Thursday, April 30, 2009

New Artist Alert!



A few drawings from a very talented new artist.  She has not been at this for very long at all and I think that there is obvious potential here.  Also keep in mind that each of these is just a quick sketch, which makes everyone very excited for her future work.

The artist is Katherine Newhall and she is my younger sister.  Keep up the good work Kate.

Bridge Stalking



Three views of the Puerto Mujer Footbridge in Buenos Aires.  This was the one monument that I knew I needed to see during my time here and we made a day of it last weekend.  It is very striking against a currently revitalizing industrial background, its bright white facade like a splash of paint across a previously neglected landscape.  The bridge was designed by Santiago Calatrava, an architect who deserves to be a household name.  Check his site and get to know him.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Life Instructions

Classic and simple.  Add it to rules to live by and everything should be fine.

Fantastic Fortune




I think that playing with money was more fun when it really was playing with money.  If financial magazines were still as well-designed and beautiful as these old Fortune covers perhaps we would spend more time admiring rather than ruining our economy.  You might view your dollar bills as miniature masterpieces of design, you might cherish them as priceless pieces of art or you might just spend them just like you always have.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Seahorse x Tiger x Rhinoceros



Three more images from around Palermo Hollywood and San Telmo.  Animals are a great theme and the more detailed the better.

A full album of all past graffiti featured on The Reef and some unseen gems should be out by this time next week.  Keep your eyes peeled.

Also, the latest all Buenos Aires album, The Hollywood Barrio is up for general viewing.  Enjoy.

Money Man Redux

This is the original image of Sam Mrozowski that I posted last week.  I realize that the scan is very dark and severely flawed with scratches and sloppy focus.  I do like the mysterious nature of the original, but there is a fine line between willful mistakes and proper printmaking.
This is a retouching of the same image, done by David Goldgaber.  I like this version as well, specifically because it is now clear that Sam actually has a body and he doesn't simply blend into the shadows of the background. Unfortunately, this brighter version makes my original mistakes all the more obvious.  Still, many thanks to Mr. Goldgaber.

Also, if you are in New York, be sure to check out the School of Visual Arts end of year film presentations for more of Dave's work.  Make sure to get in touch if you'd like more information.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Wild City Preserve

This is the edge of Buenos Aires.  The ecological preserve.  The barrier between land and sea.

And this is the new album.  Enjoy.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Call It Rust Or Call It Gold


Two more in the long-running Best New Door series.  The first is from a recent walk around Plaza de Mayo and the second is a gem from the Colegiales neighborhood.  Both beautiful in their own way.  I am nearly finished on a proper album of all things doors in Buenos Aires.

Also new this week will be a fresh new album of all things not doors in Buenos Aires.  Look for the release on Monday.

And finally, remember that you can always check out all of the rest of The Reef photography here.  Thanks and enjoy. 

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Number One Store Selector


Two more notable Buenos Aires storefronts.  These two are from the San Telmo neighborhood, where you can still find a relative abundance of this older, classic type of purveyor.  I am off on a mission this week to collect enough of these scenes for a proper album.  Stay tuned.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Stop At The Storefront


A few beautiful storefronts from in and around our neighborhood in Buenos Aires.  These types of storefronts are quickly becoming a rarity even here, where old-timers are loathe to give up anything traditional.  The first store is an extremely and frighteningly cluttered hardware store and the second is an idyllic laundry, run by the smallest Chinese man in the world.

One For Dad


I don't think there is any rule about not coveting your neighbor's car, so this type of obsession must to be allowed.  It's almost top up weather down here in the Southern Hemisphere,  but for the lucky ones to the North I think you'll be wishing for that convertible soon enough.  Dad, I know you'd agree.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Eight Arms Aren't Enough

Lord Bodner's Octopus.  

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Monkey Man


Closest living relatives, I think they are something like 98.4 percent genetically identical.  And they're all over the walls.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Nouveau Riche




Some old photographs of young artist Sam Mrozowski flashing a pile of new money.  No one seems to remember why we had such a load of cash around, we just seemed to be living a dream.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Name That Landscape



Oldies but goodies from another continent.  These landscapes span the map and I was fortunate enough to photograph all three. Bonus points if you can name the name of the monumental masterpiece.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Mail Pattern Jealousy

Would you still be sitting at your computer all day, constantly checking and re-checking your Gmail account, wondering if so and so was avoiding you because they hadn't immediately responded to your last viral video forward if you could collect real letters from this inbox?  Just remember what is was like to receive a hand-written note from a sweetheart, pen pal or prison correspondee...The Reef says keep working on that cursive.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Mister Teun Hocks



I have always been a fan of Teun Hocks, whose elaborately staged photographs are at times playful, mysterious and just plain strange but are always wonderful.  I feel this way especially today when images are often chopped, screwed and photoshopped beyond recognition.  Hocks takes his time and I think everyone can appreciate this modern man's patience.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Mind Management



Been away for the long Argentine weekend and found this commanding creature in the deserts of Mendoza.  So, lets hope your brain is in the right mode, because The Reef is back to posting on a regular basis.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Jungle Habitat




If you grew up reading the amazing alliteration Animalia, by Graeme Base, then you are either well-acquainted with Walton Ford, or simply haven't had the good fortune to find him yet.  Whatever the case, these images should satisfy either your primal instinct or the spirit of your inner naturalist.  Or both.

Monday, April 06, 2009

Dick Tracy, Voltron & The Lasso



Another formidable trio of great graf from Buenos Aires.  All from the same wall, on the same backstreet, in the same barrio.  Like a secret gallery for the well-informed and luckily initiated.  Enjoy.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Bus Battle


Do you  avoid the bus like the plague?  Do you dislike the cramped spaces, sweaty people and traffic jams?  Do you seek refuge on the subway, on your bike or just hoof it home, even when taking the bus would cut your travel time in half?  If you answered yes to any of these questions you will surely appreciate the jitney jaunt just detailed over at Hop Top.  Keep walking or keep your head down.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Album Release



Just a friendly reminder to check out the new photo album I've put up on Picasa.  These two images are taken from the series.  If you haven't received an email about it, don't worry, you can always find it here. Enjoy and let me know what you think.