Takanye Murakawest

As if Godzilla reemerged from a hip-hop art gallery, in walks Takanye Murakawest!!! *insert thunder and lightning here* The hype surrounding West’s 3rd album, “Graduation” has been over the top. Particularly the “feud” between him and Fiddy but we all know it’s a publicity stunt for both their releases. Anyhoo … AllHipHop.com has a rather informative (and hilarious) preview on West’s upcoming album. Check it out. [EP]

Oh My Wonder!

FREE JENA-6!!!

Even in the year 2007, such blatant racism still exists. FREE JENA 6! If you haven’t heard this case, please please spread the word. There are 6 African American high school students awaiting trial for “2nd degree murder” and life in prison for beating up a white student. This incident stemmed from months of racial tension in a small town of Jena, Louisianna whos population is 85% white. The local high school had a tree in their student courtyard where white students would congregate during lunch. One black student asked a school administrator if he too could sit under this tree. The school administrator said “Yes” and so the black student went and sat under the tree. The next day, there were 3 nooses hanging from the tree, a clearly racist “prank”. The group of white students who did this prank were caught and were reprimanded but no actions were taken. Since this prank, the school experienced much racial tension with bouts of school yard fights which led to this. The unbelievable thing is the jury called for this case is all white and the judge presiding over the trail is white. A life-long prison sentence for 6 high school students all UNDER the age of 18 for a school yard fight instigated by racist motivation??? “Some days, honey, I wish I could turn myself into one big fist and grind this miserable country to powder.” – James Baldwin. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD! FREE JENA 6 and SIGN THE PETITION!!! [GR]

Art Chant …

Seattle-born, Tacoma-bred graphic designer Art Chantry may well be known as one of the great graphic artists since Warhol. His signature, low-fi, DIY aesthetics have laid countless album covers for such Pacific Northwest rock bands as Nirvana, Hole, Soundgarden, etc. He’s also done old theater posters for various events, particularly the infamous Hempfest. His work has been featured in MoMa, Smithsonian and a huge 300+ piece retrospective at PS-1 in NY. God bless the days of non-computerized graphic designs. [EP]

Remember Segregation

www.remembersegregation.org was just awarded “Site of the Year” by Macromedia Flash. Designed by Portland, OR design firm Plazm, the website is a true test of what it is to be a “colored” in America. Remembering Segregation, even during the age of the internet, is still a powerful piece of this country’s history that we can never forget. MLKjr Peace! Just a sidenote: the last picture is a KKK rally in Homestead, FL circa. 1938 … too close for comfort. [EP]

The Bicycle Thief

The Bicycle Thief, the classic 1948 Italian film directed by Vittorio DeSica, list among the top in film masterpieces. A heartbreakingly simple story set amidst the rubble of war-ravaged Rome: a man and his son desperately comb the city streets for a stolen bicycle. The film is an ode to the everyday struggle, that fifty years later, still rings truth and beauty. [EP]

Jenny Holzer

Jenny Holzer is most known for her work in LED lights. Particularly her “Truism” series, a compilation of statements and aphorisms (“truisms”) which has been publicised in a variety of ways: listed on street posters, in telephone booths, and even, in 1982, on one of Times Square’s gigantic LED billboards. Her recent efforts bring her famed truisms to building facades across London. (see image below) Presented as part of the Barbican’s Beckett Centenary Festival, celebrating the hundredth anniversary of Irish poet Samuel Beckett’s birthday (April 13), the light projections will feature words drawn from the writings of Beckett and others. Find out more about Jenny Holzer in GRLog’s The Gallery Section. [EP]

Shoes Make the Man

Check out this amazing 10 minute documentary on how Nikes rule the world. “You can be bummy from head to ankle but your feet – they gotta be fresh.” – Datwon Thomas

Common Come On!

As if you wanna see it … for those who missed it … I’m sorry. More vids from Aug 4th in the EVENTS section. [GR]

Dance the night away

Yes we know it’s still 8 months away but without a doubt, WMC’08 will be upon us in a blink of an eye. Our friends at Flavorpill devised this quirky-quick video-mentary on what one expects from a week-long debauched excursion through electronica eventica on the sandy shores of Miami Beach. Heaven only knows what 2008 will bring. [EP]