Machines That Almost Fall Over

Machines that Almost Fall Over from Michael Kontopoulos on Vimeo.


What doesn't kill you doesn't make you stronger. This exhibit is so fucked up, but somehow strangely peaceful.  Powerful enough to resist the next attack.  Your violent attacks leave me wobbly, but I still stand. This medium demands questioning of how we recover.

Shepard Fairey and Fair Use

While the AP threatened to sue Shepard Fairey for his use of their Obama photo from which he fashioned his iconic Hope painting, his attorney, Anthony Falzone beat them to court. Falzone filed suit against the AP demanding a statement declaring that Fairey's artwork does not infringe on their copyright and, in fact, is protected by the Fair Use Doctrine.

Falzone heads The Fair Use Project at Stanford Law School and probably saw the broader artistic issues at play and jumped at the chance to defend the evolving interpretation of fair use laws. As our perceptions of art continue to evolve, the Fair Use Doctrine is constantly pushed to its limits with judges often making inconsistent rulings. 

Fairey, over the years has been criticized for using  existing political posters and artwork to create his images and has continually blurred the lines between originality and inspiration. While his arrest in Boston outside the Boston Museum of Contemporary Art seems to have backfired, and has only gained Fairey more popularity, one is propelled to question what the fair use of the Fair Use Doctrine is- especially when  an Austin based artist is hit with a cease and desist from Fairey himself for parodying Fairey's classic Obey Image.

Subtext San Diego Grand Opening

Subtext has moved to a larger space at the corner of Kettner and Laurel. Frank Rogozienski had the pleasure of being the first show in the new location as he exhibited his new "Picture a Day" project. He took a photograph everyday for a grand (leap year) total of 366. The opening on Jan. 21st had everything an opening dreams of- wine, a keg of beer, a cool band, and plenty of hipsters contemplating art, life, and their outfits. The show is a must see and is up until February 15th.

Fifty People and One Question

Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Crush + Lovely on Vimeo.
Filmed in Brooklyn, this viral video will make you smile. The question itself is so disarming that people respond in perfect innocence and beautiful honesty. At certain points, its almost as if we have a lens into the very depths of their souls. Absolutely brilliant!

Obey Makes the Smithsonian

Shepherd Fairey, or Obey, as he is known in the artworld, has finally made the big-time. His now iconic Obama image, which was seen much throughout our new President's grassroots campaign, was purchased by The Smithsonian Institue. Odd, however, that Fairey's  anti-establishment artwork has been so readily accepted by the establishment. Has the establishment become anti-establishment? The sheer irony.

Ron English

Ron English, creator of the iconic Obama/Lincoln image, has been extremely busy this past week as seen by these photos of a "liberated billboard" in LA courtesy of our friends at supertouch. This image has become an instant classic, exhibiting at several art shows from San Francisco to Washington DC's latest star-studded Manifest Hope show, curated by the one-time San Diego resident Shepherd Fairey. Fairey's own Obama portrait was just purchased by The Smithsonian Institue where it now hangs.

Will Ryman @Saatchi Gallery in London

This monstrous bed is 26' long and is the latest sculptural installation at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea's art district of London. Will Ryman's lonely and self-indulgent piece is absolutely powerful in its message and medium. I love it, it resonates with me in a very deep place. Either that or it is actually me.