Archive for September, 2008

NEWS///POLITIKS///RON ENGLISH WEIGHS IN ON THE ECONOMY

September 28th, 2008

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The underground art world’s most outspoken political agitator, Supertouch’s own RON ENGLISH is not happy about the economic bailout. Needless to say, Clear Channel isn’t going to be very happy either when these new media bombs start appearing—sans permission—around the country. And, for dissidents who like to take billboard liberation into their own hands, hi-res EPS files of the images can be downloaded HERE. Just don’t tell us what you did with them and no one gets busted. HAVE A LOOK: Read the rest of this entry »

WTF?!? FILES///WING SUIT MADNESS

September 28th, 2008

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POSTED BY J O'Shea/Editor

NEWS///CHARITY CASE///COMPLETE SET OF NIKE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS DUNKS ON EBAY NOW

September 25th, 2008

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Beginning today, September 25th, NIKE SPORTSWEAR is auctioning off a complete set of 15 pairs of one-of-a-kind BEAUTIFUL LOSERS Dunk high-tops on eBAY to benefit the venerable CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY. Commemorating the release of the “Beautiful Losers” film directed and produced by head Loser AARON ROSE, the Dunks each feature iconic stills and artful details from the movie itself and were all designed by head Nike Sportswear footwear designer JESSE LEYVA in conjunction with Mr. Rose. Remember, in these times of economic woe, a lot of kids out there have it harder than you ever did so bid aggressively and often. If that weren’t enough to get you motivated, you can sleep easy knowing that this might be the only big sneaker splurge you’ll ever be able to write off when the tax man comes for your head…

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The chance to wear Geoff McFetridge’s moustache on your feet should be reason enough for bidding!…

GERMANY///STUDIO VISIT///SEBASTIAN KRUGER GETS THE BLUES

September 25th, 2008

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Even Germans get the blues—sometimes…

Master painter and self-described “personality portrait” artist SEBASTIAN KRUGER is a force of nature. As a classically trained painter schooled in the tradition of the old masters who just happens to be one of the world’s most incredible caricaturists (and diehard rocker), it wasn’t long before the two modes forever melded. The result is an unmistakably unique fine art style that that the artist has been working to refine—with incredible results—for the better part of two decades now. From his studio deep in the Black Forest of Germany (where little children are cooked and eaten in gingerbread houses), the almost impossibly prolific Krüger has cranked out a massive array of dauntingly articulate portraits of rock stars in recent years including Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, and Jimi Hendrix, to name a few, but so far, the Rolling Stones have provided his greatest inspiration. Reveling in the endless lines and crevices of the now haggard faces of the aging British rock gods, Krüger has created a lengthy series of masterpiece paintings depicting the ragged five that have formed the basis of a two volume book set on the band. Now, turning his brush to the blues legends that birthed the Glimmer Twins, the artist has just put the finishing touches on a new “Blues” series that is simply epic in detail. Paying tribute to some of the genre’s foremost innovators including harp player LITTLE WALTER, and guitarists ROBERT JOHNSON, MUDDY WATERS, BB KING, ALBERT COLLINS, and “The Hook” (aka: JOHN LEE HOOKER), Krüger captures them in all their sweaty glory with a touch totally unique to the master. HAVE A LOOK: Read the rest of this entry »

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POSTED BY J O'Shea/Editor

AUSTIN///CYCLE KILLERS///LANCE ARMSTRONG HOSTS RVCA x CINELLI’S “PRESSURE” AT MELLOW JOHNNY’S

September 23rd, 2008

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Supertouch’s resident world champion cyclist/2009 Tour de France front runner/heavy-duty art collector LANCE ARMSTRONG played host to the second installment of RVCA & CINELLI’s collaborative art exhibition, “Pressure,” this weekend at his own newly-opened cycling shop MELLOW JOHNNY’S in Austin, Tejás. Although the man in yellow couldn’t attend (being strapped into the saddle of a bike at 5:30am everyday to train in the mountains isn’t exactly conducive to partying), Austin’s fixed gear fanatics turned out in droves to ogle the bikes on display customized by a stellar array of artists including BARRY McGEE, PHIL FROST, KAWS, ESPO, ASHLEY MACOMBER, CRAIG STECYK, CLARE ROJAS, DMOTE, and more. The kickoff to a very blurry weekend that began at the art show before sliding over to the nearby 501 STUDIOS where the first-ever installment of the vaunted BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL was going down, Austinites showed that the fixie movement is alive, well, and flourishing in the Lone Star. To prove the point, San Francisco fixed gearheads/single-speed messiahs MASH dropped in to hold the world premiere screening of their new mini-flick chronicling their recent summer fixie ride through town with Lance. PEEP THE RECAP: Read the rest of this entry »

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POSTED BY J O'Shea/Editor

NEWS///STREET LIFE///BANKSY DISAPPEARING FROM NEW ORLEANS FAST

September 23rd, 2008

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The Bristol Bad Boy makes NoLa residents see red… 

As we’ve been reporting, BANKSY’s pre-Hurricane Gustav art run through New Orleans‘ battered Lower Ninth Ward produced a flurry of new large-scale pieces throughout the neighborhood that started disappearing almost as soon as the hurricane passed. Now the remaining images that can’t be cut down and trucked off are being covered up at rapid pace by locals who don’t exactly fancy some rogue Englishman painting up the sides of their houses and stores, regardless of how abandoned they might be. The highlight of this week’s cover-ups? The wall formerly home to Banksy’s gas mask marching band being reclaimed by the local Gulf Coast Dragons Motorcycle Club, complete with a new handpainted sign where Banksy’s stencils used to be. HAVE A LOOK: Read the rest of this entry »

NEWS///MUSIC///EVERLAST DROPS “LOVE, WAR, AND THE GHOST OF WHITEY FORD”

September 23rd, 2008

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Supertouch’s own EVERLAST drops his new solo album “Love, War, and the Ghost of Whitey Ford” today, marking the culmination of almost two years’ worth of heavy-duty studio time. Yeah, the economy might have disintegrated this week but head over to iTunes and buy the record anyway. Believe me, you don’t wanna see the guys E sends out to punish those who jack his tunes…

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POSTED BY J O'Shea/Editor

DESIGN///THE INSA x ROUSSEAU BUBBLE CHAIR

September 23rd, 2008

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Something tells us she looks better in the chair than your hairy, drunken roommate… 

Paying homage to the bubble-shaped behinds so beloved by English street artist INSA, this new collaborative edition by UK design house ROUSSEAU adds an innovative twist to the iconic Pop furniture staple. Featuring his iconic spiraling high-heeled graphics, the limited edition Lucite chair was unveiled at last week’s DESIGNERSBLOCK LONDON and is set to hit retail this fall. The unexpected added bonus? In this real estate market, it’s the perfect time to go shopping for the perfect mod crash pad to put the chair in…

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POSTED BY J O'Shea/Editor

TOYBOX///KAWS STORMTROOPERS REPORT FOR DUTY

September 23rd, 2008

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Stepping up this fall to provide KAWS‘ signature Darth Vader figure with some much-needed bodyguarding are the Original Faker’s new XX-eyed STORMTROOPERS, produced in limited edition by Japanese toy masters MEDICOM TOY. We don’t have to tell you how fast these mindless terror drones are going to move, and one thing’s for sure, they look even better as an army. If only they were life-sized…

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KAWS’ foray into the Dark Side is now complete…

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POSTED BY J O'Shea/Editor

LONDON///STREET LIFE///THE NOT-SO-PORTABLE CIVIL UNREST MANUAL

September 23rd, 2008

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POSTED BY J O'Shea/Editor

Exclusive

Features

NEWS///OPENING NITE: SHEPARD FAIREY’S “SUPPLY & DEMAND” AT CINCINNATI CAC BREAKS ATTENDANCE RECORD

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Friday was a big nite in the Midwest when SHEPARD FAIREY’s Ohio installment of his traveling retrospective “Supply & Demand” opened at the CINCINNATI CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER and shattered the institution’s all-time attendance record.

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NYC///ART HYPE///MR BRAINWASH PERFECTS THE ART OF TURD POLISHING WITH THE OPENING OF “ICONS”

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What has to be the final nail in the “Street Art” coffin was driven in last weekend by none other than MR. BRAINWASH (aka: “The Christian Audigier of Street Art”) when he opened his massive, self-produced “Icons” show in a rented space (which, ironically, was once a real art gallery, pre-recession) in the heart of Chelsea. As the subject of Brit Street Art king Banksy’s recent docu-parody film, “Exit Through The Gift Shop,” MBW has been the focus of much hype and speculation as his presence finally seeps into the fairly muddy stream of mainstream consciousness. Last week’s Wall Street Journal article articulated this particularly well:

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FASHION///R.I.P./// DESIGNER ALEXANDER McQUEEN COMMITS SUICIDE IN LONDON

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One of the fashion world’s foremost visionary designers ALEXANDER McQUEEN was found dead today in his London apartment, an apparent suicide just days after the death of his mother, and the suicide of one of his close friends Isabella Blow, who discovered the young designer and helped forge his early career:

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MOCA’S “COLLECTION: THE FIRST THIRTY YEARS” PROVES THE MUSEUM SHOULD BE AROUND FOR 30 MORE

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Despite MOCA’s financial woes of late and near collapse last year amid the chaos of the economic holocaust, the veritable Southland institution seems on to a bright future now, having secured ST buddy JEFFREY DEITCH as its new director (starting June 1) and financial security (for the moment). If ever there was a time to celebrate, it is now. HAVE A LOOK:

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FEATURE///IN THE STUDIO WITH SHEPARD FAIREY AS HE PREPARES FOR DEITCH GALLERY’S CLOSING SHOW

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By now it’s no secret that JEFFREY DEITCH is closing shop in downtown NYC to head West for the sunnier confines of the MoCA Director’s office, starting June 1st. That leaves SHEPARD FAIREY’s upcoming portrait show as the farewell exhibition at one of the city’s most legendary and influential commercial art institutions in the city’s history.

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