While you're not looking

A tragic end to 2009

Wendy Cooper — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:18:32 +0000

It was a shock to discover that Rowland S. Howard died today. This is the man who shook the world with the song Shivers and it is what echoed in my head when I read about his lost battle with liver cancer at aged 50. It will be a sad end for the year, particularly hash for the local Melbourne music scene to loose such an inspiring talent. May Melbourne cried at the top of its lungs in his rememberance that “sends a permanent shivers down my spine”.

Source: Herald Sun

Nick Cave & Rowland S. Howard by Bleddyn Butcher

Bowlingual

Wendy Cooper — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:49:12 +0000

The international infant and children toy manufacturer, Takara Tomy, have released their improved version of Bowlingual. Believe it or not, it’s a device that translate the bow-wows of your dog into human language, so far only in Japanese. One part is strapped around like a dog collar to detect the vibrations of the dog’s larynx and the other, a hand held device, displays and vocalises the translated barks. My sceptical opinions remains only because there’s no chance of knowing the accuracy of this translator. Is that why it doesn’t translate Japanese back into the bow-wows? It would be an undemanding task for it already has the lexicon database. We could carefully annunciate our message into the hand held device, select the correct variants on the screen if there are any and it plays back the barking to the dog. Woof, Bob’s your uncle. And how would this product rate in Korea? Would we want to speak to our meal? And once Meowlingual, Oinklingual, Baalingual and Moolingual is out there, would we all become vegetarians?

The Bowlingual TVC

Bresson & von Trier

Wendy Cooper — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:10:27 +0000

I finally watched Robert Bresson’s Journal d’un curé de campagne and was marvelled by the editing and lighting. What I loved most was the use of sound from outside the screen. Combined with the editing, in particular scenes starting at the end of conversations, it’s a clever and succinct way of storytelling. I also enjoyed the resonating power when you track the words written down in the journal as you hear them spoken. The selection of passages extracted from the Georges Bernanos novel were wisely chosen, creating a mood that was true to the book. Despite its frequent praises I avoided this film for sometime because I have never been a fan of Bresson, unlike most, or of von Trier. Their bias storytelling and their character manipulation irritates me. The overt use of character as a vehicle of storytelling, betraying their own essence undermines too great even in the beautiful mood they set so well on screen.

This week Antichrist had its general released and I’m tired of hearing about it. It’s shameful when professional critics voice the general consensus that is so shallow and misleading. Damn it, It was more than misogyny! What about von Trier’s persistent fear of men and science, the excuse man use to play god. Critics are contemporary philosophers. They have power and the means to establish or sway opinions and it makes me mad to hear them speak in bullshit.

Gail & Haneke

Wendy Cooper — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:49:18 +0000

A case of meeting strangers: Gail & Haneke

A dear, old friend once told me that I should pen down these fantastical events proceeding in this unrelieved world we’re in. I was flattered but not entirely convinced because if they happened to me then they must happen to other people, rendering these incidents not so unique and unnecessary to be told — or at least told by someone who’s more fanciful and eloquent. We eventually came to the agreement that when it occurs once more I’ll start this collection. As it happened, a month later… actually, not even.

Today I skimped through a free online classified, which lead me to catch a train almost an hour away from home. My mind justified it with it being Sunday and I wanted to nut down some reading of Jung without any distractions. At Holmesglen station I was greeted by an approachable girl named Gail. We had agreed to exchange $30 for her Haneke DVD collection — A bargain you can’t loose. With excitement, I handed her the money whilst proclaiming my glee and she injected with a surprise,
– I don’t think I can except this.
– Why?
Then she told me an awesome story of winning it at the screening of the American remake of Funny Games.
– I don’t think I’ve met anyone who has won anything.
She proceeded to tell me how disparate Haneke is to her taste in films.
– And I’m tried to having his scary eyes following me around in my room.
She added with a smile. Then gave me my money back and explained that she can’t keep it because she won it. Was she Catholic? Not even, the Catholics I know are far from kind. I thought of ways to show her my gratitude,
– Half?
No, she wouldn’t even take half of the money. I thanked her enthusiastically.

Good things should happen to good people, so I managed to selected a handful of my films that are fun and she might like and wrapped it up with a note inscribed:
Thank you for your generosity. In return, please accept and enjoy my humble gift, a diverse selection of light-hearted entertainment that is far from the harrowing vision of Haneke. No more scary man staring at you!

I will post it tomorrow.

There you go, Shan. It’s not as radical or as surreal as my past yarns but I hope it’ll seal a smile on your face.

THE FLOATING WORLD: UKIYO-E

Wendy Cooper — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:30:29 +0000

John Warwicker of Tomato, a god of 90s graphic design, is launching his book at The Narrows this Thursday 26 November, 6-8pm. Floating World: Ukiyo-e (ISBN: 3–86521–030–9) is already a winner of the TDC judge’s special prize at the 2010 Tokyo Type Directors Club. Surprisingly, the typography is not as refine as the photography in my eyes. Check it out and judge it for yourself.

Get Grumpy

Wendy Cooper — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:53:23 +0000

Recent research findings of Professor Joe Forgas from University of New South Wales states that:

“Positive mood seems to promote creativity, flexibility, co-operation and reliance on mental shortcuts, negative moods trigger more attentive, careful thinking, paying greater attention to the external world.”

And being sad articulates your written case better than other moods.

So get grumpy for your next analytical task.

Source: BBC News

anti-theft lunch bags

Wendy Cooper — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:16:00 +0000

A lunch bag that is not what it seems.

Polly van der Glas

Wendy Cooper — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:59:05 +0000

Speaking of Christmas and shopping for Jesus, I am in an ongoing annual annoyance (sorry, quest) of wracking my brain for unusual gifts for loved ones. Melbourne’s very own jolly jewellery Polly van der Glas comes to mind, an oldie but a goodie. Her pièce de résistance are the ones incorporating human artefact, opening up and replacing the glass cabinet with the human body. It conjures the same intrigue as taxidermy for me, bring life into inanimate objects, a modern alchemist.

Charm City Cakes

Wendy Cooper — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:56:08 +0000

After seeing Cake Wrecks (now available as a book just in time for Christmas — yes, another blog to book product), it’s opened my eyes to edible awesomeness. This one goes to Charm City Cakes.

My favourite would have to be this — simply for the meticulous expressions on the avatars, especially the anxious blue one at the bottom corner and the evil triumphant Pacman on the top of the machine.

Lubalin Now

Wendy Cooper — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:05:40 +0000

Lubalin Now is a beautifully curated exhibition to honour the illustrative typographic works of Lubalin.

On view at The Cooper Union from tonight’s opening reception (18:00–20:00, 5th November) until 9th December. A must see if you’re in New York!