Doug Mills/The New York Times
Interesting article on the man who anticipates Obama's every move, Reggie Love. A former college football/basketball star, he's credited with (among other things) teaching teaching the Senator his 'dirt off ya shoulder' move.
"So I've gotten pretty fond of Jay-Z," Mr. Obama said. "He's broadened my horizons in the hip-hop world."
If you're in Brooklyn tomorrow night, check out Lose Your Shit at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple in Ft Greene. Our man $mall ¢hange has roped in Dego (4hero), The Herbaliser, Escort and more. Highly recommended.
It's always worth a look back at one of the masters of modern graphic design, Herb Lubalin. He was behind Avant Garde magazine in the lates 60s/70s, which spawned the (possibly most overused) typeface of the same name. He also created the controversial Eros magazine, which was short lived.
Together with his lifelong friend and partner Lou Dorfsman, they created the identity and on-air graphics for CBS.
Classic NY style.
... the new night spot "Santos" or 100 Lafayette.. not quite sure. Great space and sound system though. And we were lucky enough to catch the great Alex from Tokyo, one of my favorite DJs to watch!
... these doodle wheatpastes all over downtown. Looks like my left-handed illustrator drawings.
... new CdG wallets at Colette. I'm a sucker for numbers and letters.
One of my favorite new records. Joey Negro's Sunburst Band returns with their second album, "Moving With The Shakers". Hope to get him over here for a live show soon!
Good interview with designer Kim Jones, who's set to launch his first collection for Dunhill.
However, no mention of his rumoured recent deal to design Kanye's new label Pastelle.
My friend Ebon invited me to visit his Intro to Design class final critiques at Lehman College in the Bronx. It was a lot of fun to see kids getting inspired by design, and to be able to give some constructive encouragement.
Ebon does really well with the kids, and is able to relate. After all, he'd be a pretty cool teacher to have.
He studied design at RISD, and used to run with Kevin Lyons. He was also at the forefront of a lot of NYC culture back in the day like Triple 5 Soul, and ended up going over to London to work with Swifty about 5 years before I did the same. In that sense, I've always felt a kinship.
Anyway, it was a great invitation.Teaching seems to have just as much learning potential as being a student. Hopefully I will get the chance to do more of it in the future.
Getting schooled by Chef McMillions. Nice to see Jerry&Amanda aka "Jamanda" in the spot.
Flashing lights.
Our main man Jay Lewis is representing in Seoul, Korea next week for the R16 World B-Boy Championship & Urban Arts Festival... snapping portraits and catching the action.
R16 is a really diverse celebration of hip hop culture, supported by the Korean government. Looks amazing. If you are in the area, be sure to holler at Jay!
Some of Jay's earlier work with the B-Boys.
Had some issues with the link to the radio show this month... apologies if you had trouble downloading.
Please grab it here.
If you are in London next week, check out the Dover Street Market Market, for 2 days only.
Just when you thought Shepard Fairey couldn't possibly get any more press... he might have just made the biggest move of his career. The Washington Post ran a great article about the creation of his Obama posters, and the support he's receiving from the candidate.
Also check this diagram of his process.
With the forthcoming release of this retrospective, comes the sad news that the design agency Work In Progress has formally closed offices. Ezra Petronio and Suzanne Keller, who made up the Paris side of the group, have reformed as Petronio & Associates, and will continue work on their self-published Self Service magazine.
The crew at Purple have also just released a short retrospective.
EU friends Mitch and Mode2 recently took over an East London warehouse space for a party.
Lookin' good.
It's good to have our man Ian back in town, this time for a while. He's working on some cool projects to share soon.
I was eager to introduce him to Bill, another very talented illustrator/designer/artist. We were briefly joined by Bill's friend Willo, who's working with Kanye on his clothing line, etc.
Shouts to Marc Kets for including me in his 'One Hundred Project'. A small Q&A.
Back for another edition of My Favorite Things on Shibuya FM.
Big big thanks to Akihiro for coordinating this effort each month, its been a great ride so far.
This month we have the return of Portishead, new music from Flying Lotus, another cut off the forthcoming Phlash & Friends LP, as well as some web exclusives from legends OC & AG and Atjazz.
DOWNLOAD MFT Radio 7 (MP3, 67Mb)
01/ Radiohead / Nude (Venom's Big Eyed Deerz mix) (CDR)
02/ Flying Lotus / Breathe (Warp)
03/ Mickey Factz feat N.E.R.D. / Don't Be Light (CDR)
04/ OC feat AG / 2 For The Money (CDR) *
05/ Daru Beats / Turn It On (Marc Mac's 4 Hero mix) (CDR)
06/ Erykah Badu / Honey (Seiji mix) (CDR)
07/ Portishead / Nylon Smile (Mercury)
08/ Tone Control / Illusions (Tone Control)
09/ Phlash & Friends / Look At What We've Done (Archive)
10/ Osborne / Ruling (Ghostly)
11/ Alex Finkin & Reverend P / Fight For Love (DJ Fudge mix) (Tejal)
12/ Leroy Burgess / Don't Spoil It (CDR)
13/ Pete Simpson / Coming Back Around (Atjazz Floor Dub) / Papa *
*exclusive to web download
I totally slept on this, but Gilles' recorded a great podcast a few months back with Straight No Chaser father, and one of my biggest inspirations, Paul Bradshaw. Paul (and Swifty) gracefully fielded my pesty letters as a teenager far away in Atlanta, and eventually let me come to London to work there during college. That was over 10 years ago, hard to believe.
Check it out, as Gilles and Paul dig through some of their favorite records and chat about the early days, and whats to come (publishers, holler). This only gives a taste of the depth and breadth of knowledge this man possesses. A true don!
Back in Chicago for a few days...
Did you pick up an XF yet?
The MCA is a great museum, and has an amazing book store. I picked up this well-designed guide on Mies van der Rohe architecture in Chicago, printed in the mid-80s.
I also like the second issue of MAN ABOUT TOWN, a new magazine designed by the folks at Saturday. Great features, art direction, and photography from one of my favorite guys, Solve Sundsbo.
Now, back to the apple.
There's a really interesting article in this weeks New Yorker about one of the most important men behind the scene in the fashion/photography world, Pascal Dangin of Box Studios. Photographers like Craig McDean, Patrick Demarchelier, Marrio Sorrenti, Steven Klein and Philip-Lorca diCorcia won't do anything without this guy.
My favorite quote: "People have an idea about what they don't want but not an idea about what they do."
Sounds familiar.
Ibrahim informed me of the video for Taz and Daedalus' funky endorsement,'Vote Obama'. Lots of cameos from Hollywood elite. The energy seems unstoppable at this point, and after last night it looks like it might be sealed.
Came across some photos from the recent BAPE opening in LA. I've heard some recent stories about the above subject, but DAMN! That belongs to the newest steetwear fan, Serena Williams. Think you can handle that Wonford?
A few weeks ago I discovered the artist Lloyd Schermer, during my visit to the NY Times. After years in publishing and working with lead/wood type, he took to making these typographic sculptures of sorts.
He also makes these nice prints. Just my type of guy.
Two shows worth checking out...
Kevin Lyons presents a show of "printed ephemera and new works" at LA's HVW8 gallery. I've been checking Kevin's work for almost a decade now, from his early work on the NYC music scene in the 90s (he did the Giant Step logo), to his work as the creative director of Urban Outfitters. He's also recently begun a blog on Arkitip, where he outlines his 100 Coolest Dudes ever.
Another talented NYC-based designer, Eric Elms, touches down at Paris's Colette for a solo show this month. Check it out.
Back on the air tomorrow night on 78.4 Shibuya FM in Tokyo.
Lots of good new music, please tune in!
Speaking of these two guys below, yesterdays NY Times Style Magazine has a nice profile on Glenn O'Brien and his wife, Gina Nanni's home away from home. Would be nice.
And I was tipped off to Fabien's new eyewear line (produced in Japan) thanks to my man Bill. Check out Bill's new blog via Black Lodges.
The transfer of power over at Interview Magazine has taken effect as of the May issue. Two of my favorite creative minds, Fabien Baron and Glenn O'Brien, have reclaimed editorial and design direction of the magazine, after both having played significant roles in the 90s. Lookin' good.
The sad new is that Baron has resigned as creative director of French Vogue. Read more here.
My old friend & mentor Swifty is taking it back to the streets. Check a few excerpts from new work on the go, and look out for a NYC exhibition in the near future!
The companion to his latest show, Mode2 drops "Never Too Late", 64 pages of drawings and photos from 1985-present. Available through LAZ.inc.
Massimo Vignelli has revisited his classic 1972 NYC subway map, and its about time.
Men's Vogue is offering his 2008 update in a limited edition of 500, signed by the artist.
