A SHOW CALLED KICKS.

SEBASTIAN COX - FURNITURE MAKER SHORT FILM

With a desire to source production from the environmentally sustainable Coppiced Hazel woodlands, UK furniture maker Sebastian Cox defines a business model through ecological awareness. Resource management means that Cox can capitalize on an infinite supply of materials from the woodlands that provide plants that grow up to five feet each season. This short film details his artisanship and thoughtfulness in a business that helps make the world both prettier and healthier. 

(Source: the189.com)

I KNOW THAT VOICE - VOICE-OVER DOCUMENTARY TRAILER

Its release may be still quite a time away, but the trailer for the voice-over industry documentary I Know That Voice looks like it should be an endearing one. For an industry that was built on classic cartoons and the subsequent building of characters that are held close to the hearts of millions of people that grew up with them, there is little recognition for the actors that brought them into our homes. But these actors work for love rather than recognition, and as we round the corner into the golden, revolutionary age of next-gen gaming, it shows in the genuineness and care of everyone from Spongebob to Master Chief. 

The project still has a way to go, but when interviews are finished and the project wraps up, this should be an interesting look into an industry that few have gotten to see, and it should allow us to finally put some faces to some very iconic voices.

(Source: hypebeast.com)

(Source: hypebeast.com)

LASCO: AMERICAN CRAFTSMEN - DEL MAR

Pride in historic American craft is a sentiment too often forgotten in contemporary culture. But to some, even those operating within a modern California surfing style, it is something to live and die by. “Del Mar” follows Almond Surfboard and Design through an interview with Dave Allee as he describes the passion and love put into handcrafting each individual Almond signature longboard. While some may criticize him for working so slowly to create something that could be done with a computer in a fraction of the time, Allee shares philosophies with legendary artists like Michelangelo who claimed that he “saw an angel in the marble and carved until [he] set him free.”

While Allee may be setting free a more simple shape that will be used to carve waves, the Los Angeles Shoe Company still saw fit to follow him around for a day while drawing parallels to the personal nature of each of their shoes’ creation processes. 

(Source: hypebeast.com)

SELF EDGE X CONE MILLS X ROY DENIM VIDEO

While hand-made works of art may be the focus of many posts on ASCK, there exist many methods of production that require an equal amount of admiration. For the first time in over six decades, Cone Mills has created a new loomstate unsaforized fabric for a client. “Roy” denim is available now in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, and with a little American pride the director Kellen Dengler has created an absolutely stunning look into the art of the production process. You can also pick up the denim from anywhere in the world through Self Edge online.

(Source: hypebeast.com)

MADE IN BROOKLYN: EPISODE 1 - THE VIOLIN MAKER

With direction by Dustin Cohen and editing by Michael Hurley, this series called Made in Brooklyn sees its first episode in an interview with NY violen maker Sam Zygmuntowicz, who has been honing his craft since the age of 13. He lives in bustling New York City, a difficult place for any artist, but especially for an artisan who must put so much patience into each project. Still, a penetrating message of will and openness to the needs of his clients keeps Sam put, and the artist compares professional musicians to Olympic athletes in their need to perfect their craft and the tools that help them do so.

(Source: the189.com)

MACKENZIE SHEPPARD “YOSHI’S BLEND” SHORT FILM

In a glorious display of the humanity of people in times of great struggle, filmmaker Mackenzie Sheppard does what he does best, capturing coffee enthusiast Yoshi Masuda traveling about the tsunami-stricken areas of Japan, delivering more good will and hope than any product he could ever serve.

The power of the mini-doc is in its ability to inspire on a large scale through such a small pleasure as coffee.

“When there was a big project like rebuilding the road, everyone was working together optimistically. Everyone raised their right hand and said: ‘Let’s do this!’ But before that everyone was heartbroken.”

(Source: the189.com)

THE AVANT/GARDE DIARIES: KEEP FEEDING THE MACHINE

One of the most powerful tools at an artist’s disposal is the inspiration provided by those other creative forces that he respects. A great thing about the lives of 21st century artists is that we have the opportunity to share our insights and the insights of others through video on the internet.

David Gensler of the KDU/SVSV and artist Kostas Seremetis talk candidly in the AVANT/GARDE DIARIES about how that same blessing can be a curse, and how the visibility of the arts and transparency of the artists behind them have slowed the process of achieving greatness down to a level artists like Picasso and Pollock never had to deal with in their Twitter-less age.

It’s a great commentary on moving from inspiration, to appropriation, and up to fashion, and it will give you a little more juice if you’re running low on creativity today.

(Source: hypebeast.com)