Machotaildrop
By John H Lee | September 24, 2010 | 0
I read a review on a site that said this was a “skateboard film for people who like drugs.” I still like it though. Anyone seen it yet? PR folks, can you send us a screener? Cheers!
Banksy’s Exit Through The Gift Shop
By John H Lee | April 9, 2010 | 0
In New York there were two simultaneous screenings of the film - one by Morgan Spurlock for about the same number of people - and one by the woostercollective. We were invited by Marc and Sara and Marc was so secretive about the film prior to it that he couldn’t even divulge where the screening was to held until we actually got the invites! So we figured something cool was going to happen. Only 99 guests were invited to our screening. The guests included celebrities, artists, weirdo’s and some really cool people. In the words of Marc - “it was like a very interesting dinner party.”
So, some of you might know of an artist that people have accused of “ripping off Banksy,” who recently had a series of shows in LA and NYC. I can’t tell you any more than this: the film might have something to do with something or someone that those shows involve. We really cannot say any more than that. You guys will have to check it out for yourselves.
Be warned, in true Banksy style, the first 10 or so minutes are a bit disorienting, and I think it was done deliberately. You’ll see what I mean when you see the film. I highly, highly recommend that you see it on the big screen.
Here is the synopsis from Banksy’s spokespeople:
OPENS IN CINEMAS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES BEGINNING APRIL 16TH
For Exact Theaters And Showtimes Check The Official Website: http://www.banksyfilm.com
Exit Through the Gift Shop, the first film by renowned graffiti artist Banksy, became the hottest ticket at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it made its world debut. Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post—hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner with spectacular results. The film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader and many of the worlds most infamous graffiti artists at work, on walls and in interview. As Banksy describes it, Its basically the story of how one man set out to film the un—filmable. And failed
Fully Flared Intro
By John H Lee | September 10, 2009 | 0
UNKLE Fully Flared from STCKR on Vimeo.
The full res version can be seen here. Another Spike Jonze visual miracle.
Herb & Dorothy Opens June 5th
By LinYee Yuan | May 20, 2009 | 1
When we gave you a preview of the amazing documentary film, Herb and Dorothy, last year, we weren’t sure if the film would make it into the theaters or not. We’re excited to announce that the film will be opening at New York City’s Cinema Village on June 5th with a nation-wide rollout all summer! An intimate and inspiring portrait of two of the most prolific contemporary art collectors of our time, this film is a lovestory between a couple and their passion for art. Check the listings for local screenings and go out and support this amazing film!!
Do you have to be a Medici or a Rockefeller to collect art?
Not according to Herbert and Dorothy Vogel. This documentary film tells the extraordinary story of Herb, a postal clerk, and Dorothy, a librarian - an ordinary couple of modest means who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history.
In the early 1960s, when very little attention was paid to Minimalist and Conceptual Art, Herb and Dorothy quietly began purchasing the works of unknown artists. Devoting all of Herb’s salary to buy art, and living on Dorothy’s paycheck alone, they continued collecting artworks guided by two rules: the piece had to be affordable, and small enough to fit in their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment. Within these limitations, they proved themselves curatorial visionaries; most of those they supported and befriended went on to become world-renowned artists. Their circle includes: Sol LeWitt, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Richard Tuttle, Chuck Close, Robert and Sylvia Mangold, Lynda Benglis, Pat Steir, Robert Barry, Lucio Pozzi and Lawrence Weiner.
Thirty years on, the Vogels had managed to accumulate over 4,000 pieces, filling every corner of their living space from the bathroom to the kitchen. “Not even a toothpick could be squeezed into the apartment,” recalls Dorothy. Their apartment was near collapse, holding way over its limit - something had to be done.
In 1992, the Vogels made headlines that shocked the art world: their entire collection was moved to the National Gallery of Art, the vast majority of it as an outright gift to the institution. Many of the works they acquired at modest prices appreciated so significantly that their collection became worth several million dollars, yet the Vogels never sold a single piece to breakdown the collection.
Herb and Dorothy still live in the same apartment today- with 19 turtles, lots of fish, one cat -once completely emptied, now refilled again with piles of artworks.
Tyson
By Theme Staff | May 5, 2009 | 0
Over the weekend there was a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. There was so much left hanging in the air from the Pacquiao versus Hatton fight that I had to go see the Tyson movie! James Toback, who is more famous for his most recent cinematic endeavors such as Black and White, Two Guys and a Girl and The Pick-up Artist, paired up with Mike Tyson for a one on one interview exploring every aspect of Tyson’s life and hopefully explanations.
As the movie began; I could not help but to love the split screens jumping across my eyes of Tyson-young, sharp and ready to fight and the present day Tyson on his couch answering questions. So much of what the public did not know about Tyson is revealed in the first couple of scenes; he grew up Brownsville, Brooklyn and by the time he was 13 years old, he had been arrested 38 times. At the Tryon School for Boys, Tyson found that good behavior would grant him small boxing sessions with a former boxer turned juvenile detention center counselor. Cus D’Amato, boxing manager and trainer took Tyson out of the school and eventually became Tyson’s guardian.
The film focuses only on Tyson’s voice and his thoughts, which vary from esoteric to down right terrifyingly violent. Tyson is still one of the most controversial international boxing star. His rise to fame was as exciting and tumultuous as his fall. There are different dynamics between fighting in the ring and the streets and Tyson has been unfortunate in some of his public battles but the internal battle is captivating.
Where the Wild Things Are
By LinYee Yuan | March 26, 2009 | 0
We’ve been talking about this movie for a year now! Today, they released the trailer for the big screen adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book.
Scope Art Fair
By Theme Staff | March 12, 2009 | 0
This past week was art fair week in New York! Scope, Armory, Fountain and Pulse, I hope I did not forget anyone!
Scope Art Fair came home to their base at Lincoln Center. In addition to opening their doors to feature galleries from around the world, Scope premiered “Cheap, Fast and Out of Control” .
The separate installation/gallery space, Cheap, Fast and Out of Control showcased bands, films and artists work on sale with the everyday person in mind. Artists with work on sale included Theme Art Basel artist Maya Hayuk (buy a print from her here), Wolfy, accessories designer Digby and Iona, and Lonewolf and Cub. Every artist that sold their work receives 70% of the sales made.
Scope, also featured numerous well curated films. The group of films that we were able to catch this weekend was, “On the Contrary: Recent Artists’ Videos Concerning War in the Middle East”.
Here is what Scope said about the title, “Once when a stranger inquired of Samuel Beckett if he was an Englishman, he replied, “On the contrary.” Championing individuals who stand in opposition to government spokespersons who purport to speak for all of us, as citizens, when justifying war, this program presents a wide range of cinema projects that share a rebellious and subjective resistance to imperial domination in the Middle East.”.
Check out this clip from the collaboration between Jennifer Hayashida and Benj Genj. Their video explores the diaspora from Iraq to numerous nations; specifically Sweden and their foreign policy.
Working Title: Everything Will Be Okay
By John H Lee | January 13, 2009 | 1
Terminally Chillin’ / Movie trailer 01 from dustin hostetler on Vimeo.
Devastated and determined by the diagnosis of the terminal illness ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease), he sets out to find true meaning in what will now be the rest of his life. Over the course of three and a half years, Patrick turns the cameras on himself, documenting the progression and ravages of the disease, both physical and emotional, exposing the broad array of emotions that come into play when facing ones own death. It is a story of how one man, faced with his untimely demise, maintains his artistic passion, devoting his remaining time on earth to raising ALS awareness, finding a cure, and ultimately finding himself.
“All of my adult life, I have been making films - films about unconventional characters, stories about vulnerable souls. Now, in the last years of my life, the story which eluded me on paper, is unfolding across my body, inside my nervous system, and in front of my eyes. I have become the character in the film which I have been striving to bring to the screen all these years.”
-Patrick OBrien
Check out more about the film on Patrick’s website here.
Awesome Watchmen Movie Trailer
By John H Lee | January 6, 2009 | 0
English trailer and info here.
Theme x Kenji Hirata x Scion Easy10
By John H Lee | December 8, 2008 | 1
The making of 2 Makes 1
Here’s a sneak behind-the-scenes preview of the how the film was produced. We brought in the fantastically talented Kenji Hirata to work with D.P. Eric Egerton to produce a stop-motion animation for Scion’s Easy10, a film festival to premiere in New York in January (and LA in February.) The film is titled 2 Makes 1, and is a culmination of months of preparation and weeks of painstaking animation. The music was done by Obi, a good friend of Kenji’s, who lives in in a secluded upstate hideaway.
The making of 2 Makes 1
2 Makes 1 is a stop-motion animation based on the core human emotions of love, betrayal, inspiration and then redemption. With a refined, minimalistic style, artist Kenji Hirata plays with the layers of understanding and complexities that make up relationships between people in our everyday lives. The colorful characters are inspired by Hirata’s real-life experiences and he is guided by the Buddhist belief that emptiness is everything eternal
The making of 2 Makes 1
We’ll be posting more snippets from the film soon, as well as locations and schedule for upcoming screenings.
The making of 2 Makes 1
The making of 2 Makes 1
The making of 2 Makes 1
Issue 24 Apprentices