Talent Speaks

New York’s new buzz of the art world is the collaboration of Thomas Beard and Ed Halter called The Light Industry located in Industry City. Their plan is to focus on a wide range of artists and audiences within the city of New York by bringing art and the community together. This venue for new and established artists allows expression through film and electronic art.

The opportunities for other genres of art are also possible. Within Industry City affordable workspaces and studios have been developed for local artist. This will create an environment of cultural and industrial production in the community.

The Light Industry has several shows that are already scheduled for this month, admission is only $6.

To learn more about The Light Industry’s concept and to view their calendar for upcoming events, visit their website, lightindustry.org, and let’s support our local artists.

With a desire to remake the world, Lordy Rodriguez continues his exploration of topographies both real and imagined in the form of hand-drawn maps. Using the language of cartography, he makes drawings of imaginary terrain.

Rodriguez’s works start with a geological source and the human urge to locate/define oneself by charting our environment in precise detail.

As his drawings have evolved, the works have become more abstract, but the relationship to maps is still apparent. Rivers, lakes and mountainous terrain are identifiable, but begin to take on a life of their own.

If you would like to see Rodriguez’s work in person, visit the Hosfelt Gallery in San Francisco. His exhibit, 201 Drawings, will be on display May 10th through June 14th.

Electrolux Design lab, started in 2003, is an annual global design competition for undergrad and graduate industrial design students to create bold, original ideas for home appliances.

The challenge for Design Lab 2008 is to create appliances for the internet generation. The submissions need to address food storage, cooking and/or washing. Think mobility, entertaining, convenience, technology and sustainability.

The target audience is comprised of brand-conscious 25-35 year-olds who value technology, internet social networking and environmentalism.

Prizes range from 2,000 euro for third place to 5,000 euro and a six month scholarship to one of Electrolux Group’s global design center.

For more information, please visit http://www.electrolux.com/designlab/.

World Science reports that musical genes may be coming to light.

In their April 30, 2008 Special to World Science, they report on a first small study that suggests that musical ability is partly genetic and may share evolutionary roots with language.

Finnish scientists say they’ve found “approximte locations in our genome where genes affecting musical talent may lie.” The study was made on 254 individuals from 15 Finnish families, all with some musical talent.

It was published in the April 18 advance online issue of the Journal of Medical Genetics. To read more: http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/080429_music-genes.htm

Wanna be a star? Love America’s favorite sport? Then this Baby’s for you!

Create an original video that incorporates the Baby Ruth brand, maintains the integrity of the lyrics of the song and stars you as the lead performer and you could be on your way to singing at the 2008 All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium.

Three finalists will receive a trip to the 2008 MLB All-Star week for themselves and one guest. Trip includes transportation to the All Star Weekend in New York, tickets to the 2008 MLB All Star Game and ground transportation to/from hotel/airport and 4 days/3 nights hotel in the Big Apple.

This contest is open to U.S residents 18 years and older and all entries must be in by May 26, 2008.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fan_forum/babyruth/index.jsp

This incredible work of art is created using wooden matchsticks by Patrick Acton an artist from Iowa.

His work was seen on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, Home Edition, Home & Garden TV, Public Television, & High Definition TV.

Apart from this its also featured in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Reminisce, AAA Travel, & other. Since 1977 Acton has used 3 million matchsticks to build large detailed models.

This is an upcoming project & is expected to be completed by the end of 2009 - The Great White City.

The grand dame of department stores, Lord and Taylor, has unveiled their new iconic rose design and the Fifth Avenue store is brimming with the fragrant floral blooms.

Lord and Taylor now want to give indie artists a chance to create the rose design that will grace their shopping bags, boxes, gift cards and direct mail.

The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 in cash and national and international press.

Lavella Olexa, L & T’s senior vice president of advertising and public relations will choose the top 60 submissions for the first round, which will be posted online for public voting. The top 30 with the highest number of votes move on to round two, for more public voting. The winner will be announced online July 2nd, 2008.

Registration and submission will be accepted until May 26th, 2008.

http://www.lordandtaylor.com/directmail/rosecontest_submit.jsp

The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and promoting excellence in metalsmithing and jewelry. Now they are hosting the 2008 METAL Inclinations International juried exhibition will include selections of the most exemplary fine metal art created by metalsmiths, silversmiths, goldsmiths and jewelers all over the world. This strictly digital show will be trend setting.

There is an entry fee of $40. The deadline for this exhibition is June 30th, 2008. You have plenty of time to weld your way to a masterpiece. Please visit the website for more details.

Each year the Ontological Theater in New York City hosts Noise!, a week-long sound performance festival started in 2005 and co-produced with Free103point9.

This multi-arts event designed to promote interest in new forms of sound art will feature performances by established and emerging artists.

It showcases the works of solo artists as well as performance-sound collaborations, with works ranging from the analog banging of pots and pans to hi-tech digital noise.

Noise! begins May 8th with several artists performing each evening.

For the festival schedule, visit here.

The Center for Fine Art Photography call for entries for All Things Horses…

From Appaloosas to Zebras, country roaming to carousel rotating are welcome to this call for entry. Images of working horses, wild horses, dressage, tack, anything related to the life of our equine friends is welcome.

The Center for Fine Art Photography invites photographers working in all mediums and styles to participate in its exhibitions. Traditional, contemporary, avant-garde, creative and experimental works, including new processes, mixed techniques are welcome.

Eligibility: The exhibition is open to all domestic and international, professional and amateur photographers working with digital or traditional photography or combinations of both. Deadline is June 18, 2008

Information and online submissions at The Center for Fine Art Photography www.c4fap.org or email questions to cfe@c4fap.org .