A recent large-scale project by a photographer named JR has focused attention on women - relatives of victims of violence - by displaying their large portraits in one of Rio de Janeiro’s hardest hit neighborhoods. Though Rio is blessed with natural beauty and climate, it still struggles with large disparities between rich and poor, and many of the six million residents reside in hillside slums called favelas.
The project is called 28 Millimetres. More info here
Two cents Matt tucker and I went for a ride thru the city today and he hipped me to this while we were sipping beer from those legendary Turkeys Nest thirsty two ouncers in the park . Thanks Matt for being our first customer, all I need is like 100 more , so I can get knee replacement surgery and get me a new skateboard.
Today I went to check out Dave & Corin’s spiffy new pad on Eastern Pkwy. I like Eastern Parkway. It’s tree lined and has a promenade. Very old world. We had to sit in the dark because The Power company hadn’t come to turn on the power yet. Dave calls to find out when they’re showing up, and the customer service rep insists that indeed, the power had been turned on. Nothing says you’re living in a kafkaesque dystopian nightmare society than sitting in the dark, while a voice on the other end of the phone tells you that you’re not sitting in the dark.
Society isn’t designed to break your spirit, but it’s not designed not to break your spirit either. In fact it’s not designed at all, and that is part of the problem.
This house, on the other hand, is very well designed. Just looking at it makes me happy.
I was going through a few of my old photo files this afternoon and noticed that almost exactly a year ago from today in November of 2007, a bunch of fixed gear riders came over to Tokyo from the States and gathered in my beloved Yoyogi Park. At the time I was there skateboarding in the entrance area of the park like I had done every other day for the last 7 years. The bike riders were in town to celebrate the release of the Mash DVD. It was quite the defining moment in terms of my realisation of the distinct beauty and simplicity of these bikes. In retrospect, even before my eyes could register that day in the park as being significant, my camera was luckily on hand to remind me of it one year later.
To be honest, I was at first a little annoyed at the riders for parking their bikes down so randomly, all the while gradually decreasing my area of skateboarding the more bikes were laid to rest. I remember at one point asking for some of the bikes to be moved, and scoffing into my sleeve (there were too many of them to do it any other way) when I noticed one bike rider trying to skateboard the flat rail that was out for the skateboarders.
The French seem to have a way with the english language when they apply it to music. Especially spoken word. This video rules. Its illustrated by Parra from Holland, and produced by LeLe (aka Antoine DuFour) from France. Wait for the pantone injection at 2:45 that comes with a disco break to boot, “you aint got shit on lunch”. Killer.
