Author Archive
Posted on November 16, 2009 by mentalswitch under Arts, Literature & Culture, Religious Right, United States, censorship, civil liberties, conservatives, culture, film, neocons, sex, social theory [ Comments: none ]
 There are three mainstays in today’s Hollywood: sex, violence and special effects.
Special effects in movies, when well done, are fun. They help us escape from our lives to enjoy tales of superheroes, mutants or alternate realities. We travel to faraway or mythical lands and see dragons, dwarfs and trolls, tree-creatures battling orcs, wizards and sorcerers battling. Oh yeah, and stuff blowing up. (Thank you Michael Bay) None of this really exists, of course, but that’s part of what makes it a good escape for the viewer.
It’s kind of hard to imagine a major blockbuster that doesn’t involve some form of death, shock, torture, shooting or explosion. War movies can bring perhaps the most accuracy to this genre and this is especially true of those that don’t sugar coat it. Saving Private Ryan was very graphic but not in an over-the-top, gratuitous way. It brought home the realities of war. Most action movies, however, take violence to a completely unrealistic level.
Full Story »
Most of what I have shared so far has been some variety of full image manipulation with some layering and effects. Today I have a different type of image to share. These images were painted using words as brushes. They are also my first two attempts at doing this (and remember, on my phone!!) so be kind!
This first picture is of one of my friends shooting pool. Look for the words: Light, Shadow, Rob, Shirt, Cueball, Cue, Table and Background.
Full Story »
The iPhone art continues. Three shots from this past Friday’s Day of the Dead artwalk outing.
Cass of the Dead
Full Story »
Continuing the pocket-technology picture theme here are some images from Halloween shot and edited on my iPhone.
Crystal as “Heaven”
Full Story »
Tonight, tomorrow you will see people dressed up in their Halloween finest. For your viewing pleasure I present others who are dressed up in their, well, regular party clothes. But it might as well be for Halloween, right?
The following content is NSFP/W (what does NSFP mean?). Click below for more….
Full Story »
Here is my next entry in the “Phone Artwork” series. Again, the theme here is that everything from start to finish (including taking the original picture) was done on a mobile device. And by mobile device I mean the device you use, amongst other things, as a telephone.
New technology brings new creative outlets. If you had told me ten years ago that I would be taking pictures and doing artistic manipulations on my PHONE I may not have believed you. Yes, this piece (posted in the spirit of Halloween) was shot and fully edited on my iPhone. It sort of reminds me of the closing scene of the director’s cut of Brazil (not the love-conquers-all version) and that’s okay.
ArtsWeek continues. Halloween is in the air. So is health care reform. Maybe you can imagine this dedicated health care professional extracting the deductible from your wallet with a hemostat!
[Semi-NSFW] Full Story »
Remember the pictures we shared during the DNC last year? Were you wondering what happened to photography contributor Jack Shaftoe? Well, I’m back.
This set is an introduction to some of my studio work. “Jack” was my political persona but as MentalSwitch I’ve been shooting fine art since 2000 and have been published in the USA, Canada and in Europe. Through my art I explore social taboos and preconceptions (and occasionally just shoot a given picture for the hell of it).
As you view these pictures just remember that members of alternative subcultures are people, too, and are oftentimes very active in social and political change movements.
 Full Story »
(More below the cut)
Full Story »
 Here are some pictures from today’s march to legalize medicinal marijuana. There were a lot of people there in sincere support of the cause including one of my good friends who has to have 60-100 tumor-like growths removed every year. There were also a lot of people there who were interested in legalizing marijuana in general. There were also some kids who were probably there because, hey, it has to do with marijuana and they think it’s cool.
Robert Corey Jr., a prominent Denver lawyer who has offered to defend at no charge anyone busted for pot this week, spoke to the crowd and encouraged them not to light up on the walk and to cooperate. Full Story »
Wednesday photo wrap-up
(click for more pictures)
Full Story »
Here are some pictures of art and signs from the Tent State rally and march. Make sure to check out the rest of the images in the three March entries.
This image was from Tent State, just prior to the march
(More images below) Full Story »
Even more pictures from the Tent State march. Part 3 of 3. Look for a post on Signs and Art from the Tent State March in the morning.
Full Story »
More pictures from the Tent State march. Part 2 of 3.
Full Story »
This afternoon I was at the Coliseum taking pictures of the most serious youth movement of the DNC, Tent State. Towards the end of the show I am told by a participant that there is going to be a march. I see hundreds of people on the road, waiting. She told me that as soon as the Flobots show let out they’d start and that there would be thousands. Rage Against the Machine would be marching with the group. She wasn’t wrong.
I hopped on my motorcycle and made my way to where I thought the first corner they might with police might be, Brighton and Blake. Turns out I was right. In fact, I was so right that the cops weren’t there yet. And I had to wait about 35 to 45 minutes for the march to make its long way down the road. The cops showed on bikes and in riot gear. The media started to show and my anticipation was all for naught. There were tons of photographers there by the time we saw the first demonstrators.
What follows is a four part series: “People of the Tent State March” (3 posts) and “Signs and Art of the Tent State March”. We’ll start with the people. It’s going to be long but there were thousands of people. And hey, it’s the news…
Make sure you click through all three posts to see them all.
Editor’s Note: S&R’s Sam Smith captured some interesting interviews with marcher as the demonstration was happening. For the audio, click here.
Full Story »
A collection of images that didn’t fit within the two photography topics I posted about yesterday. Enjoy!
Darth Cheney
(More pictures after the cut…)
Full Story »
My words here so far have been few but I am enjoying the process of sharing with you what I see. I also appreciate the comments that you leave. To those of you who have said that these images and the rest of S&R are filling in gaps left by the major media only covering the major events, to you I extend my thanks and tip my hat.
Yesterday I posted some protest visuals. Today I have a collection of images that span both protest and support but they are all very creative. Enjoy….
(More images below the cut)
Full Story »
At Lincoln Park during a rap show
Full Story »
|
