Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson

This was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever attended. The Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson was an event held at Prospect Park here in Brooklyn celebrating Michael Jacksons Birthday. Spike Lee hosted this event for the 2nd year and it was amazing to see so many people come together peacefully to sign and dance all day to MJ. Special guests were there and had performances from Snoop and Warren G and of course the great Spike Lee was there. This was something  I will never forget and if you are a Michael fan I encourage you to come next year! I know I will be there again!

I have seen this painter all over NYC. Great work.

Snoop, Warren G, and Spike.

Vegas?

Admittedly so, with life increasingly moving at a faster pace and so many projects going on, I would have to say that I sometimes get a bit out of touch with popular culture.
Sure this song is incredibly catchy and endorsed in a Las Vegas commerical but I really dig it. Its just one of those feel good songs that just seems to work. Reminds me of a song from The Juliana Theory called On the Top Of The World that I really liked as a kid.
Anyways The band is called Neon Trees and the Song is Animal.

Pizza

Ever since I jumped on the plane to New York I've realized the importance of pizza to the city. Before coming here I wasn't a huge pizza fan. But when your here you start to learn how great it is. It an on the go food, for an on the go lifestyle. You can hop in and grab a slice just about anywhere for a reasonable price.
My favorite spot so far has been Luigis Pizzeria off of Dekalb which is right near Pratt. The ordered a slice of Hawaiian that melts in your mouth. It was gooey and greasy and perfect! Apparently it has a history as well as the outside poster claims Omar Epps used to deliver for them and Chris Rock used to kick it there. Brooklyn!

Hipster? No. Hip? Fo Sho.

So upon moving to Brooklyn I have learned many new terms, and the funniest is the "hipster". I have never really heard this term used to quite the same extent in California and had only really referenced in when talking about "Hipsters in Space" from current. (See video above) So what is a hipster? That is a good question. Now some of the hipsters are the coolest people you will ever meet. Ahead of the curve, pioneers who are the advocates for a change. However many are clones. Waves of rich 20 somethings who seem to have scrapped their personality to blend into an UO ad.
This post isn't anti hipster, just sharing a new term for those unfamiliar with it. And in some ways I suppose even I could be considered a hipster. For me I will just stick with my blog title. Hipster? No. Hip? Fo Sho.

Hello Pratt

I can hardly contain myself. I am so excited to start school at Pratt! (Probably the most excited I have ever been for school!)
Today began with orientation where they provided us with food and we met the department chair for a meet and greet of the department. I feel so lucky to be accepted into such an elite group that is the Digital MFA program of only 50 accepted students. Everyone here is incredibly friendly and I got the opportunity to meet many new students. The school is so dope. Everything an artist could ever wish for and the campus itself 25 acre escape from the city that features amazing work throughout the campus. This is one of my favorite pieces and in my opinion the most striking, which is entitled "Leucantha" by Philip Grausman. I feel like the face is so striking that you could never forget this piece.

I am so excited and hope to write much more soon, but for now I am enjoying taking in everything that Brooklyn has to offer.
I can safely say that coming here and being at Pratt is something I have longed to do for so long and I am so greatful to my family and friends for helping me along my journey and always being there for me, because coming here is one of the greatest decisions I have ever made in my life and I can't wait for the amazing experiences that awaits!

LA in NY

This last week has been one hell of a week! I am finally all moved in to my place in Brooklyn (Woop Woop!) and have a good week before school starts to explore the city. Today I went through WIlliamsburg to grab a bite and check out a few of the local stores. Firstly the shopping and vibe down here is amazing. I will probably be dedicating a few posts just to that.
But today I thought I would get my Anthony Bourdain on a introduce a topic I never touched while in Hollywood. The food.
Brooklyn is full of amazing restaurants and bars and by know means am I claiming to be the go to guy about food out here. I have been to my fair share of restaurants in the area with my Brooklyn familia, but I am still new to the scene. With that I bring you L.A. Burrito in Williamsburg. I had a craving for Mexican food and happened to see this place along the way.

 I got the Calamri Burrito which was filled with mexican rice, green onions, pico de gallo, avocado, ginger dressing, and calamari in a Spinach Tortilla that had a sweet and satifsying taste. This burrito was really nothing like I've had in So Cal, but it was delicious! I will make it a point to share some of the spots i hit from now on and please feel free to leave comments and give me opitions about other great restaurants/bars in New York. I will be trying not to stick to one place and venture out!

Episode 2.

TUX IN TIE IN HOLLYWOOD EPISODE 2: ALL ACCESS PASS from Alex Ingram on Vimeo.

Over the summer I worked for TrailerPark/Artmachine which gave me a great insight to life in Hollywood and what it is like to work for a major marketing agency. I was able to meet a lot of amazing artists that I hope to keep in contact with and decided to make a few videos documenting a day in the life and share what I have learned to everyone.
Originally this was going to be made every week however as my work load increased I was not able to keep it going. Still got some great footage. Check it out.

All for the Love

Maestro has been one of my biggest inspirations in the art game right now. Not only does he produce his content at lightning speed and have it ready for his viewers, he does it with amazing editing and a great story to tell. I figured this video was only fitting seeing as how my new journey in life will start in Brooklyn tomorrow and I think the poem at the beginning is super dope and super true.  Keep up the great work Levi!
Visit his site at www.maestroknows.com

It's All For The LOVE from levi maestro on Vimeo.

Last day in Hollywood.

Today was my last day in Los Angeles for my internship with TrailerPark/Artmachine. It was basically the most amazing opportunity I have ever had and has really helped me focus on my career. Thank you to everyone I met and I am sure I will see you again in the future when I get my M.F.A.

Until then, goodbye Hollywood.
And hello New York.

Knowledge + Creativity

I've never really been a fan of reading. Call it a product of being groomed in our modern age, but my attention span for a classroom novel has never been very high. That has been changing over the past year however as I am realizing how important my knowledge is to my success. The idea of learning not only for the sake of entertainment or knowledge, but rather the prospect to earn more money is making what used to be a task much more engaging to me.

Currently I am finishing up two books at once. One is entitled "The King of Madison Avenue" about world famous Ad Man David Ogilvy and the other book is "How To Make it As An Advertising Creative", which I have added a quote below which helps further my enthusiasm for school.
"If you have picked up this book because you think you might want to work as an advertising creative and you are wondering whether you have to take college to get such a job, there is a simple answer to your question. You do."

Marco Brambilla.

After viewing the Kanye West video i was inspired to look up more info on the director and view his website. All his pieces are amazing , especially the piece "Civilization" which is much like the "Portrait of Power". The man's work is amazing and helping me remember that I shouldn't only focus on art for advertisement, but also for the joy of creativity.
Check out the website at
http://www.marcobrambilla.com/

This is not a Kanye West Music Video.

Kanye and director Marco Brambilla have made it clear that this is not a music video. It is the Portrait of Power. Check it out. Its one of the most visually amazing pieces I have seen to accompany a song. I my opinion there are only a handful of people that will truly be remembered for the revolutionary style and lyrical content and Kanye fits this concept of an Icon.
Check out the video here and I also encourage you to watch the short documentary also up on Vevo.
http://www.vevo.com/watch/playlist/king-kanye/197944#1
By the way I hate Vevo. Just make it Youtube.

Quotes.

In my quest to establish myself as some sort of success I have taken to reading every book I can on advertising, art direction, business management, and new techniques in the practice of digital arts. I have never quite had the ambition to read until this Summer. I think it is because I am out of school and actually realized I have real earning potential and furthering my own knowledge can help increase what I am earning. I am currently reading The King Of Madison Avenue, my second book this summer on the exceptional, David Oglivy. I will be periodically sharing a few quotes from the book that I enjoy. Here is one of the first.

"New York is a city of freaks; there is always room for one more of everything."