Sunday, June 26, 2016

HELIOPHILIA AND MUSINGS FROM THE ASTRAL PLANE

Posted by Gina Higgins American-Noir at Sunday, June 26, 2016

One of the things I cherish most about being an artist is every now and then I get to vanish into the ether of a perfectly coordinated hibernation in the name of ‘creativity.’ Three paintings each three-quarters finished, deadline impending – not like dreaded writer’s block, more a case of enjoying the process as much as the final destination. The signature means final. The gallery walls mean final. The paintings remain unsigned for now, titled and tacked to board – ‘Alibi Inn’ Blindsided’ ‘The Set-Up’… because sometimes I have a problem with final...indicision...

'Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide'

- DW Winnicott

'Blindsided' - Partial work in progress

We live in turbulent times, and while I commend my artistic counterparts for adopting political causes, forgive me if I can’t understand how separation can lead to anything but more alienation – Egos shrouded in the guise of ‘artistic license’ – the rhetoric of ‘I’m right, you’re wrong,’ – Clinton, Trump, EU, UK – You be you and I’ll be me, so let’s make sure we never agree. As Gandhi asserted, ‘The enemy is not hate, it’s fear,’ - This said acknowledging some of you might hate Gandhi.

‘He only made one good film and then you never saw him again.’

Admonishments aside, I have found that fascinating things sometimes happen when you surrender your opinions.

So I stepped back for a while and the universe barraged me with remarkable projects to share from friends and fellow creatives from around the globe…

'MUSE' Drones - Cover design - Matt Mahurin

An interview is in the works with formidable (and impossibly busy) artist/photographer/director
Matt Mahurin, whose work spans 3 decades and collaborations with such artists as Muse, Metallica, The Ramones, U2, Lou Reed, REM and dozens more.

Artwork - Matt Mahurin

Receiving her education in Florence, Italy, 25-year-old TeresaOaxaca is a Cindy Sherman’esque’ artist who creates paradoxical Victorian dreamscapes. I will be introducing you to her beautifully haunting images in an upcoming post.

Artist, Teresa Oaxaca

A collaboration is brewing 8000 miles away. I am designing some artwork for ‘The Case of the Shanghaied Songbird' - a new Film Noir set in 1950’s Melbourne created by Australian writer/director, Scott Lewis and starring Jack Cambell. More on this project and Blue Starling Films coming soon.

Actor, Jack Campbell

Are you tired of hearing ‘Search and Destroy’ in that Audi advertisement, or maybe can’t quite buy The Clash would have chosen 'Choice Hotels?' Perhaps you’re just another Gen-X’er lamenting, ‘There’s no good music anymore.’ To that I say there IS and Sean Hocking has traveled the world to find it. Stay posted for my interview coming soon. In the meantime, treat your ears to Metal Postcard Records.

Fusing Britpop, Garage and 60’s psych, Chicago’s 'SecretColours,' are an eclectic blend of Stone Roses, Blur, T-Rex and the Beatles. Veterans of Austin’s SXSW and Levitation, they are quickly developing a reputation as one of those bands that’s even better live. I’m looking forward to posting my interview with them next month.