Here's a way to get more bang for your art.

Set up a large, painted sheet of metal. Take aim. Shoot your subject into the surface.

This is what artist Walt Creel does.

He doesn't just use any old subjects, either. He specifically "draws" (heh. puns.) animals that are usually shot for food or sport. Mostly for food, though, or at least that's how it seems to me from what I've seen of his work. Here's one:


Take a look at this article and Creel's website for more information and more pictures.

Yes, each one of those pointillist dots is a bullet hole. A precisely placed bullet hole. The guy is a marksman and a draftsman. Incredible and exquisite.

This exhibit of animals rendered in steel by bullet hole is called "Deweaponizing the Gun". I find it utterly fascinating. His skill both with the gun and with drawing are formidable. I'm actually quite grateful he's considering this act of art "deweaponizing", as I would seriously fear to be on the receiving end of his 'drawing implement'.

The comments that can be inferred from his work are varied. I have my own take. I'm sure it's a bit different from his own take. I love how diverse the reactions can be to this wonderful work.

Thoughts?

taking aim,
rebecca.

 

Labels: art, drawing, nature, rebecca

I've just learned from Helen that the (British) Poetry Society is doing a knitted poem. The Poetry Society has chosen a poem but kept it secret, and folks have volunteered to knit a letter on a square. Then it gets put together into order and will be revealed in October 2009.

Sadly, all the letter squares have been taken, but knitted and crocheted blank squares are needed to fill in around the words. Contact them if you'd like to participate.

I'd also like to point out, especially for any AntiCrafters living in Virginia, that Poked You Too is not just your average tattoo and body piercing parlor, but a gallery and a retail shop for handmade goods.

"As our region continues to encourage artists through the new museum in Roanoke and small independent galleries throughout the area, we wanted to add our own unique style of art to the mix – both through fine art offered by area artists and a retail shop stocked with only handmade goods made from independent artists around the world that simply can’t be found in our area."

So if you're in the area, check them out!

.:Zabet

Labels: art, poetry, tattoo, zabet

Some time ago, I blogged about The Addams Family being made into a musical. There is news on this front.

According to The Associated Press:

"..[T]he show will open April 8 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Previews begin March 4 after a Chicago tryout that starts in mid-November."

"Nathan Lane will play Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth will be Morticia in the production. Also in the cast are Kevin Chamberlin as Uncle Fester, Jackie Hoffman as Grandma and Zachary James as Lurch."

I can only assume the AP means it will open on April 8, 2010, as the article I read was dated July 22, 2009. Way to be specific, journalists!

I have absolutely no permission to use that image, btw. Sorry, Tee & Charles Addams Foundation.

Labels: art, theatre, zabet

I'm an unrepentant geek. That should come as no surprise to any of you. I am probably not alone. These are all good things.

Today is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, an event so impossible and improbable and incredible it is believed by many to be mankind's greatest achievement.

Likewise, because of said impossiblity, improbability, and unbelieveability, it is believed by many on the fringe to have been mankind's (and by "mankind" I mean "Hollywood") most celebrated hoax.

In this possibly singular instance, I am not among the fringe. Though I really like the tv show.

Are you old enough to remember? I'm not. I was just over a year old. It happened sometime after midnight, and my parents woke me up to prop me up in front of the tv (b&w, no remote) so years later I could say I watched the first steps humans took on the moon. There are black and white photos of the tv showing this momentous event (no VCRs or DVRs). I have friends with the same photos, and I have friends who vividly remember the event. One friend can name EVERY astronaut from every Apollo mission, in order, and tonight that friend is having an Apollo party to celebrate the awesomeness of this anniversary. BONUS: (if the weather's clear) a bit after 10pm we'll even get a chance to watch the International Space Station pass overhead.


The mind boggles at the accomplishments we puny humans can reach (footprints on the moon!!!!), especially from my perspective of celebrating ancient handcrafts (drop spindle, frame loom, knotless netting).

So here's where art and science meet.

Alan Bean, an astronaut from the Apollo 14 mission, is now an exhibiting artist. He even found a way to incorporate moon dust into his paintings: he cut apart the patches from his spacesuit and paints them into his works. Works which are really quite awesome. See some HERE. (To help you appreciate the "oooh" factor, moon dust and moon rocks are the most controlled substance in the world.)

I find it inspiring that one so easily assumed to be from a very right-brained (analytical, mathematic) perspective is in fact eloquently left-brained (artistic, lyrical, symbolic). Many of his portraits of the moon use a lot of color, where in reality there is just a dizzying array of grays. It's an elegant interpretation of our nearest neighbor.

I'm always inspired by the impossible, improbable, and the arcane.

Consider how few people have had the opportunity to walk on the surface of another extra-Earth object, and consider how many more (though relative to the world's population, still very few) have been in/are currently in low earth orbit on one of the various space stations (there were 5 successful space stations, several more attempted and planned).

Are you like me: would you like to have been one of those chosen few?

Oh, just go look at Bean's paintings. And then grab a telescope or binoculars and gaze at the next clear night sky. It is vast, profound, and infinitely (pun intended) inspiring.

HERE'S Sternlab's unbelieveably great use of conductive thread used in embroidery. Consider the possibilities!!

If you're not inspired, please check your pulse.

always looking up,
rebecca.

 

Labels: art, rebecca, science

Janis told me that David Malki ! of Wondermark (An Illustrated Jocularity) will be putting out the following adorable tshirts based on this comic sometime now-ish, with online ordering opening up near the end of the month. Go clicky for more info!



In the meanwhile, this adorable crafty shirt IS available:




Also, this made the rounds in 2007, but I hadn't seen it before Deb posted it on The AntiCraft's FB page (thanks, Deb!), so I figured I'd share in case there were other's like me. Who couldn't love Keetra Dixon's blood puddle pillows called The Great Slumber? They are simple but evocative.

Labels: art, want, zabet

I did want to talk about Ed Franklin today, so here we go.

Ed is local to The AntiCraft HQ, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit I had a total crush on him in high school. (In my defense, he had a book on Dalí. What high school boy has a book about Dalí?)

For each day in June, Ed is making a wooden doll and hiding it around downtown. He then posts a pic of the doll with a clue as to its whereabouts. Each doll has a note attached that indicates the game is played with strict rule of Finders, Keepers.



June is coming to an end and I've yet to find one of the little buggers. I can only hope he decides to do it again next year!

See the full gallery of dolls to date on Flickr.

Labels: art, dolls, local, zabet

Here's a feast for your eyes:




Want more? Of course you do. I know this because I was not satisfied seeing just one painting. So click on that underlined bit. It'll transport you in more ways than one.

The artist is Julia Watkins. She calls this dynamic style of painting "Energism", and I'm sure you can figure out why. There's plenty of information about her on her website, so I won't duplicate it.

I'm inspired. I hope it brings light to your day.

inspired, mesmerized, and going back for more,
rebecca.

 

Labels: art, rebecca

For Ariana Page Russell, it's her skin.

Via Jezebel.

Labels: art, zabet

Thanks, Brenda!

Labels: art, video, zabet

Hey Deadlings,

So, I like art that's also functional. I also like board games. I especially like board games if they're bloody wars played out in miniature. How can I combine all these things?

I'm so glad you asked!

Now you can have your game and see it to!

(Ok, ok, I know that was awful, I'm sorry! I just couldn't resist.)

-Anthony

Labels: anthony, art, chess, cool link, want

I can't believe it. I've been waiting for REPO! The Genetic Opera to come out since I first posted about it last February. Rebecca even mentioned it again in November. HOW DID I MISS IT IN THEATERS? HOW?

::weeps a frenzy of weeps::

So if you're an idiot like me, or if you just really liked it, you can now get REPO! The Genetic Opera on DVD.

.:Zabet

Labels: art, cinema, want, zabet

Seriously? I am incompetent with the linking for some reason lately. Materialism link in post below is all fixed now.

By way of apology check out this freaking awesome centipede:



It's the art of Jon Beinart. (From Sage via Craftastrophe.)

Labels: art, cool link, why didn't i think of that?, zabet