The Bench

IZ THE WIZ - RIP

2009-06-28T22:10:00.002-09:00

on US freight trains

Michael Jackson RIP - Zagreb, Croatia

2009-06-28T22:08:00.001-09:00

By YCP crew, Zagreb, Croatia

Michael Jackson RIP - Holland

2009-06-28T21:53:00.004-09:00

I was born as a son of a preacher. My dad was from 1922, my mom from 1936. I was an only child and I am 29 years old. I was brought up with classial music. Bach, Mozart, Handel etc. were ruling at our house, no popmusic/disco/whatever at all.

On new year's eve 1987/88 (or was it a year later?) I was first allowed to stay up until late. My nephews were watching TV. I walked into the room and sat down, and there he was. Singing "Smooth Criminal", dancing like there ain't no tommorow in his white suit ... . I was stunned. I still remember it clearly. And let me tell you, I don't remember so many things because of all the fumes I inhaled during my years as a graffiti writer. My life was changed forever, and I went off the classical bandwagon and got on the popwagon. Soon after that disco followed, then came hiphop, etc., etc. My life had changed drastically.

I decided to paint this for Michael, because it's the way I remember him. I never paint characters that way, but to hell with it, this was a special occasion.

May he rest in peace.

(Sent anonymously, from The Netherlands)

Michael Jackson, RIP

2009-06-25T15:04:00.002-09:00

The news is reporting he died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, but it's still a bit early to be sure how and why he died so young.

Tragic in life, tragic in death, King of Pop, RIP.

Banksy at Bristol Museum

2009-06-25T09:23:00.001-09:00

Don't miss the "pictures" slide show link.

The science of anger management

2009-06-24T14:04:00.002-09:00

How to keep your body from hijacking your brain when you most need it.

The Free Sound Project

2009-06-22T19:55:00.003-09:00

Just make a username and password and you can download any of their free, Creative Commons licensed audio samples. You can also upload yours. A community project that focuses on sounds, not music.

The Freesound Project aims to create a huge collaborative database of audio snippets, samples, recordings, bleeps, ... released under the Creative Commons Sampling Plus License. The Freesound Project provides new and interesting ways of accessing these samples, allowing users to

-browse the sounds in new ways using keywords, a "sounds-like" type of browsing and more
-up and download sounds to and from the database, under the same creative commons license
-interact with fellow sound-artists!

We also aim to create an open database of sounds that can also be used for scientific research. Many audio research institutions have trouble finding correctly licensed audio to test their algorithms. Many have voiced this problem, but so far there hasn't been a solution.

IZ THE WIZ obituary

2009-06-20T18:47:00.001-09:00

Thanks to Pink Smith for sending this in.

Invader and WK Interact this summer at Jonathan Levine Gallery, NY

2009-06-20T18:34:00.003-09:00

Invader is back in the States, so if you're in NYC, keep looking up.

TOP 10
by extermitent

JLG shows some interesting art ... the upcoming Houser and Dalek shows for example.

Jonathan LeVine Gallery | 529 West 20th Street, 9th Floor | New York, NY 10011 | Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 6pm | 212-243-3822

IZ THE WIZ candlelight memorial tonight in NYC

2009-06-18T10:30:00.003-09:00

The flyer for the event reproduces a magazine article from 1998 in which IZ explains his illness and warns against the dangers of spray paint.

Thanks IZ.

Wear those respirators, kids.

Haven Arts Gallery, 7-10 pm ... bring a candle.

50 Bruckner Blvd, Bldg A
Bronx NY 10454
+1 718.585.5753

Susan

IZ photos by Steam

2009-06-18T09:29:00.001-09:00

Steam156 has published some of his extensive photo collection, this time of IZ THE WIZ shots, in memory of the King.

Thanks, Steam!

RIP - IZ THE WIZ

2009-06-18T08:28:00.004-09:00

IZ THE WIZ left this Earth June 17, 2009.

He will be missed forever, yet hIs legend lives on.

His work is still on view at Tuff City Tattoo in the Bronx, but it's no longer for sale.

Memorial activities will be private, for close friends and family.

Sincere condolences to those he leaves behind.

Cap chairs

2009-06-17T20:56:00.002-09:00

Yep, it's exactly what it sounds like, in two styles, by Sander van Heukelom,

Thanks to Ralf for the tip!

(No pun intended.)

Tehran, Iran - Riots in the streets over suspicious election results

2009-06-13T19:02:00.002-09:00

Most Internet and mobile services have reportedly been cut off by the authorities.

What an exciting time for Iran. Let's hope democracy prevails.

--

1000th post.

Thanks for reading!

"Socially dangerous behavior"

2009-06-13T08:52:00.008-09:00

Here's an interesting story of an artist - Artem Loskutov - the Russian government is afraid of. The blog describes other recent clashes between artists and police there. On June 10 Artem was released until trial.

The interesting thing is not really that these particular events have happened (it's been the same story for thousands of years), but that once again young artists are openly challenging the controlling regime (and its police force) in Russia. Governments always get nervous about people who can generate a mob in the street no matter the reason. "Socially dangerous" means you can change people's minds.

Spreading the news of their struggle is essential to keeping artists safe when they embark on such dangerous missions as these. Oppression works best when it's a well-known secret rather than when it's embarrassing international news. Artists inside Russia are at more risk, so artists outside Russia should support them in their efforts.

Free spray and splatter Photoshop brushes

2009-05-02T09:06:00.003-09:00

Digital painting has come a long way, but it can be too perfect. Now you can make more of a mess if you want.

Tips:

Photoshop and Painter are both used for digital painting, but they are very expensive unless you buy the student versions (campus bookstores usually carry these).

Downloading random copies of Photoshop, etc. can be very dangerous for your computer security because pirated software is a popular vector for computer malware (viruses, trojans, back doors).

Photoshop brushes might work with software you already have.

Rockstar energy drinks - just say no

2009-04-29T13:03:00.003-09:00

Where to get good information about swine flu

2009-04-27T08:23:00.003-09:00

There is reason to be concerned, but there are a lot of ignorant people talking online about the flu outbreak. Here are some primary sources for scientific information.

The main reason this flu is different is that it seems to be killing a higher percentage of those infected, and it seems to be killing strong people in the prime of life. If that turns out to be the case, these are pandemic signs and we cannot ignore them. The good news is that some of our antiviral meds are effective, so if you or your children become ill, seek medical attention immediately. Avoid contact with sick people.

Mexico has closed all of its schools until the danger passes.

The main thing we can do to make ourselves safer is to buy and store extra food (and pet food) so that we can avoid contact with other people if a wave of sickness comes to our cities.

http://twitter.com/CDCemergency

http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/swine-flu/

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/

http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/

Google maps of swine flu cases

Hubble telescope: wallpaper from our galaxy and beyond

2009-04-25T16:40:00.003-09:00

I met someone the other day who had not seen pictures of the galaxies we can see (so far) with our telescopes. Go look, even if you have seen them. Where we live is actually very BIG and the piece of it we're most concerned with is so small. Some days it helps to have the perspective. I'm going to put a nebula on my desktop to remind me, because I can.

Chaka, from graffiti to gallery -

2009-04-24T19:11:00.002-09:00

by - Mike Boehm, LA Times

Chaka's current show in LA, what he's been struggling with since his series of high-profile arrests.

Tats Cru x Obama x Won ABC

2009-04-23T22:29:00.002-09:00

Video roundup

2009-04-23T22:04:00.002-09:00

Paris Graffiti Artists (JonOne) -- CBS Sunday Morning 4/5/09 (via Denz)

Faith47-The Cape Of Good Hope with music by Inge Beckmann, from Rowan on Vimeo.

Kaws

Graffiti Boss OBS Crew Hamburg Germany

Verbo

2009-04-23T20:46:00.002-09:00

Verbo's been doing some interesting high-tech projects.

How and Nosm

2009-04-23T20:22:00.002-09:00

How and Nosm have a new website!

Belfast Peace Line Wall

2009-04-21T23:40:00.001-09:00

An amazing project in a troubled place.