Culture

Looks like man just one-upped nature in the “anything you can do, I can do better” contest. Inspired by the revenue generated by the 2005 Central Park installation “The Gates,” here comes a bigger and better sequel.

Jennifer Meastre makes sculptures out of pencils -lots and lots of pencils- using a complicated beading technique. Read her interview here.

Southside Chicago gallery 32nd & Urban is hosting a new exhibit entitled Southside Spiritual, featuring the work of James “Casper” Jankowiak. Traditionally known by his grafitti alias “Casper,” Jankowiak has recently turned his attention to studio-oriented projects and art education.

On February 12, Stones Throw Records will release In Living the True Gods, its second DVD collection of music videos. Its first such disc, Stones Throw 101, served as a visual primer for those unfamiliar with the label.

Artist and hardcore vocalist Jacob Bannon (Converge, Irons) has announced the sale of silkscreen and giclée prints from the headquarters of Deathwish, Inc. Bannon commented via MySpace: “To put it bluntly, my plumber needs the money more than I need to keep these in my archives.”

Esteemed percussionist and visual artist Billy Martin can add another notch to his weighty list of accomplishments. Recently released is Riddim: Claves of African Origin, a new book by the Medeski, Martin & Wood drummer.

Directed by Frank Pavich, hardcore documentary N.Y.H.C. is slated for release by Halo-8 Entertainment as a two-disc DVD on March 29. The vanguard film, which chronicles hardcore punk subculture, was originally distributed as an underground VHS tape in 1999.

Last week, Chronicle Books and fashion editor Tiffany Godoy released Style Deficit Disorder, the first book to depict the fashion of Tokyo’s Harajuku neighborhood. The book captures the area’s international style with almost 200 photos, essays by Japanese fashion editors, and commentary by cultural icons.

Juno, the latest of this year’s films about unexpected pregnancy, is not yet in wide release but is already being called the female answer to Knocked Up.

What Would Jesus Buy? sounds like a reactionary right-wing religious slogan. However, this documentary is a relatively left-wing protest of over-consumption — particularly America’s extreme shopping at Christmas time — led by fictitious Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir.