CBrajkovich Ramblings

Any of us who have family members who have been through war, whether as a soldier or as a bystander, know that their memories are something that we’ll never understand. War is something that should never happen. Every country has been involved in one at one time or another, as our history has not been peaceful. So we all know that the stories are everywhere, both historical and modern. Already, we’re seeing the repercussions of those soldiers who are just returning but not forgetting (not that anyone ever does).

Michael Peck wondered what it was like when he lost both of his grandfathers a few years ago. His new series, The Landing, explores war through the eyes of children who don’t understand it. And he does a powerful job of triggering our emotions towards such a dark subject. Of course, we adults understand war though we don’t really understand it’s necessity. Especially if you’re not one of those members of society who have a vested interest in such pursuits. Hopefully someday, none of us will have a vested interest in such a mindless act. Only once we let go of such notions will we actually be able to move forward towards any kind of future. Not just for us, but for the entire planet.

– thanks My Modern Met and Arrested Motion

We all know how relaxing dub us, and this video completely fits that bill. Change by CHLLNGR was animated by Chad Turner, and the lyrics are as inspiring as the graphics. “How will I ever change if I am willing to just stay the same?” Kind of a timely song for the beginning of 2012, don’t you think? Enjoy. I did!

– another Vimeo treasure

Love comes in many forms, as this short called Paper by Mathieu Aubry shows us. First, boy wakes up. Then boy meets girl.  Boy finds a way to be with girl. A story that we’re all familiar with. But this one has a sweet and adorable twist. Makes you want to go create just so that you can see what might happen after you go to bed, doesn’t it?

– thanks Vimeo!

Who better to give advice to the next class than one who’s graduated and gone out into the world. Advice to Sink in Slowly is a project that was started in 2006 and has grown each year to include posters and much more that can be used to inspire the up-and-coming to go after their dreams with advice that works for them. We all seek advice in the complex web of decision-making that we have to do on a day-to-day basis. But sometimes we need more than words to get us to understand why we need to do certain things. Their is no one answer for all problems as we are all individuals. But there are creative solutions that open up a world that you wouldn’t have imagined if there wasn’t that necessary spark. This is one of those sparks. – from this isn’t happiness -> Brain Pickings -> Advice to Sink in Slowly

This amazing video is being shared on Arrested Motion, and tells another portion of the story, Here Comes The Neighborhood (HCTN), through the voice and images of Martha Cooper, a photographer who has captured street art and graffiti since the 1970’s. This docuseries talks about the role that public art has on revitalizing urban communities. What was once a hated form of expression is now becoming a new way of creating that is having another unexpected side effect of bringing beauty into dismal cityscapes.

This particular video follows the artists who participate in the Wynwood Walls, the pilot season for HCTN. Follow the project, Here Comes The Neighborhood, as it travels and grows past its pilot season. This should become a historical record of street art and graffiti. What a valuable way to capture transitory art pieces for posterity. It’ll live much longer than the buildings on which they’ve been painted.

Art can play with all of your senses. And when a piece drives you to want to interact with it, then the artist has made something special. Kurt Perschke created the Redball Project as a simple and fun sculptural concept that took on a life of its own when it became sought after throughout the world. So far, it’s been to Abu Dhabi, Norwich, Taipei, Grand Rapids, Toronto, Chicago, Scottsdale, Portland, Sydney, Barcelona, and St. Louis. It’s garnered a ton of press. But, the success comes from watching people’s unique reactions to something that’s unexpected. Suddenly, the ordinary has been enhanced into something amazing and participatory. That’s the power of art!

– Thanks for the initial find, My Modern Met