated what it might feel like to live in a two-dimensional painting. The structure was equipped with a very basic bathroom and kitchen and outfitted for artists' individual needs. There were lots of video feeds documenting the participants (think, Big Brother) that were viewable online. Sadly, the project ended this past Sunday, so there isn't currently any video available. But the blog is a fun read, and there are lots of pics on the homepage too. Enjoy!

Seattle photographer, Chris Jordan has posted images of his current work. Running the Numbers: An American Self-Portrait portrays specific quantities of items that represent elements of contemporary American culture. You've got your waste items (pop bottles, plastic bags, cell phones) and your killers (guns, cigarettes) and other various items (jet trails, vicodin pills, prison uniforms). I love the perspective the photos give on the vastness of these quantities. I mean, it's hard to actually understand what 2.3 million of anything amounts to. But you get an idea with these. There's also the slap in the face quality of how much we waste...

Lithographs by Hisaharu Motoda.

“In Neo-Ruins I wanted to capture both a sense of the world′s past and of the world's future.”

I came to the site from seeing the work displayed under the first link (2005.2006 indication series.) The site isn't the friendliest to navigate, but does have nice page names like pineapple and strawberry.

"What are you going to do with an art degree?" - Mom
"Become a lawyer." - Son

There are a ton of things you can do with an art degree. The job market out in the world often looks for people with a high degree of problems solving and creative thinking skills. It is critical in a number of areas, such as technology, where bright ideas and disruptive 'out of the box' thinking are what drive the entire industry forward. Problems solving and creative thinking are skills that typically come with an art degree, and it is important for people to highlight those skills when they are looking for work.

Typically people coming out of an art program also have some sort of technical skill that they are proficient at: painting, graphic design, silk screening. These technical skills can be used directly and indirectly. Play to your strengths when looking for work, find jobs that allow you to use and expand your technical skill set while also adding new skills.

Finally, never underestimate the power of freelancing, contracting, and self-employment. While you are working that evening job at Starbucks, start up a small company on your own that does T-Shirt design, or home decorating advice, or concept art drawing. There is a lot of work out there, and a lot of companies looking for outsourced labor. Take advantage of it.

Labels: employment, jobs, working life

I know I've blogged about illustrator James Jean before, but I came across an interview with him.

There is a wonderful collaborative projective online between Kenichi Hoshine and James Jean called Polite Winter. Basically, it's conversation between the two artists through their artwork. Work was done independently in response to the previous artwork.

Also worth checking out the website of Kenichi Hoshine where you can view his sketchbook work, paintings and blog.

And of course there is always James Jean's website, www.jamesjean.com

Enjoy!

"Promotion is nine tenths of the problem."