Pokeberry

My first attempt at producing an image onto the sidewalk did not work. The concrete is too porous and absorbs the pokeberry ink too easily. Although I had a photogram image when I removed the glass, it quickly disappeared. I am interested in exploring other possible surfaces that are not as porous. I have a limestone wall that I may try to print on next time.

Chlorophyll print

Bihn Dahn (b. October 9th, 1977) is a contemporary artist that prints photographic images onto leaves. These images are created using a negative and the sunlight to bleach out the white. It is a similar to the anthotype , using the sun to naturally bleach out the whites of the image, however this process is different in that the image is printed directly onto the leaf, rather than using the pulp of flowers or vegetables for the emulsion. He preserves his images by casting them in resin.

He was born in Vietnam. The subjects of his work include the Vietnam War, as well as other political turmoil relating to Vietnam and that region.

Anthotypes

I found this anthotype made with beet... I have used beets before in some of my drawings. I believe I could create one that has a more intense color.

Maya Lin

I want to go and lay between the waves and lose myself in nature.

Clean with Vinegar

photo courtesy of blessedearth.org


Vinegar is a great way to clean without using toxic chemicals. I use white vinegar, the kind you get in a gallon jug at the grocery store for 3 dollars, and water to clean just about everything in my home. Occasionally I throw in some salt or baking soda for the extra nasty stuff. I put maybe a quarter of vinegar into a spray bottle and fill the rest with water and voila... I use vinegar to clean my bathroom, floor, countertops, refrigerator, stove-top, just about anything. It doesn't leave any chemical smell, it is better for the air quality of your home, and better for the environment. Plus it is so much cheaper and lasts for so much longer. And don't worry, it will kill germs... well maybe not swine flu.

Brick is Better

This brick alley has been here as long as the limestone wall on the right, which means it is probably as old as my home, which was built circa 1890.

Think about how often you see a concrete or asphalt road repaved.

Not every hundred years, most likely every 10 years, if not more on some of the busier roads. (I lived on Bradstown Road for 6 years and saw it repaved twice)

I know brick roads are bumpy and you can't go so fast... but maybe we all need to slow down and enjoy the ride.
I too enjoy the smooth ride of a freshly paved street on my bike or board, but how toxic, really, is the asphalt that we are inhaling into out lungs... probably as toxic as a lot of the air we breathe.
Brick also helps reduce the amount of water that is being dumped into the drainage system during a freak downpour. Remember August?

I understand that the city is not going to put new bricks roads down, but if they even think about repaving my alley... I will protest.
Just remember, the next time you're walking or driving on brick that that sidewalk or road has most likely been there for a very long time and that the concrete and asphalt shit we're putting down won't be around for even half of the bricks lifetime.

taxes at work

I don't know why there was a dozen or so cans strung out in the road in front of my house... we picked them up. I'm hoping that someone did not notice that they dropped a bag of groceries, but how could someone not realize they dropped a bag of can goods? One would think that they would hear it or feel the weight change. Maybe they just didn't care. Either way, I got my trash pic for the week and didn't have to go far for it.

Makes me smile

Many urban areas see animals as pests and problems, and do much to keep them away or get rid of them. We forget that these spaces are just as much their home as it is ours. This wall not only functions as a structural form, but it also has added homes for the birds and the bats. What is more pleasant? A blank or graffiti laden wall(not that I don't appreciate street art) or a wall with little boxes full of animals... my vote goes to the animals.

Hiroshi Sugimoto

"A fossil is made over four-hundred-fifty million years - it takes that much time. But photography, it's instant. So, to me, photography functions as a fossilization of time."
- Hiroshi Sugimoto

Ephemeral Art on Campus

ARt on methane

I hope all of you have heard about Ohio Valley Creative Energy. Here is a great video that can educate anyone who doesn't know about OVCE.



www.ohiovalleycreativenergy.org

The first time I noticed this coal yard was this summer, after I moved into the neighborhood of Paristown. I find it both interesting and bizarre that this coal yard still remains in the middle of the city. It sits beside a railroad track, which is most likely the reason for it's original placement, but do trains still run on coal? I haven't seen many steam engines around in a while.
I guess it wouldn't be there if there wasn't a need for it.
It's easy to forget how much we depend on coal as a resource for energy, however, I don't know if it's worth destroying mountains that are over 400 million years old.

Ummm... yummy

I passed many bags of fast food trash on my way home today, but I believe this one to be the most appetizing.

Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture is a wonderful way to help keep money in the local economy, eat better, more nutritious food and reduce our carbon footprint. There are many farmers that offer CSA sign-up during the winter and early spring months, which does require money up front, however the return is worth it. Eating fresh, local, organic foods is the best thing you can do for your health and the environment. Of course there are risks, such as crop loss due to weather and other issues... my farmer has lost 90% of his tomato crop (5,000 lbs) due to the rain and lack of sun in the early part of the summer... but chances are if one crop has done bad, others will do great... cucumbers and peppers. The benefits of becoming a member of a CSA greatly out-weigh the negatives. Kentucky has deep roots in agriculture and these roots should be celebrated. By supporting a local farmer, not only can one further support the tradition of farming, but one can better their health and the environment as well.

Here is a site that has more information regarding CSAs, as well as offers information on how to become a member of a CSA in your region.

http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

The Garbage Patch

Here is some information about the garbage island we spoke about in class today. The first is a link to Vice Magazine's website with an article about the Texas-sized, floating garbage patch. The second is a link to Vice TV, with a movie about the patch. I haven't watched the video because I know it will make me sick... watch it if you can stand it.


http://www.viceland.com/int/v15n2/htdocs/oh_this_is_great.php
http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-garbage-island-1-of-3

Garbage isn't Garbage to Everything

This little fern made a home inside this bottle. It was found in Cherokee Park.