Closure for Bill Hicks

Dare to offend | Bruce Dessau / Guardian.co.uk :"Fifteen years is a long time to wait but better late than never. On tonight's Late Show With David Letterman, Mary Hicks, the mother of iconic standup comedian Bill Hicks, will discuss her son, who died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 32 on 26 February 1994. More importantly, the show will finally air the Hicks routine that was dramatically cut from a Letterman show in October 1993." Read the rest at www.guardian.co.uk

montrealstateofmind.com

When I first heard of Montreal State Of Mind (aka MSOM) over on The Béhance Network, I was automatically weary of it. Call it force of habit (or experience), but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was devoid of any "Montrealer elitism" that I've come to find in my immediate circles over the years. A rare thing especially in the designer circuit (one that I've constantly criticized, a mes dépends). The blog is operated primarily by Monica Giliati & Jean-Aymeri De Magistris and its appeal is a genuine enthusiasm for creativity, local events and local artists (sans obvious agenda). I've recently joined as a guest author (see: here) and if all goes well I should add my latest work exclusively to their sister site: www.mtldesigners.com as soon as I'm done with the financial logistics of complete print packages. Thanks, MSOM!

hmm this does not bode well for h/e

Most of the small shots posted on husk/essem came from a very weak yet reliable samsung mobile phone (1.3 megapixels to be exact) but I've always managed to clean them up for atmosphere's sake within Photoshop (secret tricks). I've even been able to pull off print versions of the collections, remember? // h/e photo collection prints // But I've recently switched phones and though the megapixels on my new razr are stronger, the results are not. I hate to carry around a huge camera, this goes hand in hand with the "moment publishing" that has become husk/essem; imperfect and intimate glimpses. The new photos are littered with screen lines which become all the more obvious once converted to grayscale. There might be a hiatus until I can get my hands on one of those nice 8 megapixel phones...

il motore ?

Il Motore grand opening on December 4th 2008 (West edge of Montreal's Little Italy). Look it up, it's where the Zeebra used to be (where it is still, in my mind). I'm getting all sorts of mixed emotions about it but I'm willing to keep an open mind.

Speaking of bars I've lost, a special nod to Segafredo (downtown) -- ain't no Segafredo left in the city anymore, you'll be missed.

fuck your trumpets, no offense

We've been hearing several complaints that our local indie-8-piece-bands are having trouble being booked outside of the Mile-End now. Is it possible that the allure is (finally) fading? So soon after SPIN magazine's "nouveau-Seattle" mention? (smirks) You've pigeonholed yourselves. You wouldn't let anyone else in (especially not the frenchies), so why should the rest of the city give a damn? It's ok though, you can all go become DJs now; that market's healthy.

just a bit of reckoning

consider it my way of helping you google me better / enjoy your stay, partisan.

h/e: december 2005

h/e: august 2006

h/e: june 2007

I can't fault the 3/4 of you.

Spent most of the last four years figuring out where to go instead of appreciating where I was. Time is/was of the essence and I ain't there yet either. There were happy and nostalgic lapses where I did savor the moment, and some not so pleasant occasions where I was forced to. Bad luck notwithstanding, the fault is my own. We talk a lot about luck, my family and I, not taking for granted the fundamental things we've always been lucky enough to share, but rather that extra push of luck that seems to shine on so many of you out there. A few months ago in Cali, it seemed as though the streets were littered with "Rich Dad Seminar" posters -- business profiteering from a solid ground income not unlike the extra push I refer to. I would like those who solicit this advice to admit they've been fortunate enough to experience a kickstart (given that it is the case) if only so that I can appear to be more leveled in comparison. It has happened to me before; well-meant advice can come with a condescending twist -- if you omit to mention, for instance, that your grandfather's passing gave you something with which to pay off a mortgage (or the establishment of a certain business chain that will remain unnamed). That just isn't fair (see also; me being honestly envious). It is common, it is excessively common but it isn't commonly stated -- as if it would undermine one's personal struggle were it to be known. If the push is implied along with the aforementioned advice (and gratifyingly so), then it is much easier for the less fortunate to identify with. In other words; hell yes I would've done the same. Good luck!

you might want to RSS instead of just checking in for updates

You are not an Art Director

You might think that you are an art director but it is most likely not the case. Granted, the title carries weight and offers an appealing level of service superior to that of a simple graphic designer but it is not a profession to which you automatically graduate to after an amount of time spent working in the field. The misconception comes from a mistaken sense of authority/autonomy generally found among freelance artists (it has been my path for the last decade) and the general misuse of the title impedes the profession itself (i.e.: mine, on occasion).

Sending specific instructions to a printer does not make you an art director. Establishing a set of colors and ethical rules to a client's visual identity does not make you an art director. Any coordination and/or marketing strategies that are provided as opinions or experienced advice does not make you an art director. Making executive decisions on behalf of your client does not make you an art director.

These are implicit tasks that are not only required but expected by your client/contract and unless you control the financial aspects of the situations above, teams to execute them and the rights to the sanctioned work -- you are not an art director. It might not be mentioned in the job description, but it is expected that a bus driver, for instance, should be able to gas up his transport and perhaps even find alternate routes to his trajectory if any of these situations are to occur -- but these do not make the bus driver a traffic manager.

This isn't meant to be in detriment to designers but a certain clarification is necessary especially in Montreal where the title is confounded by several linguistic definitions (Art Director, Directeur Artistique, Directeur Graphique, Design Director, Directeur de Création, Chargé de projet, Gratifika etc.) but I'll leave that part up to you.

If you ARE an art director, then by all means, carry on and good luck with your gray hairs and advanced aging. Good times,

memory lane

h/e juxtapo on the Behance Network.

September Pacific / 02

Canadian Elections

One french canadian perspective en anglais in short non-elaborative phrases: Times have changed, at least here in Montreal Quebec. The linguistic racism between the french and the english has slowly left the building. It isn't completely gone, it never will either, but it isn't as it was back in the day... and that is because several other enemies have arrived to take the focus off of each other. That is the modern reason. The new generation hasn't felt the racism's full force either. The french, under abusive catholic control, were poor while the anglophones got rich. That sums up some roots of the issue without going into Durham or any other endless details (you could go visit senior citizens to find out more, and your jaw will drop, I guarantee you'll feel like burning your flag too). So one would vote Bloc to piss off the Liberals and vice versa. This doesn't apply anymore. Quebec used to feed 5 other provinces financially. Canada needed it to stick around. There were strategic reasons for seperatism but it doesn't apply today because of the aformentionned new enemies. I have to admit this. It is with a heavy heart that I must admit it. I have to let go of the torch of pain, abuse and revenge passed down from the old guard and I hope you will too (even you, the inbred morons of Alberta). I love to strike against Liberals but I can't keep on voting "in spite". It's over. Those issues are over. Our southern neighbors are puppeteering the Conservatives but really -- all parties will be subjected to this. It's a non-issue, it'll happen with whoever is in power. As for the NDP and whoever else in the bottom positions, it's a shame but it's easy for them to sound good. Anybody in the lower rows can say whatever they want if they're never in power to actually pull it off (but you can't fault the aim when it is to please, right?). XXXX was a Liberal who got elected, on his first day, his desk had an enveloppe with papers that required him to "sign here" and he refused. The following week, after his family recieved several threats (these are the people I know), he signed the papers in the enveloppe. We all heard similar stories. They're true. Whoever we elect (given that votes actually count) will have similar enveloppes waiting on the desks. This makes the endless debating somewhat irrelevant. I'm just saying voting should be taken with a grain of salt. And if you don't intend to vote, the only real way to say "fuck you" to the whole system is by making your vote NULL. Peace.

10 years ~ RIP ~ September 23rd 1998 - 2008

September Pacific / 01