This All Disappeared Today

A renovation happening today will destroy the art installations at a nightclub in Paris formerly known as Les Bains. The building was closed in 2010 when it was deemed unsafe. Several urban artists were commissioned to create their own installations in the buildings deadspace in the interim, thanks to Magda Danysz. Such artists include Space Invader, Futura and Sambre who sourced materials from the decaying building.

The impromptu artist residency will not be mourned by most; during the entirety of the showcase the building remained inaccessible to the public. The building is slated to be fully renovated and opened as a new venue in 2014. The works are preserved only by the photographs taken by Jérôme Coton and Stephane Bissuel.

You can see more of the works here on the "One Day One Artist" site.

No Seconds

In my family the majority of dinners were laced with mocking, never been kissed comments, and my mother's personal favorite: what would your last meal be? A cigarette and a Steinbeck novel? A steak and a glass of whiskey? 

Artist Henry Hargreaves, based in Brooklyn (of course), previously known for high fashion photography for publications like V, GQ, Esquire, and New York Magazine, has taken to more curious creations. Most recently he has profiled the alphabet in bacon, celebrated breasts (three-dd.com), and profiled our favorite tabletop games.

His project No Seconds created the biggest hit yet, the photos show what actual deceased inmates had for their last meal. Hargreaves recreated their last meals in the manner which he imagined they were served, down to the tablescape.

Don't Not: A Lesson In The Irresponsible

"Don't not do that." Is one of the dumbest phrases I've ever heard. It is also the favorite advice and life motto of my friend Stanley (Dan, to strangers and close family). 

Should I drink this entire 40?

-Don't Not

Should I quit my job and travel on my unemployment checks?

-Don't Not

Should I stick my hand down this garbage disposal?

-Don't Not, Not Do That.

But before I could harshly judge Stanley for getting "Don't Not" permanently inked on his body, his motto proved solid. He got what would be a dream job, he met a pretty lady, found a great dog, then found another great dog, and now he takes after his father photographing everything.

Videographer, photographer, skateboarder, and proud parent, he takes brilliant portraits of all his near & dears and post them here.

Don't not read on.

Dan Shetron

Dan Shetron

The man behind the lense...

Attractive People Doing Attractive Things in Attractive Places

Yes, someone else already thought of this idea.

His name, Slim Aarons, his niche, photography of the rich and famous. His specialty was preppy socialites, and in turn, he illustrated everything that preppy socialites do. He became an expert at capturing the well-tanned and wealthy drinking pina coladas pool side and laughing at puns. Aarons wrote several books, in which he details his findings with glossy colored images that span from cover to cover, they are as follows: A Wonderful Time: An Intimate Portrait of The Good Life, Slim Aarons: Once Upon A Time, Slim Aarons: A Place In The Sun, and Pool side with Slim Aarons. If one didn't know any better they'd assume Slim Aarons a bluebood, his roots in debutante parties. In actuality Aarons started as a combat photographer during WWII, earning a purple heart and realizing that landing on a beach full of girls tanning would be the ideal.

Times Magazine described Aarons photos as having a "strangely bewitching narcissism".

Aarons used only natural light and little make up. 

''They would invite me to one of their parties because they knew I wouldn't hurt them. I was one of them.''

Killing Our Craft, Calling Ourselves Artists

"The most important thing is to see work that is honest, and interesting, and complicated"

PressPausePlay by House of Radon in Stockholm Sweden explores the idea that we are on the verge of something, a creative renaissance or a creative dark age. The catalyst being widespread technology. At it best the modern technology distributes free information to people around the globe. It doesn't answer to any specific organization, industry, or expert. However, at it's worst, it turns everyone into an artist, many of which are mediocre, if everyone is mediocre do we adjust our palette to accept this? The next stages of our lives may be ruled by self-opinion. Is there a danger in being a crappy artist, but very good at clicking? Occasion and place are often just as important in the new digital era, as talent and message.

"They give a subpar performance and they expect the technology to fix it...the craft is no longer neccessary"

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