February | 2016 | timotheories

The Night Is Dark, And Full Of Terrors (My Personal Murderer, Cauchemar review)

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

The Game of Thrones TV show and the book series which it is based off of, A Song of Fire and Ice, features a rather complex fantasy world with various belief systems and a cast of interesting and rich characters to fill these roles.

One of these belief systems in the world is the religion of the Lord of Light, a belief system which espouses that there are two gods, one a good god of love and light, and the other a god of darkness and evil.

This week’s Melodic Monday entry is about a band which asks questions of dark and light and hopes to share some thoughts on the duality of those themes.

But obviously life is not so simple as to be divided in this way.

Or is it?

My Personal Murderer – Cauchemar
released February 4, 2016
******** 8/10

My Personal Murderer are a Ukrainian rock group which have been been active since 2008. Influenced by director David Lynch, the 1990s, and the socio-political environment they live in, My Personal Murderer have created three studio-length albums in the past six years.

I was very happy to hear from the band’s frontman and get an opportunity to review this album, because it’s themes are interesting and the sound distinct. I admit I had little idea what I was getting myself into, but I’m glad I said yes to Yevgen Chebotarenko. Did you know that the word Cauchemar is of French origin and means “to have a nightmare”? My Personal Murderer are a rock group with a few self-proclaimed influences, ranging from alternative, to atmospheric, depressive rock, post-punk, shoegazing, and I would also add emo into that mix.

Yevgen has an incredible control over the music and lyrics of MPM, as he is the lead vocalist, guitar player, and heart of the band, and he told me that Cauchemar the album has been a labour of love from the start. The band has seen some lineup changes from the time that the first single of the record, Constant Waiting, was put together last year, but the trio worked out the kinks and got the album out.

Yuriy Kononov plays drums currently, but Maxim Kovalchuk, who played bass, left the group midway in 2015 and was replaced by former bassist Nikita Perfiliev.

Cauchemar represents that collaboration between these three artists and a new direction for the band. The album evokes feelings of intimacy throughout, shifting from obsessions of lust, pain, spirit and struggle to grind out the themes focused in each track. The title track features a talking sequence and is one of my personal favourites on the record. With lines like “why is there nothing, if there is nothing, where did I come from?” asking questions, the tone is set up quite well. You can hear the talking sequence shift to feature background voices and eventually give way to percussion and wind instruments.

The Worm Prince traces out the actions of a body in contortion, fighting itself and attempting to excise the unwanted portions (people and emotions) and challenges with a hollowed out self, while Constant Waiting is less obvious. The melancholy is there but the lyrics on this one are curious, I can’t tell if it’s an admission of lustful guilt or a suicide note, but the pain and suffering in the story is very deliberate.

Dear Pigeon is up next and has a similar pacing, but the tone is one of both anger and empowerment, the author is aware that he suffers, but he wants the audience and players in his life to admit their limited participation and lack of commitment to his misery.

I think my other two favourites are Crawling Son and Soup For the Creature. Crawling Son has a spiritual feel and evokes a story of fallen angels, while the later includes a narrative of the end of a love story, a lover spurned, a lover lost.

Finally, comes the song Streets. This is the longest song on the record, at 9 minutes and 32 seconds. The build up for this one is pretty intense and delayed, the first three minutes are instrumentals; it then dips back and forth into instrumentals after the 5 minute mark. Another story to be told here about identity, maturation, and the struggle of isolation by defying conformity.

It’s important to recognize that while the members of this band are collaborating together, My Personal Murderer is a band not yet fully realized. I am willing to bet that Yevgen and the rest of the group will come into their own as they perform these songs and hone the focus of these tracks. Shoegazing is a genre of music which isn’t for everyone, but if you are interested in introspection and want to hear some solid music, give this album a try. It can be found on mypersonalmurderer.com and is worth the price of admission.

After all, the night is dark and full of terrors, and it can be scary to go it alone.

And that’s it for today, dear readers. I’ll see you tomorrow with another introspective genius review, or should I say review on an introspective genuis?

Tim!

The Matrix Effect (Cross Talk Ep.2)

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

Hey there dear readers! I hope your weekend has been excellent and full of art and all kinds of awesome and amusing things!

Oh thanks, but how are you doing Tim?

Oh, very good, thanks for asking!

Well, actually I’m feeling a little out of touch with reality, to be honest. My weekend started on the 13th of February and is finishing up tomorrow before I head back to the regular grind.

You see, I took some overdue and much needed vacation time to catch up on some of my personal to-dos, which effectively resulted in a 10 day weekend for me. I’m making that sound like I didn’t get anything accomplished, that’s note true, I got a lot done, in fact!

However, the consequences of this decision are just starting to get back to my brain.

You see, dear readers, when you break from routine too much it can cause your body to fight against you, which has been proven time and time again in various studies on the difficulties of changing habits. And this is topic is something we’ve touched on before here at timotheories. However, we haven’t really addressed the opposite side of the coin, which can also have disastrous results…

If you do too much of the same thing, you will experience what I theorize is similar to the effect Neo experienced in the first film in The Matrix trilogy (the one most everyone enjoyed), which I will very carefully call The Matrix effect for now, but not claim ownership of, for fear of long-term copyright infringement issues.

Essentially what this means is that if you see too much of the same thing, over and over again, without any careful and deliberate subtle shifts of that thing to make each entry appear unique, your brain starts to recognize the pattern and wakes up from the state of comfort, it often operates in.

This is a bad thing.

But luckily for you friends, I have a good thing to share with you instead!

That’s right, it’s that time of month when timotheories shares with you a new episode of Cross Talk! So strap in, hold on tight, and get ready for our discussion on the topic of – Realism VS Escapism in film, or how films deal with logic gaps that can potentially break your attention from the story.

This is going to be a great topic where Chris and I explore the successes and failures of movie tropes, typecasting, when science and art intersect, and how movies address their fantasy elements to create franchises, among other things.

I’ve included a direct link to the video for you here, but as mentioned before we now offer you embedded video on the blog so you don’t have to navigate away from the post. Please take a look below to watch Episode 2 of Cross Talk!

I’m out of theories for now, but check back tomorrow for a fun Melodic Monday entry from a group out of the Ukraine.

Tim!

I Am an Art-bitch (Latitude 53)

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

I’ve written about the band CSS once already in recent months, as an opener to a Melodic Monday entry on Grimes, in fact. But because this is a music reference, I’m okay to play like a broken record and write about this week’s Timely Thursday entry on timotheories with a repetitive start.

Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS) is a rock group from São Paulo, Brazil. The band came together in 2003, which was the year I entered into university for my undergrad BFA in art and design. For the next few years, I became accustomed to their new rave sound. This is back when there was a bar called HALO in the downtown core of Edmonton.

A long time ago, in an Edmonton far, far away, for you younger readers.

Anyways, CSS had this great little ditty called Art-bitch (chorus to follow), and when my graduating class was putting together their final submissions to the exhibition and supplemental catalogue, I witnessed several lyrics come together in the titles of some of my friends final pieces. Titles like Art-bitch, Art-lick, and Art-hole.

Lick lick lick my art-tit
Lick lick lick my art-tit
Suck suck suck my art-hole
Suck suck suck my art-hole

I ain’t no art-ist
I am an art-bitch
I sell my panties to the men i eat
I have no port-fo-lee-o
Cuz i only show
Where there’s free al-co-hol

This is significant because a band like CSS represents an aesthetic gone by, and fashion is often closely associated with visual arts. For instance, new rave took elements from both new wave and rave to produce a fashion look (and sound) that incorporates fluorescent clothing, and similar visual accessories, ie glowsticks. It even had a shelf life, much like fashion, because by the time it got really popular in mid-2008 it kinda just died right then and there. The use of synthetic music combined with apathy and anarchism made it perfect for artists to capitalize on.

And this is totally applicable to the memories I associate with a key group of friends at that time, many of whom continued on their art journey almost immediately after university and are now making waves all over the world, but in totally different ways then they did a decade ago, kinda.

One of those friends now works at Latitude 53, the same one who organizes Manhunt-Edmonton.

Incidentally, I went to see an art opening at his invitation back in January. It was for students of the UofA at Latitude 53 and called Bridging Encounters. This is where I heard Grimes new album blasting away, that’s right, Art Angels was playing in the background. Yes! I thought, this means that the revolving aesthetic is still alive and well.

Which is why I’ve spent all this back story building up to an event that is happening this saturday and which I’m pretty excited about. Latitude regularly hosts exhibitions of two kinds. In their main space artists and curators can submit proposals twice a year, which are reviewed and then selected by a board. A second option exists in the ProjEX Room, where artists and groups can submit work that is midway through it’s process; allowing the audience to contribute in the research and development.

That’s where the exhibition, The Menagerie, comes in. Edmonton visual artist Lisa Jones will be hosting an artist talk on her work this Saturday at 2PM at Latitude 53.

It’s exciting because she is a painter, who is exploring aspects of her physical self and identity through an analogy of the circus! It promises to be a good one! The Facebook event is here, and the Latitude 53 link is here. Address is 10242 106 St NW.

What do you think dear readers? Any fond memories of your art past? Any triggers? Please leave some comments and of course subscribe if you haven’t already to say updated on timely events in my journey and local events!

Tim!

Work Smarter, Part 2 (Art Hacks)

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

Last week on timotheories, we gave you dear readers a top 10 list of skills to invest in.

That list was good for anyone looking to improve, but I originally wrote the topic because artists need help too and sometimes we don’t go looking in typical channels for it.

Which got me to thinking.

Because timotheories is all about that ace, better known as the arts, we’re bringing back the life hacks for a more in-depth solution for artists. This time let’s focus on technical hacks.

Below is a list of the top 15 art hacks I’ve come across in my travels as an artist. I’ve scoured the internet (links at the end of the list) and have included some hacks which I have used, some I’d like to, and some I personally believe would benefit anyone who is creative and has a lot of projects on the go.

What is great about a list like this, is that it allows you to contribute to the discussion, and who knows maybe one of you has a hack we’ve never even considered… Now let’s dig in.

Here are my top 15 technical hacks, in no particular order.

Organize your loose files, papers, and canvas by installing magazine racks or shoe organizers. Also consider an old suitcase for organizing collage and scraps.
Never struggle with tape again – use paper clips or bread clips on one end of roll to keep your place OR put tape in the microwave briefly (5-10 seconds) to soften it up and find the end.
Keep scissors sharp by folding aluminum foil over itself a few times, then cutting through it until satisfied.
Remove oil paint from your hands with baby wipes. For when water and soap won’t work.
Maximize your paint can/jar/tube lifespan – put rubber bands around cans to wipe brushes, saran wrap over tubes before adding the cap, take extra paint from the jar and store it in a sta-wet palette OR a plastic container in the fridge. When your jars are stuck, open them with a strip of duct tape – half on the lid, half as a handle.
Paper towels can save your drawings life. Place a non-textured towel where your arm would rest to reduce and even prevent smearing.
Maintain your paintbrushes. After washing dip the brush in milk and wrap the edge with a rubber band to reform the point OR apply hair conditioner or hair gel after cleaning for the same results.
Brush maintenance part 2 – Consider storing brushes horizontally in aluminum foil lined with paper towels to speed up dry time OR putting them in a planter with sand/beans.
Want your computer space clean and in order? Use binder clips when the keyboard feet break, and if you need to clean, consider using post-it-notes between the keys. If your laptop overheats, place it on top an egg carton.
Speaking of electronics, you can also loop cables through binder clips to keep track of your cords and put unused cords in empty toilet rolls.
Storing your art supplies is important – As mentioned already, binder clips are amazing, especially for hanging paint tubes on nails. You can also use magnets to store paint upside down or add them to a cupcake stand. Pens/pencils can be stored in cups on wine racks.
When short on space – install a drop down table and then add glue a cutting mat to the top. If you are feeling particularly clever, add a magnetized quilt to the top which can be used to iron curled paper.
Chalkboard paint is important. Chalkboard paint can be applied to doors, jars, walls, and a myriad of other objects to help create idea lists, supply lists, to-do lists, and label your stuff. Don’t be stingy with it.
Similar to magnets, you need to embrace velcro. Velcro can be used to fix mats to the floor and then quickly removed when painting. Alternatively, they can also be used to set up baskets that stay in place.
Converting larger furniture to serve as storage is also an option. Table tops can store paper. Ladders can store tape, ribbons, and fabric, while ceiling tiles could become a marker rack. And please consider a tool chest or card catalog cabinets for your assorted little things.

And there you have it! A technical list of hacks for creative types. And as promised, I have included links to my sources – 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

As I mentioned once already friends, sometimes it can be difficult to learn these tips. I have a theory that it’s because artists “seem” to represent a small percentage of the population. We don’t make an effort to share our findings, because we think there aren’t a lot of people who would benefit from them, but obviously that is not true.

What do you think? Are these art hacks awesome? Do you have some other ones? Please leave comments and subscribe if you haven’t already, I’ll have more wisdom next Wednesday, and something timely tomorrow.

Tim!

Blame It On The Night (Spectre review)

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

You know the routine, you get up, you do your thing and you get going. Sometimes it can be fun and other times it can feel irksome, but in moments of self-reflection, you realize that no matter what, you can create something special if you understand your limits and work to improve on them, one at a time.

It’s all about becoming more than a shadow of your former self.

Spectre (2015)
Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux
Director: Sam Mendes
released on blu-ray February 9, 2016
******** 8/10

IMDB: 6.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 64%, Audience Score 64%
The Guardian: ****/*****

Sam Mendes is an English stage and film director, with an interesting track record. His first film American Beauty won him an Academy award for best director, a Golden Globe for best director, and 5 Oscars. He is also the director of 2012’s Skyfall, one of the best made 007 movies ever and the second best in Daniel Craig’s quartet, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

So where does Spectre stack up? I would argue that it’s almost as good as Skyfall, but that was a difficult entry to follow up. But you know what this one did handle better? His female lead.

But let’s get into the plot for a bit first.

Bond (Daniel Craig) is in Mexico City during a Day of the Dead parade. He is following a man in a white suit and mask. After following the man named Marco Sciarra (Alessandro Cremona) to a building, Bond takes aim and listens in to their conversation about “the Pale King,” before he discover him and begin shooting.

Bond disables two of the men and blows up the bomb there as well, which causes the building to collapse. Sciarra flees to a helicopter and Bond narrowly jumps on before it takes off.

He eventually succeeds in kicking both Sciarra and the pilot out as well, but not before stealing a ring from Sciarra. A ring with a stylized octopus on it.

Back in London, M (Ralph Fiennes) reprimands Bond for the fallout in Mexico and then grounds him. As Bond is about to leave, a man walks in and M introduces him as Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott) head of the Joint Intelligence Service, consisting of the recently merged MI5 and MI6. Bond gives him the nickname C. C has a vision of a program called “Nine Eyes “, a global surveillance and intelligence co-operation initiative between nine member states, and intends to use his position to shut down the ’00’ section, believing it to be outdated.

Tanner (Rory Kinnear) takes Bond to meet with Q (Ben Whishaw), whom M has tasked with injecting Bond with ‘smart blood,’ so Bond can be located anywhere in the world by. Bond requests that Q make him disappear for 48 hours, and then steals a custom Aston Martin DB10 made for 009 and heads for Rome.

Bond attends Sciarra’s funeral, because the recently deceased M (Judi Dench) knows he is a part of a larger organization which has been working behind the scenes, and killed her. Bond encounters Sciarra’s widow Lucia (Monica Belucci) and later visits her home to save her from hitmen. Lucia knows Bond killed her husband, but sleeps with him anyway, and then tells him about a meeting for Sciarra’s organization.

Bond then crashes the meeting, where he finds out the leader is Franz Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz). Oberhauser appears to know Bond as well, and sends Mr. Hinx (Dave Bautista) after him. Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) informs Bond that the information he collected on the Pale King leads to Mr. White, who was part of Quantum. Bond asks for info on Oberhauser, who should be dead.

Moneypenny’s investigation reveals that Oberhauser and his father died in an avalanche. Bond finds Mr. White (Jesper Christensen) in Austria – his house is a mess and he is dying from poison, likely from leaving Oberhauser. White will give Bond information on the organization, but only if he can protect White’s daughter, Dr. Madeline Swann (Lea Seydoux). Madeline can lead Bond to L’Americain. Bond passes his Walther PPK, so White can end his own suffering.

When Bond finds Madeline, she does not want to go with him, but Hinx is there too and Bond is fortunately able to stop the villain. Bond brings Madeleine to meet with Q, who has done an analysis on the ring. Q reveals that all of Bond’s recent enemies (Mr.White, Sciarra, Le Chiffre, Dominic Greene, and Raoul Silva) are connected to Oberhauser and Madeline explains the group is Spectre. And that “L’Americain” is not a person but a place – A hotel in Tangiers, Morocco.

Meanwhile in London, M learns Bond has left the country against his orders.

And let’s stop that bullet for a second.

Pros: The movie manages to tie-in all the previous Daniel Craig entries, give a nod to it’s predecessors by globe-hopping, and set us up for continuity fixes that copyright prevented for decades. Lea Seydoux’s turn is emotional and competent as well, more so than other “Bond girls.”

Cons: Skyfall was an original story that brought in so many new people to the 007 franchise that it’s difficult to retain their interest when they are expecting Skyfall 2. There may have been too many cast members to maintain the pace, and allow breathing room for newcomers Andrew Scott, Christoph Waltz and Lea Seydoux

Runtime: 148 minutes

Points of Interest: Skyfall was shot digitally, but Spectre reverted to the 35mm tradition. Daniel Craig’s favourite film, From Russia With Love, features a train fight – so does this film.

Spectre is a not a shadow of Skyfall, nor is does it loom over it either. It’s a piece of the puzzle in the much greater narrative that is the 007 franchise.

What some people see as routine or attempting to please too many different kinds of fans is really just a recognition of what came before, so that Spectre can fit the Daniel Craig entries into the James Bond family, and he can then walk away or we can continue the exploration of Bond’s identity. By telling an origin story over a 4 movie arc (potentially more with Bond #25), Eon has managed to strengthen the story, rather than forcing us to consider these as reboots.

But that’s just my theory! What do you think? Please leave some comments and if you enjoyed it, subscribe! Your feedback helps me know what is good and what is shadowy, at best.

Tim!

timotheories

digital curating at heart

Month: February 2016

The Night Is Dark, And Full Of Terrors (My Personal Murderer, Cauchemar review)

The Matrix Effect (Cross Talk Ep.2)

I Am an Art-bitch (Latitude 53)

Work Smarter, Part 2 (Art Hacks)

Here are my top 15 technical hacks, in no particular order.

Blame It On The Night (Spectre review)