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Eatcho Interview: Ryan Bubnis

March 31, 2008 10:12 am

by Eatcho

Hello ello, my name is eatcho. I’m gonna start bloggin some of my friends’ work and askin them TEN questions…

PREPARE YO SELF FOR EATCHO’S TEN!

This time the work of RYAN BUBNIS!

RYAN has a show this April in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s called “Where The Good Thoughts Grow”. I went over Bubnis’s home in the mornin to check out some of the new pieces before he mails them off to ol’ Pheonix. To go to Bub’s house in the morn is pretty awesome; there’re a lot of coffee shops around the area with cute smiling slightly jaded baristas, and the combination of caffeine, spliff kisses, lame flirtatious eye contact, and Bub’s artwork on a rainy Portland morning is just a “pinch me” chill situation to be wrapped in.

Ryan’s work has changed alot over the years. It has gone from solid to a more atmospheric liquid state…how can I say…the work is maturing right along with him. There is a lack of worry in these recent pieces and more freedom is being conveyed. He has definitely taken a turn in an awesome direction. The characters he has depicted have changed from bright and cute to more melancholy — still happy but melancholy — this too is seen in the palette.

“To find solace in an unjust world I have found myself much more connected to thoughts with a positive and/or spiritual focus. This new body of artwork is 3-dimensional brainstorming–a physical manifestation of my stream-of-consciousness thought process.” – Bubnis

While in the basement of Bubnis, I was shown a stack of drawings (pretty big stack). It was one of those moments where you ask yourself “shit am I gonna actually look through all these drawings?” You see, my friends, I was born without an attention span; it was flushed out with the placenta. Being at attention for more than ten seconds makes my knees tremble, but honestly, I was happily occupied by the doodlins and the only thing sad bout it is that I will not be able to see the work involved in a Pheonix installation in person. A lot of drawins; a big ole stack… I’m sure Bubs will place it on his site. He is good at keepin it updated.

Here are the ten questions:

eatcho’s ten

1. State your name.

Ryan Bubnis

2. Who sent you?

Ancient particles of energy

3. How many others are there?

Hundreds, thousands, millions and billions, probably more than that.

4. Where are your headquarters?

SE Portland, Oregon

5. What feelin do you want your show to convey?

Warmth, Growth, Spirituality, Crafty goodness, connectivity and positivity. I want this next show to be more of a changing of the space as opposed to just hanging work on the walls.

6. What would you name a pet oyster?

Half Shell

7. Your work seems to have taken a change. Can the same be said for your musical taste?

I’m just more receptive and open to new things in both art and in music. My thoughts about art have changed dramatically over the last few years and I’m sure they will continue to change.

8. Who would like your work more, Hillary or Obama?

I like Obama.

9. What medium did you enjoy working with the most during this last series?

I’m diggin em all. Paint, paint scrapings, ink, sponges, paper, wood, sandpaper, paper mache, clay. I’m just really enjoying experimenting with all types of media, just getting loose and messy with a variety of materials is fun, liberating and challenging.

10. Uppers or downers?

A balance of the two.

Information on Ryan Bubnis’s Upcoming Show, WHERE GOOD THOUGHTS GROW:

Friday April 4th-30th

Opening reception April 4th 6-12pm

@ Perihelion Arts, Phoenix Arizona

http://www.perihelionarts.com/
More info here

http://www.ryanbubnis.com/

And finally I’ve discovered that the word “Bubnis” can be used as a description for any protrusion out of the body, i.e., “Your grandmother has a Bubnis on her cheek.”

This Rivalry Has To End

12:58 am

by Mike Burnett

Enough is enough. It’s time we got along with our good friends to the North. We here in Portland need to stop the posturing and smugness about our ‘darling of everything’ status. And our neighbors in that slightly more Northern metropolis need to stop feeling threatened, putting us down at every mention. It doesn’t matter whether Portland was actually where NW coffee shop culture matured. I don’t care if it’s truly our Washington sister city that can boast the cleaner air and better schools.

Now that Fortune has rated it the #1 place to live and launch a small business in America, it’s time we decided to get along with Bellevue.

Despite a Slow Start, Timbers and Fans Remain Optimistic for 2008

March 30, 2008 11:18 pm

by Jon Baldari

This last Friday night the 28th, some 1,200 fans give or take a few, braved the Portland rain to cheer on their beloved Timbers socc…errr I mean, football club. And even after two quick goals by the opposing Earthquakes from San Jose, the Portland fans remained undaunted, cheering their boys from the North End until the final whistle. Although having just witnessed a 2-1 defeat to the MLS expansion club, the Portland faithful stood appreciatively in the chilling drizzle to applaud the effort of their Timbers. To a casual observer it might seem odd that this many people, most of them young and whom most likely have a laundry list of social events to attend on a friday night, would stand outside, amongst the elements to watch a pro soccer exhibition. Thus is the mania of the Timbers Army. For those who aren’t aware, the Timbers Army are a rather large group of soccer enthusiasts hailing from all over Portland, who for all intensive purposes live, breathe, eat and sleep soccer. But those who have had the opportunity to attend a game or pre/post game celebration with the Army, can easily see that it all boils down to one thing: a sense of community. Whether it’s a song singing the glory of our fair Rose City, or the DIY creation of various pins, patches and flags, Timbers Army members wear their love for their team, each other, and our city, win or lose, quite literally….on their sleeve.

Timbers Wallpaper

All of this civic pride is of course, well and good, but certainly it is secondary to the results on the field. And maniacal devotion aside, this idea is never lost on the club or its’ supporters. With hated rival Seattle preparing to defend their USL First Division Title in their final league campaign, the Timbers have made some recent moves to take their shot at unseating the current champions. The most recent being the signing of Japanese striker Takayuki Suzuki. Suzuki, a former Japanese national player, has been capped 55 times by his native country, as well as earning UEFA Champions League honors while a member of the Belgian side Racing Genk in 2003.

“It’s an honor to be playing for the Timbers,” said Suzuki as quoted by the Oregonian. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to come in, contribute up front and be a piece that helps this team win a championship.” The club and its fans definetly share that sentiment. Toward the middle of the second half the Timbers Army had already developed a colorful chant to sing the praises of the Japanese import. Even 24 hours later, at the “pre-season piss up” staged at the Bitter End Pub on West Burnside, fans could hardly contain their exuberence over Suzuki’s performance the night before. “He’s got heart, and guts…” Aaron, a fan from Hillsboro, told me gleefully “…the other boys could learn a thing or two from him.”

Though the effort of the Timbers was never in question, it was apparent the team was a little rusty to say the least. Much of the first half was spent in the defensive zone trying to keep goalkeeper Ray Burse, on loan from the MLS side FC Dallas, on his feet. It wasn’t until the 71st minute, when newly acquired defender Tim Karalexis found the back of the net, that Timbers fans really felt as though they might sneak out with a draw. But, despite the best efforts of the Timbers and their supporters, late chances by defender Cameron Knowles and midfielder Andrew Gregor came up just short and San Jose walked away one goal better on that evening.

Still the mood at the pub the next night was upbeat and full of hope for the upcoming season. Local bands My Life In Black and White, and Rum Rebellion played to a raucous bunch that included people from all walks of life. Punk rock kids stood shoulder to shoulder with white collar types to sing the Timbers national anthem, and pose for pictures with Timbers icon and “guru”, Timber Jim. Not even the mention of the fact that Seattle has been awarded an MLS franchise, (which is slated to begin play in 2009) before Portland can dampen the spirits of the fans.

“At least we get a chance to kick their asses a few more times this year…” Aaron says to me. “And hopefully we can get a good turn out, the boys will play well, and we’ll impress the people with the MLS expansion committee and land an MLS franchise in the next few years.”

The Timbers Army
Brent Wojahn/The Oregonian

The MLS is currently looking into placing potential franchises in cities such as Portland as well as Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Montreal. At last report Timbers chairman Merritt Paulson was actively seeking possible investors for a potential franchise if the MLS deems Portland a worthy market for their product.

And why wouldn’t it be? With a devoted fan base and perhaps an updated if not entirely new playing facility, Portland could be well on it’s way to really staking claim to the title of “Soccercity USA”. One thing is for sure, the possibility of economic growth from another professional sports franchise is a very real thing. It’s rather obvious that metropolitan areas benefit greatly from the revenue that professional sports can bring a city. And Portland, as we all know, could use a little economic stimulation. Not to mention the sense of unity and belonging that can go along with rooting for the home team. Remember Blazermania? Surely those of you who grew up here during the Rip City glory days do.

So why not Timbersmania?

Maybe someday. But until then, take some time this spring or summer to hop on The Max to PGE Park on a “thirsty thursday”, and see what all the singing is about. And maybe, just maybe….a left foot volley that sticks in the top corner or a miracle save by the home goalkeeper, will make you see why people around the world refer to it as “the beautiful game.”

-The Timbers open their USL season at PGE Park on Thursday April 17th at 7:00 PM against the Puerto Rico Islanders. This will be the final appearence of Timber Jim as the Timbers mascot, an event sure to bring excitement to players and fans alike. The first 1,000 fans receive “Farewell, Timber Jim” t-shirts.

Bill Clinton To Visit Portland

March 29, 2008 3:11 pm

by Mike Burnett

The Oregonian reports:

Former President Clinton will stump for his wife in advance of Oregon’s May 20 primary at two events Monday morning in Portland, the Hillary Clinton campaign announced Saturday.

Clinton will attend a “solutions for the economy” event at 9:30 a.m. in the old library auditiorium at Oregon Health & Sciences University. At 11 a.m. he will meet with seniors at the Cherry Blossom Center at 740 SE 106th Avenue. Both events are free and open to the public.

Link

Things About Portland That Suck

March 28, 2008 5:00 pm

by Mike Burnett

Seriously if any more creatives in their 20s and 30s move to Portland, then the population is going to reach some sort of critical mass. The job market will be glutted with artists, and we’ll lose all electricity and running water, and it will be like a big wasteland of bearded, tattooed Neanderthals roaming around making cave paintings and scratching rocks against Shins records.

That’s why we need more blogs like
thingsaboutportlandthatsuck.wordpress.com/.

Obama’s New PDX Office

3:23 pm

by Mike Burnett

The Oregonian reports:

The campaign of Barack Obama will have an opening party Saturday for its new Oregon headquarters in the old Wild Oats grocery store at 3016 SE Division St. in Portland – and I have to say it’s the biggest campaign office I’ve ever seen in Oregon.

The space sprawls not only all over the grocery store, but in two floors of offices above (I think it must have been the store’s business offices at one point). Either they got a good deal on the rent or the Obama campaign really is flush. No word yet on the number of staffers he plans to bring in, but it looks like it will be a lot.

At any rate, the opening celebration will be at 11 a.m. and feature Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Portland and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., a national co-chair of the Obama campaign.

Link

Portland To Amsterdam

3:01 am

by Mike Burnett

Thanks to the Open Skies Agreement, Portlanders can now fly to Amsterdam on Northwest Airlines for an average ticket price of $960. Of course, $960 can buy you a bike and an ounce of weed, and you wouldn’t even have to leave Portland. Kidding, really.

Portland’s air connection to Amsterdam will strengthen Oregon’s economic ties to a city that shares a common obsession with bicycles, public transportation and renewable energy, say state officials and local business bigwigs, some of whom will board the inaugural flight. For Oregon travel bugs, the added route — and those being launched in other cities — could spell better service, more travel options and cheaper fares down the road.

But the biggest winner locally could be the tourism industry. Oregon tourism leaders are eager to see planeloads of European tourists disembarking daily just before noon, and they’re already frothing at the prospect of a euro-infusion.

Oregon already is showing success in attracting visitors from other lands. In 2007, more than 575,000 international travelers came through PDX, 10 percent more than the previous year.

The Oregonian is where to find the whole article.

Painting With Tea

2:25 am

by Mike Burnett

Portland Studios has posted a collection of paintings made with tea.

Link

Oregon Media Network Meet-up March 25th

March 27, 2008 2:16 pm

by Mike Burnett

This Tuesday I went to a meet-up and panel discussion organized by Oregon Media Network. The event was held at Holocene (nice venue, possibly even nicer website).

The panel discussion on composing for film and video represented a good cross-section of personalities from a grizzly old engineer named “Hippie” Cartozian to a younger, sharp-tongued composer and sound designer named Keith Schreiner. The panelists had a portion of film they had scored played without their sound work and then with it, demonstrating the impact music has on a primarily visual experience.

Interestingly, the conversation shifted quickly to bridging the communications gap between composers and directors. Some panelists suggested directors use examples of scores they like to communicate what they’re searching for. An audience member wanted a concise list of important musical terminology and definitions.

I found myself thinking of the short documentary In The Edges that accompanies Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man on DVD, which shows the recording sessions where Herzog is present and directing Richard Thompson and a team of musicians as they compose and improvise the incredible score. My favorite part was when a percussionist was playing some bongos a little too loud for Herzog’s taste, so he asked the group to be careful not to sound too much like Golden Gate Park in the late 60s. Coincidentally, NW Film Center is doing a retrospective on Herzog in May. More on that from Natron.

Before the presentation, I ended up sitting down next to one of one of the panelists, Boone Johnson, who was full of information about his burgeoning career as a professional composer. He agreed to answer my onslaught of questions, and I hope to bring his answers here.