"Souled Out" at Leonard Street Gallery, London (Juxtapoz)

"Souled Out" at Leonard Street Gallery, London
by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Friday, 29 February 2008












The show, which takes its title from the name of Beejoir's Bangkok studio, takes a fresh look at Beejoir's latest imaginative conceptions "alongside fellow artists whom share the same desire of presenting profound visuals that both allure and confront the viewer."

Click here for complete post.

Aquarela do Brasil - Joao Gilberto

... better than silence, only Joao.
- Caetano Veloso

David Choe at Lazarides in London (Juxtapoz)

David Choe at Lazarides Galleries, London and Newcastle
by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Friday, 29 February 2008










... a kaleidoscope of watercolors, acrylics, spray paint, ink pen, pencils and oils portray threatening über-babes and depict explosive scenes of ultra-violence with their daunting consequences.

Click here for complete post.

Banksy, Bloggers, Videos (February 29, 2008)

London Daily Photo: Caffeine, Photography by Chris Osburn © 2008

Banksy, Bloggers, Videos

Okay. This week, I met up with some fellow London bloggers at The Camel and Artichoke pub and had the wherewithal to bring my video camera. Check it! I exhibited the same wherewithal at the press preview for a show of works by Banksy at Andipa Gallery. There's a bunch more little things here and there. So, I recommend rooting around Tiki Chris land to see for yourself. Make sure to have a look at this week's London Daily Photos at ontoLondon.

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Tiki Chris

Putting Blogs to Faces (London Bloggers Meetup)

Folks talking about their blogs at the February London Bloggers Meetup at The Camel & Artichoke on Lower Marsh Street in London. Click here for info about the next London Blogger Meetup.

All Eyes on Banksy

All Eyes on Banksy, Photography by Chris Osburn © 2008

Works by iconic - and iconoclastic - graffiti artist Banksy are on view at Andipa Gallery in London. Here's da scoop from me to you!

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Preview: Banksy Exhibition at Andipa Gallery
By Chris Osburn
Londonist
February 27, 2008

Not only the world’s most famous graffiti stencil artist, England’s own beloved Banksy is also one heck of a studio artist. Don’t believe us (or any of the hype surrounding Banksy)? See for yourself at Andipa Gallery, where – starting this Friday – many of Banksy’s works is to be on view.

Click here for complete post.

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Banksy Exhibition at Andipa Gallery, London
by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
February 27, 2008











... the bulk of exhibition is comprised of studio pieces which are very much available for purchase, if you've got the funds. For instance, an exceptional acrylic on canvas painting titled Sharks has a price tag of around £40,000 (yep, that's roughly $80,000).

Click here for complete post.

MrBaliHai's Britiki Round-Up

Here's MrBaliHai's summary of his recent trip to England. It's always interesting to read someone else's account of events. MrBaliHai's recollection seems accurate, especially his retailing of our meet up "last Thursday for a few Navy Grogs and Mai Tais."

Britiki Cheerio
Posted by MrBaliHai
Eye of the Goof
February 24, 2008

Aloha, I have returned from England. My body is 5 pounds heavier, and my wallet is a couple-hundred pounds lighter ... I'm off to the basement now to start running off my extra poundage on the treadmill.

Click here for complete post.

For Whom the Bell Tolls - Metallica

Remember Cliff Burton? Remember Cliff Burton!

La Settimana Rivista (February 22, 2008)

London Daily Photo: Meat Specialists, Photography by Chris Osburn © 2008

La Settimana Rivista

This week, when not becoming an Italian citizen, I checked out the Chris Von Steiner exhibition at Strychnin Gallery in London and got around to posting another London Short Film, this one of a lovely day out at Kew Gardens to view all the massive Henry Moore sculptures. But enough about me. Kimberly in Shanghai and Chris in Freiburg kindly contributed to ontoTravel's ongoing Expat Perspective series. Thanks! Of course, another week's worth of London Daily Photos have been posted at ontoLondon, including one particularly awesome shot from an anonymous contributor.

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Tiki Chris

Chris Von Steiner's "The Snow King" at Strychnin Gallery London (Juxtapoz)

Chris Von Steiner's "The Snow King"
by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Wednesday, 20 February 2008















Mystical animals, such as giant stags, green owls and white wolves, provide symbolic underpinnings to the trials of the human characters in Von Steiner's works.

Click here for complete post.

E' Ufficiale! Io Sono Italiano.

If, for whatever reason, I seem more incredibly stylish or dashingly sociable the next time we meet, it might have something to do with my becoming Italian. See, after three years of marriage (to an Italian citizen), a few months’ worth of paperwork and then three more subsequent years of waiting, I have been accepted into the fold of Italian citizenry. My new Euro status is super cool on a number of levels - not the least of which is the opportunity to zip through the short line at European airports (although, I won’t actually have my passport for another couple of months). Furthermore, not having to deal with the British Home Office (which actually lost my American passport back in 2001) is very much a boon. Of course, it does feel rather incongruous to say “I’m Italian,” because, in so many ways, I ain’t. The inner core of my Georgia cracker soul just hasn’t come to terms with this yet (and may never). Still, if even a little of the warmth and graciousness that my Italian friends and family have shown me over the years rubs off on me, then an Italian Tiki Chris will be a very positive force in the world indeed.

Sail On/Commodores

Lookin' for a gooood time? Hell yeah.

Orange Alert in New Jersey (WTF?!?!)

Thanks to Michael for fowarding a link about an unnaturally orange glow eminating from New Jersey. Yikes!

New Jersey Freakshows
by El Presidente
Barstool Sports
January 21, 2008


Click here for all the hilariously disturbing photos.

Graffiti, cupcakes, tiki bars and more (February 15, 2008)

Lots of arty stuff this week like an interview with London graffiti artist Sickboy and photos from the openings of Sanderson Bob's Pure Yet Complex and Jef Aerosol's Spray it Loud. There's some video action for ya too: a short clip of me and some friends hanging out at London's newest tiki bar, Sugar Cane, and some footage from Sunday's Chinese New Year parade here in London. And just because you've been especially nice this week, here's a tip on where to find the best cupcakes in London ... and - last but not least - a week's worth of London Daily Photos at ontoLondon.

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

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ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Tiki Chris


London Daily Photo: MASSAGE
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2008

Sickboy Interview for Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art

Sickboy Interview
Words and photography by Chris Osburn
whitehot magazine of contemporary art
February 2008










Being a frustrated teenager, I needed an outlet other than drug experimentation, and graffiti was a very enticing world. Manchester at the time had a strong scene with Hulme and a lot of tagging going on. It just seemed a little edgier than art class.

Click here for complete interview.

Sanderson Bob’s "Pure Yet Complex" at Kemistry Gallery, London (Juxtapoz)

Sanderson Bob’s "Pure Yet Complex" at Kemistry Gallery, London
by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Thursday, 14 February 2008














Pure Yet Complex, the first UK solo exhibition by graphic designer Sanderson Bob, ... features a selection of limited edition lithographic posters, explores the artist's "interest in line, color, perspective, movement and the edges of things."

Click here for complete post.

Jef Aerosol: "Spray it Loud" at Islington Arts Factory (Juxtapoz)

Jef Aerosol's "Spray it Loud" at Islington Arts Factory, London
by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Wednesday, 13 February 2008












[Jef Aerosol's Spray it Loud] features many of Jef's most recognizable stencils of pop culture icons and rock 'n' roll legends such as Nick Drake, Ian Curtis and Neil Young. However, Jef also utilizes his talents to draw our attention to society's less celebrated: an elderly beggar, a homeless mother and child, a runaway child huddled in a corner.

Click here for complete post.

Tuesday night at Sugar Cane tiki bar in Clapham Junction, London

Here's a little diddie from last night's get together at Sugar Cane, a pretty cool newbie tiki bar in Clapham Junction, London. Big thanks to MrBaliHai for organizing this impromptu gathering and to Sugar Cane for the attentive service, fine drinks and good eats!

tuesday night @ sugar cane
a short film by chris osburn featuring:
will kane, world of kane
trader jim, pocketiki
mrbalihai, eye of the goof
sian, exotic tramp
tiki racer
tiki chris

Hey Good Lookin'/Hank Williams

One of America's most brilliant poets and sincerist performers! And if you don't like him, you are certainly more than welcome to kiss my ass.

Seven Days Down (February 8, 2008)

Okay, so it's been awhile since I posted any original content specifically for this blog. Well, I got around to writing another I ♥ T-Shirts post this week, this one about a tee from that awesome lil tiki bar, Forbidden Island. Aside from that, I was kinda busy keeping an eye on the market for urban art in London and starting a new "Takeout Stakeout" series for Londonist ... and, of course, posting a whole new batch of London Daily Photos at ontoLondon.

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

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ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Tiki Chris


London Daily Photo: Secure
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2008

I ♥ T-Shirts: Forbidden Island

Comfortable, practical, and these days the only accessory you need to make a statement, it's hard to imagine a world without the ubiquitous T-shirt. I ♥ T-Shirts takes a subjective approach to this modern fashion phenomenon with each post dealing with a favorite shirt.

Shirt: Forbidden Island
Designer: Tiki Diablo (the tiki on the back), Martin Cate (lettering), Hanford Lemoore (boards, tiki torches and flames)
Price: ???
Purchased: Gift from the Forbidden Island staff
Status: Top of the stack!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in November (seems like ages ago now) while tiki road trippin' through California, I had the pleasure of mingling and drinking a few times at Forbidden Island, a fine little Polynesian-themed bar in the East Bay town of Alameda. In a show of aloha spirit, the folks there were kind enough to slide a free FI T-shirt my way. Mahalo! It's a comfortable Hanes "Tagless 6.1" (whatever that means), and I wear it often. There's a big ass tiki on the back of the shirt (an image based upon an actual carving in the bar). The graphics on the front are pretty awesome too. I love the crossed tiki torches and wonky letters. I'm not sure if you can order the shirts online (click here for the FI website) but that's all the more reason to visit one of the San Francisco Bay area's coolest bars.
























Interested in contributing a review of a favourite T-shirt or perhaps sending along a sample Tee to be reviewed? Click here to access my email address. Then, send an email with a brief description of your idea/product along with any relevant online links.

I ♥ T-Shirts is sponsored by Chongolio's Lost-Isle.

Real-Life Sopranos Stuff

Thanks to Emiana for passing on the info about these real life, modern day mobsters.

90 jailed in Palermo and New York: the bosses of the new Italy-Usa pact
The haul has been codenamed "Old Bridge". It could be the beginningof a series of assaults against the "Cosa Nostra" 'families' in America
by ATTILIO BOLZONI
La Repubblica
(7 febbraio 2008)

It's the biggest mafia haul since the days of the "Pizza Connection". Striking the bosses from Palermo and New York, the Inzerillo 'family' and the Gambino 'family' these 90 arrests represent a simultaneous attack on 'Cosa Nostrà on both sides of the Atlantic. An attack on an organization that was becoming once again a force on the world stage of international trafficking.

Click here for complete article.

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The old New Jersey mafia war: Corleonesi killers against the Inzerillo
In Antonino disappeared in 1981; earlier, in the same year, Pietro's bodywas found in the trunk of an old car with a 5 dollar note in his mouth
di ATTILIO BOLZONI
La Repubblica
(7 febbraio 2008)

The other was Pietro Inzerillo whose corpse was found on 15 January 1981 in the trunk of an abandoned automobile in front of the Hilton Hotel of Mont Laurel in New Jersey. He had a 5-dollar note in his mouth, and a two-dollar note on his genitals.

Click here for complete article.

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... and click here for photos of the mob bosses shopping, dining, and posing in New York.

Superfreak - Rick James

Super Duper Tuesday has me superfreakin' out!

Another Week in Review? Already? (February 1, 2008)

Already another week? I guess time flies when you're having lousy burritos in London. Time also zips along at a rather rapid pace when ... I'm viewing puzzled smurfs with ridiculously elongated genitalia and large glittery bottles of Chanel surrounded by dildos and when I'm viewing cool art at current London exhibitions such as Sartorial Contemporary Art's How Women Are group show and Phil Corbett's Erotic Terrors of the Deep.

Yeah, it's already February ... 2008. All of January's Daily Photos have been posted at ontoLondon. Say hello to February (before we know it, it'll be spring).

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

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ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Tiki Chris


London Daily Photo: No One
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2008

Hukilau 2008, Ft Lauderdale, June 12-15

The Hukilau 2008 dates and events have been announced. Check it! I had all sorts of fun at last year's event, which provided all sorts of Tiki Chris blog fodder.

London Bloggers Meetup: The Movie

Earlier this week, I attended the London Bloggers Meetup, aptly organized by Andy Bargery. The event was a lot of fun, especially with the kind folks from Qype buying the first couple of rounds of drinks. Those same quirky Qypers posted London Bloggers Meetup: The movie, which along with some shaky footage of everybody's friendly faces lists many of the bloggers in attendence along with links to their blogs. Cool.


London Bloggers Meetup, January 2008 from Qype UK on Vimeo.

Vote For Londonist In The Bloggies

Londonist says ...

Just a little reminder that voting in the Eighth Annual Weblog Awards closes tomorrow.

We're still bubbling over that Londonist is shortlisted in the Best European Weblog category and bursting with great things to bring you this year. We'd love it if you'd show us you care, pop over here and make your vote count for the Londonistas in the house.

BAST & Judith Supine: "Booby Trap" at Leonard Street Gallery (Juxtapoz)

BAST & Judith Supine: "Booby Trap" at Leonard Street Gallery
by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Monday, 28 January 2008










BAST's pieces for the show, including puzzled smurfs with ridiculously elongated genitalia and large glittery bottles of Chanel surrounded by dildos, convey a gritty interpretation of an America obsessed with the consumption of porn and the continued commoditization of fantasy.

Click here for complete post and photos.

Bastards of Young - The Replacements

World's first and greatest non-video. Rock 'n' Roll.

Tiki Bar TV Episode 33: CCCP

Click here to visit the Tiki Bar TV website.

Londonist Shortlisted for 2008 Bloggies (Please Vote!)

As y'all know, I became Londonist's Food & Drink Editor a few weeks ago. The cool thing is, I accepted the position just as Londonist got shortlisted for the 2008 Bloggies in the category of Best European Weblog category!

Click here to read the original Londonist post about the nomination.

Voting will close at 10:00 PM EST on Thursday, January 31. The winners will be posted on Monday, March 10.

Click here to cast your vote (please).

Super Fuzzy Week in Review (Friday 25 January 2008)

This week? Visit ontoTravel for two short films from Kauai: one's a general quickie of my time on the island (set to one of my favourite songs by the Pixies). The other is footage of Hawaii's state bird, the rare and lovely nene, featuring enough shots of super-fuzzy-downy-baby-nene-chicks to fill anyone's daily cute quota (it's set to a great old song by exotic pioneer, Arthur Lyman).

More? How 'bout another week's worth of ontoLondon's Daily Photos?

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

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ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Rapa Nui News - Tiki Chris

London Daily Photo: Curry Paradise
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2008

Velouria - The Pixies

There are songs by the Pixies that I could listen over and over again for years and years. In fact, that's what I've done for the past two decades.

More Damning Evidence Confirms Clown Menace

In case last week's Clowns Suck post wasn't enough for you, here's a little diddy about globalization's answer to John Wayne Gacy:

Christian Clown In Perv Bust
Illinois man had porn cache from trip to Philippines orphanage

The Smoking Gun
October 10, 2007

An Illinois man who worked as a "Christian clown" named Klutzo was arrested yesterday on child pornography charges for allegedly taking naked photographs of young boys at a Philippines orphanage. According to a federal criminal complaint, Amon Paul Carlock took the illicit photos during a "clowning" trip to the House of Joy orphanage earlier this year.

Click here for complete story and accompanying video.

Moving Pictures Week in Review (Friday January 17, 2008)

I must have been a good boy last year, because Santa left a bitchin' lil camcorder under the Christmas tree for me! I've got a long way to go before I film my masterpiece, but in the meanwhile, you can see just how much of a learning curve I have ahead of me by clicking here to visit ontoLondon and check out my short film documenting Doris Salcedo's Shibboleth at Tate Modern. Stay turned for more little movies by me in the next few weeks.

Super eager to post more video content and still reeling from last week's farting preacher clip, I found and posted another clip of flatulent sermons. Too funny. Also funny are Pint Champion's videos of furries dancing at an Atlanta bowling alley. Thanks Champ! More visual wonder came by way of ontoTravel's continuation of Kauai Photography, featuring a bunch of great shots by Emiana. Of course, ontoLondon has another week's worth of Daily Photos. There's also a link to my recent Londonist interview with local graffiti artist Sickboy.

And if all that weren't enough, there's a new Charo post too!

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

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ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Rapa Nui News - Tiki Chris

London Daily Photo: St John St
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2008

Children Agree: Clowns Suck

Hospital clown images 'too scary'
Decorating children's wards with paintings of clowns to create a nurturing atmosphere could backfire, research suggests.
BBC News
Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 January 2008, 23:44 GMT

"Very few children like clowns. They are unfamiliar and come from a different era. They don't look funny, they just look odd."

Click here for complete article.

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Why are clowns scary?
Children are frightened by clown-themed decor in hospitals, a survey suggests. How did the smiley circus entertainers become a horror staple?
By Finlo Rohrer
BBC News Magazine
Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 January 2008, 13:34 GMT

Search for fear of clowns on the internet and the results include plenty of sites referring to "coulrophobia".

Click here for complete article.

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Halloween Skull Mask Project by Michael Murphy (London) © 2007

Furries Dancing in a Bowling Alley

Okay okay okay. I know it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in September when Pint Champion bravely investigated the Furries versus Klingons bowling competition in Atlanta for us. But, that October to New Years Eve dash is always a mad one for me. Anyway - and without further ado - here are PC's clips from that momentous occasion. Thanks man!

Those damn furries again.

Add to My Profile More Videos

A furry breaks it down.

Add to My Profile More Videos

The Library of Congress Shares Over 3,000 Photos on Flickr

Out of some 14 million prints, photographs and other visual materials at the Library of Congress, more than 3,000 photos from two of our most popular collections are being made available on our new Flickr page, to include only images for which no copyright restrictions are known to exist.

This is very cool indeed. God bless America.

Click here to start checking out the massively wonderful catalogue of photos!

Charo Knocks Three Times

Web stats suggest that readers of this blog really like Charo. So, check out this clip of Charo's pelvic harassment of Rat Packer Joey Bishop.

More Farting Preachers

Too funny not to post:

Sickboy/Londonist Interview

Londonist Interviews ... London Graffiti Artist Sickboy

Words and photography by Chris Osburn
Londonist
January 11, 2008











You’d be forgiven for thinking that artist Sickboy had lived in London for several years. His temple icons are hard to miss on even the shortest stroll down the obscurest of Shoreditch or Tower Hamlets streets. However, he’s lived here for less than a year. And as busy as he’s been since his moving to London, he still made the time to sit down and answer a few questions about his art for us.

Click here for complete interview.

Jet Lagged Week in Review (Friday January 11, 2008)

Happy New Year everybody! Yes, I know we're already 11 days into 2008. It's just that today is my first blogging chance to acknowledge the start of another year. Another year which should be even more fun and flavourful than the last. Things have started off well for me, at least. I accepted an editorial position at Londonist and will now be in charge of Food & Drink for the site. Yum. The foodie editing gig began just as I returned from Kauai, which is where I've been hiding out with Emiana these past couple of weeks. She and I (mostly she) took many photos - available for all to see at ontoTravel. Just click here to enjoy viewing them (and keep in mind that there are more Kauai pics to post this week and next).

Really, my only complaint is a massive case of jet lag that's lagging just a little more than I'm accustomed to experiencing. Since returning from Kauai, I've been up all night every night and falling in and out of REM sleep in the afternoons. Honestly, It's been kinda fun and has allowed me to get caught up on my farting preacher YouTube viewing. Thank you, Jesus.

In closing, I would just like to say that I'm sorry for leaving y'all with little fresh content during the holidays. Although, I'm sure everyone managed to cope. I promise to make up for it with mucho blogging in the next several weeks. Of course, even from the midst of the jungle in the middle of the Pacific, I still was able to continue posting my Daily Photos at ontoLondon. Why'd I do that? Because I love you.

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

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ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Rapa Nui News - Tiki Chris

Praise the Lord! It's Time for the Farting Preacher!

Thank you Jesus for Robert Tilton and his flatulent praise! With such quality viewing available for free and at our fingers tips, I reckon those writers on strike out in Hollywood have one hell of an uphill battle ahead of them!

Spider-Man - The Ramones

This one's for you, Jen. Remember, action is your reward. Congrats.

New Londonist Food and Drink Editor

I've been contributing to super cool and content rich Londonist for a little less than a year and was pleasantly surprised when, in mid December, I was asked to become Food & Drink editor for the site. In addition to continuing my weekly "What's for Lunch? series, I've got all sorts of yummy ideas. Click here to view all my Londonist posts and make sure to visit Londonist often for more London foodie info!

Thanks to the kind and brilliant editors at Londonist for the opportunity!

Online

Okay. I'm back and hoping that everybody enjoyed the holidays. Happy New Year!

Offline: See You in 2008!

The Tiki Chris blogs are on hiatus while I enjoy some holiday cheer with family and friends. See you next year!


Merry Christmas,
Chris

Merry Christmas and a Very Dry New Year

Thanks to Michael Murphy for sliding this ridiculous Xmas ad my way! Just click the image to read the fine print.
























Merry Christmas everybody!

Tiki Bar TV Episode 32: Holiday Special

Click here to visit the Tiki Bar TV website.

Arty Week in Review (Friday December 21, 2007)

I actually managed to create a little content for y'all this week. For one, I snapped copious photos at the Sartorial Contemporary Art opening of the "Notting Heaven" group exhibition. Ditto at Leonard Street Gallery, where German graffiti-collaborative team, Herakut were setting up for their exhibition with Luc Price. I got to hang behind the scenes during the set up and even nabbed an interview with Herakut. Speaking of interviews, my whitehot magazine interview with Strychnin Gallery owner Yasha Young is up and waiting for you to take a look-see. And last but certainly not least, I rounded out 2007's Artist Profiles with a quick piece about one of my favourite drinking buddies, Michael Murphy. He's a pretty fab artist as well. I'm probably gonna sign off until the New Year with this post, but I will continue posting my Daily Photos at ontoLondon.

Thanks to everyone for making 2007 a phenomenally fun year!

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

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ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Rapa Nui News - Tiki Chris

Strychnin Gallery Interview for Whitehot Magazine

Interview with Yasha Young of Strychnin Gallery
Chris Osburn
whitehot magazine of contemporary art
December 2007

















... once dreams come true they do not always turn out the way we hoped to - and how difficult it all can be and will be and the idea of what happens when parents leave the room and we are left alone with the monsters under out beds and the ghosts on the ceilings and the whispers in the closet?

Click here for complete interview.

Herakut X 2 (and Some Luc Price)

Here are the links to a couple of lil diddies I did for Juxtapoz: one, photos from the opening of the Herakut/Luc Price exhibition at London's Leonard Street Gallery and two, an interview with Germany's dynamic graffiti duo, Herakut. Enjoy.

Photos: Herakut and Luc Price in London
by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Tuesday, 18 December 2007










Photos from the December 15th opening of Permission to Paint at London's Leonard Street Gallery. The show features new works and installation by German graffiti duo Herakut as well as new works and installation by British artist Luc Price. Permission to Paint is on view until January 11th.

Click here for all the photos.

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Interview: Herakut - Mutual Appreciation
Words and photos by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Tuesday, 18 December 2007










Herakut, the girl/boy German collaborative graffiti team of Hera and Akut, is as unlikely a "crew" as ever you're apt to meet. By the time he was fourteen, scruffy and self-taught Akut was already painting in the streets while graceful and tidy Hera was in the midst of her ten years of a stringent technical arts education, to which her work is more of a reaction than a reference.

Click here for the complete interview.

Tiki Bar TV Episode 31: Casino

Click here to visit the Tiki Bar TV website.

Artist Profile: Michael Murphy

Tiki bars with helipads? Atomic mushroom clouds and lush mid-century bachelor pads? Rounding out a year's worth of Artist Profiles is architect/artist Michael Murphy.


With his paintings and digital art, Michael interprets traditional architectural illustration while bringing out the potential drama within all good design. Michael's arty side leans toward the cinematic while his architectural discipline seeks "to retain some semblance of reality in terms of perspective and structure." However, no internal struggle is revealed in the resulting artwork. What is apparent is cliffhanger architectural imagery that captivates with its very human stories without ever showing any people. For example, one of his prints, entitled "Cocktail before Target Practice," features the silhouette of a helicopter atop a building with London's BT Tower in the background and an intense yellow sky. Who's having a cocktail with whom and where? Very captivating stuff, open to interpretation with no egregious meaning crowding the viewer's imagination.

To get more of Michael's take, check out my interview with him for Londonist.

To view more of Michael’s work visit:
http://www.supersonic.designinblue.com/.

Doin' the Yuletide Glide (Friday December 14, 2007)

That same busy non-blogosphere agenda from last week crept into this one, resulting in even less posting from me this week. In fact, I've decided to place Rapa Nui News on indefinite hiatus. I plan to give it a think over the holidays and see if it's worth continuing.

Anyway, the folks who collectively are known as "The Streetcar Team" were kind enough to provide some content by commenting on my negative review of their service. Click here for that post and their attempt to "understand further what went wrong and then try and put it right."

You might want to also take a look at all the Yuletidal Daily Photos I've been posting at ontoLondon.

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

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ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Rapa Nui News - Tiki Chris

Tiki Bar TV Episode 30: Ice Breaker

Click here to visit the Tiki Bar TV website.

A Week into December (Friday November 7, 2007)

Hey! A busy non-blogosphere agenda means minimal posting from me this week. Still, I found the time to post an index for all those California Road Trip posts as well as a link to my WhiteHot Magazine interview with UK street art collective, the Invisible Art Club.

For ontoLondon, I got back to posting my own Daily Photos, all of which have a somewhat Christmas-y bent. Expect the same for the rest of this month. I also posted a negative (and slightly bitter) review of Streetcar, London's self-service pay-as-you-go car rental nightmare.

Enjoy your weekend,
Chris

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ontoLondon - ontoTravel - Rapa Nui News - Tiki Chris

Tiki Bar TV Episode 29: The Wedding

Click here to visit the Tiki Bar TV website.

Three Kings at Light Gallery in Costa Mesa, California

Three Kings Opening Reception
December 15th
Light Gallery
440 East 17th Street
Costa Mesa (within waliking distance of La Cave and the Little Knight)
December 15-January 5th

You heard it right! Ken Ruzic,Clysdalle and Big Toe have combined forces to bring you a pre-Holiday Show Extravaganza! More great art there than you can shake a stick at (if that's your thing...shaking sticks at paintings...)!

http://myspace.com/tom_laura
http://www.davidlozeau.com/
http://www.kenruzic.com/

Invisible Art Club Interview for Whitehot Magazine

Chris Osburn Interviews the Invisible Art Club

Chris Osburn
whitehot magazine of contemporary art
December 2007













The Invisible Art Club is a group of individuals with a shared love of art. Our common link is a connection to graffiti and street art. From graf writers who started 20 years ago and are still going strong, to artists who have hung up their spray cans and moved on to other mediums to artists from a more traditional background who simply happen to hang out with a lot of street artists. With our wide range of influences and experience, we bring fresh styles and perspectives to the print world.

Click here for complete interview.

Rest in Peace, Evel Knievel

Before Jackass, there was Evel. I was a little kid in the Seventies. One of my earliest heroes has passed on. Thanks for blowing my mind, Evel Knievel!

US daredevil Evel Knievel dies
Legendary US daredevil Evel Knievel has died at the age of 69, his granddaughter has said.
BBC News
Last Updated: Friday, 30 November 2007, 22:26 GMT

By the time he retired in 1980 Knievel had broken nearly 40 bones.

Click here for complete article.

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Iconic Daredevil Evel Knievel Dies at 69
By MITCH STACY
Associated Press
Friday, 30 November 2007

Evel Knievel, the red-white-and-blue-spangled motorcycle daredevil whose jumps over crazy obstacles including Greyhound buses, live sharks and Idaho's Snake River Canyon made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69.

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Evel Knievel Dies at 69
By PAT DAWSON/BUTTE
Time
Friday, Nov. 30, 2007

Born in Butte, Montana, Oct. 17, 1938, Knievel made a name for himself for his daredevil feats, jumping rows of vehicles, natural chasms and other obstacles.

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California Road Trip: Index

Here's a list of all my California Road Trip posts:

California Road Trip: Tiki-Ti
California Road Trip: Oceanic Arts
California Road Trip: Trader Mort's
California Road Trip: Tiki Island at the Bali Hai
California Road Trip: Humphrey's Half Moon Inn
California Road Trip: Tiki Farm
California Road Trip: Art Jam at Ken Ruzic's Studio
California Road Trip: Chongolian Hospitality
California Road Trip: Ginger
California Road Trip: Ert
California Road Trip: Tiki Crawl!
California Road Trip: Forbidden Island
California Road Trip: Tiki Racer!

Click here to view all the posts.

Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007