Pure Thinking

Beautiful Losers film

In the early 1990's a loose-knit group of like minded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the "establishment" art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture.

Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories. It speaks to themes of what happens when the outside becomes "in" as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today's youth.

Has anyone seen this film?

The age old debate continues...

Shepard Fairy Vs. The AP

Although this is not breaking news, it is the age old debate of who owns the rights to an image - the photographer who took the image (or in this case the AP who the photographer was working for), or the artist who interpreted the photo and added his own personal touches and emotion to an otherwise bland image.

One could argue that because Fairey has earned some mainstream notoriety over the poster and most likely a substantial amount of monies from his artwork, the AP has just now decided it wants a piece of the pie. The artwork has been around for at least a year and only now has this become news, after Fairey had tried to give credit to the photog in the first place. (Other photograhers have said they thought Fairey had taken the likeness from their photo of the president elect). The AP has sued Fairey over the ordeal stating the work is a copyright infringement. Of course Fairey is claiming that his artwork is protected under the "fair use" doctrine. Click here to read more. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

This is not the first or last time this issue will be debated. It has been discussed multiple times in our own shop when illustrating from a photograph. In this particular case, if the original photo is so inspirational, why not promote it on it's own in a free market for your own monetary gains, if you so choose. But without Shepard Fairey's artistic approach and mainstream noteriety, I beleive this would be a non-issue. What do you think? - Todd

Scraper Bike?

Here is a creative endeavor for you. The Scraper Bike! Don't ask me why they're called this (I have my assumptions), but with over 3 million combined hits on YouTube these Trunk Boiz have hit on something interesting (and hella funny). Maybe it has to do with everyone going green these days, or not. I think I saw one of these made out of our Schwinn cruiser bike that went missing driving by our office. - Todd

Shepard Fairey speaks

Shepard Fairey Interview

From the mean streets as a graffiti artist to winning Presidential campaign artist, Shepard Fairey talks about his influences, inspiration and DIY attitude that got him where he is today. An outlook and attitude that continues to evolve and influence generations to come. - Todd

Big in [X]

It's been a frequent headline on Wooster of late - "JR goes big in [major city]" - and today, it's London. I don't get how he does it. Original here; more pics here.

Pictures of Walls

Pictures of Walls is an  online record of the things people write and draw on walls, all over the world. Some are overdone, some are sucky and sappy and gross, and some are really, really good. That said, there is nothing that annoys me more than inspirational quotes written in bathroom stalls ("Love life!"-- not the time or place, thanks), but you know...freedom of expression and all that.

Via It's Nice That

Doodles in SF

Seattle's Doodles hit SF with this non-trad wheat paste recently - awesome. Check out the rest of this artists work here.

Via Wooster

Yosi & MHGallery

Yosi Sergant is one of the most amazingly talented PR/Pub-types I know. Aside from being one of my most valued contacts for the arty work I do outside of Pure, Yosi is a wonderful person, a crazy-intelligent guy, and was behind the DNC's madly successful Manifest Hope Gallery-- and it shocks me not one bit to know that LA Weekly thought to interview him about the whole thing.

Regardless of your political affiliations, this this is an incredible read and case study on the current climate of campaign event planning and PR; find it here.

dolk & pøbel

There's something extra wonderful about dolk & pøbel's street art in the countryside-- see more of it here.

Via Wooster

Manifest Hope Gallery

Yesterday I attended the press opening for the Manifest Hope Gallery, and it was incredible, inspiring, and packed with the buzzy, vibrant energy that's been indicative of the Obama's campaign since the get-go.

My camera's giving me a crap time uploading pictures, so for now I've only two shots of the work in the gallery. I'm working on getting things in order, but if you're in the area, it's really in your best interest to hit up the gallery yourself-- don't miss this.

2990 Larimer Street // 10am-5pm // Mon-Thurs 

And find anything else you could possibly want to know here.

- Carmel Hagen