photo courtesy of secure.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

E Pluribus Venom is a compilation of much of the impressive work produced by Shepard Fairey that was presented at the Jonathan Levine Gallery in the summer of 2007.

Literally translating to “Out of Many, Poison”, E Pluribus Venom is an evident play on the U.S Governments motto E Pluribus, Unum (Out of Many, One), which appears on U.S. dollars and coins.  According to Fairey, a society will only decline as many become one and individual power is loss.  The artwork of E Pluribus Venom is designed to question the symbols and methods of the American machine and the American dream.

Faireys enigmatic use of metaphor, humor, and stimulating graphics through paint, screen print, collage, and stencil reveal an intriguing yet exquisite conclusion.

Come see it for yourself.  We’ve got them at HighStreet (signed copies while they last!).

HighStreet.Cincinnati.

We don’t care what the critics say. Vampire Weekend is just plain fun, and sometimes that’s all we’re really asking for in our music. The New York four member band has blown up in the last few years. Influenced by Paul Simon, Talking Heads, traditional African music, reggae, and hip-hop, we find their sound irresistible. Sorry, we can’t help it.

We love their new album, Contra. A great follow up to their 2008 self titled debut. Pick it up at Shake It Records this week and check out the brand new Shepard Fairey mural on the side of the building while you are there.

Here is a brand new video featuring a slew of stars: RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lil’ Jon, and even a Jonas Brother.

Alexander McQueen 2010 ad campaign via refinery29.com

Great things come from being under pressure. The dark, elegant beauty that the late Alexander McQueen produced for the fashion world we now understand came from a place of passion, creativity and personal affliction. His work was so inspirational and original. He pushed boundaries and made you think beyond the clothing. We were great fans of his art, thus we found it necessary to acknowledge his genius. A tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen.

Lee Alexander McQueen 1969-2010

McQueen’s shows were legendary; shocking and dramatic. Seats at his fashion shows were highly coveted due to the unexpected theatrics the audience would experience. McQueen liked to push the envelope, try things no one else had attempted before, and often with dark, psychological undertones. Some of his most memorable moments include creating a live human game of chess, sending a model down the runway with a pair of wolves on leashes, and orchestrating a thunder storm complete with rain, soaking the models and their couture garments.

Check out this interview that took place only 18 months ago. McQueen describes his vision behind his shows.

We thought we would leave you with some of our favorite McQueen looks from over the years and a behind the scenes video of his Fall 2008 collection. Also check out this link to a retrospective on his work.

We are sad to see his time come to an end so soon.

Katherine Tyznik.HighStreet.New York

photo courtesy of tuxedotee.wordpress.com/

From February 20th until August 22, 2010 all fans, foes, and unknowing Cincinnati commuters will get a chance to experience phenomenal and political art from one of the world’s most influential graphic,street artists – Shepard Fairey.  In conjunction with his twenty year retrospective, Supply and Demand, which will be displayed at the Contemporary Arts Center, select building facades (with permission) will showcase the now-famous artist’s wheatpaste murals in the Cincinnati area.

Perhaps you are familiar with some of his iconic campaigns, such as Obey Giant, Rock the Vote, and Hope?

Fairey’s work is known to pull together into relevance elements of pop culture, politics and marketing. The patterns and backdrops are familiar and pleasing. The style is that of propaganda art, graphic and current but the iconic imagery and tantalizing text imposed onto the scenes tell his story.  Fairey believes one should “question everything” and this is felt when you experience his work. It poses questions.

On his website obeygiant.com, Fairey states as their mission an ideology based on phenomenology, the purpose of which is to reawaken a sense of wonder about one’s environment. Fairey believes he accomplished this with his OBEY campaign.  Launched in the 1989, while a student at the Rhode Island School of Design, it was a phenomenon and people did respond in near-frenzy to gain for themselves the popular but unexplained sticker.

Starting as primarily a street artist and ascending into the serious art world through the increasing credibility awarded to the outsider and skateboard art scene, Shepard has since gone on to produce works of fine, graphic and commercial art along with high-impact guerilla marketing campaigns. He has additionally produced book covers and album covers for bands from the Black Eyed Peas to Led Zeppelin and film posters for the film Walk the Line with the help of his wife Amanda Fairey, through their design agency, Studio Number One.

Barack Obama “Hope” Poster

His most famous work to date however, is the compelling Obama HOPE poster, which has now been acquired by the US National Portrait Gallery and received a personal letter of thanks from the President that stated:

I would like to thank you for using your talent in support of my campaign. The political messages involved in your work have encouraged Americans to believe they can change the status-quo. Your images have a profound effect on people, whether seen in a gallery or on a stop sign. I am privileged to be a part of your artwork and proud to have your support.

— Barack Obama, February 22, 2008

The New Yorker art critic Peter Schjeldahl called the poster “the most efficacious American political illustration since ‘Uncle Sam Wants You.’”

Shepard Fairey is also an accomplished DJ and product designer.  He has worked with the likes of Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and friend Z-Trip, and DJ’s under the name DJ Diabetic and Emcee Insulin (referring to the fact that Fairey is living with Diabetes). His OBEY Giant clothing is sold at Nordstrom department stores.

Needless to say, this is an exciting exhibition to hit Cincinnati. Shepard Fairey stands to be the Warhol of his generation (known affectionately in the media as Generation X). His fortieth birthday was the day after Valentines Day, a very snowy Monday in Cincinnati, and we are pretty jazzed that he spends this time here with us.

It will begin at 8pm, Friday, February 19, following the Artist’s lecture at 7pm.  Fairey will be spinning a DJ set for the event.  It promises to be quite an evening to be in Cincinnati.

Limited-edition CAC poster

To commemorate the opening the CAC will be releasing a hot, exclusive screen print poster edition. Edition limited to 450, Signed and Numbered, and only available at the CAC.

For More information please visit http://contemporaryartscenter.org/ShepardFairey

Supply and Demand: 20 Year Retrospective
February 20, 2010 – August 22, 2010, Cincinnati, Ohio

At HighStreet, we are inspired by anything worthy – regardless of genre. Movies, music, history, nature, events, people, whatever catches the eyes or ears in a given day. But as we’ve mentioned, one of the fastest ways we get our fix is through the imported periodical . And certainly, flipping through a new copy of British interior design magazine Livingetc every month is quite the delight.

As you know, we are totally inspired by the Brits. They like to play and experiment… they are not afraid to have fun with design. Every issue is fresh, vibrant and colorful, full of lavish imagery. Mixing high-end products with inexpensive pieces is an area where the English excel. The Livingetc writers are always featuring clever do-it-yourself projects for you to try at home.

Next time you come to visit us at HighStreet, pick up a copy. We have not been disappointed by an issue yet.

HighStreet.Cincinnati.

Dark walls are an inexpensive way to bring sophistication, drama and warmth into an otherwise stale, stuffy room.

Painting the walls of an otherwise unspectacular space ebony, navy or charcoal adds depth and substance to a room that a lighter shade could not achieve. Therefore, you may want to consider transforming your comfortably traditional space into a dark, luxurious retreat.

The key to making this look work is to have enough light in the room to balance the dark. Strangely, this is not at all difficult. Working with a room that has at least a small amount of natural light can be helpful, while too much may ruin the effect.  Investing in quality lighting from multiple angles will allow for a very particular, almost contemplative ambiance. Strategically placed lamps create a soft glow that balances the masculine with the feminine. Floor lamps, pendants and halogen track lighting can highlight accessories or art hung on the walls. Which brings us to your art and accessories…

Dark walls do wonders for your prized and even not-so-prized possessions. Anything that is light in color, (which is alot…) will look downright elegant on your deep, dark canvas.  You can have so much fun with color against a dark palette because the groundedness of the backdrop balances perfectly the frivolity of exuberant color.  A world of color opens itself up to you in a new, reasonable way and accessorizing a room such as this becomes a sincere and easy pleasure as opposed to what can be a sometimes difficult Math equation.

Conspiring what to place against your dark walls can be liberating, and a real thrill if you are into the aesthetic rush.

If you decide to pursue the temptations of the darker side then consider also covering your ceiling or floor a light shade if this is not already the case.  Lighter, neutral colors and patterns moving through the dark space is another great way to balance and brighten the room. And let’s not forget texture.  Texture in design is always good but against the dark backdrop texture takes on a whole new level of excitement much like it’s colorful counterparts.

So consider wielding some sexy dark paint. Experiment with the reaction when you use white, yellow, fuchsia or cobalt.  See for yourself how almost all vibrant colors look terrific against espresso brown, dark navy or complex charcoal. It’s hard to go wrong here.  At HighStreet we painted our long, concrete hallway and the ceilings a vibrant, true yellow.  This gives our black offices a lift and glow that makes everything feel and look terrific and, I have to say, I do enjoy coming into my office each day to find that my work space is not some stale little box, but instead a sumptuous, infinite, warm and comforting environment that inspires me to settle in and conjure some serious creativity.

Leah Spurrier. Katherine Tyznik.  HighStreet