The HighLife

Incredibly moving performance by a beautiful Ukrainian artist, Kseniya Simonova. She went on to win the Ukraine Has Talent contest for this. 

The radio broadcast is a recording of Moscow's announcement to the Soviet people that they have been attacked. This marks the beginning of the Second World War. The music in the background are old Russian compositions about the hardships. You'll see that these songs hit some emotions in the audience. It's difficult not to be moved by this, even if the language in the music is not understood - as it is amazingly illustrated by the ever changing art in the sand.

eric wyllie

eric wyllie

mike lee

get down with the green and sail away with this...i do

"God give you style, and give you grace."

American girl in Italy - Ruth Orkin

If you happen to be around the Soho Center (90 Canal St, Rochester, NY) today, you should check out some seriously talented artists display their handiwork at the BFA Glass Exhibition.  One of the coolest dudes you'll ever meet, Drew Smith and friends, Devan Cole, jasmine Graves, and Andy Koupal will be showing their peices starting at 6pm today.   It'll be a great way to start your weekend, and you can get some culture while you're at it.

When i was yay big (*motioning with hand*) i spent most of my time with my face stuck in a book.  It didn't really matter what type of book, just so long as it put my imagination to work.  Which is one reason why i love graphic novels.  you can call it a comic if you want, but it's still a book.  A big picture book.  It's funny people don't like comics, but like books with illustrations.  Switch out the words for illustrations, and what do you have... but i digress.  I recently found out that there's a movie in the making, Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn (produced by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson), for one of my favorite comics of all time, Tintin.  And it's got Daniel Craig, as the bad guy, Pirate Red Rackham! Umm, yes!






This line of thought led me to my other favorite comic of all time, Asterix and Obelix. 



Two indomitable Gauls, and their puppy, fighting to protect their homeland from the looming Roman empire trying to take over the world.  And man can they brawl.





 It turns out there are already a couple of movies out of this comic, but they're mostly only distributed in Europe, boo!  Regardless, i found a song from the soundtrack of the last movie, Mission Clepatra, based on the book, Asterix and Cleopatra.  And who sings it, freakin' Snoop Dogg in all his glory.



Snoop Dogg feat Jamel Debouze - Mission Cleopatra

One day i will own i will own all 57 combined volumes of these books.  But one can only dream.  I highly recommend that you check out these books yourself next time you're in the young adult reader section of the bookstore, there's a lot more to it than Harry Potter and Twilight.

Last Friday there was an event at the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art)  in Boston hosted by the Fully Fitted crew.  A well calibrated blend of art and music, it was the kind of function that gets us here at The HighLife excited about life.  Kudos to all those guys for a great evening had by all. 

On the artistic front, i came across some 'robot' artwork while there that really caught my attention.  I'm a generally playful person, and it transfers into the kind of things i like.  On the second floor of the ICA that night there was a live mural painting courtesy of a number of artists.  One of them being a bespectacled gent by the name of Fish McGill.  Mr. McGill produces some of the most interesting and thought provoking characters you'll see out there; even if they might not be meant to be read into that deeply.  Which for me hits the essence of art.  It serves no other purpose but it's own.  His brand of contemporary art covers everything from the canvas, to canvas shoes (chuck taylor's. seriously dope), outdoor electric boxes, and everything in between.  Check out more Fish McGill projects at www.FishMcGill.com.  In the mean, here's some of his work i find fascinating.