PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo. Stop SOPA & PIPA Join the party: Wikipedia, Reddit, Google, RPS, BoingBoing, AmericanElf, Rhizome, Wired, tumblr, and many, many other sites have gone various shades of black in protest today. Take Action Now: EFF | AmericanCensorship.og SopaStrike.com – protest home site Read the Guardian’s excellent coverage Somewhat appropriately, today marks one year since legendary college radio station KUSF 90.3FM was shut down.
|
||||||
|
By Marc Arsenault | January 18th, 2012 |  Leave a comment
 Print |
Categories: Why We Do This, Wow Cool Media artist Dara Greenwald has been a close friend to many of the people involved in Wow Cool on both coasts for many, many years. I am sad to report that she lost her fight with cancer on Monday, January 9th, 2012. Although I have never met Dara in person, I feel her loss greatly and have never heard so many great things said about someone by so many people involved in my life and work from so many different areas. She contributed much to this world and I invite you to explore her work at http://daragreenwald.com/ This post will be updated with more information as it becomes available. By Marc Arsenault | January 11th, 2012 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool Yes, it is I. The irregular Wow Cool link dump. Usually posted on a Monday or Tuesday, often in two parts, often skipping many weeks. We are well back from the holidays, and therefore it is time to obliterate every open tab and share the good bits that emerge. We open with the fight song from of the original St. Trinnian’s films. As you may have heard, St. Trinnian’s creator Ronald Searle passed away a few days ago. He has been remembered far and wide. I tried and failed to find what I thought would be the perfect image to present, so I went with the video instead. If you are going to read only one obituary of the late British cartoonist, you should read the one by Steven Heller in the New York Times. And, hey, I actually liked the newer St. Trinnian’s films. If you have a couple days to spare you really should take the time to read this interview with amigo Steve Bissette – part of the Comics Reporter holiday interview series. I could list about half of the rest as must reads too, but I’ll let you pick your own favorites. I was hit totally from left field to see that the Comics Journal had run this astoundingly comprehensive profile of the great Motorbooty zine assembled by Frank Santoro. Mark Dancey is the man and make no doubt. Our late friend and inspiration Dylan Williams, of Sparkplug Comics, is being chronicled in bloggy fashion at the DYLAN WILLIAMS ARCHIVES – The life and work of Dylan F. Williams 1970 – 2011. “We are attempting to archive the life and work of Dylan Williams: Collected writings, comics, artwork, sketches, letters, stories, photos and tributes. This is an ongoing project compiled by Dylan’s friends and family. If you have something you would like to contribute, please write to tom (at) iwilldestroyyou (dot) com” If you knew Dylan, then the Amazon reviews will make you chuckle and miss him all the more. I lied a couple paragraphs ago, you also must read this Comics Reporter holiday interview with the current proprietors of Sparkplug. I would be amiss to not give a shout-out to Sean T. Collins for giving us a Shout-out in this post-holiday roundup of amazing comics stuff. It’s part three of… how many? Does this guy ever sleep? So much goodness out there. In related news, CBR’s Robot 6 has gone into overdrive the last few days (while most of us were relaxing) with great news, bits, previews and more. Seriously, too much to mention, just start digging. And give special attention to this Robot 6 exclusive preview of titles coming from Koyama Press in 2012. We’ve just added a couple more Koyama titles to the shop here at Wow Cool. Snatch those up, because they are low in quantity and not likely to be reprinted. OK… in more related news, just one more specific Robot 6 link, and another Koyama-related bit, even… you should really read their recent interview with Michael DeForge, who is also one of the featured artists at Wow Cool. I’m not sure if Wednesday or Thursday is new comics day where you are. All I know is Paul Grist’s Mudman issue 2 is out from Image. Go get that! I’m sure I could go on… but I refuse. Carry on… single file, begone with you! Link dumpage composed while listening to Tom Ravenscroft sitting in for Gideon Coe on BBC 6Music. By Marc Arsenault | January 5th, 2012 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Funny Books, Hearts and Minds, music, Upcoming Blasts, Why We Do This, Wow Cool The latest in a semi-weekly roundup of the most interesting news from comics, art, music, video, games and more that have managed to reach us in the technological backwaters of Cupertino. Dig deep into this roundup of classic video game magazines that are archived online. Via Rock Paper Shotgun Printrbot: Your First 3D Printer by Brook Drumm — Comfy couch not included on Kickstarter. Also via RPS, same link as above. Two games I’ve been exploring today that are well worth checking out are Kairo (available as a very affordable pre-order with an alpha download) and English Country Tune, which is in full release, but you might want to wait to see if your mind survives the experience of playing the demo first before making the plunge. Again, both via RPS. Alan Moore on how the mask of “V” became the face of a global movement in the Guardian. The shocking truth about the crackdown on Occupy “The violent police assaults across the US are no coincidence. Occupy has touched the third rail of our political class’s venality.” Also in the Guardian. The archives of Anthony Burgess reveal many gems on the eve of the fiftieth anniversary of his notorious Clockwork Orange. I had a great book-nerd conversation with the clerk at Shakespeare & Co. in Paris a few years ago about Burgess. He totally hard sold me on one of his later books. Sly bastard. Giving comics for the holidays? Tom Spurgeon’s “The Comics Reporter’s Black Friday Holiday Shopping Guide 2011” is the definitive guide. It appears to be possibly still a work in progress. Washington D.C.’s Emo-Punk über-dudes Fugazi are launching an online archive of 800-odd live show recordings, as first reported in the New York Times, and last reported here. You can stare at this for hours… Michael DeForge’s concept art for one of the best Adventure Time episodes ever, Beautopia. And, wait, there’s more. And much more on the Frederator blog. Beautiful Decay did a lovely post on Derek M. Ballard a few days ago that you should check out. A bit NSFW in most districts. I could probably add tons more, but it’s late. Sorry, not much in the way of images or videos this time… click on for that. In case you missed it, Image Comics is having an SF Bay Area shindig this coming February. We haven’t signed off on anything yet, but Wow Cool will likely have a presence there. So, hope to see you at the Image Expo in late February in Oakland, CA. By Marc Arsenault | November 28th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Funny Books, Why We Do This, Wow Cool I used to play the shit out of We Got Our Own Thang back in ’89. It was such an amazing time for music and this was a great bridge between hip hop and the emerging House music scene. Godspeed, brother. By Marc Arsenault | November 9th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: music, Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool I’ve been wanting to write something here about Susie Cagle’s coverage of Occupy Oakland for a couple weeks now. But, given the occupation’s escalating nature and Susie’s work on it being ongoing observation and documentation for an eventual full report, there was not an easy way in to hang a post on. Recent events and the press attention given them makes this seem like a good time to jump in. Occupy Oakland has been a strange story to try to follow, from the reports that make it all sound like a raging riot in the Guardian to the feel good piece in the LA Times on Thursday morning about protesters grabbing breakfast burritos from a food truck with the dockworkers Union boss. Add to this the such mindblowing events as solidarity protests in Tahrir Square and it’s all just a bit much to take in. One thing is certain, however, The Oakland Police Department is deeply fucked up. That’s not a big surprise to anyone, but it is shocking that the press has repeatedly been on the direct receiving end of their repressive measures — from their dusting off the riot playbook last Tuesday to this weeks imprisonment and intimidation exercises. Susie Cagle has been one of the most visible targets of their insane anti-journalist campaign — catching an exploding can of teargas right in front of her face (video above) to her arrest, imprisonment and the holding of her personal belongings by the police over the last few hours. As of this writing they are still holding her stuff, including her apartment keys. Yet, she is determined to follow this story until the end despite all of this. That level of commitment is a true inspiration. Just be safe out there, Susie. I don’t ever want to see you added to this roster at CPJ. Follow Susie’s regular updates from the occupation on Twitter. Susie’s homepage “This Is What Concerns Me“. You will want to also check out her Copyright Explained cartoon and her investigation of Bay Area faith-based ‘pregnancy centers’ What Every Woman Should Know and the accompanying Behind The Scenes report. UPDATE: Posted late today on YouTube, Susie’s video from the plaza raid right before she was arrested. Yes, the footage is a bit rough. If I was ever in a situation where a large group of people were being told “Get on the ground, you’re under arrest”, I would probably try to run, break into a building, something–all Gordon Freeman style–because I would assume the alternative was far worse… By Marc Arsenault | November 4th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Funny Books, Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool
Mary Blair was born 100 years ago today. Even Google noticed. Her shapes and colors still fascinate. Below are a few photos I took earlier this year at the Disneyland Gallery show “The Colors of Mary Blair“. Clicking will make them twice the size. It’s magic.
By Marc Arsenault | October 21st, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Why We Do This, Wow Cool By Marc Arsenault | October 17th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: music, Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool Stalker is an astounding film that you simply must see. Stalker is also available on DVD Found via Rock, Paper, Shotgun By Marc Arsenault | October 16th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool Adam Curtis may be the greatest journalist of our age. Yes, whatever, or whenever, that is… He is certainly one of its greatest documentarians. His skilled use of the video medium – in films that demand that you both look and listen to get the full effect – persuasively show and tell that things are not quite as you have been told (and shown). His most recent work – All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace – named for the Richard Brautigan poem of the same name – seems particularly relevant in light of the spread of the current Occupy movement. This documentary series also gives perspective on the origins of aspects of the Tea Party Movement and the influence of Ayn Rand in particular. Strangely, one of the greatest proselytizers of Randian Objectivism – especially in Canada and the Northern mid-west – the rock band Rush, is not mentioned. You will want to pay regular visits to Curtis’ blog at the BBC. His access to their archives has leant him unique incite into many of the world’s recent shaking events. Watch All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace on Archive.org. By Marc Arsenault | October 16th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool The Google tribute is all kinds of awesome. I made the above video with my son last year. By Marc Arsenault | October 12th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool
By Marc Arsenault | October 6th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Hearts and Minds, Why We Do This, Wow Cool I was just sent this by Scott Beibin, who worked on it, and am sharing it. I’m a little behind on what is going on in New York at the moment, so playing catchup now. Whatever your view, this is pretty major and you should stay informed. This video makes an interesting gateway into the datastream. I’ve been watching the news enough to think that is very likely that London is going to erupt over the next few days. The City of London, commonly just, The City, is one of the largest financial services centers in the world. It has just been revealed that half the donations to the Tories have come from that sector. The Conservative Party Conference is underway. In the meanwhile, you see articles like this one in the Guardian about how great the $100 Million Lloyd’s building is and you can start to get a little steamed too. So… Occupy the City? I can’t wait to read what Charlie Brooker has to say. More info: Adbusters Occupy Wall Street Page By Marc Arsenault | October 3rd, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool Among all the sorry carnage and sad tales left by London’s looting fraternity over the last three days, perhaps the most devastating for music lovers was the huge fire that destroyed a Sony warehouse primarily used by independent distribution company PIAS. A three-story, 20,000 square meter storage home for music from a number of independent labels from the UK and the US including 4AD, Beggars Group, Dead Oceans, Def Jux, Domino, Jagjaguwar, Matador, Ninja Tune, Polyvinyl, Rough Trade, Secretly Canadian, Side One Dummy, Silva Screen, Sub Pop, Too Pure, True Panther, Vagrant, Warp, XL among others. (A full list from PIAS’s website is here). The warehouse was a temporary home for releases from all manner of indie labels and offshoots, and the extent of its destruction is starting to become tragically apparent. While the full impact of last night’s events is still emerging, numerous indies have confirmed massive losses. Beggars Chairman Martin Mills called it a “horrible” setback for the indie sector. What music fans can do to show their support for the indie label community, and help them survive this disaster is to buy a digital download of an album from any one of the digital retailers going to their local record store while stocks last. This way, the labels will be able to remanufacture their CD’s and vinyl more quickly, to resupply the record shops who are also affected by the riots. Alison Wenham, Chairman and CEO of AIM, the UK’s Trade Association for the Independent Music Industry commented: “This is a disaster for the music community, but with the fans’ help, labels and artists will survive. Please show your support for the music community by buying a digital album from an independent label today”. UPDATE – “In Wake of London Fire, Organizers Answers Questions About Supporting Indie Labels” – by Peter Kirn on Create Digital Music. Includes news on PIAS’ fund to help labels and an interview with the organizers of “Label Love” More news on DigitalMusicNews.com | BBC | The Guardian’s UK Riots page IFC – Indie Film Distributor also hit hard Several book stores have also been ransacked, including several comic book shops and the UK’s oldest queer book store.
By Marc Arsenault | August 10th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: music, Why We Do This, Wow Cool
Pegacorn Press from Caroline Paquita on Vimeo. Big thanks to Doug Rogers – formerly of God Hates Computers and Chased & Smashed – for turning me on to this new publishing project led by great great artist Caroline Paquita. Caroline is starting a small queer, feminist, total-art-freaker publishing house called PEGACORN PRESS. Through your help, she hopes to raise funds for new and better equipment to make this easier and all the more possible. Help pitch in to make this a reality over on IndieGoGo. By Marc Arsenault | July 22nd, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Upcoming Blasts, Why We Do This, Wow Cool
So, here we are, at long last, with the sequel to the “Lost Awesome Book Cover Designs” post. Unlike that previous posting, I can thoroughly endorse these ten covers as being very awesome. I’ve been collecting these in the last several months. You will quickly noticed that they have been arranged in a chromatic and/or thematic order. The images link to the books’ pages on Amazon. And, yes, I am selling these. I’ve got to raise money to get my next record out somehow. Give a little love if you like and buy these babies. Otherwise, watch this space and be sure to get the upcoming blasts from myself and the many other Wow Cool artists that are coming your way very soon from Wow Cool. As documented earlier, we continue to build with either no real purpose to the buildings themselves or no realistic plan to sustainably maintain these buildings. There is much glorious decay that remains to be explored by the intrepid and the foolish. Infiltration zine has done a great deal to lead the way. A hot topic recently has been that of the Chinese Ghost Cities. A Sino-Housing Bubble of a scale appropriate to the nation that happens to have the most damn people on earth living under it. Get the satellite view here. In case you thought we might be the heck super efficient in land use here in the West, I would like to send you to this report on the UK’s Post Office Railway. You will want to read all of it and take in every photo. In the meanwhile, for something that just quite resembles context for our position here, I request that you read these interviews with Simon Reynolds on Ballardian: “Magisterial, Precise, Unsettling” from 2007 and ‘Magisterial, precise, unsettling part 2’ from 2009. By Marc Arsenault | April 22nd, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool
My colleague Richard Pell is profiled on We Make Money Not Art this week and you should go read that. Not convinced? It starts like this: “If you want to see a penguin, you go to the zoo. If you’re curious about dinosaurs and dodos, any natural history museum will enlighten you. But where do you go if you want to learn about spider silk-producing goats, anti-malarial mosquitoes, fluorescent zebrafish or the terminator gene?” The Center for PostNatural History is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge relating to the complex interplay between culture, nature and biotechnology. The PostNatural refers to living organisms that have been altered through processes such as selective breeding or genetic engineering. The mission of the Center for PostNatural History is to acquire, interpret and provide access to a collection of living, preserved and documented organisms of postnatural origin. By Marc Arsenault | April 21st, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Video, Why We Do This, Wow Cool
Reading Frenzy – An Independent Press Emporium is a small, specialty bookshop/gallery/event space in Portland, Oregon. They are having a rough patch at the moment and could use your patronage. The full message from RF follows.
By Marc Arsenault | March 22nd, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Funny Books, Why We Do This, Wow Cool Some vital recent cultural moments you may have missed.
The multi-talented Mark Sunshine (singer of Monster Magnet splinter faction Riot God and an artist most awesome) has updated his site again. Minimal, bold, and links to greatness. Sam McPheeters of Vermiform/Born Against/etc. fame has released a collection of his early 1990s Hardcore Punk Zine Dear Jesus, as a velo-bound collection. Wow Cool still has a few copies of the first of his Shooting Space zine available.
Last, and far from least. Today’s absolute must-read is this post from Adam Curtis on his blog at the BBC – “RUPERT MURDOCH – A PORTRAIT OF SATAN“ Enjoy By Marc Arsenault | February 17th, 2011 | Leave a comment
Print |
Categories: Andy's Chair, Hearts and Minds, music, Why We Do This, Wow Cool |
      
Support the Environmental Working Group
|
|||||
|
Copyright © 2012 Wow Cool - All Rights Reserved |
||||||
Sadly no Criterion edition yet.
