Most of the time, when we see a new mural pop up on a building, it’s because a muralist was identified early on, and the process moved forward at a quick clip. This tends to be the most expedient way to get a work up in a timely fashion, in all honesty. But there are other ways to create a buzz around a blank wall, which is why Misuta Chow’s has called for a mural contest, to bring out the best artists to submit their works. Misuta Chow’s is running the mural contest with Collective Arts Brewing in Hamilton, Ont. The brewery is known for teaming up with incredibly talented artists to create their beer labels – it’s a brilliant idea that has garnered the brewery a loyal following of art and music lovers, and beer drinkers of course (learn more). Now, this refreshing collaborative aims to bring a significant new mural to the Misuta Chow’s building in Downtown Buffalo. Mural, graffiti, and street artists are encouraged to submit their portfolios … [Read more...] about Misuta Chow’s and Collective Arts Brewing team up for a Downtown Buffalo Mural Contest
Arts
Art of the Pimp: Outtakes from the memoir of Dennis Hoff (it’s NSFW)
Johnathan L. Wright Reno Gazette Journal Published 6:00 PM EDT Oct 16, 2018 This is one book you can definitely judge by its cover. "The Art of the Pimp," the 2015 memoir from brothel owner Dennis Hof, who recently died at his Love Ranch outside Las Vegas, depicts Hof surrounded by a chesty redhead, a blonde in fishnets, and a brunette clad only in American flag suspenders. A testimonial from former Hollywood Madam (and former Hof lover) Heidi Fleiss tops the dust jacket: "There's no business like ho business, and nobody knows the biz better than Hof." And how, as the book amply demonstrates. Please note: The book is definitely not suitable for work. ____________ On meeting his first sex symbol: "I am eight years old. My grandmother takes me to the Arizona State Fair. Some people are filming a movie . . . I turn around and look down and see a gorgeous, red-lipped blonde in front of the camera . . .She looks up at me and waves, and suddenly I can't breathe. " … [Read more...] about Art of the Pimp: Outtakes from the memoir of Dennis Hoff (it’s NSFW)
Calle 13 Arts Group Fights to Save Border Murals
A painting of the Mexican flag with a warrior in the middle along the U.S.-Mexico border in Mexicali. /Photo by Adriana Heldiz This post originally appeared in the Oct. 15 Border Report. Get it delivered every other Monday. The construction of a new border structure in Calexico was recently completed, the Union-Tribune reports. Calle 13, an artist collective in Mexicali that had painted 35 murals on the old border fence, had been trying to save its artwork as the barrier was taken down and replaced. We paid a visit to them back in March and recently checked in on the status of the murals. In March, the art collective had tried to arrange an agreement with Border Patrol officials and the construction company building the structure, but weren’t having any luck. Two months later, construction workers began tearing down and destroying several art pieces. Thomas Gin, who grew up in the neighborhood along the Mexican side of the fence and founded Calle 13, tried to physically … [Read more...] about Calle 13 Arts Group Fights to Save Border Murals
Fort Collins dinner theater Midtown Arts closing
Pat Ferrier Fort Collins Coloradoan Published 4:27 PM EDT Oct 16, 2018 Midtown Arts Center has abandoned plans to build a new theater in Fort Collins and will close after the 2018-19 season. MAC's president and producer Kurt Terrio is encouraging theater goers to keep Midtown's legacy alive by patronizing the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in Johnstown. The building that has housed Midtown Arts Center for the past eight years was recently sold to Housing Catalyst and will be turned into housing for low-income and homeless residents. Terrio told the Coloradoan previously he was looking for a new site for the theater that opened in 1991 as Carousel and had targeted property on Timberline Road. In a news release, however, he said he would close Midtown Arts because Candlelight provides nearly the same product. The two have been friendly competitors since Candlelight opened 11 years ago. Terrio cited the changing landscape of Northern … [Read more...] about Fort Collins dinner theater Midtown Arts closing
When Sears was everywhere: espionage, politics and fine art
Once upon a time — because it feels as if it has been around forever — Sears was a central player in American life. These days, the company seems relevant largely as a retail cautionary tale. The chain, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy early Monday, relies heavily on the sales of refrigerators, lawn mowers and other appliances to drive foot traffic. In cultural references, it’s often portrayed as a backwater or a wasteland. But there was a time when the retailer’s products, publications and people influenced commerce, culture and politics. Lauren Bacall modeled for the catalog, and Edgar Rice Burroughs, who later wrote the Tarzan adventure novels, was a copywriter. American spies used it as an icebreaker in foreign countries. The book of products even included houses, which formed the backbone of entire communities and are now tourist curiosities. Sears was also a prominent platform for executives with widely diverging political and social views. It had a … [Read more...] about When Sears was everywhere: espionage, politics and fine art