chumpchampion

This blog behaved very badly and inconsistently in 2011 (because of this, that or the other), and for that an apology is in order. Sorry.

With an aim to return strong in 2012, CHUMPCHAMPION will be back better than before with a new streamlined design, consistent and exclusive content to continue to bring you the creative morsels that inspire us on the daily.

So here’s to a new and improved championing of chumps, a new year and a new you in the two-zero-one-two!

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It’s been quite a year for our homegirl Alex Stapleton as she not only dropped her inside look at the seminal Art in the Streets show with Outside In: The Story of Art in The Streets, she also was a film festival darling as her lively film Corman’s World: Exploits Of A Hollywood Rebel became a critical hit and favorite amongst fans from Sundance to Cannes and everywhere in between. And now Alex gets to share the story she expertly crafted about the life of legendary DIY director/producer Roger Corman as her film gets released in NY and LA theaters this weekend where it’s sure to be well received once again. If you’re a fan of films, filmmaking and personal underdog stories told by the likes of Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, William Shatner and Jack Nicholson (like you’ve never seen him before!), among many more notable film figures, then you don’t want to miss Corman’s World!

From Corman’s World:

“CORMAN’S WORLD: EXPLOITS OF A HOLLYWOOD REBEL is a tantalizing and star-studded tribute to Roger Corman, Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director producer, and seminal influencing force in modern moviemaking over the last 60 years. Featuring interviews with Hollywood icons and cinematic luminaries, some who launched their careers within Corman’s unforgettable world of filmmaking, including Paul W.S. Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, Robert De Niro, Peter Fonda, Pam Grier, Ron Howard, Eli Roth, Martin Scorsese, William Shatner and Jack Nicholson, along with many others, this documentary chronicles how Corman created his cult film empire, one low-budget success at a time, capitalizing on undiscovered talent, and pushing the boundaries of independent filmmaking. Director Alex Stapleton weaves archival footage following Roger’s illustrious career: From his early days of genre-defining classics including the original Fast and Furious, the original Little Shop of Horrors, The Crybaby Killer, The Intruder, House of Usher, and The Wild Angels (which at that point in 1966 was his 100th film) - to present day video of him and his wife Julie on location, still at work as they continue to produce and distribute films outside the studio system: fast, cheap and out-of-this-world!”

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Featuring film presentations and intimate conversations with Spike Jonze, Benicio Del Toro, Elliot Gould, Neil Hamburger, Doug Benson, Jonathan Gold, No Age and many, many more!

From the Cinefam:

“On December 17th, as our year-end fundraiser, the Cinefamily will put on 24 straight hours of awesome events. WATCH IT ALL ONLINE HERE, or come on down to The Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax, and be part of the live studio audience. Happy holidays!

Admission will be free, on a first-come, first-serve basis, and a new audience will be brought into the theater ever 4-5 hours, at the specified times below. We want to give as many people a chance to be in the studio audience, so it’s kind of like a rollercoaster — when the fun is done, you can always get back in line.

Remember: Cinefamily members get priority admittance, so now is a great time to sign up for membership! For guaranteed entry, you might consider one of our couch auctions!”

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From CHG:

“On Saturday, December 17, Corey Helford Gallery is pleased to present “Gilded Roses” by Los Angeles artist Sylvia Ji. Ji is internationally recognized for her highly-collected works that capture beauty in its rarest forms, and her fourth solo exhibition with the gallery will be her most elegant to date.

A study of “the ornamented being”, Ji embodies this beauty as a rose in her new collection, “Gilded Roses.” For the exhibition, Ji will unveil twelve new paintings inspired by western European costume designs and modern couture. Ji explains, “As a child I would revel in and devour all things related to historical costume; it is a passion of mine. Bygone eras of corsets, crinolines, explosions of lace, feathers, silks, satins, glinting jewels—all gilded to a state of heightened beauty and sartorial elegance.”

Each piece created for the exhibition is “a unique exploration into my fascination with the past and what we wore” Ji notes about the intricate patterns, fine textures, and historical silhouettes that define her subjects. Her signature red palette is highlighted by an assortment of jewel tones: deep crimsons, seductive purples and crisp emeralds with extensive use of gold leaf to accentuate each piece. Capturing the essence of the show is “Regina,” Ji’s Elizabethan style portrait of “a gilded rose heavily ornamented, but behind the veneer there is strength and power.”

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Get your culture on at Family on Fairfax Monday night, Collage Culture that is. Our hustling homie Aaron Rose, along with Mandy Kahn and Brian Roettinger bring forth essays, commentaries and philosophies of today’s creative innovation, or lack thereof, from their new book Collage Culture. Along with readings from their book, the trio will also be exhibiting prints as well as playing original score created by No Age to accompany the book reading experience.

From A. Rose:

“Hey there…
Hope you had a great holiday!
If you don’t have plans this Monday night, please come to Family Books on
Fairfax for the Los Angeles release of our new book, COLLAGE CULTURE
(JRP|Ringier). This event will be the final stop on a five city “sold out”
book tour that brought us to London, Paris, Berlin, and New York. But we
all know the west is the best right? So come down.

We’ll be reading from the book as well as showing some prints in the
gallery. Plus, we’ll also be listening to, and have copies available of a
limited edition COLLAGE CULTURE 12″ vinyl record (released on PPM) where
selections of the book are read to an original score by No Age. Intrigued?
You should be.

Anyway, hope to see you.”

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From Jonathan LeVine:

“Jonathan LeVine Gallery is pleased to present Migration, new works by Portland-based artist Josh Keyes, in what will be his second solo exhibition at the gallery. Migration features a series of paintings on panel, drawings on paper, and a ten-foot canvas entitled Stampede, the artist’s largest painting to date.

On the subject of his show title, in the artist’s words, “Migration and displacement were ideas that continued to surface in my mind while I was painting these images. I was thinking about the effects of climate change and the way some ecosystems that thrive in a specific range of temperatures—like polar or tropical climates—are experiencing a shrinking of their boundaries. Ecosystems that were separate are now slowly merging and overlapping one another, causing disruptions in the food web and increased competition for food and space among species. Some become displaced and are forced to migrate, in order to survive.”

Keyes’ imagery in this exhibition pushes the potential consequences of ecosystem clashing to a climax that wavers on the surreal. A bright orange tiger rests contently on top of a graffiti covered dumpster, staring intensely at a pack of wolves, scavenging whitetail deer scraps from the tiger’s morning hunt. Below the smooth floodwater surface, glides a great white shark. A pair of giant pandas, marooned on a submerged jeep, watch with curiosity as the shark’s fin circles by. Deer, elk, wolves and other animals form a stampeding herd, charging through a city street, leaving upturned cars and ruptured pavement in their frenzied wake.

Keyes’ work often depicts various species of wildlife isolated within settings that foreshadow a theoretically threatening dystopian fate. His signature fragmented landscape, surrounded by a sea of empty white space, represents the universal unknown as well as the disconnect between contemporary society and the natural world. Through his work, Keyes explores timely ecological themes that convey his deep concern for the environmental crisis our planet faces. His imaginative interpretations of the long-term effects of global warming include aspects of climate change, extinction, the decline of natural resources and threat of rising sea levels. All of these issues are integrated, and woven throughout the allegorical fabric of the work in a resounding visual study on causality.”

From Jonathan LeVine:

“Jonathan LeVine Gallery is proud to present Time Kills All Gods, new works by celebrated Portland-based artist AJ Fosik, in what will be his highly anticipated second solo exhibition at the gallery.

“Fosik’s feral creations take the shape of fantastic beings that communicate a subversive, anti-religious commentary through the depiction of hyperbolized fictional gods. Nameless, assigned no specific meanings or powers, beholden to no formal faith—real or contrived—Fosik’s idols are not meant to contribute to some grand theological narrative of the artist’s design. They are masterfully made beautiful objects that examine the nature of spiritual iconography through an absence of religious discourse. In this way, Fosik points to the power and scope of man’s innate creativity devoid of divine inspiration.” – Lainya Magana, Hi-Fructose Magazine, 2010

As the exhibition title suggests, the artist’s sculptural work explores primal themes. In his words, “I’m fascinated by the need and devotion to the idea of a creator and the many manifestations of that concept. My pieces are totems that are meant to turn the supernatural on its head. They are as man made as every god and just as seductive, but their power lies only in that existential admittance. By subverting the power of spiritual iconography, my work fetishizes the embrace of the unknown and celebrates existence as its own virtue. In reality, we only have each other.”

Fosik explores the powerful medium of language and metaphor to emphasize narrative and interpretation. Using wood and found materials, he creates figural, eclectic and intricately designed three-dimensional works that intrigue and provoke. Fosik’s animal subjects and anthropomorphized beings are built using a complex process in which each form is carefully handcrafted by arranging hundreds of pieces of individually cut and varnished wood, which the artist paints in vibrant colors and patterns. Sharp teeth, claws, and eyes emerge once the creatures are completed—some are constructed as freestanding forms while others are wall-mounted, referencing modern taxidermy practices.

All works in this exhibition are made from 100% locally sourced, sustainably grown Oregon lumber and parts manufactured in the USA. On the subject of his creative process, Fosik says, “every piece undergoes full woodshop gestation. I build an entire wooden skeleton from 2×4’s and framing nails, on top of that goes plywood and gold screws forming muscle and sinew, another layer of wooden flesh over that and finally I skin the beast with luan chips.”

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From CHG:

“On Saturday, October 22, Corey Helford Gallery is pleased to present “A Dangerous Inclination,” a solo exhibition by digital artist Ray Caesar and his most revealing to date. Caesar’s first exhibition with Corey Helford features 30 pieces, unveiling Caesar’s cathartic process of making art. “I look inside myself and see very difficult and wonderful memories I have forgotten; things I tucked away in a secret box 45 years ago,” Caesar explains. “I am now sitting by that box and opening up what’s inside. [This exhibition] communicates what I am finding.”

Caesar is known for his elegant and haunting works, which are a reflection of his subconscious mind and path to self-discovery. “I take difficult memories and hidden emotions and turn them into something that at first glance seems pretty, then you notice something a little disturbing or an ingredient that you wonder why it might be there,” Caesar explains. “A little tainted, a little melancholy, a little funny, a little sad and a little taboo… I mix this with clocks and scissors and irons and knives and silk dresses hiding strange things underneath.”

“A Dangerous Inclination”“A Dangerous Inclination” continues on this theme, disclosing a more personal side to his narratives than before. For example, his new painting “Iron Shoes” features a child wearing a fluffy, white petticoat and fiery feet, which deals with Caesar’s traumatic childhood memories and his experiences working in a children’s hospital. Whereas “La Chasse”—a three-dimensional fête galante inspired by Antoine Watteau—is about hunting back innocence that has been taken from childhood. Other works, such as “Siren” and “Titania” serve as metaphors for self-exploration and escape, respectively.

While maintaining the self-discovery theme, “A Dangerous Inclination” has noted differences: some of the pieces feature multiple figures, whereas some feature none at all. For example, the subject of “Death of an Unfaithful Still Life” is a dresser lying broken on the floor. “It is a strange piece for me and part of my work I am moving towards of non-figurative pieces—although I see them as figurative,” Caesar explains.”

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From SHQ:

“Come on down to SHQ and help us celebrate the release of :01 First Second’s “Nursery Rhyme Comics”!

The anthology features 50 classic nursery rhymes drawn by 50 cartoonists, such as Vanessa Davis, Mike Mignola, Kate Beaton, Craig Thompson, and many more (including the fabulous artists that will be attending the show.)

The following artists will be on hand to sign copies of the book, as well as having their art on display!

Jamie Hernandez, Jordan Crane, Jen Wang, Tony Millionaire, Stan Sakai, and Tao Nyeu.

We are beyond excited to have so many talented artists at the release party. Join us, won’t you?

For more info on this wonderful new book, check out http://www.firstsecondbooks.com/.

-SHQ-”

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From R&R:

“Clandestine activities, erotic magic, and the exploration of the occult figure largely in the collective works of Hannah Stouffer,Sterling Bartlett, and Nil Ultra.

The Order of the Triad invite you to join them for an exhibition exploring the mythos of secret societies, cults, and the nature of ritual itself.”

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The monumental IBM THINK exhibit featuring an immersive film shown across 40 8 by 5 foot HD screens I edited with my dear Motion Theory/Mirada crew and new pals at SY Partners comes to a close at New York City’s famed Lincoln Center this Sunday, October 23rd. The innovative installation was created in collaboration with head Theorist Mat Cullen along with fellow discerning directors Jesus De Francisco and Kaan Atilla; features a compelling score from my trusty partner in sound Money Mark; showcases the efforts of a group of over 100 producers, designers, compositors and effects artists; and would not have come to fruition without the hard work and editorial reinforcement from my fellow “Man Cave” compatriots-editors Bryan Keith, Fred Fouquet and Hoi Mai.

The THINK exhibit consists of three distinct and engaging experiences: a brightly colorful 100 foot LED data wall showcasing real time stats such as air quality, traffic flow and potential solar energy from around New York City; the aforementioned 15 minute film focusing on human progress through space, crops, medicine, global traffic and where we as humans are headed; and an interactive component following the film in which the screens become touch sensitive (think giant 8 foot iPads) and features IBM’s mantra of “seeing, mapping, understanding, believing and acting” with real time polls viewers can touch to vote on.

The ingeniously informative exhibition is a completely unique experience and must be seen, heard and touched in person to fully grasp the scope of this accomplishment. The world has never seen anything like this, and I guarantee you haven’t either, so if you’re in the New York area please go check out IBM’s THINK exhibit before it closes this Sunday, October 23rd!

At our opening with the Motion Theory/Mirada mafia

The THINK entrance with director Mat Cullen, head creative Susanna Rodriguez, me, fellow editor Bryan Keith and Oscar winning cinematographer Guillermo Navarro

Money Mark and me at the credit wall

The data wall after the rain

The crop/rice scene from the film

Medicine from the film

Me interacting with the interactive component following the film

The completion of the THINK exhibit

The beginning of the end of our work as we mixed sound on site at the Lincoln Center til the wee hours of the morning for many days straight. Needless to say, it was all so worth it.

From IBM:

“Located on Jaffe Drive at Lincoln Center in New York, the THINK exhibit combines three unique experiences to engage visitors in a conversation about how we can improve the way we live and work.

Data wall

Visitors approaching the exhibit are drawn in by striking patterns displayed on a 123-foot digital wall. The wall visualizes, in real time, the live data streaming from the systems surrounding the exhibit, from traffic on Broadway, to solar energy, to air quality. Visitors discover how we can now see change, waste and opportunities in the world’s systems.

Immersive film

Inside the exhibit space, visitors step into a media field composed of 40 seven-foot screens. As the screens come to life, visitors discover a 12-minute immersive film. A kaleidoscope of images and sound surrounds them. They are enveloped in a rich narrative about the pattern of progress, told through awe-inspiring stories of the past and present. They are inspired to think about humankind’s quest for progress, and about making our world work better, today.

Interactive experience

At the conclusion of the film, the 40 media panels become interactive touchscreens, transforming the space into a forest of discovery. Visitors can explore our quest to see more—from clocks and scales to microscopes and telescopes, RFID chips and biomedical sensors. They learn how maps have been used to track data, from early geographical maps to the most recent databases and data visualization platforms. They interact with the models used to understand the complex behaviors of our world—from weather prediction algorithms to virus spread simulations. They hear from leaders of world-changing initiatives about how they built belief. And they read about some of the most inspiring examples of systemic progress around the world. Each touchscreen also gives visitors the opportunity to provide their point of view and learn what others are thinking.”

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