“Clowns” Group Exhibition

Corey Helford Gallery is proud to present CLOWNS! The classic American clown painting is re-interpreted by the new contemporary fine art movement in this spectacular group show, featuring an unprecedented lineup of artists including Gary Baseman, Shag, Tokidoki, Colin Christian, Dave Kinsey, Chris Anthony, Natalia Fabia, Buff Monster, Joe Ledbetter, Audrey Kawasaki and many more. For this special exhibition, Corey Helford Gallery also partnered with London’s StolenSpace Gallery to feature works by some of England’s most sought-after new artists: D*Face, Chloe Early, Word To Mother, and Will Barras. Open to the public, the reception for CLOWNS! takes place on Saturday, November 15, and the show will be on view until November 29, 2008.

The Cult of the Jeff Koons – Celebration – at the Neue Nationalgalerie

Neue Nationalgalerie presents today Cult of the Artist: Jeff Koons ~ Celebration ~, on view through February 8, 2009. A National Gallery Exhibition, made possible by the Friends of the National Gallery, supported by E.ON. Jeff Koons is rated as one of most successful artists of the present day. He is surely one of the few living artists who largely owes his popularity to the cult he has systematically built up around his own personality: the way he presents himself in and through pictures has time and again proved to be an essential component of his artistic work.

Art Forum Berlin the International Fair for Contemporary Art

ART FORUM BERLIN – the international fair for contemporary art presents for the 13th time a magnificent selection of galleries from Berlin, as well as national and international galleries, and opens its doors to collectors and lovers of contemporary art. In recent years, the constant growth of the fair’s profile, and the focus on contemporary art, has enabled ART FORUM BERLIN to become Germany’s leading art fair. Open from 30 October through 3 November, 2008.

127 galleries from 26 countries, three fine art publishers, 13 institutions and 21 publishing houses from all parts of Europe, Asia, the USA, Central America and, for the first time, South Africa will show the current production of their stars and newcomers. New discoveries, exciting re-encounters with artists, spectacular stand presentations, unusual gallery concepts and – last but not least – the special exhibition accompanying ART FORUM BERLIN as well as the lounges designed by artists demonstrate for another year the exceptional position of the Berlin fair for contemporary art.

As in previous years, more than half of the galleries come from abroad. Berlin – the gallery location in Germany – is represented by 28 galleries. There will also be exciting new encounters with exhibitors from Spain, Austria, Russia, India and, for the first time, South Africa. Strongly represented this year again are exhibitors from the Nordic countries. The growth of galleries particularly from the Benelux states is interesting, while the USA is generally represented by young, up-and-coming positions. At ART FORUM BERLIN, 31 galleries (24 %) are first-time participants. 25 projects with up to three artists were juried as freestyle gallery-stands and will be structured with their own platform in hall 11.2 around a central gastronomy area. This year collective stands are also favored: 26 galleries have joined together to from 12 national and international combinations.

In the city, a number of outstanding exhibitions and a variety of attractive art events will run alongside the 13th ART FORUM BERLIN. Already on October 29, 2008, acquisitions from the first ten years of the German State Collection will be shown in the Martin-Gropius-Bau under the title “Zeitblick”. Many of the works, from Olafur Eliasson, Isa Genzken and Thomas Struth to Ulla von Brandenburg, Ceal Floyer, Haegue Yang or Johannes Wohnseifer, were bought by the Federal Acquisitions Committee at fairs in Germany such as ART FORUM BERLIN. During a party the same evening, the 1st Jury of the Nationalgalerie Prize will name the four short-listed artists. Parallel to the opening of ART FORUM BERLIN on October 30, 2008, the universes of Paul Klee and Jeff Koons will be paid homage to as part of the series “Cult of the Artist” in solo exhibitions at the Neue Nationalgalerie.

The series will be continued in the Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart with Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol, Ayse Erkmen and an attempt at a deconstruction of the myth of the artist “I can’t just slice of an ear every day” including works from the Friedrich Christian Flick Collection. At C/O Berlin International Forum for Visual Dialogues, the intimate in everyday life will be treated in a show of works from the collection of agnès b., Paris, while in the KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Susanne Pfeffer takes a look at “Geschlossene Gesellschaft” (“Imprisoned”). In the Akademie der Künste (Hanseatenweg) the comprehensive group exhibition “Notation” highlights calculation and form in artistic processes. At the beginning of November 2008, the 3rd European Month of Photography will begin in locations spread throughout the city.

PortraitPainting.com – Turn Photos Into Oil Paintings

Do you have a favorite photo? Have you ever thought about having the photo turned into an oil painting? Portrait Painting can do this. Upload a photo and a talented portrait artist will turn it into a piece of art. Once the painting is completed, it can be reviewed and changes can be requested.

The artists that work at the company are all consummate craftsmen, and the fields they specialize in include child and family portraits alongside categories like houses and landscapes. Business and corporate portraits are also duly catered for.

The site includes samples of portrait paintings along with a video that showcases how a portrait is created. The company uses the finest oil paint and canvasses available in the market today.

The company abides by a 100 % satisfaction guarantee policy, and the fees that apply for custom paintings are listed on the site. Worldwide shipping is provided free of charge.

All in all, a portrait painting makes for a great and unique gift. Make a point of visiting the Portrait Painting website if you need further information, and to see some samples for yourself.

portrait Painting

The Beatles “Can’t Buy Me Love” 1000% Kubrick Set

Silly Thing continue to work on a wide range of projects that impress, this time attracting Medicom Toys to produce an astounding 1000% Kubrick collection. The subject is the most iconic rock band of all time the Beatles and has fittingly been given the “Can’t Buy Me Love” title. Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon all appear cloth and dagger providing a fun caricature version of the group.

Netflix To Stream HD Movies To Xbox 360 Owners Next Month

When the New Xbox Experience launches next month, 360 owners will have the opportunity to stream Netflix movies to their console. This is something we’ve known for some time, and is honestly one of the things I look forward to the most regarding the dashboard update. However, it seems that they’ve been holding out on us.

Not only are we going to be able to stream Netflix movies on our Xbox 360’s, but we’re going to be able to do it in HD. When the NXE goes live on November 19th, Netflix will also be launching their HD streaming service, which will work with the 360. According to sources, there will be over 300 movies available in full HD when the service launches. 

Don’t have a  Netflix account yet???

Source

MS Arc Mouse Reviewed. Verdict: An Excellent Travel Companion

For road warriors going on a business a trip, the second most important thing other than a notebook is a mobile mouse, which can greatly affect productivity. Having said that, Microsoft has had numerous laptop mice over the years that are both functional and portable, but none of them is more eye catching as the Arc Mouse. The aptly-named Arc sports a hinged semicircular shape that allows it to close to nearly half-size for travel, and to unfold to a full-sized mouse. The mini USB dongle is also hidden in a crevice on the underside of the folding wing, which becomes the mouse’s palm rest.

After Everything USB spent nearly two weeks with the Arc, surfing the web and checking emails, they found the mouse to be spot-on for most tasks while preventing fatigue. The rubberized sides also allow you to get a good grip since the surface of the Arc is in gloss paint with a glass-smooth finish. In the end, while there are certainly some minor flaws in usability and set-up, the Arc mobile mouse is praised as “an excellent travel companion” that is well worth the price.

Altered Dream Tour Format for ASP World Tour in 2009

Following one of the most historic board meetings to date, the ASP has introduced the option for a new competition format to be implemented in ASP World Tour events in 2009.

While the traditional 48-man format will still be available, events can elect to implement an altered 48-man format consisting of the following: two opening elimination man-on-man rounds. Round 1 will consist of 32 surfers, those rated 17 – 27 on the ASP World Tour, three Tour/Injury wildcards, the Top 15–rated surfers on the ASP WQS and three event wildcards.

The seeding formula will remain the same as the traditional format, with the No. 17 seed up against the No. 32 seed in Heat 8, the No. 18 seed against the No. 31 seed in Heat 9, etc. After Round 1, all remaining competitors will be reseeded for Round 2.

The Top 16 on the ASP World Tour are seeded directly in Round 2 where they will meet the 16 victors from Round 1 in the re-seeded draw. The Top 10 from the previous year’s Dream Tour will be guaranteed a Round 2 seed all year long, while the next 6 seeds have to maintain their seeded position and can be replaced by better performing back 32 surfers after the third ASP World Tour event of the year.

This means that the Top 16 seeds in 2009 will remain unchanged until after the Billabong Pro Teahupoo. After Tahiti, only the Top 10 from the previous year will hold their spots (which is probably a good incentive to do Brazil and Pipeline this season), while the next 6 could be replaced if guys from the back 32 secure more seeding points. Seeding points going into Snapper will remain in effect.

The new format has already been adopted by the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, the Billabong Pro Mundaka and the Billabong Pipeline Masters. The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, the opening event of the 2009 ASP World Tour, has opted to run with the traditional format, and Rip Curl are undecided which format they will implement at their Bells Beach and Search events.

We recently sat down with Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew (AUS), 53, former ASP World Champion and current President of ASP International, Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, 2007 ASP World Champion, and C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, 2001 ASP World Champion, to discuss the new format:

1 – First off, what is (are) the reason(s) for the option to run an altered format next year?

Wayne Bartholomew: As part of the monitoring process it was clear that we needed to develop a menu of formats to fit the needs of the tour. The current format requires four running days. This doesn’t sound overbearing in a 12-day window, but we still require two swell cycles to complete the event in quality waves and this proved a bridge too far. To fit into a three-day swell cycle we had to either reduce the field from 48 to 36 or peel it from a different angle.

Mick Fanning: I think some people just think that we waste a day or so when we run the first round with three-man heats and sometimes we can’t finish the event with good waves. I think it will make it all a lot more exciting because it is straight cut throat from the first heat of competition.
C.J. Hobgood: I think getting the best waves in the allotted waiting period is the primary reason for offering the alternative format.
 
2 – Who came up with the format? When and who voted on its implementation?

Wayne Bartholomew: The ASP Technical Committee waded through a bunch of variations and opted to recommend to the Board a three-day format that still maintains a field of 48. As Chairman of the Technical Committee, I presented these findings and recommendations to the Mid-Year Board meeting in Huntington Beach this past July and we further tweaked it in the ensuing months.
 
3 – We can see that not all events will be running the new altered format – what is the reason that it was not mandatory for all events to implement?

Wayne Bartholomew: Events in 2009 will have the choice of the current format or implementing the new one. Quiksilver have already confirmed they will run with the current format, based on the fact that Snapper is a reasonably consistent wave and it can accommodate a combined Men’s and Women’s event in the window. Rip Curl is undecided, but are leaning towards the new format.

The Tech Comm is now working on how far out from the start of a waiting period an event has to notify ASP of their preferred option. Billabong have already given notice that Teahupoo, J-Bay, Mundaka and Pipe will run with the new format and events like Boost and Brazil are getting their heads around it. In 2009, it is optional with the view to either making it mandatory from 2010 or running with a format menu.
 
4 – What are the positives for the surfers, the events and the viewers to run the new format?

Wayne Bartholomew: The surfers get man-on-man, no more three-man heats. There are built in seeding incentives based on performance over the season and there is a much better opportunity to pick the eyes out of the surf on offer. The events get to maximize swell cycles and build the event to a climactic conclusion in excellent surf. The chances of getting skunked are dramatically diminished and the opportunity to have Finals in great surf increases. The viewers get knockout competition. There are no meaningless rounds, it is on the line in every heat and they’ll see a lot less action in low quality waves.

Mick Fanning: The positives are definitely the shorter period for the event. Most swells around the world only last three days, but our events take four to complete. Cutting out a round cuts that day out, keeps the performance level at high level because every heat counts, makes the Top 16 and Top 10 get an actual incentive for ranking that high instead of just the red singlet.

C.J. Hobgood: I think the positives are better waves for surfers, less days needed to run for the events, better waves and surfing for viewers.
 
5 – What are the negatives (if any) for surfers, the events and the viewers to run the new format?

Wayne Bartholomew: The only negative for the surfer is if one loses in the first round. You are out and it’s a long way to go to be bundled out. I surfed my entire career without a safety net but guys get used to the second chance. If the swell absolutely pumps then the event might want the extra day for the beach crowd, the media and the webcast.

So loss of content could be seen as a negative, but the trade-off will be an excellent event held in epic waves. Also, that may be why we eventually perpetuate the optional format menu. For the viewer they can’t get enough, so the shorter event might be a negative, but again, the action will be an awesome spectacle.

Mick Fanning: I think the Back 32 will be extremely close when it comes to being on the cusp of qualifying, but everyone has to start at the bottom. The audience won’t get to see your favorite surfers hit the water as many times, but it will be crucial each time they do.
 
6 – We see the Top 16 are seeded directly into Round 2. What happens to the rest?

Wayne Bartholomew: The back 32, made up of the back 11 of the Top 27, the Top 15 from the WQS, the 3 tour/injury wildcards and 3 Event wilds, go man-on-man in Round 1. So nobody misses out, but the re-introduction of the Top 16 provides incentive to be at every event.
 
7 – Part of the reason for the new format is to work towards a one-world ranking. This is something that was mandated in the past, but changed to the two-tiered system. Why are we moving back towards it? What are the advantages? When will is possibly be implemented?

Wayne Bartholomew: We hope to implement a one-world ranking system in 2010. The dynamic is totally different to pre-1992. There will still be 1-6 Stars, still be 6-Star Primes, and they will count towards the Top 45, who will still contest the ASP World Tour. There will most likely be a fluid transition whereby the bottom performing Top 45 will be replaced by high performing ASP WQS surfers in the same season. This will be much more marketable, better for media and more defining for the industry when it comes to sponsorships.

Mick Fanning: I think in this day and age, we need a one-world ranking system. The way the format works at the moment, the general public can’t get their heads around it. I think it will help with how the ASP WQS is run also and make it easier for everyone to understand where they are. Also, if people get injured or have a bad year their ranking won’t drop dramatically and they won’t fall off tour. We have had a few of these cases over the years and hopefully that will cut that out.

C.J. Hobgood: I’ve always been a huge fan of the one-world ranking system. I never understood why guys like Danny Fuller, Bruno Santos, Manoa Drollet and Jamie O’Brien would make Finals and Semis against the best surfers in the world and not have a world ranking. Like in Chile when the local wildcard made a heat, the people in Chile should be able to look at their guy and see how he ranks on the one-world ranking system. Even if he is 400th, it’s still a ranking. Also, the one-world rating system is easier to understand – I’m so sick of trying to explain to someone that knows very little about surfing our two-tier system.

Renato Hickel (BRA), ASP World Tour Manager, noted also that, “some adjustments may take place in the next Technical Committee meeting. It’s possible that we will reduce the number from Top 10 to Top 8, or even reseed everyone after Tahiti, but we will have to wait until Hawaii to ultimately determine.”

www.aspworldtour.com

superFishal 2008 Fall/Winter Skatedeck Collection

In what has become a seasonal highlight from Jeremy Fish’s superFishal brand, the artist unveils his latest collaboration driven skatedeck collection. Previous contributors have included Todd Bratrud, Michael Sieben and Pushead with the new wave of artists including Willi Barras (The Stack), Andy Howell (The Spirit) and Mike Giant (The Serpent). Each deck is priced at $80 USD and available now at Upper Playground.

Cory Lopez Sick Long Left Ride