WORTH THE PLAY #2: ARCADES*C2C DJS

29 Aug

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After winning 4 times in a row the DMC World DJ championships, french turntablists C2C (Coup de Cross) are teasing us fans with the release of a new movie clip “Arcades“.  This release comes just one week before the release of the group’s much anticipated first album “Tetra“. The movie clip was directed by director of Photography Baptiste Chesnais and Graphic Design & FX Director Rémi Paoli.  In the video model & comedian Charlotte Poutrel could be qualified as a hypnotizing muse serving a languorous & powerful performance. A performance enhanced by the clip’s visual effects that are all in geometrical creative virtuosity and come in many fittable, sizes & shapes while being bichromaticly sexy. Fans could not expect less from the french director who stood up to the challenge of matching his craft with the talent of C2C’s four DJs: Pfel, Atom, 20syl & Greem. Inasmuch as the soundtrack is filled with resonances originating both from the Hip-Hop and Dubstep genre, synchronizing visual effects over surgical scratches and chopped overwhelming bass lines was definitely not an easy task. As the directors put it in a note:

The creation of the visuals for the ARCADES video is based on the DJ’s musical approach. The idea was to use samples of organic images, cut them out, play with time to mix and recreate images in a geometrical way.

But the Graphic Design & FX Director on this video was not at his first “coup de maître”. As a matter of fact Rémi Paoli is also the director behind the recent realisation of the Renault Twizy commercial still airing on french TVs. But this is not the only notable reference on his portfolio: Canal+, France 2,  France 24, Roederer, had trusted him for TV show opening credits & corporate movies. And despite his corporate credibility he had also demonstrated his understanding of the urban culture with the clip “We are the skunx“. No wonder he was selected to direct the Graphic design & FX on my side.

In my opinion, this is a very well orchestrated marketing twist by Plan 2 Music – Picseye Prod to keep the fans & press talking until the release of the album on the 3rd of September. If you cannot wait, you may as well preorder the album on iTunes. Meanwhile be sure to follow C2C’s Facebook page and soon to come new website for news & releases.

@thisisxavier

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WORTH THE SHOT #1 TERRYWOOD * OHWOW

28 Feb

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In February 24th, contemporary and fashion photographer Terry Richardson introduced to the world his first solo exhibit, TERRYWOOD. His works will be exposed at the OHWOW art gallery in Los Angeles, Hollywood. Now why am I talking about this exhibition? Not because I am avid freak about the world of photography. Not because Tyler the Creator, Ron Jeremy, Lindsay Lohan, Sasha Gray or Jessie Andrews showed up at his after-party… well I admire each of their career paths and personality but this is not the point here. Granted, the after party pictures make Terry look like he’s an unsecured guy who wants to pose like he’d be the coolest guy in L.A. Should we forget that he has been said to be lacking of social skills as a teenager? No. But we can’t deny that his work is totally dope. The reason why I mention this feat at this point of his career is because I like provocative thoughts, words, and images.

Now what is it with provocation that is so attractive about? In my opinion provocation has got this disruptive essence capable of disturbing the commonly accepted patterns in our society; stirring the rigid thoughts into motion while questioning the origins of morals instead of simply accepting them. Provocation in some way regenerates the air from the pungent niceties we are usually accustomed too. It’s like a refreshing trip towards horizons yet unknown. Some may abhor provocation, mainly because they are afraid of changes. However I think it is a great mean to confront old concepts with unexpected angles because it fosters creativity for the better. Copywriters and advertising art directors recurrently make use of provocation and rightly so because it attracts the attention. To put it simply: IT STANDS OUT.

And that’s just about how to summarize the work of Terry Richardson. It is of no wonder if Renzo Rosso‘s denim luxury brand Diesel, known for its tendency to be controversial hired the services of Mr Richardson for the award-winning print “Global Warming Ready” campaign in 2007. His craftsmanship has the ability to make a common scene stand out thanks to shrewd “mise-en-abymes” like no one else does. And since the very first day I have come across his works, I have been addicted even before being aware of who was the photographer behind. TERRYWOOD is just about that provocative feel. The exhibition portrays the atmosphere reigning in Hollywood where Terry Richarson lives the way he sees and catches it with its lens. The search for fame, the kitsch and the idiosyncrasies  characterizing Hollywood is gathered in this collection of 25 visual works. And if words are not enough to convince you my fellow reader, I invite you to have a peak through Terry’s diary and let me know what you think. I like a little feisty constructive debate. TERRYWOOD will go on until March 31st so make sure to drop by the OHWOW Gallery if you’re around.

@The_BOX_factor

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WORTH THE PLAY * YUKSEK: OFF THE WALL (VIDEO CLIP)

24 Feb

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

On February 22nd 2012, french pop artist YUKSEK released a new video clip for his sound track OFF THE WALL. The clip has been produced by SoLab.fr and directed by Romain Segaud. Yuksek (Pierre-Alexandre Busson) is a french electronic producer, remixer and DJ from Reims who was born on 1977. After playing the piano for 10 years at the Conservatoire, Yuksek started dedicating his time to his music by publishing remixes and tracks under his current name in 2006. He published his debut Album, Away from the sea in 2009. Album which subsequently helped him grow his fan base in France and on the international scene. So much that his acclaimed tracks, Tonight and Extraball have been used for Peugeot 200 year anniversary and for Lacoste, Red Label respectively.

On June 13 2011, Yuksek released its second album, Living on the edge of time. Rapidly, On the Train and Always on the Run became acclaimed singles. At the time I was meant to finish my studies in Barcelona where they had a tour concert in Razzmatazz. I initially wanted to publish a post about the concert yet, I was clearly disappointed by the overall performance. Except the girl drummer that kept the audience alive with her soul, the rest of the musicians clearly lacked of stage aura and passion. Compared to The Rapture or The Shoes performances in the Razzmatazz, this live concert was clearly disturbing and disappointing considering what you could expect from the quality of their tracks and media attention online. However from the portrait and interview Les InRocks have drawn from the man we have to consider that Pierre Alexandre Busson appears be a fair husband and considerate father of a daughter who cares for her education and spending time with his family. Consequently, touring might have taken quite a toll on his energy so I will forgive the performance in the Razzmatazz until I attend another one. And then yesterday I found out through the twitter account of Kyan Khojandi that Yuksek had released a new video clip which is fresh and creative. So I may want  to change my opinion again. So if you’re around London tonight or Zurich tomorrow, make sure to get your tickets from his DJ set in The Nest, London or from his live performance in the Digital Maag, Zurich and let me know what you think. For more upcoming Tour dates check out Yuksek’s website.

@The_BOX_factor

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

THE ROLLER DERBY TALE: TOULOUSE vs BARCELONA

6 Feb

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Saturday February 4th. 7:00 pm. Toulouse – Carmes Metro Station. I’m meeting up in the cold winter with an old friend of mine- She had been my English lecturer four years ago back when I was in university. We are supposed to find a gymnasium in the middle of La Ramée Park in the outskirts of Toulouse. This is where the Roller Derby event will take place. On our way she tells me how she discovered this sport in Toulouse. She grew up in the city of Great Falls, Montana, where Roller Derby is fairly popular. So, when she heard some of her students were gathering in Place de l’Europe to race their skates with the feminine team of Roller Derby Toulouse, she gladly tried out to join the pack. By the time we arrived, there was already a long queue of people waiting in the cold to get inside the gymnasium. For a meager 4 euro entrance fee, we managed to find seats on the first row much like Very Important People would… except we weren’t such a big deal. The girls were already warming up,  ready to go at it on the skate rink while we were sipping on beers and eating colorful tasty cupcakes.

Now for those who do not know what Roller Derby is about, I will not try to explain you the rules or key words of this game for now. The Roller Derby rule book itself would be 54 pages long… My best advice is to go and see it for yourself if you have a team nearby. Since Drew Barrymore’s directorial début with WHIP IT (2009), this 81-year-old american sport lost in oblivion has witnessed a significant revival around the world. So whether you’re a die-hard fan, or would like to enroll in a team, chances are you might find a club to discover Roller Derby wherever you are around the world. If you live in France, just head onto the dedicated Roller En Ligne Portal which lists all the existing Roller Derby teams in the country. In the Southern Rugby lands, The Roller Derby Toulouse association has already gathered 200 participants in less than 2 years of existence. And let me tell you something, that saturday February 4th, the stands were full of people who had never seen a Roller Derby Race. And from the enthusiasm I saw, my guess is that Roller Derby has long beautiful days ahead.

Without further ado, I will let you discover some of the highlight of the night in a short clip I shot with my fruit phone.

@The_BOX_factor

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

RIDING THE WALL OF DEATH * w/h The Ken Fox Troupe

25 Jan

Motorbikes. Hardly ever been a fan. Nor am I to ride at unfathomable speeds. But how would that be like to ride a motorbike on a near vertical wall? A wall that happens to be called the Wall of Death. for show or legacy, we do not know. But it sure must be quite a thrill. The Ken Fox Troupe is today one of the last daredevil families to perpetrate this tradition throughout Europe and the British Isles. A tradition that appeared back in the 1920s. Digital Artist, Photograph and Film Maker, Benedict Campbell had seen them while he was a kid and by the time he grew up through his film making studies, he nourished an ever growing endeavour to portray there lifestyle on camera. And he pays a fair tribute with great shots, sequences, and a soundtrack that sucks you into this uncommon lifestyle. Entitled the Wall of death, the short documentary is a touching canvas about a family following an enheartening passion for wheels. From the daughters to the three sons, without forgetting the pioneering dad till the mom, everyone is involved in this show that looks like a game but yet remains dangerous as it could be.

@The_BOX_Factor

Tags: , , , , ,

Air France’s “L’Envol” revives #Mozart’s concerto #23, Adagio

9 Jan

Let’s be honest, who thinks Classic music is something we could label as trendy? At a time when pop, rock, electro and hip-hop music are at the forefront of the trends served to the masses at the beginning of the XXI century, Classic music is part of those genres we listen in our intimacy, almost blushing when you’re caught listening a prelude by Pablo Casals. Collectively rejected nowadays, only a few who grew up with it, danced on it, played concertos on an instrument learned how to truly appreciate it.

If it was not for advertising agencies and movie productions, Classic music would have been long forgotten. And this is what I appreciate in this industry. We should praise the ability of art directors to be open-minded about every single aspect of arts specific to given cultures and put it out there to the mass without any shame: music, food, painting, photography. In my opinion Art is the testimony of times, the identity of societies, the reflection of our neurosis. It could even lead to a more developed article with a focus on Classic music in advertising. Photographs such as Tony Kelly didn’t have any fear to mix a dance that takes its roots in the hip-hop culture with Classic Music for American Apparel.

But above all, I think Art is made to disconnect with logical frames and structures of the reality. In other words art is made to dream. Back in September, while I was studying in Barcelona, Air France released on the French Market its Tv and cinema campaign “L’Envol” in partnership with creative agency  BETC Euro RSCG. Shot in the desert of Ourzazate in Morocco and directed by Angelin Preljocaj, the commercial is a delicious metaphor of an Air France plane taking off featuring ballet dancers Virginie Caussin and Benjamin Millepied spinning in a kiss over the 23rd concerto, 2nd movement by Mozart. I will not discuss the carefully studied target of the ad, nor the purpose other than the notoriety. One might think the commercial is not connected to what Air France sells, yet I think that the music used gives the commercial an authentic, beautiful feel which is memorable. In this sense, the commercial is perfectly in tune with Air France’s Unique Selling Proposal: “Faire du ciel le plus bel endroit de la terre” (Making the sky, the best place on earth). Furthermore, I have rediscovered an exquisite concerto that has been played by some of the greatest pianists such as Vladimir Horowitz.

@The_BOX_factor

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Steve Aoki in “Wonderland” with a full length debut album

3 Jan

What else than a fresh colorful brand new website to start 2012 on a good foot? That’s pretty much what Steve Aoki did today, and this just perfectly on time before the release of his debut full length album due on January 10th. Proud founder of DIM MAK RECORDS, Steve has already collaborated with many talented artists (Armand Van Helden, Laidback Luke, Afrojack, Boys Noize, The Faint, D.i.M., The Bloody Beetroots, & Junkie XL) and has been credited with the careers launches of Bloc Party, The Kills, Klaxons, MSTRKRFT, The Bloody Beetroots, Mystery Jets, The Rakes, The Gossip among others. He has also been known to have quite some grooming taste developing lines for KR3W Apparel, Supra Footwear, headphones for WESC, headwear with NEFF, bags with Burton, and is preparing the launch a brand new mens/women’s range with his sister Devon.

His new album tracklisting will feature collaborations with Lil Jon, Rivers Cuomo, Sky Ferreira, Chiddy Bang, Travis Barker, Kele of Bloc Party, Kid Cudi, Blaqstarr and the mysterious [[[zuper blahq]]] who can be found on the lead single “I’M IN THE HOUSE”:

01 – Earthquakey People (feat. Rivers Cuomo)
02 – Ladi Dadi (feat. Wynter Gordon)
03 – Dangerous (feat. zuper blahq)
04 – Come With Me (Deadmeat) (feat. Nayer)
05 – Emergency (feat. Lil Jon & Chiddy Bang)
06 – Livin My Love (feat. LMFAO & NERVO)
07 – Control Freak (feat. Blaqstarr & Kay)
08 – The 80′s (feat. Angger Dimas)
09 – Heartbreaker (feat. Lovefoxxx)
10 – Cudi the Kid (feat. Kid Cudi & Travis Barker)
11 – Ooh (feat. Rob Roy)
12 – The Kids Will Have Their Say (feat. Sick Boy with former members of The Exploited & Die Kreuzen)

Wonderland will be available for purchase on iTunes January 10th, with a follow up release worldwide January 17th. In short, an album you will probably want to keep an eye on, so be sure to check out his tour dates around where you live and keep up to date with Steve Aoki on www.steveaoki.com.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,491 other followers

%d bloggers like this: