I judge books by their cover

So, every once in awhile I like going to the Orem Public Library and browsing their Spanish Lit. section. It's a pretty good collection. While browsing, I commit the cardinal sin of bibliophiles, judging books by their covers. So, while at the library this weekend, I found this gem.

How can I resist a cover like this? Ruben Dario, Warhol influence, and skulls.

Besides this, the Spanish editor Tusquets is the master at book covers. Every one is beautiful and piece of art by itself. I can't help but be interested in what's inside. A couple of my favorites are the following...

You know you've made a bad movie when...

it gets worse reviews than Saw VI. Yes, the new bio-epic of Amelia Earhart, Amelia, received worse reviews than the "torture porn" of Saw VI. Read about the damage here and here.

David Choe

Truthfully, I'm not sure how to classify or define David Choe's art. Urban, science fiction, postmodern, fragmented, it doesn't really matter. And besides, I don't feel like I should. But, one thing I am sure of is that his talent is undeniable. He has a unique vision of the world that he shows through his paintings, murals, and sculptures. Check out more of his work here and here.

Fashawn

It's good to see some up and coming West Coast artists. Fashawn is one of them. He has a cool, laid-back flow reminiscent of West Coast rappers of the mid 90's. Definitely, the best artist I've seen coming out of Fresno. His new album Boy Meets World comes out October 20th. In the meantime check out this mixtape he did with the alchemist and these videos.

Win

FRACASO (FAIL)

Banksy vs. Bristol Museum

Banksy invaded the Bristol Museum this summer with an exhibition of many never-before-seen works. The exhibition is entitled Banksy versus Bristol Museum, and Serena Davies describes it as an exhibition in which he has ""remixed" the museum's own collection by putting more than 100 of his own artworks among it – by far the largest Banksy show to date, of work mostly never shown in the UK before." Like his work on the streets, Banksy combines art with life to create a truly unique vision, and daring critique of the world around him.

Read about the exhibit here and here. Below are a couple of videos of the exhibit along with a video of his exhibit in LA from a few years ago.






Banksy in LA

Picasso painting live

I saw these videos yesterday on the wooster collective website, and after watching F for Fake, thought it would be appropriate to put them up. Plus, any reason to put Picasso on my blog is a good one. Enjoy!

Top 50 World Cup Goals

I saw this video this morning and was impressed with the quality, not only of the goals but also the video itself. The best one I've seen. Of course I'm biased, but truthfully, the Maradona goals are the best. The goal of the century is featured at around the 8 minute mark.

Happy Clouds

I saw these videos on urban prankster yesterday and thought that it was a fun and interesting twist on street art. From the website we read that "Stuart Semple released over 2,000 “happy clouds” recently in London. The clouds were made from a mixture of soap, helium, and vegetable dye. They lasted for about 30 minutes before dissolving into the air." Why did he do this? The artist explains in the second video what he did and why.

Lisandro

For Argentina, the most important match of the year is a little over a week away. September 5th, Argentina vs. Brazil, World Cup qualifier. Yesterday, Lisandro Lopez showed why he deserves to be playing next to the likes of Messi and Aguero next week. "Licha" scorched Anderlecht for 3 goals in a dominating effort as Lyon advanced to the Champions League group stage. Read about it here. Watch the highlights below.

It's a Boy!

As of now, I haven't made any blog posts concerning the baby. Most of the people who read my blog also read Beckie's and there can find much more insightful entries about the little one. But, I thought I would just go ahead and put up some pictures of the first ultrasound. Yes, it's a boy. Right away the technician knew. He wasn't being shy at all. I'm excited for this new step in our lives and the future that it holds.

Below are some pictures that Beckie has been nice enough to label for those of us who have a hard time finding physical features in ultrasound images.

The Monster

This is what happened when we forgot to check our zucchini plant for a few days. A two-foot, 8- pound monster. I'm seriously doubting its edibility.

R.I.P. John Hughes

When I think of the 80's cinema John Hughes and his films always come first to my mind. Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty in Pink, National Lampoon's Vacation, and of course, the post-80's classic Home Alone. If anybody is able to define a decade of American cinema it would be Hughes. Read about his passing here.

30 Century Man

Recently released in the US, this documentary on Scott Walker is a glimpse into the fascinating, elusive musical figure. I'm excited to see it.

Website here.

Crude

Saw this trailer today. Check the website here.

The Garden

Those who read Beckie's blog know that we started our gardening adventure this summer and are happy about the results. We planted corn, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, basil, zucchini and some flowers. With exception of the flowers, everything has shown significant progress. We were very happy to see our first tomatoes a couple of weeks ago. We also picked our first pepper this weekend. The lone zucchini plant has quickly taken over a large part of the garden. We've picked over a half-dozen last week alone. We can't keep up. If you'd like some zucchini, please let me know and I would be more than happy to bring you some.

Below, I just put some before and after pictures along with what we picked just a couple of days ago.

BeforeAfter
This weekend's harvest

Film Noir Quiz

I logged off of my email yesterday morning and, to my surprise, on msn there happened to be a short film noir quiz. Thinking myself pretty adept at the genre and seeing that the quiz was only 10 questions, I decided to take it. I rushed through it guessing on a couple and didn't get the score I hoped for, a 7/10. Go ahead and try it yourself.

*Above: Ava Gardner and Burt Lancaster in The Killers (Siodmak)

Ken Sanders Books

This weekend was tiring. I traveled up to Salt Lake not once, but twice to pick up a friend on Saturday and then to visit some family on Sunday. Whenever I go to SLC there are a couple of places I like to go, among them is Sam Weller's bookstore. Truthfully, I have a love-hate relationship with the store. I love the atmosphere and their collection but at the same time, they have a deceivingly small amount of used books. It's hit and miss whenever I go there. On Friday I was very lucky and found a copy of Octavio Paz's biography on Sor Juana for a good price but the last few times I've gone I've come back empty.

Yesterday, while in Salt Lake visiting some family, we made a discovery. Beckie wanted to go to a couple of vintage furniture stores while I decided to check out a bookstore I had never been to before, Ken Sanders Rare Books near 300 S. and 200 E. For some reason, I had passed this place several times but had never gone in. Maybe it was the fact that it had "rare" in the title and I wasn't looking for hard-to-find first editions. So, after entering the building and checking it out for awhile, I was pleasantly surprised. They not only have have a great selection of rare books and first editions, but their used book collection is the best I've seen since visiting the Strand in NYC. Although their Spanish-language selection wasn't great, their philosophy, literature, history, and Hispanic literature (in english) sections were excellent. I picked up a like new copy of Pablo Neruda's memoirs for cheap.


P.S. Ken Sanders is holding their annual July sale on everything in the store. I'm really itching to get back up there soon (during the sale). If anybody would like to come let me know and we could make a short road-trip.

What is Art?

Vhils

I rarely ever remember any of my dreams. The images fade away as quickly as they are formed but still, the ideas remain. Although I don't remember the content of my dreams, most often I remember some kind of feeling or ideal that it invoked. Last night was one of these nights. I vaguely remember random people in my life, including professors and friends, telling me what was true and what wasn't about random things, most of which I don't remember. But, as I woke up, the idea of what art was ingrained into my memory.

Who defines art? What is it? and how can somebody label it as good or bad? These questions seem unanswerable to me. Creation is art. But, is destruction art? So many questions, so few answers. But, as I think about it more, I'm not so sure that I want any. Art is freedom, the ability to create and express oneself and ideals. The idea of confining art within parameters of definition seems like an inhibitor to real creation and expression. Maybe somehow, I like not knowing exactly what art is.

joeblack
picasso
DuchampDamien Hirst
EPOS 257

Snikimminentdisaster

unknown

A Few Mixtapes

Kid Cudi and Cookin' Soul put together this MJ mix the day after Michael's passing. Overall, it's pretty good. Not the best thing I ever heard but still quite fun. Highlights include, "Don't stop 'Til You Get Enough" feat. Jay-Z, and "I Want You Back feat. Lil Wayne". Click here for more info and free download.


Awhile back Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher criticized Glastonbury's decision to have Jay-Z headline the festival. Read about it here. Hov had some fun with it and decided to hit back by playing Oasis songs at the festival. Check it out on youtube. Anyway, as result of this, Cookin' Soul put together "Jayzis" a mixtape of the two performers. Highlights include "Supernova Hello" and "Dec4th Masterplan". Click here to download.


A Weezer/Jay-Z mixtape? I don't really need to say much about this one. It's some crazy stuff. Highlights include "Only In A Moment of Clarity" and "Say It Ain't December 4th". Click here to download.


Quite different from the other mixtapes on this post, this collection of Nas' latest is just a solid collection of some of his recent work. Click here to download.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop" passed away today. The greatest pop star we've ever seen was brilliant, and despite whatever happened to him later in life, his music legacy is undeniable. He even influenced me to dress up with penny loafers, white socks and a vacuum as a microphone and sing "Billie Jean" for family talent shows.

c215

The Road trailer

I'm very excited about this movie. The Road is an amazing novel and I hope it can be translated successfully onto the big-screen.

For those who don't have access to Youtube or want to see the trailer in HD click here.

Scottish Invasion

Two of Scotland's great bands, The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit, are coming to share their musical talents with Salt Lake this September. If all you think of when you think of Scottish music are bagpipes, then do yourself a favor and listen to these two groups. Below are two videos from the musicians.

The Twilight Sad: "And She Would Darken The Memory" from Mark Charlton on Vimeo.

Heads Roll Off @ Yahoo! Video