2007 Design in the Fast Lane

Greetings and salutations, yesterday the AIGA Houston Chapter hosted the 2007 Design in the Fast Lane. In the Gerald D. Hines Architecture building, over 150 students, young professionals, and educators gathered for a day of lectures, school portfolio exhibition/competition, lunch, and answering the question, "What creates a spark?"

I was let down to find no dog named "sparkie," could you imagine the antics of a St. Bernard wearing a DFL t-shirt and barrel of first aid, roaming around freely and knocking over tables as he pleases? He would also aid those who are in need! I think it would have made it much more successful.

The actual event started bright and early at 8:00 am, students signed-in, grabbed their bag of free stuff, viewed fellow-student work, and made their way to the auditorium. In there they viewed this introduction...note that it was looped and was on a huge projector screen. For your viewing pleasure of those who did not attend the event as well as those who did and totally dig the clip, have at it yo.

2007 Design in the Fast Lane - Introduction

Music: Yo La Tenga "Winter A Go-Go"
Photography: Will Cunningham, Michel Damato,
Miguel Martinez, John Meyer,

After numerous loops of the clip above, the event started with a brief introduction and opening remarks. Christian Helms of The Decoder Ring Design Concern, kicked off the event with the key note speech. Christian shared his story, solutions, and "sparks." (There were no actual "sparks," that we know of, or can measure with the metric system.) If you do not know his studio, work, or who he is check out the DRDC website now! You will dig it and have fun, I promise yo.

2007 Design in the Fast Lane
Decoder Ring Design Concern

for more coverage and images from the event
check out John Meyer's blog and AIGA Houston flickr.

growing resume

Greetings, I apologies that this is not updated as often as I like and that I have yet to put new work up in awhile. Fear not, I came across some new work--in a field that I am new to. What is that you ask? Modeling! I guess watching America's Next Top Model marathons with my girlfriend rubbed off. Thats right I learned and studied their ways--it paid off! I got the cover of the new catalog for The Art Institute of Houston. Notice my off centered positioning of my arm as it rest in my pocket, I studied that timid/chilled poise from the pros. Well enough of this awful rant, I am starting to scare myself. Well below is the cover of myself with fellow intern/friend Allison Ripley, photo credit goes to John Meyer, shot at the Contemporary Arts Museum during the Xaviera Simmons exhibit.

cover of 2007–2008 The Art Institute of Houston Catalog


Some Like It Hot - Marylin Monroe, matchbook record

video - DADADADADADADADADADADADADA

This documentary, The ABCs of DADA, was shown in my high school senior art class randomly one day. It blew my mind, my jaw feel from my skull and I watched with awe and wonder. My narrow-minded peers were annoyed and ignored the video, many slept--how, I am not sure. I never seen anything like this before that monumental day, my instructor wanted to play something to keep us busy while she graded, read, and/or to just keep us quiet. I also would like to add, there was little discussion or lecture over art history, except the more popular movements: Surrealism, Renaissance, Impressionism, PopArt, and anything documented in the World History class. I asked for a copy of the video but forgot my teacher's email address, but thanks to the magic of youtube--we can enjoy the video anytime we wish to stream.

ABCs of DADA part one

ABCs of DADA part two

ABCs of DADA part three

old ass work - part one

I know its been awhile since a post so to make up for lost time, I found two compositions for your viewing pleasure. They were found while digging through piles of work, I am some what of a pack rat. The two pieces were completed over a year ago. They are assemblages using hand and computer generated methods. I am not certain if they will be used in my portfolio, maybe in a new exciting format.

The first composition was used to communicate a news paper article. The article documented the owner of an independent record store in NYC and the decline of success due to the rise of itunes and ipods.
The second project was to create a poster for a DADA exhibit made of a paper-collage and set type that reflects the movement.

artist - Brendan Monroe & Evah Fan

To continue on this streak of non-my work here is a special video tour of the studio of Brendan Monroe and Evah Fan. Their studio is in Evah's converted garage behind her apartment in Berkley, California. The video tour took place just recently, last week on the 4th to be exact. The video tour documents Brendon's final touches of the his show titled, Insides -- which will open this Saturday in Los Angeles at the Richard Heller Gallery. You gotta check out the stomach installation...oh I said too much. Enjoy.



Brendan Monroe
Evah Fan

studio - Aesthetic Apparatus

Curious about the method of silkscreen? Well stop and feed your curiosity as well as your ears!!! Learn how-to silkscreen with Aesthetic Apparatus, the loud, mid-west duo responsible for a boat loads of great award winning posters from many of your favourite or soon to be favourite bands. A short list of their clients include and are not limited to: Barsuk Records, Matador Records, MTV2, Readymade Magazine, and Sub Pop Records. Join Dan and Micheal for a screaming good time as they take you into their studio and show how they do it. Enjoy.

Aesthetic Apparatus

artists - Miranda July

Many may be familiar with Miranda July from the motion picture, where she acted and directed in Me and You and Everyone We Know. Miranda's work extends beyond film, she is also a performance artist and writer. This nicely printed release is titled, No One Belongs Here More Than You, is a collection of 16 short stories that explores various relationships and the pursuit/understanding of love and acceptance. Filled with awkward, hilarious, lonely, naked moments that can only be set up by July. Her original voice introduces you to many individuals you may have walked passed and shares their confessions with immediacy. Miranda made a website to promote the book release and like everything she creates, it is not ordinary but fun.

noonebelongsheremorethanyou.com
Miranda July

stickers - gay support

Hey, the poster that you all love is now available in a mini version ready to show pride and support on any surface deemed suitable for adhesive printed paper. Make your support and intentions known with this fun and informative message.

sticker size: 4" by 5.5"

Industrial Design - Stefano Giovannoni

Meet "Eggie", he aids me during the consumption of hard-boiled eggs. "Eggie" came to me by way of England thanks to my lovely girlfriend. The neat green fellow's proper name is Cico and was designed by Stefano Giovannoni. Stefano is an Industrial Designer and Architect from Italy. Giovannoni's work is used all over the world in households that appreciate and enjoy his aesthetic, functional, modern pieces. Alberto Alessi, general manager of Alessi (huge Italian Housewares Design company), comments from a lecture in 2001 (stefanogiovanni.it) that Stefano's work captures "the playful, boldly expressive approach" and "neominimalistic approach that leans toward simplicity and the pursuit of the essential, using a kind of language that is abstract." Giovannoni also teaches and researches in the Florence Faculty of Architecture, at Domus Academy in Milan and at the University del Progetto in Reggio Emilia. Stefano's website is full of work, information, as well as links to purchase the products.

Stefano Giovannoni