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Common Space EMail News January 11, 2008
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CONTENTS
01) COMMON SPACE / 2008
02) SUPREME MODELS SHOW PACKAGE
03) FREEMAN'S SPORTING CLUB DESIGN BUILD COMPETITION
04) DIESEL PACIFC: BRAVE EXHIBITION SPACE BRANDING
05) GUY BOURDIN EXHIBITION MIX FOR ON PEDDER
06) CIRCULAR FILE (C%F) COLLABORATION: SLEEPWALKERS CASTING
07) CANARY PROJECT EXHIBITION: COLGATE
08) REVISIONARIES, ROCKET AND RESURRECTION BOOKS
TO SUBSCRIBE, SEND AN EMAIL TO News@commonspace.fm
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01) COMMON SPACE / 2008
Happy New Year to all! It's hard to believe that half of January is just about gone. It's time to
look back to a series of projects that deserve more than a passing glance as they embody the
conceptual leanings of pure style but beneath the surface there lies a bit of research and
development. I always ask, how can these works come together in a less proscribed manner?
Common Space is a multi-disciplinary platform for creating design work in varied mediums.
Common Space seeks out a common language among seemingly disparate peoples, places and
things. I used to like comparing structures found in music to those found within visual art and
architecture. Maybe, notes hold up a song like 2X4's hold up a roof? That was back in 2000,
these days this idea is integrated into the way we all work. It's no longer an inquiry. I envision a
push forward into 2008 with the belief that this curiosity is now a mantra and to simply seek out
new doors and pathways to unknown places.
Looking Forward,
Jon Santos
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02) SUPREME MODELS SPRING 08 SHOW PACKAGE
Supreme represents models distinguished by very unique features - they are truly one of a kind.
For this project I was fortunate enough to work with their creative director Paul Rowland to
create the new season's packaging for model cards that are presented in a custom designed
double envelope. Over a few conversations, we decided the theme should be a haunting of sorts.
Styling by Nicholas Grasa w/ prop styling by Andrea Huelse. Photography by Paul Rowland and
Chadwick Tyler.
http://commonspace.fm/SupremeModels.html
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03) FREEMAN'S SPORTING CLUB DESIGN BUILD COMPETITION
Taavo Somer and Sam Buffa invited me to participate in their First Annual Design Build
camping trip. The design initiative called for a homemade primitive luxury commodity, "taking
the rough out of roughing it." I reached out to my good friend Matt Penrose who works for
Cereplast, a small company which distributes (yet to be properly termed) bio-degradable plastic.
We made a Dogtent for Louie, his boxer. One that can be rolled up and put into it's own bag.
Early design ideas were very ambitious but ultimately we were at the mercy of working with an
unforgiving material that was only available to us in sheet form, rolled up. Loomstate was nice
enough to donate some organic cotton for the tent lining. Andy Ingalls and his Ipod-log tied for
first place with Bill Darling's miniature webber grill. We came in just right after them what FSC
calls (second) but we'll admit it's actually third. As far as the camping trip goes, I'll spare you the
gory details.
http://commonspace.fm/HoundstoothDogtent.html
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04) DIESEL PACIFIC: BRAVE EXHIBITION SPACE BRANDING
The consumer brand name sponsored art show is not extraordinary in New York City but in
Hong Kong there is a very noticeable absence of contemporary and emerging art on view in
galleries, museums, or retail spaces. Fed Tan and his team have done a remarkable job of
introducing artists to a place where international and contemporary artwork is virtually invisible
and not supported in any substantial way.
In addition to events, Diesel produces Brave a seasonal lifestyle 'zine showcasing the work of
international artists. Their latest "issue" is in the form of a gallery space with the first show
exhibiting the work of Hong Kong based photographer Wing Shya followed by deanne cheuk w/
Jose Parla and Rostarr, closing with the final exhibition by Terry Richardson & Michael Lau.
Common Space was asked to brand the facade that shares the sidewalk with Rolex and Marina
Rinaldi. Imagine the cacophony of diamonds and male genitalia.
http://commonspace.fm/DieselBrave.html
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05) GUY BOURDIN EXHIBITION MIX FOR ON PEDDER
On Pedder is a manufacturer of fine shoes and accessories. Like Diesel, they also have an
interest in the flux of culture between New York, London and Paris. Earlier in 2007, I was asked
to DJ for the I-Dentity exhibition in Beijing and and the asian fashion awards in Shanghai. I
played a lot of fringe music, teenage classics, experimental wave and techno - live in a nightclub
setting.
I had to change things up a bit for this, especially since I was asked to create a pre-recorded 6
hour mix. This commission was to be sent in the mail to be played during the opening
exhibition of the Guy Bourdin show in Hong Kong. I focused on New York sounds from the likes
of A Touch of Class, Rong Music, DFA, Modular, Edit's Disco, Environ, Ghostly International
with a couple of classics and all that jazz. I should tell you that I actually mixed records in my
liviing room with records- pretending that people were dancing. If you listen closely you can
hear the voice of Bela Lugosi off the television.
I've clipped some parts for your listening pleasure. (might not be up just yet, stay tuned next
24)
http://www.commonspace.fm/guybourdin
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06) CIRCULAR FILE (C%F) COLLABORATION: SLEEPWALKERS CASTING
This was a site-specific video installation in collaboration with Anicka Yi and Josh Kline, based
on archetypal city characters from Doug Aitken's Sleepwalkers film. None of us had actually seen
the aforementioned film. Through these castings we wanted to explore the disposability of
identities as we "auditioned" dozens of candidates for roles that didn't quite exist in the
transparent sense. By a motion of conceptual jujitsu, we projected our casting footage on the
back of the New Museum on the Bowery in response to the Sleepwalkers projection the walls of
the Museum of Modern Art.
http://jonsantos.net/CastingSleepwalkers.html
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07) CANARY PROJECT EXHIBITION: COLGATE
As some of you may know by now, I've created a series of works commissioned by the Canary
Project. This has to be one of the most challenging projects I've ever developed. I set out to create
works that engage viewers with a rather heavy subject matter for a work of art: Global Warming.
What really motivated me was the beautiful work of Susannah Sayler and a personal challenge to
create work that would encourage contemplation of environmental conditions rather than be
subordinated to a moral message. The result of these works have been traveling across the
country. This month, the Canary Project goes upstate to Colgate University where they will be
speaking and exhibiting work on the University's campus.
http://www.canary-project.org/
http://commonspace.fm/IceOnChrystie.html
http://commonspace.fm/Sublimation1.html
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08) REVISIONARIES, ROCKET AND RESURRECTION BOOKS
REVISIONAIRIES: DECADE OF TOKION ART
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An anthology recently published by Abrams books that catalogs the works of DIY artists and
creators, who are descended from and inspired by the 1970s to ’80s underground movements of
punk, hip-hop, and skateboarding. The editors of Tokion, a magazine at the helm of discovering
and covering new talent, galvanize all of these artists into one lexicon. It's nice to be featured
here along side some people who've inspired me earlier in life though I may have been only
peripheral in the making of that culture, especially with my history as a techno DJ but hey, I still
ride a skateboard sometimes dude whatever...
http://www.hnabooks.com/product/show/6820
ROCKET 'ZINE IS NOW A BOOK
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I was asked to conceptualize and invite other artists to be featured in this 'zine produced and
distributed by Rocket Gallery in Tokyo. I put together a series titled Supernature Times Nature
featuring the work of Kamau Patton, Peter Sutherland, Mariah Robertson and Devon Costello.
What makes this publication unique is that it acts as the site for which artwork is exhibited,
bought and sold. Also, all of the works are contextualized by the artists working spaces, domiciles
and peer groups. End each of the works featured in the 'zine was available for sale. Rocket 'Zine
is Now a Book (but I'm not sure where you can buy it yet.)
http://commonspace.fm/RocketZine.html
http://menkiller.blogspot.com/2007/11/in-honor-of-jon-santoss-screeningdoug.html
RESURRECTION
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A publication I independently published with the help of some good friends and contributions of
many remarkable people. We've expanded stockists out to the west coast with William Stout,
Park Life and Rowan Morrison in San Francisco. Hennessy & Ingalls, Family and Opening
Ceremony in Los Angeles. This month's addition include The Golden Age in Chicago, Dashwood
books, IHeart and St. Marks books in New York City. Online orders are most convenient through
Printed Matter and the New Museum store. You can also purchase the book directly from
Common Space at a discounted rate (Inquire Within).