Earlier this Month we were invited to the 5 Gum "Creating Sense5" launch party held in London. 5 Gum is new flavourful gum from Wrigleys. The general consensus is that 5 Gum really is a taste explosion in a chewing gum kind of way.

The launch was conducted by Vice Magazine who ran a a competition in the lead up to the event. They sent out an open call to creatives to create something that like the gum intrigues and exhilarates the senses. And when I say something, the entries could have been anything one felt would represent the gum. Award winning band Hot Chip would then select the winning talent and curate the gig. From The Vice website:

"Thursday, June 4th certainly turned out to be an unforgettable night at The Arches, London Bridge. Hot Chip's two live DJ sets - one featuring Kano - were supported by unique performances from The Penny Serenade, Raf Daddy, Planning To Rock and Noze.

Five winners of the CreatingSense5 competition, whose entries, like the 5 gum, represented and stimulated the senses. Their interactive installations including the "touch wall" and "edible forest" proved to be a huge success - with people finding more than one different use for them!"

Stand out moments for me were discovering Portuguese Sangeres beer (a almost honey tinged malty beer), hearing Planning To Rock for the first time, Hot Chip's awesome live set as well as hearing the sublime combination of Hot Chip & Kano together. Pics & videos to follow in the meantime you can see more pics from the event here!

The Watchmen Bloody Doomsday Clock

I have seen some awful Watchmen merchandise but was sent a link to this pretty, pretty cool Watchmen Bloody Doomsday Clock.

"These decorative wall clocks feature the infamous Doomsday Clock that symbolized the Cold War in the world of Watchmen. The Bloody Doomsday Clock shows blood splatter, while the Wooden Doomsday Clock features a stylish retro design."

It's available for purchase here.

I've been hearing rumours about this all week. it has been confirmed that Dr Manhattan from The Watchmen to make an appearance in London this evening (4 March 2009).

The best view will be from here. Or you can just watch the live video stream below. My understanding is that he will be appearing around 8pm.

Urban Art Sale
26 February 2009, 18:30 at Selfridges


The Urban Art collection contains works by the leading national and international street artists of today, such as, Banksy, Nick Walker, Adam Neate, Faile, Antony Micallef, Guy Denning, Bast, Seen, Matt Small, D*Face, Doze Green, alongside several artists who will be creating work primarily for the sale, such as Goldie, Ame 72, CBloxx, Inkie, Dan, Mau Mau, Eelus, K-Guy, Rowdy, Flx, Silent Hobo, David Walker, Pinky, Ryca, Jim Starr, SPQR, Kev Munday and joined by auction virgins, Chu, Pam Glew, Faith 47, Klit, TRXTR, Byroglyphics and Grafter.

Sale Date:
Thursday 26th February 2009 at 6.30pm

View days:
The Urban Art collection will be on view and auctioned at Selfridges’ Ultralounge in London as follows:

Fri 20th – Wed 25th Feb: Public viewing (open as per store opening hours)
Thurs 26th Feb: Auction only (open from 3pm, auction at 6pm)

Limited edition print:
In addition to the works being auctioned, there will be a limited edition 'Let Them Hang Valentine' print available to purchase exclusively from Selfridges (£150 – print run 100).

In celebration of the release of the Watchmen motion picture, Orbital Comics is proud to announce a unique opportunity for you to see a momentous piece of original art from the classic 1980s award winning comic book series the film was based upon. Starting from Thursday 19th February 2009 and for one month only, Watchmen issue 1 page 1 Original Artwork and Colour Guide will be displayed at: Orbital Comics 8 Great Newport Street London WC2H 7JA [opening times: Mon-Sat: 10:30am - 7pm , Sun: 11.30am - 5pm ] The page features an extract from Rorschach's journal, acting as a voice-over for the criminal investigation of the apparent-suicide of his acquaintance, fellow super-hero The Comedian. Not only a rare chance to see an actual page of original art by Dave Gibbons, but also to experience a piece of comic book history!


Orbital Comics
8 Great Newport Street
London
WC2H 7JA
Opening times: Mon-Sat: 10:30am - 7pm , Sun: 11.30am - 5pm

Fan made Half Life film

Skynet wants your robot designs...



More info here www.skynetresearch.com

Franklyn posters:

Spain:

I have found a film about Banksy! Want to know more? Ring 07590 584422

A year in the making, the participation of countless Banksy fans, 20 hours of footage. 

The Black Rat Press will be holding our first exhibition of 2009 later this month.

The annual print show dedicated to the art of printmaking opens on Saturday 21st February and will include new editions, one off trial proofs, our largest and most complex print to date, hand coloured prints, prints by artists new to the Black Rat Press and live printmaking demonstrations amongst other things we have not thought of yet. 2008 was a great year for publishing with prints published by Black Rat finding their way into both the Tate and V and A collections and we are currently working on projects which we hope will make 2009 prove even better.


Artists involved in the show include Matt Small, D*face, Sweettoof, Brian Adam Douglas, Gaia, Lucas Price, Nick Walker, Blek Le Rat and Slinkachu. Last years show was one of our favourite events of the year (apart from Matt Small being hospitalized) and its a great opportunity to see printmaking in action as well as to ask the printers any questions you might have.

Invitations to the show will be sent out via email in the next few weeks.

You are cordially invited to the Sony VIP exclusive BRAVIA ‘World’s First’ LCD TV range launch on Thursday 29 January 2009 at 7pm until 11pm.

Guests will be treated to the awe-inspiring unveiling of these TV’s (the World’s thinnest (ZX1), the World’s fastest (Z4500), The World’s first wireless technology/picture frame TV (EX1) and the World’s first OLED technology TV (XEL-1), with the help of a mind-blowing, interactive and unique light installation featuring a one-off short film, while celebrity DJ Henry Holland and ‘Filthy Dukes’ spin the decks.

As Celebrities/Media and VIP guests will be in attendance, Sony have the right to refuse entry/eject to any guests deemed unruly etc.!!!

Enjoy.

No Line On the Horizon U2's 12 album is set to be released 27 February 2009 in the Republic of Ireland, 2 March 2009 in the rest of Europe, and a day later in North America. 

Crank 2 is on it's way! I loved Crank equating it to a pumped up contemporary Die Hard. If this teaser poster is anything to go by the sequel is going to be just as good.

from www.graphotism.com

Nick Walker at The London Art Fair

6pm Tuesday 13th Jan 2009 sees the public opening of the “London Art Fair” where Nick Walker will be releasing his screen print "The Empire’s State" through The Black Rat Press (the gallery who represents him). The phone hasn’t stopped ringing with international interest from people trying to reserve a print even from as far as Colombia and Korea. But the 175 prints which are to be on sale at £475.00 each are only being sold to people who are queuing at the London Art Fair. The Black Rat Press have had to draft in extra security in anticipation of the crowds which are expected to start queuing well in advance again, of the doors opening.

In 2008 the demand for Nick Walker's work was so high that in April when the doors opened for his solo show “V for Vandalism” people had been queuing for over 36hrs to buy the print alone, and the show sold out within minutes of the doors opening.

Nick received positive press in 2008. To name a few he a appeared on the cover on the Independent magazine with the title “move over Banksy” in Feb 2008, and has most recently featured in The Observers round up of the year’s biggest events 2008”.

He has had sell out shows in LA and London and an eagerly awaited show coming later in 2009 is rumored to be taking place in New York.

London Art Fair
Business Design Centre
52 Upper Streets
London
N1 9PP