Archive for Art Freak Culture
February 25, 2009 at 12:42 pm · Filed under Art Freak Culture
I am privileged to be surrounded by cameras. Part of this is a reflection of our digital age with cameras in every cell phone, portable computer, and cereal box; however, mostly this is due to the amazingly creative community I live in. Whenever I organize an event like the Tweed Ride or Balsa Man, or whenever I craft a costume for grand spectacles like the Gorey Ball, there is invariably someone with DSLR and talent nearby.
I take this privilege for granted more than I really should. Without these creative individuals, with their photographic talent, many of my creative whims would be lost to the fragility of memory and the cardboard boxes of storage. Therefore I have decided to dedicate a series of posts to the masters of the shutter who craft tangibility out of fleeting moments — especially to those who make me look good.
This is the first in a series…
Neil Girling, aka Mr. Nightshade
Prim Queer Tea Time by Neil Girling
This photo taken during Prim Queer Tea 2008 is my most favorite recent photo of me. It was taken by the amazing Neil Girling (aka Mr. Nightshade).
Neil Girling has this magical ability to walk up to people and snap a photo, slinging his huge DSLR like it’s a small P&S, capturing the moment with the perfect balance of light, framing, and background. The above photo is a great example of this with the subtle yet striking shadow of the hat that falls across my face and lines of the windows behind me that adds depth but doesn’t serve to distract from the foreground elements. Even small elements like the Folsom Street Fair sticker that peeks over the saucer seem perfectly placed.
It’s unsurprising that several of my favorited flicker photos are his. For instance, when we went to the Dicken’s Fair, Neil took a fantastic photo of Slim, Nifer, and myself in our Dicken’s wear. Also, he was there with his camera while I was whittling away with balsa wood at Balsa Man Decompression.
If you haven’t really looked at his portfolio before, I highly recommend Neil Girling’s recent photos of the majestic Gorey Ball. He is also known in our community for his amazing ability to capture seemingly uncapturable dynamic acts such as the Vau de Vire Society and Gooferman. I also recommend that if you are organizing an event that you hire him to cover it — seriously you won’t be disappointed.
Errata from Tweed Ride: The above Prim Queer Tea Time photo was also used by me on the flyer for my recent Tweed Ride, which if you received a flyer will notice that I accidentally failed to attribute him on. I can only say that I was rushing to create the flyer at 1am, but really I should have attributed him, and I humbly apologize for this grievous omission as he truly deserves credit.
Related posts
| Trackback url |
February 6, 2009 at 1:52 am · Filed under Art Freak Culture + Bicycling
Snappy Tweed Lass by Roxy Dammit
Many a cyclist has said to me “but I don’t have any tweed.” Fortunately for those facing this debacle the Bay Area is ripe with solutions for the upcoming SF Tweed Ride!
I suggest initially perusing the numerous thrift stores in the Mission: Community Thrift and Thrift Town both have several varieties of tweed wear. Once you have scavenged the racks of these and other thrift stores, I recommend adding the finishing touches at vintage establishments such as Mission Thrift or any of the number of dashing vintage shops on the Haight.
What is tweed you may ask?
Tweed is the rough unfinished wool you found in classic informal outdoor jackets. Tweed can be designed plain or patterned in check, herringbone, plaid, or other styles. Moisture resistant and durable, it is perfect for cycling in all kinds of weather! Of course any wool jacket can look just as dashing as tweed, but it won’t keep you as warm.
Of course, Tweed-style is not only about tweed. A proper cyclist looks good from head to toe: from the dashing wool cap, to the silk scarf, ascot, or bow tie accenting the neck, to the snappy knickers or skirts, and or course the argyle socks! For socks I highly recommend the online shop Sock Dreams. For inspiration, I suggest perusing photos from the lovely London Tweed Run.
Oh I almost forgot to mention your motivation! We will be having a Tweed Ride Contest! Several contests to be exact! With brilliant prizes!
SF Tweed Ride Contest!
- Most Dapper Chap
- Most Snappy Lass
- Most Stylish Vintage Steed
- Most Inspired Interpretation of Tweediness
- Best Mustache — open to both lads and inventive lasses
- As Feb 12th is also Darwin’s Birthday, we may have a special prize for any Darwin look-a-likes that show up!
Numerous smashing prizes!
You could win an adorable baguette saddlebag, luscious elkhide handlebar covers, and more bicycle accessories donated to us by the fabulous Velo-Orange, purveyors of fine parts and stylish accessories for randonneurs and cyclo-tourists; and in cooperation with Manifesto Bicycle, selling quality new and rebuilt cycles to the fine citizens of Oakland!
We have several dashing cycling caps which we are honored to have donated to us by The Freewheel Bike Shop, a San Francisco bicycle institution the Hayes St. shop was established in 1978 and the Valencia St shop was opened in 1997.
Also donated by Freewheel Bike Shop, we have an amazing pair Blue Argyle Deep V Rims that have to be seen to be believed!
And we have a couple more bicycle surprises on the way from Refried Cycles! Refried offer some of the best rebuilt bicycles in town along with honest quality service and accessories.
For the follicularly challenged, Prof. NifNaks has kindly donated one of her patented Prosthetic Moustachios!
So come to the SF Tweed ride in your best tweed! Win prizes! Carouse with the a dashing crowd of fellow Tweed Riders! And enjoy a fine ride through this lovely town of San Francisco!
Thursday Tweed Ride!
February 12th
6:30 pm — Start at Dolores Park (at the 19th St. Bell)
7:00 pm — meetup with East Bay Tweed at the 16th St. Mission BART*
Ends at Tosca Cafe.
*NOTE: The first BART train that allows bikes into the city arrives at 16th St. at 6:45pm. For more schedule info visit Bart.gov
Related posts
| Trackback url |
February 5, 2009 at 6:48 pm · Filed under Art Freak Culture
Valencia was never the same after January 30th 2009. The day that will live in infamy quickly became known as the Valencia Hipster Irony Implosion.
When the boy in the red trucker hat picked up the “NO MORE HIPSTER SCUM” sign suddenly a flash of white — and I mean WHITE — light enveloped the entire block of Valencia between 20th and 21st street. Little was left undamaged after the irony implosion. Windows were busted, the protest signs burst into flames, and boy in the red trucker hat completely vanished. His friends all died shortly thereafter. Most were suicides, but others died mysteriously.
Somehow, Gretchen Robinette, the photographer who took this picture is still alive — sadly she can no longer take any photos without breaking down in tears. Unable to completely put her camera down she still gets by with the occasional photo of a puppy or baby.
To this day, the 20th St block of Valencia stands empty. The aftershock of what happened shook the area hard — people left, stores closed. The seats in ATA were even more barren then usual. At the Whole Foods store across the street, organic vegetables and fruit began to rot in the stands. Patron’s stopped coming to Dosa, saying that their idlis suddenly seemed too white and never quite tasted the same again.
A shrine now stands at that fateful location — ground zero of the Valencia Hipster Irony Implosion — on the side of a building, this very photo is posted and beneath a pile of offerings can be found: trucker hats, black shades, white belts, worn sneakers, and t-shirts with obscure references to the 70s and 80s.
Related posts
| Trackback url |
January 28, 2009 at 4:26 am · Filed under Art Freak Culture + Bicycling
Knickers from the London Tweed Run (photo by Matthew J. Shaw)
It’s about time our fair city celebrated the fine pleasures of Herringbone, Bow Ties, and Bicycles! We refuse to endure anymore spandex! Nor will we sully ourselves by “corking” — or whatever it is the kids call it these days.
Our fine brethren in jolly old England really know how to sport a cap, so I say, so shall we!
Thus, February 12th will mark the inaugural Thursday Tweed Ride!
Break out your dashing wool finery, smartly set that cap on your head, straighten your tie, and join us for a fine ride through the grand city of San Francisco!
We will sally forth from the gorgeous Dolores Park near the majestic bell at the 19th Street entrance. The ride will begin at 6:30pm and from there we will peddle a winding course through the streets — waving to all the beautiful faces we see along the way.
Of course as it is February, it may be brisk out and maybe even a little wet, but your wool should keep you warm and dry! However, if the cold still seeps through never fear as our destination is Irish coffee at the marvelous Tosca Cafe!
As a note to all you Tweed Riders: Thursday’s weather shows a small chance of light showers. While dry would be ideal, this is fine as Tweed’s great in rain — it’s made for the outdoors. Also, if it begins to really rain, we’ve planned spirit stops to stay warm!
UPDATE: Contest Details!
- Most Dapper Chap
- Most Snappy Lass
- Most Stylish Vintage Steed
- Most Inspired Interpretation of Tweediness
- Best Mustache — open to both lads and inventive lasses
- As Feb 12th is also Darwin’s Birthday, we may have a special prize for any Darwin look-a-likes that show up!
With smashing prizes donated by Velo-Orange, Manifesto Bicycle, The Freewheel Bike Shop, Refried Cycles, and Prof. NifNaks Fine Moustachios!
More contest info and prize details can be found on A Tweed Primer.
Qarly in Tweed Rider Summer Attire (photo by ioerror)
For more Tweedy inspiration, traipse on over to A Tweed Primer. Also, I suggest perusing photos and video of the recent Jan 24th London Tweed Run:
——————————————————————————-
Thursday Tweed Ride!
February 12th
6:30pm — Start at Dolores Park (at the 19th St. Bell)
7:00pm — meet up with East Bay Tweed at 16th St Mission BART*
Ends at Tosca Cafe.
——————————————————————————-
*NOTE: The first BART train that allows bikes into the city arrives at 16th St. at 6:45pm. For more schedule info visit Bart.gov
NEW WEBSITE! For more Tweed and info about the next Tweed Ride visit SFTweed.com
Related posts
| Trackback url |
January 26, 2009 at 12:25 pm · Filed under Art Freak Culture
The Gorey Ball was amazing! — you may remember last year’s ball where Nifer was brained by a stray urn. Well for this year’s ball Nifer successfully lead a huge fabulous group costume in the form of the Gashlycrumb Tinies!
It was a rousing success! We had all the letters and some duplicates. Nifer stole the show floating around the ball as the iceberg girl Winnie — “W is for Winnie embeded in ice.” Myself, I had a lot of fun using boots as brushes for my costume “P is for Prue trampled flat in a bar.”
There were many more fabulous costumes that you can find in the Gashlycrumb Flickr Photo Pool.
The Gorey Ball was grand — and huge! Oh my how far it’s grown since it’s wee little days at the Cat Club!
It was in all an amazing night, but for me the highlight of the evening has to be dancing cheek to ice with Winnie!
Related posts
| Trackback url |
January 23, 2009 at 11:00 pm · Filed under Art Freak Culture + Life, Meaning, & Selfhood
I finally got around to posting my SciMas photos. Nearly every bulb and doodad is granted it’s own portrait. We weren’t able to complete every idea we had for the tree, but luckily there is another SciMas next year!
SciMas Photoset
| Trackback url |
