Embrace the Flux

WTF?

// August 11th, 2010 // View Comments // Fashion, Movies, Music, Technology

As I sit here, silently pondering the origin of my space within your time, a sense of doubt begins to creep into mind’s eye. That I exist, somehow, is certain to me. For how else could I be reading these very words? But if my space was to suddenly vanish, swiftly erased from your time, then how else might I exist? Oh, how these thoughts strangle me. Thoughts which make me feel like an oblivious fool.

Thankfully, to this eyeball, the web is even wider than the world. And it seems to form all sorts of funny little patterns which simultaneously disturb and enrich the understanding.

The pattern I will speak of today, however, is no mere circle.

A physical substance was clearly there; YouTube said so. And it was clearly a perfect circle. But when another thing was introduced to the circle’s domain, an unbreakable square of sorts, it became altogether certain that I was witnessing a miracle. As if the pixels had a life of their own, the unbreakable square was suddenly sucked into the circle. And so in the center it remained, gone but no lost: invisible. The circle had regained its apparent perfection.

Yet something else happened as I watched this YouTube video. That sense of doubt, slowly creeping into mind’s eye, began to vanish like a drop of water, patiently waiting for a miracle. Have a look for yourself.

They call it “Magnetic Silly Putty.” Now I’m sure any old physics book can explain why a ball of silly putty is able to absorb a cube of metal. That’s not the point. The point is this: a circle hides a square inside its belly. And hell, if this is true, then who’s to say that a two-dimensional eyeball of unknown origin isn’t creeping into your mind’s eye at this very moment?

So before I take my leave, I must first offer my apologies. I am sorry for thinking that your thoughts were strangling me.

What the Flux.

Trailer: Rango

// July 2nd, 2010 // View Comments // Movies

Rango is about a household lizard who becomes lost in the desert. The trailer doesn’t show us much more then a hot and bothered amphibian zigzagging around in a shrieking panic; but the animation is just stunning. From Rango’s Hawaiian shirt to the guitar playing amigo-owls: the visuals look gorgeous. Overall, we have high hopes for Rango; after all, Depp will be reunited with director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of Carribbean).  This dynamic duo notwithstanding, there is reason to be nervous. These days, Pixar and Dreamworks are the big players in animated films. But the only film from Nickolodeon Pictures which has developed any kind of revenue is Bolt.

Rango hits theaters March 4, 2011.

Summer Movies 2010

// April 7th, 2010 // View Comments // Movies

The anticipated 2010 summer movie lineup is upon us. Which one do you want to see the most? You’ve got Robert Downey Jr., on the one hand, delivering a well deserved ass-whooping. On the other hand, though, you’ve got Aang, the 12-year-old airbender on a quest to save his world. Which one is the real hero? You tell us.

Flux Friday: Week One

// March 18th, 2010 // View Comments // Fashion, Movies, Music, Technology

In need of some reposé after a long and stressful work week? We hear you. From this point on, every time Friday rolls around you can look forward to something out of this world from the domain of technology, something perceptually enticing from the world of fashion, a moving image that will just blow your mind, and some musical ambiance for your perusing pleasure — just download the week’s Flux Pack. More like it, right?

Relax, it’s Flux Friday.

         Flux Pack One                   Dee Pee Studios                   LMS Killbook                  Design by Humans

Trailer: Tron Legacy

// March 10th, 2010 // View Comments // Movies

In the year 1982, Disney came out with a little film called Tron. Despite the primitive graphics, Tron was a science-fiction epic ahead of its time. Nevertheless, the name may be new to some of today’s younger generation. To recap:

Kevin Flynn was a software engineer working for the corporation ENCON. He’s managed to produce a game that has the potential to, as the trailer proclaims, change science, medicine, and even religion. Everything is going just peachy until the day Flynn finds himself locked in the system…

Twenty-five years later, Sam Flynn must confront the mystery of his father’s sudden appearance. And it looks as if the virtual universe of Tron has received a few…upgrades.

Having starred in Tron twenty-eight years ago, there couldn’t be anyone more appropriate than Jeff Bridges to play the role of Kevin Flynn. And who else but Daft Punk could pull off the soundtrack? Join Disney this coming December for the 3D adventure of a lifetime.

Mr. Tastees

// March 4th, 2010 // View Comments // Fashion, Movies

We are pleased to introduce Mr. Tastees, a young artist based out of Chigago, IL. From rings, necklaces and t-shirts to pins and even bow ties, his hand-made, acrylic connection of jewelry and graphic tees is both stylish and different. With an energetic choice of color, his art has just enough flare to make eyes pop while still retaining the image and theme of the ice cream man himself. But beyond his distinct color palette and a profound style of craftmanship, Mr Tastees’ attention to detail is simply awesome.

Despite the youth of the brand, Mr. Tastees has definitely managed to make a name for himself. Among others, he’s produced jewelry for Ghostface Killah, The Cool Kids, Twista, and DONNIS. Perhaps the appeal of his toy-like art is its uniquely retro image and feel. Even his packaging bears resemblance to the classic action figure box. But Mr. Tastees’ innovation really shines by virtue of his mobile store…on wheels. That’s right, Mr. Tastees sells his products out of a 1953 restored Dodge ice cream truck. But do not fret, his online store is stocked to the roof with tasty (get it?) treats. We’ll keep you posted with more information from this one-of-a-kind artist. Until then, join him on a crazy trip – pun not intended – into Chicago.

Welcome

// February 20th, 2010 // View Comments // Fashion, Movies, Music, Technology

My name is Flux Welles and I am the new creative mind, so to speak, of Embrace the Flux. Let me be the first to welcome you into our new home. As you can see things look a bit different around these parts. We like to think we’ve developed a more intuitive way of communicating to you what the Flux is all about. We want you to understand the exact criteria which guide our unique mindset. To be fluxy, mind you, is quite an accomplishment. Cursed be the man who mistakes flimsiness for fluxiness.

I offer you my insight over at our new About page. Should you choose to take a look, do not panic if you are suddenly overcome by a tingly-all-over feeling. This is the Flux we’re talking about.

Thanks for visiting our new home. Enjoy your stay and come again soon.

Avatar

// December 24th, 2009 // View Comments // Movies

A post-modern-sci-fi-epic, hailed by critics as the 21st century Star Wars progeny, James Cameron’s Avatar is nothing short of – pun intended – titanic. Cameron’s first scriptment for the film came in 1994. Tentatively labeled Project 880, one might be tempted to ask Mr. Cameron how close his original vision came to the film’s ultimate consummation. Was 3D his intention all along? How much of Pandora was only realized with advancements in CGI technology? Notwithstanding a presumably gargantuan transformation, fifteen years of deliberation and a two-hundred-thirty million dollar budget have provided the fuel necessary to change the film industry for years to come.

Contemporary Hollywood marketing has a nasty habit of creating large expectations that are too often not realized. But, let’s be honest, big-budget marketing is the best way to attract a large demographic nowadays. Avatar was certainly not an exception. Its three-minute thirty-second preview alludes to the trailblazing Wizard of Oz: “Ladies and gentleman, you are not in Kansas anymore.” It boasts one-liners that appeal to the interests of mainstream viewers: “This, this is our land!” And, to seal the deal, it makes a particularly tenacious claim: “Movies will never be the same.” But does the film itself live up to its prodigious trailer? We think so.

The year is 2154 and an American scientific mega-corporation has taken base upon Pandora, an earthlike moon of the planet Polyphemus. The goal is to extract a valuable mineral, unobtanium, which sells for oodles upon oodles back on planet Earth. Our protagonist, a parapalegic ex-marine, has been instructed to infiltrate a Na’vi tribe – the indigenous people of Pandora – and convince them to move away from a financially (and spiritually) valuable tree that happens to be located above a large supply of unobtanium.

The plot bears some resemblance to a modern Pocahontas story. A new land is discovered, its native inhabitants are befriended by a sympathetic soldier, and, ultimately, the natives are exploited by a powerful and expanding nation. The film as such provides a warning: even though militarily imperialism may not be as explicit today, powerful nations – ahem, U.S.A. – have the capacity to employ imperialism by means of economic, capitalist-driven interests. Avatar, moreover, makes no effort to conceal its commentary upon world leadership. The scientists, led by a strong and virtuous woman, seek to learn more about the Na’vi in order to find a diplomatic solution. The corporate military, led by a ruthless and stubborn man, believe that diplomacy is useless and weapons are the only way to exert influence. The female seeks cooperation while the male seeks destruction. Is Cameron highlighting an important aspect of world leadership that desperately needs – perhaps more so in Western nations – a reevaluation?

Avatar even touches upon the existentialist train of thought. In our world, man exists in a state of distance from nature despite the fact that we are always in the midst of nature. On Pandora, life and nature are one and the same. The Na’vi – literally and figuratively – live through their world. They have evolved with and not despite their surroundings. Religion isn’t merely another part of their life; it is their life. These analyses, we imagine, could fill pages. The beauty of Cameron’s Avatar is its ability to illustrate these important inquiries within such a breath-taking and awe-inspiring planet.

Like any innovation to the filmic medium, three-dimensional technology is bound to stir some controversy. Its use was previously confined, for the most part, to IMAX documentaries and spectacles of Walt Disney World. Avatar is the first feature film to make use of the technology from beginning to end—a huge leap of faith by director James Cameron. But the achievement remains proof that films need no longer be bound by a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional landscape. Cameron has opened the proverbial door, so to speak, to a new kind of filmmaking. Avatar allows the viewer to feel as if he or she is spatially oriented – I felt like I was actually there! – within a nonexistent universe. And this universe is a spectacle in its own right. Words would not do justice to the seamless beauty of Pandora; we’ll let the images speak for themselves.

We can confidently submit that Avatar has gone above and beyond our expectations. A beautiful story, a beautiful planet, a remarkable achievement in technological innovation, an architect of (see below) floating-jellyfish-butterfly-spirit seeds—the film merits worldwide recognition. Quick, get your tickets for the next IMAX showing! This one deserves to be seen on the (extremely) big screen.

Trailer: Iron Man 2

// December 18th, 2009 // View Comments // Movies

Iron Man 2’s first theatrical trailer is finally out! And, from the looks of it, the sequel will maintain a similar feel. (Witty punch lines, sexual tension, and sweet special effects, that is.) The trailer certainly doesn’t attempt to hide the newest villains in pursuit of Iron Man technology. Whiplash (evildoer number one) will be played by Mickey Rourke. Scarlett Johansson has been cast as the Black Widow. Don Cheadle will apparently be sporting some kind of war-machine-suit. Samuel Jackson will also be making an appearance. But we digress. Besides revealing most of the cast, the trailer conveys a fairly simple plot. Tony Stark is convinced he is the only one with Iron Man technology at which time Mr. Ivan Vanko (Whiplash) discovers and exploits the technology for evil purposes. Overall, Iron Man 2 could be a promising sequel to a solid franchise. The film hits theaters May of 2010.

Artist of the Week: Rimantas Lukavicius

// December 4th, 2009 // View Comments // Movies, Technology

Rimantas Lukavicius has an incredible ability to connect the worlds of audio and video. He is the founder of KORB, a freelance motion design studio that works in visual effects and motion graphics. Lukavicius and his studio have made a variety of digital films –  from music videos and promotional work to exhibition pieces – and have performed in over sixty festivals since 2004. To see more of his fantastic work, check out his website: KORB.lt. For now, we’ll let his 2008 “Showreel” do the talking.