Überlin - a new hit for REM

Überlin is a terrific song; as easy to listen to as Losing My Religion, Everybody Hurts or Electrolite (among other popular favorites).


  

After celebrating their thirtieth year recording and touring together as a band the guys released their fifteenth studio album (Collapse Into Now) to terrific reviews across the board.

 

Rolling Stone magazine is celebrating 30 years of REM in photographs so I thought I'd highlight a few here as a backdrop for the video that I've come to überlove these past few weeks.

The video for Überlin features actor Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy and Kick-Ass) casually dancing his way through the streets of Berlin, I believe it's Berlin (that's where the band recorded the song). It's directed by Johnson's girlfriend, the British artist/filmaker Sam Taylor-Wood. She is 23 years his senior (Aaron is 21 yrs old).

Here's to thirty more terrific years of music....cheers!

Ethan Clarke~you are... the TWINKEST LINK

Ah, Ethan... *sigh* There is something so beautiful about Ethan that your heart almost aches. He's a down to earth kinda guy, with a great outlook on life, and guess what[?] ~he's a real romantic too--making him a perfect candidate for our first official Twinkest Link.

So congratulations Ethan Clarke,

you are

the TWINKEST LINK

michael hinkle-the artist as model

The act of taking an idea and creating something is very common, but to allow yourself to become the art, rather than just the artist is not as prevalent.

There are some noted photographers who have produced some spectacular, and even shocking self portraits, and Michael Hinkle can be included in this esteemed list. He poses nude in many of his photos, in essence revealing himself twice, as he becomes the very art he is creating.

It is easy to understand why creative people are often times insecure and sensitive. What is created is a tangible element of something internal and personal.  It has been referred to as a bearing of the soul, and appreciation is not a universal given. Just as there are many different types of artists, there are also many different types of art, as well as the many arguments over what should or should not be considered artistic.

My art and the photo-shoots reveal everything about me and I am putting it all on display for the world to see. If you look, you will judge, but that is part of the subjective nature of art. New photo-shoots and new paintings bring opportunities for me to express my point of view. They allow me explore the creative side of being human and an artist. As a model and artist my art attempts to spin artifacts of memory, censorship, and eroticism into impressions of dynamic beautiful obfuscation. Inspiration for my paintings is derived from the human body, photography, color, lines, rhythm, nature, and the world around me. The paintings are multilayered and complicated, just like us. I want my work, whether in front of the camera or in my studio, to be provocative and edgy. I am trying to push the boundaries and create something new and interesting.

©2010 - Michael Hinkle