after prufrock

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1962 Bruce Davidson /1958 Philippe Halsman.

The Magnum photographic cooperative, established in the aftermath of World War II, stoked the flames for an accumulating body of work that has now become one of the most impressive archives in existence. For founding members Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and David “Chim” Seymour, the cooperative represented a means of liberty; its members for the first time had exclusive copyrights over negatives, as well as the freedom and independence to implement management decisions over their work.

There have been two Magnum publications that have recently emblazoned my eye with desire.

(1) Magnum Magnum, is a celebration of the group’s 60th anniversary. Available in the either epic or compact editions, in terms of sheer content, this is possibly one of the most magnificent Magnum compilations to date.

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(2) New York, published by the esteemed luxury house Gloria, is erected in a casing set to replicate a skyscraper, and features 1,5000 images over 756 pages. Pure lust for NYC lovers and classic photography buffs alike. The publication has been devised into three distinct editions, Columbus (limited to 100 units), Liberty (limited to 250 units) and Lenape (500 units) with each of these including exclusive archival prints from various Magnum members. Featured photographers include Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton, Alfred Stieglitz and Diane Arbus. Nicely done.

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Magnum Photos: Official Site

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Canadian Malcolm Gladwell represents the crest of modern public intellectuals. For he is a man who is not exclusively defined by one field or subject, but rather by a myriad of interests, and is therefore designated to the deceivingly unassuming term of “writer”. This label is possibly the only one that fully encompasses his intellectual range: from history (the field in which he majored), to sociology, psychology, marketing and his sideline interests in fine arts, sciences and the mine-riddled corporate world. But what makes Gladwell so successful isn’t just his mastery of these often complex subjects; it is his talent to translate their meanings to the everyday man and woman. As a mediator between academia and popular culture, Gladwell consistently highlights some of the most interesting human processes and social phenomenons of the twenty-first century. His most recent publication covers the fascinating epistemology of genius and success – the trajectories “prodigies” follow, and the certain environmental factors that come into play when analysing the odysseys taken by accomplished individuals. His methodology may be somewhat contested, particularly in the way by which he nonchalantly dismisses genetic and cultural elements quite obviously influential in his subjects’ spheres. However despite these hiccups, and quite possibly owing to the aura conjured by his previous bestsellers, most readers will turn a blind eye to these inconsistencies and extract instead the motivational benefits he proffers through his engaging prose.

Whilst this second video again covers Fermat’s Theorem and the 10,000 hour rule, it does explore the concept of genius quite differently, and through a lens that uses genius types in order to answer the larger question of global problem solving. Of course when observing the 10,000 rule practically, regardless of how convincing Gladwell portrays it, is nonetheless subject to the capacity and limitations of its undertaker (as some are immediately able to concede). Similarly, it’s quite clear that regardless of the hard working yards devoted to a craft, some innate talent is a legitimate prerequisite. Just as Gladwell uses Mozart as a primary example to support his 10,000 hour theory, pianist and singer Tori Amos can also be used to illustrate this pronounced point. Whilst Amos’ persistence and dedication to her craft has been well documented (both as a teenager performing in bars and as an adult performer with a consistently astounding live show record), it is implicitly understood that this performer was a child prodigy able to play the piano by ear at the age of two and a half. Such details highlight that just as pure talent will only get one so far without the accompanying commitment, the same can be said for the pledge of 10,000 hours to a discipline that will undoubtedly develop skills through experience, but ultimately will never have the natural edge that true “geniuses” inherently possess.

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Malcolm Gladwell : Official Site

“With a smile on the face we do tricks with much enthusiasm. We run in circles, we roll over, we pose as a triangle. At last we lovingly give each other the ultimate slapstick treatment. A cream cake in the face.”

- Performance. The Basel Art Fair, Switzerland, June 2004.

The Icelandic Love Corporation. How deliciously inept words are to describe the breadth of their diverse oeuvre. From their neon crochet costumes designed for Björk’s Volta, to their eclectic video installations and performance pieces, the trio cover the wide spectrum from the intense to the mundane. Themes and convictions include celebration, transience, nationalism, anonymity and of course, variations and adaptations of love. Between trying not to appear supericelandic and embracing their homeland’s exquisite landscapes, the black humour that often colours their work reflects their ability to juggle the paradoxes of life. Or as the girls like to say, “absurdity can point out the most obvious truth”.

& on another tangent, this letter from Iceland sets the economic meltdown in perspective.

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[Updated; MACRO/MICRO list.]

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Andy Gilmore makes me feel simultaneously alone and interconnected. His illustrations reach out from their depths and spin out into instantaneous fractures, timing the space around them, breaking out into white wilderness of surrounding voids. His designs embrace colours, disciplined pauses in momentum, expeditions into confounded geometry and definitive statements in what makes things happen. There is an electricity in the blueprint of each of his designs that enforces the coexisting measures of light and darkness, of knowledge and the unknown.

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Do investigate his multiple homes on the internet and open up these designs full page – their brilliance will engulf you. Also brilliant, and another platform Gilmore uses is the Space Collective, which branches out into multiple projects propelled by forward thinking terrestrials.
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