AMP

It’s so easy to be productive here…

I’ve been completely obsessed with the Earth’s moon lately. Besides being the only major counterpart to our Sun in the sky (which I’ve pondered for quite some time), I’ve recently been turned on to it’s thrilling history, inspiration, and potential.

This probably all started when my musical companion Ryan and I wrote a song for a concept album about the chaos of peak oil destroying the planet and being forced to colonize the moon, appropriately titled ‘To The Moon‘. It was my first attempt at playing the drums, and nicely mimics the Apollo 13 mission to the moon which was dubbed a ’successful failure’. Still, it’s a fun jam to play–the last time I played it was at a backyard birthday party in which I jumped in the pool upon finishing the song. Forgot to take my phone out of my pocket. Whoops.

Spread from James Nasmyth's 'The Moon Considered As A Planet...'

After replacing my phone I came across a fantastic little reprint of ‘The Moon: Considered As A Planet, A World And A Satellite’. This book was originally published in 1885 and became known for it’s intriguing illustrations of the moon, which are actually photographs of large and highly-detailed models created from many illustrations based on telescopic observation. The results are otherworldly–I would love to see an original copy with the pigment prints if anybody has one. The text is a basic scientific discussion of how the surface of the moon came to be. I’ll be honest and tell you that I haven’t read much of it and usually just look at the pictures.

Michael Collins' book 'Flying to the Moon'

Not too long ago I was given a copy of Michael Collins’ book ‘Flying To The Moon‘, which is an account of Collins’ training as an astronaut and his experience aboard the Gemini 10 and Apollo 11 flights (he’s known for being the unsung third astronaut to accompany Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong to the moon). The book is aimed at younger readers, but I still found plenty to love. I specifically love Collins’ account of orbiting the far side of the moon, completely cut off from all communication and ties to the rest of the world:

“I suppose one reason I didn’t feel lonely was that I had been flying airplanes by myself for nearly twenty years. This time, however, I had to admit that it was a bit different, especially on the far side of the moon. There, cut off from all communication, I was truly alone, the only person in the solar system who could not even see the planet of his birth. Far from causing fear, this situation gave me a good feeling–one of confidence and satisfaction. Outside my windows I could see stars, and nothing else. I knew where the moon was, but in total darkness, it’s surface was not visible: it was simply that part of my window which had no stars in it. The feeling was less like flying than like being alone in a boat on the ocean at night. Stars above, pure black below.”

Later in the book Collins describes how a trip to Mars might happen (unlike the moon mission, which only took 8 days, a Mars mission would likely take a 18 months), the creation of an orbiting city ‘Libra’, and the great potential for both disaster and advanced civilization we have. Did you know that only 66 years passed between the first Wright brothers flight and the moon landing? That’s just fucking crazy.

Spread from Gagarin's work published by Location Books

Lastly, I just received my copy of Location Books‘ first publication which features collages and ‘moonprints’ by Isa Newby Gagarin. It’s very well produced, in a small edition of 100, and features some visually interesting juxtapositions of found photographs and astrophotography. While the bits and pieces of text praising the benefits of laboratory-made diamonds are a bit confusing, the overall metaphor that Gagarin creates throughout the book is strong and inspiring. For Gagarin the moon is a photograph that develops and fades with the sun’s light. It’s an interesting project and works well in book form.

More moon thoughts to come…

Just bought a globe. This passage was in the manual:

Only at the stroke of midnight on the international date line is a day the same all over the world. A moment later, there are two days going on at the same time. When Tuesday has arrived at the international date line, it is still Monday over the rest of the world. The new day moves westward.
When a day is six hours old, it has traveled one-quarter of the way around the world. Then one-quarter of the world is having Tuesday and the other three-quarters are having Monday. Six hours later, the new day is half way around the world and in another six hours, three-quarters of the way. Finally, it approaches the date line again and another new day, Wednesday, is born.

It makes my head hurt when I think about stuff like this.

I did it. I’m not proud of it, but I did it.

I miss you MN.

I love lists. Not only does it satisfy my somewhat-obsessive-compulsive desire for organization, but there is a certain kind of pleasure one receives when you are able to tick something off a list–it’s a simple gesture, but it represents the conquering of a task, the acquisition of something desired, or the reaching of a goal. This list achieves none of those things, but rather sums up my favorite things from the year ‘07.

So without further ado, I bring you the Top Eleven of 2007:

360° room for all colours by Olafur Eliasson

Olafur Eliasson @ SFMOMA – I think this is in the ‘top 3 art experiences in a museum setting of all-time’. Sort of a retrospective, but also just a solid art exhibition, this show reminded me that museums are more than just buildings with white walls to hang pictures on. This show also walked the fine line of being part-science exhibit, but I think the aesthetics and framing of our experiences prevents it from being seen/experienced as such.

Stuff I Gotta Remember Not to Forget by Darin Mickey

J&L Books – Several strong releases from the young publisher and a really great guest editorial in Blindspot this year make Jason Fulford’s imprint a new favorite. Regardless of the content, I almost want to buy all their stuff cause I know it will look cool on my bookshelf.

Les Savy Fav Let’s Stay Friends – This is just a solid record, and one that I’ll keep listening to years from now. No super amazing tracks and not a single dud. These guys are insane, too. Well, Tim is.

Chicago – I was lucky enough to go to this city a handful of times over 2007 and I don’t think I could ever get sick of it. Sure, the weather sucks, but I’m from Minneapolis, so whatever–don’t talk to me about shitty weather. Between Quimby’s, Chicagraphers, Earwax, Restless, MOCP, the El, and all the great parks, there is little not to love about this city.

Summer Therapy – This was the summer of excess–Too Much Love, too much drinking, too much skinny-dipping. I’ll never forget it, though. This summer also marked the beginning of the weekly Town Talk pilgrimage. Stop in any Wednesday evening and expect to see myself along with anywhere from 5-15 other dudes saddled up at the bar causing a general ruckus.

photo by Tucker Gerrick

503 1st Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN – My new home. The only place I know of where I can record live drums, skate the miniramp, project some pictures, bake cookies and fall asleep all under one roof. I don’t think I’ll be leaving except to go to work, get food, and make pictures.

Tucker Gerrick – Aside from being the source of 75% of my blog traffic, this guy rocked two solid art shows this year (one of drawings, the other photographs), was a banging travel buddy, ran the biggest/dopest skateshop in the Midwest and was an overall BFF. I’ve known him since 8th grade, and we’re FINALLY living together. Anyway, he’s a cool dude and he blogs a lot. You should probably check him out.

West Coast – I was lucky enough to travel out to both coasts several times over the year, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I like the West Coast better. So, for those of you keeping tabs on my regional rankings, it goes as follows:

#1 – Midwest
#2 – West Coast
#3 – New Jersey
#4 – East Coast
#5 – The South

Not Being a Student – For the first time in my life, I am not a student. When I see students, they now occupy that sphere of ‘otherness’ that I do not belong to. I had no idea it would be so refreshing. I get to go the library and leisurely browse through books that I want to read. What an amazing concept. And it gets better–I can write on things that interest me! Don’t get me wrong–it’s not like I went through school studying things I didn’t care about, it’s just that the other shit always got in the way of my passions. Well, now my passions have become my life, and I can’t think of any better way of living it.

The Professor Brothers by Brad Neely

Brad Neely – This guy has created two of the greatest cartoon series I’ve ever seen. The Professor Brothers is based around two brothers who teach at the same university, and for some reason or another, have not gotten fired for the crazy shit they try to teach their students. Babycakes is a diaristic philosophy of the world through a drunken man-baby. I simply cannot get enough. The best part is that as funny as these cartoons are (and trust me, they’re capable of inducing dirty-pants-syndrome), they actually are capable of communicating tender truths at the same time. Ok, maybe not at the same time, but at least in the same episode. Check him out at Superdeluxe and Creased Comics.

Photo by Daniel Corrigan

Dan Deacon @ The Triple Rock – What a crazy show. It was a Sunday night and there was barely anyone there–Video Hippo opened with a pretty strong set and then Deacon created the aural and visual equivalent of an extremely sloppy and hilarious orgasm over the next hour. Stage presence means nothing to this guy, since he never stepped on the stage. Crowd control is more his steez.

Did I forget something?

Shooting on the campus of Coe College (alma mater, nestled between the Purina plant and a Quaker Oats plant in the lovely city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa–depending on which way the wind blows it may smell like dog food or crunch berries). I’m liking this whole ‘photography’ thing. I’ve been reading a lot about ‘dead-pan’ photography (I don’t care too much for that label–I think ‘The German School’ or something like that is better…) on and off the web. It’s fashionable at the moment, but I think that this approach can be used with depth and purpose–which is what I’m trying to do.

Ventured over to the fine city of Iowa City for a break–tried to hunt down my old haunts like Record Collector & Gabe’s. To my surprise and disbelief, both these establishments have disappeared. I found out later that Record Collector simply moved a few blocks down, and Gabe’s became The Picador. Everything is different, everything is the same. Iowa City still has a great skatepark. I wandered around the campus a bit, got a tad nostalgic, and decided it was best to leave. Let the past stay in the past–don’t stop, keep moving.

I feel like I’m in one of those moments of life where you’re struggling just to keep up–with what, I don’t know, but free-time is definitely in negative supply, and I wish I had a surplus. In a half-assed way to get myself up to speed, here’s a recap of the last week:

Memphis

Flew into Memphis to install Alec’s show at Powerhouse, an absolutely amazing venue. This is a gallery worth driving 2 or 3 hours to. Or 6. The space is very inspiring, and my mind started racing about all the projects that could go on within it’s old, tall walls. Alec’s show looks spectacular–minimal and moody, and a pretty big departure from what he’s known for. After the install Alec, myself, and Megan from Gagosian were escorted to Graceland by Peter Fleissig (my new favorite curator). I don’t know if there is anything new or meaningful I can really say about Graceland. I saw it, it was strange and interesting and wonderful, and I’m still not sure what to make of it.

Peter on the Graceland-bound bus

After our Elvis excursion it was time for the opening–I drank my share of Budweiser (I was on the rebound of a cold and had not had a beer for about a week) and shot the shit with Phil, Megan, Donald, Jason?, James, Tracy, Peter, and a whole slew of other great people. Post-opening festivities included former brothels and an amazing nightclub that appeared to be run by Bootsy Collins’ grandfather. Alec made his debut on the drums, a lot of Bud Lite was consumed in the form of 32 oz. bottles, and we danced until our shirts were dripping.

Hella-tight dance moves

All in all, it was a great time. I got about an hours worth of sleep before I had to fly back to Minneapolis, just in time to drive to my next destination…

Cedar Rapids to be continued…

I’m knee-deep in the middle of a terrible cold, but I’m about to embark on another fantastic art journey–this time to see Alec Soth’s ‘Tunnels and Birds’ at Powerhouse in Memphis, Tennessee. The last time I was in Memphis was for a philosophy conference–the only things I remember was an interesting paper delivered about the impossibility of romantic and platonic love existing at the same time, getting blotto at Wet Willies, and drinking a case of Boone’s Farm back at the hotel. Good times. This time I’ll try to cut back on the drinking and maybe check-out Graceland.

Also, two shows of mine are coming down this weekend – Sunburn at the Minnesota Center for Photography in Minneapolis, and Human Error at Sinclair Galleries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I’ll be at the closing reception for Human Error on Saturday–if you’re in the area, you should come out. I’m also going to stay a few extra days to work on a project. Blogging will most likely be minimal, but who knows.

Finally got my film processed…

Slept in Nesser’s hotel room in San Diego the first night. Took a nice steamy shower.

When a rental car company offers you a free upgrade, don’t always assume it’s going to be a cooler and better car…case in point, our ‘plum’ HHR.

Took way too many detours off the PCH to shoot photos of ourselves shooting photos. Also found paradise.

Arrived in San Francisco, ate mediocre food.

Totally!

Tucker and Zig in the Deluxe warehouse.

Back to life, back to reality…

I really have nothing against San Francisco–I saw the name ‘San Franshithole’ scrawled onto the wall of the men’s bathroom in SFO and found it too hilarious not to spread around. The city is dirty, I will give it that, and also the homeless/panhandling population is through the roof. But without that the city would just be a gentrified coastal town. In other words, the crazy acid-fried geriatric hippies are essential to the San Francisco experience. Anyway, here are some videos from the drive up the 101.

I’ll have photos as soon as I get my film back.