Erykah Badu's Concert Outraged Fans like me!

I don't even know where to begin. I guessed everyone read about the cancellation of the recent Erykah Badu's concert here in Malaysia Kuala Lumpur. An image of Erykah Badu surfaced, with arabic writing (a TEMPORARY) tattoo with the word "Allah" offended the religion people, hence the ban just one day before the concert. According to the religion, tattoo is forbidden let alone the word "Allah" on her body.

I am not even going to get into how backwards we are as tattoos have always been an expression of art and moreover, isn't it wonderful to embrace god? Check Erykah Badu out, one of the most love giving and peace sharing artist of all time. I have been a fan of her since the 90's, when she released her first album "Baduizm". Since then, I felt in love. This lady rocks.


I was super excited when she is having her concert here, but well the authority smashed out dreams and turned into a religious issue. This is not the first time the authority has done something like that, I am just worried that this will give our country a bad impression therefore many foreign talents would be afraid to perform here.

But there were beautiful Malaysians who believed in music, love, peace, art and freedom of speech. Let's just say, music is music, art is art. No one intend to hurt anyone. Don't complicate things. Religion has always been beautiful, it's just the people have wrong views. I am sure God, Buddha and the mighty one wouldn't want us to fight and be disharmony. The disharmony among nation isn't greater that a tattoo?

On the day of the concert, thousands of tweets from the fans despite of race, nationality, religion and colour came together requesting for Erykah Badu's concert to go on. What a beautiful act! These people are true music lovers and sincere. What we recognized is talent and music. NOT a tattoo. Fans appealed, and a hands up to the organizer DID NOT give up and pushed the limit til the very last moment. INCLUDING the Queen of Neo Soul herself, Ms.Erykah Badu.

I admired her sincerity, her charm and calm, her love for music. She is a true artist. I think if she is any commercial artist, she would have "F you" and i'm leaving... Instead, she tweeted and facebook the whole day to request and appeal for the show to go on... here is one of her tweet.

"My favourite filmmaker was @alejodorowski. He made a movie called The Holy Mountain in the 70s. One of his characters were called The Painted Lady. She wore all symbols and name of Gods on her body. I posed as her for her a photoshoot for the album New Amerykah pt2. This idea embodies who we ALL are - ONE. The Government of Malaysia had to be responsible for its people's beliefs. Be it 1 or 2 complaints. That, I understand. It is an election year, keep in mind"

"Assalamualaikum @dsuraisyatim. I am Erykah Badu. I understand your position and respect your concerns. I and many others have traveled far. Meet me".

What an inspiring artist. She is simply Beautiful inside out. Come back soon.









Love & Peace
ETHAN

The Wild Boy who never comes home

Here is my very dear friend's work. He is now married and reside in the U.K. He came a long way. He worked odd jobs, saved up and went to U.K to fulfill his life long dream to become a fashion designer.

You know it's not easy. Well, at least he started off as a stationary sales person and never got kick out of the country. He worked 3 jobs day and night and finally had a chance to enrolled himself into a fashion school.




These days, his work is all over and his talent realized. I feel so happy for him. All his hard work paid off finally. Yes, this is only the beginning. His work will gained global recognition. I hope that very much.

Do check his work out James Hock.





Later,

Ethan

Make It Hard by Helmut Lang

Helmut Lang retired from fashion industry in 2005, now his talented, complex, creative mind of Lang is now making art, all abstract and conceptual which was recently showcased at The Fireplace Project in East Hamptons.



"Make it Hard" is the title of the exhibition, it was inspired by Lang's idea to destroying archive himself and use it as raw material for his art. Mixing his own history, original claim to fame and a current back mirror view of his past as a fashion designer… Now an artist.


Of course, 'Make it Hard' also literally the transition from soft to solid, so there is a sexual reference implied. Something very Lang.

Later,
Ethan x

Legendary Punk Godmother won Polar Music Prize

In Sweden, there is a yearly affair called Polar Music Prize which resembles Nobel Prize, but it's for music. It is dedicated to musicians who worked very hard through the chemistry of music, literature.

From Bjork, Led Zeppelin to Boy Dylan are among those who were awarded the prize. This year's winner came no surprise (finally!) to punk "godmother" Patti Smith who, at 65, received the honor "for devoting her life to art in all its forms".



Patti Smith, who writes poetry, photography, painting, working as a rock journalism, performing, writing music… She literally does everything by herself, leaving in her own space, eat, sleep and breathe art. A inspiring icon indeed.

I like strong figure like that. Not just wasting time enjoying the 30 mins glamour on stage, trash some guitars, take some drugs and had women all around the world, that's all. Even there's a few tracks on the record are great, so what? There are more music to choose from. So there will never never be the ONLY number one.

I like how one lives for their passion, independent, creative and not living for the world. I wonder if Patti Smith support any charity moment, that would be great if she does.

Her new album is set to due next year. Congratulations Patti Smith, always had love your voice.

Welcome back.

Later,
Ethan X

Standing in the Way of Control

YOU READY TO BE Standing in the way of control?

I think GOSSIP and Art Vs.Science don't need further introduction.

You are NOT going to miss this. See You there.

Heineken Green Room
Date :: Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Time :: 7.00pm onwards
Venue :: KL Live, 20 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 KL
Website :: www.heineken.com/my
Facebook :: www.facebook.com/Heineken
Twitter :: www.twitter.com/HeinekenMY
Age Limit :: For 18 years and above only

Ticket Prices & Outlets
Early Bird ::RM128 (Limited Release: 20 August – 04 September 2011, applicable to online purchase through specified outlets only)
Pre-Sale :: RM158 (5 September onwards)
Door :: RM188
Heineken Members :: Receive a RM10 discount on all ticket categories. Members will receive a voucher and mechanics via SMS (limited to purchase of 3 tickets per SMS & not applicable on online purchase)
Outlets :: Online at www.airasiaredtix.com and through selected branches of Victoria Music Centre and Rock Corner

Artist Line Up:
• Gossip
• Art vs. Science
• Mini Compo
• Twilight Actiongirl
• Hypeembeats & Jeehoe



Later,
Ethan X

The Queen of Jones

The Queen is back in style.

Grace Jones just released a compilation of of Dubs.

I just lay my hands on the record. I AM TOTALLY LOVING IT.

I suggest you check it out soon.

Later,
Ethan X

Overpowered

These amaranth feelings
A cognitive state
Need the love object
To reciprocate...

I am overpowered.


Later,

Ethan X

A Legend means a legend...

Always had been a fan of Jean-Paul Goude. Legend. Found out about Jean-Paul Goude through his Grace Jones' work. Amazing and very very inspiring. He is a French graphic designer, illustrator, photographer and an advertising film director. He also has a son with his former muse, Ms.Grace Jones her self. And their collaborations are stunningly beautiful and still remain as relevant as today's.



















Later,

Ethan XXX



via Jean Paul Goude

It is party time...

Have you seen a really muscular clown? Well, you are going to and he is in fact very good looking behind those make-up. Behind the lens of Eric Schwabel; Mitchell Rock is turned into a clown with errr... white penis, red bush and red neck... accompanied by Ben Patrick Johnson in more colourful bush. Besides the private parts, I find this entertaining and creatively putting muscular men in becoming clowns...




in case you care, here is how Mitchell Rock looks like without make-up.








via Schwabel Studio

Introducing Monsieur Romain

Introducing a photographer who is fascinated by the underground scene - Monsieur Romain Guy is a 24 years old from Strasbourg, France who works with anonymous model. Here is his latest work titled "Anonyme #J". Seen are some references in cross-dressing, bondage, golden shower; hope you are not offended...















via Monsieur Romain

Introducing Gord Peteran

"He is a kind of philosopher of furniture with a weakness for visual-verbal puns," that is what New York Times review on Gord Peteran's amazing work. He also released a book titled, "Furniture Meets its Maker", it also the title of his exhibition touring museums around North America all year in 2009.