Monday, December 18, 2006
Auteurs on YouTube
- Part 2
Cinematographer extraordinaire, Christoper Doyle talks about his craft on the streets of Bangkok and Hong Kong PLUS a series of commercials by collaborator Wong Kar Wai over at Girl With a Movie Camera.
- Part 2
Cinematographer extraordinaire, Christoper Doyle talks about his craft on the streets of Bangkok and Hong Kong PLUS a series of commercials by collaborator Wong Kar Wai over at Girl With a Movie Camera.
Labels: Asia, Asian Cinema, Auteurs on YouTube, Film, Wong Kar Wai, YouTube
Monday, August 28, 2006
Tokyo Hectic
This video, found over on William Gibson's blog this morning made me immediately nostalgic for my old Tokyo 'hood.
This video, found over on William Gibson's blog this morning made me immediately nostalgic for my old Tokyo 'hood.
Labels: Asia, Japan, Tuned to a Dead Channel, World at Large, YouTube
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Zen, Kafka and Typography
"For many, including myself, the voice at the start of "The Trees" belongs to Kafka's letters themselves, speaking directly to the reader: "we are like tree trunks in the snow." Picture a field after a recent snowfall."
A beautiful article by Rob Giampietro on the relationship of Zen Buddhism, Franz Kafka and typography over at the newly redesigned Design Observer.
"For many, including myself, the voice at the start of "The Trees" belongs to Kafka's letters themselves, speaking directly to the reader: "we are like tree trunks in the snow." Picture a field after a recent snowfall."
A beautiful article by Rob Giampietro on the relationship of Zen Buddhism, Franz Kafka and typography over at the newly redesigned Design Observer.
Labels: Asia, Design, Literature
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
The Return of Fotologue.jp
Just over a year ago I posted an entry about my experience acquiring a fotologue.jp account for Industrial Brand Creative. As I reported, at that time there was no English whatsoever on the site and one required an invitation in order to join. Almost immediately after our success with acquiring an account, I began receiving emails from people from all over the world asking me how I had done it and could I help them in securing one of their own. Unfortunately, I could not offer them an easy answer.
Recently however, fotologue has launched a new site that is open to the public and has been translated (with typical Japanese accuracy) into English. There are still a few bugs but it also has a number of new features that should make it even more user friendly. At the very least, it offers an aesthetically pleasing alternative to flickr.com of which I have never really been a fan.
And so to commemorate my own new fotologue account, I have posted a few photos from my recent trip to Los Angeles. Enjoy.
Just over a year ago I posted an entry about my experience acquiring a fotologue.jp account for Industrial Brand Creative. As I reported, at that time there was no English whatsoever on the site and one required an invitation in order to join. Almost immediately after our success with acquiring an account, I began receiving emails from people from all over the world asking me how I had done it and could I help them in securing one of their own. Unfortunately, I could not offer them an easy answer.
Recently however, fotologue has launched a new site that is open to the public and has been translated (with typical Japanese accuracy) into English. There are still a few bugs but it also has a number of new features that should make it even more user friendly. At the very least, it offers an aesthetically pleasing alternative to flickr.com of which I have never really been a fan.
And so to commemorate my own new fotologue account, I have posted a few photos from my recent trip to Los Angeles. Enjoy.
Labels: Asia, Collaborators, Industrial Brand Creative, Japan, LA, Photography, Shameless Self Promotion
Monday, April 03, 2006
Eriko Horiki - Washi as Architecture
Washi is a traditional paper made in Japan using fibers from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub, or the paper mulberry but can also be made using bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat. It is everywhere in Japan. But the structures that Eriko Horiki creates with this paper are anything but common or traditional.
From giant glowing installations to smaller organic lamps to the stage art for cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Eriko and her team are reinventing this 1000-year-old craft, by developing advanced production methods that cope with today's architectural and lifestyle demands. The results are magical, inspiring and, it goes without saying, illuminating.
If you are in the Vancouver area, you can find Eriko's work at Kozai Designs at 1515 West 6th Ave.
Washi is a traditional paper made in Japan using fibers from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub, or the paper mulberry but can also be made using bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat. It is everywhere in Japan. But the structures that Eriko Horiki creates with this paper are anything but common or traditional.
From giant glowing installations to smaller organic lamps to the stage art for cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Eriko and her team are reinventing this 1000-year-old craft, by developing advanced production methods that cope with today's architectural and lifestyle demands. The results are magical, inspiring and, it goes without saying, illuminating.
If you are in the Vancouver area, you can find Eriko's work at Kozai Designs at 1515 West 6th Ave.
Labels: Asia, Design, Japan, Vancouver Galleries
Monday, March 13, 2006
Edward Burtynsky's China
My own personal experience has taught me that China is a force to be reckoned with. As it careens forth into this century - a century that most have already conceded that it will dominate - gaining momentum at every turn, one is left to ponder how anyone is going to keep a hold of the reigns.
Edward's Burtynsky's photographs, recently compiled in the book Burtynsky - China, document the harsher side of this burgeoning rise and provide a rare glimpse into the hefty price of progress.
My own personal experience has taught me that China is a force to be reckoned with. As it careens forth into this century - a century that most have already conceded that it will dominate - gaining momentum at every turn, one is left to ponder how anyone is going to keep a hold of the reigns.
Edward's Burtynsky's photographs, recently compiled in the book Burtynsky - China, document the harsher side of this burgeoning rise and provide a rare glimpse into the hefty price of progress.
Labels: Asia, Photography, World at Large
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Gochiso-sama
Friday, September 30, 2005
Sun, Soil and Sincerity
"We like to think of ourselves as winegrowers, not winemakers. We offer the support that is needed for the grapes to develop naturally. We do the same for our students"
COCO Farm and Winery is situated in Ahikaga, about an hour by train outside of Tokyo. Built upon the above philosophy, it provides lodging, care and employment for over 100 adults with mental disabilities ranging from autism to down syndrome. In the process, they produce some highly complex and very tasty wines that are unique to Japan. The winery:s vintner, Bruce Gutlove, originally came to the vineyard 15 years ago with the intention of staying just six months as a consultant and has been there ever since.
Much credit must be given to Gutlove for his experimentation and unorthodox methods seeing as the conditions for wine making in Japan could never be considered ideal. But as one sits back and sips a Kusho grape varietal and takes in the positive energy that emanates from every corner of the vineyard, one cannot help but consider that the quality of the end product is a result of the integrity and compassion that goes into making each bottle.
COCO Farm and Winery is situated in Ahikaga, about an hour by train outside of Tokyo. Built upon the above philosophy, it provides lodging, care and employment for over 100 adults with mental disabilities ranging from autism to down syndrome. In the process, they produce some highly complex and very tasty wines that are unique to Japan. The winery:s vintner, Bruce Gutlove, originally came to the vineyard 15 years ago with the intention of staying just six months as a consultant and has been there ever since.
Much credit must be given to Gutlove for his experimentation and unorthodox methods seeing as the conditions for wine making in Japan could never be considered ideal. But as one sits back and sips a Kusho grape varietal and takes in the positive energy that emanates from every corner of the vineyard, one cannot help but consider that the quality of the end product is a result of the integrity and compassion that goes into making each bottle.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Hysteric Happy and Smile
"Maybe what she was feeling now was what her civics program had called culture shock. She felt like everything, every little detail of Tokyo, was just different enough to create a kind of pressure, something that built up against her eyes, as though they'd grown tired of having to notice all the differences: the little sidewalk tree that was dressed up in a sort of woven basket, the neon-avocado color of a payphone, a serious looking girl with round glasses and a gray sweatshirt that said *free vagina*. She'd been keeping her eyes extra-wide to take all these thing in like they'd be processed eventually, but now her eyes were tired and the differences were starting to back up."
-William Gibson
Idoru
-William Gibson
Idoru
Labels: Asia, Tuned to a Dead Channel
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Sumo Goes Global
This past Sunday saw six time champion yokozuna Asashoryu from Mongolia beat the Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu in a playoff bout to win the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. The number of foreigners in this traditional Japanese sport has been increasing rapidly over the years with 12 of the current 42 wrestlers in the top makuuchi division being non-Japanese. There is even talk of making it an Olympic sport. Interestingly, when you speak to the locals about sumo they respond with a look of indifference, telling you it is an old man`s sport and doesn't have the same appeal as baseball or basketball. As the sport grows more global, it would indeed seem that the only younger people watching the sport are us gaijin.
This past Sunday saw six time champion yokozuna Asashoryu from Mongolia beat the Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu in a playoff bout to win the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. The number of foreigners in this traditional Japanese sport has been increasing rapidly over the years with 12 of the current 42 wrestlers in the top makuuchi division being non-Japanese. There is even talk of making it an Olympic sport. Interestingly, when you speak to the locals about sumo they respond with a look of indifference, telling you it is an old man`s sport and doesn't have the same appeal as baseball or basketball. As the sport grows more global, it would indeed seem that the only younger people watching the sport are us gaijin.
Labels: Asia
Friday, September 16, 2005
Returning to Asia
We are in the final hours before our flight to Beijing. Plans to blog while on the trip are foggy at best. I may try to fire off a few quick impressions of the digital skylines and cybernetic crowds but I will have to see how it all plays out. As a last blog entry, I leave you with photographer Michael Wolf's website, a series of photographs and collected posters that best represent the contents of my dreams over these last days before my imminent departure. Mata ne.
We are in the final hours before our flight to Beijing. Plans to blog while on the trip are foggy at best. I may try to fire off a few quick impressions of the digital skylines and cybernetic crowds but I will have to see how it all plays out. As a last blog entry, I leave you with photographer Michael Wolf's website, a series of photographs and collected posters that best represent the contents of my dreams over these last days before my imminent departure. Mata ne.
Labels: Asia, Travel, World at Large
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Dining out in China
If anyone has any recommendations for restaurants that we should be checking out while in Shanghai, it would be great to hear from you. At the moment, the plan is to check out Cloud Nine for the view at the very least. The other restaurant that caught my eye is Tou Ming Si Kao which looks like something straight out of a Wong Kar Wai movie. As for Beijing, we will probably take most of our meals at the night market. Mmmm...deep fried scorpion.
If anyone has any recommendations for restaurants that we should be checking out while in Shanghai, it would be great to hear from you. At the moment, the plan is to check out Cloud Nine for the view at the very least. The other restaurant that caught my eye is Tou Ming Si Kao which looks like something straight out of a Wong Kar Wai movie. As for Beijing, we will probably take most of our meals at the night market. Mmmm...deep fried scorpion.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
How to Bow
Jane and I are heading to Asia this Friday so we have been busy doing a ton of reading and research not mention brushing up on our etiquette skills. This site, how-to-bow.com is quirky and bizarre and deadly accurate when it comes to Japanese do's and don'ts. (via Coudal)
Jane and I are heading to Asia this Friday so we have been busy doing a ton of reading and research not mention brushing up on our etiquette skills. This site, how-to-bow.com is quirky and bizarre and deadly accurate when it comes to Japanese do's and don'ts. (via Coudal)Labels: Asia
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Wong Kar Wai
Sony Classics has posted a new website for Wong Kar Wai's 2046 designed by Klimate out of New York City. I love the kaleidoscopic transitions between the pages.
I rented 2046 the other night and found it to be exquisite, which is not a word that I generally throw out there to describe anything, but in this case it seems appropriate. It is the third in a trilogy that pays homage to Wong Kar Wai's fascination with Hong Kong in the 1960's. I am inadvertently watching these films in reverse order having rented In the Mood for Love this evening. This is an even better movie than 2046, and now having watched them both, it is curious to observe how one subtly suggests the other and yet each perfectly exists on its own.
These movies have style. It is as though the composition of the shot exists as a supporting character in every scene to such a degree that Wong Kar Wai has been accused by his critics of sacrificing substance in style's pursuit. But there are compelling stories to be had in both films. Both are meditations on love and its various incarnations, ITMFL dealing with desire, deceit and moral restraint; while 2046 focuses on memory, regret and the passage of time.
Both are highly recommended. More info on Wong Kar Wai can be found here.
Sony Classics has posted a new website for Wong Kar Wai's 2046 designed by Klimate out of New York City. I love the kaleidoscopic transitions between the pages.
I rented 2046 the other night and found it to be exquisite, which is not a word that I generally throw out there to describe anything, but in this case it seems appropriate. It is the third in a trilogy that pays homage to Wong Kar Wai's fascination with Hong Kong in the 1960's. I am inadvertently watching these films in reverse order having rented In the Mood for Love this evening. This is an even better movie than 2046, and now having watched them both, it is curious to observe how one subtly suggests the other and yet each perfectly exists on its own.
These movies have style. It is as though the composition of the shot exists as a supporting character in every scene to such a degree that Wong Kar Wai has been accused by his critics of sacrificing substance in style's pursuit. But there are compelling stories to be had in both films. Both are meditations on love and its various incarnations, ITMFL dealing with desire, deceit and moral restraint; while 2046 focuses on memory, regret and the passage of time.
Both are highly recommended. More info on Wong Kar Wai can be found here.
Labels: Asia, Asian Cinema, Film, Wong Kar Wai
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Big in Japan
A couple of months ago, I stumbled upon a photoblog website out of Japan called fotologue.jp. Its clean and dynamic interface far surpassed anything that we had seen in the North American market. It seemed like an excellent B-side for the Industrial Brand Creative website at the very least; a third cornerstone (along with the blog) for our online community at best. So after a number of false starts and emails lost in translation, we were finally invited to register for our own page.
The idea was to create a dynamic online billboard - posting a new photo everyday - that reinforces the IBC brand by using the images that we have made an integral part of the new IBC look but presenting them in a purely aesthetic form. It is soft marketing to be sure, but it introduces us to a new market while at the same time providing an outlet for the artistic side of the company that so often gets lost amidst the case studies and mission statements.
Much thanks to Reiko Nakatsukasa as well as Jennifer Bukloh and Kinya Horikoshi at Photonica and everyone at Amana for getting this launched. Domo arigatou gozaimashita!
A couple of months ago, I stumbled upon a photoblog website out of Japan called fotologue.jp. Its clean and dynamic interface far surpassed anything that we had seen in the North American market. It seemed like an excellent B-side for the Industrial Brand Creative website at the very least; a third cornerstone (along with the blog) for our online community at best. So after a number of false starts and emails lost in translation, we were finally invited to register for our own page. The idea was to create a dynamic online billboard - posting a new photo everyday - that reinforces the IBC brand by using the images that we have made an integral part of the new IBC look but presenting them in a purely aesthetic form. It is soft marketing to be sure, but it introduces us to a new market while at the same time providing an outlet for the artistic side of the company that so often gets lost amidst the case studies and mission statements.
Much thanks to Reiko Nakatsukasa as well as Jennifer Bukloh and Kinya Horikoshi at Photonica and everyone at Amana for getting this launched. Domo arigatou gozaimashita!
Labels: Asia, Collaborators, Industrial Brand Creative, Japan, Photography, Shameless Self Promotion
