“Ravi Zupa is Denver’s rare resident poet-painter, sculptor, film artist, activist & intellectual. Ravi self identifies as an anarchist, and these humanist ideas are at the center of all his work and DIY ethos. He is fully self taught and draws lessons from movements and artists who came before him. His works are as varied as his visual inspirations; the German Renaissance, Flemish primitives, Japanese Block art, Religious Iconography from Europe, Asia and pre-Columbian South America, & 20th century revolutionary propaganda. Ravi uses all these old myths, styles and imagery to tell the tale of modern “man” and his condition.

Ravi rejects academia and all pretensions and seeks to celebrate the “everybodyness” of art. With his work he aims to induce the same sense of frantic inspiration which inspires him when he sees a piece. He believes that art should be inclusive, and he puts this idea into practice. Ravi’s work goes beyond art, and he lives the epic battles of ideas found in his pieces in his every day life. It’s rare to find a visual artist with the mind of a poet, that draws from such a rich well of history & creates such a diverse body of work.” ~Tim Holland (Sole)

The Pyre, an exhibit of new works by Zupa, is directly inspired by a collaborative book project by the same name between the artist and renowned hip hop musician, Tim Holland, better known as Sole, founder of the Anticon record label. Though the work in this exhibit exists outside the narrative within “the Pyre” book, as Zupa puts it, “they are the direct result of the same fire and seek to convey the same skepticism, want, desperation, and optimism”.

“The Pyre” New Works by: Ravi Zupa
OPENING RECEPTION : FRIDAY JULY 2, 6PM
Illiterate Gallery : 82 S. Broadway : Denver, CO 80209

Read more here.

Illustration by Paul Rogers

I was introduced to these brilliant works of art a while back now but wanted to share them with those unfamiliar with Polish film poster artwork. In a nutshell the state-owned nature of the film industry in Poland meant that its poster makers were freed up from the usual constraints – resulting in some outstanding work, far removed from their big budget counterparts.

Just a couple I’ve chosen from a huge collection (from left to right): Harry and the Hendersons, Eyes Wide Shut, The Fly, Weekend at Bernies

There is an interesting article up on the NPR website covering “Dark Night of the Soul” a collaboration between Sparklehorse, Danger Mouse, & Director David Lynch. There are a handful of other people involved in the project, which I am listening to as I write… the article is interesting and definitely worth a read… makes you think about all the rad shite that may never see the day of light due to bureaucracy.

As it turns out the album may NOT ever be released… there is a link to listen to the album for free online for now via NPR. Drop by and caress the play button while you still can. Hoping to be able to pick this album up and drop it into my playlists sooner… fingers crossed.

cypher13 drops some knowledge for this GOOD competition explaining to us how this mess of a financial crisis came about. Word!

Today’s the day, get out and vote. Find your polling place at maps.google.com/vote

Interesting little motion piece referencing the costs of war that the public don’t get a chance to see. Collaborative project between GOOD and Athletics.