Why Mono: The Power Of Simplicity.

"Make It Simple, But Significant"
Don Draper.

Why Mono? A discussion with creatives. from Callum Preston on Vimeo.

Yes I did just become the guy who works in advertising who quotes Don Draper. BUT I really like that line, and as a planner, it's something that I always try to remember.

It's definitely something to always remember when producing work in whatever form that may be, ads, photos, stories, whatever. Just because it's simple, doesn't mean it's stupid. Often far from it. In the creative world, the simplicity of black and white has always carried such power. And I think it's something that can sometimes be taken forgranted. It really makes you focus on the subject, you see lines and shadows often hidden by colours. It lets you make up your own mind and work it out for yourself, which I guess is what all great art does.

Street Art: Faif!

There is little known about street artist Faif, apart from he is from Barcelona, a man and has great skills with a graffiti can. Not only does he have great skills but, potentially more importantly, he has a distinctive style and a great way of looking at the world. It's not too often that I upload street art up here, there's just so much it's often hard to keep up with. But Faif's cheeky take on the world and street art really stood out to me. Though maybe making similar points as the one and only Banksy, he's clearly not taking anything too seriously. The best way to be.

Through A Glass Brightly.

Don't really feel I need a reason for this one, it's just a outstanding.

Through a Glass Brightly on Nowness.com.

Kanye West: Lost In The World.

Remember when Kanye West released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy? Yeah, long time ago. For me, it was without doubt one of the best albums I've ever heard. Big words. Well, he has finally got around to releasing some visuals for one of the more surprising tracks on the album, Lost In The World, in which he teams up with Bon Iver.



Kanye got Ruth Hogban in to direct the video, which as most Kanye West videos now do, make very little sense but instead are to be interrupted as an art form. As in a few other videos, Kanye doesn't make eye contact with the camera as he is seen strutting his stuff from a birds-eye view. Together with some girl dancing very aggressively in over-sized t-shirts, it makes quite a video.

Art In The Streets: Graffiti's Importance.

Over the past couple of years I've become a really interested and intrigued by street art and the world that goes along with it. And no I don't have a Banksy print on a tshirt or up on my wall.

There are so many aspects of graffiti and street art that it's hard to restrict the reasons as to why I like it so. It is so diverse. The pure aesthetic, technical skill, the social commentary or just the ingenuity of it all fascinate me. It really is hard to deny graffiti's place in society nowadays. Whether it be Shepard Fairey's appearance in The Simpsons, or him designing Obama's election poster, or Banksy's Exit Through The Giftshop film and the millions he has earned, or David Choe who's mural at Facebook is set to become the most expensive piece of art ever at £126m. It's everywhere. It's so influential. It's so important. Yet it's still so frowned upon. The trivial 'vandalism' argument is becoming less valid, yet it is still an argument that is sending some of the most lauded, famous and richest street artists to jail. But this is part of it for them. It shows the dedication, commitment and inhibited passion they have for their art. And yes, Mr Judge, it is art. I defy anyone to call it anything else.

Below is a brilliant documentary from behind the scene's of LA's MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) exhibition - Art In The Streets, America's first professional and organised graffiti exhibition in a museum. Learn from the curators, documenters such as Martha Cooper and the artists themselves as to why graffiti is so important to our society and needs to be encouraged and nurtured, not victimised and judged.

Here Comes The Neighborhood: Ep 4 & 5.

As I said in the last post, I'd update with the latest episodes of Here Comes The Neighborhood.



Quick catch-up: part of Miami that has become run down and desperate became the focus of a new art project and became The Wynwood Walls. Graffiti artists came from all over the world to do what they do best, make some art that makes people notice and makes a difference. Each episode is full of rich colours, thought-provoking words and just incredible paintings. Enjoy.

Here Comes The Neighborhood

I am a firm believer that graffiti is one of the most relatable and appealing art forms in today's culture. Whilst so much art seems unattainable being sold for millions in places that don't allow those wearing trainers through the door, graffiti breeds and thrives right on your door. I'm far from an art expert, but that is exactly my point, how is it possible to relate or appreciate the flicks of paint or squares on a canvas by some guy who is very 'in'?
It's lost on me.
Now don't get me wrong, art manifests itself in many forms, film, music, design, photography, the list goes on. But in this instance I'm speaking about the more 'traditional' form, paint on a canvas. And graffiti is just that. Though the canvas maybe the side of a shop and the paint maybe from a can, it's still inspiring to look at, it's something that can definitely be appreciated by many (apart from the council) and it just brightens the place up.
This is where Here Comes The Neighborhood comes in: In the first episode of HERE COMES THE NEIGHBORHOOD the stage is set for the Wynwood Arts District. Parking lots, loading docks and factory walls are transformed into “The Wynwood Walls”. Founder Tony Goldman explains his vision for a town center, while Jeffrey Deitch, Arts Manager Meghan Coleman and Co-Curator Medvin Sobio offer their insight into the project’s significance, taking us into the present day expansion. In addition, Photographer Martha Cooper and Miami based Mural Project Primary Flight weigh in.



Here Comes The Neighborhood is a project with so many benefits. It brightens up an area that desperatly needs it - both visually and mentally, it keeps a place for artists to come together, express themselves and colloborate and it provides us, me, you something to watch and explore. It is a credit to the both those involved in getting the project off the ground, as well as the artists themselves getting involved. I'd love to see this project taken to other cities around the world, I can't think of many who would complain.

I will update with further episodes, but here's 2 and 3, featuring artists Gala and Kenny Scharf:

A Sunday In East London.

East London is getting a bad reputation these days, and it's safe to say that shows like the upcoming The Only Way Is Dalson, is going to help. There's no doubt that the Shoreditch/Brick Lane area is full of hipsters and just general try hards, but equally, it is full of art and culture, and that is something that should definitely be embraced rather than shunned.

I've dipped in and out of East London, however last Sunday I had a bit more of an exploration, visiting Spitalfields market, Brick Lane market and the beautiful Columbia Road flower market where everything is 'laavley' or '4 for a fivvar'. As you squeeze and shove between a mixture of locals and tourists you bounce between countless stalls featuring vintage clothing, handmade jewellery, real fur coats, art and food from each corner of the world. You really get the feeling that each time you go there you're going to discover something new, whether it just be a new stall of t-shirts, a new musical talent or a spot of graffiti. Speaking of the latter, you can see below some examples that brightened up the streets, made people stop and stare and whip out their phones (guilty) to take a snap, now how can something that adds so much be deemed illegal?

Just a couple of hours later...

I hope to make my visits a bit more frequent and explorations a bit deeper in the near and distant future.

Palladium Presents: Tokyo Rising W/ Pharrell Williams [Trailer]

Japan as a whole is a country that has always intrigued me. It is a country that is so rich in tradition and history, yet is on the very forefront of innovation. Japan is constantly saluted for it's steps forward in fashion, technology and art.

It's always interesting and often inspiring to see how a country reacts to a disaster. Japan and Toyko recently experienced their own disaster of literally nuclear proportions. Palladium, along with a certain Pharrell Williams, goes and investigates: While persistent challenges still lay ahead, the city’s creative class is hell-bent on making sure that their hometown thrives. Innovative and resilient, they are defining the future of Tokyo on their own terms. We put our boots on and went exploring.

Full documentary drops 1st September.

Perseverance: REVOK X RIME X ROID

This short film entitled Perseverance follows street artist REVOK, along with cameos from RIME and ROID, as they do what they do best. I love the composition of this video, it allows the viewer to see the artists do their work, but also all the little added extras that go with it. Whether it is sorting spray cans or just mooning a pleasure boat. The music choice and graceful filming gives an all-American triumphant and nostalgic feel to their work. Nice.

Absolut Blank.

ABSOLUT BLANK : 18 illustrators work airbrush, collage and film techniques for the iconic Swedish vodka brand

ABSOLUT is always good for surprises. Following collaborations with artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst and Spike Jonze, the Swedes have now called on popular visual leaders to rework their iconic bottle. ABSOLUTE BLANK was baptised in collaboration with TBWAChiatDay.

We are delighted to find MARIO WAGNER on the list of Absolut designers alongside international celebrity illustrators such as Adhemas Batista, Aestethic Apparatus, Brett Amory, Kinsey, Zac Freeman, Good Wives & Warriors, Morning Breath and many more.

The illustrator from Cologne exhibits his collages in both group and solo exhibitions worldwide. He also illustrated the GoSee header with athletic Olympic icons and suggestive lips. FYI, he is represented by GoSee member 2AGENTEN.

Mark Hamilton, Global Marketing Director of Absolut on the art project: “In ABSOLUT BLANK, ABSOLUT has boldly made its iconic bottle into a blank canvas to inspire artists throughout the world to collaborate and fill it with creativity. We brought together creative collaborators from a variety of disciplines and watched the journey from pure white canvas to exceptional pieces of art. The result depicts how artists and creativity are inspired through ABSOLUT."


Via GoSee

Outside In: Art vs Law.

Ever since the first person decided to get a can and spray their tag, a word or picture onto a piece of public property, the question has always been asked 'is graffiti an art or a crime?'. Well it's both. But it's a crime that allows people the freedom of expression in a physical and public way, one that even the internet cannot always provide. It's a crime that can make people think, appreciate or even challenge themselves and culture's values (Banksy is the number one example in this). And sometimes it's just simply some art that brightens up a neighborhood, turning some grey old wall into something beautiful. Surely there's no harm in any of this?



This Outside In documentary looks to explore the idea that if graffiti is done on a canvas and put between four walls, is it suddenly legal and acceptable? And does it still have the same artistic value and potency it may have had on the outside world? As one guy remarks, "everyone in there has been arrested for graffiti". Exhibitions like this look to be a sign that the authorities and general society are beginning to appreciate what is a truly magnificent and talented art-form, even if it is on their own terms.

Pow Wow: Part 3: The Final Steps.

I've really enjoyed this series from Pow Wow as artists from all over the world congregated in founder Jasper Wong's birthplace Hawaii to bring a bit of art and culture back to the beautiful island. There's many reasons I've enjoyed this series so much, watching such incredible art come to fruition, listen to the artists' views on why and how they approach their work and obviously the finished work themselves.



For me, growing up in a small village in the south of England, it's fair to say that I lacked a certain amount of art and culture in my upbringing. So I felt that I could relate to Jasper Wong's desire to take the Pow Wow project back to Hawaii to inject art and culture back into his homeland, feeling that it has lost some of history and tradition. Much respect.

Nike: Sport Is Art.

Nike are one of my favourite brands, and one of the biggest brands in the world because they understand that you always have to do more. You have to do more for your customers, you have to say more than "we have the best running shoes", they understand that you have to speak to more than your obvious target audience in more ways that the obvious. Over the years this had lead them to produce innovative projects both in the mainstream and the dark, yet influential underground.



This latest project got "array of street artists, designers and illustrators from around the world to splash their flying imaginations onto a T-shirt. By using a T-shirt as their creative canvas, they were to draw inspiration from Nike’s Air Max classic series. Through various mediums, including computer illustrations, sketches and ink splashes, etc., a creative pattern is formed vividly on a T-shirt, fully interprets the essence of “Sport is Art”." (Hypebeast)

Pow Wow: Part 2.

Just when you thought the Pow Wow Hawaii event couldn't get any cooler, they decided to keep it going way into the night and throw in some DJs. Enjoy some of the latter moments of the night, as the artists keep on creating and enjoying what they do best.



And then watch them wrap it all up by painting over their lovely work.

Pow. WOW: Art Makes The World Go Around.

This is a seriously cool (yes I use that word far too much on my blog) art project from Pow Wow. Pow Wow is a collabrative effort from a group of different artists from all over the world who will join forces to effectively put on a show. The range of art on display is vast, but it is all immense and each piece stands toe to toe with the next.



As you can see the latest Pow Wow episode takes the artists to Hawaii, the home of founder Jasper Wong. During the entire process the public were allowed to wonder around and see the formation of the pieces and not simply the end product. The video also gets insights to the artists, their pieces and their influences, from their kids' drawings to the Queens peacocks. Really cool (sorry).


Art Makes The World Go Around.

I Need Some Art.

Art is a beast that takes many different forms, paintings, buildings, clothes, music, books, the list is endless. But what I loved most about this project by Made was that it was a single piece of art taken across the boundaries into other art forms, a rare thing. Here, the song I Need A Dollar by the amazing Aloe Blacc was taken first by composer/producer/violinist Mihalj "Miki" Kekenj to give it his own twist and then my artist Jaybo to create a canvas inspired by the song. I thought this was a really unique idea and it was pulled off very successfully by three clearly very talented and artistic fellows. And the fact that there is even more to come, makes it even better.

Banksy: Americano

We are all so familiar, especially in the UK, with the work of Banksy. He's provocative images have carved the route for graffiti to be considered as art by many. However there are possibly just as many that consider his work as vandalism, drawing up fiercly fought plans to have his work covered over. Personally I think that his images are fresh and original and often add to their surroundings, whilst commenting and judging the culture and society that surrounds the work. Sure it's illegal, but there's by far more pressing issues for the law and councils to be concerned with.

Banksy has now popped on a plane and headed to L.A to cause a bit of trouble over there. Have a look.