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From cartographic collages to multimedia map works, we love us some map-related art around here. Oregon-based British artist Matthew Picton adds some more enthralling creations to our collection with these stunning paper sculptures of cities made of books and other textual materials. The works play on the idea of the city as living organism. Explains Picton in his artist's......read more
In his "Lakes and Reservoirs" series, LA-based artist Matthew Brandt subverts the hackneyed practice of landscape photography, emphasizing the properties of photo production over the actual landscape depicted. Photographing water bodies around the Western US, Brandt soaks his images in the water of the depicted subject for anywhere from a couple days to several months, until the photo......read more
The young, talented filmmaker Matthew Lessner has a taste for the unusual, which shines through in all of his work. His weird and wonderful piece for "Forgive Me," off Family, the latest release from Le Loup, finds robed mystics cavorting in the sand dunes of Oregon with bunnies and lizards. It's not normal, and very awesome....read more
For Dallas-based artist Matthew Cusick, repurposing stuff balances out his hoarding impulse. "I have a natural inclination to collect stuff," he says. "Repurposing is an alternative to hoarding. It is also an alternative to consuming and creating waste. It takes patience and a willingness to tinker." Cusick creates collage portraits and landscapes from the vintage maps he collects.......read more
Matthew Albanese's landscapes are so real looking, it's hard to believe they're not photos of real life scenes. The New Jersey photographer creates meticulous small-scale models that are as dramatic as any Romantic landscape painting. The strikingly realistic images are achieved through the use of various household materials - cotton for clouds, salt for waterfalls, tile grout for......read more
At the tender age of 20, Barbara Matthews has experienced North and South America as few else have. The young photographer, now based in Santiago, Chile, also cites Texas, Illinois, Florida, New Jersey and British Columbia among the places she's lived in the past. Her photos, shot on (often expired) 35mm film, capture places both far-flung and familiar with the mark of someone whose eyes are wide......read more
If you've been hanging out on SHFT lately, you probably know that Prop 23 is a dirty bill that Texas oil companies and out of state special interests are funding to reverse California's environmental laws. These dirty enegy companies make the claim that due to the 12.5% unemployment rate in the state, that we should suspend AB 32 until unemployment drops to 5.5% for four quarters in a......read more
SHFT helped launch Green Music Group (GMG) in Hollywood on the night before the Grammys. Guster, Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5, and The Roots jammed together and kicked off the new initiative, which was born out of Reverb. Since 2004, Reverb has greened over 80 major music tours while conducting grassroots outreach to over 10 million music fans. They founded GMG to create an environmental......read more
Dave Matthews Band has been touring for many years and, due in large part to the efforts of bassist Stefan Lessard, they've been approaching it with one eye on the road and one eye on the planet. On several fronts, sustainable systems have been put in place: organic food, water stations, sustainably made merchandising, all while engaging fans in the process. The eco-village gives out free samples......read more
Matthew Levesque is on a crusade to prove that landscape design doesn't have to be boring or expensive. In his new book, "The Revolutionary Yardscape: Ideas for Repurposing Local Materials to Create Containers, Pathways, Lighting, and More," Levesque offers inspiration and tips on using unexpected materials to spruce up the area around your home. The book is filled with images and......read more
