the dotmatrix project

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Muto, by Blu

Freelance artist Ray Noland, a graduate of the School of the Art Institute, holds one of his posters of Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, at a gallery on Madison Street in Chicago, February 4, 2008. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

Noland is part of a recent boom in Obama Art.
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Political art is a phenomenon that “goes back to Jefferson and probably Washington too,” noted Larry Bird, political curator at the National Museum of American History. Today, campaigns work vigorously to control the message, often refusing to allow supporters to bring their own signs and instead mass producing placards that look “homemade.” Such a heavily-orchestrated political environment can make original images even more striking. “In this day and age, when everything is focus-grouped tested and gone over, it’s refreshing when you do stumble upon a sign that was made by the person carrying it.”

I have a huge affinity for graffiti, particularly with stencil, and I ran across the following picture. I started some google researching and didn’t realize how extensive the library of political freelance art is becoming.

Noland’s stencil is not for the graffiti below but this is my favorite political piece, so far..

Some interesting items I’ve found for Barack Obama:

and to be fair, some art pieces of John McCain, unfortunately, I could only find one piece of graffiti for him:

and one of my favorite pieces, non-political, from Banksy:

The socially aware, innovative, street artist turn pop icon businessman would’ve been 50 years old two days ago.

G.R.L. @ M.o.M.A. from fi5e on Vimeo.

(via Wooster)

A hundred years ago the Lower East Side was the first stop for waves of newcomers to America. Today this is the patch of town everyone is talking about. With streetscapes that are livable in scale and rich in history, there are scores of new restaurants, vintage and designer owned fashion and furniture stores & a diverse & vibrant night life.

The profile of the typical renter in the area is changing from the counter culture hipsters to the more mainstream hipster and young professional.

You are a downtown person and you want to live in the neighborhood you love.

The switch — boutique style quality and elegance. Five unique luxury 11 floor through homes located in New York’s Lower East Side.

Are you ready to make the switch?

A whole new view of the Lower East Side.

These two panels were stumbled upon by Molly while we waited outside to see a show at ABC No-Rio.

UPDATE: I found a clip of the documentary, 156 Rivington:

Online Videos by Veoh.com

shot by _Kriebel_

(originally uploaded by What What)

Bob Lefsetz

The RIAA can bitch. Songwriters in Nashville can ask how they’re going to get paid. No one’s paying attention anymore. They had EIGHT YEARS to make a move, to fix things, and they didn’t accomplish a damn thing. Mainstream media is now with the public. The record companies fucked up. Music is free. Accept it and deal with it.

Bitches.