*This video is NSFW (Not safe for work), so please play it in the privacy of your home.

That being said, what a strange and refreshing set of images coming from this music video titled “Bombay.” It reminds me of those Pedro Almodóvar movies where things are overly sexual and don’t make sense but you get this very in-the-moment living-the-art kind of feeling. Maybe it’s the emotion they’re going for, or things just got out of hand when a few guys put on bunny suits.
Thanks to Elizabeth for the link.

El Guincho – Bombay from CANADA on Vimeo.

En route from Seattle back to Hong Kong, I’m sharing the results of the SNAAP study because I am working in an arts capacity (photographer + music professional) and certainly doing very interesting things (I live in Hong Kong, got to hang with Chase Jarvis, shot the New York Winter Jazz Fest early this year, shot the album cover for Noughts & Exes, [a HK band]) and enjoying life a lot, but things could be more stable and even more creative if I had better business and adminstrative skills.

See the full study here and check out this very relevant and necessary rant essay about succeeding as an artist.

In lieu of the annual PIMP party (Party In My Pants), Chase Jarvis Inc. opted to host an awesome shindig to launch the Seattle 100 book and Pop up Gallery. It was a surreal evening: an open bar and meeting everyone from Trent from Head Like A Kite to puppet maker Emmett Montgomery to Bow Jones (motion graphics for Chase’s workflow video) to a guy who curates Fail Blog. My brain is overstimulated with great conversation and caffeine. I probably won’t sleep much tonight and I couldn’t be more pleased. Good times. Enjoy the photos.

Ok, so Nikko from Creativelive is an impostor but I had to shoot this!

Trent from Head like a Kite (above)

Jerard (pictured right) just got back from a journey with Chase in Asia where his shot this video with over 20,000 views.

Tonight was Seattle’s City Arts Fest opening party at Chase Jarvis’ new studio space. There was a gallery preview of the Seattle 100 book and project before a VIP party tomorrow and two days of free public showing. The opening party had large prints hung by team members Scott, Erik and Norton as well as a really cool interactive Ipad and Imac video and still display by Dartanyon. Chase took a great iphone photo myspace style with Senator Jay Inslee, who introduced Chase at the event before running off to meet President Obama at the airport.
On the whole, the party was bustling with great music and food and a barrage of friendly and interesting characters to mingle with. I enjoyed the party before finding like-minded folks to join me in watching Gogol Bordello in Sodo. Goodtimes!

As I bid adieu to Hong Kong for the week in favor of Seattle’s City Arts Fest, I leave you with this bit of Hong Kong culture. It’s the rather recent music video from Poubelle International, directed by Shern Sharma. Enjoy, and don’t forget to drink your milk!

Poubelle International – The Sell Out from Shern Sharma on Vimeo.

Seattle beckons me again, this time for Chase Jarvis‘ launch of his third book Seattle 100. I was there just a few weeks ago the first time ’round when the intro video (below) was shot. There are some great outtakes that will never see the light of day (think Ron Burgundy of Anchorman). On camera was Erik Hecht, of the CJ Inc. staff. Super cool dude, and now you know what Chase was looking at during the video.

Seattle 100: Portrait of a City from 4Culture on Vimeo.

I just came back from the Positive Posters show at the Fringe Club in Hong Kong. It was awesome! A few entries below struck my fancy. Thanks to Krisdean and PikPik Zoo of Hatch for telling me about the event.

Finally, here’s a parting shot of the lovely venue’s rooftop – The Fringe Club, Central.

Hong Kong’s street artist, Start From Zero (Show this Friday @ UFO Gallery!) has created a new piece work in my ‘hood. I went out last night with my camera for around 2 hours documenting various street art and the general vibe after being very inspired by a particular shoot happening just off the coast in the South China Sea.

A word on inspiration: Inspiration is when something excites you enough to get off your butt and do something creative (that means creating, making, designing, moving, sounding DOING). If you think you’re inspired but don’t make something of it. that’s just excitement.

The piece riffs off a common construction work sign in which a caricatured worker is apologizing for any inconvenience caused during work (below):

Here are a two images taken nearer, for detail:

If anyone understands the hybrid symbol on the worker’s head, please post in the comments.

Today, my sister Beka had her second baby. I’m an uncle x 3 now. But, she has yet to name her. Since the first, Thomas, was my nephew, I figured this one would be Denise. I also thought of just going with a more abstract name for the time being. Behold! Untitled #2

What would you name her?

I’m bringin’ back a few images from an experimental shoot I did a long time ago. Why? I’m keeping the blog fresh. Every now and then, it’s good to look back to see where you’ve come from. I find earlier ideas I’ve had come back later in a bigger, better way, or a more mature form. What ideas do YOU have?

Model: Kiyoko, from Japan