Spike gets Spanked?

Los Angeles, CA - The network for men, Spike TV, is being taken to court by individuals who claim they never gave the cable channel permission to be filmed during a taping of the channel's new show "Friday Night-CockFight". The show's premise is to expose the underground cockfighting circuit in five major cities including: Los Angeles, Chicago, El Paso, Tucson, and Philadelphia. The show's host, Bonnie Fontana, lures would be cock fighting champions back to her trailer and then exposes them to her hidden cameras. The timing couldn't be worse for the controversial fledgling show, says producer Stan Lumber, "We we're hoping to get a slot after wrestling, but our sponsors are already cautious about us. This is really bad, our PA Lorena was suppose to have taken care of waivers. Somebody's gonna get fired." Sorry Lorena...

Desperate Measures?

Los Angeles, CA- Due to recent increases in fuel prices, Marybeth Maddigan, has decided to shun gas stations altogether. Converting her 1998 Honda Accord into a Divine Automobile or DA, Maddigan is among a few individuals who hope to lower gas prices through faith and defensive driving. When asked about her incredible car she replied," Yep, this baby runs on 100% Jesus Juice, bonafide!"

only in LA...

These two images are taken on Sunset Blvd. Both of which, I find quite amusing, and can't really see either taken seriously anywhere but in LA. The first image is for a Jeans Company, only it's pictures of women's asses--sans jeans! Talk about the emperors new clothes...and the second is for a pet security website...Wow!

Woospace Artist: Raymond Pettibon

Raymond is a Los Angeles Enigma. Famous for his loose drawings of pen and ink, with text that highlights the absurdity of his images, Raymond's work plays like a mysterious oracle. His work has become quite popular as it has been used by many Punk bands (his brother was in Black Flag) and so he has created work for Black Flag, Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters just to name a few. In art school we would hear strange stories about Raymond, how he was reclusive, and couldn't talk about his work publicly, not that I really blame him. I have seen a few of his shows, and I am always struck by how diligent the work is. Most of his work is installed "salon" style filling up the gallery walls. It gives off the immediate impression that Raymond likes to draw, that making art has become something necessary for his sanity. And even his bad drawings become good in that context, which I guess is the great thing about dedicating yourself to something.

Here Comes the Brine!

So, I think I'll continue to report on these wonderful Chinese additions to American films...or dare I say Bootleg DVDs--the design on the cases are a strange "pirate art" unto themselves. The DVD cases are all made in the same style, from hard glossy cardboard. Cheaply made, but professionally graphically designed. They're so uniform, you can tell they almost all come from one maker. What makes them art, though, are the mistakes: made by a genius dyslexican who flunked the TOEFL. English literacy in China is very low. A Chinese person picking up a movie to buy would not read the title, the quotes, the description, or the credits if they were in English. But any American movie case has to have English, right?

Woobot of the Week

Katie Converts Again?

This time she has chosen Islam, and she is already the poster child for the religion, as shown on this beautiful illustrated Iranian postcard Boyfriend/Insane Scientologist Tom Cruise, of course, is disappointed with her decision to dump Scientology, but is "supportive of whatever she feels is right, because she is such an amazing woman."

Rock N Roll Robot...

Researchers at University of Tokyo have developed R Daneel, a humanoid 60-kilogram robot that kicks up its legs and rolls back onto its shoulders to gain the momentum it needs to rock up onto its feet and into a crouching position. Unlike most humanoid bots, it is designed to embrace a lack of constant control and instead follow the trajectory determined by the weight and shape of its body during the rocking motion, until it lands square back on its feet.

Emancipation

Los Angeles, CA- Paula McKlee filed a lawsuit yesterday against her former employer, Comcast cable, citing that she had been harassed by coworkers for her obsession with the rock legend, Prince. Ms. McKlee has been a long time Prince fan, devoting herself not only to Prince but also his band the revolution, and later to the New Power Generation. Last week Ms. McKlee was fired for coming to work dressed as her alter ego, "Princess". In a comment her lawyer released, she said, " I felt betrayed, because everyone in the office knew about "Princess" and they all encouraged me to dress up. But after I did, they wouldn't stop making fun, they also had the audacity to say Musicology sucked, it just shows how moronic they all really are."

A Close Call

La Paz, Bolivia- Nestor Brio and Enrique Suarez, two Bolivian farmers have been arrested for terrorizing tourists on a Pampas tour. The two men reportedly broke into a parked tourist bus, and hid in the bus's storage bins. During a brief stop, the two men sprang out of hiding and attacked a German family, and two dutch women. The men seemed unable to operate a stolen i-pod and stopped to receive instruction from an American youth. Both men were apprehended when found sitting in a local cantina, each with one headphone in an ear, listening to rapper 50 cent.

Bush and Bob!!

Here's a new comic
Click on image to view text, really...
it's funnier that way, enjoy!
p.s. this is my 100th post, yeah me...

Go get laid...

The 40 year old virgin starring Steve Carell is a great comedy. I think I smiled for at least an hour straight. The title might imply, lame sex comedy, but there's more depth to the characters than one would imagine. Very raunchy in places, but definitely a smart comedy. Plus, it's good to see a new leading comedy figure that is not Will Farrell or Jim Carey. Steve Carell is the next Peter Sellers, watch and see.

Basquiat at MOCA

This weekend I checked out the Jean-Michel Basquiat show at LA's Museum of Contemporary Art . I have to say, that before I went to art school I was a big fan of Basquiat's. I really connected with his fuck the system ethos and liked his non-traditional way of making paintings. Plus, the movie was pretty good too. But I have to say, that after really getting to know this artist's work, and the period the work came out of (NY 80's art scene), I was hardly excited for the show. I figured it would be another bombastic exhibition meant to bring in the tourists, and the show does that, but it also plays right into the Basquiat notion of self promotion. The museum has put together a lovely line of Basquiat tote bags, dvd's, and t-shirts ($32 = Art fans are suckers?). The show is expansive, but honestly I was more statisfied with the MOCA's permanent collection which the Basquiat show empties out to. I do believe that Jean-Michel was talented, or at least smart enough to enjoy getting stoned and making weird stuff. But as a whole, his paintings, and especially his drawings begin to work against him, they begin to show his lack of development and his copious reliance on the work of Cy Twombly and Sigmar Polke. I never thought I'd say this, but the best thing to ever happen to Basquiat was when he started having other people make his canvases, and perhaps his work too?

Spheres of Light!

This is an image I took over the weekend. Yeah!

No, You’re Fired!

Taipai, Taiwan - Chaos ensued this morning on the set of Donald Trump's Chinese version of The Apprentice‚ after the first contestant was fired. The contestant, Linda Chang, submitted an application claiming she held an MBA from the University of Beijing and 3 years employment with Coca-Cola. When this was found to be untrue, Ms. Chang was fired by Mr. Trump. Upon being fired, the contestant made repeated personal threats against Mr. Trump, released an ostrich being used for one of the shows challenges, and destroyed an excess of $75 worth of office equipment, finally exiting the building without thanking Mr. Trump for the experience. Rich Wang, another contestant in the first boardroom meeting, admitted that she was a poor choice for the show, that she failed to give any direction, and was "a messy bitch." - M.D.

Poor Selling T-shirts

BY JOSH KNISELY

"#2 Grandpa"

"I failed to survive Smokin' Joe's Five-Alarm Chili Pit"

"Ask Me About Nudism"

"My mom attended the Mechanicsburg, PA, Quilt Fair and was thoughtful enough to buy me this souvenir, which I cherish."

"I'm with that guy to my left ... no, sorry, one more over ... yeah, that's him."

Pee Pee time...

Only in China could such a picture exist. This one goes out to everyone who has lived in China. As you may know, little boys in China are considered to be "little emperors" and they can be very spoiled. This photo reminds me of the day I saw my neighbor assisting her grandson while he was taking a dump in the public trash heap. She wiped for him and everything...and the kid was five years old!

Chaka!!

And to think, this was part of my childhood!!?

Woospace Cool Stuff

This is my first ever endorsement of product. But its for a good cause, and it's cool. My friend eTHOS, a chicago artist, has a couple of limited print shirts for sale. He's trying to finance a move, so help'em out if you like the shirts. LINK

Artist Watch: Jennifer Steinkamp

Melding aspects of computer animation, video art, abstract painting, structuralist cinema, and architecture, Jennifer Steinkamp creates ravishing abstract and figurative projections that reside in the realm between the physical and the virtual.
I am not particularly fond of video projection artists, but I must admit, if you've ever seen a Jennifer Steinkamp in person, it's intoxicating. To read more about this artist and see some of her work click here

The Back Stroke of The West?

Some of you may know that I spent two years in the Peace Corps living in China. One of my favorite pastimes was watching bootleg DVD or VCD (long story), anyway...these images are from a bootleg copy of Revenge of the Sith or as the English translation of the Chinese Title for the film goes: "the Backstroke of the West" how crazy is that. And instead of Annakin joining the "dark side", to the Chinese at least, he joins the Presbyterian Church. Seems Odd, but okay...

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To be continued...

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New: Comics!

Hollyweird

When you strip down the glitter of Hollywood, beneath the big names, theres always an idea written down. Some of those ideas come in the form of the "query letter." A query letter is an unsolicited letter explaining what your idea is for the next blockbuster (or at least a straight to dvd release). Over at the blog: Query letters i love, some guy has created a compilation of some of the cheesiest query letters to enter LA. Go now...

Los Feliz Vegetarians...in Indian Heaven

Went to lunch today at India Sweets and Spices. This is the first Indian restaurant and store, where I felt like I was in India. The food is authentic and tasty. Cheap eats too. For five bucks, you get two vegies, rice, bread, yogurt, samosa and drink. It's a feast and a treat. Check out goodies in the display case.

Woobots of the Week

You have been chosen!

Ever wonder what's really up with Tom Cruise and his Scientologist friends? Well, click here and find out. You can also check the message boards and find out why Beck is a scientologist, yup that's right folks.

Just like...Hell!

Okay, so there is the inevitable headline for reviewers of this film. I really know nothing about it, but I can tell you from the looks of things...it's a stinker. I actually thought the, "no one sees her like he does" tag line was a vandals doing...I wish it had been. Plus any Reese Witherspoon movie that uses a CURE song title, must be lame. Avoid this one at all costs. Unless you liked "Ghost" or "Sweet Home Alabama"...then, have at it.

International Robotic Simon Says Competition

Taipei - The first ever International Robotic Simon Says competition was held Saturday. Taiwanese singing sensation, Katherine Liu, was chosen to serve as "Simon." Liu remarked before the competition, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do. They just asked me to do this, and I thought it would be fun. I've always been a big kid, I just love robots, they're so cute." More than 17 entries from around the world entered the contest. After two hours and twenty six minutes, "Dody" from Team Germany and "Nara 2" from Team Japan were the final two robots competing. Team Japan was victorious after Dody was eliminated for placing his robotic claw in the air, after Liu said "Simon says claws down."

Wooart

This is a painting I sold last January.

Sinosplice

Ever live in China, no? Well, you don't know what you're missing. But John, over at Sinosplice can help you get a feel for it. He is a student learning Chinese and he also runs a pretty cool blog that has photos and reviews of stuff he encounters. So before you drop everything, and move to China to teach english, check THIS out.

Me, You, and Everyone We Know

Me and You and Everyone We Know is a quirky little movie, about art, quiet moments, banality, and desire. If you haven't seen this film I recommend seeing it, on the acting merits of young Brandon Ratcliff alone. Brandon plays Robby, and this actor delivers a memorable comedic scene like none I've ever seen. And if you have seen the movie, then go to the link and check out Miranda July's Blog, behind the scene photos, audio clips, and even this great t-shirt! Viva la Poop!

In search of...

Saturday night...we got the craving for an In N Out Grilled Cheese. For all those that don't know, In N Out is a S. Cali institution. And they have a "secret" menu that includes a "grilled cheese" which is really an extra-cheesy burger, hold the burger. Do yourself a favor and order it "animal style" i.e. extra spread and grilled onions. Then get a side of fries and an authentic, (see real icecream) shake. You'll thank me later.

Sweatband lips

Tofuzilla!!

This weekend, I went to the LA Tofu Festival. Almost didn't make it due to getting caught up in a Sumo demonstration. Once pulled away from the "grappling", we found our way to the festival booths. The Tofu festival is a great celebration of all things tofu. Surprisingly, there was a noticeable lack of hippies, Tofu's other favorite fans. The crowd was eclectic though, and hungry for tofu. They had tofu in many forms: raviolli, tostadas, hotdogs, icecream, smoothies, sausage, chili, and even cold! Cold Tofu was the emcees of the event. An asian improv group? Sounds painfully funny right...Actually they're pretty good. Anyway, look for the Tofu festival on the Travel channel sometime in the near future.

Uki, former Tofu eating champion

Uki (forget his last name) from Japan is a three time Tofu eating champion. He also holds the world record for eating a 14 oz. block of tofu: 23 seconds. Uki had great expressions, "Tofu I must like, to stay hungry." But he was very weary when asked to divulge his trade secrets. However, in a very disappointing Tofu eating turn of events, Uki was unseated by a deaf Russian man (who kept signing to someone in the audience, a tofu eating coach perhaps?) Regardless, the deaf mans victory pretty much killed any notion of a post victory interview.

This speaks volumes

One of my crack woospace agents nearly lost his life to bring this to you. But now we have the truth.

Drawing no. 4

Just a little Woo art.