Twan’s List

A Thank You from Forever for LiB

It’s been two weeks since LIB and we can still hardly believe what we got to see and experience and learn under those oak trees. We keep hearing the echoes of beats. We keep seeing flashes of so many radiant smiling faces. We keep feeling the ground shake with the magnificent force of daring minds and dancing feet. We are forever grateful.

It is YOU who helped to make LIB08 a truly life-changing experience, and for this we offer our gratitude not just with words, but with images! Check out the faces on the LIB08 Thank You page, and add your own. ~ Pass it on…

The Lightning in a Bottle
Producers and Crew

Much Lightning in a Bottle Photos and Video to See

Visit the LiB website for a non-stop treat of visual snacks… It’ll make you cry for joy… and eager for next year!

Hey Folks…
I’ve been back three weeks, and attempting to get this album edited and uploaded, in between so many other projects. Let me just introduce it with a few words.

It was an amazing experience (as always). Extremes of many sorts- weather (huge dust storms and heat), wonderful people (a record attendance of 47k!), mind-blowing art (178 installations), music (Underworld, Oakenfold +++), incredible structures (well…I’m gonna let the pictures say the rest).

At the end, we took a brief stopover in Lake Tahoe (showers, fine food and a real bed, oh my!)

Enjoy it here:  Burning Man 2007 

)i(  DAK  )i(

A lovely Alien Faerie Goddess was just one of many wonderful visual treats at the Do Labs Lightning in a Bottle music and arts festival.

Have a look at the latest photo gallery provided by the always great Curious Josh, whose images always seem to capture the very essence of whatever event he’s attending.

Sez Josh:

Hi All!

I’ve finally thrown up my photos from Lightning in a Bottle!

And for those who know Mark Zabala, and Aubrey… pix from their Pajama birthday are up as well.

enjoy!

- Josh

Clicking on the image of the Alien Goddess above will take you directly to Josh’s Lightning in a Bottle 2007 photo gallery. While you’re visiting Josh’s site, have a peek at his other galleries, too. Loads of fun. Just a nice reminder that we have some of the greatest events, the most colorful people, and the best parties right here in L.A. Pretty much all the time!

Thanx again, Josh!

Have a look at Paynie’s photos from the Steam Punks party in downtown Los Angeles, another fine nighttime affair from the HipGenesis crew.

(click the image to see the photo gallery)

Artist Spencer Tunick Photographs
20,000 Naked People in Mexico

Spencer Tunick is well known around the world as the artist/photographer that somehow magically convinces thousands of people to shed their clothing in very public city spaces, like his recent foray to Mexico City:

He aligns everyone to suit his particular human palette for the day:

And finally he arranges them artistically for the photo session:

Spencer Tunick has done this type of thing all over the world (he even did one at Burning Man in 1999), and has been arrested numerous times for indulging in his particular form of artistic expression. Mr. Tunick’s body of work is quite amazing and unique.

And the world’s a better place for it.

Creative Vandalism : Burning Man Art in the City

This might be old news to some, but it’s new news to me: Have a look at what an enterprising vandal (with big balls!) did to the large scale sculpture made by married artists Dan das Mann and Karen Cusolito.

Dan and Karen had constructed the large sculpture to be displayed at the Burning Man Festival in 2005, where it was very well received, as their excellent works of art always are.

Through the efforts of the non-profit arm of Black Rock City, LLC (the corporation that produces Burning Man), The Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF), this work of art, known as “Passage”, has found a home within the city, which is one of the functions of BRAF:

The mission of the Black Rock Arts Foundation is to support and promote community-based interactive art. For our purposes, interactive art means art that generates social participation. The process whereby this art is created, the means by which it is displayed and the character of the work itself should inspire immediate actions that connect people to one another in a larger communal context.

BRAF Mission Statement

So, last year while the many thousands of Burning Man participants were out at Black Rock City enjoying themselves in whatever manner they saw fit, some folks stayed behind and welded some additions to Passage in the city. Here’s an image to give you a little idea of what went down:

Please go to the San Francisco Metroblog, which is where I found this story, for more images and some very enlightening and hilarious commentary by the person who posted it, Violet Blue.

In particular, the comments are insightful as they are hilarious:

“Knowing Dan and Karen, who have a pretty good sense of humor, they would probably not be too upset about this, since it appears that there was no major damage done to the sculpture and the alterations can be easily removed.”

Scott Beale from Laughing Squid

“the bong has been stolen.
THE BONG HAS BEEN STOLEN!”

Violet Blue

“What’s a bong?”

James Barff

Artist Dan das Mann left a comment in very good spirits, as can be expected. The prank was a good one, in this prankster’s opinion…

“Thanks for the interesting addition to the sculpture. Karen and I found it humorous. We appreciate the careful fabrication work required to create and install mom’s pipe and are touched that someone felt so compelled to be a part of the sculpture making process in our absence. We could definitely use your fabrication skills on future projects. Give us a call and keep up the good work!”

Dan das Mann

New Orleans Photos by Paynie

Have a look at Paynie’s excellent photographs from his visits to New Orleans, documenting the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Any purchase will result in a donation being made to the Burners Without Borders organization.

Sez Paynie:

As you fly into New Orleans, it looks normal.

As you drive away from the airport, it looks strange.

When you stop and get out of your car, it’s devastating.

50% of any funds will be donated to Burners Without Borders.

Please help by passing this link around.

Paynie

You are invited to a closing reception of

“Celebrating Cultural Diversity”

a fine art and photography show featuring
the various cultures and styles of LA artists

Coinciding with African American Heritage Month, Cesar Chavez Day, the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival, and St. Patrick’s Day, we embrace and honor the melting pot that is our City of Angels.

Closing reception:

• Friday April 6 2007
• 6-9 pm

The Regent Galleries North and South

• 446 and 450 South Main Street
• Downtown LA

Open Weds. - Fridays 2-6 pm. or by appointment

• Curated by Dale Youngman
• 213-458-3735

Featuring art works by:

• Austin Blasingame
• Stephen J. Brooks
• Carlos Flores
• Ed Fuentes
• Motoko Kamada
• Rick Mendoza
• Suzi Moon
• Angela Ortiz
• Turner Ross
• Jaimee Itagaki

New show opening on Thursday April 12 as part of the Downtown Art Walk

The Comet McNaught just keeps on delivering. Amazing pictures recently from the northern hemisphere, and now after having traveled past the sun, it is visible in the southern hemishphere where beautiful photos are being taken and shared around the world.
Awesome photos from down under… Click the image for more:

Fire by Trick Concepts is pleased to announce it’s first “Fire Photo Contest.”

We will be judging photos based on Fire Performance (a fire performer spinning, wielding, breathing, etc…) which results in the photographic capturing of fire in a unique or unusual way.

Contest winners will be selected by our judging panel: Machina Candeo Fire Performance Company.

Contest ends March 1, 2007.Limit five photo entries per person.

To enter, e-mail your photos to: Scorch@trickconcepts.com. Please include:

1. Full name of person submitting entry
2. Nickname of person submitting photo (if applicable)
3. Full mailing address of person submitting entry (or where you would like your prizes mailed should you win)
4. Telephone number of person submitting entry
5. E-mail address of person submitting entry

Check out our website for more information as well as official rules and regulations.

Prizes:

• First place winner: $200.00 gift certificate redeemable towards Fire by Trick Concepts Merchandise.
• Second place winner: $100.00 gift certificate redeemable towards Fire by Trick Concepts Merchandise.
• Third place winner: $50.00 gift certificate redeemable towards Fire by Trick Concepts Merchandise.

All entries can be viewed online at:
http://fire.trickconcepts.com/photocontestentries.htm

For more information on our judging panel, visit:
Machina Candeo Fire Performance Company.

Special thanks to Machina Candeo Fire Performance Company, and to Fire Performers worldwide who keep the flame alive, always striving to new heights, reaching out to enlighten and educate people about the passion and beauty that is the fire arts… changing people’s lives forever.

-Scorch