Londonist Behind The Lens: Chris Osburn AKA Tiki Chris

Hey! That's me! Very cool, but I'm gonna make you visit the actual Londonist post to see the shots.

Londonist Behind The Lens: Chris Osburn AKA Tiki Chris
By Londonist
Londonist
January 24, 2009

London is (or at least often can be) such a photogenic place. There's just something about it. I mean, for the most part, it's not incredibly beautiful … not like Paris or Barcelona anyway. Nor is London terribly stunning; you really can't compare it to the vertical awe of Manhattan or the mind boggling expanse of, say, Shanghai. However, the story London tells through its streets, landmarks and faces (oh the faces in this town!) is as compelling as any I've ever experienced. The story is one of weathering crises with resolve and engaging the world on its own terms. Through my photography, I hope to share that story with the viewer. Sometimes I think I come close to succeeding.

Read the complete Londonist Behind The Lens post and see the photos at Londonist.

Sickboy: Stay Free (Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art)

One more Sickboy article. Here's a link to some more stuff I wrote about his Stay Free show.

Sickboy: Stay Free
Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art
January 2009

Not content to simply wow exhibition goers with a retrospective of his best street and studio work, prolific London graffiti artist, Sickboy (whom we interviewed back in February 08), saw his recent solo show, Stay Free, as an opportunity to give something back to his fans in the way of offering his massive Stay Free Factory installation as a prize to one lucky exhibition visitor. During the December 4th through 10th run of the Stay Free exhibition, a thousand golden keys were released to the exhibition visitors with the person whose key fit the lock becoming the new owner of the Stay Free Factory (worth an estimated £20,000).

See more pics and read the complete Sickboy: Stay Free review at Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art.

Sweet Toof and Martin Lea Brown at Sartorial Contemporary Art

Double-Bill Sweet Toof/Martin Lea Brown Exhibition at Sartorial Contemporary Art
Chris Osburn
Londonist
December 19, 2008



Both [Sweet Toof and Martin Lea Brown] have the uncanny ability to juxtapose images of violence, illegality and desperation with vivid colours and an exuberance too often avoided in contemporary art (at least in this town). The results provide viewers with an opportunity to ponder societal anxiety and the fragility of cultural norms at a time when such topics truly resonate. In other words, this is cool shit that’s worth ogling. Very zeitgeist-y!

Read the complete Sweet Toof/Martin Lea Brown review at Londonist.

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Sweet Toof & Martin Lea Brown: Double Billing at Sartorial Contemporary Art
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Saturday, 20 December 2008


















More on Sweet Toof & Martin Lea Brown's double billing at Sartorial Contemporary Art at www.sartorialart.com

See all the Sweet Toof & Martin Lea Brown photos at Juxtapoz.

Voscars Winner - Jizz in My Pants

Okay. I wasn't just a Panasonic new talent panelist, but also a judge at the Virgin Mobile Voscars where a bunch of us London bloggers got together and decided on our favourite viral video. Read lots more (than I have time to write at the moment) about the event at one of my fave blogs, Fake Plastic Noodles.

The winner? Jizz in My Pants. Yay!



Here's a list of all the contenders. Mostly hilarious stuff with lots of Obama homages too.

Jizz In My Pants
Diesel’s xXx SFW p0rn x
Cat Man Do
Investing in Wind Energy
BBC BinLaden Tape
Barack Roll
Unexpected Performance
Where the Hell is Matt?
TFL’s Cyclist Awareness
Marmite Breastfeeding Ad
Thriller on the Tube
Berocca Fish
Wassup Obama
Hamster on a Piano
Obama and Ellen
Quicksilver Surfing
Jeans Jumping
Banned Snickers Commercial featuring Mr. T
Manowar
Little Gordon
The Phone Call
Sydney Harbour
Shop at Home Camera
Sneezing Panda
Bike Hero
One-take Thriller
Allah Made Me Funny
Jim Carrey on Ice
Rick Roll
Do the Green Thing

My fave was probably the Diesel’s xXx SFW p0rn x vid. Anyhoo, I had a lot of fun participating and would love to do it again!

Panasonic Next Generation Talent Winner

As mentioned back towards the beginning of this month, I participated as a panelist for the Panasonic Next Generation Talent thing-y. Well, the results are in - along with lots of video footage from the evening. Oh boy.

So ... check this clip if ya wanna see me acting way more important than I ever should:

... and this one to see us panelists pontificating about the winning piece:

And, of course, here's the winner! Cool.

Read more about the Panasonic and New Generation Talent here.

Sickboy - Stay Free

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Stay Free with Street Artist Sickboy (until 10th December)
Chris Osburn
Londonist
December 4, 2008



... prolific street artist Sickboy stepped up to the challenge of wowing London’s jaded art mob with his first major solo exhibition- an exhibition that’s as defiant and provocative as it is fun and vibrant.

Read the complete Stay Free with Street Artist Sickboy review at Londonist.

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Photos: Sick Boy's "Stay Free"
Photography by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Tuesday, 09 December 2008












Stay Free is open to the general public through December 10, 2008 at The Tramshed in Shoreditch, London.

See all the Sick Boy's "Stay Free" photos at Juxtapoz.

Panasonic’s Next Generation Talent Competition

To kick start its campaign for the new Viera Home Hub TV, Panasonic has teamed up with Young Creatives Network to challenge students across the UK to create a film, storyboard or print ad telling the story of the new Panasonic Viera Home Hub TV. Read the brief here.

Among the many entries, six were short listed last night by a panel of “social media, advertising and tech experts,” a panel which for some crazy reason included me. But don’t worry too much because the rest of the panel were super topnotch expert-y peeps:

- Head of Advertising at Panasonic, John Dixon;
- Beri Cheetham, Creative Director for Billington Cartmell;
- Oli Christie, Creative Director at Inbox digital agency;
- Rich Trenholm, reviewer for technology news site CNET;

- Willem van der Horst, digital strategist for Ice Cream 4 Everyone;
- Social media and tech expert Ged Carroll;
- Guillaume Foutry, social media and photographer/design blogger;
- James from advertising and design site Spinning Around;
- Vice Magazine's Alice Judge-Talbot, an alternative culture and trend spotter magazine; and
- Matt Gierhart of advertising and creative sites Josh Spear and mattgierhart.com.

Very cool. Thanks to Panasonic, Young Creatives Network and PR agency onlinefire (hey Melanie!) for including me. As judges, we were given the very fun and somewhat challenging task of choosing the six pieces we deemed worthy of winning £6000 of Panasonic gear and perhaps playing a role in Panasonic's Viera campaign.

But enough about us! Here’s where you come in: The final winner is to be decided by the general public (that means YOU). View all six and vote for your favourite online (and become eligible to win a Panasonic S7 camcorder!). The voting is on now and continues until midnight tomorrow (Wednesday the 10th). The winner will be announced Thursday morning on the Next Generation Talent website.

Barcelona Street Art at Smithfield Gallery in London

(P)review: The Best of Barcelona’s Street Artists at Smithfield Gallery
by Chris Osburn
Londonsit
December 2, 2008



Barcelona XL engages the viewer with a variety of wonderful colours and an array of various styles which somehow work together in the same gallery space exceedingly well with no one artist or piece overshadowing the others. This is one exhibition you shouldn’t miss.

Read the complete Barcelona’s Street Artists at Smithfield Gallery review at Londonist.

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Photos: "BCNXL, Barcelona XL: Homage to Catalonia"
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Friday, 05 December 2008











"I believe these artists have been inspired by the unique political and social culture of Catalonia, which faced many years of repression during the dictatorship of Franco," explains curator Janspivey.

See all thh Barcelona XL photos at Juxtapoz.

Whitley Neill Gin Cocktail Recipes

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR. Can't see the above photos? Click here to view them at Flickr.

As blogged about for Qype does London, Monday was a very fun night out sampling a variety of gin-based cocktails (featuring Whitley Neill gin). What I failed to mention was the night's Whitley Neill Top of the Tree Challenge angle and that it was all ultimately for a good cause. Of course, why should I, when Timinator’s already posted this:

In keeping with gin’s botanical makeup - and the company’s branding - the cocktails had to include only ingredients that come from trees and had to be served in bars that stock Whitley Neill gin. WN are also donating to Tree Aid based on the number of entrants they received.

I guess for me, enjoying a decent cocktail and celebrating the art of mixing a great drink are ends unto themselves. Anyhoo, here are the recipes of my favourite drinks from that evening (as well as info about the bar and bartenders who made these treats):

Lost Cherry
by Roberto De Vivo
Lobby Bar at One Aldwych
One Aldwych, WC2B 4RH

40ml of Whitley Neill15ml Noilly Prat vermouth15ml Maraschino infused with fresh cherriesGlass: MartiniMethod: Pour all ingredients in a shaker and shake well, double strain.
Garnish: 1 x large maraschino cherry at the bottom of the glass.

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Reciprocal Cocktail
by Jay Lambert
Quo Vadis
26-29 Dean Street, W1D 3LL

Ingredients: 30 ml Whitley Neill25 ml Whitley Neill Tincture-Pink peppercorns-Grapefruit Zest-Liquorice10 ml white CacaoCampari (rinse)Glass: Pony/martiniMethod: Stir with ice (except Campari)and strain into a chilled pony glass rinsed with Campari.Twist orange or grapefruit zest over the glass from a height and discard.Garnish: No garnish.

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Tippler's Tree
by Julian de Feral
Bureau
13 Kingly Court, W1B 5PW

Ingredients: 50ml Whitley Neill15ml Giffard Abricot15ml maple syrup20ml lime juice4 dashes chocolate bittersGlass: cocktailMethod: shake and strainGarnish: a chocolate maple leaf.

Herakut in London

Preview: Herakut Airing Their Dirty Laundry in London
Chris Osburn
Londonist
November 28, 2008



... think darkly witty feminine broad strokes (that’s the Hera contribution) emboldened by the thoughtful and masculine touch ups of Akut.

Read the complete Herakut review at Londonist.

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Photos: Herakut's "Dirty Laundry"
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Monday, 01 December 2008












If you can't make it to Convent Garden to see their stunning Dirty Laundry in person, don't worry, we've got all you need in more exhibit photos here.

See all of Herakut's "Dirty Laundry" photos at Juxtapoz.

Good Oil Pizza

Wow. Hat's off to the good folks at Good Oil and their Splendid Communications allies for mastering the follow-up (see more about Good Oil here)! A quick convo about my favourite food (on the spot I said pizza) resulted in a recipe for "Chris's Tiki-Margarita Pizza." That's kinda cool. Sounds pretty yummy and - when I find that elusive free time - I might just be inclined to give it a go!

Elements 8 Rum Cocktails from Montgomery Place

Man oh man. I had a blast roaming round Notting Hill for last night's Rum Do with Elements 8. You can read about the "do" in my write-up for Qype does London. In particular, I was blown away by the yummy cocktails served at Montgomery Place. Here are the recipes of the fantastic drinks designed specifically for us by Montgomery Place's Marian Beke. Awesome.



1. Chestnut Tom & Jerry (10 Portions)
8-10 Eggs (depending on size)
400ml Elements 8 Gold
300ml Cognac
100ml Chestnut Liqueur
4 bar spoons caster sugar
1 Litre full fat milk
4 dashes Cream

Separate egg yolks and whites in to 2 bowls. In one bowl whisk the egg yolks with the caster sugar until foamy. In another bowl whisk the egg whites until frothy. Bring the milk to a boil. In a big bowl mix the milk with the egg yolk mixture. Add Elements 8 Gold, Cognac and Chestnut Liqueur and mix well. Ladle and float the frothy egg white on top.Sprinkle with cloves, cassia bark, nutmeg and shaved bitter chocolateServe from the bowl in to small, preheated ceramic cups / mugs.

2. Molasses Daiquiri
50ml Elements 8 Platinum
1 barspoon molasses
10ml honey water - honey and water mixed 1:1 (easier to do if water is warm)
Fresh lime juice of 1 fresh lime

Stir the molasses with the other ingredients.
Add mixture and 1/2 of the lime in to a shaker and shake hard.
Strain in to a glass and add a large chunk of ice and garnish with the other lime half.

3. Bohemian Negroni
40ml Elements 8 Gold Rum
25ml Becherovka Cordial
25ml Sweet Vermouth
10ml Campari

Mix all ingredients in mixing glass with 3 large ice chunks. Strain in to a glass filled with a lage ice chunk and sprinkle with Campari Dust (Campari that has been dried and changed in to powder form) and an orange zest.

4. St. Lucian Storming
60ml Elements 8 Gold Rum
Juice of half a lime
Ginger beer (Montgomery Place uses home made ginger beer that has been fermented for 3 days using honey water, and is then cooked and blended with spices, though D&G ginger beer may do the trick for home)

Add rum to a silver mug filled with a big chunk of ice. Fill glass with gingerbeer and squeeze lime juice on top. Finish with tiki bitters sprinkled on top and garnish with a mint sprig.

I Want My Mummy (One More Time)!

Just when you thought it was safe to go about your business without having to deal with any more stupid mummies ...







I caught sight of this Sainsbury's employee as I passed by the Fetter Lane Sainsbury's en route to the TrustedPlaces Day of the Dead/Halloween party. It was good to see this mummy making the most of his afterlife and doing his best to be a fully integrated, productive member of society.

Fortnum & Mason Mummy is a Real Sucker!

Thanks to Emiana and our good friend Kimberly for picking up this "Halloween Jelly Pop" mummy for me during a recent excursion at F&M. Made in China and featuring colours E110, E122, E129 and E133 and "flavours" among its many ingredients, the lil dude has a shelf life of almost a whole year. ~Spooky stuff~

The Curse of the Mummy Hand!

Mummies have been spotted roaming the streets of London! Although a few head shots have been taken, these mummies have proven to be extremely elusive. Often all that has been captured digitally are the ghastly, tattered, groping hands of the mummies.

These mummies apparently have a real craving for raclet and jamon serrano ...


... and are in desperate need for some botox treatment!

Be afraid. Be very afraid!!!

Hipster Mummy! NoOooOoooOooooOoooo ...

Accursed mummies roaming Horse Tunnel at Camden Stables Market? Terrifying!



See more brilliant photos (including more mummy shots outside Egyptian-themed Greater London House) at http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandafarah/

Photos: "Burning Candy" & "Remember My Name" in London (Juxtapoz)

Photos: "Burning Candy" & "Remember My Name" in London
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Saturday, 18 October 2008

Both exhibitions run until November 11th, 2008.

See all the "Burning Candy" & "Remember My Name" at Juxtapoz.

The Mummy of Oxford Street Lives!

Lured inside by the Halloween crap in the window of a news agent on Oxford Street ...

... and 85 pence later ...

... instant mummy!


Yay!

"Tiki" Moscow Mule

I've been meaning to write about the London Bloggers Blogology Meetup for ages but have just been too slammed with other stuff. I considered posting about it on my ontoLondon blog (and still might), but figured the content is more Tiki Chris than London-specific. Anyway ...

Impressively, London Blogger Meetup organizer Andy Bargery brought Smirnoff on board to "design a custom cocktail to match the content of everyone's blog." For me, a "Tiki" Moscow Mule was created. I liked it and felt that the folks involved did a fantastic job pairing my blog with a cocktail (obviously, I'm more a rum-based cocktail sort of dude, but I'm not one to turn away bespoke vodka cocktails).


So what's in a "Tiki" Moscow Mule?
- 35ML Smirnoff
- Muddled raspberries and strawberries
- Top with ginger ale
- Garnish with mint
























You can read more about that really fun evening here, here, here and here!

Dan Witz: "Night Paintings" (Juxtapoz)

Dan Witz: "Night Paintings"
Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Chris Osburn
Friday, 10 October 2008

Influenced by Ed Ruscha’s 26 gasoline stations and Joseph Wright of Derby, in these pieces Witz also references older western religious painting, where physical light was a metaphor for spiritual revelation and enlightenment.

See all the Dan Witz: "Night Paintings" at Juxtapoz.