Olympic Spirit
The Olympic organizing committee in Vancouver (VANOC) is really going overboard with their desire to shape and mold the city and its inhabitants into the ideal Olympic brand. And it’s really starting to wear thin.
Take for instance this series of murals, which was commissioned in 2007 by the Steve Nash foundation:

Now, these murals had the unfortunate distinction of being located a little too close to a parking lot that will be used for the Olympics and has been designated by VANOC as an official venue. And thus, the murals were painted over with an obnoxious shade of Olympic blue in an effort to maintain the Olympic aesthetic. This prompted an angry response from “the arts,” which quickly moved to recapture the wall:

The Olympics bring joy to every town: First when they come, and then when they go.
A COVER LETTER FROM AN ART MAJOR SEEKING A JOB THAT LITERALLY REQUIRES HIM TO APPLY THE SKILLS HE LEARNED IN SCHOOL »
Dear Human Relations Sir or Madam,
I am writing in search of position within your fine company that would allow me to practically apply my strong background and formal training in The Studio Arts.
I’m looking for a position that will require me to draw hundreds of thumbnails of my ideas so I can thoroughly explore all the possibilities of composition that will ultimately empower a client to achieve their corporate sales goals.
I can draw excellent charcoal and pastel vignettes of sunsets I observe. This is a skill certainly begging for implementation in your organization. I usually draw a fairly articulate central subject, and then use an array of techniques to partially splay the line work into the surrounding white space. That’s gotta improve your bottom line, right? […]
vruz:
Daniel Kramer: Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, Crossed Lights, New Haven, 1965
This Oscar®-winning animated short from Chris Landreth is based on the life of Ryan Larkin, a Canadian animator who, 30 years ago, produced some of the most influential animated films of his time. Ryan is living every artist’s worst nightmare - having lost his ability to create and succumbing to addiction, he panhandles on the streets to make ends meet. Through the use of computer-generated characters, Landreth interviews his friend and colleague in an effort to shed light on his downward spiral.
National Film Board of Canada (iPhone app)
The National Film Board of Canada can take pride in creating one of the best apps currently available for the iPhone (itunes). The app gives incredible access to several decades of the best short films and full-length features that have been released under the NFB’s auspices. Canada has a rich tradition of subsidized filmaking, and this app ensures that the filmmakers find the broader audience that they deserve.