We’re very, very excited to see Jose Parla’s show next week at Spoonfed during our trip to Miami for Art Basel. The exhibition, entitled CITYSCAPES, is Parla’s first solo exhibition in Miami (even though he is a Miami Native, now living in NYC). This show is not to be missed– large scale, architectural construction with every medium from cement, wood, vinyl as well as paints, powered dye, waxes, and inks. As aggressive as his brush work looks, it still evokes a flowing warm feeling in us. “When discussing the work he often uses terms like synthetic and segmented, referring to the world’s cities as virtual palimpsests, upon which are recorded in literal, figurative and ongoing layering process of the personal histories of countless anonymous passersby.” Full flyer after el jumpo.

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A few days ago, I posted the Light to Unite initiative, urging you to go light a virtual candle to support those affected by the rampant, world-wide AIDS pandemic. I received a wealth of comments from you (our readers), most of them to the effect of ’supporting a pharmaceutical company’s ad campaign is not the best way to show support for those battling HIV and AIDS’ (the Light to Unite initiative was the brainchild of Bristol Myers Squibb). The truth is that I agree with many of the comments I received– I agree that a campaign like Light to Unite is not the best way to address the problem– although I do think it was a way for millions of potential people to mouse-click their way onto the support radar. Today, December 1st, is World Aids Day. In 2000, world leaders promised to halt the spread AIDS by 2015, but the current proliferation of the disease is, unfortunately, making that goal mighty doubtful. With that in mind, today is a perfect day for those of you who are not aware — or sufficiently aware — to become more reticent of the pandemic and its root causes. While pharmaceutical companies are providing important contributions to those already infected, anti-retroviral drugs can only take us so far to battle the fundamental problems– those problems which can only be addressed by, for example, ‘tackling the issues of poverty and the sexual objectification of women.’ Learn more. Get involved. Help reverse the trend.

This Open Edition LED Clock (~$80) is unique to say the least. It comes to us from designer Jonas Damon, who has designed a plethora of other goodies as well. The clock consists of four cubes– each cube displays one digit of the current time. You can rearrange the blocks in as many ways as your brain will allow, although I recommend that you arrange them so that your brain can process the correct time. For some of you that will be left-to-right, for others it will be top-to-bottom, and for those odd few it will be right-to-left or bottom-to-top. I can’t wait until Jonas drops a wireless version of this clock– then I can put one block in each corner of the room, causing people who want to know the time to spin in circles like confused puppies!

Via notcot.org

I’ll be speaking in Chicago this coming Wednesday, December 6th at Columbia College. I’m currently touring a presentation I’ve put together with colleague and close friend Aaron Dignan of BrandPlay– We call it ‘An Introduction to the Brand Utopia’. It’s a ‘No Holds Barred’ style presentation that explores what’s happening as the next generation of brand consumers (us) combine our will, technology and taste to transform the brand landscape. This is a rare occasion that the presentation is free and open to the public; prior to this all workshops and lectures we’ve conducted have been behind closed doors and under lock and key at agencies and brands around the country, so it’s been tough to invite you, my readers.

Hope to see some of you there Wednesday evening, 6:30-8:00 in Room 203, 623 South Wabash, Chicago IL. If you’re interested in more information about the Brand Utopia tour, or want us to stop by your agency or school, drop me a line.

Full flyer after the jump…

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I don’t consider myself ‘metrosexual’ (at least compared to a lot of men out there), but I do take care of my body. Tweezerman products have helped me do just that for years, and I wanted to spread the word to those of you who haven’t tried their products. For a great ’stocking stuffer’ idea, I reccommend the Deluxe Grooming Kit. This kit has all the essentials: a nail clipper, pocket nail file, nose hair scissors, and a stainless steel point tweezerette, and for $20, you can’t beat the price. Tweezerman is all about quality — you’ll realize that when you use their products — but most people don’t know that the company (25 years old I might add) is also a model for social and environmental responsibility. Tweezerman makes significant contributions to charities, and is even a signatory to the UN Global Compact. Tweezerman is sold in many stores, and can be purchased online here.

We have been enjoying assembling these ‘from the vault‘ posts in the past week. We figure it’s a great way to give you a ‘wrap-up’ of what we have been posting recently without having to dig through the archives– just in time for the holiday gift buying season I might add. Here are some of our favorite music posts from the past year or so. Mashups, pure rock, acoustic guitar and hip hop. Something here for everyone, enjoy!

• Sometimes I Rhyme Slow: Hip Hop meets acoustic guitar as Jose Gonzalaez’s album Veneer (which is amazing to begin with) gets reworked and blended with hip hop lyrics. Sometimes I Rhyme Slow is an updated take on fusing acoustic guitar samples with funk… Continue Reading

• Ben Kweller: We sure do, actually we’ve got a few questions for the indie-pop superstar. We’re sitting down with Mr. Kweller tonight… Continue Reading

• Q-Unit Greatest Hits: Ah, yes, another mash-up record. Q-Unit is a 50 Cent meets Queen mix with stellar hits like “This is How We Bite The Dust”… Continue Reading

• The Bird and The Bee: Having met during the recording of her 2005 album All Rise, Inara George and Greg Kurstin have labored away in the last three years in Southern California… Continue Reading

• Ray Lamontange: New Hampshire born, Ray La Montagne’s acclaimed 2004 debut, “Trouble”, quietly sold over 250,000 copies, thanks to word of mouth praises from grassroots fans… Continue Reading

• Phoenix: It’s Never Been Like That: Phoenix is hands down one of my favorite bands and their new album, “It’s Never Been Like That”, released May 15, 2006, has only fueled my loyalty… Continue Reading

• Waking Rothko: I wanted to give a special nod to the ingenuity behind the campaign promoting Waking Rothko, a local Denver band clearly comprised of more than just stoner musicians– they’re musical strategists… Continue Reading

• Kid Koala: Your Mom’s Favorite DJ: I’d consider Eric San (aka Kid Koala) a musician more so than the limiting definition of DJ… Continue Reading

• Kaki King: Until We Felt Red: Until We Felt Red is the third and latest album from Kaki King, the pretty-faced, guitar demigod-ess we’ve come to know and love…Continue Reading

• John Mayer: Continuum: You can’t help but notice John Mayer. The self-described awkward kid from Connecticut turned what was once an escape into an inspiring career… Continue Reading

• TV On The Radio: Plug in your nicest set of headphones for this one—you will need them to fully appreciate the deep, layered audio of the newest from TV on the Radio…

• Explosions In The Sky: Chance is that even though you’ve never heard of Explosions in the Sky, you’ve probably heard their music whether it be on the masterfully done soundtrack to Friday Night Lights… Continue Reading

Momimomi has quickly become one of my favorite t-shirt companies– they’re designs are always solid, cuts fit me perfect and t-shirt quality impeccable. I was very happy to hear they finally launched a subscription t-shirt program, called the Momi TEea Party. Every month, t-shirt junkies can get their fix of a unique piece of wearable art. Of course, like many parties, this one doesn’t have room for everyone. Only 100 t-shirts will be produced each month, so at any one time their will only be 100 subscriptions available. Memberships can be purchased in 3,6, or 12 month subscriptions for yourself, or as a gift for a t-shirt loving friend or family member. A 3 month plan is $120, 6 month $210, and a whole year will run you $360 (by far the best deal). See you at the TEeA party!