actually the whole title is:
‘Tales From the Sustainable Underground: A Wild Journey with People Who Care More About the Planet Than the Law’ (!!)
. . . the latest tome from STEPHEN HREN – it seems to be written with great wit and determination – and even includes a well-deserved look-see on local New York artist, eco-architect, and intuitive builder: MATT BUA (!!)
just . . . gotta love that intuitive builder genre, or what !!
as well as including profiles on: solar guru ED EATON, and radical urban permaculturists SCOTT KELLOGG and STACY PETTIGREW, to name just a few.
‘Tales From the Sustainable Underground’ by STEPHEN HREN. Published SEPT 2011 by New Society Publishers, Canada.
cover design by DIANE McINTOSH.
from the press release:
“Activists striving for any type of social change often find themselves operating on the fringes of legal and ssocial norms. Many experience difficulties when their innovative ideas run afoul of antiquated laws and regulations that favor a big business energy-and-material-intensive approach. ‘Tales From the Sustainable Underground’ is packed with the stories of just some of these pioneers — who care more for the planet than the rules — whether they’re engaged in natural building, permaculture, community development, or ecologically based art. Ride along and meet (the) courageous and inspiring individuals” . . . at the forefront of – the new wave – heading into 2012 !!
and, maybe, just maybe . . . we’ll make it to 2015 !!
the book is published by New Society Publishers.
here’s the low-down on the book: ‘Tales From the Sustainable Underground’ – New Society Publishers
p.s. – their website in general is quite a trip, that is: worth a look-see – not the least for its minimal design compounded by far reaching content !!
these guys really want to change the world !! – see: New Society Publishers
and don’t forget to hit: their ‘about page’ . . . which includes the image above !!
with 30 years worth of could-be-world-changing books under their belt – they are now coming to ya – outta Canada !!
. . . but back to the book at hand.
apparently, and I believe it – AMAZON says the book is both entertaining and informative.
‘Tales from the Sustainable Underground’ is a “must-read for sustainability activists in any field, or for anyone who wants to learn about more radical forms of sustainability activities . . in an entertaining way.”
there that goes that word entertaining again – but hey, truth be told, and it’s a wise old saying, science backing and all: truth is beauty – especially forward-looking and totally out-of-the box truth. and beauty is entertaining, is it not ??!! esp one that aims to turn around this big sinking-fast ship – of a planet we call home.
and to back it up – leave it to AMAZON to give you a peep at a chapter !! on the left, hit First Pages . . .
and it goes like this, Chapter I – Detroit – (!!) – and you can keep on going till the end of the chapter. . . and you will keep on going.
and if you hit, Surprise Me! and scroll down . . . a little further down on that AMAZON left hand options square – you get some equally marvelous pages that – that contained a passage that caught my eye – !! – page xvi: ” . . . To anyone who’s ever lived underground (i.e. hiding from the law) . . . there’s always that fear of the dreadful moment of getting caught.”
what . . . who, me ?
~’Tales from the Sustainable Underground’ by STEPHEN HREN |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 29th, 2011, 2:48pm
“WASTE INTO PLACE” – !!
on Dec 26, 27 & 28th, 2011 – MATT BUA will be constructing “simple warm shelters out of scrap with kids (of all ages)”
from 2-5 pm each day at the NEW YORK HALL of SCIENCE in QUEENS – “COME OUT & BUILD” !!
he’s got some “concept sketches” up on his blog, which is worth a rainy day ramble !!
OCCU-PODS -“Learn how to put your waste to work – construct domes or wigwam frames and insulate them with lost and found clothing – to create a comfortable outdoor dwelling”.
SKETCHES COURTESY: MATT BUA
* * * THE CATAMOUNT PEOPLE’S MUSEUM – in the CATSKILLS / UP-STATE NEW YORK * * *
MATT BUA: THE CATAMOUNT PEOPLE’S MUSEUM, N.Y.
AS WELL: one of the most interesting projects, to highlight just one, to be found on MATT BUA’S blog/journal/sketchbook – is the: CATAMOUNT PEOPLE’S MUSEUM !!
we actually made the opening celebration, back in AUGUST 9, 2010 – check here for the pix !!
* * * o.k. one last look at MATT BUA’s journal – “what’s there now” – at: bhomepark.blogspot.com * * *
~OCCU-POD BUILDING WORKSHOPS by MATT BUA |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 27th, 2011, 2:33pm
MERRY XMAS – FROM – MARVEL AGE – WORLD’S BEST-SELLING FAN MAGAZINE !!
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL – Issue No. 109 – FEBRUARY 1992 – COVER ARTIST: SERGIO ARAGONES
~DAY ONE |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 24th, 2011, 10:22pm
DAREDEVIL – VOL 1, Issue No. 209, AUGUST 1984 – Published by MARVEL COMICS GROUP. STAN LEE, Publisher – out of New York City, N.Y.
STAN LEE PRESENTS: DAREDEVIL, THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR!
this issue is titled: ‘BLAST FROM THE PAST’
ARTHUR BYRON COVER – writer
DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI – penciler
DANNY BULANADI – inker
JOE ROSEN – letterer
CHRISTIE SCHEELE – colorist
BOB BUDIANSKY – editor
JIM SHOOTER – editor-in-chief
what’s so remarkable about this issue, apart from the cover’s off-the-wall concept !! – is the fact that a young DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI was the artist/penciler !!
MAZZUCCHELLI’s style of realism was very fluid, very animated. very muscle-bound, very dramatic. the intensity was multiplied by his abrupt and diverse compositions, close-up cropping to extreme stage or wide shots. not to forget a framing ‘perspective’ that came out of nowhere, views from the top looking down, up from the street, and plain old (o.k. elevated) sideways, even from the character’s own perspective !! – head-to-toe on every page.
page from: DAREDEVIL ISSUE 209, AUGUST 1984 – DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI – PENCILER
DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI went onto become one of the genre’s most celebrated and influential artists. His work on Batman is considered the apex of the series, and from there his influence trickled down into the wider pop culture at large. Mazzucchelli then went onto various collaborations and independent projects, with his most recent independent publication being the widely popular and critically acclaimed graphic novel – ‘Asterios Polyp’.
see: DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI at the NYC book signing of ‘Asterios Polyp’, June 6, 2009
bye the way, just in case you are interested . . . in the world of traditional comic books,
this is what it means to be a ‘penciler’.
an ‘inker’ . . .
and a ‘colorist.’
~DAY TWO |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 23rd, 2011, 11:35pm
remarkable for its steely realism and street-level perspective . . .
SABLE – MARV WOLFMAN / BILL JAASKA / E.R. CRUZ
COVER ART by BILL JAASKA
FIRST COMICS – ISSUE #14 – APRIL 1989
$1.95 / $2.45 CANADA – FIRST COMICS PUBLISHED out of CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
SABLE was published monthly.
the full page opener – was a classic Santa in the big city scene, again note the street level perspective. . . the dramatic composition, and way intense, vivid coloring. the snow falling is a great pictorial detail, as is the exquisite two-tone coloring, especially with regard to the gentleman on the right’s – trench coat !! not to forget the reflections in the plate glass hi-rise windows . . .
the standard use of ‘inking’ – of using a black outline – is subtle, but forceful, very even handed. contributing – a barely perceptive, but steely dimension – to the overall pictorial punch.
MARV WOLFMAN & CHERIE WILKERSON – writers
BILL JAASKA – penciller
E.R. CRUZ – inker
GARY FIELDS – letterer
JULIA LACQUEMENT – colorist
LAUREL FITCH – editor
. . . . “and the creatures were stirring.”
~DAY THREE |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 22nd, 2011, 11:01pm
THE SPECTRE – ISSUE #29
DC COMICS, NYC, NY – SEPT 1989 – PUBLISHED MONTHLY
US $1.50 / CAN $1.85 / UK 80p
GHOSTS in the MACHINE – PART SIX of SIX / MOENCH – ARTIS – GULA
DOUG MOENCH – WRITER
TOM ARTIS / TIM GULA – ARTISTS
JOHN COSTANZA – LETTERER
CARL GAFFORD – COLORIST
KEVON DOOLEY – ASST EDITOR
ANDREW HELFER – EDITOR
~DAY FOUR |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 21st, 2011, 10:00pm
sooo, instead of the usual art world low-down, how about – we give you a 5 DAYS til XMAS – COUNT DOWN !!
COMIC BOOK – STYLE !!
DAY FIVE:
SHURIKEN – ‘owari’
1986 / $1.50 / canada $2.25 / 4
SHURIKEN No. 4 NOV 1986 PUBLISHED BY VICTORY PRODUCTIONS, NORRISTOWN, PA (PENNSYLVANIA)
SHURIKEN (and all supporting characters) IS COPYRIGHT 1986 REGGIE BYERS.
PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
“Itte Irasshai!” – Reggie Byers
red snowflakes or martial arts fighting ‘darts’ – same diff. cry, baby !!
owari – “The End”.
~5 DAY CHRISTMAS COUNT-DOWN, DAY FIVE |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 20th, 2011, 11:44pm
I know it’s hard to find another site that lays it down so straight & so entertaining, but I’m toast(ed).
I need a break, art world-wise. so, check back soon.
in the meantime – cruise the archives – while they’re still up – and, for free.
just joking. calm down !!
though the Art Lovers Photos Archive, top right horizontal navigator bar, you might have noticed – is down, crashed – til I can come up with $500 – any bright ideas ? the last report on there – was the R. Crumb ‘Genesis’ opening – a few years back. it’s your loss, baby.
. . . GIVE ME – A BREAK !! . . .
ECLIPSE COMICS No 2 – An Introduction to the Big Delights of the Small Press!
GIANT-SIZE MINI COMICS. Published October 1986
cover illustration – DAVID STEINLICHT, 1986
GIANT-SIZE MINI COMICS published bi-monthly by Eclipse Comics Guerneville, California.
Editor: Catherine Yronwide.
Printed in the sunny state of Florida. (and that’s for real – no joke, that’s really what it says !!)
ohmygod !! am I telepathic, or what !!
look at the first page !! . . . . the title ? “THE BIG BREAK” !! – I need a break – get it ??!!!!!!!!!!
THE HIGHLY UNLIKELY ADVENTURES OF ……….. MIGHTYGUY
STORY & ART BY: TIM CORRIGAN
HEY, MIKE!! . . . . YAAAA!! – “THE BIG BREAK!” –
OH, WERE YOU ASLEEP, MIKE ? DID I WAKE YOU UP ?
WHAT TIME IS IT ?
IT’S FOUR A.M. ALREADY !
OH MY GOD !
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, FRED ? IT’S THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT !!
I’VE GOT WONDERFUL NEWS, MIKE ! I JUST KNEW YOU’D WANT TO HEAR THIS RIGHT AWAY !
YOU’RE MOVING TO TIBET ?! (!!)
~Give me a break !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 20th, 2011, 10:59pm
ALFREDO MARTINEZ, ‘Untitled’, 2011, mixed media, 35 x 17.5 ins.
HESH PRESENTS:
‘ALFREDO MARTINEZ: THE SITUATION IS CATASTROPHIC BUT NOT SERIOUS’
A ONE NIGHT ONLY – SOLO SHOW – THURSDAY, DEC 15, 2011 / 6-8 PM
WITH a SELECTION of WORKS on DISPLAY at the GALLERY – for the next 2 WEEKS . . .
LEONARD TOURNE GALLERY – 463 BROOME ST, BTWN MERCER & GREENE – SOHO, NYC
Hesh says its about 80% – brand new work, as evidenced . . . by the image above !! nice.
and p.s. is it just me – or does it have a nice clean-cut graphic, as opposed to painterly, almost even flat comic book quality to it, or what ?
real nice color job, too.
for some background, read: ‘RAW CHINA – ALFREDO MARTINEZ RETURNS’ by JOCK WEYLAND on VICE, posted “9 mos ago” !!
up-date: the opening was ‘downtown’ glam and fun. the works are lively and almost feel lighthearted. more colorful than Alfredo’s usual stock-in-trade they were many-hued . . . colored in with a wide range of paint markers that Daddy bought. you know, the kind you have to shake. guess he liked his write-up (!!) . . . pix to follow later – this weekend.
O.K. – not.
but for sure – tons of pix from the opening – going up right after Christmas Day !!
give me a break — it’s the holiday season . . .
~ALFREDO MARTINEZ |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 14th, 2011, 10:53pm
EZRA JOHNSON . . . has a sweet, fleeting, lyrical and ultimately very compelling, painterly to the extreme – low-fi animation looping in the FREIGHT+VOLUME project room. I can’t remember a sound track – but I remember standing motionless – as it kept turning unexpected corners. titled ‘Five Kinds of Light’ – it’s up through Jan 14, 2012.
it begins with a guitar player . . .
bathed in dramatic light – flickering between abstraction and substance.
then somehow you’ve found it’s become a pick-up truck and a group of people . . .
which morphs into a wonderful ‘cosmic’ tunnel . . . that becomes, train tracks. and it is suddenly, for the moment, sharp, and linear. . .
turning into . . . a stairway. to heaven ? or just a mosaic-like residence ? and lands . . . though not finally – in a courtyard surrounded by multiple dwellings, rising up around — a tree.
nice.
EZRA JOHNSON – ‘FIVE KINDS OF LIGHT’.
Dec 10, 2011 – Jan 14, 2012
FREIGHT+VOLUME
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
~EZRA JOHNSON |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | December 14th, 2011, 10:44pm
