The Food Revolution

Hello boys and girls!

Today's food for thought is a link I got about Jamie Oliver's call to action to the United States of America. Watch this video and get inspired to take part in what this country has needed since the dawn of the microwave. The Food Revolution.

Please sign the petition and share your knowledge with your family and friends. Let's make Hawaii's healthy food awareness go from yellow to red!

Go to Jamie Oliver's site to find out how far we've gotten and read more about the project!

Yes we can!

Tweeted and retweeted again for it's genius, here is the epitome of the future of music. Mash it up, scramble it in two and what you get will appeal to all. Fear not my children, The Remix Project is here to stay! Ring in the New Year's with a little throwback party :) The Remix Project brought to you by illroots and okayplayer.

Tracklisting:
1. Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation

2. Snoop Dogg - Drop It Like It’s Hot
3. Scarface - On My Block

4. Nore - Nothin
5. Jay Z - I Just Wanna Luv U

6. Punjabi MC - Beware of the Boys

7. Soho - Hot Music

8. Ol’ Dirty Bastard - Got your Money

9. Talib Kweli - Get By
10. Outkast - Spottieottiedopalicious

11. Big Boi - The Way You Move

12. Ol Dirty Bastard - Shimmy Shimmy Ya
13. Black Sheep - Choice is Yours

14. Digable Planets - Rebirth of Slick

15. The Foreign Exchange - Sincere
16. Destiny’s Child - Girl

17. Elton John - Benny and the Jets

18. Outkast - Prototype

19. Missy Elliot - Get your Freak On

20. Missy Elliot - Work it

21. Amerie- One Thing

22. Beyonce - Crazy in Love

Incredible job, guys. Hope to see more soon!

Download the full album for free here.

The Tools of Tag

Just came across a post on Drawn!, which is my go to for the latest and greatest innovative illustrators and creative projects. Although there are tons of videos of live animation and light projected artwork in the past, the Tagtool Project makes life easier for those that would like to partake in the Godzilla-sized fun. See clips from various countries, learn about the art and get tips on how to create your own Tagtooling hardware here!

Wall of Light - Luca Barcellona, Session 1 from makimono on Vimeo.

The Magic Number is 350

October 24th, a day to unite and respond to a call to action. In 5 days, we will see 2009's International Day of Climate Action.

Log on to 350.org to find out more about global warming, the politics surrounding this touchy issue and what you can do to help. Anything you do will make a statement-- from uploading pictures incorporating the number 350 to donating money to registering for the cause. Together, we can catch the attention of the media as well as our nations' leaders. For the future of our planet! <-350!

Artists, athletes and writers alike can participate in the 350 movement!

Meltdown

I really appreciate art when it has a important statement other than "I'm human," "I'm hurt" or "I'm unique." There is something about how selfish and loud people are that leaves me with less chances of empathy or compassion. Today, I came across an article on Treehugger that changed my mind. Brazilian artist, Nele Azevedo installed 1,000 miniature ice sculptures at a public square in Berlin with the help of the World Wildlife Fund. It's interesting that it took that much effort to remind people that we, too, are endangered species.

Read more about the New Arctic Warming Report here. Photo via Wend Blog

FLUX that 2010!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 14, 2009

New Magazine Launching 2010 Asks Hawaii to Decide Cover

Honolulu, Hawaii—FLUX Hawaii Magazine, a new lifestyle magazine in Hawaii slated to launch January 2010, has put the cover of its premiere issue in the hands of the public. The magazine asked five local artists to answer the question, “Where is Hawaii transitioning to?” Their responses came graphically using a variety of different mediums, including paint, digital, photography, prints and even toilet paper.

From now until November 15, FLUX Hawaii invites viewers to vote for their favorite cover art by Eugene “Eukarezt” Kristofher, Sonny Ganaden, Haj Gollestani, Landon Osamu and Yumi Vong. Art will be displayed at Fresh Café and viewers can vote online at www.fluxhawaii.com/features.

FLUX Hawaii is the brainchild of Lisa Yamada and Cody Matsukawa, who both found themselves scrambling for jobs in a jobless economy. Also on board is Ara Laylo, former production manager for SMART Magazine, which folded earlier this year.

“There was no magazine locally that I felt appealed to me and my demographic currently in the marketplace,” said Yamada, who is the publisher and editor. “I decided to take a chance and go for it.”

The magazine targets 21-to-45-year-olds, and “seeks to reorient how people think about Hawaii in terms of fashion, food, art, music and travel, both locally and abroad,” Yamada explained of the magazine’s vision. “FLUX is about reflecting a city in continued flux and portraying the influx of peoples, places and trends that make our home so diverse.”

Look for FLUX Hawaii on stands January 2010. For more information, visit their website at www.fluxhawaii.com.

Beauty in the Shadows

My beloved and reknown professor, Susan Waters-Eller from MICA, recently returned from an Artists' Residency at Rocheforte-en-Terre. During her time there, Susan captured the serenity and eery history of the topiary gardens. Her most recent post reminded me of some of my past sightings.

When I was on a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, I got a chance to visit the vast lava fields between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Every now and then, if one was perceptive, they could catch a little flower or plant growing up between the cracks of a desolate looking plain. No matter how destructive or unnatural a location is, I've noticed that nature and beauty always triumph in the end.

Illustration by Susan Waters-Eller in Brittany, France

Reading List [001]

Recently finished Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, which was an interesting depiction of the social and political world surrounding L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz. The different twists and perspective on the classic introduced a realistic tone to the charming tale. I found a few quotes that seemed important and somewhat relevant to the not-so-ever-after world that we live in.

"She was smart. But there was more than one way to be smart." —Elphaba

"She continually wanted to strangle Liir, as a means of saving him from smooth-talking father figures." —Narrator

"It was his duty to have opinions on things we shouldn't need to know about." —Five

The Button Mashers Benefit Art Show

RT from Mr. J Domingo: Project 365: The Button Mashers

atypicalLIVING and Grace Bible Church Pearlside Youth Ministries, in association with OlaNui!, present The Button Mashers, a benefit art show for Grace Bible’s Youth Camp this Summer.

This event will feature multimedia art displays, live music, a live art mural painting featuring Shaun Castro, Janel Natividad, Philippe Anthony Quinal & RZone, a BBoy Battle, a Street Fighter IV Tournament, and interactive, hands-on video game displays.

This all goes down Saturday, June 27th, at OlaNui! Christian Fellowship, 760 Halekauwila Street, next to Logos Bookstore & near Ward Center.

All proceeds to benefit Grace Bible’s Summer Youth Camp.

Big UPS to Grace Bible Church, OlaNui!, Redefine, lightsleepers, prolifik, Prototype, First Lady The Movement, Liberty Peralta, Yumi Vong & Mike Ulep.

Get Ready… awesome is imminent.

8-bit for All!

*Calibration

Hello my pickles and friends.

It has been a while and many bloggable events have come and

gone. Sometimes I miss out on them and sometimes it's just better to let them rest in our memories. Whatever the case, sorry for the absence and delay.

At the moment, the house is clean, the kitten is clean and the island looks like it may cleanse itself after a few muggy days of vog. Spring cleaning is over and summer may begin.

Interestingly, as much as I have mocked the idea of master photographers and the like, I was recently given the opportunity to switch from one career to the other while staying diligently in the arts. I, Yumi Virginia Vong, am now an apprentice master wedding photographer. A few months ago, I claimed the email address of masterphotographer@me.com through Apple's MobileMe accounts and sure enough, it predicted my future.

Step 1 complete. Time to initiate Step 2: complete training in a different field, learn more about people and how they respond to life and apply to Step 3.

I've got the bike. Now, ride!

FTW!

It's images like this that make me miss the twilight adventures, leaving screaming words and messages in the quiet quiet streets. Good job, Berlin!

Photoshops by FTW-Crew (Epoxy One, Mr Tailon and Baveux Production)

Stitches

This weekend, I realized that when Yumi is stressed out about any situation, unlimited hot tub time or a sit in a sauna helps a million times. A little arts and crafts time every week also leaves me less time to be frustrated. I'm not quite sure if it's the distraction that helps or the satisfying feeling once you accomplish a task as tiny as sewing on a patch. Maybe I need to get out more. But knowing that others can get out and experience some of the world is almost equally exciting for me as being given the chance to go. I'd like to wish good luck and felicitations to my cousin, Karen for leaping on the opportunity to work in Beirut for three months! Stay safe, write down your stories and have a blast!

Pan-ironed letters and "caution yellow" embroidered as a safety reminder on Ben's pants

Personal Day, Please

When the conditions are right, so many things can change and happen within a few hours. Where would we be if he'd left for work a little earlier... what would it be like living in the other house... how anxious would I be working in a different field? This weekend, I came home to a kitten that began limping around just like her father once she saw his bandaged arm. His left paw hurt, therefore hers did as well. Witnessing the affinity between a human and their pet is an amazing thing and seeing this helped me realize how much we affect those around us—whether it be flora, fauna or man. To better serve my people and those dependent on me, I would like to request one day off so that I may recharge my batteries and find the sunshine once again. I know it's not too far...

Our Pirate Ship on Mohala Way