Paint The Town: Hense Is The Name

Painting anything stationary is a losing game. Painting on the side of what one day will be destroyed by the elements is a noble pursuit. Most "serious" artists tend towards the more substantial, things they can have and hold and put their name on. Outdoor artwork and murals, unless they happen to be on a wall in post-war Germany, do not mature in value, or require an admission fee to be seen. Aside from a few beautifying projects in select cities, most artists have steered clear of painting things that don't move and can't be bought.

People need to make a living.

In this sense, outdoor art and graffiti are the ultimate expression of art. Pieces are impossible to buy, and oftentimes impossible to credit. Difficult to conceal, free to view, and temporary in permanent paint. And like most things in our immediate surroundings we ignore it, until someone makes a movie about it. The documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop was released in 2010 and suddenly mainstream culture was wide awake to graffiti and all that goes with it.

Since, not a single respectable piece of writing on the subject of graffiti has been written without a Bansky reference.

I liken it to being a completely respectable female rapper and being compared to Lil Kim. Your craft trumps your style and everyone is still pointing to the other guy. But Hense is nothing like the other guy. Hense, also known as Alex, has been able to go from underground to inspiring graffiti, to larger than life murals, to drawings and installations. The Atlanta based artist may have not had the commercial success of other artists, that comes in the form of movies and internet hoax, but one thing is certain, Hense is the man. Lately he's been bathing buildings in blankets of color. He makes the kind of graffiti you wouldn't want to wash off, much less call graffiti. 

Check out more of his art in urban landscapes. The ATL based-artist was nice enough to answer some questions for us...

What was the first thing you ever painted?

That would probably be painting I did on a piece of paper when I was in kindergarten. 

Your work is on such a grand scale. Have you ever had any grand scale mishaps?

Knock on wood. Nothing major. Just heat exhaustion.

Where can we see your work right now? 

I have a few recent projects located in Washington DC, Richmond, NYC, Miami and Atlanta.

How has Atlanta influenced your art?

Atlanta has been a great place to grow as an artist. I've been able to maintain a studio and be able to travel whenever I need to for projects. There have been a lot of very talented artists who have lived in Atlanta at some point that were big influences on me. 

Did you ever have another job, besides being an artist?

Dishwasher. Worst thing ever.

 

Photo Credit Miguel “M.i.G” Martinez

Tanlines - Not The Same

'Choose your own adventure' music videos are so hot right now.

The Creators Project put out a Photoshop-like "alpha channel video experiment" as they call it. The year is 2013 and the future is now. Take this space age website for a spin and see Tanlines perform in front of Stonehenge, the badlands, the white house, or my personal favorite, on top of a live fish cam. There is no limit to your imagination. Oh - and the song is top notch, too.

Check out the full experience here.

Hate Mail For Your Valentine

That's right cunt, listen up. If you are lucky enough to experience a day in the life as a pen pal to Mr. Bingo. You've done alright.

Mr. Bingo is going to take time (maybe) to handcraft you a thoughtful, impeccable postcard, on which he will take a major piss. Why? Because Mr. Bingo doesn't think anyone is getting enough fun post these days.

 

My personal favorite, for it's ability to wound deeply.

You can buy the book and feel hateful for almost a full hour. And you thought Post Secret was the last good bit with stranger's post cards. Shop it here. 

So who is this fuck?

His bio is a mere 3 sentences:

"Some say he's the 'Master of pens'.Some call him the 'Justin Bieber of drawing'. Some say he fucks about for a living."

Hate mail is currently limited to residents in the UK. But if you hate someone in the UK you are in luck, because you can pay for hate mail anywhere. 

If you want him to draw you a little something for free - click here. He probably would also prefer you follow him on instagram so you can <3 his fucked up shit. But don't, it only encourages him.

Should I Quit My Job? Flowchart

Because a pro's and con's list never does the trick.

Kids Today Can't Write Cursive

That's a rumor I'm starting. People click too much, press buttons even more, and hardly anyone just doodles. Instead they scroll and scroll and occasionally tap. But Charlotte Trounce draws...

She's done bits for the NY Times, and once started a project about Bulls...

She is based in London and works freelance. She might even draw something for you if you pay her in pounds.

It looks like she can write cursive, but that's not important because she has better things to do.

She seems very busy.

Sonya Sheats: The Belle of The Book

The year is 2012 and in just as many ways as we have progressed with technology and innovation, we have also cheapened many old pleasures by producing them in mass quantity. But what if the goal wasn't accesiblity? What if it was pecuilarity?

Sonya Sheats, artist and book binder extradorianne, crafts an ode to the written word with beautiful designs.

Why Didn't We Think Of That?

We frequently wish we could take credit for someone else's idea: expensive cupcakes, Pandora, reversible clothing, you get the idea. Here is something else to add to that list: CineSkates. Rollerblades for your camera that retail for $315 and give you smooth flowing shots. Developed at MIT, the cost is relatively low compared to professional camera equipment with similar capabilities, but we'd like to find a DIY or skateboard that could do the same...

To buy visit: Cinetics

Vivian Maier: Portraits

Self Portrait 1959, Vivian Maier

Bidding on old storage lockers, history buff, John Maloof, stumbled across Vivian Maier's work. At the time, no one outside of the children Maier nannied knew Maier for anything notable, much less, were aware of her photography. Maloof discovered 1000's of abandoned prints and negatives and began a blog to showcase the work. With the overwhelming response to the blog, young Maloof set to further champion Maier's work and pulled together an exhibit at The Chicago Cultural Center. Maier passed away in 2009. Like many artists before her, Maier did not live to see her work on exhibit. Nor will she be able to see the documentary and book that she will be the subject of, set to release in 2012. 

Self Portrait 1959, Vivian MaierUntitled Self-Portrait, Vivian MaierMore...

Upcoming Exhibit:

Vivian Maier - Hosted by Tim Roth 
January 7 - January 28, 2012 
Merry Karnowsky Gallery 
170 S. La Brea Avenue 
Los Angeles, CA 90036