Archive for October, 2008

A lot of people ask me if I’m related to Bob K. Well, we have the same last name, but I’m pretty sure we are not related. We’ve met before, but only by postcard. Yes, we exchanged postcards a few years ago and I’m glad we were able to reconnect in such awesome fashion.
Postcards and letters are a lost art and I would go as far as to say that they’ve become ironic. If that word scares you, don’t worry– this is the good kind of irony.
The reason paper mail is so good is it’s the complete opposite of what you’d expect. When I open my mailbox I expect junk or worse– bills. Getting mail is like thinking all of the chocolates are gone, but then realizing the box has two levels, and the choco-legend indicates that all the good stuff is still available.
I really want to send and receive some letters. If you feel the same way, e-mail your address to me here and I’ll send you a letter. I hope that you will return the favour.

A few weeks ago, the National Post featured 40 young Canadian designers, under the age of 40, that are making huge strides in their respective industries. We’re fortunate enough to share our city with a few of these talented and extraordinary individuals, and I thought it was only appropriate that we share the awesomeness of one such individual, on this site.

Loyal Loot Collective “…was formed in 2004, and involves the individual and collaborative works of Doha Chebib, Carmen Douville, Dara Humniski and Anna Thomas.”

Their mission is to create create environmentally friendly objects that can be passed on as heirlooms.

Loyal Loot Collective: Log Bowls by Doha Chebib for CABIN

Loyal Loot Collective is based out of Edmonton, but my friend and colleague, Doha Chebib, lives and works in the lovely city of Calgary. Doha graduated from the U of A’s Industrial Design program in 2004, where she met all of her Loyal Loot comrades. Her Log Bowls design has been featured on Boing Boing Gadgets, Digg.com, and FFFFound.com, and Loyal Loot Collective designs have also been featured in Surface, Azure, Applied Arts Magazine, and Metropolitan Homes .

Loyal Loot’s inspiring and inventive designs have been exhibited in Milan, New York, Stockholm, and Toronto, and select designs can be viewed and purchased at Kit Interior Objects (725 11th Ave. SW) in Calgary, or online at: Good Egg Industries 

Congratulations to Doha, and everyone at Loyal Loot Collective for the national recognition.

You can read the full National Post article here , or learn more about the talented Loyal Loot Collective by visiting their website.

Hello! this is my first post! As some of your may know I’m the nutter behind the Factory Party series of events that have been taking place monthly at Artlife Gallery (1312 1st Street SW). As the organizer I’ve made it my goal to keep offering Calgary’s party animals and art lovers something fresh. The events include Sculptural installations, interactive art, good ‘ol art on the walls type of stuff, music from Calgary’s best DJ’s and Bands (although we brought a wicked band down from Edmonton for the last one) and all other manner of weirdness and art…

Click the photo to see a video I made at the last party on October 24th, I tried to post it here but it won’t let me! Keep your eyes on this page or at my other blog (www.themodernleisure.com) for info on the next one, as we’ve outgrown Artlife and are moving onward and upward to a fresh venue, and are always looking for new faces in the form of guests and/or artists! Enjoy!

Halloween is just around the corner.  I’m sure that most of us can remember a few outrageous, down right dirty, amazing, gnarly, or even awesome costumes now and then.  So when your out an about this upcoming Friday, and you see one of these gems.  Take a picture and send it to me!!!  I’ll post the most memorable (or post them yourself). They can be of you, someone you know, or perhaps a stranger.  Two rules: they have to be from Calgary, and no nudity.  

photosareawesome@gmail.com

(Credit: Werner Berges, Look, 1973, Folie and Rapido
on cardboard, 103 x 73 inches)

If you’re interested in everything from fashion photography to pop art, then this exhibition is for you.

November 28 – February 22, 2009 at the Glenbow Museum (130 — 9 Avenue S.E.)

“This exhibition captures the spark, sex appeal and sensation that was Marilyn Monroe. Through the art of Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Henri Cartier-Bresson and many others, witness the life of America’s favourite sex symbol and one of the world’s most famous and intriguing women.”

If you have the chance, make sure to check this out for yourself.

My first snowboards called the TRAVEL series have just been released. Inspired by going on adventures and traveling the world. + Here’s the “Beginning Of The End” skateboards that just came out. Available at The Source.

Four years ago, Al Besseling moved into the north Calgary community of Cresent Heights. Since then his home has become a neighborhood attraction during certain holiday seasons. At first he decorated his house and yard to release his inner child, but over the last few years he realized the impact it had on members of the community and enjoys the challenge of outdoing the previous holiday display. People come from all over the city to check out and take photos of Al’s elaborate, eye-catching, and interesting displays each Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas. He puts a lot of thought, effort, and time into his creations often ordering supplies from the U.S. that are unavailable in Canada. This year, for Halloween, Al decided to go for a pirate theme, pulling out all the stops as you can see from the photos. Unfortunately, the photos don’t do full justice to how amazing Al’s displays are, so if you have the chance to check out 2nd Ave N.E. it’s pretty hard to miss.

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Well what can I say…this was going to be a show review…but i decided it would just get way too wordy…why waste your precious moments with technical jargon, when I could just get to the point and say that… SOULWAX WAS THE MOST AWESOME SHOW I HAVE EVER SEEN!

Dare I say that ( in my opinion ) they are the most relevant band in the world today.

I could go on all day about their setup, execution, sound, energy, influence…

but the bottom line is…it was incredible.

i think i was quoted as saying last night ” this is like seeing Kraftwerk…only a million times better!” -those were about the only words I (m)uttered… I was to busy being blown away by the whole spectacle.

Thanks to the Hifi Club  & the Warehouse for making that show happen.

Sorry to those who missed it…Hopefully there is a next time.

feel free to add to this “review” in the comments.

ps- my body still hurts

First Post! First Post!

So I’m sure many of you have plans for the wonderful night of scary stuff, but one thing you need to make sure to check out is “STRICTLY WIZINESS”!

Homies from the WZRDS Gang have put a little something something together to put a little 666 in everybodys L7 life.

So go check it out damn it!

Friday October 31st

Starts at 8pm at ARTLIFE (1312 1st. SW)

Calgary’s BON VOYAGE clothing is having a gathering of the pals for an art show + party at ArtLife gallery. Starts on Saturday November 8th at 9PM. ArtLife is located at 1312 – 1st SW. Wine, cheese and relaxation from 9-12pm. Then the gong bangs at midnight and the dance floor erupts until 4AM.

Artists:
Rhianon Bader + Jeff Thorburn + Brock Mitchell + Daniel Curtis + Liam Rodgers + Ted Stenson + Randy Gibson + Brian Curtis + Bronson Gelhorn + Mark Wayselezko + Dangerkat + Keegan Callahan

Music by:

Teddy Celebration + Wax Romeo + Giorgio + Limbz

$5 cover

+

We’ll also be showcasing some of the BV goods at the new Market Collective on November 22nd.