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Showing posts from September, 2025

Invisible People

Jinyoung Yu's art is a powerful statement about the duality of human existence – the conflict between who we are and who we pretend to be. When I look at her creations, I find myself not just admiring the form, but contemplating the meaning. At first glance, Yu's translucent figures might seem like apparitions. The South Korean artist uses plastics or transparent PVC for the body and clay for the heads, clothes, and accessories. The faces are often doll-like and mysterious, with subtle expressions of melancholy. Her art reminds me that our real power often lies in our transparency, our willingness to be seen in all our delicate, complex glory. More on her Artsy page

If you're a fan of pop culture, you’ll find something here that resonates.

Secret Fresh is a place where art feels, well, fresh. It's a vibrant, energetic hub where contemporary pieces, designer toys, and pop culture collide. The gallery is also a constant source of inspiration, reminding you that art can be anything, anywhere, and for everyone. If you have time, check out the place. You might just discover your new favorite artist. The prices are usually much more accessible than those in bigger, old school galleries, making it a perfect spot to start your own collection or find that cool gift.

Magic in Simplicity

The drawings of Frédéric Forest are pretty much basic. They're deliberately minimal, yet truly enticing. Often, they're figures – sometimes a little melancholic, sometimes peaceful, always with a touch of elegance. He's not trying to impress us with technical skill; he's trying to connect on a different level. We're often drawn to the complex and the intricate, but sometimes, the most memorable art is the one that says the least.

It's not about being the fastest, it's about being in control.

Some people collect toys, some write poetry, and some choose to hurl themselves down a mountain on two wheels. Jackson Goldstone just won this year’s Downhill Mountain Bike World Championship in Switzerland and here’s the POV of his winning run down the course. That feeling of dropping into a very steep descent with the sound of tires on dirt is pure bliss. Who's hitting the trails this weekend?

In Memory of Laura

So sad this morning to hear of the unexpected death of Laura, an old fiend and former dentist. I will always remember her bizarre taste in music, her dark humor, and her unwavering belief that a person’s worth is tied to their oral care routine. Last year, we wanted to meet and work together again on something and I am very, very sorry that will never happen.  I've mentioned her in a 2015 blog post , and today I will rerun the tale... Not So Happy Ending Not so long ago, I went for a drink in a pub in Ortigas. I had second thoughts about entering the establishment when I noticed there were so many people inside. There were men with ironic beard and pretentious hairstyles dressed in rolled up chinos and check shirts; women in vintage sundresses, skinny jeans, and acid wash denim cutoff shorts; actors and models trying to look hip; and a bunch of call center agents who wanted to get drunk before they start their graveyard shifts. There was this famous guitarist at one table, with sho...

The New CrossWave Might Be the Best Thing to Happen to Lake Life

If you won the lottery and all the sensible stuff was taken care of, what’s the first completely ridiculous thing you’d buy? For me, this personal watercraft from Yamaha. Well, it's not utterly ridiculous, but the all-new CrossWave comes with a hefty price tag. Online discussions and forums suggest that the price could fall in the range of $20,000 to $40,000, with some estimates placing a fully equipped model at the higher end of that spectrum. This WaveRunner looks like a cross between a jet ski and a small utility boat. It measures almost 13 feet long, over five feet wide, and can carry up to four people. Yes, it can fit in your garage. Other features include a rod storage compartment, a dedicated anchor locker in the bow, dual in-hull stern compartments, dual touchscreen displays, including a 7" Simrad NSX chartplotter and fishfinder, 8" footwell speakers with Bluetooth, and a 1.9L High Output Marine Engine.  There's nothing quite like a weekend spent on the water...

A True Competitor

I like just about everything about Alex Eala…

Sultans of Swing: A Timeless Classic

   A number of interesting things happened in 1979, the year I was born. For instance, on November 4, 1979, the Iran hostage crisis began. Have you seen Argo starring Ben Affleck? That movie is pretty much about it. The next month, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Also in 1979, the first Sony Walkman was released in Japan. Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Skylab made a dramatic return to Earth. The year also saw the release of a number of iconic movies, including Alien , Apocalypse Now , and Mad Max . That year, Dire Straits unleashed Sultans of Swing . The four-minute track wasn't just a song; it was a revolution. The musicianship is impeccable, the lyrics engrossing, and the entire song doesn't sound dated. It transcends genres and eras, proving that true artistry never fades. In high school, I’d sit on a couch and listen endlessly to Mark Knopfler’s intricate guitar solo and pretended I understood what “blowing Dixie,...

Finding Art That Speaks To You

The internet is a vast ocean, and every now and then, you stumble upon something that makes you stop in your tracks. Recently, I was scrolling through my Instagram when I discovered Laurent Proux 's art. I surfed for what felt like hours, and thanked the IG algorithm for its foresight. It's rare to find an artist who can evoke such a strong feeling with their creations, and I instantly became a fan. The French artist's paintings often feature opposing elements—light and shadow, nature and industry, pleasure and violence, the real and the surreal. His figures are often fragmented, distorted, or contorted, blurring the lines between the human form and the landscapes they inhabit. Think of a vivid dream where everything is a little off-kilter, quite nightmarish, but in the most charming way possible. Proux's work is a reminder that art isn't just something to be observed in a museum or gallery. It's a powerful form of communication, a way for artists to share their...