We are all NEDA

With every powerful people's movement for change, a symbol emerges--an image that can change the world. For the Iranian democracy movement, that image is of Neda, the 26 year old Iranian young woman struck down by a bullet to the heart.

Order a shirt. Proceeds will go to support projects that enable Iranians to freely access the internet.

Aung San Suu - Freedom to Lead

This Human Rights cause "Democracy In Burma" is something Shepard Fairey believe in strongly. He created this portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi to raise awareness of her situation and the overall situation in Burma.

To learn more go to www.uscampaignforburma.org and www.humanrightsactioncenter.org

abusing our votes

abusing our votes Originally uploaded by A1one

Graffiti work-- I love--from Iran; by A1one

where is my vote?

where is my vote? art on wall Originally uploaded by A1one

Art on wall by Iranian street artist, the one & only A10ne.

~ Ewww..... (cool) ~

~ Ewww..... (cool) ~
Originally uploaded by ViaMoi

A kick ass critter shot by a brilliant photographer living in Canada who goes by the name viaMoi. His work can be viewed on Flickr. Jaw-dropping stuff, truly!!

La' lil Taefiyat

No!
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

Graffiti made in Lebanon that call for wisdom and aims to generate awareness about religious sectarianism and the wrong use of religious matters for political purposes...This is what street art should be all about...Conveying food for thought, tagging it on the walls, bombing it in the minds...Hoping to blow up & renew spirits...

Arabic Tags

Arabic Tags
Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

Graffiti made in Beirut...Good stuff worth viewing...

Son of la Niña de Gibraltar

Just finished watching for the eon time "Corto Maltese: La Cour secrète des Arcanes," based on the Pratt novel "Corto Maltese in Siberia;" also finished watching the 3 dvds of Corto Maltese adventures for television, produced by Canal+, adapting the stories 'La Ballade de la mer salée,' 'Sous le signe du Capricorne,' 'Les Celtiques and La Maison dorée de Samarkand.'

Corto is one of my favourite heroes of all time...

Corto Maltese is a sailor-adventurer, with a somehow complex character, born in 1887, son of a British sailor and a gypsy Andalusian prostitute, known as "La Niña de Gibraltar."

It was created by Italian comic book creator Hugo Pratt in 1967.

The Corto Maltese series has been translated into many languages. Stories range from straight historical adventure stories to occult dream sequences.

Who is Corto Maltese?

As a boy growing up in the Jewish quarter of Córdoba, Maltese realised he had no fate line on his palm and therefore carved his own with a razor, determining that his fate was his to choose. Although maintaining a neutral pose, Corto instinctively supports the disadvantaged and oppressed.

The character embodies the author's skepticism of national, ideological, and religious assertions. Corto befriends people from all walks of life, including the murderous Russian Rasputin. He also knows and meets various historical figures, including Jack London, Ernest Hemingway, Herman Hesse, Butch Cassidy. His acquaintances treat him with great respect, as when a telephone call to Joseph Stalin frees him from arrest when he is threatened with execution on the border of Turkey and Armenia.

Corto's favourite reading is 'Utopia' by Thomas More, but he never finished it. His name is said to be possibly derived from the Venetian Courtyard of the Maltese.

A must see, watch, read; also, check out the new --& old-- posters made available for sale here

In 'Gli Scorpioni del Deserto' (The Desert Scorpions), Corto Maltese is described as disappearing in Spain during the Spanish Civil War.

Visual Dialogue

I have loads to say to some of the people I know who have been hanging around me for a while now; can't call them friends, as this title appears to be a degree that should be earned, mastered & experienced; so, feel the urge to talk to my acquaintances; however, & due to my blunt, often straightforward, unpolished, non-diplomatic & NO-POLITICALLY CORRECT learning ever; the fact of the matter is to do some allegorical exercise, where I will use visuals to speak my mind &... heart... to people I know; people I like to call "thirsty passer by..."

So If YOU reckon yourself, well don't be surprised, this is surely to you that am offering tonight a moment to ponder THINGS OF LIFE...THINGS THAT MATTER IF YOU THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT SHOULD MATTER...IN LIFE...OR ELSEWHERE...IN THE HEART FOR INSTANCE....OR BETTER....ON BRAINY LEVEL....WHAT do you say?....THIS is MY Say.....

Tonight's Mood goes like this...

Political engaged art

I passionately believe in cultural activism and can't but advocate for the importance of art that engages socio-political concerns. As such, Ma Boule Ma Bulle is keen on promoting artists involved in contemporary politically engaged art, specially when it comes to solidarity activities with Gaza & the Palestinian people.

For more, check ArabAd's blog or my new blog DESIGN 961 on all political design, social related creative communication & anti-war design expressions.

A new alternative music scene in Beirut

The recently released ‘96.2 Music Compilation’ produced by Incognito features 11 new talented Lebanese artists and bands. They are the finalists, selected by the jury of Radio Liban and their ’96.2 modern Music Contest.’

This contest was organised in partnership with The Basement, Incognito, The French embassy in Lebanon, In Concert, El Tek & Time Out Beirut.

& the nice part is that we are invited to witness the birth of this new alternative music scene in Beirut. It's happening at the Basement club, on the 1st of March 2009, starting 6pm.

On stage: A.Boxx, Soul +, Cristobal, Elyas Diez, Karimbo, Mashrou’ Leila, Lara Matar, Stéphanie Merchak, Sylvain Nassar, Sandmoon & Anthony Touma. Rap, pop, rock, electronic music, soul, funk… in English, French or Arabic, they will perform, in a single night, original unreleased compositions.

My main interest is in Mashrou' Leila.

A Must follow Lebanese musicians group. "They're a tough bunch to describe," says one admirer of the band. "What to expect? A crunch of instinctual vocals, bold lyrics, and catchy tunes," he adds.

Valentine BS & True Love

"Love is trembling happiness."

--Gibran K.Gibran

February 14 is branded worldwide as Valentine day; a day to declare your flame to your beloved and express your feelings by offering stuff brilliantly marketed, which makes of FEB14 a shopping-spending-frenzy-silly VALIday and of Valentine, nobody but an arrogant crook.

Each year as Valentine approaches, retailers double, or even triple the price of roses. While they are classic symbols of love, are they worth the rip-off? Do you have any idea how much money is made on Valentine Day? Me neither. However, it's another one of those days many go out to buy stuff they don't need.

Be wise, boycott Valentine! Don't get caught up in the hype. Resist impulse and publicity guerrilla. Marketing has no end when it comes to V-Day and it's for a big chunk so non-sense! Is it not obvious that it's spread as a marketing stunt to help sell hearts, red goods and China made cheesy merchandise. As consumers we need to question the products we buy and challenge the companies that produces useless stuff. Common, play it Adbusters mode, Go BND [Buy Nothing Day] and instead celebrate Love 365 days. Shop less, Love more!

Am sick of hearts, am dead sick of teddy bears. Valentine is to blame; however, marketers are the culprits. Crafting, designing, drawing something means more to me than receiving store bought stuff.

Customise your love, spread your smile like a real message of Love. Better, LIVE, LOVE LAUGH. Nurture Hapiness, cuz this is what Love is all about. Share it, spend time with loved ones, rather then spend cash on them.

Anyhow, below is my pick of good design stuff speaking of love without that corny-cards style. And this is what is called 'The Art of Communication' and LOVE deserves such a treat.

Buddha Butter by Rubyred from Redbubble

'Razorheart' by lucanindustries from Redbubble

By Carrie Glenn of Redbubble community

Love Bites by Sadmachine on Redbubble

By PixelProtest from Redbubble

By Vladimir Chaika

By Faizee from RedBubble

By Al Neaimi from RedBubble

By Simon Lovelace - love v/s hate

By David Barath from Hungary

You May Be a Taliban If...

click to read... You May Be a Taliban If... by Tudor-Virgil Constantin

salvage

salvage
Originally uploaded by EnikOne™

A brilliant stencil illustration made in polluted world by a talented artist I found on Flickr...Got the message?

Weedometry

Weedometry
Originally uploaded by Lucid Optic Lab

A beautiful geometric form that reminds us to stay united within nature...
For a green life & a doobie drag for peaceful times...

Suspected Muslim

Suspected Muslim
Originally uploaded by Karim M

We are all suspected Muslims, whether we have a Muslim name or a Muslim look...Cuz, yeah, believe it or not there is something called a 'Muslim look', or an Arab-terrorist profile...
Happy New Fears from Ma Bulle in Beirut to all of you out there specially Muslim people and the ones lucky enough to have being born with a non-Muslim look...Let's nurture hope & spread our smiles like a real message of happiness...Let's be happy!
Salam

Love for Ever

orangeloveskull
Originally uploaded by A Kind of Magic Graphics

I Love skulls in design; and here is a good looking one that could be accompanied with a slogan that goes like this...Love u till Death...Or simply: 4 ever Love...So romantic, isn't it?

I love Gaza

I love Gaza
Originally uploaded by aeneastudio

COKE for ever

COKE for ever Originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy

Trying to design..."Coca Cola till death" was the concept; here is the result... Enjoy it light... & preferably with peps & smiles...

Adopt a Pet

Designed by Shepard Fairey

"The day Obama stated his interest in adopting a dog from the shelter was a slightly brighter one for the approximately 7 million adoptable dogs & cats killed each year in this country. The staggering reality is that for each one sold at a pet store or by a breeder, another perfectly worthy one is killed. Our nations shelters are filled to capacity with all kinds of amazing adoptable animals including, as Obama put it, “Mutts like me.” On the heels of Obama’s comment, I got a call from Pia Salk, an animal advocate who works with North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, Adopt-a-Pet.com. Pia simply asked if I might be willing to collaborate on a way to have my art help these animals. As most of you know, I’m a big believer in speaking up for all who suffer injustice, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or in this case, species! And I’m all for adopting from the shelter. My wife and I share our home with 2 pooches, George and Weezie, who is a rescue. They are the happy canine siblings to our 2 human daughters. The image I created for this print reminds me of a dog I had as kid, a mutt named Honey. We have created a limited edition run of 400 signed and numbered silk-screen prints that will be available at: www.muttslikeme.com. The January sale date will be announced soon and proceeds will go to getting the furry non-partisan U.S. residents, who share our country, saved and into homes through: www.Adoptapet.com Check out the site and search for adoptable animals in your area or other ways to help."

-Shepard Fairey

My remix of Fairey's visual

I applaud the designer's initiative and wonderful talent put at the service of the community and social affairs...An example to follow in my town...

A bon entendeur, Salut! sugarpop

Bless y’all

Listen to sound advise - design by PixelProtest

Design by Peter Visser from redbubble

design by Trish

A new year is upon us! But what a year 2008 was! & What a year has debuted! Have a look next door & the hate prevailing over there.... Anyhow, Hope everyone has gotten their holiday madness taken care of. Wish You & Yours a joyous 2009. ...A Happy, Prosperous and a Creative New year; …May you fullfill your dreams. May you find new ideas, strengths, desires, and passion... ...May this new year bring peace and good tidings. Keep safe & Stay Happy! Bless y’all Salam W' Hob

by sugarpop

PASTE THE RAINBOW...

Michelangelo & the 10 commandments, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

Airbrushed piece created by Lebanese young artist Elie Zaarour in public at the Martyr Square, downtown Beirut during the national Marathon race day, Sunday, November 30. Copywriting of the 10 commandments by me, Sugar Pop, aka Ghada Azzi.

Essayyed poppin' & alive

Essaayyed poppin' & alive, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

As pop as Essayyed can get... By Sugarpop, a dynamite piece of Stencil art picturing Hassan Nasrallah, big boss of Lebanese Hezbollah, the party of God.

Salam w Hob

By Peter Fuss

Peter Fuss is a Polish who creates art with an attitude, stuff that matters; he likes to subvert images & make simple bold statements with as little words as possible. So, when he's not busy tagging Poland's streets or killing Obama, he goes in with his infamous black & white visual design expressions that speak loud his mind & pov on the world. The Polish artist has a new series of work aptly entitled "War Has Started," that depicts pig faced soldiers in various modes of attack.

On ne voit pas ça tout le temps, en effet!

"We are all dysfunctional"...

It's with this statement that the web home of the musical collective Kill the Dj will welcome you...Excellent approach to put you from the start in their own mind set, and actually on the right route toward discovering their home, world, 'bubblicious' electronic trance house sounds. Got the opportunity to embark from the basement's runaway--btw the Basement is Beirut best rockin' club of resident dj Jade--to the outer zone...It's a dope musikal trip so smooth, yet so deep... These type oriented visuals are graphic gems in my own op. & speak loud about the nature of kill the dj's spirit & communication. Thanks Jade for sharing such an awesome find of the French elecro scene. Ça déchirre!

dope n' cocaine

dope&cocaine, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

Mister Shepard Fairey, who is mostly known for turning wrestler André the Giant’s face into ubiquitous urban art (you know those Obey the Giant flyers, posters, and stickers you see everywhere..), heads a design firm, a publishing house, and a clothing company - all dedicated to visual appropriation. Fairey has also gained notoriety with posters art [HOPE, CHANGE, ] he made for Obama. Here is my remix of the Change poster, with a 'playful play' on words.

Beirut in my cube

Beirut in my cube, originally uploaded & designed by Sugarpop.

Twisted & Random...

MY city block

MY city block, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

beat the cancer remix

beat the cancer remix, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

Colour X-PLOSION to MAP Out Cancer by Elie Zaarour, the young & talented Lebanese airbrush artist; a slight colour remix has been injected by la sugarpop...

OBAMA hope in colour

My designs of Barack Obama, the future American president who reincarnates a new tomorrow for America, a much needed change in technicolor & full of HOPE & PROGRESS. Let's HOPE & Support him through the arts--till the results speak for him.

GEO gang

Geometric, originally uploaded by Kiki Tohmé.

Geometrical shaped characters wonderfully rendered, as minimalist as it gets!!

The Most Recognisable Face In The World

The Most Recognizable Face In The World, originally uploaded by Ian David Blüm.

Here is one innovative translation of Che's iconic portrait by Alberto Cordas. Lovely!

Bloody Barack

Bloody Barack, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy & designed by Sugarpop

A new remixed official portrait of the next American president, designed by maboule on bloody good inspirational day. Not bad, right?

Sugar à la Pêche

la sug, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

Sugar a la pêche et c'est bien clair..C'est à La Voile de Rmeyleh que Sugar mon lab chocolat m'emmène aux vents du Sud Liban pr naviguer les vagues de mon jardin d'enfance...
C'est le Bonheur redéfinit par La Sug et sa joie de vivre est diablement contagieuse...
Merci d'exister ma belle chocolat--HUG

Andy & Sugar

Brown Sugar, plus connnue sous le nom de Sugar, my buddy, ma pote à moi, mon chocolat...de Labrador bien sur, full of vim and vigueur... vient de subir la matraque d'Andy... Warhol bien sûr...traîtée par la Spicepop. Le résultat est uploadé la-en 5 versions + un bonus--- Voilà tout--la résultante de mes petits pas d'amateur sur la planète du graphisme digitale.... Ouaf Ouaf!!

auto-portrait

auto-portrait, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

This is what I call self-centeredness; a light one though, since it's arising from the sand. I drew my portrait--or tried doing it-- this week-end at my playground, the one located towards the South, you know... My refuge, my blueish-bluesy cabin...Then sharpened it slightly, to have her re-appropriate some character, or at least an attitude, so here is sugarpop's sand portrait remixed on that apple machine of mine—Above, is the result…

Have another version...wait a sec...will post it shortly...

Dyamite Brown Sugar

sugarpopmyluv in colour, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

I, Sugarpop, shot Brown Sugar then re-injected X-plosive colours to my lovely chocolate lab that reflects her dynamic and dynamite mood and spirit.

My TEEZ

I dO dabble with photoshop when time is on my side...So here are four t-shirts designed by me. One is a reproduction of the design of Shepard Fairey of Obey the Giant of his rapidly sold out political advertising poster design done for Barak Obama [Hope, Progress, Change] that I allowed myself to remix and labeled 'Rastabama.' The second is an original photography picture of my chocolate labrador enhanced on photoshop and rendered in a way that resulted in B&W sweet portrait of La Sug. The third is a strict graphic design photoshop montage of the daisy flowers duplicated several times to reframe a skull, it's the daisy brain and the fourth is marabout, a hand made collage, one of my first artistic play with glue and papers that has been scanned in order to be used as a CD cover. Here they are all now put on sale on red bubble art community...

So if interested, here we go, click here to get your tee for 2o something bucks...Otherwise, have a look on some of my work...

BOB N' Doobie

# 9_n0taz_volume-III, originally uploaded by izolag.

Rockin' Bob...

Diva

Diva, originally uploaded by lepublicnme.

this is dope stencil art---Love IT!!! & Hey you might bump into that lady somewhere in Beirut's streets..Watch your back...:0)

Obey & dream more

Obey & dream more, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

My Andre in stencil finally tagged, so Andre obeys me and stays around, in my room, at all time. & here it is...stamping my endorsement/ to mister Shepard Fairey; as my admiration gets real now with this sprayed pizza box that ended up lookin' so,,, like an art piece ready to stand still in my room, reminding me incessantly what communication is all about...

Andre will be staring at me all day all night; and i'll be doing the same, learning to tame each others...

Don't try to understand my relation to Andre the wrestler;;;cuz am not sure i do myself. But it's beyond the surface, delete the image, dig...deep down the hole...

& here was Sugarpop from her communication zone, wherefrom zoners of sirdab have just ended a charming SWING...

Obey your tempo, Prey for Patience, Stick & Focus...Then Roll in, Roll out...ça Balance l'équilibre...

Ça s'discute aussi!

Shepard Fairey, WK, Invader, Stikman, ill

Shepard Fairey, WK, Invader, Stikman, ill, originally uploaded by C-Monster.

5 kick ass street artists in one shot, that's a bonus image for ma boule! All around the talented Shepard Fairey and his Arab woman--- And Vlan!!

his sexy butterfly

Hush 'Painted Ladies' Detail 2, originally uploaded by Romanywg.

A bloody rockin' creature...

Devil Speakin'

the Devil, originally uploaded by wackystuff.

Hell-O there, who in hell do you want???

Revolution

'The fist' was part of Free for Wall exhibition- work by R1

The KRAH

new, originally uploaded by THE KRAH.

Love the Krah by graffiti artist KRAH...Just Love it!!

nuit après nuit

nuit après nuit, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

One of my first collage work, done back in Kuwait, in 2004, as a CD cover for Ocean. A set of my 12 12x12cm postcards --that also work as CD covers --are available for sale at artlounge gallery, Karantina - Beirut.

EVOLUTION

EVOLUTION, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

EVOLUTION REVOLUTION MONKEY JAMMERS & PEACE SWING...

Chris Craitza-10

Chris Craitza-10, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

My number one---
Chris U Rock......
Salam
G.

سمير قصير -La vie en rose

سمير قصير -La vie en rose, originally uploaded by Sugarpoppy.

SAMIR KASSIR --LA MORT EN ROSE...& LE COEUR MOROSE...ON NE T'OUBLIERA JAMAIS---TU ES NOTRE REVOLUTION & NOTRE REVOLTE INTERIEURE---& SANS L'OMBRE D'UN DOUTE, TU RESTERAS NOTRE INSPIRATION PR L'ETERNITE... QUE VIVE TA PLUME, QUE VIVE TO AME!! G.