I know I’ve recently posted a video made by the same people- The Art of Making: Red Dress, but I really love this short. I also think that it encapsulates the idea of hand making something and really slowing down to craft something special.
Sorry to disappoint if you thought I was going to reveal how to make the perfect cup of coffee, I’m not that caffein obsessed. Actually I have to confess that I don’t even like coffee but you sure can’t do the following with a cup of green tea.
This just proves that anything can be the perfect art medium. It just takes the right person to take advantage of it. I don’t know if there is anything that stands out to me more in this film as the subject matter. Much of what I create lasts for as long as I want it to- or even longer depending on where its posted or screened. This is a whole other kind of art that I marvel at because of the enjoyment time is so limited, so kudos to someone who has the patience to create something so detailed and beautiful, only to see it melt away a few minutes later.
Probably something that most of us take for granted- signs. They are every where. They are on the sides of buildings, on walls, dragging behind airplanes, on street corners, and hanging on door handles. We cannot go more than a few steps without seeing one, but we probably don’t take the time to think about the origin of each sign. At least I don’t. I find that I’ve learned to ignore many of them.
Perhaps I would notice them more if I could tell that time and effort had gone into its creation and that it really was a piece of art. Sadly, most signs that I see are machine made. And perhaps that’s why I like this trailer. It makes me stop and think about what I’m looking at and all the while, pointing out that we have traded in artwork for a cookie cutter print. Once again, handmade seems to have its advantages…
I love making bread. I originally started because I thought was “fun” after reading Little House on the Prairie and American Girl’s Kirsten books. Yes, I was one of those people who wanted to try out the “pioneer ways of life”. I’ve come a long way since then. Now I love trying out new combinations of grains, seeds and herbs – and the texture and density has improved significantly from when I first started. I’m not saying that my bread is by any means anything like this
but it holds its own and actually tastes good.
The bread I aspire create to is pictured above and made by the good people of the Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. The point of all this prattle about bread is that 4SP Films made a short documentary about the bakery and I would like to share it with you (click on the the sliced bread below to watch the film)
Why share a film about a bakery with you? Well there are several reasons
So now that I’ve made you hungry for artisan bread, go find a loaf you love and enjoy!
I don’t know if I’ve ever really thought about the design and craft that goes into the shoes that I wear- probably because I’ve never contemplated making shoes myself. Admittedly, I noticed the vents in new pair of running shoes a few years back. These shoes kept me nice and cool, but they also let in a lot of water. Not so good in a rainy climate. But over all, I never really thought about the design.
So besides the fact that I got a sense of how shoes are made, there are two things that I really like about this film:
I thought this was the perfect transition from “Award Season” to “Art”. Ashes and Snow truly is a magnificent piece of film art and should be recognized for it. I consider this an art film beyond the image as the metaphoric meaning is artful enough.
As described by the director:
“Gregory Colbert’s Ashes and Snow feature film captures extraordinary moments of contact between people and animals as seen through the lens of the artist’s camera on more than thirty expeditions to some of the earth’s most remote places. Written, directed, produced, and filmed by Gregory Colbert, it is a poetic field study that depicts the world not as it is, but as it might be—a world in which the natural and artificial boundaries separating humans from other species do not exist. The viewing experience is one of wonder and contemplation, serenity, and hope.”
Did you see the Oscars this last Sunday? I haven’t been this excited about the ceremonies in a long time- I actually saw most of the films this year. I was thrilled to see “Searching for Sugar Man” won this year’s feature documentary category, although any of the nominated films deserved to win. I’m always torn between the selected films. Congratulations to all!
Now for my final post for February and with the theme off “Award Season”:
Another film that you have probably heard about as it has screened all over the world in the last year. The Tsunami and the Cherry blossom brought a tear to my eye when I saw it a year ago. It reminded me of how fortunate I am to have never had to endure a natural disaster or had to watch loved ones being swept away, completely helpless. I hope I never have to. It also reminded me that there is always hope and regeneration, even after complete devastation. Nature endures. I thought this was a beautiful tribute the strength of the Japanese people… to anyone who has survived a disaster.
emfirno 