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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.