November 30, 2004
Annual Madness
The six minute trailer for the extended version of The Return of the King is up at www.lordoftherings.net. If you want to download a larger (quicktime) version, there's a link on the front page of my favorite all around fan site: TORN. My copy has been on order for months. On December 14th we will test if anyone really can watch all the extended versions of all 3 movies (11.5 hours) in one sitting.
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November 23, 2004
Name That Task
I get a lot of phone calls from people asking me to help them with their on the spot computing problems. For years, my first bit of advice to them has usually been, "Reboot".
Why? This is usually NOT the best solution for their underlying problem, but it has often been the best immediate solution for the non-technical user. Windows 98 in particular was prone to locking up or crashing because of poor memory management by programs. Many problems were solved by rebooting because the offending program was shut down.
In later versions of Windows, when troubleshooting computer slow-downs or random, odd behaviors (the computer's, not mine) I have used the Windows Task Manager or various task manager replacements to examine what processes are running and to selectively shut down errant processes, such as spyware programs or trojans, before moving on to remove them completely.
I don't usually work with the Task Manager when helping people over the telephone. Normally, I have no idea what programs they have running on their computers and trying to guess at the purpose of mysteriously named processes without being seated in front of the keyboard is frustrating for me and sometimes frightening for the other person. Who knows what PcfMgr.exe or cidaemon.exe are and if it's 'safe' to stop them? (On the other hand I was pretty sure that !@!!logger.exe was an evil program when I saw it.)
Via Lockergnome (if you are wondering why anyone would name a tech site "Lockergnome" the story is here) I have been introduced to a wonderful site that identifies many of the background processes you might find running on your computer.
cidiaemon: Windows NT4/2000/XP task which is part of the Microsoft Index Server (NT4) or its replacement, the Microsoft Indexing Service (2000/XP).
PcfMgr.exe: For laptops : Power Schemes Manager System Tray icon (also called PowerPanel).
Definitions quoted from Answers That Work
AnswersThatWork also offers a utility that you can download which will examine your running tasks and services. The trial is free, a license costs $20.00. Of course, I had to try it out. (I wasn't kidding in the intro to the column-the laptop I am writing this on is NOT my primary computer, but Belarc Advisor tells me I have over 200 programs installed-yeah I will try anything once.)
The Ultimate Trouble Shooter was able to identify most, but not all, of the processes I was running and gave me some interesting information and recommendations about each one. I haven't tried out the full version long enough to absolutely recommend it and the trial is seriously disabled. I will post an update when I have decided one way or another.
The AnswersthatWork web site itself if very useful but it is also a hideous framed site, so make sure you bookmark the actual page you are interested in getting to.
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November 22, 2004
More USB Flash Madness
http://www.remotelyanywhere.com/I was looking for a 1GB flash device I could stick on my keychain. They are running about $100 to $120. I saw this instead....4 GB for under $175. I gave in to it. It's not keychain-able but it comes with a neck strap. It's a hard drive device, not a flash device. Flash devices in the 4GB range are still going for around $800, if you can find one.
Having 4 GB of CONVENIENTLY sized portable storage may solve some of the problems I am encountering working in multiple workplaces. I have tried, and am using some web based services: FusionOne, Streamload, GoToMyPC, RemotelyAnywhere; some hardware: a 1.5 GB hard drive device I bought last year, a 512 MB flash device (which I broke); I can log into my SharePoint on my Windows 2003 server remotely and retrieve files...but nothing has been been simple; no one solution works everywhere, 1.5 GB is not enough storage space; everything requires forethought and planning. I need to feel confident that whichever solution I use, I am accessing the LATEST VERSION of the file.
SharePoint actually comes closest IF the documents I am working on are Microsoft Office documents, and IF the computer I sit down at has Office 2003 installed. I feel fairly confident that for these documents, the latest versions are the ones in SharePoint. But I am having trouble coordinating my Outlook mail files between computers running different Outlook versions and I keep all kinds of project assets in file folders and I am currently confused where the latest versions are. I THINK I know, but the whole thing is making me nervous and less efficient than I need to be.
I am going to try the 4GB drive. I am nervous of course about having the only copy of my most important work files on something which I can lose or break, so I have to figure out
a) my backup strategy
b) my versioning strategy.
I would like to find a utility like Beyond Compare which I can run from the hard drive itself, so that I don't have to have install software on whatever computer I am using. If anyone knows of any utility like this, please let me know.
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November 21, 2004
Desktop Toys III: True Desktop Modification
If you've been reading this column (and I am sure you have!) then you already know about my goal to devote all otherwise useful time to the pursuit of the perfect desktop. I herein announce that I finally achieved desktop twiddling nirvana when I downloaded the Stardock series of desktop modification tools.
The Stardock line of tools includes programs to manage and design themes, icons, cursors, widgets, and program docks. Their WindowBlinds program allows you to skin, or change the appearance of every window. You can even create a customized task bar. There are shareware versions of each of these programs available for download.
Loading these programs did not seem to affect the speed of my laptop, or cause it to crash. Stardock displays the Designed for Windows logo on their site. This doesn't mean that you won't have any software related problems if you install the software, but it does mean it meets "additional standard of quality." If you are already having problems with with your Windows installation, it's wise not to install anything until you fix your existing configuration. If you are not using Windows, I assume you skipped this entire article.
I am now able to modify every aspect of my desktop. This, of course, takes hours. First hours to search for the perfect skins, widgets, icons & cursors. Then hours of configuration, loading and unloading different schemes. Then, hours of changing my mind back and forth. Kind of like redecorating your apartment, without the furniture moving.
I suppose I should be thankful that I haven't been bitten by the skin design bug. I doubt I could be as creative as the artists featured on WinCustomize. But I have a feeling I might have to try my hand at it.
I discovered some surprising things during my desktop modification adventures. My attitude towards my daily working environment changed in a positive way when I temporarily had to refocus on the interface to achieve productivity. I felt less like part of the machine. I enjoyed experiencing the interface mindfully.
The more my computing interface matches my personal needs, the easier it will be to work. Try it for yourself and see what you think.
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November 19, 2004
JT LeRoy - Harold's End
Harold's End
Teenage Prostitutes, Codependency and a snail named 'Harold' by Liberation Iannillo
On November 13th, Deitch Gallery celebrated the upcoming release of J.T. LeRoy’s latest novella, Harold’s End, with The Origins Of Harold. This new exhibit, which includes pieces by Lou Reed, Herman Bas and the book’s illustrator Cherry Hood, is inspired by the writing of J.T. LeRoy. The soft-spoken LeRoy attended the opening wearing one of his trademark Cindy Sherman-esque disguises - a disheveled platinum wig, dark sunglasses and bright red lips. Following the opening was a performance by J.T.’s band, Thistle, and a reading of LeRoy’s work. Lending their voices for the evening were J.T.'s usual celeb-endorsers including Tatum O’Neil, Susan Dey, Thora Birch and Shirley Manson of Garbage who wrote the song ‘Cherry Lips’ about the androgynous LeRoy.
Harold’s End, the first in a series of novellas by J.T., tells the story of a teenage boy who prostitutes himself on the streets of San Francisco to feed his heroin habit. The story’s nameless narrator and his pack of pet-toting teenage hustlers are approached by a man they first suspect is either part of an outreach program or a cop. ‘Larry’ shows up on their block providing the kids with clean needles and food for their odd assortment of pets. LeRoy's narrator is neither interested in Larry nor his generosity but when Larry says he has something for him, the boy can’t resist. Larry slowly wins the boy’s trust, takes him off the streets and provides him with food, drugs and an unlikely pet - a snail. The snail, "a descendant of the first snails brought to the Bay Area by the French in the 19th century," is given the name Harold. The three form a codependent relationship that unravels after a botched sex act, some unfortunate dumpster diving and a swift beating. It’s J.T.’s immune, matter-of-fact approach to this harsh subject matter that sets him apart from the likes of Dennis Cooper who is known for his books about gay, teenage metalheads and their doomed sex-capades. J.T.’s first book Sarah was published in 2000. Sarah is an autobiographical novel about a young boy who dresses up as his mother and prostitutes himself along with the other ‘lot lizards’ (truck stop hookers), who wear raccoon penis bones around their necks. LeRoy’s next book, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, a tormented chronicle of LeRoy’s childhood, was recently made into a film and debuted at Cannes this year.
Harold’s End is the first of a series of novellas to be published by Last Gasp of San Francisco and illustrated by Cherry Hood. LeRoy’s next book, Labor, will be published in 2005.
On The Web | www.jtleroy.com
Photos: Evan Sung
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Now, For Something a Little Different
Amazon recently released its own search engine, named A9, to the public. (yep I sure would like to have been able to bill for thinking up that name....someone expended some serious brain cells there-can we say fear of creativity? And what's with the mysterious number-name web site fad? At least 43 things is fun-kinda:)
I started using A9 sometime in mid September.If you log and identify yourself to A9, it provides some interesting user features. The most interesting thing A9 does is maintain a complete history of all the sites you visit, excluding secure sites. I don't particularly recommend A9-using the search engine does give you a minuscule rebate on Amazon but they are candid in their privacy policy about the fact that they are free to use any information they get about you when you surf with their tool on AND that they have the right to share this information in whatever manner they choose.
However, I was totally amazed to see that on the average, over the last 2.5 months, I visited 8,800 pages a month, A9's history counts each individual visit to a page. The daily average of about 293 doesn't sound as unreasonable. I do a lot of web development so I click back and forth testing pages. Still it made me try to remember exactly when was the last time I went outside.
Without delving into the philosophy of the database of intentions, I think that over time it would be interesting to track my browsing history and search history, but not for Amazon's benefit. I still remember the first time I 'surfed the web', sometime in 1995. You never forget your first time.
So I just added another 30 or so pages to my surfing history, trying to find a tool that DOESN'T erase browsing history. I once had a program that drew a graphical map of my surfing activity but I lost it years and years ago. Haven't found one yet, will report back when I re-surf-ace.
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November 18, 2004
Desktop Toys II: Windows Themes
After my flirtation with Konfabulator, I felt unsatisfied, tired...lonely. While the widgets were fun, they sat there on the same boring, old desktop. I knew how to load my own wallpaper.....but I wanted more excitement than that could give me.
Looking to increase my thrills, I experimented with Windows Themes. Windows themes are sets of complimentary wallpapers, color schemes, icons, and cursors. The ability to recognize and change themes is built into Windows XP, for earlier versions of Windows you need a theme manager.
Anyone can fiddle around with a cursor or an icon building program, then use a theme creator to package the theme. This is a great way to creatively waste time. I downloaded dozens of themes and tried them all out.
Some warnings:
Watch out for badly designed themes. Many of the ones I tested used unreadable fonts for desktop and menu elements.
Nothing protected me from my own bad taste....(Note to self: Remember to redecorate before the next client demo.)
Watch out for spyware. One of the theme download sites I visited coyly explained that they repackaged themes submitted to them so that they could cover the cost of the site. When I started to install the theme I downloaded, Counterspy warned me that several spyware programs were trying to install themselves. I quickly bailed out of that installation but I still had to run Counterspy and then reboot to remove the spyware threats. TriggerTech was not amused. And don't click on the "theme download sites" link except to find out where not to look for themes.
Related Links: DeviantArt | ThemeWorld
Reluctantly Mentioned: Themes Unlimited (too many ads on this site)
Positively Unrecommended: ThemeXP (say "no" to spyware)
Absolutely and Positively Must Have: CounterSpy (speaking as an IT pro, this new app currently is the best tool available for removing and controlling spyware-it's only $20, and it's well worth it. Please be careful which 'spyware' software and anti-virus programs you use...some of the heavily marketed ones are spyware programs themselves....but that's another subject)
Next Time: Desktop Toys III: True Desktop Modification.
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November 14, 2004
Desktop Toys
Last weekend, in my never-ending quest to avoid doing anything useful with my free time, I began playing around with some Desktop Toys. I was successful in wasting an entire weekend! And I see much time-wasting potential for the future.
What set me off on this latest craze was the announcement that the Konfabulator team had released a new version of it's javascript based desktop widget application that works on Windows. Mac people have had this toy for a while. The app allows you to download and set up desktop widgets, which basically look like gigantic icons, which allow you to run mini-applications or functions on your desktop. You can have a clock, a weather notification, access to hard drives and folders, mp3 players and lots of other time-wasting distractions. The charm of this is hard to describe, you have to try it for yourself. I hadn't thought I wanted weather on my desktop-I hate the Weatherbug software, which is full of spyware nastiness, but the Konfabulator weather widget turned out to be fun. I found a New York City traffic cam widget, and I was slightly embarrassed at some of the pictures the picture frame widget found on my hard drive.
Next Time: Desktop Toys II-Playing with Themes
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November 12, 2004
Michael De Feo
Out on the Streets by Liberation Iannillo
Some welcome what has come to be known as street art, others see it as another form of vandalism and call the police. Over the past few years, like it or not, street art has slowly slipped into mainstream culture. Absolute Vodka has used street artists to design national ad campaigns. Both MTV and Comedy Central take full advantage of the esthetic, in particular the latter whose logo can be found dripping paint on the bottom right hand corner of your television on all of their programming. Though their audience tends to be on the younger side, there is still an audience.
The Boomer generation is retiring and their children are now starting to have children. We are at a point in time where the world seems like it is consumed with chaos. There couldn’t be a more crucial point in time to start teaching this new generation about tolerance and presenting them with a broader view of the world at an earlier age in hopes they avoid making the same mistakes that are being handed down to them. Even Madonna has put down her burning crosses and started writing children’s books based on the teachings of the Kabbalah. With that being said, let me introduce you to Michael De Feo.
Chances are you may already be familiar with the work of De Feo, (aka The Flower Guy), you just didn’t know it. For ten years he has been adorning cities all over the world with his hand painted flowers. Manhattan alone has seen over 15,000 of his flowers in places ranging from abandoned buildings in SoHo to street signs on Park Avenue. His work has appeared in books such as The Art of Rebellion, I NY, Stick'em Up, Street Logos and Graffiti World. This December he publishes his first children’s book, Alphabet City – Out On The Streets, which introduces children to the ABC’s via street art.
“The concept for Alphabet City - Out On The Streets, to be completely honest, came to me in the shower one night,” says De Feo. “It’s interesting to find things when you’re not looking for them. The idea juxtaposes the old, traditional format of a child’s alphabet book with a very contemporary and illegal method of image producing.”
“For years I’ve been working on different ideas for children’s books. There have been so many instances when I’m doing work on the street and passing children notice what I’m doing," says Michael. “I’ve seen kids tug at their parent’s coat or shirt and point me out. They have this remarkable appreciation and sense of wonder for things that are out of the norm.”
After ten years of appealing to both children and grown-ups alike and the birth of his first child Marianna, the idea of presenting the alphabet in the context of Manhattan streets suddenly became more personal.
“A few months after I came up with the book concept, my wife became pregnant. The timing couldn’t have been more appropriate,” says De Feo. “My daughter turns one year old this December 4th and I’ve dedicated the book to her and my wife Kristen.”
Whether it’s the subject matter of his imagery or simply incorporating play and spontaneity of his work process, De Feo says there has always been connections between children and his work. “Coming from a big family as well as being a teacher has provided me with constant interaction with kids of all ages. I love kids and I feel like I’m one too when I’m running around the streets with paintings and glue.”
When I ask him what impression he hopes his book will leave on the children De Feo says, “I hope that children and everyone else that encounters my work on the streets leave with a renewed sense of wonder and joy for this incredible place we call the city. It’s about opening our eyes and minds.”
Michael De Feo has a BFA in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts and a MAT in Art Education from Manhattanville College. He currently teaches art at Westhill High School in Stamford, Connecticut. His art adorns the streets of New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Munich and his works have been exhibited in art shows around the world.
On The Web | www.mdefeo.com
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November 9, 2004
Safe Gear
Via BoingBoing, "A Directory of Wonderful Things" (and so it is) we get the ultimate rubber device protection site.
When I bought my IPod this spring I discovered the world of IPod skins, and even led my good friend Liberation into temptation. He succumbed, turning his lovely, white 20GB piece of technology into a freakish and scary object.
Now, you apparently can buy your IPod skin at Walmart (when they are in stock.) Or you can go to SkinIt, and buy matching covers for your IPod, phone, PDA and other parts. Their tag line is "Personalize Your Toys!" Can everyone say "Gift Certificate"?
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November 7, 2004
More & Better Toys from Sony
I love my sony laptop but oh boy..... This looks extremely interesting. A 1 lb. pocketable PC / media player built with Sony's special sense of style. The portable keyboard is external but the unit has a touch screen panel for stylus input. There is no information on the Sony web site yet.
The U-series is still not on their web site, but you can buy an Xmas themed burgundy T-series notebook, available on-line only. I assume they are only making 1 or two of these boys...
Extremely small form factor PC's as going to be a real trend. Last month the OQO debuted to much fanfare in the geek world.
It looks like the OQO might be more usable, because the keyboard is built in, and not external. On the other hand, I am pretty familiar with Sony devices and I know two things about them: (a) they are shiny and (b) they are constantly revamping their product line, so in a few months this version will disappear to be replaced with something else.
What did I tell you! Sony's already updated the itsy bitsy thing! The picture at this link is larger and clearer-you can see that the interface is in Japanese. Since the original product isn't even available in the US yet, I wonder if this update will be? My current notebook was getting jealous, so I upgraded it's memory to 1GB. The surgery went well.
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November 6, 2004
More USB Keys
From ShinyShiny, more cute USB toys. I want the Tinkerbell one. Sadly, not available in the US in this time.
It's strange to me that USB keys are common enough to be packaged as grown-up toys at the same time that sales people at places like Radio Shack tell me that there is no such thing as a 1GB USB flash device. Is the disconnect cultural? Marketing? Is a brick and mortar retailer just that far behind the wave? I casually shopped for a 1GB key to replace a broken 512 MB key (yes, you will break it if you plug it into the USB port of the front of the workstation under your desk and hit it repeatedly with your knee) as I strolled down 5th Avenue from the 40's to 23rd street, and no one, not even the gray market camera shops, had 1GB USB keys in stock.
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November 5, 2004
About Us
Launched November 5th, 2004, TRIGGER MAGAZINE is the brainchild of New York-based artist Liberation Iannillo. Trigger Magazine aims to create a web environment – a cyber salon – focusing on the discovery, nurturing and promotion of artists in all mediums. Trigger Magazine's artists bring a rebellious sense of energy that has come to represent the “downtown” aesthetic that defines a New York scene in danger of becoming extinct. A direct response to the cookie cutter, conveyer belt era of corporate catalogues and focus-group based market research that creates a ubiquitous franchise on every corner and a full spectrum of beige in every home.
More than just another bohemian diatribe, Trigger Magazine highlights creative mavericks able to make their way into the mainstream without ever compromising their artistic vision or integrity. The term artist as used by Trigger Magazine includes anyone who is passionate about their vocation and brings a fresh point of view to their world of work. Regardless if the subject is a painter, musician, writer, photographer, designer or athlete, Trigger Magazine looks for individuals bringing a provocative and genuinely distinctive spin to what they are doing.
"I passionately hate the idea of being with it, I think an artist has always to be out of step with his time."
- Orson Welles
US actor & director (1915 - 1985)
Liberation Iannillo: Editor In Chief / Publisher
liberation@triggermagazine.com
Mikal Saint George: PR Contact
mikal@triggermagazine.com
Gallery Listings:
listings@triggermagazine.com
Tech Column:
tech@triggermagazine.com
Subscribe
subscribe@triggermagazine.com
Art Direction / Web Design: Liberation Multimedia
Content Management: Fortified Data Solutions
Hosting: Raven Studioz
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About Us
Launched November 5th, 2004, TRIGGER MAGAZINE is the brainchild of New York-based artist Liberation Iannillo. Trigger Magazine aims to create a web environment – a cyber salon – focusing on the discovery, nurturing and promotion of artists in all mediums. Trigger Magazine's artists bring a rebellious sense of energy that has come to represent the “downtown” aesthetic that defines a New York scene in danger of becoming extinct. A direct response to the cookie cutter, conveyer belt era of corporate catalogues and focus-group based market research that creates a ubiquitous franchise on every corner and a full spectrum of beige in every home.
More than just another bohemian diatribe, Trigger Magazine highlights creative mavericks able to make their way into the mainstream without ever compromising their artistic vision or integrity. The term artist as used by Trigger Magazine includes anyone who is passionate about their vocation and brings a fresh point of view to their world of work. Regardless if the subject is a painter, musician, writer, photographer, designer or athlete, Trigger Magazine looks for individuals bringing a provocative and genuinely distinctive spin to what they are doing.
"I passionately hate the idea of being with it, I think an artist has always to be out of step with his time."
- Orson Welles
US actor & director (1915 - 1985)
Liberation Iannillo: Editor In Chief / Publisher
liberation@triggermagazine.com
Mikal Saint George: PR Contact
mikal@triggermagazine.com
Gallery Listings:
listings@triggermagazine.com
Tech Column:
tech@triggermagazine.com
Subscribe
subscribe@triggermagazine.com
Contributing Writers and Photographers:
Dinika Amaral, William Cate, Jessica Cogan, Lauren Cerand, Carey Denniston, Liberation Iannillo, Mikal Saint George, Justin Quinn Pelegano, Dennis Spafford, Troy Tolley and Evan Sung.
Art Direction / Web Design: Liberation Multimedia
Content Management: Fortified Data Solutions
Hosting: Raven Studioz
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Antony Zito
Face Value by Mikal Saint George
When was the last time you looked at yourself, I mean really looked? If you got up right now and looked in the mirror, what would you think? Would you be proud? Would you be horrified? Time can be cruel. I was once what many called beautiful but I have morphed into “attractive” and “interesting.” I have grown to the point where I have character, a style. It was easier when I was beautiful. Drinks were always free, tables were easy to score in the best restaurants and I could stay awake for 72 hours straight without showing it. I am happy to say that when I look in the mirror I love what I see. I am still pretty good to look at and I am loved by people too good to be true. I walk into the world every day and I am privileged to meet some of the most astonishing people put on this planet. So let me tell you about Antony Zito.
Zito paints portraits. Sometimes he paints portraits on flattened garbage cans or discarded doors, sometimes he paints clocks that are inhabited with spirits. But he always paints grandeur, grandeur he sees that we overlook. His subjects are given a special life they never knew existed until this unassuming little genius steps up to the easel and infuses himself in every brushstroke. An artist to the core, Zito acknowledges that one must be able to draw before they can paint.
A strong sense of classical training and artistic antiquity were instilled with him early on, as was an appreciation of the great masters. A child of two fine artists who met at Hartford Art School, Zito was encouraged by his supportive parents to explore his creativity. “It’s extremely rare and I do not for a second take it for granted. Having parents that will back you up is possibly the greatest thing anyone can have,” says Zito. Amen. As a child his parents introduced him to Gotham and thanks to frequent jaunts to museums he was able to discuss Michelangelo and da Vinci with authority by the time he was seven. Early encouragement helped, as it always does, but talent did not breed arrogance. He is quick to point out that there are tremendously talented people on practically every corner.
New York is a self proclaimed accident. He admits that he never thought this would be home. An early stint as a musician in Massachusetts was the turning point. On Halloween night in 1992, a guitar player with a job offer in NYC enticed him to make a change and the rest is history. His current location at 122 Ludlow Street was actually the cheapest neighborhood at the time. Tell that to anyone now paying $4500.00 a month for 300 square feet.
Portraiture spoke to him because “the human face is the most basic form of communication. If you look at entertainment or advertising media, it is all about faces,” adds Zito. He points out how many emotions can be brought out by a face. By tapping into the most basic, primordial responses, Zito brings us into a world of his own making. “A face will give away what a mouth is trying to hide.”
Most compelling about Zito’s work is his ability to paint emotion and he captures his subject’s spirit, the feeling that exists in that special moment in time. “There is more power in subtlety,” Zito says. “I like to go to the source of emotion and that is usually the face.” He goes on to say, “It is like paint describing emotion through the illusion of a face.”
When asked if he is able to see something physically beautiful in all people, his candor is a bit surprising. “Out of respect for all living creations...yeah. But there is a fine line between desire and disgust. If I draw a forehead or jaw line wrong, someone can look like the elephant man but one brushstroke they can become a thing of beauty. I think very often that the idea of people is more beautiful than the actual appearance.”
“I have days where I am out on the street and everyone seems gorgeous. Then other days everyone looks like a troll. That is kind of the same experience we all have when we look in the mirror. Some days you’re like ‘wow - I’m gorgeous' and then other days you just stare at your reflection and go ‘what the fuck is that?’”
As an artist Zito continually aims for truth in his work with beauty being a secondary priority. Since both are subject to a certain amount of interpretation, there is a broad range of styles represented in his body of work and a surprisingly wide appeal. He proclaims a number of variables that influence each new piece. Sometimes it is something as basic as the weather. He has a portrait of a friend he painted in less than five minutes which is full of life and perfectly reflects the bright sunny day on which it was painted. You can almost smell the glorious fragrance of freshly cut grass and salty scent of the river.
Zito is quick to point out the deep connection formed between artist and subject, each with personal histories converging to create the end product. “A good portrait artist tries to capture a segment of time. A photograph is a pinpoint but a portrait should somehow reflect what everyone was feeling, how the light changed, the face moved.”
I ask him how he finds the recycled materials he often paints on, wondering if the pieces talk to him and ask to become a part of his work. At just that moment a clock chimes. Originally nothing more than an inexpensive plastic clock it has now become Zito-fied with a friend’s portrait. It is a moment that reminds us of the spirit that an artist infuses his work with. In fact, this piece seems to always chime in (on key) at precise moments like the one described.
A man of many gifts, Zito is also musician and accomplished sculptor. His junk metal pieces are a real delight. His ability to see new forms in discarded materials is impressive to say the least, although he will admit that making them stand up without tipping over can be a major challenge. My personal favorite piece is a bronze woman giving “birth” to the Grinch of Dr. Suess fame. Oh yeah, there is also his version of Madonna and Child, the difference being that this holy mother started out as a blow up doll. Oh if only Jerry Falwell could see the joy in my eyes.
Perhaps most inspirational is the fact that he is making a living as an artist. In fact he becomes quite passionate about what he calls "propagating the myth of the starving artist as truth.” He eloquently continues, “Even in art school when you are studying how to paint, and you are paying to learn, they don’t tell you a damned thing about how to get along in the world. The only thing they tell you is if you want to paint and make a living you have to be a teacher.” His advice to newcomer artists is to “look around and see that you can make a comfortable living doing what you love to do.”
No truer words since Virginia found out there really is a Santa Clause.
Zito Studio Gallery | 122 Ludlow Street | NYC
On The Web | www.zitogallery.com
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