I (HEART) CRAFT FAIRS

Today and tomorrow from 11AM to 6PM in the basement of the St-Michel Church (Montreal: corner of St. Viateur & St. Urbain) there will be yet another craft fair taking place. Take the ridiculous upcoming holiday as the perfect chance to buy yourself something snazzy to get over the winter blues. Of course, Brazen will be there with the beautiful "Loved" necklace shown above.

REJECTED & BITTER

This past weekend I was introduced to the work of animated cult film animator Don Hertzfeldt. In the spring of 1999, the Family Learning Channel commissioned animator Don Hertzfeldt to produce promotional segments for their network. The cartoons were completed in five weeks. The Family Learning Channel rejected all of them and they were never aired...Rejected is a series of these and other supposedly commissioned advertisements that were rejected immediately upon review. At the end of the film, the entire animated world collapses in upon himself in a sequence that blends traditional animation, stop-motion, and experimental photography. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2000. The short became a massive online viral hit. Don is currently in production on a 6th animated short at his studio Bitter Films productions in Los Angeles.

BLOODY DESIGN

Coming in Spring 2009 from Studio OOOMS is this handmade road kill carpet made from 100% wool. The creative minds behind the Dutch Studio OOOMS are Guido Ooms and Karin van Lieshout. Visit Studio OOOMS to shop or view their other products. A struggle between attraction and repulsion, this cuddly car-flattened, bloody fox is exactly what I’ve always wanted on my floor…no, seriously. It’s awesome!

THE ANNUALS SUCH FUN TOUR CONTEST

The Annuals are playing a gig this Sunday, January 25, 2009 at La Sala Rossa. As part of their tour promotion, you can enter a contest to win passes to museums in the same cities as their tour. Click here to see The Annuals concert dates and enter the contest to win tickets to the MAC in Montreal (Musee d'art Contemporain/ Contemporary Art Museum).

((( MAPMusic )))

At the end of 08’ I became involved with a group called MAPMusic (((Musicians Against Parkinson’s))). Founded by Robbie Tucker in 2007, a musician living with Parkinson’s, this organization aims to educate and raise money in hopes of finding a cure in the near future. While the CDs I designed for MAPMusic are still in print, you can catch a sneak peak by visiting MAPMusic. I’m thrilled I’ve been asked to do some further collaborative work with MAPMusic in 09’.

MUSEUM OF BAD ART [MOBA]

The Museum Of Bad Art (MOBA), a community-based, private institution dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art, was recently brought to my attention by a friend that has way too much free time at the office. MOBA was founded in 1993 and originally housed in the basement of a private home in Boston. Dedham Community Theatre allowed MOBA the use of their basement so their permanent gallery is now conveniently located just outside the men’s room in a 1927 movie theatre. The pieces- some submitted and some found (in garbages)- are catalogued in the MOBA book Museum of Bad Art : Art Too Bad To Be Ignored.

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER

Please excuse the lack of posts these past few weeks. Life has been hectic, but I couldn't miss the opportunity to remind you that the third and last Puces Pop of 2008 will be taking place this weekend! Saturday December 6, in the basement of the St-Michel Church (Montreal: corner of St. Viateur & St. Urbain) there will be a kick ass indie arts & crafts marketplace happening from 11AM to 6PM. Starting at 8 PM there will be a giant bingo party. Why is this installment of Puces called "breakfast for dinner"? All day they will be serving pancakes! Don't miss out on this great opportunity to get some unique gifts for the holidays from local talent.