My mom, an exhibition...and a trade me fib!

This Wednesday my mothers solo exhibition 'Pretty, as a Picture' will open at Sophie Canon Gallery. Yep real proud... might even be bragging a bit.
Anyway you should pop along if your in town - Melbourne town. It'll be sweet. She's even managed to get the gallery to take this down.... So booze will be on the list. I think the turn out will be alright however, seems New Zealanders know who she is. I just found this listing on Trade Me...
 'Sarah Smuts Kennedy Candelabra'...what a total fib!

We're a lazy generation...

Oh but we do love to shop! Luckily the Internet is forever providing new and increasingly lazy ways for me to get my clothing fix! This is a site i look upon regularly - it's called pullyoursocksup and it's a cheap and cheerful vintage site run by Angela Crane. The wife of Murray Crane, you know 'little brother' ...'Murray Crane Clothing'..

Yes well, basically the idea behind the site is that Ange goes shopping and sells her prized items onto lazy sit-at-home punters like you and me.

I guess it's more of a glorified trade me profile than a fully comprehensive vintage site, but here in lies its appeal. First in first serve. And lots of waiting in between.

The future of print?

A few issues ago Fluro explored discussions surrounding the future/death of print. There are valid arguments on both sides of the debate, as although the Internet is changing the way we interact, there will always be a market for media one can touch, cut and keep. 

Personally just the smell of print excites me and I savour retreating to my room, or laying under a tree, to pour over fresh pages. 

Somewhat ironically however, and rather typical of many, most of my time is spent reading new information on the web. So where does this leave the future of print? Enter : The online Mag. This new format, although much less prolific than the blog, is popping up everywhere. Here are a few of my fav's..

1. *ANTLER magazine*, a Canadian fashion, art and music focused mag that's really informative and rather beautiful too!  

2. 

Dummymag.com, a former music magazine which re-launched as an online mag earlier this year. Based in London and full of great reviews, interviews and rants! 

3. Last but not least, AucklandFuckingCity.com. I'm not actually sure if this is still in action ( the intention was merely to exist for a few months), but nonetheless it's still relevant. Embracing the belief that objectivity is for the 'dull and spineless', AucklandFuckingCity presents interviews that, despite their length, are impossible not to finish. 

What are yours? 

And the winner is...

The winner of 5 packs of CAFFE L'AFFARE'S FAIR TRADE HOT CHOCOLATE goes to - JAMESS!!
In reply to our question 'tell us which flavour is your favourite, and how you like to have it?' He submitted this...

'Smothered in snow crystals and the heavy memories of a trek best forgotten, the slight, crippled traveller staggers down the hill towards his cabin. The pine needles that quilt the dead earth are too cold and frozen to be anything but painful upon his frostbitten, bible-black feet, but he meanders on. Clinging to the branches that have become his life support on the downhill battle, he spies the flickering fire of his cabin. Reborn with the desire to once more drink from the mug of Dark Hot Chocolate he knew would await him, his flailing corpse of a frame stumbles the remaining metres to the door. Clutching at the doorknob, the aroma hit him instantly. Its intensity enveloped him, wrapped him up and warmed him like no blanket, duvet or throw could. His hot chocolate awaited. He was home.'

Thanks to all our other entries! It was hard to deny this boy a prize, as his answer was much more creative than our question! Jamess, keep up the adventure trekking and happy drinking!

....a bed to rest my head....

When I was nine my mother took me trekking through the mountains in Thailand. When we reached the pinnacle of our trip we came across a tribe and it was here that we were destined to stay - for a day, to rest our head. And it was here, this very moment in time, when I came face-to-face with the luxurious western notions of comfort that I so naively accepted as 'normal' and 'fair.' Shocked I remember feeling when a mattress, but 3 cm high was given to us and sad when I witnessed the others reside onto cold and disheveled slats. However as a nine year old (brought up in the west) these reactions were expected and certainly aroused a life long obsession with cultural inequality, developmental theories and world poverty. Note: The point of this post is not to sound like a begging beauty queen, but to introduce you to another obsession I there developed. Practical, tranquil, sanctuary or to sleep...Just how do others like their bed, I wondered.... how do they choose to rest their head?

EPAULETTE presents....

This Thursday LA DJ troupe Mad V and Koncept , aka The Villains, are hitting NZ for one show only. (This is an Auckland stop, so everyone else check grab a seat now!) Their remixes of “Daft Punk – Around the world” and “Hot Chips – Ready For The Floor” both hit #1 on the Hypem charts and ViceRecords dubbed them a "party machine, revving up tracks like Bloc Party’s “Hunting For Witches' into full on bangers."  With support from Daniel Farley, DJ Lotion, Meltron, Oscar Nutt and Voguing Dance Troupe...this is going to be one hell of a night, so get yourself a ticket and take Friday off now! 
Bacco Room / Toto's (53 Nelson Street) $15 Pre-sales

Tightening of wallets, but what about our belts?

I've often heard it uttered amongst the streets of our fine 'cultural capital', that there aren't enough cheap eats. Cheap being the operative word...sure there are myriad fine dining restaurants, but we're talking loose change here, between 3 to 6 dollars max! Well I've come up with a short, yet comprehensive guide to the paupers dining in Wellington....Take your pick!
Welcome Takeaways...
The great thing about Welcome is that no matter how discerning you think you are, at 3am this is the only place to be (and nobody gives a shit.) The Chick Burger has somewhat of a cult following amongst dedicated party goers and if you can forgive the somewhat 'curious' hygiene practices you can fill yourself up for a measily $3 to $5. Yes admit it, we all recognise this guy!
The Cosy Cake Kitchen...Yes the interior is not flash, but at $3 for a sandwhich why bother!? I was introduced to this joint on a rather poverty stricken Tuesday, and my lord- this place is like the good old Chinese run bakeries of days gone by. Cheap, colourful and with no 'how are you' or 'what can i get you' but a good old fashioned wham-bam-thank-you-mam. Cozy cake, you're great!
Satay Kingdom.... Yes tried and true ( yawn yawn yawn) you still can't beat it on quality and price. Seriously $6 for Roti Chanai? And a burger for $3!!! This place has provided many a meal and vegetable intake during the colder, poorer months. Sometimes a bit bland, but meh. Oh and go for the vegetarian option. Like welcome, I wouldn't vouch for their hygiene practices. The less meat, the safer!
AND
Last but not least is the new SOUP joint just below the tacky beast that is the city bungy. 5 bucks for a large cup of home made soup and a roll, this is a great place to nip by when it's cold.

Note : You may have noticed this paupers guide to Wellington excludes two of the most obvious. Mr bun ( of which I have witnessed somebody finding a tooth in their pie. No jokes!) and Offbeat, which has, despite maintaining quality, just jumped over that $7 bench mark. Now there are NO excuses to starve or live off noodles this winter. Wellington go eat!

Monster talk

2.5 hrs until the 48hour film festival begins!I'm soo excited/nervous/tired/afraid my brain will turn to mush....and so I'm doing a little research. I just came across these cute monsters...they know exactly what's going on!

To dress up, or not dress up...that is the question!

According to the bible ( or as some of you may know it, wikipedia) 'Dress Up is a game engaged in mainly by children...it helps strengthen their imagination and often resembles who they'd like to be.'
The act of dressing up surely is a puzzling one and the fact that it's such an ingrained cultural past time has me scratching my head even more...
Are we trying to re-live our childhood through doing this? Does it 'spice' up the mundane regularity of partying with old friends? Or does it...like wikipedia suggests, ignite our creativity and feed our tired imagination? I really can't decide.
Putting on a fancy dress sure gets me in the mood to dance, and putting on an outrageous hat does provoke a certain flair and cheek, but having to turn up with everyone else dressed as an 'animal', a 'zombie' or a 'superhero' really does little to excite me.
However I'm wary of parading around this view. ‘Loosen up a little', 'get amongst it' and 'put on this batman cape' you'll tell me, but truth is, these days at least, I'm just not that into it.
Maybe I've been to too many parties where everyone stands around looking at their 'effort,' perhaps I've always made to much of one ... or maybe I'm just a bit of a prude who doesn't like getting out of their ' zone.' Who knows?
To dress up, or not dress up.... I'm totally and utterly confused.

French by Osmosis

I had many grand ideas when I moved to Portland. I was going to become more independent, I was going to live in my own apartment, collect hobbies, learn a new language, ride my bike, wear beautiful shoes and meet fabulous people. Well it's coming up to a year since I moved here.... and I only have one more thing to check off the list.....

I really intended to take French classes, I did. I chose French because I like the way it sounds, I like the way my friend Margaux says 'cool' and the word sounds like it means.... stylish, interesting and well, cool. So whilst I haven't enrolled in classes quite yet, I have initiated French Fridays. On Fridays I listen to nothing but French music.... thanks to Pandora and a lot of Myspace browsing I can absorb sultry, smoky French sounds the entire day and eventually... maybe I will begin to learn French pronunciation by osmosis.

Tonight I'm capping off a wonderful French Friday going to see French-born Tuscon-based Marianne Dissard play at the Someday Lounge here in Portland.

Eavesdrop Listening Party!!!!

There are a few things that I have to give to Auckland. One of them is Eavesdrop. Wandering along, mid week, to attend the Wine Cellar was always a favourite.
Yes mustering up the spirit after a booze-fuelled weekend was sometimes hard, but alas upon arrival memories of migraines and stomach pains disappeared entirely.
Wellington you're swell and I promise I won't be leaving you, but to be honest, in the mid week department, you really don't pull through.
No I don't want to party, I want to sit, and I still want to chatter, listen to music and have a glass of wine...or two...
For all you lucky souls still residing in the City of Sails I suggest you head along this Wednesday. You get to listen to new music, hang out with your friends, play scrabble, eat cheese, win prizes...
I mean really.... why wouldn't you?

BEEF TACO

A solo exhibition by Imogen Taylor and Final Liberty Gallery show in Auckland!

Preview on Thursday 16th of April at 5pm @ 448 K' rd

Liberty Gallery will remain online here....

'Spicing up your movie diet'

This is the ambition of the world cinema showcase which is now on in Auckland ( The Academy ), Wellington ( Paramount), Dunedin ( Regent ) and Christchurch ( Rial).
Last night I was taken to see The Class.... This film was AMAZING.
It tells the story of a French teacher, François Bégaudeau, who, in 2006, published a book describing a year in a Paris Public School. He plays himself ....and the featured students are 'real' also.In terms of acting and performance, The Class is truthful, compelling and utterly intense. Despite sitting 2 hours, the movie flew by.
The Class explores the day to day difficulties of urban multi-ethnic eduction in France.
We follow Francois, a well meaning and passionate teacher, who attempts to re-ignite, or simply ignite, a desire to learn amongst the students. Like any class there are those who succeed, but as is often ignored, these students are held back by the hustle and bustle of everyday class room politics.
Kids talk back, gossip, refuse to learn and for Francois, teaching becomes more of a disciplinary play pen than it does an exercise in learning and creativity. In a sad series of events the film exposes the failure of the education system to encourage those who are finding life tough as it is.

The Class questions the education system, the role of parents vs. teachers and the place for commentary on the way we teach as a whole. When surviving the year is hard enough, how open are educators to reforms and 'positive encouragement' when it seems the only way to send a message is by sending kids home?
It's a relief ( and source of inspiration) to know that people are not only producing films like this, but that their being well received too.Film is such a powerful medium and all too often ( in my opinion) this quality is lost in the repetitive and tired formats re-produced in Hollywood.
Go and support the World Cinema Showcase....
I implore you!!!!!

David Hochbaum

I think the images produced by New York artist David Hochbaum are compelling....




Dazed Digital did a great interview with the dude.... read more HERE...

it's all a bit eco friendly up here

I'm visiting my mother... and today as I entered her home I noticed stacks upon stacks of plants. She's very worried about climate change/peak oil/Monsanto etc ' so she's growing everything her tiny apartment can fit. She informed me that ' the future is all about sustainability and whether we can actually provide for ourselves...' Apparently Monsanto is responsible for producing one cycle seeds ( you know seeds that don't reproduce. ) FREAKY!It was all very confronting, but bloody interesting also and she put me onto these guys..... Deep Green. They run a transition town up in Orewa....I had know idea these existed so found it....well, bloody interesting.

Wiki (my bible) explained that 'The aim of the project is to equip communities for the dual challenges of climate change and peak oil....Transition towns are all about shifting our mind set so people can actually recognise the coming post-cheap oil era and use it as an opportunity rather than a threat.....'

Ahhh thanks ma. I always rely on you to both freak me out and get my consumer psyche back in check.

Did you do your part for Earth Hour????

From the Antartic to Egypt and beyond....the world dimmed it's lights to highlight the threat of climate change.
Did you? Go flick the switch now....

FLURO ISSUE 8 LAUNCH AT MIGHTY

IT'S NEONSLEEPS 3RD BIRTHDAY THIS SAT AT MIGHTY .......and it's a FUTURE TRIBES costume party! Ye-yah!
Between 8 and 10pm we'll be celebrating the launch of the new issue " CREATIVE DESTRUCTION" so pop along and grab some free punch , while it lasts, as well as a copy of the NEW issue.
Oh yea in case you don't know- it's FREE too! Now that's what we all like to hear....

This issue is going to be our best yet, it's a freaking dream.... and what better way to kick of the celebrations with a few drinks!

This Saturday is going to be meaaaannnnnn
WELL DONE TEAM xoxoxooxox

Hey just wondering....

For those of you in Wellington..what are you doing tonight?

OR.....
OR....

Must See DVD

This isn't so much a 'must see' as it is a disturbing, yet compelling part of NZ's movie history.
Perfect Strangers stars Sam Neill who plays an obsessed lover- and 'rugged' man of the wild.

After a night at the pub he picks up local fush and chup shop girl Melanie (Rachel Blake) who he takes back to his Palace ( a hut on an island.) In a plot that gets stranger and stranger he holds her captive in the hope of eternal love and marriage.

The tag line for the film is ' a chilling romance' but in my opinion the characters are far more disturbed than they are romantic.
The film is certainly complex, unnerving and at times deeply haunting, yet it also possesses a rather beautiful and poetic quality ( It's set in NZ after all)

Perfect Strangers has screened at numerous international film festivals, including the London Film Festival, the Montreal World Film Festival, and the Chicago International Film Festival and in June 2005, it won the Best Film Award at The Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto.

Put Simply : Go get nostalgic and rent this DVD !

one of the best thrice named actors of all time

My two favourite actors are Philip Seymour Hoffman and William H. Macy.... I'm not sure if I have a thing for thrice named men or if it's a coincidence that I find them both fabulous and they have so many names. This ramble is unrelated to what I have to tell you.

Synecdoche New York is incredible, it's intense, enthralling and after two hours that felt like four I was exhausted. If it's not playing where you're at right now take a MENTAL NOTE.

So So So Good.



(note: not a good idea to take a first date and sure as hell don't go if you're feeling depressed