Third Drawer Down Gallery: Paper Sword

by Lost At E Minor

Curated by Cinders Gallery out of Brooklyn, NY, Third Drawer Down Gallery in Australia has a new exhibition starting 5-28 July 2007. Titled "Paper Sword: new works on paper," it explores a current group of artists who have been working primarily on paper. With a more back to basics DIY approach, the artists are part of a generation that embrace simple tools such as a pen and pencil, while influences range from comics, popular culture, punk rock, and psychedelia. More info and images from the exhibit here.

Opening: Saturday, 7 July 2007, 2-4pm

Third Drawer Down Gallery
52 Robe Street (near the corner of Grey Street)
St. Kilda, Victoria, 3182 map
Australia

Escort

by Ami Kealoha

Thanks in part to a few retro-minded rockers from NYC and some bearded music nerds from Norway, disco is far from the dirty word that it once was. Disco is fun, sophisticated and has a decades-long proven track record for making people of all ages and creeds sweaty on the dancefloor. While some of those taking part in the revival are busy either glamming it up with a hipster sheen or stroking their chins and debating the sonic qualities of the latest exclusive vinyl-only re-edit, there is the unabashed party vibe of Brooklyn's very own Escort to set everyone straight.

The brainchild of disco fanatics Dan Balis, Eugene Cho and Darius Maghen, Escort formed in 2005 to take a love of the classic live dance sound to the 21st century. The trio writes music, and then enlists a massive crew of musicians to record live in the studio. A smidgen of modern knob twiddling gives the tunes a bit more punch, but a decidedly vintage production quality remains. Later, they take their music out on the road to perform on any stage that will accommodate a performance featuring up to fourteen members. One big introduction to many in their native New York was at the P.S.1 Warm Up party last summer. Imagine on stage two sexy singers, two percussionists, a drummer, guitarist, bass, keyboard, three part horn section, a two-part string section and you're starting to get the idea.

The first release on their self-titled label, last year's Starlight is a perfect example of what this talented group is trying to achieve. Their subsequent three releases, along with remixes for Everything But The Girl's Tracey Thorn and Germany's Permanent Vacation label, are further solidifying the group as one to turn to for disco done right. In simply trying to recreate the good vibes of days gone past, those times before the rampant commercialization of the sound in the late '70s, Escort has managed to revive a feeling that is universal in its ability to make people smile and move their feet. Now, if only we could find more stages for them to play on, we would have disco converts truly running rampant.

Visit the band's website, or their Myspace page. Head on over to Traxsource or to the iTunes music store to download their music. If you're still a fan of the classic vinyl, head to Juno Records to buy their records. Then, proceed to dance your heart out in your living room. If you are in the NYC area, you'll be able to catch Escort at P.S.1's Warm Up again this year, on Saturday, 25 August 2007. Do not miss it.

by Jesse Mann

Twelve Summer Suits

by Ami Kealoha

Despite the best of intentions, swimsuit shopping tends to glide between extremes: Either it's rife with pressure and product research or it's as blasé as buying skivvies. But this season, with so many refreshing styles to choose from, your search is more likely to be a akin to a day in the sun. The coolest options put your old standby to shame, offering punchy prints and patterns and retro-inspired cuts all finished with a decidedly streetwise spirit.

From left to right: Anna and Boy Royal Stripe one-piece, $262; Mociun Sea Green Shell Stripe bikini, $144 (pieces sold separately for $72 each); Anna and Boy lemon-print bikini, $199; Alexandre Herchcovitch razor blade print one-piece, $95 (was $135).

Left to right: Alexandre Herchcovitch Skull board shorts, $109 (were $155); Timoteo striped blue trunks, $65; A.P.C. floral board shorts, $129.

To see all 12, go here.

by Christene Barberich and Piera Gelardi

Scott McFarland: Works on Paper

by Jonah Samson

Vancouver photographer Scott McFarland uses his pictures to rethink the traditional concept of a photograph as a single moment in time. By photographing the same location in the same scale over a period of time, he uses digital technology to combine selected elements into the final image. (Click above images for detail.)

His most recent series called "Works on Paper" features new inkjet photographs from the artist's travels to the Huntington Gardens of Pasadena, California, various sites in and around Berlin, as well as to Hampstead Heath in England.

In his picture The Granite Bowl, he combines photographs from all four sides of the circular basin in Berlin's Lust Garden. In other images, small clues such as inconsistent shadows and out of season fauna and foliage demonstrate the ability of digital technology to manipulate composition, color, light, space, shape, and form. His work often features man-made spaces such as gardens and zoos, because these spaces (like his photographs) show a disruption in the natural pattern and order of things.

In 2007, Scott McFarland will be participating in exhibitions for both the Montreal Biennale as well the New Photography 2007 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York in September. He was featured in the 2006 edition of Phaidon’s Vitamin PH. His work is currently on view at Monte Clark Gallery in Toronto and Regen Projects in Los Angeles.

Works on Paper

2 June-22 July 2007
Monte Clark Gallery
The Distillery Historic District
55 Mill St. Building #2
Toronto, ON M5A 3C4 map
tel. +1 416.703.1700

Backjumps: The Live Issue #3

by Wendy Dembo

If the Splasher was smart, he or she would escape the heat of NYC and go to Berlin for Backjumps: The Live Issue #3 that started earlier this month and runs through 19 August 2007. Backjumps has become an annual celebration of Street Art, this year featuring installations by artists such as Akim One Nyguyn (aka the King of Berlin graffiti, pictured right and here), Dave the Chimp, Carlos "Mare 139" Rodriguez, the always amazing Mode 2, SKKI, Zevs, and with my favorite tag, Migratory Birds of the Solovei Republic, among many great writers. Workshops, talks, street walks, parties and musical events will be taking place throughout the eight weeks of the Krunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien festival. The goal in some ways is to create a living magazine that discusses street art in terms of urban communication and aesthetics.