HTown Sneaker Summit

I know I'm a late on posting pictures from this past Sunday's H-Town Sneaker Summit. This was our first event and it was actually turn out great. There were plenty of Sneaks and Freaks and Good Music. I encourage the next time the event comes around that you come out. In the meantime here is couple of pics from the event to hold you over till the next one. Enjoy!




Bun B X Ron Don

H-Town Sneaker Summit Winter 09

Sunday is almost here and H-town Sneaker Summit is going to be CRAZY. Be sure and look out for the all the new tees.

Get Your Shirt Today!!!

Dock Ellis & The LSD No-No

The Interview

I ran across the animated interview With Shorty Peterstein.

Kenny Scharf “Object To Enjoy” Sculpture/Bong

I don't know about you but I think this may be a worthwhile investment!

Cerealart, the Philadelphia gallery of artist multiples, is selling ceramic sculptures by pop artist Kenny Scharf that also function as bongs. Available in limited editions of white, purple, green or orange, and one-of-a-kind hand painted ones, each is stamped signed on the bottom.

Have a look at the other colors of Kenny Scharf’s “Object To Enjoy” after the jump.

D*Face “Off The Wall” Video

I have been following D*Face for years now, so I am glad to see him doing his first show in the US. I found that Friendswelove.com have created this short video introduction to UK based street artist D*Face. He gives us an insight into his influences, his work, his first ever US solo show at the Jonathan Levine Gallery, street art and what the future holds. Check it out below.

D*Face, Artist :: Off The Wall from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

D*Face, Artist :: Off The Wall from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

Ryan McGinness Interview Video

Upper Playground’s Walrus TV has just released an interview with Ryan MgGiness , taken from the “The Run Up” DVD. Interviewed in his studio they take a closer look at Ryan’s work and creative process whilst he discusses the theory and ideas that go into his massively intricate silk-screened paintings, sculptures, and installations which blur the lines between design, pop culture, and fine art. Watch the video below.



Thanks to Juxtapoz for the heads up.

Rza working on a new movie

I know that I usually write about streetwear and art but I recently found out that RZA is currently working with actor Eli Roth, co-star of Tarantino’s latest hit film, Inglorious Basterds. So i could resist putting this up. Apparently pair are working on a script for a new martial arts film titled The Man With the Iron Fist.A release date has yet to be confirmed for the movie. So check out the Abbot's Wu-tang style.

A Bathing Ape 2009 Fall/Winter Collection

Featured in the latest issue of Cool Trans is an editorial photoshoot, showcasing upcoming items from A Bathing Ape’s Fall/Winter Collection. Highlighted is the brand’s strong medley of outerwear choices, including tiger parkas, flannels, and down jackets alongside the premier of a new Ostrich-infused Bapesta for the Holiday season.

Mos Def x UNDRCRWN

Here is some new shit from the much anticipated collaboration between UNDRCRWNxMos Def.

This season, we’re bringing you the highly anticipated “Cut & Sew” range. Polished and mature, the new collection effortlessly blends collegiate athleticism and style. The “RBG ,” “RBG Patchwork” and “Brooknam” jackets are each peppered with plenty of clever details. Colorful hand crafted prints (mixed with hand drawings by Mos Def) are set against sleek monochrome materials; Pops of zesty yellow and blood red are used to accent buttons, zippers and mesh linings. The mixture of bold prints set against streamlined design creates a contemporary fashion sensibility throughout the entire collection.

The Cut & Sew range is rooted entirely in outerwear- Jackets, Windbreakers and Hats. Starting September 29th, 2009- all garments will be sold exclusively on UNDRCRWN.com and select UC retailers nationwide.




Source: Hypebeast

Walrus TV: Mike Giant from Dithers

MIke Giant is one of my favorite artist. So I found this video appearance in this latest Walrus TV spot from the previously-released Dithers documentary highlighting some of art’s most prolific underground personalities. Mike goes into details with Giant regarding the skate scene, graffiti and the t-shirt business.

CLICK HERE FOR MIKE GIANT

Scott Campbell ‘Always Almost There’ Solo Exhibition 2009

Lazarides Gallery is to present “Always Almost There” a solo exhibition of all new works by Scott Campbell on Thursday, October 1st through to 30th October 2009. His collages build a palimpsest of old-reliable iconography much of which is rooted in the history of tattooing but which, as it’s presented here, reflects less on tattoos for their own sake and more on the mortal desire to memorialize and the strange, tid-bit narratives that arise from their combination. In his words, these are “the stories of blue collar pirates around nicotine stained unicorns and the price is right fuck the world of it all.”

Scott’s series of dollar bill sculptures make the American-ness of this literal. The designs are painstakingly drawn in individual layers that are then laser-cut into 100 one-dollar bills and glued into a stack. In addition to the clearly subversive implications of using money-as medium and the formal echo of the design flourishes printed on the bills and those carved out of them, this series (like the collages) appears as a kind of physical manifestation of thousands of histories. Skin touching paper moving the world on its axis – all of this cemented into place like so many victories of what we get to keep.

Scott’s work has been shown at Deitch Projects in New York City, O.H.W.O.W. In Miami, Illeana Contemporary Art Center in Athens, Greece, and The Contemporay Museum in Rome, among others.

Yasmine

SANTA MUERTE 2009 Fall “TARANTULA” Collection

I recently been checking out for upcoming brands and I ran across Santa Muerte. they just dropped a new season we took a look into SANTA MUERTE who unveil some strong graphics in their 2009 fall collection. Combining some cryptic icons, the “TARANTULA” collection includes some inspirations from Black Magic, Purple Haze and a tribute to Pablo Escobar. Each t-shirt is made on an organic t-shirt body. Available now at Subdivision.

Futura Odyssey Two Video

FUTURA´s ODYSSEY TWO, berlin - germany 2009 from ruedione on Vimeo.

Multi-faceted creative ruedione offers us another video into the latest exhibition from Futura, entitled Odyssey Two. Taking more of artistic approach, the piece showcases Futura at work in a classically shot Black/White sequence.

Beautiful Losers Screening

This is for all the design junkies,artists and for people who like coolthings. AIGA Houston presents the film Beautiful Losers

BEAUTIFUL LOSERS celebrates the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural moments of a generation

In the early 1990's a loose-knit group of likeminded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the "establishment" art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture.

Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories. It speaks to themes of what happens when the outside becomes "in" as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today's youth.

To learn more about this film please visit www.beautifullosers.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE
closes at 5pm, October 6


Date & Time:
Thursday October 8, 2009
6:30pm - social
7:30pm - screening

Location:
Domy Books
1709 Westheimer Rd
Houston, Tx 77098

Pre-Registration Pricing:
$10 AIGA Members
$20 Non-Members
$5 AIGA Student Members
$10 Student Non-Members

Pricing at the door:
$15 AIGA Members
$30 Non-Members
$10 AIGA Student Members
$20 Student Non-Members


Source:AIGA

VIDEO by BluXDavid Elllis

A collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis

Mauie Wowie- Alexandra Valenti photographer

Alexandra Valenti has a very diverse portfolio of photography. Her work reminds me of what I imagine to be the perfect day; adventuring around some abandoned island all afternoon, then coming inside and recording deep into the night. Now thats artist's life.

The chosen subjects and processing style remind me a bit of some of Neil Krug’s work.

via do it for the fame

Nike Sportswear x Benedict Radcliffe – Air Max 1 Wire Frame Sculpture

British artist/designer Benedict Radcliffe has recently unveiled his latest work, a 3.5 meter long wire frame recreation of the iconic Nike Air Max 1. The sculpture which is on display at the Nike Sportswear 1948 space in Shoreditch, London and is made from Varsity Blue galvanized aluminium pipes. Created as part of the Nike Sportswear X Dizzee Rascal – Air Max 90 Launch it is on display at: Nike Sportswear 1948 Arches 477-478 Batemans Row | Map Shoreditch London EC2A England

Click here for more work by Benedict Radcliffe.

Died Young Stayed Pretty Documentary

I am a sucker for a good gig poster so I to let you know about Died Young, Stayed Pretty a new documentary film looking at a scene of artists across the US who make gig posters. Each time a group comes to their local area these outsider artists create crazy posters and stick them up all over their city. Director Eileen Yaghoobian has spent three years travelling around the US examining these artists and what drives their movement. Gig poster art was one of the first poplar forums for graphic art amongst young people. The colourful, crazy and homemade graphics of the hippy and punk scenes were a precursor to graffiti and street art, and we can still see its influence in record labels like Ed Banger which have a really strong graphic style to their releases. This film should offer a fascinating insight into this virtually unknown scene.

Adam Stennett

I first thought Adam Stennett works were pictures, and suddenly hyperreality smacked me upside the head… i was very wrong.

Once i dugged a little more i found an incredible compilation of oil paintings that feature naked girls, medicine bottles and mice.

Please be wise to stop by his website at http://www.adamstennett.com/

Your business card is CRAP!

Hilarious, this guy is like the Tony Robbins of business cards or something. “It took me TWENTY—FIVE—YEARS to design this.”

John Whitney-Matrix III (1972)

While waiting at the airport I caught this great clip via Create Digital Motion. “As visualists, the sad truth is we have a poorer sense of the history of our medium than musicians. Part of this is simply a lack of access. YouTube is a weak substitute, but it’s a start.” Very true, it’s sad to think how many great works in video (and design for that matter) have been lost to time and obscurity. Hopefully more work like Matrix III slowly make their way into the digital domain. Via Create Digital Motion

Max Huber

These two posters by Max Huber kick-started my mind into creative gear. I really like the color palette at work in both; really unusual and effective. The second one is all about the type for me. Didot Bold in all caps always does a good job.

Neil Krug

When I first saw Neil Krug's work it was like looking at some lost photo album; I was hard pressed to tell whether it was new trying to look old or just plain old. Done right, the retro-lofi style can be very powerful, and Krug executes to perfection. I don't know much about his post process but he apparently starts off with expired Polaroid film to achieve this vividly psychedelic color palette. Coming into the world of digital art when I did, it's been interesting to see the massive resurgence in analog technology over the past decade. Artists in many mediums are turning back to more traditional methods and incorporating vintage technology into their process. I think a lot of artists have come to realize that the human eye craves authenticity and so often work that is purely digital falls short in sometimes imperceptible ways. I've found that in my own work -- both audio and visual -- incorporating even small amounts of analog elements into a composition can have a very powerful impact on how it is perceived.

Video: RZA Speaks on Wu-Tang's Chamber Music LP

As I mentioned before, this upcoming Wu-Tang Chamber Music project is looking pretty dope. I also mentioned my confusion as to the lack of buzz around the June 30th drop date. In this clip RZA clears up the details on the album. Along with the Wu usual suspects, features on the project will include Masta Ace, AZ, Cormega, Sean Price, Havoc, Kool G Rap, Sadat X and Tre Williams, with music provided by soul band, The Revelations. Go tell a friend about this one, hopefully it'll remove the bitter taste 8 Diagrams left.

Spotted at nah right

The Guggenheim Museum’s 50th Anniversary

The Guggenheim Museum and Google have come together to launch a global design competition for The Guggenheim’s 50th anniversary. It’s called ‘Design It Shelter‘ that “invites the public to create designs for a 100 sq ft structure in which to live and work for anywhere in the world using the 3D design tools Google Earth and Google Sketch Up.” It’s just so damn futuristic! Also to celebrate, they are releasing incredibly rare film footage taken while the building (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) was under construction, as well as special exhibitions including one centered on Wright’s works, another showing selected works from its inaugural art exhibition, and more. I love this building - it had a mixed reception at the time, apparently Wright wanted to design something ground-breaking , that would make the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art ”look like a Protestant barn.”

Words from Nicola on The Wire.

Its Coming!!!!!

Still Bill

This Bill Withers documentary is a must see. If you know where I can see this movie please let me know. I am a huge Bill withers fan and this documentary looks amazing! Withers wrote and performed the classics Aint No Sunshine, Lean On Me, Lovely Day, and Just The Two Of Us. It’s kinda crazy that he is still almost unknown to people and still be a legend in the music industry.

Your Portrait by Michel Gondry for $19.95

I just found out about this release this week, The DVD Michel Gondry 2: More Videos Before and After is available on its website, where you can also submit a photo and Gondry will draw and sign a portrait for $19.95 !

Paper Cuts

Exacto paper cutting Made by Julene - Check it out....

John Pound

If you were alive in the mid eighties, then you have probably seen John Pound’s work even if you don’t know his name of the most popular products is the work of John Pound. He is best known for his work for the trading card series called the Garbage Pail Kids.  Check out both John's illustrated and studio works on his website, where he’s archived a good chunk of his material.

Grits Motto

Skimmer

For all those who are trying to keep with the onslaught of social networking sites coming out everyday. I found a new destop app called Skimmer. It's a desktop Air app, aggregating Facebook, Flickr, Youtube, Twitter and Blogger. Anyway, it's out there and you can read more here.

Working in the LAB

Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Levi, the creator of Grits. I decided to start this blog to document people and the many influences of our designs. Ideally Grits was created out of the need to create clothing that represented me and more importantly Houston.

For us, Grits represents a resiliency we find in every Houstonian or better yet every Texan for that matter.  With a "No Grits No Glory" approach to life we rise against all odds in the pursuit of happiness. 

So thanks to all that supported us and make sure to  follow along because I have a lot more to come.

NO GRITS NO GLORY!!