"I'm all for free expression. But if you're out for a walk, feel the call of nature, and decide to relieve yourself on my doorstep, that is not an act of free expression. I love Salman Rushdie. But if he breaks into my house, eats my food, and uses my iMac to write his next novel, I'm calling the ayatollahs.
Fairey's past as a tagger gives him street cred with the ICA crowd. It must be so cool to be young and hip and edgy. But the people who defend taggers as "artists" have the same mindset as the Manhattan socialites who defended self-described revolutionaries in the 1960s. Tom Wolfe coined a term for these fools: Radical Chic. Those who defend vandals like Shepard Fairey are the New Radical Chic.
Some of Fairey's defenders admire the iconic image of President Obama that Fairey "appropriated" from an Associated Press photograph. But it is more than a little rich that Fairey - who got lugged into Brighton District Court for blowing off an appearance related to tagging charges from nine years ago - is the first guy to go running to the courts when the law suits his interests.
This is the same guy who responded to the AP's claim that it owns the copyright on the Obama photo by hauling the AP into court.
And when some right-wing kook appropriated the Obama image that Fairey had appropriated from the AP, Fairey sicced his lawyers on him.
When you have an exhibit at the ICA, a clothing line, and a bunch of fawning critics hanging on your every word, you're not antiestablishment anymore. The C in ICA doesn't stand for counterculture.
To those who weep for Shepard Fairey, save your tears. He's laughing all the way to the bank.
With the skills he has honed, Fairey is wasting his time as an artist, anyway. He should go where his considerable talent for self-promotion and hypocrisy will be appropriately compensated and appreciated by his peers.
He should run for office.""I'm all for free expression. But if you're out for a walk, feel the call of nature,... more
Barack Obama will be the next president, and the next great human rights champ. He will lead America into a new era of social evolution. In short, the world will be a nicer place to live in.
I'm Becca Ray Dylan, and I founded a new organization called HEADS of Humanity, the Hemp Education and Decriminalization Society. I'm hoping all young or undecided voters, along with the many members of the counterculture, will have a chance to see my video before November 4, 2008.
There will never be a politician to actively support pro-pot legislation until HEADS come together and make some noise. I'm not suggesting Obama is in favor of marijuana legislation, but he will help bring about a political and social environment conducive to this revolutionary new marijuana movement.
VOTE! Go Obama! Barack Obama will be the next president, and the next great human rights champ. He... more
They're just fashion people, doing what fashion people have always done. Don't blame them for the demise of counterculture.They're just fashion people, doing what fashion people have always done. Don't blame... more
If you haven't been to the Makers Faire, plan to go this year. DIY is on the rise, and it's a telling example of course correction spurning from a convenience-based culture where technological advancements replace the struggle of day-to-day task with "ease."
Why build your own clock when you could buy one? Why learn the art of soldering? Hardly necessary, but these skill sets are useful and at risk of being lost in the clutter.
Check out details about the 2008 faire here: http://makerfaire.com/If you haven't been to the Makers Faire, plan to go this year. DIY is on the rise, and... more
Local Filmmaker Wins Top Award at UndergroundfilmMaker Fest
San Francisco’s ‘Super-8 Maestro’ Danny Plotnick tops an eclectic field
San Francisco, February 10 , 2008
A full house braved monsoon conditions to pack the Roxie Theater last week for the UndergroundfilmMaker Festival Screening and Awards ceremony. Winner Danny Plotnick refused to leave the theater without an oversized ‘novelty’ check for his winnings, but finally settled for a bank-sized version from presenting sponsor Seagate Technology and a cocktail reception in his honor at neighboring Dalva.
Mr. Plotnick was among a field of over 400 film artists from 38 countries who faced a grueling selection gauntlet in this festival, which purported to separate the ‘webcam uploaders’ from the serious, committed filmmakers. Participants were required to submit an entire portfolio of films before being admitted in competition, whereupon twelve semi-finalists were chosen for the next round. In round two, filmmakers were required to film a self-interview and were given four weeks to complete an assignment formatted to meet the requirements of media sponsor Current TV.
Portfolio excerpts by five finalists, along with their interviews and assignments were screened for a delighted audience at the Roxie theater. “I have never seen anything like this,” said performance artist Linda Steinberger, “the festival really got you inside the head of these filmmakers.”
Winner Danny Plotnick is a veteran of the underground film scene, having helmed over 40 projects, mostly no-budget affairs shot on Super-8 film. Notwithstanding his relative notoriety and wide exposure, he states that he has “never won anything at a festival.” That streak is now over, and Plotnick looks forward to using the $5,000 Grand Prize for an upcoming film project.
Also awarded were experimental filmmaker Chris Hefner, who received an Honorable Mention for Best Assignment, and animator Nicholas Kallincos, who garnered an Honorable Mention for Best Portfolio. Honorable Mention for Best Interview was selected by the festival audience and was also won by Plotnick.
All five finalists enjoyed pitch sessions with creative executives at Current TV, and some have already agreed to have their festival assignments broadcast. Winner Danny Plotnick, however, has chosen to stay underground. His assignment, “Out of Print,” will debut February 21st, 2008, on Undergroundfilm.com.
About Undergroundfilm
Founded in 1998, UGF is the longest running film site on the web. While the web is inundated with user-generated video sharing sites, UGF has built a library of thousands of high quality short form films, leading Wired Magazine to call it “the place on the web for serious filmmakers.” (May, 2006) UGF partners with these filmmakers to connect them to growing audiences through online and offline distribution alliances, direct marketing, mobile phone partnerships, social networking sites, film festivals and other powerful tools.
Local Filmmaker Wins Top Award at UndergroundfilmMaker Fest
San Francisco’s... more
An ode to the counterculture of the 80s and 90s when unearthing quality culture was a real treasure hunt. Made as part of the Underground Filmmaker Festival. More of my films can be viewed at www.dannyplotnick.com.An ode to the counterculture of the 80s and 90s when unearthing quality culture was a... more
A great insight into how to become a part of what has become one of the biggest counter-cultures of our generation. We've had the Punks, Mods & Rockers, Skinheads, Ravers and now Emo's.
Why not do a little bit of cultural reading about where these sub-cultures come from.
Dick Hebdige's Subculture: The Meaning of Style is a great place to start...
Think of any more good books on this topic then let me know! A great insight into how to become a part of what has become one of the biggest... more
This is a short documentary made entirely from still photos about Edward an aspiring musician who was raised in the Mormon church but is gay.This is a short documentary made entirely from still photos about Edward an aspiring... more
Kate Moss has got a fringe, and she's not the only one. Imogen Fox on autumn's must-have cut It isn't often that Kate Moss and Tess Daly are in tonsorial harmony. But right now, long, blond, eyelash-grazing fringes frame the faces of both Croydon's and Saturday-night TV's finest. They are not alone. Chunky fringes are covering the foreheads of many a celebrity, from the sharply snipped locks of Cheryl Cole, to the soft, long bangs - to use the appropriate LA speak - of Halle Berry, via the frighteningly glossed comb-down of rugby player Gavin Henson.Kate Moss has got a fringe, and she's not the only one. Imogen Fox on autumn's... more
Hi-Fructose is a critically acclaimed under the counter culture art magazine founded by artists Annie Owens and Attaboy. Hi-Fructose showcases an eclectic mix of underground artists, pop surrealists, emerging and rediscovered counter cultures, and awe inspiring spectacles from around the world. Hi-Fructose is a critically acclaimed under the counter culture art magazine founded... more
