Ran across this cute (very short) video put together by a guy and his daughter, using balloons to make “pop” music:
AB — 21 July 2009
Tag: art
Cool art print: ‘Big Evening’ by Jim Flora
Ran across this crazy, exciting art print just released by Jim Flora Art. If I was flush right now, I would consider shelling out the $175:
James Flora lived 1914-1998, and was known for his jazz album covers and children’s books. Looking at the Flora web site, I would say the family is doing a great job of marketing his art.
AB — 21 July 2009
The Ukulele Tsunami
Who knew that the humble ukulele would become the object of a worldwide surge of musical passion? An upcoming documentary, Mighty Uke, explores this phenomenon. Take a look at this fun trailer to get an idea what I’m talking about:
Margaret Meagher, writer and producer for the film, informs me that the team has nearly finished the editing for the movie. “Post-production,” she says, “will take a couple of months and the DVD should be available in early fall [2009].”
The filmmakers have this to say about the growing interest in ukulele music:
In the internet age, the ukulele is making a comeback. Clubs and ensembles are sprouting up around the world, and a new generation is pulling their grandparents’ ukes out of the closet, challenging our images of the humble ukulele. Ukes top the charts in Japan, Swedish punks thrash uke angst, California popsters serve it to ya ukulele style, classical composers carefully pluck out musicbox sonatas, and all of them meet together at the myriad ukulele festivals from New York to London to Tokyo.
AB — 22 May 2009
Global collaboration produces a beautiful cover of “Stand by Me”
The organization Playing for Change is producing music videos by inviting artists worldwide to record accompaniments to a base track, then mixing their tracks together. The effect is like a more polished version of the remix “The Mother of All Funk Chords,” which I reported on previously.
One nice feature of the Playing for Change videos is that each artist or group is recorded in his or her own environment, mostly outdoors, so you really get a beautiful international flavor in the videos.
Here’s a great version of Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” that they’ve done:
AB — 28 April 2009
Best argument for remixing: Watch this video
Just today I saw a video that is probably the best argument I have ever seen in favor of remixing. Please watch and listen to Mother of All Funk Chords. Fantastic!
Here the author explains how he makes his remixed music videos.
If you prefer an intellectual argument over an experiential one, see this video lecture by Stanford law professor Lawrence Lessig. Lessig has spoken at some of our meetings at the Institute for Innovation in Large Organizations (ILO). See Lessig’s blog here.
Lessig is probably the best thinker around remixing and interesting to listen to. But watching Mother of all Funk Chords is a lot more fun.
AB — 10 March 2009
Idea Mapping — basics and some resources
For several years, I have been using a process called idea mapping as a thinking tool. This is related to Mind Mapping, the brainchild of Tony Buzan. (See this page for some great examples of Mind Maps.)
I would describe idea mapping as a set of visual methods for thinking. I employ idea mapping in many kinds of settings — planning, outlining, note-taking, public speaking, writing, consulting, and leading group process. When working alone, I use unlined drawing paper and colored markers. When working with groups, I use a white board or large sheets of paper with colored markers.
Here are some books I recommend on this topic:
The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain’s Untapped Potential, by Tony and Barry Buzan
Mapping Inner Space: Learning and Teaching Visual Mapping, by Nancy Margulies and Nusa Maal
AB — 27 February 2009
A Thinking Person, a.k.a. Cogit8R 