Some Ecards

by Evan Orensten

Finally, a free ecard that will really get your thoughts across. Some Ecards has cards for most occasions with varying levels of sarcasm. A few favorites: "Sorry for what I said during my blackout," "Let's set aside some time for trashing coworkers," and "What I'll remember most about my birthday is that you forgot it."

Some Ecards was created by Brook Lundy and Duncan Mitchell and cleverly designed by Jerry Tamburro.

The Bicycle Film Festival 2007

by Wendy Dembo

Mid-Bike Month NYC, we almost think the city should consider re-naming it Bicycle Film Festival month in honor of the event that was founded in New York seven years ago. The Bicycle Film Festival now tours 15 cities in the U.S. and around the world (props for adding Portland this year!) and it all starts today, 16 May 2007, in NYC. In addition to “Bikes Rock” the massive kick-off event tonight featuring Gang Gang Dance, "Joy Ride," an art show featuring bike-themed work by some of CH's favorite artists, such as. Swoon, Phil Frost, Amy Franceschini, ESPO, Michel Gondry, Steve MacDonald, DAZE, Peter Sutherland, David Mashburn and Ginny Hwang and Goods among others, opens tomorrow, 17 May 2007. All that excitement even before the films start rolling!

Of the many first-rate films that bring the energy and ethos of bike culture to the screen, we picked out a few that stand out. “Monkey Warfare,” won the 2006 Special Jury Award at the Toronto Film Festival, tells the story of two Toronto residents whose lives change when they meet a young revolutionary. “Klunkerz” documents the history of the modern mountain bike and the cultural movement it spurred in the Bay Area. Starting in Boston, “Ayame” tells how the Boston chapter of Bikes Not Bombs sends a shipment of used bikes to Ghana, West Africa. The film follows two Ghanaian locals from before they have the bikes to a year later, showing how transportation has changed their lives. All movies show at the Anthology Film Archives and are $8.50. Be sure to order your tickets online and check for changes at www.bicyclefilmfestival.com.

If you can’t get to a film, be sure to ride your bike to work on 18 May 2007, National Bike to Work Day.

Joyride
Opening party: 17 May 2007, 6pm-12am
17-21 May 2007
Art Space
33 West 17th Street
New York, NY 10011 map

In God We Trust Boutique

by Ami Kealoha

SoHo's latest additon, In God We Trust, opened 1 May 2007, and perfectly translates the curiosity/antique shop essence of its Brooklyn predecessor. Closet-like racks bear clothes and accessories by Ritten House, Shennan, Kristen Coates, Beard and Bangs, Harvey Hats, M. Carter, and Shara Porter—designers with a homespun aesthetic much like the In God We Trust label. And as for the much–loved In God We Trust jewelry collection, that can be found in one of two glass cases holding the classic charm–inspired faves, as well as the brighter, slightly bolder collection Tabor has dubbed Bon Voyage.

by Loryn Hatch

800 Steps Apart

by Jacob Resneck

A short art film, 800 Steps Apart tells the true story of a Russian émigré's life shattered by health problems caused by inhalation of toxic materials from the burning World Trade Center towers. The woman was told by federal emergency health officials that she could clean the debris from her department was even issued a Red Cross mop and bucket for the task. A mere four blocks (or 800 steps) away, cleaners at an office building occupied by an international bank were issued substantial protective gear and warned of the toxic hazards now blamed for the Russian woman's health problems.

Filmmakers Brian Rigney Hubbard and Brooke Singer scripted their film using the woman's testimony to members of Congress as well as the state health guidelines for removing asbestos contamination.

The two approaches to the same hazard are presented side–by–side in a virtual simulcast illustrating the glaring inequalities between two tenants, one a wealthy banking firm the other a working–class immigrant. As artistic as it is political and timely, 800 Steps whets our appetites for Hubbard and Singer's forthcoming documentary chronicling the mishandling of the response to contamination of Lower Manhattan following the destruction of the Twin Towers on 11 September 2001.

One Picture Books

by Jonah Samson

The One Picture Books series from Nazraeli Press is an ongoing series of limited–edition artists' books. Each of these hardcover little gems measures just over 5”x7” and contains 16 pages of text and illustrations. The real kicker is that each book also contains an original print by the artist. Past contributing artists have been such greats as Robert Adams, Terri Weifenbach, Todd Hido and Daido Moriyama.

The artists selected for this series are asked to create a book based on one image or on a series of related images. Each title is limited to 500 numbered and signed copies, and is guaranteed at a price of only $40 to existing subscribers. Non–subscribers may still purchase books in the series, but as the title sells out, the price increases. You can check out past titles on their website.