mia hansen

2012-01-18T15:10:00.000-08:00

Spare 20 minutes to watch this excellent documentary on Vancouver street photographer Fred Herzog (click on the "Full Length" button below his name under "Online Episodes"). I was recently lucky enough to catch a screening of it at Woodwards where Herzog spoke. His photos always make me think of my dad, who is the same age and came to Vancouver around the same time, and even rubbed shoulders with the same art crowd at the Vancouver School of Art.

2012-01-15T12:16:00.000-08:00

Do you feel like laughing right now? Read this illustrated review of the movie War Horse (having seen it or not is irrelevant).

2012-01-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

Another village Christmas... A bit of rain, a bit of snow, and lots of good food and company.

2011-12-14T10:15:00.001-08:00

2011-12-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

Vancouver Convention Centre

2011-12-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

2011-11-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

2011-11-28T16:43:00.000-08:00

My pal Jeannette of everybodylikessandwiches fame, braved The Vogue crowd at last week's Pecha Kucha night! And did a damn fine job.

2011-11-16T17:11:00.001-08:00

Listen: Pure X - Twisted Mirror

2011-11-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

2011-11-09T16:07:00.000-08:00

Listen: Ify Jerry Krusade - Everybody Likes Something Good

2011-11-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

2011-11-04T11:28:00.001-07:00

2011-11-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

Stickers! I'll have these to hand out next Thurs Nov 10 (7pm) at the Moonbase show at Interurban Gallery. Be there... or be somewhere else.

2011-11-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

Listen: Satellite Stories - Kid's Aren't Safe in the Metro

2011-10-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

2011-10-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

Perfect fall walk with Jeannette and Mariya, starting at the Dunlevy Snack Bar (where we shared a hot beverage with Khari, pictured). Meandered around Strathcona, ending up at Au Petit Chavignol for lunch. If you enjoy frites, cheeses, and carbs, than this is the place for you.

2011-10-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

Banish all your cares for 5 minutes...
Then close the blinds (tightly) and practice your new dance moves!
(Possibly film history's only crotch-frame shot at the 3:23 mark?)

2011-10-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Continuing on a bit with my clothing rant. Clothing can be practical, clothing can be superficial, clothing can be silly. But like it or not – clothing matters. "Suits for Wall Street" sums it up perfectly:

"In the 1960s you could fly your freak flag high. In 2011, it just looks sloppy. We are the 99 percent, but we need the support of the 60 percent who think we're just messing around."

"You'll see just how much respectability a little effort can buy."

Suits for Wall Street from Wall Street Suits.

Occupy Wall Street is a bit like "naming and shaming the johns". It might not change much, but it needs to be done. It's not at all about ending capitalism of course (there's no viable replacement for that), but about trying to stop the psychopaths at the top from being rewarded for behaving like psychopaths. Or at the very least acknowledging that psychopaths are running the joint.

2011-10-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

I have these friends who have a (verging on unhealthy) obsession with gnomes (they gots a LOT of gnomes, and go crazy for anything gnome related). So when I had to make a birthday dinner for one of them (the wife-half), I purchased these vintage gnome cake toppers from Etsy. (Yes, the centre gnome is pushing a wheel barrow filled with pistachios, which is pretty rad). Upon entering my apartment and seeing my cupcake display, the husband-half exclaimed that these were the exact same gnomes that had ignited his obsession! Many years ago he was walking past an L.A. bakery and saw these on a cake. He actually walked in and asked about them, and was told that they were called "el gnomo."

The cupcakes are pistachio olive oil with fig compote filling. Very yum recipe.

2011-10-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this cute style site yet? nerdboyfriend
And an mp3 for your weekend: Fol Chen - I Walked

2011-10-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

Letterpress business cards I designed recently. Printed at Blackstone Press on Granville Island.

2011-10-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

Neon Vancouver | Ugly Vancouver opened last night with a party at the Museum of Vancouver. The exhibit explores the City's neon glory days, and the controversy surrounding them that lead to their gradual demise.

“We’re being led by the nose into a hideous jungle of signs. They’re outsized, outlandish, and outrageous. They’re desecrating our buildings, cluttering our streets, and — this is the final indignity — blocking our view of some of the greatest scenery in the world.”

– Tom Ardies, “Let’s Wake Up from Our Neon Nightmare,” Vancouver Sun, 1966

2011-10-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

The uber-talented Mariya Karpenko (a newly arrived addition to Vancouver's illustration community) sketching with Josué Menjivar's home made bamboo (from his backyard!) dip pen. He made one for me too. :)

2011-10-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, and yes... Vancouver voted 3rd worst dressed city in the world. They blame yoga pants. I myself believe it's a reflection of greater cultural ills. Vancouver is a glorified resort town centered around shopping and sports. On what street does one feel compelled to make a sartorial effort? We don't exactly have a street scene a la Europe, where folks sip coffee at outdoor cafés and meander in and out of bakeries and book stores. One is encouraged to be "chill" here. Hard bodies that take hours a week at the gym to sculpt, shrouded in Canucks jerseys and sagging below-the-knee cargo shorts. And it's not just on the street – special events and high end venues are not exempt from the just-rolled-off-the-couch look.

I don't claim to be a fashion plate, but pajamas and exercise clothes are for the bedroom and the gym and the Grouse Grind. Flip flops and sweat pants on a major urban street are just not on. I can't count the number of times when I've passed what turned out to be a regular guy, and tensed up thinking that he was some homeless crazy person about to ask me for change for a ticket to visit his sick friend in Yellow Knife. The minority of people here who make an effort, stick out like a stylish sore thumb, and are a respite for the weary eyed.

If I might turn this into a rant about clothing in general (thanks), another problem is simply the lack of clothing options. It seems that the most simple, basic, classic items are the hardest to find, and the most expensive (lack of demand, I get it). If you want face-draining colours, tacky logos emblazoned everywhere, bejeweled and bedazzled footwear that would make Caligula blush, and unflattering hipster potato sacks that look awful even on the 16 year old model, then you are in clover.

That said, things are improving style-wise, mainly in Gastown and south Main St., with the emergence of clothing boutiques selling local designs (I can't afford to shop in them, nor do I begrudge the prices), bakeries, cafés etc. There may be an element of contrived pretentiousness to some of these (Victorian themed dandy shops filled with fancy soaps and Edison light bulbs, Value Village worthy sweaters for $400 – fun to look, wonderfully curated). But the era of the earnest mom and pop establishment is over, replaced by the almighty Cactus Club on every corner. Thankfully, there have recently emerged places like Save On Meats, Acme Cafe, and Pronto Caffe. Sterilized versions of the past perhaps, but they are not the Cactus Club, and for that let us be truly thankful.

2011-10-08T15:02:00.000-07:00

Am I wrong to want one of these? But with no coloured light, and a wooden base... You know, more old-school marine biology lab, and less cheesy cocktail lounge.

2011-10-08T14:22:00.001-07:00

2011-10-06T15:58:00.000-07:00

Word of the day: paternoster
I wish I hadn't learned about this – I have enough elevator-themed nightmares as it is.

Today, in many countries the construction of new paternosters is no longer allowed because of the high risk of accidents (people tripping or falling over when trying to enter or alight). Five people were killed by paternosters from 1970 to 1993. The elderly, the handicapped and children are the most in danger of being crushed. – Wikipedia

2011-10-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

"Something very new in the way of evil."

If you love beautiful old buildings and eccentric characters, and don't mind choking back tears while your blood boils, see Lost Bohemia now playing at the VIFF.

Carnegie Hall opened in 1891, and in 1895 a huge addition of artist studios was constructed on top. Josef Astor is a photographer who moved there in the 80s and began filming the other tenants in 2001. In 2007, eviction notices began appearing on doors, and his film suddenly acquired an unwanted theme. Some of the older tenants had been there since the 40s. Failing financially, the whole place was almost torn down and replaced with a modern office tower in the 60s. The city of New York bought it instead and a corporation (headed by a former Citigroup CEO) was formed to manage it. Claiming that they wanted to create new studios, the corporation began evicting those without rent control, and eventually forced the rest out with settlements. Heritage details were ripped out, cubicles and lowered ceilings were installed, and the supposed new studios filled with offices. Just so happens that the chairman of the board's son in law is an "architect." The legal loophole that allowed this travesty: the charter drawn up decades ago to protect the artists, stating that studios must remain, and artists must fill them, also stipulated no third parties. And technically, tenants were now "subletting" from the real tenant (the corporation).

If you're not convinced that evil psychopaths are taking over, check out what Donald Trump has been up to in another film playing the festival (one that I can't stomach seeing).

2011-10-02T16:15:00.001-07:00

IDSWest at the Vancouver Convention Centre

2011-09-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

My first tour of the Rennie Collection. Martin Creed, a Scottish artist, is showing now. Your group is ushered through a room filled with balloons (half the air space of the room), which gets pretty claustrophobic by the time you get half way through and find that you have to push them behind you in order to escape (there were a couple of stricken faces at the other end). Several svelte runners periodically dash at top speed along the periphery of the galleries, which is also a bit unnerving (mission accomplished). A long row of metronomes click at different speeds, filling the space with white noise, while the visual noise of papers covered in pen/marker/highlighter lines surround the walls. And yes, that utility cupboard door that silently opens and closes on its own is part of the work. In the basement, an old grand piano repeatedly opens and slams shut.

Bob Rennie has one of the largest private art collections in North America (170 artists, 40 in depth). Born to working class parents on the East side, he quit high school and became a real estate agent, and has since become the biggest player in Vancouver, marketing locations such as the Shangri la, the Wall Centre, Olympic Village, and Woodwards. He is also on the Tate's American Acquisitions board, and the board at Emily Carr University. Known as "the condo king", Rennie has been maligned for gentrifying the neighbourhood.

The gallery is in the oldest building in Chinatown, Wing Sang, built in 1889. The interior was designed by MGB architects. The exterior walls remain, and original reclaimed wood is used throughout. In the lobby hang interesting photos of the gutted interior during renovation.

Final verdict: the space is incredible, and disregarding my person opinions about conceptual art – which are varied, but let's say my interest wanes when ideas heavily outweigh technical skill (a crumpled paper ball sits importantly under a plexiglass case) unless the idea is great, like Creed's "Everything is going to be alright" neon sign at the top of the building – the exhibit was enjoyable, and the rooftop garden alone is worth a visit (lovely derelict views of DTES). And to top it off, the tour is free...

2011-09-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

Listen: Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise

2011-09-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

My first meal at the refurbished Save-On-Meats diner. Great decor, old-timey menu, low budget prices. On a side note, a scene from the excellent TV Series The Killing was shot out front...

Ah... the gritty streets of "Seattle"!

2011-09-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

Design Lives is an ongoing series of interviews with members of Vancouver's design community, conducted in the window of Inform Interiors. The opening was last night... Check back at the website for updated content. (interviewed above: Douglas Coupland and Marian Bantjes)

2011-09-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Listen: Mathieu Santos - I Can Hear the Trains Coming

2011-08-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

Listen: The Hosannas - When We Were Young

2011-08-26T13:41:00.000-07:00

Listen: Hanni El Khatib - Build. Destroy. Rebuild.

2011-08-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

Listen: Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Ffunny Ffriends

2011-08-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

Some time in Vancouver's past (the 50 or 60s?), people went mad covering wood structures in dreary grey stucco. This store on Victoria Dr. at William St. recently had that removed, unexpectedly revealing this 1920s ad.

Read about the bakery's history here, and see a photo of it before most of the clapboard was removed. Click through the slide show to see other uncovered (then recovered) ghost ads in Vancouver.

2011-08-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

A bus ad I built for the Museum of Vancouver.
(Bhangra photo: Maurice Li / Marketing: Manjot Bains / Branding: Kaldor)

2011-08-14T17:43:00.001-07:00

2011-08-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

I take chances on random movies at the library, and sometimes get lucky. The title and DVD cover for this Russian film is so lame that I almost returned it unwatched. But I'm glad I gave it a chance, as every minute is visually stunning. In one of many amazing "visual joke" scenes, the somewhat homely and very un-American-leading-lady is caught in the violent melee of a post-soccer riot still dressed in her work-related happy cell phone costume. A dark romantic comedy for the thinking crowd.

It still follows the recent trend where the leading man is the lowest of the low, but the smart/cool woman is smitten non-the-less. I call this genre "restraining order romance" - because in real life, a woman that great would have nothing to do with men that awful. See Punch Drunk Love, Greenburg, Shop Girl and Adam as just a very small example. This theme would never work in reverse - where a man is attracted to a mean, unavailable, unemployed, mentally ill (fill in the blank etc.) person. Am I right?

2011-08-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

Dinner party = success!

Old Fashioned:
chilled glass
sugar cube, 3 dashes of bitters, tiny splash of water - muddle till sugar is dissolved
orange zest slice (zest only, not white part) - muddle
fill glass with ice
2 oz bourbon, stir, orange and maraschino cherry garnish

Pork Tenderloin Diablo (here with green beans with bacon & sage):
I followed this recipe, but my skillet isn't oven safe, so I just transfered it to another pan.
I also have no meat thermometer, but 20 mins at 375 was perfect.
Sauce = excellent and easy

Vanilla Lime Cheesecake:
Inspiration here.
1 C graham crumbs
1/4 C crushed pecans
1/4 C melted butter

3 250 gr packages cream cheese
1/2 C sugar
3 eggs
zest and juice one lime
one vanilla pod
45 mins at 350

Raspberry Coulis:
Heat about 2 C raspberries in a pot with about 3 Tbs sugar (to taste)
Strain through sieve - press forever and a day until only seeds remain.

2011-08-03T17:07:00.000-07:00

Kids' stickers I created for the Museum of Vancouver.

2011-07-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

A "foodie" I am not. The term actually makes me cringe a little. But I am interested in jazzing up my routine diet and learning some basics. I ordered The Flavor Bible for inspiration (thanks, Lori and Paul for the Amazon certificate!). It's basically an index of ingredients and regional food styles with lists of the things that compliment it, and some combo suggestions. There are also basic food chemistry tips and professional chef anecdotes.

Visited the Gourmet Warehouse for the first time today, and indulged in a few "non-essentials". Shouldn't every sophisticated adult have a bottle of bitters? I also got sumac based on this recipe. What the heck is sumac and what does one do with it? I'll soon be an expert...

Listen: Sonny and the Sunsets - Girl on the Streets

2011-07-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

When it comes to baking, you can't really wing it. Especially with pastry. Which I just ruined (too much water = didn't cook properly = not light and flakey). But you can't tell by the photos, so let's just look at the photos shall we? And then slather whip cream on top and eat anyway. I can hear Gordon Ramsey yelling in my head.

Listen: Farmacia - Nada de Nada

From the film The Paranoids

2011-07-12T12:13:00.000-07:00

2011-07-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

High tea in Kerrisdale

Listen: Belong - Perfect Life

2011-06-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

Listen: Ned Collette and Wirewalker - One Evening in the Middle of the Road

2011-06-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

Listen: David Kilgour and the Heavy Eights - Purple Balloon

2011-06-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

My latest shirt design, now available at Tees in Gastown. Women's in heather grey, men's in navy blue.

2011-06-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

Listen: The Innocence Mission - Mile Marker

2011-06-17T17:36:00.001-07:00

2011-06-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

A few days on Bowen Island in a lovely rented cottage with a view of the Strait of Georgia. We took the English Bay Launch.

2011-05-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

(Poster by Kraftmedia)

2011-05-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

2011-05-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

Designed/screen-printed by dad, sewn by mom, some time in the 60s.
Listen: Siriusmo - Einmal in der Woche schreien

2011-05-22T16:23:00.000-07:00

Listen: Lee Hazelwood - Forget Marie

2011-05-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

Bit of a lull with the ol' photo taking, so here's another cute (and bizarre) animal video.

2011-05-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

Bhangra.me: Vancouver's Bhangra Story opened last night. Show runs till October at the Museum of Vancouver.

2011-04-24T10:33:00.001-07:00

2011-04-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

Ed Rondthaler on English spelling from Bob Smartner on Vimeo.

2011-04-05T17:09:00.000-07:00

Virtuous Yet Morish Oat Cookies
These are great for a quick & guilt-free sweet fix. Tasty and crunchy.

Wet Mix:
1/2 C canola oil
1/2 C brown sugar (the mid-brown (not darkest) kind, packed down a bit)
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Dry Mix:
3/4 C whole grain whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
Add to above:
1 1/2 C oats
1/2 C raisins
1/2 C walnut pieces or sunflower seeds

Add dry to wet. Make balls about 1 1/2" and flatten a bit. Bake 350C for 15 minutes.

2011-03-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Chocolate banana marzipan cake from East Village Bakery, Hastings Park Raceway, the Opera Walkway, PNE, Chinese herb store on East Hastings, hairdresser, sign from the past

2011-03-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

You're welcome.

2011-03-21T15:35:00.001-07:00

2011-03-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

2011-03-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

Blue Owl, Broadway and Vine
Listen: The Lovelies - Forever

2011-03-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

2011-03-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

Listen: The Sugargliders - Another Faux Pas in the Cathedral of Love

2011-02-27T19:56:00.000-08:00

A hair salon, Collage Collage, and Le Marché St. George
Listen: Wild Nothing - Golden Haze

2011-02-26T17:06:00.000-08:00

It's snowing!
A cosy evening
New cup

2011-02-26T11:25:00.000-08:00

A professional cake decorator I am not... Chocolate cake with a peanut butter surprise. A very much altered version of this recipe (I didn't want to kill my guests). I halved the recipe, reduced the sugar and butter, and used just melted chocolate for the topping. It was still mondo rich.

2011-02-21T19:22:00.000-08:00

Scenes from an afternoon

Listen: Shimmering Stars - East Van Girls

2011-02-20T18:06:00.000-08:00

The last lentil soup recipe you will ever need (via my mom). This seems too simple to be great, but it's sooo tasty and comforting. Imagine the perfect soup to eat with a warm buttered baguette after a cold day outside.

Curried Lentil Soup

1 onion, saute a bit with clove of garlic

Add:

1 1/2 tsp curry

2 c chick broth

14 oz can toms diced

1/2 c water

1 c red lentils

1 carrot and 1 stalk of celery finely chopped

1/4 can of tom paste (this makes all the dif to the flavour)

1/4 tsp of salt

Bring to boil and turn to simmer. Skim foam if nec. Stir often for approx 40 min.

2011-02-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
(Adapted from Ming Makes Cupcakes)

Cupcake
Mix:
1 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
pinch nutmeg
pinch cloves

Mix:
2/3 C sugar
2 eggs
Add:
1/2 C oil, mix for 3 minutes

Add flour mixture.
Then add:
1 C canned pumpkin

350 for 30 mins

Frosting:
Mix:
1/2 block room temp cream cheese
1/4 C room temp butter

Gradually stir in 1/2 C powdered sugar.
Add 1/4 tsp vanilla extract.

Top with crystalized ginger.

2011-02-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

Listen: Action Painting - These Things Happen

(via Siete Pulgadas)

2011-02-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

Listen: Secret Shine - Grey Skies
(via Siete Pulgadas)

2011-02-08T12:46:00.000-08:00

Listen: Allen Clapp - Happy to be Sad
(via Siete Pulgadas, indie pop '85 - '94)

2011-02-07T14:14:00.000-08:00

Listen: Pete and the Pirates - Winter 1

2011-02-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

My dad, in a nutshell

More fun linky-loos:
Another uber-twee decor mag - Matchbook
Feel inadequate (again) - Closet Visit
Comics blog - Today or Tomorrow

2011-02-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

Another online decor mag to give you an inferiority complex (I mean, inspire you). And yes, there are plenty of birds on things. ruemag.com

Listen: Penny & the Quarters - You and Me

2011-01-31T18:51:00.000-08:00

2011-01-29T14:33:00.000-08:00

I'm late with this, but Summer Pierre has me on her wall! Being mutual admirers, we did an art trade a while ago.

Look: Peruse Lonny Magazine online for some home decor eye candy.

Listen: Robert Pollard - Touch Me in the Right Place at the Right Time

2011-01-27T18:12:00.000-08:00

Ode to a simple lunch.

Listen: Cotton Jones - Egg on a Sea

2011-01-27T10:54:00.001-08:00

2011-01-24T09:15:00.000-08:00

Stubborn Christmas enthusiasts, Cypress St.

2011-01-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

Last night was the first event in the Museum of Vancouver's series "This is not an architectural speaker's series" (poster design by yours truly). Architectural Karaoke was described as a set of local architectural and planning luminaries including Steven Cox and Linus Lam, and special guest stars, squaring off in two battling teams in a Vancouver design/improv throwdown. Some entertaining moments definitely ensued...

2011-01-19T19:44:00.000-08:00

Listen: Zoo Kid - Out Getting Ribs

2011-01-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

Easy breezy-ish weekend sewing project - wee zippered pouch. Instructions here.
I advise using a crisp fabric that will lie flat for the lining and not sewing it too close to the zipper, or it will get caught (as is the problem with mine). Also, open the zipper a bit before sewing around the perimeter or you will have trouble turning the bag right-side out.

2011-01-17T10:31:00.001-08:00

2011-01-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

Listen: Lightening Love - Girls Are Always Wrong

2011-01-15T18:15:00.000-08:00

I think the dead fly adds a certain je ne sais quoi to this window display...
Listen: Adam Thorn and the Top Buttons - Life's a Bummer

2011-01-13T21:01:00.001-08:00

2011-01-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

Southworks, Cambridge Ont

Listen: The Monkees - Porpoise Song

2011-01-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

A café in Cambridge Ontario (surely, a bargain on unwanted paint was involved...)

Listen: Andrew Graham & Swarming Branch - Take it Easy on Kathy at Least She Can Dance

2011-01-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

Listen: Black Tambourine - Dream Baby Dream

2011-01-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

George's Fine Chinese Restaurant, Cambridge, Ontario. This place has been around since the 50s. My mom used to take me here as a kid.

2011-01-07T09:34:00.000-08:00

Abandoned barn, Ontario

Listen: Kurt Vile - Losing Momentum

2011-01-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

Southworks Antiques in Cambridge, Ontario. Totally worth a look! The place is HUGE and crammed with goodies.

Listen: The Equals - Michael and the Slipper Tree