More Daniel Danger

... because he reminds me of Todd Hido.

Daniel Danger

Still have a thing for carnivals.

Daniel Danger

via Ramon de Veyra

Bongoût

I was shooting with Kissa for Preview Magazine today, and we were covering a bunch of pocket galleries. The Department of Avant-Garde Cliches was the last on the list, and it was a long day. Yet I felt a different energy when I entered the gallery, especially after seeing these large silk screened prints tacked to the walls.

These prints are by Anna Hellsgård and Christian Gfeller, who are known collectively and creatively known as Bongoût.

I wish I had known of Bongoût earlier, and I wish I had known that they were here months ago for a silk screening and book making workshop. To make me feel better, the good folks at DAGC sold me this:

Rakenrol

My buddy, Quark Henares, is finally screening the film that is closest to his heart, Rakenrol. It's a film about friendship, love and music - all the things movies are made for.

What's cool is that Quark got all his friends to make posters for the movie's fictional band's gigs. Among the many artists who made posters is the creative powerhouse, and my favorite couple, Arnold and Cynthia Bauzon-Arre.

Arnold's poster:

  

Cynthia's poster:

Anyway Rakenrol is showing in Manila sometime in June, but it will screen first on May 4 at the LA Asian Pacific Festival. Watch the trailer:

More poster art at Quark's Tumblr. And check out Rakenrol's Facebook page.

"Peace At Last In A Future Past"

by Rob Sato

via Ramon

Last Saturday, I did make it to those two album launches. Right after the Us-2 Evil-0 set finished at Mag:Net, I ran over to Saguijo in time to catch the last opening act pack up their gear, right before Musical O's set. A set which I didn't finish by the way. I was dead tired. Ended up in Hap Chan with bad dim sum but great milk tea and chilled taho.

I'm so happy for Us-2 Evil-0. Half of the band are my friends and I am proud. I don't know the Musical O kids, but they should be proud too.

By the way, look at these awesome album art. Both album art were photographed and designed by the brilliant couple at Everywhere We Shoot. You can say all you want about the Philppines. Yeah, the country is a madhouse ran by madpersons. But we make music and art that kicks serious ass. I don't plan on being any where else (except, maybe Hong Kong or New York, and just for short periods of time).

I've had this since last month, so I've been remiss in saying that I enjoyed Zach Lucero's album, Fall Crash Infect.

My friends at Sputnik have been tag teaming me into getting Apol Sta Maria's "Alamat Ng Panget..." Making it to Cubao X last Friday with some actual cash in my wallet, I finally got my copy. (Only 200 bucks and less than 10 copies left!) This crudely drawn collection of crass visual and verbal gags belie the intelligent commentary this comic makes on life and art itself. Ramon De Veyra writes a better review here.

+++

I miss writing entries here compared to the inane little things I post more often at Twitter. It's a bit of mind job how the Internet can actually be used to minimize information by spreading a whole lot of it. The possibilities of the Net is uselessly endless.

I also miss baring my heart online and in public. Haha. I remember when posts in my old blog were just rawer, intense and personal. I miss it, but I don't think I'll ever do that again. A major part is that I really am old...er now. Thirty really isn't the new twenty, no matter how much we package and market it to be. You know why I know that? Because I gave up my old camera backpack and bought the same version but with wheels. (Also, the old camera bag is for sale. Check it out here. End plug.)

Back to the baring of one's heart. I don't think I really miss public and online emotional seppuku. I just miss the fact that I, once upon a time, could.

Christina Dy

I should've plugged this sooner. Or at least earlier than now, right before I leave to attend it.

If you all have time, please drop by SLAB and check out between the sky and sea, an exhibit of drawings by brilliant artist, pole-dancer, and good friend, Christina Dy.

Arnold's book signing

About Martial Law Babies, I once wrote:

While in HK, I brought my copy of Arnold Arre’s Martial Law Babies with me to read. Actually, I started on it the night before my trip, and couldn’t put it down until I was almost midway through. I forced myself to get some sleep, woke up, stuffed it into my suitcase, and got on my flight. First night in HK, trying to get all the food digested before I slept, I finished the graphic novel in one sitting. While doing so, there were times when I laughed out loud, and there were times when I wanted to cry.

Arnold is having a book signing on February 28, 3-6PM at Powerbooks Trinoma. Bring your favorite Arnold Arre graphic novel, meet the guy, get it signed!

sketches

If I remember right, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a sketcher. I didn't know shit about art, but I knew I wanted to draw. I think I started by tracing. Then I'd draw bahay kubos, horses, and soldiers (I think I wanted to be in the infantry). I later found out that my dad could, and still, draw pretty well. They gave me pens and paper and let me have a go at it. As I got older, I drew portraits of US Presidents (Lincoln) and Philippine heroes copied from a series of children's books. I also drew my own comic book heroes and such, and wanted to have my own strip like Hägar The Horrible.

I also used to paint. I also later found out that my dad's lolo was a working painter. But I had no talent or patience to master the medium. It was such a tedious process mixing paints, linseed oil and hardening compounds. I wanted something quick. Which is why I suppose photography is perfect for me. But maybe, for the heck of it, I should start sketching again.

The only reason I thought about this is because I came across the blog of one Rommel Joson, and I think his stuff are awesome.