Banksy graces the cover of Time Out London this week with a rare/great interview. A big thank you to our friend S-Butterfly for the screen grabs on the articles:
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WWW.THEMOSTBEATIFULLESTTHING.COM is excited to see what artist Adam Neate is working on for 2010. Below is new painting from Adam Neate titled ‘Brothers’ which may give an idea what direction he’s going.
From Ghetto Mix XVII, this week we have 2 joints from the classic 1998 Rawkus Records album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star – Definition & RE:Definition.
Black Star – Definintion
Black Star – RE:Definintion
WWW.THEMOSTBEAUTIFULLESTTHING.COM recommends you check out this cool Pretty Lights hat from Grassroots California.
Grassroots California is a progressive clothing line that makes quality merchandise at affordable prices and gives a percentage of its proceeds back on every purchase. The Pretty Lights Hat donates to inner city music programs.
WWW.THEMOSTBEAUTIFULLESTTHING.COM is excited to present the 10 Year Anniversary album from hands-down, one of our favorite groups of all-time, Natural Elements.
Before materializing as an official group, the Natural Elements were originally conceived as a group of solo artists brought together in 1993 under the tutelage of producer Charlemagne. This initial grouping, whose members were initially signed to Fortress Entertainment, included members Mr. Voodoo, L-Swift, KA, G-Blass, Howie Smalls and the InTimidator. By 1995, however, membership slimmed to include only Mr. Voodoo, L-Swift and A-Butta.
Natural Elements were a NYC underground sensation in the mid-to-late 90s (especially numerous memorable appearances WKCR) and ended up signing a deal with Tommy Boy Records – but unfortunately their album never saw the light of day because of Tommy Boy folding.
However, 10 years later, you can purchase the Natural Elements – 10 Year Anniversary album on iTunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/1999-10-year-anniversary/id338549631
This is real hip-hop. Appearing 10 years after it should have been released, NE’s music still stands out as timeless and some of the most impressive hip hop of our time. We’re happy others will be introduced to their work and that all the existing Natural Elements fans will enjoy these songs finally mastered properly.
WWW.THEMOSTBEAUTIFULLESTTHING.COM highly recommends you go check out the new Faile and Bast exhibition The Faile Bast Deluxx Fluxx Arcade at Lazarides.
And a big thanks to paulo nine-o for these photos.
We’ve been meaning to post these photos for some time now from Ben Turnbull’s ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ exhibition at Eleven Fine Art which was held in November of 2009.
With reclaimed wooden school desks as his choice of canvas, Turnbull has delicately carved with into seven of the pockmarked, pen-scratched surfaces, leaving the negative imprint of a deadly weapon upon each.
Whilst Turnbull’s process may at first sound a little contrived – when taken in contrast with the exposed innocence of the school-worn desks, his remarkably adept carvings evoke an unexpectedly poignant effect. Employing impressions of guns, knives, grenades and even space-age sharp shooters – the desks are transformed from relics of a childhood past into intricately formed, vaguely intimidating reflections of the rapidly changing face of contemporary culture.
An out-there comment on the dwindling role of innocence in today’s increasingly weapon-wielding society; Turnbull’s work is an elegant synthesis of hard-hitting imagery, accomplished artistry and low-fi aesthetics – encapsulating both the diminishing memories and the escalating fears of our culture.
Ben Turnbull is fascinated by the global dominance of American culture, and his works unsettling effects result from re-presenting components of our innocent youth in symbolic forms that reveal the shocking truths about war, death and guns in the world’s most powerful country. Above all they take a satirical look at the lengths that the country’s political elites go to in order to control and manipulate the way we think, from our first days of play to the last time we cast our vote. Turnbull is a passionate critic of the contemporary American political system, and explains why toys are central to his work: ‘Force fed on violence, abused by a controlling superpower and blackmailed through patriotism, the public are ultimately as disposable as the toys they once played with’.
Ben Turnbull was born in 1974. He lives and works in London.
From Ghetto Mix VI, this week we have Nas feat. Lauryn Hill – If I Ruled The World (Imagine That) from our favorite Nas album – It Was Written.
Yeah we said it… It Was Written is the best Nas album – not Illmatic; not I Am; not Stillmatic. If you want to discuss, please use the comment section.
Nas feat. Lauryn Hill – If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)
The Faile Bast Deluxx Fluxx Arcade
12th February – 27th March 2010
To kick-start the 2010 programme, Lazarides is proud to present a rare treat in the form of Faile, Brooklyn’s infamous collaborative duo. Bringing their unique vision to London and featuring long-time collaborator, Bast, the two floors of Lazarides Greek Street gallery will be taken over for a truly experiential exhibition.
Haunts of 80s populist culture inspire the distinctive concept show. Faile and Bast’s
signature elements will resound throughout the galleries, no nook left uncovered, creating an explosively immersive installation. Interaction with a variety of participatory components will be encouraged among gallery visitors along with the added bonus of being able to purchase Faile artworks for a mere £2, unless that is, you want to use them within the exhibition, intrigued? You should be.
A hop, skip and jump away at Lazarides’ Rathbone gallery will be a 10-year retrospective of Faile’s work. Having emerged on the New York scene in the late 90s, they’ve gathered a firm following over the years with their flypostered vision transforming many a street the world over. Creating original imagery from an array of pop culture, their practice amalgamates: prints, paintings, collage, sculpture, murals and urban interventions.
Faile – Waiting For The End, 2009
Gagosian Gallery
Meet Me Inside Exhibition
January 15 – February 27th
456 North Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
T. 310.271.9400 F. 310.271.9420
Hours: Tue-Sat 10-5:30
