Saturday, December 27, 2008

Go Raibh Mile Maith Agat


It's strange how this blogging lark has seeped into my life. Not a lot of people know about it- i like the notion that it's almost my little secret and i use it to keep my creative spark smoldering. An Cathach started as an outlet for things that i found interesting; almost like an online journal. I find so many interesting and inspirational things (in my opinion anyway!) online but have a head like a sieve at times and it became a way of keeping track.

It was a bit of a surprise when i found myself twitching over the past 3 weeks with a lack of regular Internet access or a semblance of routine. I've started to scribble thoughts/ideas/inspirations in a notebook in an effort to prevent them from floating away!

My experience with blogging over the past few months has been brilliant; and as a result I've met some truly amazing people (both online and off) that i may have not had the privilege to know otherwise. I'm still amazed at the idea that someone may take the time to have a wander through my blog-Thank you for your comments and input

I want to wish each and every person that reads this a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2009. Hopefully good things are in store

Onwards and Upwards my darlings!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Anytime Now


New country of residence. Check. 
New Macbook. Check. 
Trying to find a coffee shop with decent wifi. Check
Changing to www.ancathach.com. Check
New posts coming soon.
Thanks for your patience :)

Friday, December 05, 2008

Taking Flight

Apologies in advance as blogging will be feather light over the next week or two. Currently getting ready to move due to relocation to Canada.


Image Via WikiVisual

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Revolutions


The Last Poets - 'When The Revolution Comes'


Gil Scott Heron - 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised'

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Seeker


Artist Patrick Wagner was born in Germany in 1980 and works mainly with sculpture. His secret artistic passion is printmaking. He has attended The Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts Kiel in Germany, The National Academy of Fine Arts in Bergen, Norway and The National University of Fine Arts in Bucharest, Romania



Whilst at The National Academy of Fine Arts in Bergen, he worked on a project called Explo 01 assisted by Trond Mikalsen, Heiko Wommelsdorf and others. The Explo 01 was a self-appointed research project for his exchange to the Bergen National Academy of Fine Arts. Wagner was researching the possibilities of interfaces between art in public and virtual space. As a result of this he developed a kinetic sculpture (which draws on NASA Mars rovers technology) which provides a mobile research platform or presence in both spaces.




What artists have influenced you; and how?

Well, Gordon Matta-Clark was definitely a revelation. His "Splitting", "Day's End" and "Office Baroque" works kept reappearing in my head for months on end. I saw them at a show in Berlin, completely unaware of his position until then. The beauty of his 'anarchitectual' interventions, the dedication of Matta-Clark to his work impressed me deeply.


For the same reason, Horst Janssen (German print maker) is very dear to me. I lived next to his museum for four years, going there once a month. His love for printmaking transpired through every single plate he etched. In their way, his works are very educational, or maybe it is my adoration for them - whenever I am in the print workshop, exploring new techniques, Janssen is watching over my shoulder while I wonder how he did this or that.


Are there any particular places or spaces that you find inspiring?
Nope, not really. I can work anywhere. I like my studio here in Germany, because it is nice and spacious. Having a place to call home, art wise, is very important. I draw most of my inspirations from literature, ideas manifest themselves on long walks, situations and ideas get played through. The seaside helps, but it would also work in Tokyo, Bergen, Bucharest or elsewhere. Nights are best for breakthroughs. Travelling is important, but then again, that's maybe my restlessness speaking.





What inspires you to create art and how do you keep motivated when things are tough?
To be honest, I do not really know. Things are tough almost all the time, but that's the challenge. The character of my work is very experimental. I do a lot of things simply to answer questions I've stumbled upon. When my curiosity is satisfied the interesting part begins - finding out how to make this process of wondering and discovering accessible for other people.

Patience, or maybe even stubbornness, helps when obstacles are being hit. But then again, that moment-when sculptural decisions begin to really matter, that's when art is being done.

How would your life change if you were no longer allowed to creat art?

Tempting to write "I could not live without art", but most probably, all my energy would pour into something else... I would write, maybe, devote myself to a martial art, lecture at a university or find another vent for my need to reach out to other people. But actually, if I were no longer allowed to create art; I would most probably still make art, for it is vital.




Ultimate goal as an artist?

To one day make the minus in front of my account balance disappear. Until then I want to keep doing what I want/have to do. When the minus is gone, I'll keep on doing whatever I want, just without that little line. The world is still full of questions that need to be answered, at least as much as me and my art are concerned. Maybe get a call to teach at a University somewhere, maybe settle down a bit, win the heart of someone, stuff like that. Impossible to separate the artist Patrick from the human Patrick.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Manifest


"Intelligence is composed mostly of imagination, insight, things that have nothing to do with reason"
Dame Vivienne Westwood

Sunday, November 30, 2008

N / S / E / W



Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is a Mexican born artist who graduated from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada with a B.Sc in Physical Chemistry. He is an electronic artist who develops mainly large scale interactive installations in public spaces. Lozano-Hemmer uses robotics, Internet and mobile phone links, sound and sensors to create his pieces.

His instillation 'Homographies' is an interactive installation that uses 144 robotic light fixtures that are controlled by 7 computerised surveillance systems. The piece works on the premise that the vanishing point is not architectural, it's connective.

This means the piece is determined by who is in the space at any given time and as a result of this changes accordingly. The fluorescent lights rotate as people walk under them, this creates patterns of light that are 'paths' or 'corridors'

Friday, November 28, 2008

Rubitone Genius



Pantone colors + Rubik's Cube= Rubitone
From the mind of Industrial Designer Ignacio Pilotto

Why hasn't someone started production of these yet? I know at least 3 graphic designers who would be in design 'wantsies' heaven if presented with one. Genius

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Those Who Forget History Are Doomed To Repeat It

I'm not sure if I'm alone in this way of thinking but ever since childhood I've found it difficult to connect old footage (eg: 1920's onwards) with reality. I don't know why but it's almost as if the crackly black and white images didn't seem real to me as it wasn't how i saw the world (black and white as opposed to colour ).

I found footage from the Romano Archives that was actually filmed in colour. Vincent Romanos research has unearthed an abundance of colour film that shows what events looked like to those who were there. The archive presents mainly World War 2 recently declassified and other previously unavailable material. Some of it such as the footage and actual sound of Eva Braun and Hilter is eerie and is considered rare. I've featured a tiny sample of the archives below. Worth a look


Eva Braun private color amateur footage from Summer 1939 filmed at the Berghof, near Berchtesgaden. Original captured soundtrack with the voices of Hitler, Goebbels, Speer, Eva and Gretl Braun, Bruckne(Eva's bodyguard) and others.



A battered young German woman in despair. Filmed on a country road after the passage of the Red Army.



Amateur Kodachrome film (fragment) filmed in New York. Greenwich Village Art Fair, Spring 1944



Summer 1939. German Art Festival in Munchen with Adolf Hitler, Albert Speer, Rudolf Hess, Himmler and others.



To see more:
www.webalice.it/romanoarchives
www.youtube.com/user/UnknownWW2InColor

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Dear Santa


I want one of these as badly as i wanted a Mr Frosty when i was a kid. Which was a whole lot. And Mr Claus didn't quite get his shit together with the ice crushing snowman so i live in hope that he may locate one of these sold out beauties for me.



She's the gesiha from the Tokyoplastic drum machine animation

http://www.tokyoplastic.com/dm.html

If anyone knows where i can get my paws on a Tokyo Plastic Octopus Geisha email me

LumaFlower


Somerset artist/lighting designer Bruce Munro has created a beautiful piece of work called 'Field of Light'. It has gone on display recently at the Eden Project in Cornwall, U.K and will remain there until Spring 2009. The Eden Project mounts regular exhibitions by internationally renowned artists. The idea has been in Munro's mind for quite some time and a scaled-down version was exhibited as part of an exhibition at the V&A in 2004.




It took Monroe and five assistants three days to install the piece. They planted 6,000 acrylic stems, through which 24,000 meters of fibre optic cables run. The stems themselves are topped with a clear glass sphere. There are 11 external projectors; the stems themselves hold no electric power at all.




The installation covers an area of 60 x 20 meters. It is best viewed after dark to enjoy the full effect as the piece slowly changes colour; ebbing from blue to pink, yellow, green and white. According to the BBC the piece will be switched on sporadically in the evening; and when required for viewing in order to avoid excessive used of energy.



Munro was inspired to make this piece during a trip through the Australian red desert 15 years ago. Driving along the Stewart Highway he would stop every night at roadside campsites, which are often in stark contrast to the barren desert that surrounds them. He was fascinated by the way the red desert was barren until it rained and then change rapidly as dormant seeds would explode into bloom.


For more info on both Munro and the Eden Project :

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Pfnaaaaar


Currently on Repeat: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour (and not just because i may have a tiny girly crush on singer Mette Lindberg. Much)






Monday, November 24, 2008

Your Face or Mine?


Interesting blog that I've only just discovered: Your Face



Your Face features illustrations done by Damien Weighill. Weighill who describes himself as a freelance illustrator, attended Northumbria University where he excelled at colouring without going over the lines :P He has a number of blogs.Tongue wedged firmly in cheek-me likes.




Send him a photograph of yourself, ask nicely and he'll illustrate your mug and feature it on his site!





Friday, November 21, 2008

I'll Be Your Mirror


For many, many years i have found myself fascinated with the lives and works of certain women. Over time i have admired Maria Callas, Marianne Faithfull, Nuala O'Faolain, Björk, Tori Amos, Renee Vivien, Joan Of Arc, Grainne Mhaol and Ani Difranco


The first woman photographer whose photos touched a chord with me was Nan Goldin. I discovered her work in the college library on a wet and dreary December morning as i was busy mitching from a lecture. I dug out 'Nan Goldin: Ten Years After' and found myself mesmerized.




Goldin portrays subjects that are inseparable from her life: Places, Objects and People-especially her close friends (many are now dead from drug abuse and AIDs). Her work includes images of drug use, violence, relationships and many of her own deeply personal moments such as the photograph below. She took it a few weeks after being battered to prevent herself from forgetting the damage caused by her boyfriend's violence. Goldin has never shied away from the harsh realities of life especially when dealing with drug addicts and emotionally damaged individuals. When pieced together her photographs document her life and act as an autobiography.




She has said "I take blurred pictures, because I take pictures no matter what the light is. If I want to take a picture, I do not care if there is light or no light. If I want to take a picture, I take it no matter what. Sometimes I use very low shutter speed and they come out blurred." What i really like about her work is that she presents her subjects with empathy and candour, and not in a voyeuristic fashion. With an intimate feel, we get to glimpse the family/tribe that is not bound by blood but by experiences and love.







Thursday, November 20, 2008

One of those days


Sometimes i wonder if some people get out of bed in the morning intent on trying to make others upset??



"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being"

Carl Jung 'Memories, Dreams, Reflections'

Picture Via Clig

Friday, November 14, 2008

Grower




I wasn't particularly enamoured with Ladyhawke when her first single was released, but after hearing 'My Delirium' i relented and think both the song and the video are brilliant. Her voice reminds me of Kim Wilde for some reason.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Creator


One of my favourite painters will be exhibiting some of his work at Art Ireland this weekend. Taras Loboda was born in Ivano-Frankovsk, Ukraine but currently lives and works in Prague. He is the son of Ukrainian artist L.L Loboda. He stated painting at an early age and attended state art college.In 1979 he spent a year studying with the artist Zareckij.




It was at the last Art Ireland event that i discovered his stuff and then spent the following weeks sulking because I couldn't afford to buy any of it.




His paintings of women stopped me dead in my tracks (they reminded me of the famous National Geographic picture of the Girl with Green Eyes), one in particular called 'Maya'. The use of color pops against dark backgrounds and his work has a luminosity that's hard to describe; pictures don't do them justice- you need to stand in front of them to appreciate them fully. He works with three main subjects: Women's portraiture, Classical still life and Landscapes.




The ninth annual Art Ireland fair will take place in the Main Hall RDS, Dublin from the 14th to the 16th November 2008. For opening times, full exhibitor list and more info check out the website below.




Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Survivor


Many thanks to Wendy B for bringing my attention to a situation that i was previously unaware of. The photos you see are of the Nielson family who live in Arizona. Stephanie Nielson is better known to some of the blog world as NieNie. She has been blogging since 2005 and has built up an avid readership. Her posts act as a home life diary for a stay at home mother with four children. Following her thoughts on motherhood and family life; and peppered with candid pictures, a sense of love and unity radiates off the page (her kids are adorable!).



Christian Nielson (29) and Stephanie ( 27) were injured when a private plane crashed in August. Both suffered severe burns but Stephanie sustained 80% burns over her body . The third person on the plane, flight instructor Doug Kinneard, died the following day from his injuries. Christian has left hospital and is slowly recovering but Stephanie is still in the Arizona Burn Unit, Third-degree burns took almost all the skin from her back, chest, face, arms and lower legs. She has been kept heavily sedated and has gone through 19 surgeries to graft skin onto the burns


It's likely she will be in the burn center for another few months and then many, many months in rehabilitation. There will be more surgeries over the next few years. They've raised more than $150,000 so far to help with medical costs, which will most likely stretch into the millions. Click on the blue button below to donate to Stephanie. Every cent counts and will go towards helping her recovery.



For more information : Nie Recovery
http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
Group Family Photographs by Wendy Whitacre










Sunday, November 09, 2008

Flow



I've never found office stationery exciting and didn't count on this being quite so mesmerising... I wonder how long it took them to set it all up? Brought to you by the inquisitive minds over at Eepybird

Friday, November 07, 2008

The Devil In Ms Jones


After having the privilege of seeing Ms Grace Jones live at the electric picnic, i am now completely besotted with her. She and visionary director Chris Cunningham (he possessed of rich, twisted imagination and extraordinary talent) have collaborated on a piece for Dazed and Confused magazine.


Cunningham was inspired be an earlier piece of his called Rubber Johnny (Warning:Disturbing Content) and he digitally morphed Jones to reveal a much darker side to her. Grace Jones has never been one to shy away from experimenting with her image. Expressing a fearless attitude when it came to the piece “It’s not fashion, it’s an anti-fashion shoot," she told Tim Noakes "He’s shooting me like art"



Cunningham revelled in the piece "For me, Grace has the strongest iconography of any artist in music. She’s definitely the most inspiring person I’ve worked with so far"



The Dazed & Confused November art special is on sale October 9, 2008

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Dare to Hope


Congratulations America. "A new dawn, A new day...."

Photo via Papermag

Monday, November 03, 2008

Heart


I wandered into Laser Video at the weekend, determined to have an evening alone with a DVD, decent takeaway and roaring fire. After 20 minutes of looking around i spotted the cover for Four Eyed Monsters; and after a quick scan of the blurb on the back decided that it deserved a watch. I didn't anticipate just how much it would affect me.





Arin Crumley and Susan Buice have created an amazing piece of work that i urge you to seek out. It quite literally is a labour of love. Four Eyed Monsters documents Buice and Crumley's real life relationship which grew from meeting on Myspace. Before meeting for the first time they decided to do things a little differently. For the first 3 or 4 months they didn't speak a word to each other and communicated solely through writing, art or video.

Four Eyed Monsters follows the birth and growth of their relationship. To really see the full picture you need to watch the episodes and the film itself. I admire their bravery for putting themselves and their relationship out there, for believing in their art and for taking an independent stance. F.E.M became the first ever film uploaded in it's entirety to YouTube in 2007. They have used their website, YouTube and Myspace to promote the film. Many people have been affected by it in the same way i have been and as a result a type of grassroots movement has sprung up around it.


I don't want to give anymore away but I've featured the 1st episode below for you to get a taste of it.




Thursday, October 30, 2008

Open Lens


These are just some of the photographs that caught my eye yesterday. They are by American photographer Sarah Small. She caught the photography bug at the age of 13 and regularly used her younger sister Rachel as a subject. Armed with a Pentax K1000 she spent many of her teenage years walking around her hometown Washington D.C capturing images.




She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2001 and has gone on to create some stunning photos. She has been the recipient of numerous awards such as Art and Commerce’s Emerging Photographer and American Photography 24; and her work has featured in Life Magazine, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. Her photos have a wonderful quirky quality and i really like how real people (complete with scars, stretch marks and wrinkles) feature in her work. It feels as if there's an interaction between the subjects and the viewer, rather than a model posing and the viewer gazing.





She states "I create bold images of disquieting subject matter packaged in candy-coated color, nervy compositions, and close croppings. I photograph the rawest emotional underbelly of scenes that I both find and fabricate. My subjects are often found on the fringes- bodybuilders, twins, prostitutes, aliens; or, they are found in the every-day - mom, dad cousin, co-worker, but I transform them all in a way that renders them iconoclastic, theatrical, and intentionally confrontational. I photograph force, chaos, and intimacy.
"




For more of her work and further information click here
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