PLANET CHOCKO – art/music/movies/beyond

KRS-ONE played SOB’s

August 31st, 2013 by chocko

KRS-ONE and DJ Predator Prime at SOB’s (photos by Chocko)

Tony Touch and D-Stroy

The Teacha, aka Blastmaster KRS-ONE recently performed at the NYC downtown club, SOB’s in front of a sold out crowd. His son, DJ Predator Prime accompanied the legendary MC on the turntables providing the beats and scratches. When we got into the club, Tony Touch was on stage ripping it up on the microphone and turntables along with Brooklyn MC, D-Stroy (founding member of The Arsonists). D-Stroy knows how to entertain with a combination punch of comedy, verbal acrobatics and wacky dance moves. Tony Touch is all about that real hip hop, so definitely cop his latest release Piece Maker 3 (Return Of The 50 MC’s).

KRS-ONE jumped on stage a little after 10 pm, firing on all cylinders. He started the set by freestyling for a few minutes then announced he would be doing a lot of classic material. The crowd responded by joining in on the verses of classic Boogie Down Production tracks such as MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know, My Philosophy, Criminal Minded, The Bridge Is Over and I’m Still #1. The Blastmaster also performed tracks from his latest album Never Forget. One of my favorite moments of the show was when KRS rhymed over some Vivaldi. Hip hop and classical music…mind blown! I would love to see that song performed live with a string quartet. That would be dope! The Teacha also took the time to share some knowledge and wisdom…the one thing that stood out the most was his lesson where he said “The mastery of one thing, can lead to all things.” Class was in session. I noticed fans like to bring their latest arts and crafts projects to shows…in the middle of a song, KRS-ONE grabbed a nice graffiti piece from the crowd and held it up on stage for all to see (pictured above). Somebody also took the time to make what looked like a bathroom rug with the letters “BDP” on them. The show lasted well over an hour, longtime collaborator Hakim Green of Channel Live joined KRS-ONE on stage for a track and the crowd got a bit zany when “I Can’t Wake Up” was performed. I’m sure you remember the chorus…”I’m A Blunt, getting smoked, and I can’t wake up!” KRS-ONE is one of the few MCs out there that can truly rock a mic and perform live and to see a show like this on Hip Hop’s 40th anniversary, made it an event that I will remember for a long time. Check out some videos from the show below!

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Tags: boogie down productions, d-stroy, dj predator prime, hip hop, krs-one, sob's, tony touch, videos
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Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer

August 8th, 2013 by chocko

When one thinks of photographers who have documented hip-hop prior to the crack era and its commercialization, Jamel Shabazz and his snapshots of hip hop street style and culture come to mind. Charlie Ahearn, the director of iconic hip hop movie Wild Style, shines a spotlight on Shabazz and his photos in the documentary Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer. The movie recently screened at BAM Rose Cinemas in Brooklyn, not too far from the locations of Jamel’s countless photos of the kids looking fresh in their kangols, straight legged jeans and Puma sneakers. Ahearn’s portrait of Shabazz features many stories behind the images with interviews with Shabazz himself, Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite, legendary MC and hip hop scholar KRS-One, street photographer Louis Mendes and graffiti artists such as David “Chino” Villorente. David’s scene in the movie is a memorable one in which he goes through the photos, recognizing the locations and artists in the photographs and speaking enthusiastically about obscure graffiti crews. It was also fun to see Bobbito García, aka Kool Bob Love wax poetic on a Shabazz photograph of classic sneakers on display in a store window.

Jamel always took photos at an early age, but it wasn’t until his return home to Brooklyn after serving in the military in the early 80’s, did he document life in the streets and subways of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Most people discovered Jamel’s photos in the pages of Trace Magazine and Source Magazine. I never knew about Jamel’s photos, but in 2001 the release of his first book of photography Back In The Days blew my mind. The photos were New York City time capsules from the early 80’s which captured my imagination…b-boys and b-girls in classic hip hop poses, boomboxes, graffiti and street fashion. I always wondered who snapped all those shots and who were all these people in those funky fresh photographs? Ahearn’s film answers these questions and also shows the viewer how Shabazz inspires and interacts with his various subjects. Definitely keep your eyes and ears open for future screenings.

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Tags: charlie ahearn, documentary, hip hop, Jamel Shabazz, photos, Street Photographer
Posted in art, chocko, fashion, movies, music, photos | Comments (0)

The Ballet played Spike Hill

July 19th, 2013 by chocko

The Ballet at Spike Hill (photos by Chocko)

NYC 3-piece synthpop band The Ballet played a rare show last month at Spike Hill in Brooklyn. It was a fun afternoon during the NYC Popfest and as a bonus, it was a free show! Did anybody notice the thousands of ants on the brick wall on the right side of the club by the stage. Nobody else seemed to care about it. I pointed the ant invasion to people next to me and they just shrugged their shoulders. I even feel a little itchy thinking about it again. It was all worth it to see The Ballet. They play brilliant and fun, melodic sad songs that you can dance to.

I haven’t seen The Ballet play since 2010 at another Brooklyn show at Littlefield. Their album Bear Life was for sale at the time and after finding out Kaki King sang and played on a bunch of tracks…sold! It was great to hear and see them again. The Ballet played a lot of new songs and songs from their out of print first album Mattachina!. They recently released their third album I Blame Society on Fortuna Pop. Definitely pick up their new album and go see them live if you get the chance…bring your dancing shoes! Check out some footage from their show at Spike Hill below including the new track “Turn You” from I Blame Society.

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Tags: band, indie, nyc, popfest, synthpop, the ballet
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A Look Back at Comic-Con International 2012

July 16th, 2013 by chocko

Comic-Con 2013 is about to go down at San Diego. It is the biggest pop culture event in the universe…bar none. Here is a super duper late look at last year’s 4 day (5 if you count Preview Night) comic book, sci-fi, gaming, anime, blockbuster movie extravaganza. Hope to see you at Comic-Con International in San Diego, California from JULY 18-21, 2013!

R.I.P. to the legendary Jim Kelly star of Enter The Dragon, Black Belt Jones and a many other kung fu and blaxploitation movies. I ran into him outside of the convention center and totally geeked out. I met up with Mr. Kelly later in the Autograph Pavillion and we talked about his movies, how he turned down a role in a Tarantino movie and his future projects. Jim Kelly unfortunately passed away at the age of 67 on June 29, 2013.

Shaquille O’Neal surrounded by fans along with comedian Jamie Kennedy after their appearance at the always entertaining Black Panel.

This is your typical scene on the convention floor…wall to wall people shuffling along at a slow pace, stopping to grab con swag or to snap photos of Lego Batman. It gets pretty stressful after a while but you just have to go with the flow, stay focused, remain calm and stay hydrated.

Kirk Hammett (left) of METALLICA and Ron English (right) at the Toy Tokyo booth, a great place to buy collectible toys and get stuff signed.

Jackie Chan made his first appearance at Comic-Con to discuss his new movie Chinese Zodiac. Seeing Jackie at San Diego was a Con highlight.

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Expendables 2 panel at Hall H. These guys were cracking jokes (mostly about their age) at each other a lot which made this event extremely fun to watch.

Kevin Smith (left) taking over Hall H is an annual tradition where he updates his fans with what’s up and takes questions from the audience. This event is a guaranteed good time and I always make sure to grab a seat. Rebecca Romijn (right) at the outdoors EXTRA stage. Yowza!

Playboy cartoonist Doug Sneyd surrounded by cosplaying Playboy Bunnies. Whatta lucky guy! I need to brush up on my drawing.

(l-r) Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman along with other members of the hit show about outlaw bikers Sons Of Anarchy sure know how to entertain. The actors from SOA hinted at the future season of the show while going in and out of character during the panel.

Biz Markie was goin’ off at the Yo Gabba Gabba! booth signing anything for his fans. I liked watching his Beat Of The Day segments on that show.

John Landis was seen on the exhibit floor signing his book Monsters In The Movies. He directed so many great movies – Animal House, Trading Places, American Werewolf In London and Coming To America.

Anthony Bourdain (left) was in the house to promote his graphic novel “Get Jiro” and RZA (right) of Wu-Tang Clan spoke about his directorial debut and homage to kung fu movies, The Man With The Iron Fists.

This Mars Attack figured called to me from its shelf at the Funko booth. Funko has one of my favorite booths to shop for SDCC exclusives.

Here are some photos of the out-of-control cosplay from the Comic-Con. More photos from a Planet Chocko transmission-post last year HERE!

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Tags: comic books, comic con, convention, san diego
Posted in art, chocko, comic books, movies, photos, toys | Comments (0)

Joell Ortiz played Crotona Park

July 12th, 2013 by chocko

Joell Ortiz at Crotona Park (photos by Chocko)

You cannot beat all the free concerts happening during the summer in NYC. Joell Ortiz (member of the hip hop super group Slaughterhouse) performed July 9 at Crotona Park in The Bronx – the birthplace of Hip Hop culture. City Parks Foundation put on a great free show with RVSB (DJ Raff and Latin Bitman) opening up the evening. These DJs mix up hip hop with latin and electronic beats. I walked in while they were remixing some Wutang Clan – heads nodding in the huge crowd sitting on lawn seats and sipping nutcrackers and other cold drinks. I ran into the Clive Campbell aka legendary DJ Kool Herc who liked my St. Louis Vintage Vinyl shirt.
RVSB at Crotona Park

Joell Ortiz took command of the stage and started off the performance with “Sing Like Bilal” and “Hip Hop” from his 2007 debut album The Brick: Bodega Chronicles. Joell talked briefly about his life and struggles and then asked the crowd “Anybody out here rhyme?” 3 MCs emerged from the audience to get some time on the microphone. This was definitely a memorable part of the night, the dude from The Bronx representing 174th Street got the crowd amped. Joell also made the announcement that the next Slaughterhouse album was recently completed, so be on the lookout for that. A couple Slaughterhouse songs were performed solo including “Microphone” and “Hammer Dance.” The show was mostly rain-free, but towards the end heavy rains pounded down but Joell kept the show going with sick freestyles, a tribute to BIG PUN and ended with the crowd favorite “Nissan, Honda, Chevy.” Yaowa!

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Tags: 2013, crotona park, joell ortiz, slaughterhouse, summerstage, the bronx
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Smoke Signal #16 Release Party at The Newsstand

July 2nd, 2013 by chocko

Marcellus Hall, James Romberger and Josh Bayer at The Newsstand

The fine folks at Smoke Signal, a free quarterly comics anthology, recently celebrated it’s 16th issue last Friday at an awesome event at The Newsstand. The Newsstand is a diy subterranean pop-up shop located at the Metropolitan Avenue station in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The place got started by Lele Saveri of the 8-Ball Zine Fair and they sell independent publications, ‘zines, comic books, records…my kinda place! Marcellus Hall provided the music at the event singing songs and playing on the acoustic guitar and harmonica. Marcellus is also a contributor to Smoke Signal #16 and his comic strips “Bill Dogbreath” circa the 90’s are definitely a highlight of the issue. Other contributors from the recent anthology including James Romberger, James Ulmer and Josh Bayer worked on a mural while curious straphangers and comic fans hung out slurping free ice pops. If you missed the event, come on down to Brooklyn and pick up a free issue of Smoke Signal at Desert Island (540 Metropolitan Ave.) and while you’re at it, stop by The Newsstand before it’s gone. Check their website for more information and event hours.

The artists at work: James Romberger, James Ulmer and Josh Bayer

Gabe Fowler from Desert Island

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Tags: 16, artist, brooklyn, comic, comic books, desert island, james romberger, james ulmer, josh bayer, new york city, nyc, smoke signal, the newsstand
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EL-P + Killer Mike = Run The Jewels

June 26th, 2013 by chocko

Killer Mike + EL-P at Santos Party House 2012

The brand new album by Run The Jewels just dropped today on Fool’s Gold Records. After Brooklyn’s EL-P collaborated with Atlanta’s Killer Mike on R.A.P. Music in 2012, the dynamic duo took it a step further with their current project trading verses with guests Big Boi and Prince Paul. A full summer tour with Despot and Kool AD (Das Racist) is about to blast off. That tour should be off the meat rack! Chocko and Mr. C were at EL-P’s album release show for CANCER4CURE last year at Santos Party House in NYC. Check out the photos and a couple videos from that show (shot by Chocko) which looks like a precursor to what will be a dope 2013 hip hop tour. Chocko’s all about the deluxe vinyl edition, but if you want to download it, do it. It’s FREE in exchange for an email address!

Despot at Santos Party House 2012

Tags: despot, el-p, fool's gold records, killer mike, kool ad, run the jewels
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Austra played Other Music

June 21st, 2013 by chocko

Austra was in NYC to celebrate the release of their brand new, second album, Olympia, out now on Domino. They recently played a sold out show at Music Hall of Williamsburg. They also performed an in-store at Other Music where fans of the Canadian electro-pop band were treated to a set which showcased songs from the new album. Frontwoman Katie Stelmanis mentioned to the packed in audience that it was the first time for them to be play in a record store. Katie’s powerful and ethereal, operatic voice was in full effect along with synthesizers and live drums and bass in your face. Austra punctuated the evening with “Lose It” from their debut album Feel It Break. Katie stuck around after the set to sign albums and posters. Yes, I went into fanboy mode and got my CD signed. Go to Other Music (15 E. 4th St) or a record store near you, and pick up a copy of Olympia. Check out some videos from the instore event below!

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Tags: austra, band, canadian, indie, instore, katie stelmanis, other music
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the Jackie Chan shuffle in the big apple

June 21st, 2013 by Mr. C

(Who me?)

Jackie Chan was on-hand in NYC on June 10 to accept the Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award at Walter Reade Theater in Lincoln Center presented by the team responsible for organizing The New York Asian Film Festival – Subway Cinema! It was an award long due in recognizing the most decorated & skilled International Action star in my book – Jackie Chan! I grew up in a chinese household that watched Jackie Chan profusely in old school kung fu period piece movies as well as his modern day action comedy romps when he teamed up with his 2 peking opera school mates – Sammo Hung & Yuen Biao which were some of my favorite Jackie films! It was an honor to be in the same room with Jackie – twice! Once when he was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award at Lincoln Center followed with a screening of his new film Chinese Zodiac and then again the following night as he appeared at the Asia Society on Park ave for a brief Q&A with Asia Society film curator La Frances Hui followed by a screening of Drunken Master 2! It was certainly a privilege to see Jackie Chan in person with his animated self as he talked with Grady Hendrix and La Frances Hui. Thank you Subway Cinema & Asia Society for making this all possible! Enjoy the Q&A video at Walter Reade Theater by our Asian film fanatic friend and Jackie Chan superfan – Earl the WanderingAsian and our very own Chocko for the Asia Society video!

(courtesy of ERdarkness @ youtube aka WanderingAsian)

(courtesy of NJ-chocko @ youtube)

Get a taste of The Jackie Chan Experience, a retrospective of films that he directed and starred in! The Jackie Chan Experience film series starts on Monday – June 24th at Lincoln Center! Get your Hong Kong action on! Most of the films are being shown in 35mm format! Go!

(Jackie and La Frances Hui at Asia Society)

(Jackie Chan showing us the helicopter stunt in Supercop)

(Jackie Chan with Grady Hendrix/Subway Cinema at Walter Reade Theater)

(I don’t think Grady wants to challenge Jackie’s fists!)

(Goran from Subway Cinema presenting Jackie w/ the Lifetime Achievement Award)

(Gavin Smith – Editor & Programming Associate for Film Comment Selects at LINC)

Tags: hong kong action, jackie chan, jackie chan experience, lifetime achievement award, stuntman
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Maniac at Times Scare NYC

June 21st, 2013 by chocko

(l-r) Elijah Wood, Genevieve Alexandra, Franck Khalfoun, Jan Broberg and Megan Duffy

Last Monday night, Fangoria, IFC Midnight and Times Scare tag teamed for a preview screening of MANIAC with director Franck Khalfoun and members of the cast including Elijah Wood, in the house for a Q&A. MANIAC is a modern day remake of the William Lustig 1980 cult slasher movie starring Joe Spinell as a deranged lunatic on the loose in NYC who scalps his victims. This new remake, directed by Franck Khalfoun casts Elijah Wood as Frank, a serial killer with “Mommy issues” who stalks and terrorizes his pretty female victims before slicing off their scalps for his mannequin collection. The movie is shot in the killer’s point of view and takes place on dark and desolate streets of Los Angeles. MANIAC is a horror movie not for the squeamish…it is a gory retelling complete with some brutal and bloody killing. I didn’t think I would like the film, but it reeled me in from the opening scene where Frank’s first victim of the movie gets an uppercut stab with a knife through the skull before she could even scream. The plot was interesting and unpredictable which always make for a great movie-going experience in the oftentimes clichéd horror genre. MANIAC opens June 21 at IFC Center in New York City.

MANIAC Q&A at TIMES SCARE with Fangoria’s Michael Gingold, Elijah Wood and director Franck Khalfoun

left: Franck Khalfoun and right: Genevieve Alexandra

Following the movie the audience was treated to a Q&A which was moderated by Fangoria managing editor Michael Gingol and featured actor Elijah Wood and director Franck Khalfoun. Pump up the volume and check out the video above! It was a great movie event at Times Scare (a former Peep Show venue) which featured not only a theater, but also a restaurant, bar (the drink specials of the night: The Maniac Martini, The Bloodletting and The Scalper) and a haunted house attraction! After the screening a group of us went into the haunted house together. It is one nightmarish, claustrophobic fun time which had us scared by ghouls hiding in dark corners and chainsaw wielding insane asylum patients. The haunted house features plenty of meticulously done set pieces in a maze of pure horror which also featured bloody torsos swinging from the ceiling and a victim convulsing in an electric chair. Highly recommended!

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Tags: elijah woods, fangoria, franck khafoun, maniac, screening, times scare
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Kung Fu Wildstyle: Fab 5 Freddy + MC Yan + ENTER THE DRAGON – 40th Anniversary screening!

June 20th, 2013 by Mr. C

FILM SOCIETY LINCOLN CENTER & SUBWAY CINEMA
Proudly Presents
Kung Fu Wildstyle: Featuring Fab 5 Freddy + MC Yan!

As per the fine folks from Subway Cinema and Lincoln Center:

Asian-inspired Hip Hop art to be featured at Lincoln Center, accompanied by a 40th anniversary screening of the Bruce Lee masterpiece Enter the Dragon!

The New York Asian Film Festival is pleased to announce a special 40th anniversary screening of Bruce Lee’s epic martial arts masterpiece, ENTER THE DRAGON at the Walter Reade theater in Lincoln Center on Sunday, June 30th.

Earlier that evening, at 7:00PM there will be an art opening for the Kung Fu Wildstyle exhibit, which opened in Hong Kong in 2012, and has recently opened in Shanghai.

At 9:15PM, there will be a panel discussion with the two artists onstage at the Walter Reade theater, before the screening of ENTER THE DRAGON.

The show features new work by the artists Fab 5 Freddy and MC Yan, and explores the relationship between Kung Fu movies and Hip Hop culture. Using Bruce Lee as a central image, both artists imagine him from their different cultural perspectives.

Fred Brathwaite AKA Fab 5 Freddy is a Hip Hop pioneer and fine artist who, among many other achievements curated the first ever graffiti art show, was the first to exhibit his art in Europe, starred in and produced the seminal Hip Hop film Wildstyle, and hosted the genre’s first TV show Yo! MTV Raps. His has recently opened shows in NY, LA and Las Vegas, and last year his art sold at Sotheby’s fall contemporary auction.

Chenguang Ren AKA MC Yan is known as the Godfather of Chinese Hip Hop due to his work with Hong Kong rap outfit LMF in the 1990’s. He was also one of the first graffiti writers to gain fame, and is known for his political activism. He has designed products for Nike, Clot and Remy Martin among others, and created new works at the Tate Modern in London and at Paris’ FINAC.
Sunday June 30th, 2013

Please join us on June 30th for the following events:

7:00PM: Kung Fu Wildstyle exhibit opens at the Furman Gallery in Lincoln Center.

9:15PM: Special 40th anniversary screening of ENTER THE DRAGON, preceded by a panel discussion on the relationship between Kung Fu movies and Hip Hop culture with Fab 5 Freddy and MC Yan at the Walter Reade theater.

Tags: bruce lee, enter the dragon, fab 5 freddy, kung fu, martial arts, mc yan, street art, wildstyle
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Spectacle: The Music Video exhibit

June 19th, 2013 by Mr. C

(I want my MTV! + YO MTV RAPS!)

I was lucky enough to catch the 2nd to last day of Spectacle: The Music Video exhibit on display at the Museum of The Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. We were up and about the Spectacle exhibit a few times during its installation run but of course movie screenings at the Moving Image like The Kick and lectures by Fab 5 Freddy had us focused on other things. I’m glad I spent some time at the Spectacle exhibit because it brought back a lot of memories while growing up watching some of these videos from the 80s & 90s. Music videos on channels like MTV and public TV shows like Video Music Box were partly responsible for introducing pop culture to a whole generation X of music fans! I apparently missed a few videos at the exhibit like Peter Gabriel’s ‘Sledgehammer’ and Missy Elliot’s influence in the “Body Language” room for the choreography excellence in her music videos but who can blame me with over 300 videos, artifacts, and interactive installations scattered all about! This Music Video exhibition celebrated the art and history of music videos from Aha’s “Take on Me” to David Bowie and Madonna to contemporary artists like Jay Z & Kanye West. Watching Radiohead’s 2008 “House of Cards” video was also a trip and a half! Apparently, House of Cards was the first music video that did not use cameras but instead used lasers and scanners to render 3D images. Laying eyes on Bjork’s “Wanderlust” video was also an experience in itself. The story, costumes, creatures, and demons in that video rendered in CGI, special effects, and 3D – lent to some pretty wild images! The exhibit also had a nice display for the groundbreaking AHA video “Take on Me”. The video featured pencil sketched animations forming a live action image.

(Radiohead’s “House of Cards” video)

(Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” video)

(A yarn bombed media room on display at Spectacle Exhibit!)

(Agent Provocateur installation at Spectacle Exhibit)

One of my favorite installations from the exhibit was ‘Agent Provocateur’. This fun setup consisted of a row of peep-hole stations supplied with headphones on each stall. Each station featured a music video to be watched by peeking in the peep-hole and listened by putting the headphones on. Videos on display included N.W.A.’s “Straight outta Compton”, Madonna’s “Justify my love” & “Like a prayer”, M.I.A.’s “Born Free”, Public Enemy’s “By the time I get to Arizona”, and Tyler the Creator’s “Yonkers” to just name a few. The Agent Provocateur theme as stated by them:

Music Videos have always pushed boundaries, prompted controversy, titillated, and helped accelerate social change. These videos address themes such as Racism, Sexism, Sexual Orientation, Poverty, and Alienation, due to their adult frankness or just plain raunchiness. They were shown, if at all, late a night and accompanied by advisory warnings.

(Public Enemy’s “By the Time I get to Arizona” video)

(Ducksauce’s “Big Bad Wolf” video)

(Agent Provocateur installation at Spectacle Exhibit)

Spectacle: The Music Video is organized by the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati and curated by Jonathan Wells and Meg Grey Wells of Flux. Exhibition design by Logan. The exhibition at Museum of the Moving Image is presented in partnership with Sonos and VEVO.

(N.W.A.’s “Straight outta Compton” video)