I totally forgot to post these mindblowing psytrance tracks last night. These two tracks always get my blood pumping, and the hairs on my arm standing up! enjoy!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
State of mind
Ive been listening to alot of psytrance lately, as apparent by my profile picture! Just thought id share one of my favorites with you all. Intense psytrance journey! Get ready to throw your hands up!
Decisions decisions
Decided to dump the music player, and to just add youtube links at the bottom of posts you can choose to play if you feel so inclined. Plus thier will be musical diversity, instead of the same 6 tracks over and over, that are in my eyes, just ok! Heres a true trance monster. Enjoy, if you choose!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
1/30 Chauvet Caves
Found in the cave were fossilized remains, prints, and markings from a variety of animals, some of which are now extinct. The Chauvet Cave, however, is uncharacteristically large and the quality, quantity, and condition of the artwork found on its walls has been called spectacular. Also found in the Chauvet Cave, were “red ochre” handprints, similar to the handprints found in the caves of Lascaux.
Also found inside the cave were abstract markings, such as lines and dots, and images that vaguely have butterfly shapes to them. The combination of subjects have led experts to believe there was likely a ritual, shamanic or magical aspect to these paintings. Interestingly enough, it was also found that the artists who painted in the Chauvet Caves utilized a technique that others of the time period didn’t utilize : cleaning the surface of dirt and debris before painting. They also utilized etching around the painted objects, to utilize a 3-D type effect of the subjects.
What I find so interesting about Chauvet cave, is that the experts who studied these caves think that there was some ritualistic or shamanic “forces” at play. In the article on shamanism from Wikipedia (eww! I know..) it states that: “Shamanism encompasses the belief that shamans are intermediaries or messengers between the human world and the spirit worlds. Shamans are said to treat ailments/illness by mending the soul. Alleviating traumas affecting the soul/spirit restores the physical body of the individual to balance and wholeness. The shaman also enters supernatural realms or dimensions to obtain solutions to problems afflicting the community. Shamans may visit other worlds/dimensions to bring guidance to misguided souls and to ameliorate illnesses of the human soul caused by foreign elements. The shaman operates primarily within the spiritual world, which in turn affects the human world. The restoration of balance results in the elimination of the ailment.”
The two sentences that have relevance to me in regards to Chauvet Caves, is “Alleviating traumas affecting the soul/spirit restores the physical body of the individual to balance and wholeness. The shaman also enters supernatural realms or dimensions to obtain solutions to problems afflicting the community.” If there were shamanic practices being utilized in these caves, is was more than likely to serve these two points. On thier vision quests, the Upper Paleolithic shamans probably were painting what they saw would help the community in some way. Depictions of predatory animals were more than likely painted to make aware of the dangers in the outside world. Paintings of (what we would now call) domesticated animals were probably an indicator to others of food, and non threatening animals. You can think of the caves as some sort of early “life university”.
Thinking about the caves of Chauvet, and meshing it with what we all learned while watching Bomb It, there isn’t really much difference in what they did, and what we do today. True graffiti artists paint to bring culture, information and joy to the world. I can only assume that’s what the people who painted in the Chauvet Caves intended to do as well. Obviously life was much different back then, but the effort and reasoning behind the wonderful artwork to this day remains the same, to bring joy, imagination, and information to everyone viewing it.
Beyond Wonderland 2011
Okie dokie everyone! Who else is going to Beyond Wonderland this year? I've already got around 4 people who are looking to make it, remember the more the merrier! Comment if you think, or if you are going to attend this years Beyond Wonderland!Friday, January 28, 2011
Venice Beach Art Walls: CANCELLED!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
1/26 Find your passion, its bombed up on the wall!
Today in class we all (who were in attendance) watched the film Bomb It, a documentary about graffiti art around the world. A very interesting film indeed, and very eye opening about the culture that surrounds graffiti and graffiti artists. I have, before watching the film had some sort of idea of the impact and ideologies that go behind graffiti, but this film definitely put to rest any unconfirmed notions I had about urban art, and the people who produce it.
In one aspect, it’s a way to voice an opinion, that if said in public, can have grave consequences. Capetown for instance, their graffiti sprung up from political issues. Men and women were stifled in their attempts to voice their opinion, so to say what they felt they needed to say, did it anonymously via bombing (graffiti). From there it formed into its own culture, to bring life to the dull, dilapidating town.
As one of the artists said in the film, graffiti “Fills the vacuum with art.” In today’s urban societies, All there is to see is buildings and advertisements. There is no eccentricity, and artists “fill” the empty dull space with elaborate art pieces. The people who frown upon the art can’t see or appreciate what it is these artists do for them and society.
A common issue with many of the artists that were interviewed, was their art was a reflection of what was wrong in society, or the social injustices many have to endure. Going back to the paragraph about Capetown, their start in graffiti was a way to have their voice be heard, or better yet, read by all in society. They produce art with a message that no one wants to say, but everyone needs to hear. It is an expressive form of defiance, and in most cases to identify, recognize and inform the public of the problems many face in today’s urban areas. As one of the artists in Brazil stated, it’s a form of “Urban Intervention”, trying to bring fairness to unjust systems.
Another common point a majority of the artists had in common, and something I can identify with, was the deep meaning and purpose of their art. All of them had elaborate back stories to explain why they produce what they do, what colors represent, and even the location has meaning. To most of them, its not just a decision on impulse. It takes great dedication to actually think so deeply about something and put everything on the line to produce that vision onto a public place. It is obvious that these artists love what they do, and are very, deeply passionate about it.
One quote from the movie that grabbed my attention was said by the female artist from Amsterdam. She stated, “Graffiti is like playing… adults have lost the will to play.” She has a very amazing point! As children, playing and being expressive was a common thing. Drawing on the walls with chalk was something I remember doing a lot as a child. While not all adults feel the need nor should they pick up graffiti, but the point remains that as we age, we lose our ability, or willingly give up our expressive sides and replace it with commercialism. We expect others to provide art to us.. but only with a price tag! We as adults have lost our will to play. Graffiti artists do have the will to play, and do so expressively on the walls for everyone to see.
The one main point that every artist around the world that was interviewed, and in my eyes, a very important message the film had to say about graffiti and graffiti artists, was that most said that graffiti “Isn’t something you do, it’s a way of life”. As Professor Zucman would say, these artists “own” it. Its their passion. It’s something they live for day in and out. It’s what excites them. It’s what motivates them to get up every morning. This one thing is what these people have that most in the world lack today. Passion about something. And not just passion about something, they actually live the passion. Paraphrasing Professor Zucman again; when he was giving the example of watching Kobe Bryant play basketball isn’t the same as getting off the couch and playing basketball. These artists walk the walk, get up off the couch and immerse themselves in their passion for art. Art really is about passion, being immersed completely in its culture and living it day to day.
P.S. If you haven't taken a look at the book titled "Banksy - Wall and Piece", do yourself a favor, and pick it up. Mirror shots ftw!AVB and A State of Trance 500
A milestone for Armin Van Buuren, coming up soon will be his five-hundreth episode of his trance radio program, "A State of Trance". Set to be a massive event, spanning over five tour dates and five countries. Also included is a massive line up of the best in trance today. Posted below are the days of the tours, as well as the countries A State of Trance will be broadcasting from, and a link to the official ASOT website for a list of radio and online stations that will be broadcasting this milestone. Enjoy, I know I will!!
March 19: South-Africa (Johannesburg)
March 27: United States (Miami)
April 2: Argentina (Buenos Aires)
April 9: Holland (Den Bosch)
April 16: Australia (Sydney)
Link to a list of radio/online stations broadcasting ASOT live:
http://www.astateoftrance.com/stations/
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Insomniac Events new press release on LED Gloves
Insomniac Events has stated that they are no longer allowing LED Gloves, or any LED lights into any of there events, for now. To read more, go here!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=159984784053799&id=181938933887
http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=159984784053799&id=181938933887
Monday, January 24, 2011
1/24 Prehistoric Cave Art and The Matrix Correlation
All throughout today lecture, a few key points stuck out in my mind, and even wrote them down to further elaborate. The key points that stuck out to me, were enlightenment, and vision quest, and I also have written down “Perceive world as it truly is.”
What does the prehistoric art caves such as Lascaux and Chauvet have to do with “The Matrix?” A lot actually! Neo, during the course of his time with Morpheus and crew, was on a quest to become enlightened, or as they would call him, “The One”. He would take vision quests in the form of training simulations within the Matrix in order for him to truly perceive the world as it is.
With ancient humans in prehistoric times, humans probably sought after the same path, taking vision quests to help further their chances of enlightenment. A huge step for humans, was the ability, or the consciousness to actually document these vision quests in the form of painting. The ability to take an idea or vision, and be able to transfer that media from mind to stone takes a huge jump in human intelligence and comprehension of the world around them. To me, this was a sign that humans weren’t just mere animals, but enlightened beings, becoming fully aware of themselves and their world. Just like Neo, the ancient humans were merely seeking answers and to find what it means to be aware of the self, and the world.
What does the prehistoric art caves such as Lascaux and Chauvet have to do with “The Matrix?” A lot actually! Neo, during the course of his time with Morpheus and crew, was on a quest to become enlightened, or as they would call him, “The One”. He would take vision quests in the form of training simulations within the Matrix in order for him to truly perceive the world as it is.
With ancient humans in prehistoric times, humans probably sought after the same path, taking vision quests to help further their chances of enlightenment. A huge step for humans, was the ability, or the consciousness to actually document these vision quests in the form of painting. The ability to take an idea or vision, and be able to transfer that media from mind to stone takes a huge jump in human intelligence and comprehension of the world around them. To me, this was a sign that humans weren’t just mere animals, but enlightened beings, becoming fully aware of themselves and their world. Just like Neo, the ancient humans were merely seeking answers and to find what it means to be aware of the self, and the world.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Kandy Festival 2011
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