Happy Easter
Happy Easter. Now, get to bangin’ because historically speaking, that’s what the holiday is all about.
Yep. That’s a glass alright
Look’n at it from all perspectives. A lot of people see it just as that [Yep. It's a glass alright] and because it doesn’t effect them directly it’s not a social problem, in which that is true. One man’s solution is another man’s problem. But when we stop caring we lose our humanity. All I’m say’n is at least be aware and have a take on it.
Keep It Surreal approves. “There’s a funny [relief] tee in here somewhere..” #KanyeShrug
Color Theory: Quick Reference Sheet for Designers
I found this stumbling. This is a great reference to refer to when designing or creating color pallets and I thought I’d share. I think it’d be cool as a large print out in your room, studio, or wherever your workstation is. There are also color picker / color theory programs available for purchase, however I sometimes use plain ‘ole color wheels, which may seem a little archaic, and other times I use Adobe Kuler.
Simple blends
I’ve been work’n on a fashion show flyer that sent me on a hunt for design inspiration. I always liked the concept that less is more, with that said, I didn’t want to alter the images too much. Blending options, that are sometimes overlooked, doesn’t do much alteration to the image but can take you along way. Simple blends with lower layers does just enough for me. If you really know what you’re doing mixing it with layer masks can take you over the top. Here’s some layouts I found with SIMPLE blending options. Blending options are found on the right in the layers pallet just above your layers.
I’m a big fan of the “A Toast to Pace” design. I’ve had it on my desktop for a while, I’d always go back to just look at it. Jus’ stare at it – it feels so off but still weighs out evenly on all ends
NEC Finals: QU Bobcats x R. Morris
I can’t even express how tight I am. We was suppose to win that game! James Feldeine was going off, the stroke was look’n good for the night [pause], but it wasn’t enough. Rutty, J. Johnson, Twyman – everybody came out to get that NCAA bid. Even the student’s was out there front lining. The student section was more packed than it ever been. I don’t know if I would’ve been more upset if they won and I couldn’t rush the court with the student body or the fact we lost our first home game in the finals. Watch’n Robert Morris players rush the court at the end had me heated. I don’t know what happened in the end though man..
Let’s get it next season fellas!!!
Video: Dir. Tamra Davis Speaks x Sundance
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child” director Tamra Davis talks about the artist’s passion for film, and the second career he wanted to pursue.
Save St. James School
I went out to St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday to demonstrate and rally with current current St. James students and faculty. After all these years, the Archdiocese is CLOSING one of NYC historical Catholic schools!!! We need to show our support & help out – if not 300 CHILDREN WILL BE DISPLACED. As a St. James alumnus, I for one, am truly hurt and will do what I can to help. Anyone out there who can understand the situation – PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!!! A culturally diverse school is being taken over to be transformed into another Transfiguration, which by the way, happens to be filled with 90% of Buddhists.
The 213 students at St. James – which opened in 1854 – are being allowed to attend nearby St. Joseph’s school as part of a merger between both parishes to save money.
The roughly 70 or so parents and teachers were also protesting the closing of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral School on Mott Street in Little Italy, which opened in 1822 and is the oldest Catholic school in the city.
Giulio Cappellini
“The design object must definitely be functional, but above all it must be beautiful and convey a powerful sense of pleasure and irony.”
- Giulio Cappellini
It’s Surreal: Kanye speaks on nostalgia x opinion x creativity
Kanye gets real deep with this one. From where he’s been to where he’s at now, the need have an opinion and the need to create. ‘Ye makes a heart felt address on Alexander McQueen’s contribution to fashion, damn, that was a big blow. The only fact is “COMMON OPINION”.
I’m on the plane listening to the college dropout. It brings back so many memories. When we made it I had all 6 parents, 4 grandparents and my mom and dad. Now I have my dad and my grandfather.
Music is so nostalgic. Every song I listen to brings me back to when I first played them for my mom, when I first played from for Dame, when I first played them Jay, when I first played them for Kweli, when I first played them for my niggas back in Chi, when the album first came out, when I first called Ebro from Hot 97 and begged him to play through the wire, when DJ Pharris blew me up in the Chi.
We used to be the niggas rocking polo shirts, Louie back packs, paper denim jeans, and exclusive Adidas from Sporty LA. We were the underdogs. I never feel like I’m not the underdog. I never felt completely comfortable. I’m tormented by the need to create. With the loss of McQueen I feel like we lost one of those faces of modern creativity’s Mount Rushmore.
There were times that the only thing that kept me on this earth was the need and responsibility to create. Maybe McQueen felt his job was done because his last collection was the greatest of the decade. We are all so hurt. I know we’re selfish because he brought us so much joy and inspiration.
I know how it feels when the night demons come. We can’t let them control our hands and feet. Sometimes when it hurts so bad we have to just lay in the bed. Just lay in bed and don’t move please, I know how it feels. I wish McQueen could have just been still. Don’t let the psychiatrists give you their drugs because it slows down your wings. Society and public opinion can beat the wings off of angels. When god sees they can’t take it anymore he brings them back home.
During this new album process sometimes I turn the music up and drink and cry. When something sounds so amazing and ground breaking I’m reminded of why I live. I drink the pain of now 2 generations and breathe our melodies and messages. The music keeps us alive.
I was blessed with the opportunity to bring my and others dreams to life. It’s like performing magic or something. It’s surreal. We bring the unrealistic to reality. “Go hard, go hard, go hard” echoes in my dreams. When I wake up and brush my teeth and look in the mirror it’s like I see Michael and my mom and Malcolm. Who’s that African in the background mom? Oh he created the original layouts for the pyramids but was written out the history books and his MTV award was given to “aliens”.
There’s no such thing as fact anymore, only opinion. The closest thing we have to fact is “common opinion”. Everything is an opinion. The way you dress is an expression of your opinion. Your religious beliefs are your opinion. The music you turn up loud is your opinion. For most people it’s easier to just agree. For me the hardest thing is to ‘just’ agree and that is what sparks creativity, the feeling that something can be better, the feeling that something’s missing. The feeling that something’s needed.
Same Effort for Chile
An 8.8 earthquake hit just off the coast of Chile early Saturday morning, killing at least 122 people and creating tsunami warnings in more than 50 countries across the Pacific ocean. Thousands are believed to have been left homeless due to the widespread destruction of buildings.
Text Your Support for Chile: Text a donation to Chile through one of several organizations via the Mobile Giving Foundation.
* Text CHILE to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross
* Text CHILE to 23583 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity
* Text CHILE to 20222 to donate $10 to World Vision
* Text CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to the Friends of World Food Program
* Text CHILE to 52000 to donate $10 to the Salvation Army
* Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA
* Text 4CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to Convoy of Hope
* Text CHILE to 864833 to give $10 to the United Way
Still Work’n in Japan
Photos by Thomas A. Crossland
For those unfamiliar with woodblocks, let me briefly explain. First off, it’s a real painstaking process in my opinion. It requires unconditional attention and precision. Woodblock printing is a long and tedious which starts from concept, to paper, to woodblock. It’s the technique for printing text, images, or patterns on wood. It’s a process somewhat similar to “inking a handheld rubber stamp which is then pressed against a blank sheet of paper,” only in this case it involves a complete set of illustrations carved on cherry woodblocks, a separate one required for EACH color used. The inking and actual printing process produces wonderful gradations.
The content of woodblock prints are usually of Fujiwara/Mt. Fuji [wara, Japanese for Mount], the mystifying geisha women of the pleasure quarters, life in Kyoto and/or Edo and chonin, and samurai.
News: Pop-up Design Museum ['n] Boston
Founders Sam Aquillano, Bose Corp. product designer, and Derek Cascio, Philips Color Kinetics designer, were discussing ways to boost the profile of the Massachusetts design community, sketched on the back of a pizza box. These two guys decided to look a organizing a museum in a different way. Because traditional museum hadn’t been an appealing market, Sam and Derek looked into bringing the museum to the public. Design Museum Boston will be separate installations scattered through multiple retail locations. Design Museum is about bringing education in design [animation, print, fashion, architectural, industrial] to the public and that there are designers and there is a design scene in Boston. The New England area and its designers are putting that traditional and colonial essence into the design scene that’s heavily influenced by a ever-changing modern world.
I proposed an idea for the Design Club here at my school to make a trip to Design Museum Boston’s launch party, considering how many designer’s will be there. It’d be a great way to network and build a name in a region different from what you already know.
Design Museum Boston is a non-profit organization with the goal of creating, establishing, and operating virtual and physical design exhibit spaces online, in Boston, and all over New England. These spaces will exhibit design work and host events and programs related to design education.
Design Museum Boston Launch Party
March 16, 2010 7:30 pm
West End Johnnies
138 Portland St.
Boston, MA
Check out Design Museum Boston to R.S.V.P
Hass Grotesk
Helvetica’s creators, Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann, would have never imagined that their sans serif masterpiece could become one of the world’s design classics. “Neue Hass Grotesk”, its original name
Video: How to Make It in America x KiD CuDi
“How to Make It in America follows two enterprising Brooklyn twentysomethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in New York’s competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein (Greenberg) and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam’s cousin Rene (Guzman), who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo (“Kid Cudi”), the burgeoning entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome”.
“How to Make It in America,” HBO’s new dollar and a dream series premieres February 14. I don’t know too much about the film, but a story about struggle, ambition, and determination plotted in Brooklyn, NY gains my attention and anticipation for something exciting.
Teaser after the jump.
Haiti Earthquake Aftermath
I couldn’t fathom the feelings of the Haitian people, I could only sympathize with them. When it all seems hopeless and everything is gone, all I can say is, hold onto your spirit; stay strong and united – that’s what’s going to bring you through these times. My prayers go out to the people in Haiti.
Courtesy of AOL.com. More photos after the jump.
Wyclef Jean & Fugees’ Pras Encourages Earthquake Aid To Haiti
Hip Hop artist Wyclef Jean and Pras is urging people to donate $5 to Jean’s Haitian charity, Yéle Haiti, by texting “YELE” to 501501. (The donation will be automatically charged to your cellphone bill.) His is one of many Haiti earthquake relief efforts underway. Pras says he’d be open to group reuniting for benefit concert.
The Haitian people were still desperately trying to recover from deadly hurricanes that hit 18 months ago before this latest devastating blow to the poorest and least prepared country in our hemisphere. The earthquake, the largest the Caribbean island has seen in more than 200 years, struck around 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday. The epicenter was around 10 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince, which according to reports was largely destroyed by the initial quake and a series of more than 30 aftershocks.
The earthquake was felt in several areas of Jamaica including: Liguanea, Barbican, UWI, Half-Way Tree, Heroes Circle, Kingston/St. Andrew, Seaforth, St. Thomas, Annotto Bay, St. Mary, Hope Bay, Portland. The last historic earthquake to hit Jamaica was June 1692, which sunk then the chief city of Jamaica, Port Royal. Boy!, these are the times and it makes you really think about the global warming issues and 2012. I don’t think 2012 is the end, but global warming is a big issue and should be among our concerns.
A Tsunami Watch was issued at 4:53 p.m. by the Pacific Warning Centre for Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Whilst none was issued for Jamaica, a Tsunami Advisory has been issued for the region.
Summit on the Summit
Lupe Fiasco and others trying to make a change for the better. Gotta thank Kara for finding this article.
CLIMBER BLOG: Lupe Fiasco
WHY I JOINED SOTSK
One of the most utopian and challenging phenomenon of man is the process of trying to realize the ideal. To sculpt the tangible from what is the ether of the mind. It manifests in the artistic mind as a vision and translates in the world via the specific talents of the artist as a song, a painting, a poem, a sculpture, a building, etc. The ambitious among us try and take a crack at it in every category. I think the category that best fits this trek is dance. Expressing oneself through the movement of one’s own body. An inaudible rhythm that silently screams a message to the audience. A public sacrifice of sorts. Putting ones own body directly in the firing line of critics, risking humiliation and to the extreme even creating enemies of friends and friends of strangers. All because of a dance. The steps of this dance in particular are simple enough, one foot in front of the other. The stage is a harsh and meandering, chaotic thing. The cast is a mix of Juilliard graduates, street trained, pop-lock champions and downright hopeless amateurs. The music is all natural thunderclaps and raindrop drumsticks upon cold plastic rooftops. But the message is the real star of the show. The underlying manifesto is one of awe inspiring pageantry fit for carnival in the streets of Brazil or the main drags of New Orleans. It’s classic and new, unchanging but full of progression. Alvin Alley meets The Court Waltz. A “dance macabre” and the unfortunate ones amongst the skeletons are ignorance and complacency. So What’s The Message?!?
Let’s Change The World For The Better.
Inspire a generation to aspire to activate its humanity. Inform the uninformed and more importantly those deemed “uninformable.” An open-ended challenge to this world, and the one that was before it, to dance to the beat of a different drummer. Motivate the wall flowers and the rhythm-less to dominate the middle of the dance hall with uncompromising confidence.
So there you have it. And the most poignant and at the same time the most hopelessly corny wrap I can think of to finish this off is…
May I have this dance?
Source via: Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro
Gett’n Messy
Still work’n guys… I don’t want to ruin the surprise, y’all better like it or at least kill me with your honesty! “He’s better only cause he had better positioning.” I’ma change my position and eat the competition (and no I did not intend to rhyme). It was NICEEE though, right?
Program used, Adobe Illustrator
el fin.
Blakout!
Blakout! – Chad Harris
A little something I ended up work’n on today. This wasn’t the concept I visualized, started with, or even thought to go in this direction, however I began to stick with me as I was work’n on some Clean Mess stuff. Clean Mess? I’ll save that for another article. I digress, nevertheless, the abstract subtleties are specifically placed but they look completely random. I still need to add more work to this project – look out for it.
el fin.
TEN:15 Variant
Chad Harris, Cross Island Parkway, Rear View.
I thought about Starin’ Through my Rear View by Tupac as I looked at this photo. (Lyrics after the jump)
Brief: TEN:15
HOW DID IT START: a small group of people looking for an artistic diversion in the morning.
WHY?: We thought it would be interesting to see what one minute in time looks like in different places. A collection of life, work + play that revolves around 10:15 am.
It’s provided us with an opportunity to take a step back and look at our surroundings differently. Plus it’s always fun to see what other people are doing.
JOIN THE EXPERIMENT: If you have a camera phone or camera on you at 10:15 am, take a photo that shows a random glimpse of your life at that moment and email it in. Include your name, the location, a title for your photo and your website link (if you have one). Thanks for playing!
Bizy.Dreaming@gmail.com
SELF
You are invited to participate in “The Power of Self” an international competition celebrating the vitality of self portraiture. A panel of judges including actor Steve Buscemi, director Chris Weitz, Guggenheim curator Helen Hsu and Flavorpill founder Sascha Lewis will award one artist a package of incredible prizes including six months of free living at The Edge in New York City or $7007 in cash. The most popular portfolio as voted by the public will also receive $1,000 cash. Your images have power. Now is your moment to reveal them to the world.
Submit your work to: ArtistWanted
Landmine Ketchup
“Using a ketchup sachet, we demonstrated the horrific nature of living in a land mine affected country and how much a part of everyday life that horror is. The idea is simple: as you tear open the sachet you also rip through the child’s leg and the ketchup inside pours out like blood.”
Designed by Publicis Mojo.
Chad Harris
Broccoli
Keep It Surreal we can talk about what we want, when we want, how we want. Bloggers keeping it real. Our purpose is to touch on topics from art, design and musiq to life and habitat. We try to give a shining light on all creatives, especially folks with aspirations of growing viral, as well as, already established folk in pop-culture. We’ll use this blog to explore a thing or two. Hopefully you’ll contribute.
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