CULTURE-BUILDER

IMAGINE CONEY and THE HIGH LINE

2008-12-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

http://imagineconey.com/

The Municipal Art Society of NY has launched a website where it is soliciting people's vision for Coney Island. Given that Coney is under threat from development - it will be important for people to look at this and use it to fight the developers that be.

I recently learned yesterday that Herzog and de Meuron will be doing the High Line in NYC - the organization which my friend Juliet help develop right from the beginning - sometime around the beginning of the century.

IRAQI REPORTER THROWS SHOE AT BUSH

2008-12-15T09:34:00.000-08:00

The force field is off. The last few moments won't be pretty. This will be an epic decline.
Anyone who likes to see public humiliation is in for a great next month....and this
Iraqi reporter got the festivities started right. This is apparently the biggest insult
you can literally hurl in the Arab world.

LIKE COMPUTER PROGRAM UPGRADES THAT MAKE THE PROGRAM SUCK WORSE

2008-12-12T11:30:00.000-08:00

My fave calendar company www.quovadisplanners.com redesigned their tri-fold very slightly and here is my absurd customer feedback crti:

Your tri-note redesign for 2009 has subtle changes that really change the overall design for the worse:
1. ink is to dark - new bolding creates more distracting layout
2. stretching the font at the top thereby dropping the entire top box by making using stretchy font for day of week and then ****gasp**** making the month font BIGGER with a BIGGER spacing between Day of Week and Month --- I mean, really, the month is repeated over and over - does it need MORE emphasis? The net effect crowds the entire layout below the newly mis-designed top box

Generally I love your stuff, but please go back in 2010 - this calendar is all about not crowding - this reminds me of software upgrades that make the program less functional and more time sucking.

So that's my harsh crit. Hope you're ok with harsh.

8 year customer, tobinrussell.com

sheeeeeeeeiiiiit

2008-12-09T14:14:00.000-08:00

BURDEN OF DREAMS

2008-12-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

In the 1982 documentary about the making of Fitzcarraldo (1982), Burden of Dreams, Director Werner Herzog - after blowing off some steam about ho the "obscenity" of the Amazon - says a couple of different things:

"I went back to Germany and some of my investors asked me if I was really going to go through with this. I couldn't believe what they were asking me. It was like asking 'Do you dream?'

And memorably - and what is any art or experience if it isn't memorable (see future essay on two kinds of experience)

"I believe you share my dreams, but the difference between you and me and all poets, artists, storytellers, is that I can articulate those dreams."

"I find you just right to cuddle."

2008-12-03T17:00:00.000-08:00

All grown up at 2 years. Knut, star of the Berlin Zoo, maybe leaving.
Sorry boo :(

BBC NEWS | Europe | Berlin's zoo may lose bear Knut

TOBIN DOES SYDNEY AT ARCHITECTURE AT MY NINJA PLEASE

2008-12-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

iz got wrote up for a heads up about the death of Jorn Utzon, architect of Sydney Opera House. I sent word Satruday to the rock solid architecture blog of all time, architecture.myninjaplease.com. my all time favorite architecture blog cause it ain't precious - pictures and a mention of yours truly :)

Eye Candy: Sydney Opera by Jorn Utzon at AMNP

Spot.us - Fund A Story

2008-11-26T17:21:00.000-08:00

Crowdfunding for Journalism, an interesting thing.
Spot.us - Fund A Story

HANGING CURTAIN MAKES CHANGING, HAIR, AND MAKE UP AREA COMPLETE

2008-11-25T09:21:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Mark Wojahn, that guy who splits rent at 'the space formerly known as the photography crib' aka studio 145.

Adam Esco bent the pipe, I cut the pipe and Woj got the ball rolling and faciliated the hanging - then a trip to IKEA and last week's Thursday fashion shoot was on.

Too bad only one of the 3 booked models managed to make it :( Luckily Leyle did and she got the works. This is a shot of her with the new changing hair makeup curtain as backdrop.

The complete shoot needs to go somewhere...sometime soon.

ECLECTICoiffeur OF MINNEAPOLIS

2008-11-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.eclecticoiffeur.com/

Writer Jahna Peloquin, and Kelsey who did some amazing hair for a very preliminary shoot I did back in 2005 here in Minneapolis have been building this organization for many years.

I just joined their facebook profile, and now that studio 145, 'the space formerly known as the photography crib,' is fashion ready - I am talking to a mutual friend about promoting a party here in mid-December.

We'll see what happens.

MUJA MESSIAH PATRIOT ACT

2008-11-13T22:46:00.000-08:00

SHOT AT THE PHOTOGRAPHY CRIB - NOW WE CALL IT "STUDIO 145"

CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD

2008-11-13T20:40:00.000-08:00

Solid Gold, Minnesota local 80s revival - "Who You Gonna Run To"

These guys are as good in concert.

AFFILIATE JOB OPENING: NON-PROFIT MARKETING

2008-11-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

Hannah Brazee Gregory of Shoestring Creative Group | the non-profit's agency out of Gardiner, Maine - my homestate - is looking for a Minneapolis affiliate for marketing and creative.

NEW BIO TOBIN

2008-11-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

I have updated my portfolio and am proud to declare myself just as 'risky' and 'untested' as Barack Obama, but instead like....for photography. I suppose I prefer those labels over 'unispired' and 'stale.'

Here's the new bio, which can be found at the new address for my advertising portfolio:
http://portfolio.tobinrussell.com

BIO
Tobin Russell Brogunier

Tobin comes from New York City by way of Oberlin, Ohio and San Francisco, California. He was born in Maine, where he learned to respect people for the value of their character.

After a couple of published articles inspired an unnamed Los Angeles ad agency to launch a national campaign for Nissan trucks, it became clear that, although his work was good enough to be ripped off, his ability to broadcast his work over the din of NYC trustafarians was limited. Tobin researched his options. Because Minneapolis has a young, savvy agency demographic and a lively dialogue with 'middle America,' Tobin decided this would be the right place to launch his advertising career.

He goes by Tobin Russell. If you want to use the French surname, please pronounce it 'bro-gun-yay.'

Tobin's photography is challenging because it relies on context. It's an ambitious blend of irony, humanity and beauty. While individual images can be very compelling, what is truly compelling are the stories he is telling and how he is telling them: Stories about fundamental and universal human themes. Stories about consequence, experience and achievement. Stories about adversity, about community, and about perseverance.

While America offers tremendous opportunity, for many Americans life is a celebration of triumph over many great challenges. Tobin's work is about being fully, 100% American even when the story is not the myth of an effortless lifestyle America has sold the world.

Tobin's stories find something beyond islands of individual achievement and attainment of fantasy lifestyle. His photography offers a context, a world, a breathing community of contrast, interaction, inspired by the bravery of everyday heroes. Without this story, America doesn't work; with this story, America joins the world.

As Robert Weider is quoted in a DDB blog entry, "Anyone can look for fashion in a boutique or history in a museum. The creative person looks for history in the hardware store and fashion in an airport."

WORKING GOTV 2008

2008-11-04T14:40:00.001-08:00

GOTV = get out the vote

Bouncing between Obama office on Central in Northeast to the Clean Water Action 'get out the vote' for Minnesota: endorsing Obama, Franken (super tight race with Coleman), Keith Ellison and local Minnesota House races - so it's a more direct get out the vote than Obama's got.

But the Obama machine here: Someone has knocked on my door every day since Sunday. I have received several phone calls from the campaign to volunteer and GOTV.

It's been a blazing week beginning with the phone banks last Tuesday at Clean Water where Jenna works, moving into an almost full day door to door for Obama on Friday, another evening of calls Monday and all day today at Clean Water Action: There is a tremendous amount of on the ground action going on in Minnesota right now.

There are at least 3 out of 5 very tight Congressional races, one exceedingly tight race for Senate and one really f-in important race for president. The phones are ringing off the hook.

I'd say sorry to bother you, but I'm not. It's that important.

YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP

2008-10-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

Perhaps one of the funniest YouTube videos I've run into.

My Damn Channel » You Suck at Photoshop: Season 1 » You Suck at Photoshop #1

"O" IS THE BOMB-A

2008-10-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

i've seen a lot of homemade versions and I've never failed to recognize it - that's an amazing achievement in popular culture!

It is well designed, can be easily replicated and turned into folk art, inspires variations and riffs on a theme that is easy for other people to catch onto. The lessons of Karl Rove's politics as product were not lost on exactly ONE democratic presidental candidate. And he learned well, bless his heart and mind.

- Hopemonger '08

MPLS PHOTO PARTY

2008-10-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

just launched a new party at the studio, booking THURS FRIDAY SATURDAY: find it on myspace.com/mplsphotoparty

ONE relentless Nordeast photographer in his studio + you getting high on yourself in tight clothes = you just booked MplsPhotoParty

Epicly Later'd

2008-09-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

http://www.epiclylaterd.com/contents.html

I don't know why I like it - the titling of the site and sections is brilliant perhaps - but it is simply a great site. I think a kind of Asian looking dude runs it and once I saw the Yashica T4 listed among a bevvy of other cameras I love in his list of camera loves. It struck a chord.

BECAUSE I CARE

2008-09-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

Main Street in Northeast Minneapolis.

Joe says it's an old Minneapolis Public Library awareness campaign. I like it.

Nerve and Arkitekt

2008-09-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

taken 9-11 at the studio for publicity. these guys are serious about going all the way. Nerve and DJ Arkitekt are playing with Muja Messiah in St. Cloud on 25 Sept.

FREE SPEECH PEN

2008-09-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Ted Hall

Name: Steve Anthony.
As shown: Ironic hell-raiser.
Full disclosure: My mother's brother.

Their father, Robert Anthony, was career pro at this stuff.

Kare 11 has both video and text coverage me uncs in Rice Park.

While I did see a "Protest the Protestors" tee on a surprisingly young hip dude, local media has been good about covering the protests.

I mean...it does affect traffic!

Shot by Ted Hall as I was navigating myself out of the traffic snarl of Lowertown St. Paul yesterday, before McCain resumed the "DRILL BABY DRILL" mantra of pure hilarity.

----- ----- ------
NOTE: It's been fun and thanks for joining me. There might be more, but not 'officially' for RNC 2008 - it's over baby! (Except for those people in jail from Day 4 - it might be over Saturday if they're lucky)

You're debt story here: I resume publishing Creditland Magazine Online and my Publisher's Blog for the magazine.

I resume my show at Salon du Nord through end of 2008. Opening night TBA

I resume being professional photographer. Come'n'get me. I got some good sh^t

DAY 4: ANTI-WAR COMMITTEE

2008-09-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Day 4: Protestors diverted in opposite direction of Xcel center.

In the shadow of The Cathedral of St. Paul and the State Capital, protestors are penned into a large intersection / overpass far above the Xcel center.

Before teargas (see grenades on trooper strap) and mass arrests including local reporters from Kare 11 and TC Daily Planet.

WAY BACK BROOKLYN

2008-09-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Throwback to Brooklyn 2002-2003: This crew including unidentified cameraman (rt.) who shot spoof movie "The Hole Story (set in Minnesota) with Brian (left) also includes comedian host Eugene (center). I guess 236.com pays them to spoof conventions.

Good work if you can get it.

236.com, that's 23h a day/6 days a week.

Some priceless fodder for the show.

ST. PAUL WELCOMING COMMITTEE somewhat INHOSPITABLE

2008-09-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

These guys and that lady mean business - except for the guy in front clearly en vogue.
Photo courtesy of TED HALL.

I don't necessarily subscribe to the idea everyone getting arrested in St. Paul is an innocent victim.

I've seen some incredibly provocative behavior on the streets of St. Paul and a lot more restraint by riot police than I've seen in the streets of NYC. But as the following letter states, all's not well in the legal system:

}}PLEASE SEND ALL OVER, FOLKS NEED YOUR HELP{{

Fellow students,

The last couple of days have been an amazing display of our movement's
power in the streets of St. Paul. Though we have been largely
successful in our organizing against the RNC, some of our comrades
have been swept up in the massive police repression and are facing not
only unfounded and ridiculous criminal charges but also inhumane and
illegal treatment in Ramsey County Jail.

There are a number of SDSers currently in jail, along with over 200 of our allies

Just to name a few of the many abuses people are suffering in jail right now...

*Transgendered folks are not being allowed access to phones and are being held in the gender group they are not comfortable with

*There is at least one known case of a young man being beaten by 12 cops in his cell

*People are being denied medication and any medical attention, including one person being denied their anemia medication, and one woman who was pepper-sprayed at close range all over her body and not allowed to wash off, resulting in first degree burns

*Minors are being held in adult facilities and being threatened with up to 30 days in an adult prison facility

The Coldsnap Legal Collective, the Welcoming Committee, and all of
their allies here in St. Paul are calling for a national PRESSURE
Campaign on the law enforcement in St. Paul to get our sisters and
brothers out of jail.

We are asking you to call the Mayor, the Sheriff, the Judge, and the
Jail Captain here in St. Paul and articulate the demands of our
friends being held in jail.

Call these people:
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman 651-266-8510
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher 651-266-9333
Ramsey County Chief Judge Gearin 651-266-8266
Head of Ramsey County Jail Capt. O'Neal 651-266-9350 ex. 1

Use this rap:

Hi (person you are calling)________. My name is (your name) _________
from (your place) _________ and I am calling on behalf of all those
held in jail for demonstrating against the Republican National
Convention. I demand that all charges be dismissed. I demand that the
arrestees be allowed to meet in group(s) with lawyers. I demand that
you provide immediate medical attention to those who need it. I
demand that all minors be released. I demand that trans folk be given
access to phone calls, lawyers, and that they be held in the gender
group of their choice.

******************************
***************************************

For more information check out coldsnaplegal.wordpress.com and nornc.org

in solidarity,

SDS Cluster at the RNC

(btw: I, personally, am not 'getting in trouble,' 'stirring shit up,' or 'getting arrested.' Because I post photos of violence does not mean I am engaged or even believe violence is a good idea. I just thought it photo-worthy. But - thanks to all of you who think me so damn off-the-hook radical. It's kind-of flattering.)