Photo courtesy of Ignite Licensing.

Ignite your art collection!

IGNITE is an artist representation and consulting company which specializes in licensing, branding, fashion, merchandise design, publishing, limited editions and exhibitions.  They sell original artwork from legends such as Ron English, Scooter LaForge, Olek and Deryck Todd, just to name a few artists.  All of these works are available for extremely reasonable prices as well.  I’ve been a big fan of this site for a long time and with great pleasure and pride, I’d like to make a huge announcement:  3 photos I’ve taken of the legendary singer Grace Jones are for sale on IGNITE’s official website as limited edition 8×10 prints!  Each print is numbered and hand-signed by me and they look wonderful.  My arm is still tired from signing them all, but the results have been worth every second!  I’m not just saying that because I am the artist either.  One of the photos is already ranked on their top sellers list and once again, I am humbled and honored just to be included on a website filled with artists I respect and admire!  Christmas is coming up, so remember that while the rest of the world crashes and burns, the value of art never depreciates.  Take your art collection to the next level with IGNITE!

IGNITE! www.ignitelicensing.com

Photo by G.

Muse.

Since we are on the topic of Independence Day and we are all celebrating a lot less freedom than we had last year, I would like to nominate “Uprising” by Muse as the new global national anthem.  Sing these lyrics over and over and over until the words sink in and maybe then, people globally will finally get off their asses, throw their I-phones in the gutter, unplug from all these distractions that are made to keep us numb and wake up!  This world has enough abundance for everyone. Not just the 1% of the population that are currently controlling it.  If you are a teacher, please teach these words to your kids!  That bullshit about dawn’s early light and pledging allegiance is archaic.  It’s 2010.   Come to the light!  Rise up!!!!

Uprising by Muse. 

Lyrics by Matthew Bellamy.

Paranoia is in bloom,
The PR transmissions will resume
They’ll try to push drugs that keep us all dumbed down
And hope that we will never see the truth around
(So come on)

Another promise, another seed
Another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed
And all the green belts wrapped around our minds
And endless red tape to keep the truth confined
(So come on)

They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
We will be victorious
So come on

Interchanging mind control
Come let the revolution takes its toll
If you could flick the switch and open your third eye
You’d see that we should never be afraid to die
(So come on)

Rise up and take the power back
It’s time the fat cats had a heart attack
They know that their time’s coming to an end
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend
(So come on)

They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
We will be victorious
So come on

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey

They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
We will be victorious
So come on

Photo by G.

Art by Richard Hughes

By this point, we all know the world is rapidly going to hell in a hand basket.  As evidenced by history repeating itself, most people are total sheep, who will follow the herd, even into darkness.  The 1% is ruling over the other 99% and silence is acceptance.  Spiritual gurus worldwide are predicting a major shift in consciousness imminently. This means the 99% are going to finally open their eyes and squash these bastards that have been robbing us blind for our entire lives by increasing taxes and rent without raising salaries and enslaving us with the necessity to keep jobs we hate just so we can survive.  By keeping us down and in the dark with propaganda and lies, the masses have just silently accepted this is the way life is, but it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize that there is no need for this to continue.  We outnumber them!  The people have the power, but only if they choose to exercise it.  Come to the light!

Since so many people have lost their homes due to joblessness and with the governmental denial that we are in a depression, there are tons of buildings that are sitting vacant.  I am envisioning a scenario that sees people en masse squatting in these empty homes for free! The domino effect will cause the greedy landlords of apartment buildings to rethink these astronomical rents they charge and it will mark the beginning to the necessary shift that’s about to happen.  It will just take a few people to be brave enough to take the first steps and people will follow in droves.  Who’s up for it?

Start now, I say.  It is “independence day” after all.

Video by G.

Forgive this next bit for me getting up on a soap box, but since this is According2g, I have to say what’s on my mind.

On April 25, 2010, artist Shepard Fairey gave a talk at the Brooklyn Museum to discuss his latest solo art show “May Day” at Deitch Projects in New York from May 1 – May 30, 2010.  Right now, the artist is under fire for his “Obama Hope” poster which by now is a world-wide icon.  His future is going to be dramatically changed when a decision comes down about whether or not he will be in deep water for using a copywritten image without authorization.  The person whose image is used (President Obama) is not going after Shepard Fairey, but instead an agency (The Associated Press) who “owns” the photo is upset.  If this isn’t a conspiracy to try and scare us into bowing down to the man, then tell me what is!  There are so many bad things happening on this planet and what is making the worldwide news - an artist under fire for making art!?  It makes no sense to me whatsoever.  Whether you agree or disagree with me is totally your opinion.  I am a lover of art and a big fan of Shepard Fairey so naturally, you’d think I’d feel this way and you are right.  However, after hearing him speak today, I feel stronger than ever that he is under the gun for no reason whatsoever.  Today, he spoke about his roots in the art scene and some of the things that make him tick and he is truly a huge lover of art and freedom, not a propigator of hate and oppression.  Whether he is found guilty or innocent of this alleged crime is besides the point by now.  The image is a worldwide icon that has been imitated countless times and is almost as famous as the person it immortalizes.  It’s not going away. It will only get stronger, especially if an unfavorable verdict towards the artist is reached.  The good news is, it promotes “Hope.”  The nasty images you see on the news promote many worse things, so tell me this, why aren’t the censorship police going after these organizations for spreading the message of “hate?”  Using an image, and then turning it into an art project seems much less offensive to me than covering a well known song on a program like American I-Dull, yet nobody is shutting down that show.  Makes you wonder, doesn’t it.  Obey?

The video you are about to see is the artist talking about his latest art show and some of the things he feels are the injustices of the world.  He is both smart and eloquent, not a person who was setting out to do a “bad” thing.  On a personal note, I met Shepard Fairey last week while he was finishing up one of his works and he was extremely nice.  Today, he autographed a magazine cover that had with the Obama Hope image on it for me, and he didn’t refuse or wince at all.  Why?  Because he is proud of his work and according2g, he should be.  That’s what makes a true artist.

Now that I am down from my soap box, enjoy this video!

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Downtown Manhattan. Photographed 9/09 by G.

9/11.  The day that changed the world forever.  The people that died or risked their lives that day will never be forgotten.

DANIEL CRAIG   HUGH JACKMAN

A STEADY RAIN

By Keith Huff
Directed by John Crowley

GET ADVANCE TICKETS BEGINNING 8AM (EST) SATURDAY, JULY 11
CLICK HERE http://www.telecharge.com/go.aspx?MD=102&PID=7537&AID=EML000001605

From July 11th-24th only, American Express? Cardmembers can get advance tickets to see DANIEL CRAIG and HUGH JACKMAN on Broadway in A STEADY RAIN.  Preferred Seating is available to Gold Card, Platinum Card? and Centurion? members.

12 WEEKS ONLY!
PREVIEWS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 10
SCHOENFELD THEATRE, 236 W. 45th St.

TO ORDER:
Visit TELECHARGE.COM/rain
or call 212-239-6200 / 800-432-7250

Don’t miss the sensational Daniel Craig (Quantum of Solace) making his Broadway debut alongside Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman (The Boy From Oz) in the most anticipated theatrical event of the season: A Steady Rain. This riveting new American play by Keith Huff about a pair of Chicago cops, who are lifelong friends, whose differing accounts of a few harrowing days will change their lives forever. Tony nominee John Crowley (The Pillowman) directs this Broadway premiere.
*The following American Express Cardmembers are eligible for Preferred Seating: Gold Card, Platinum Card?, Centurion? Card, Corporate Platinum Card and the Executive Business Card, Business Gold Card, Business Platinum Card and the Business Centurion Card from OPEN, if issued by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., American Express Centurion Bank, American Express Bank, FSB. For a complete listing of all eligible and non-eligible Card products, visit us at americanexpress.com/entertainment. Offer expires 7/24/09. Normal service charges apply to phone and Internet orders. Limit 8 tickets per order. All sales are final ? no refunds or exchanges. Offer is subject to availability and prior sales. Schedule subject to change. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. ?2009 American Express Company.

Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys. Photo by G

Neil Tennant, I hope you are having an amazing birthday.  The music you make as part of Pet Shop Boys has rocked my world for the better for the last 25 years!  Many happy returns!