INFX

Dire Straits (Walk of Life)

MTW — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:22:52 +0000

Dire Straits is the most iconoclast 80s band; particularly in regard to a Pommy cock-rockin‘ new wave genre. The founding members, Knopler brothers Mark & Dave, musically constructed their claim to the advent of the 80s -perhaps contenders as the continental mirror of a pre-pubescent Talking Heads. Walk Of Life first appeared on the UK Single for So Far Away; the acclaimed seminal track from the Brothers In Arms album. However, the track‘s upbeat pop-blues appeal was such that Walk Of Life is itself became so renowned as to warrant its‘ own music video; partly shot in the London Underground:

The introduction to this track dispels, though, the inferiority of the musical production values employed by Dire Straits. Although we must, authentically, evaluate the Straits as a fantastic pop music achievement: it must be said that their simplistic and characteristic 1-4-5 arrangements epotimise their drab rhythmic endeavours.

Angelica Mesiti

MTW — Sat, 19 May 2012 04:58:31 +0000

You have but one day to visit Mesiti‘s most recent work Citizens Band at the ACCA New 12 show before it finishes tomorrow. Her installation consists of 4 single channel video art works, and a 5th compositional piece. It features 4 people of non-European heritage composing traditional song. An Asian man outside a convenience store playing the erhu, an African cabbie whistling a traditional tune, another African (female) composing music using the splashing of water and, finally, an Arabic (or North African) immigrant singing a tune from his homeland, with the aid of a basic keyboard. 3 of these were filmed in Sydney, with the final piece featuring the Arabic male shot on the Paris Metro.
At once, you are inclined to reflect upon the situation these immigrants find themselves; inflected is a longing for their homeland and traditional values/ environment. I found the song absolutely lovely, and the scenes well shot. However, I can‘t help but feel the over-riding theme was patronising and all too melancholic for my liking. But I guess that‘s one for you to judge yourself: the works in themselves worth the visit to ACCA.

Otherwise, you can also view parts of the work during this ACCA Artist interview:

Cassie O’Grady – KINGS

trentobento — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:56:53 +0000

Acoustic acts are a dime a dozen in the YouTube age, and it‘s no longer difficult for amateur musicians to pick up their guitars and take to the virtual stage. But finding one with talent, soul, and modesty is another challenge altogether. For the last few years, Adelaide folk musician Cassie O‘Grady has been establishing a solid fanbase that understands this challenge through relentless performances at the city‘s live venues. The young songwriter‘s repertoire of uncompromising folk-influenced tracks, including inventive covers of such artists as Cyndi Lauper and The Romantics is sure to rival some of the major players of the genre. With the upcoming release of her debut EP Kings, recorded and mixed by Adelaide‘s very own punk/folk lovechild Ben David, the rest of the world will soon be exposed to O‘Grady‘s undeniable musicianship and songwriting capabilities.

soundcloud.com/cassie-ogrady

Solvent Libel (Bivouac)

MTW — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:22:20 +0000

A big thank-you to all those that attended the Bivouac group show we organised at Long Play.
For those that missed out; here is a composite of two videos screened at the exhibition:

Seditious Libel (Vox by Unkown c.1930)
Solvent (Vox by King Burraga, 1933)

Dedicated: Henry Seekamp

HD Video [2012]

Cher vs. Rob McDougall

MTW — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:09:56 +0000

Robert McDougall Video & Sound Artist

Rodrigo Prieto

MTW — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:04:26 +0000

Today we visit the cinematography of Rodrigo Prieto. In the 2009 Pedro Almodovar film Broken Embraces; the audience is mesmerised and flawed by Prieto’s fascinating imagery. His camera work and visual motivations, I believe, make it the most influential and admired film that I have ever seen. A major compulsion for Prieto is that of portraiture in the moving image: Broken Embraces contains endless character inquisitions using this method (portraiture in film). It is thus imperative to note Prieto’s previous work on Spike Lee’s 2002 film 25^th Hour –a film I also count as highly regarded. The visual stylisation of this film is epitomised by locked-down video shots and ultra colour saturation (or over exposure). Prieto pioneered this aesthetic to an extent; in his portraiture of the characters surrounding Edward Norton (as Monty Brogan; our protagonist in the film). Prieto also shot the 2002, politically-charged Frida, and also the series of Alejandro González Iñárritu films –comprising the 2010 Biuitiful, 2006’s Babel, 2003’s 21 Grams and 2000’s Amores Perros. Amores Perros is also a film whose visual style has profoundly informed my visual dynamic or perspective of the moving image.

BIVOUAC

MTW — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:57:12 +0000

A nightly ensemble of Video Art featuring:
MATTHEW BERKA | ANDREW TURLAND | M T WALKER

Screenings in the theatrette between 6pm - 9pm
at LONG PLAY 318 St Georges Rd, Nth Fitzroy.

BIVOUAC ONE: Tues 1st, Wed 2nd and Thur 3rd MAY
BIVOUAC TWO: Mon 7th, Tue 8th and Wed 9th MAY

These visually stunning works explore cultural & socio-political philosophies, the built environment, and the singular protest.
Please come down and enjoy yourself in comfortable surrounds.

Phibs ~&~ Beastman

MTW — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 06:41:44 +0000

Billed as “two separate and intrinsically connected exhibitions“, this show brings together the organic and superflous styles of Melbourne and Sydney graff artist elite. Phibs is arguably the most well-known graff artist in Melbourne today -you‘d have seen his works gripping the walls of, particularly, the inner-Northside of Melbourne throughout the last decade. No doubt about it.
By comparison, Beastman is a heavy-hitting Sydneysider that has a C.V. boasting shows in London, N.Z., Berlin and across Australia. His works take a more organic approach than Phibs: the artist fascinated by the molecular structures and patterns found in the natural environment.
Together their blockbuster show includes a fasinating mêlée of found objects, canvas, drawing, and works from the Beastman Natural Progression project and Phibs‘ Perfectly Imperfect suite.

It all begins this Friday 27th April from 6pm

Backwoods Gallery: 25 Easey St, Collingwood.

House of Bricks: 40 Budd St, Collingwood.

Hayley Walker (Sketch)

MTW — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:22:12 +0000

Sketch has just returned to Melbourne after a prolonged stint in the UK and Brisbane. She is quite an accomplished artist; having held shows in both London and Melbourne. Also having her shit together in a big way; the minute Hayley is back in town she‘s already got her works up on the walls at The Lounge on Swanston. I went down there the other night to meet this artistic upstart, and check out her works. And they‘re very fine indeed (as you‘ll see below). Hayley was also nice enough to provide us with a few wise words:
INFX: What‘s been happening for the last few years?
Hayley: I‘ve spent a good part of that time working on the body of my International show Ego (or Alter Ego) which was what I called it when I took it to London.
INFX: How was the London scene -does it still inspire your work?
Hayley: The networks that I made there [are] a very important asset in this field of work. In terms of inspiration, I left feeling more inspired towards the graffiti art I do, as I spent a lot of time with street artists including close friends of Banksy.
INFX: I see. Well, you‘re back in Melbourne and have hit the ground running -what else is in store for us?
Hayley: I am currently organising a collaborative Melbourne based graffiti show with local talent here, which will hopefully be showing in August.
INFX: And what have you been up to in the Studio?
Hayley: I am currently working on one large piece, in more of my linear, black and white busy composition style, which I am aiming to exhibit around November this year.
The Ego works will don The Lounge walls until 8th May; so be sure to check ‘em out next time you‘re having a drink or three up there.

Click to view slideshow.

www.wetpaintfinearts.com

Secret Walls: Melbourne 2012

MTW — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:45:31 +0000

That‘s right, now is the time for all you arts and graff heads to get up in it. The gates are open to field your blockbuster creative nuances to the Secret Walls team. Don‘t sweat the name change: you will know Secret Wars from the sell-out crowds that rocked this live art battle series in 2011. It‘s the same crew, the same rules and quality competition showdown: but with a new name comin‘ back to rock ya. Submissions are open for the next week only -see all the details below: