Sunday, June 9, 2013

It flows upwards

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jeffreysimmons: Finished watercolor painting, 14.25 x 10...



jeffreysimmons:

Finished watercolor painting, 14.25 x 10 inches. May 15, 2013.

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shemalepornstarsinclothes: Kimberly Kills & Mandy Mitchell



shemalepornstarsinclothes:

Kimberly Kills & Mandy Mitchell

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vi-bra-nt: Click here for more culture/color/nature <3



vi-bra-nt:

Click here for more culture/color/nature <3

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ayustar: Indonesia-Dreamscape



ayustar:

Indonesia-Dreamscape

hallucinists: t-e-l-e-p-a-t-h-y: Photograph: Issey Miyake...



hallucinists:

t-e-l-e-p-a-t-h-y:

Photograph: Issey Miyake 'Minaret' Dress, circa 1995.

FASHION: A SEASONAL ECSTASY PILL, OR STILL A VALIDATED MEDIUM FOR ART?

So here we go again, the argument on the lips of every concerned fashion-conscious person today: is fashion becoming quickly bastardised by reckless consumers, or is it still an expression and/or application of human creative skill and imagination? With the countless fashion weeks (some lasting close to a month), from couture to cruise-wear, that now adorn the fashion calendar year-round, we see the flocks of the "fashion-savvy" take to the streets in their maxed out credit cards attempt to impress and arouse attention from the new-tech-era wave of streetwear-bloggers.  But are they truly fashion-idols or style-criminals? The fashion industry is a very extravagant and phantasmal world, filled with grandeur, beauty, grace and sometimes a little bit of rebellion. Okay, I'm lying, a lot of rebellion (cocaine, anyone?) – well, at least, this is one side of the fence. The other side of the fence is the business side: the mass-producing factories, one of which has risen to surface lately (of course I am talking of the tragic sweatshop collapse in Bangladesh), the organizing of major fashion events and shows and of course, the money. "Money makes the world go round" – a saying that we've all heard by a young age, especially in an era wear a Versace clutch is more valued than someone's friendship. But is fashion still an art, or was it ever? This dispute has been circulating for decades now, and whilst great couturiers, which have wielded sewing needles instead of paintbrushes, have come and gone, others would say that fashion is still a trivial pursuit for the trivial minded.

Now! Now! Now! – Living in a computer-advanced age where we can have anything at the click of a button from books to songs and hell, even sex, why not want the next new thing straight away? It's only human, right – to want things? But is it correct? Is it morally obligatory? No, it's not. Greed is one of our biggest flaws; it truly can make or break someone. To our financial business right down to the relationships we share with others. In fashion, live-streams of most major fashion shows are now broadcasted worldwide whilst they happen halfway across the world. The eyes of the uninvited, overly-excited and unknown, are cordially welcomed through the lens to stand, or rather comfortably sit, in awe at the clothing we are seeing right before us as if it is real… well, I guess those glitchy scenes and slow-moving, overcrowded servers break this mirage though. Nevertheless, we are offered with an ultimatum to think about - is this instant-click download influencing the next generation of future designers, journalists and photographers or is it creating a loop-hole for bigger companies, like international retail giants H&M and Zara to quickly rip looks from the runway, alter them slightly, and have them in store within months with their bigger business dominance – challenging not only the designers company but also their creativity? These methods of stealing inventive, and sometimes genius, flare from others without credit formally un-educates-before-they-are-educated the mass crowds of (stupidly) loyal followers.

What is the line between fashion and art anyway? Is it very fine and delicate, edging over and becoming the same at times, or is it bold and thick, like a Sharpie 0.8 tip marker, never breaking and never allowing the two to meet? Or, a third option – is there even a line? I would pick option one. Fashion, at least to me, is the un-utilitarian form of self-expression and emotion, free from the limits of everyday-life. It is controversial, and it will exist, whether it is recognised or ignored. Fashion has supported movements and rebellions throughout history and catalysed still-continuing revolutions of major issues in society, in particular feminine power and equality. Of course, though, not everything you send down a runway is proportionate of this ideal – especially since Hedi Slimane took the reins at… Whoops, better not go there. Those that would still contest fashion as completely separate and detached from the art universe would say that it lacks no value and that clothes are just clothes. Well I would have to say that they lack the ability to see its greatness. These words come from a slightly biased standpoint though, as I see only the greatness in this humble world.

But is there hope for the future? Will fashion continue to inspire a new generation wave? Will Karl Lagerfeld finally step down? Just kidding. Although there are many aspects I have left out and not covered, from the competiveness in the industry and the luck of a new designer, photographer, make-up artist or journalist appearing, not to mention already among the thousands of others that are currently standing, to the lack of emotional appeal in collections that there once was contrasted to what there is now and so forth, I do believe that hope for this future is gaining momentum. Appreciation for a behaviour compels us to hold onto it's ability to what we find makes it beautiful and expand upon it. After all, an imagination runs wild. The real choice is yours to make.

Written by Nicholas J. O'Connell, t-e-l-e-p-a-t-h-y.

wtf???

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lisahanawalt: Blue Cat Man by Lisa Hanawalt Buy a print!



lisahanawalt:

Blue Cat Man by Lisa Hanawalt

Buy a print!

wilwheaton: (via Reddit)



wilwheaton:

(via Reddit)

photoencounters: Chartres, France. Photo by Amber Maitrejean



photoencounters:

Chartres, France. Photo by Amber Maitrejean

these-times-will-pass: Love quotes? you will love this blog



these-times-will-pass:

Love quotes? you will love this blog

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care-not: Dexter Going by darklorddisco on Flickr.



care-not:

Dexter Going by darklorddisco on Flickr.

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janinesuan: A Sketch a Day June 7, 2013 Day 107 of 365 My tiny...



janinesuan:

A Sketch a Day

June 7, 2013

Day 107 of 365

My tiny desk.

zinepolice: Riding.



zinepolice:

Riding.

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