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31 augustus 2010 - ART
Recently graduated from Kansas City Art Institute, Brian J. Hettler fuses digital images with heavily saturated colors, pop culture and virtual elements. His works are often chaotic, almost disturbingly colorful but definitely create an entirely new image.
Some of Hettler’s pieces are abstracted self-portraits that, according to the artist himself, although he mainly works in digital media, can act as paintings, densely layered, rich in projected surface quality, and built upon the precepts of formalism.
Funny thing is, Hettler draws inspiration from one of Holland’s renowned artists of the past, as he states on his website: ‘I pull inspiration from many places, although in my recent studio practice I have been studying the early paintings of Willem de Kooning and the layering process in which he searched for a resolved and emotionally relevant image.’
VIEW MORE \
Recently graduated from Kansas City Art Institute, Brian J. Hettler fuses digital images with heavily saturated colors, pop culture and virtual elements. His works are often chaotic, almost disturbingly colorful but definitely create an entirely new image.
Some of Hettler’s pieces are abstracted self-portraits that, according to the artist himself, although he mainly works in digital media, can act as paintings, densely layered, rich in projected surface quality, and built upon the precepts of formalism.
Funny thing is, Hettler draws inspiration from one of Holland’s renowned artists of the past, as he states on his website: ‘I pull inspiration from many places, although in my recent studio practice I have been studying the early paintings of Willem de Kooning and the layering process in which he searched for a resolved and emotionally relevant image.’
VIEW MORE \
31 augustus 2010 - FASHION
While Kate Moss called it quits with her design duties at Topshop, another big brand revealed a little bit more about an upcoming collaboration. While rumors about H&M collaborating with Taiwanese haute couture label Shiatzy Chen were still going until a few weeks ago, breaking news hit BLEND’s headquarters. H&M supposedly reached out to top of the bill luxury brand Bottega Veneta for their annual collection of affordable high fashion.
While the Swedish clothing company didn’t make a statement yet, the brand released two videos that reveal some interesting characteristics of the man and female assigned to work on this special line. Their heavily accented voices, clothes and (according to an alert viewer) even their hands bear striking resemblances to those of Tomas Maier and Carolina Herrera. H&M will announce the designer’s names on September 9th.
While Kate Moss called it quits with her design duties at Topshop, another big brand revealed a little bit more about an upcoming collaboration. While rumors about H&M collaborating with Taiwanese haute couture label Shiatzy Chen were still going until a few weeks ago, breaking news hit BLEND’s headquarters. H&M supposedly reached out to top of the bill luxury brand Bottega Veneta for their annual collection of affordable high fashion.
While the Swedish clothing company didn’t make a statement yet, the brand released two videos that reveal some interesting characteristics of the man and female assigned to work on this special line. Their heavily accented voices, clothes and (according to an alert viewer) even their hands bear striking resemblances to those of Tomas Maier and Carolina Herrera. H&M will announce the designer’s names on September 9th.
31 augustus 2010 - MUSIC
This September, American musician George Lewis Jr. will release his debut album called Forget under the name Twin Shadow. With the sound of this record and his quirky style, Twin Shadow is the personification of the Brooklyn-based band hype. Lewis Jr. is right in the middle of the city’s musical epicenter and clearly knows his way around. The lush, romantic sound of his eighties inspired record received just a little bit extra from everything-I-touch-turns-into-gold production wizard Chris Taylor who's also partially responsible for the success of Grizzly Bear's album Veckatimest.
Today’s Tuesday Tune is the album’s stunner called Slow because it makes Twin Shadow’s dark and deep voice, which bears a striking resemblance to that of The Smith’s front man Morrissey, stand out and take you on a ride through his suburban, bedroom-recorded world of Forget.
This September, American musician George Lewis Jr. will release his debut album called Forget under the name Twin Shadow. With the sound of this record and his quirky style, Twin Shadow is the personification of the Brooklyn-based band hype. Lewis Jr. is right in the middle of the city’s musical epicenter and clearly knows his way around. The lush, romantic sound of his eighties inspired record received just a little bit extra from everything-I-touch-turns-into-gold production wizard Chris Taylor who's also partially responsible for the success of Grizzly Bear's album Veckatimest.
Today’s Tuesday Tune is the album’s stunner called Slow because it makes Twin Shadow’s dark and deep voice, which bears a striking resemblance to that of The Smith’s front man Morrissey, stand out and take you on a ride through his suburban, bedroom-recorded world of Forget.
30 augustus 2010 - ART
Video games are a $40 billion-a-year industry, and have moved well beyond the simulated table tennis world of Pong. But is it art? Film critic Roger Ebert recently argued that video games can never be art. Author and game addict Tom Bissell begs to differ and breaks down his argument in his book Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter. However, the last thing you want to tell a gamer is what their medium can't be. Gaming by definition rails against that sort of arbitrary small-mindedness.
In 'Space Invaders: Art In The Computer Game Environment' the Netherlands Media Art Institute brings art and games culture together. In an artistic, playful yet serious manner, Space Invaders reveals the influence of games on art and society. This group exhibition with Dutch and international media artists examines the increasing blurring of the boundaries between game worlds and reality. In Space Invaders media art works illuminate the migration of the physical world into gaming systems. Conversely, gaming elements are more and more finding their way into physical space. By infiltrating both game environments and real spaces, the artworks clarify the nature and influence of the computer game environments, and provide greater insight into the role that computer games play in contemporary culture.
In short, Space Invaders shows the increasing blurring of the boundaries between the real world and the game world. In this exhibition gaming is more than sitting in front of a screen and playing a game; the relation with the real world is never far away.
Space Invaders: Art In The Computer Game Environment opens on Saturday, August 28th at the Netherlands Media Art Institute. The last day of the exhibition coincides with this year’s museumnight on the 6th of November.
Video games are a $40 billion-a-year industry, and have moved well beyond the simulated table tennis world of Pong. But is it art? Film critic Roger Ebert recently argued that video games can never be art. Author and game addict Tom Bissell begs to differ and breaks down his argument in his book Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter. However, the last thing you want to tell a gamer is what their medium can't be. Gaming by definition rails against that sort of arbitrary small-mindedness.
In 'Space Invaders: Art In The Computer Game Environment' the Netherlands Media Art Institute brings art and games culture together. In an artistic, playful yet serious manner, Space Invaders reveals the influence of games on art and society. This group exhibition with Dutch and international media artists examines the increasing blurring of the boundaries between game worlds and reality. In Space Invaders media art works illuminate the migration of the physical world into gaming systems. Conversely, gaming elements are more and more finding their way into physical space. By infiltrating both game environments and real spaces, the artworks clarify the nature and influence of the computer game environments, and provide greater insight into the role that computer games play in contemporary culture.
In short, Space Invaders shows the increasing blurring of the boundaries between the real world and the game world. In this exhibition gaming is more than sitting in front of a screen and playing a game; the relation with the real world is never far away.
Space Invaders: Art In The Computer Game Environment opens on Saturday, August 28th at the Netherlands Media Art Institute. The last day of the exhibition coincides with this year’s museumnight on the 6th of November.
30 augustus 2010 - FASHION
Argentinian foldable zine Vnfold just released its third issue Close To Nature. Buenos Aires-based visionaries Agustin Merlo and Oscar Gómez Poviña founded Vnfold; a magazine that you can check out online, open up on a table or hang on your wall.
Vnfold's shoots are beautiful, the content is absolutely renewing with fresh opinions when it comes to style and, not to forget, we’re just big fans of the sympathetic editors behind this fruitful South American concept. For BLEND’s paper issue, which is currently available, we did an interview with Vnfold’s Merlo, which you can check out over here. Go to Vnfold’s website to view the entire magazine.
To give its readers an impression of what’s going on behind the scenes of its marvelous productions, Vnfold put a video online called Last Day Parade, directed by Chrisopher Starbody.
VIEW MORE \
VNFOLD - ISSUE III - LAST DAY PARADE BY CHRISTOPHER STARBODY from VNFOLD on Vimeo.
Argentinian foldable zine Vnfold just released its third issue Close To Nature. Buenos Aires-based visionaries Agustin Merlo and Oscar Gómez Poviña founded Vnfold; a magazine that you can check out online, open up on a table or hang on your wall.
Vnfold's shoots are beautiful, the content is absolutely renewing with fresh opinions when it comes to style and, not to forget, we’re just big fans of the sympathetic editors behind this fruitful South American concept. For BLEND’s paper issue, which is currently available, we did an interview with Vnfold’s Merlo, which you can check out over here. Go to Vnfold’s website to view the entire magazine.
To give its readers an impression of what’s going on behind the scenes of its marvelous productions, Vnfold put a video online called Last Day Parade, directed by Chrisopher Starbody.
VIEW MORE \
30 augustus 2010 - FASHION
American designer duo Meghan Lavery & J’aime Lizotte are both natives of Maine and have been collaborating since they met in 1999. Lavery studied tailoring at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC while Lizotte attended Massachusetts College of Art & Design and interned at Armani Exchange.
In the summer of 2009 they found themselves both living in Brooklyn and started working on their new label Shape Shiftr, which was a sort of case study about constant change in silhouette and form motivated by geometry.
The two designers like mixing muted colors with outspoken, lush tones and combine the use of wool and cashmeres with light fabrics such as silk. Their pieces look simple from a distance but are super detailed when viewed up-close. Shape Shiftr’s pieces represent the perfect venture into fall/winter dressing.
VIEW MORE \
American designer duo Meghan Lavery & J’aime Lizotte are both natives of Maine and have been collaborating since they met in 1999. Lavery studied tailoring at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC while Lizotte attended Massachusetts College of Art & Design and interned at Armani Exchange.
In the summer of 2009 they found themselves both living in Brooklyn and started working on their new label Shape Shiftr, which was a sort of case study about constant change in silhouette and form motivated by geometry.
The two designers like mixing muted colors with outspoken, lush tones and combine the use of wool and cashmeres with light fabrics such as silk. Their pieces look simple from a distance but are super detailed when viewed up-close. Shape Shiftr’s pieces represent the perfect venture into fall/winter dressing.
VIEW MORE \
30 augustus 2010 - MUSIC
Multi-instrumental American musician Sufjan Stevens is working on a new album, which will be released this year. In addition to the news he will be releasing this album called The Age of Adz in October, he dropped a first single for the crowd to download for free. This beat-heavy, sensitive yet strong five-minute-song is called I Walked and makes us curious for more.
This announcement and the free download come as a pleasant surprise, as Stevens just released his EP All Delighted People for digital download last week. Detroit-born, Brooklyn-based Stevens collaborated with his friends from indie rock band The National on their album High Violet. In exchange he was allowed to record in the band’s studio and the band will appear on some tracks of Stevens’ upcoming album.
The Age of Adz will be his first full-length album since 2005’s Illinois. Stevens is known for his obsession with outerspace, supernatural and apocalyptic fantasies, that’s why we’re not surprised by the choice of his title; it refers to the apocalyptic paintings of artist Royal Robertson. He used his artwork for the album cover and as general inspiration for the tone of the album.
Multi-instrumental American musician Sufjan Stevens is working on a new album, which will be released this year. In addition to the news he will be releasing this album called The Age of Adz in October, he dropped a first single for the crowd to download for free. This beat-heavy, sensitive yet strong five-minute-song is called I Walked and makes us curious for more.
This announcement and the free download come as a pleasant surprise, as Stevens just released his EP All Delighted People for digital download last week. Detroit-born, Brooklyn-based Stevens collaborated with his friends from indie rock band The National on their album High Violet. In exchange he was allowed to record in the band’s studio and the band will appear on some tracks of Stevens’ upcoming album.
The Age of Adz will be his first full-length album since 2005’s Illinois. Stevens is known for his obsession with outerspace, supernatural and apocalyptic fantasies, that’s why we’re not surprised by the choice of his title; it refers to the apocalyptic paintings of artist Royal Robertson. He used his artwork for the album cover and as general inspiration for the tone of the album.
27 augustus 2010 - FASHION
These extremely high, grey flannel boots are characteristic for Alexander Wang’s ballsy designs. This 25-year-old American fashion designer was born in San Francisco and made his way up in the fashion scene by creating by one gorgeous collection after another.
Wang launched his first full collection of women’s wear in 2007, which caused an immediate buzz in the fashion scene. After winning a 200.000-dollar prize from CDFA/Vogue Fashion Fund his career took a lift. His edgy, somewhat masculine designs are simple but chic and these amazing, high-heeled boots represent his outstanding taste like no other.
These extremely high, grey flannel boots are characteristic for Alexander Wang’s ballsy designs. This 25-year-old American fashion designer was born in San Francisco and made his way up in the fashion scene by creating by one gorgeous collection after another.
Wang launched his first full collection of women’s wear in 2007, which caused an immediate buzz in the fashion scene. After winning a 200.000-dollar prize from CDFA/Vogue Fashion Fund his career took a lift. His edgy, somewhat masculine designs are simple but chic and these amazing, high-heeled boots represent his outstanding taste like no other.
27 augustus 2010 - MUSIC
Baths is the new project of Los Angeles-based electronic pop producer Will Wiesenfeld. In the past, Wiesenfeld performed under the stage name Geotic. After starting playing music at a very young age, he found his true inspiration in the music of Icelandic singer Björk.
Wiesenfeld combines sounds he plays himself on the guitar, contra bass and viola with electronically produced tunes. He developed a quirky, diverse style that sounds really subtle and ambient. He was taken on by producer Daedelus to play at the L.A. venue Low End Theory and released his debut album Cerulean in 2010.
Baths’ dreamy, sometimes high pitched tunes are a little glo-fi like combined with some soft vocals and drenched in beats that make the room shiver. We like the hazy sound of songs such as Aminals, Maximalist and Heart.
Baths is the new project of Los Angeles-based electronic pop producer Will Wiesenfeld. In the past, Wiesenfeld performed under the stage name Geotic. After starting playing music at a very young age, he found his true inspiration in the music of Icelandic singer Björk.
Wiesenfeld combines sounds he plays himself on the guitar, contra bass and viola with electronically produced tunes. He developed a quirky, diverse style that sounds really subtle and ambient. He was taken on by producer Daedelus to play at the L.A. venue Low End Theory and released his debut album Cerulean in 2010.
Baths’ dreamy, sometimes high pitched tunes are a little glo-fi like combined with some soft vocals and drenched in beats that make the room shiver. We like the hazy sound of songs such as Aminals, Maximalist and Heart.
27 augustus 2010 - MUSIC
This year’s electronic music festival Viral Radio will take place in Amsterdam’s Bimhuis and club Trouw. This cutting-edge event brings a line-up of extraordinary international as well as Dutch acts that host a night of fresh tunes.
Since 2007 Amsterdam-based network Viral Radio became known for hosting events that surprise the city’s party crowd. Every two months, Viral Radio hosts a night of electronic music at Trouw and the crew has organized a radio show at renowned Dutch station 3VOOR12.
During September 3rd's Viral Radio Festival, Bimhuis and Trouw present acts such as Los Angeles-based Ras G, British hyperdub act Darkstar, Gaslamp Killer and Gonja Sufi. Aside from these internationals, Amsterdam’s own Aardvarck, Cinnaman and Juha will perform at club Trouw.
BLEND is allowed to give 2x2 tickets to its loyal readers. Send an email to loes@blend.nl and have a chance at winning free tickets.
This year’s electronic music festival Viral Radio will take place in Amsterdam’s Bimhuis and club Trouw. This cutting-edge event brings a line-up of extraordinary international as well as Dutch acts that host a night of fresh tunes.
Since 2007 Amsterdam-based network Viral Radio became known for hosting events that surprise the city’s party crowd. Every two months, Viral Radio hosts a night of electronic music at Trouw and the crew has organized a radio show at renowned Dutch station 3VOOR12.
During September 3rd's Viral Radio Festival, Bimhuis and Trouw present acts such as Los Angeles-based Ras G, British hyperdub act Darkstar, Gaslamp Killer and Gonja Sufi. Aside from these internationals, Amsterdam’s own Aardvarck, Cinnaman and Juha will perform at club Trouw.
BLEND is allowed to give 2x2 tickets to its loyal readers. Send an email to loes@blend.nl and have a chance at winning free tickets.
27 augustus 2010 - CULTURE
When you’re trying to eat healthy food and at the same time keep an eye on your budget, you’ll probably be cooking at home most of the time. That’s cozy and all, but after a while you will probably experience a lack of inspiration. What to prepare tonight? Well, since there’s more to home-cooking life than those good-old pasta’s, potatoes, ‘experimental’ rice recipes and simple salads, we thought we’d take you by the hand and introduce you to our beloved alternative; Couscous. This North African specialty is healthy and tasty at the same time. Couscous is prepared in an instant and serves as a delicious basis for dishes that contain lamb or vegetable stew.
VIEW RECIPE \
When you’re trying to eat healthy food and at the same time keep an eye on your budget, you’ll probably be cooking at home most of the time. That’s cozy and all, but after a while you will probably experience a lack of inspiration. What to prepare tonight? Well, since there’s more to home-cooking life than those good-old pasta’s, potatoes, ‘experimental’ rice recipes and simple salads, we thought we’d take you by the hand and introduce you to our beloved alternative; Couscous. This North African specialty is healthy and tasty at the same time. Couscous is prepared in an instant and serves as a delicious basis for dishes that contain lamb or vegetable stew.
VIEW RECIPE \
27 augustus 2010 - CULTURE
Classic liqueur brand Grand Marnier came up with a refreshing new drink called Grand Ginger; it contains a blend of oranges & old cognacs mixed with Ginger ale. This combination is a match made in heaven because of Grand Marnier’s soothing taste combined with Ginger ale’s sparkles.
To celebrate the launch of Grand Ginger, illustrator Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman created a unique logo. His design contains the characteristics of Grand Marnier’s logo executed in an extraordinary combination between calligraphy and graffiti, also known as Calligraffiti.
Grand Marnier was founded in 1827 by French ‘bon vivant’ Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle who produced his tasty fruit liqueurs somewhere near the old-school royal sites of Versailles. With this new drink, Grand Marnier took an exciting turn and is ready to embrace the twenty something crowd. To give Grand Ginger a try, put 50 ml Grand Marnier and 150 ml Ginger ale in a long drink glass, add two slices of lime and 5 ice cubes. Stir and enjoy!
Keep an eye on Grand Ginger's Facebook page to attend upcoming pop up parties.
Classic liqueur brand Grand Marnier came up with a refreshing new drink called Grand Ginger; it contains a blend of oranges & old cognacs mixed with Ginger ale. This combination is a match made in heaven because of Grand Marnier’s soothing taste combined with Ginger ale’s sparkles.
To celebrate the launch of Grand Ginger, illustrator Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman created a unique logo. His design contains the characteristics of Grand Marnier’s logo executed in an extraordinary combination between calligraphy and graffiti, also known as Calligraffiti.
Grand Marnier was founded in 1827 by French ‘bon vivant’ Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle who produced his tasty fruit liqueurs somewhere near the old-school royal sites of Versailles. With this new drink, Grand Marnier took an exciting turn and is ready to embrace the twenty something crowd. To give Grand Ginger a try, put 50 ml Grand Marnier and 150 ml Ginger ale in a long drink glass, add two slices of lime and 5 ice cubes. Stir and enjoy!
Keep an eye on Grand Ginger's Facebook page to attend upcoming pop up parties.
31 augustus 2010 - ART
Recently graduated from Kansas City Art Institute, Brian J. Hettler fuses digital images with heavily saturated colors, pop culture and virtual elements. His works are often chaotic, almost disturbingly colorful but definitely create an entirely new image.
Some of Hettler’s pieces are abstracted self-portraits that, according to the artist himself, although he mainly works in digital media, can act as paintings, densely layered, rich in projected surface quality, and built upon the precepts of formalism.
Funny thing is, Hettler draws inspiration from one of Holland’s renowned artists of the past, as he states on his website: ‘I pull inspiration from many places, although in my recent studio practice I have been studying the early paintings of Willem de Kooning and the layering process in which he searched for a resolved and emotionally relevant image.’
VIEW MORE \
Recently graduated from Kansas City Art Institute, Brian J. Hettler fuses digital images with heavily saturated colors, pop culture and virtual elements. His works are often chaotic, almost disturbingly colorful but definitely create an entirely new image.
Some of Hettler’s pieces are abstracted self-portraits that, according to the artist himself, although he mainly works in digital media, can act as paintings, densely layered, rich in projected surface quality, and built upon the precepts of formalism.
Funny thing is, Hettler draws inspiration from one of Holland’s renowned artists of the past, as he states on his website: ‘I pull inspiration from many places, although in my recent studio practice I have been studying the early paintings of Willem de Kooning and the layering process in which he searched for a resolved and emotionally relevant image.’
VIEW MORE \
31 augustus 2010 - FASHION
While Kate Moss called it quits with her design duties at Topshop, another big brand revealed a little bit more about an upcoming collaboration. While rumors about H&M collaborating with Taiwanese haute couture label Shiatzy Chen were still going until a few weeks ago, breaking news hit BLEND’s headquarters. H&M supposedly reached out to top of the bill luxury brand Bottega Veneta for their annual collection of affordable high fashion.
While the Swedish clothing company didn’t make a statement yet, the brand released two videos that reveal some interesting characteristics of the man and female assigned to work on this special line. Their heavily accented voices, clothes and (according to an alert viewer) even their hands bear striking resemblances to those of Tomas Maier and Carolina Herrera. H&M will announce the designer’s names on September 9th.
While Kate Moss called it quits with her design duties at Topshop, another big brand revealed a little bit more about an upcoming collaboration. While rumors about H&M collaborating with Taiwanese haute couture label Shiatzy Chen were still going until a few weeks ago, breaking news hit BLEND’s headquarters. H&M supposedly reached out to top of the bill luxury brand Bottega Veneta for their annual collection of affordable high fashion.
While the Swedish clothing company didn’t make a statement yet, the brand released two videos that reveal some interesting characteristics of the man and female assigned to work on this special line. Their heavily accented voices, clothes and (according to an alert viewer) even their hands bear striking resemblances to those of Tomas Maier and Carolina Herrera. H&M will announce the designer’s names on September 9th.
31 augustus 2010 - MUSIC
This September, American musician George Lewis Jr. will release his debut album called Forget under the name Twin Shadow. With the sound of this record and his quirky style, Twin Shadow is the personification of the Brooklyn-based band hype. Lewis Jr. is right in the middle of the city’s musical epicenter and clearly knows his way around. The lush, romantic sound of his eighties inspired record received just a little bit extra from everything-I-touch-turns-into-gold production wizard Chris Taylor who's also partially responsible for the success of Grizzly Bear's album Veckatimest.
Today’s Tuesday Tune is the album’s stunner called Slow because it makes Twin Shadow’s dark and deep voice, which bears a striking resemblance to that of The Smith’s front man Morrissey, stand out and take you on a ride through his suburban, bedroom-recorded world of Forget.
This September, American musician George Lewis Jr. will release his debut album called Forget under the name Twin Shadow. With the sound of this record and his quirky style, Twin Shadow is the personification of the Brooklyn-based band hype. Lewis Jr. is right in the middle of the city’s musical epicenter and clearly knows his way around. The lush, romantic sound of his eighties inspired record received just a little bit extra from everything-I-touch-turns-into-gold production wizard Chris Taylor who's also partially responsible for the success of Grizzly Bear's album Veckatimest.
Today’s Tuesday Tune is the album’s stunner called Slow because it makes Twin Shadow’s dark and deep voice, which bears a striking resemblance to that of The Smith’s front man Morrissey, stand out and take you on a ride through his suburban, bedroom-recorded world of Forget.