turkey trout

in february 2006, researchers successfully spliced the genes of the brown trout with that of the north american wild turkey.
the brown trout and the sea trout, despite their different environments, are of the same species and brown trout are thought to be native to Asia or Europe, though there are also north american varieties.

brown trout have very low male populations because most die after spawning. their spawning habits are very similar to that of the atlantic salmon, though they typically have a harder time producing fertile offspring. a previous hybrid was that of the tiger trout, a hybrid with the brook trout. the outcome was satisfactory, but still offspring appeared to be infertile.

the north american wild turkey (meleagris gallopavo) is one of the largest galliforms. known for their hardy constitution, the wild turkey was once one of the runner-ups for title of US national bird (nominated by benjamin franklin).

in an attempt to create a stronger breed (though rumor says it was a drunken bet), researchers toyed with brown trout and wild turkey genes. treated as a joke at first, researchers were shocked when the experiment was successful and so began their 2 year obsession with creating the turkey trout. originally meant to be more fishlike in appearance, the stronger turkey genes created a trout-headed turkey-bodied creature instead. the consistency of the meat is flaky and tender and there are claims that the turkey trout may be the next great american food craze.

the turkey trout was recently released into a nature reserve in Oregon to test for survivability. here is a recent photograph of a flock:



notice the presence of the gills. though relatively useless because the turkey trout does have lungs, the gills have proven to be vital in the mating process.

this abrupt advancement in genetics hasn't gone unnoticed and many animal activists and religious groups have attempted to suppress information about the turkey trout, calling it an abomination in nature.

"i'm proud of our work and i think the turkey trout is a truly beautiful creature. true, it will take some getting used to, but it's potential contribution to the american people is unmatched by any of these 'fashion' hybrids like the leopon or any of the zebroid varieties." - anonymous researcher

man on wire

um...wow.
i just finished watching 'man on wire' and it has to be one of the funniest, uplifting, interesting, and fascinating documentaries i have ever seen. it recounts the story of philippe petit and his dream to tightrope walk between the world trade center's twin towers (1974).



the story is told through petit, his friends, and accomplices in the challenge. most were only in their 20s and all were inspired by the fire and intensity of petit's desire. even petit sometimes thought it impossible, but with a little courage and a lot of planning, preparation, and the right connections, petit & friends were able to get through the world trade center's security and climb the 110 floors to the roofs of the then tallest buildings in the world.

the storytelling is amazing in the movie and surprisingly, there was an abundance of real footage of petit unicycling around paris doing circus tricks, practicing on his tightrope in his back garden, and discussions of them planning out the walk...and him constantly being arrested for his antics.

really, really phenomenal movie.

black, white, & silver

another first thursday and subsequent awesome weekend with music fest nw and pica's TBA festival happenings all over portland.

this first thursday turned out to be pretty filled with black and white imagery. first stop was at Tyson Space in the everett station artist lofts and galleries for jimm lasser's Obama Force One show.



jimm was in the third class of wk12 and this exhibition focused around his all-white air force one with obama carved into the sole. he's now a copywriter and art director here at wieden + kennedy.


the shoe on the right reads "a black man runs and a nation is behind him"


w+k field trip!







next up was compound gallery for the DIGMEOUT show. this is compound's ... fourth? or fifth? partnership with Osaka's art collective, DIGMEOUT.



DIGMEOUT is sponsored by Osaka radio station FM802 and each year they hold an 'audition' for up-and-coming Japanese artists. thousands apply and they choose 12-15 artists to be represented by DIGMEOUT for a year.


artist ryugi ohtani has been represented by DIGMEOUT for several years in a row.

the artists do ad, illustration, and design work for companies that partner up with DIGMEOUT. kinda like a Japanese 12.




my favorite piece in the show by artist Mongrel.

unfortunately, the artists and artistic director didn't get to come out for the show this year. i look forward to seeing them every year - the new artists are always very excited to visit portland and i enjoy spending time with them despite the language barrier.



now for some nerdy shoe news: the nike aerofit is finally out and on the shelves. i was leaving compound when i saw them gleaming through the window.

the aerofit is comparable to the reebok freestyle which i love wearing for their bright colors and hightop-ness (i have weak ankles, but that's another story), but i can't wear them because wieden + kennedy and nike are pretty much synonymous.

i was a sad panda. but then...in comes the aerofit, ushering in a new era of hightop action. hurrah!



i no longer need to save my 80s hightop lovin' for the weekend. plus they're a soooper shiny silver! i feel like i can roast corn on them. huzzah!

amanda visell dunny show

so i haven't updated in a while, but i had to note that tonight is the opening of amanda visell's custom dunny show in the KidRobot room at Circa in toronto.



amanda has a very distinct style that really makes me smile and is a really versatile artist. she always tackles each new show or theme with pieces that are true to her style and aesthetic, no matter the medium. i especially love her toys through Strangeco or when she paints on platform vinyl.
i love that elephant & hunters dunny!

<3

class photo

things have been busy busy busy over here in 12. deadlines are coming up quickly and one of the projects that i'm working on will be going into production and out in the real world soon. scary and also very exciting.

the weather's been thunderstormy lately, but 12 is still full of free food, a lot of work, and even some strawberry milk. yey!

3-day weekend

this was a busy weekend. first thursday openings, art & music in the park, and the beach.



evan b. harris just opened another wonderful solo show at compound gallery. all the work was nautical themed this time and i love the nesting dolls he did!





fifty24pdx gallery featured the work of cody hudson this month. i originally saw his work in person two years ago when upper playground opened their portland location and it's changed so much since then - a lot more installation and exploration.





upper playground is going to be opening up a new location in seattle sometime this upcoming month. that makes locations in SF, portland, london, LA, sacramento, berkeley, and now seattle...all (except SF of course) opening in just the last two years!





upper playground had a party in the park on saturday and had live painting, live djs, and lots of lazing about in the beautiful weather.





king hercules



the beach was...gorgeous.



12 and friends went to ecola beach on sunday. the weather was overcast but mild and i spent the day sticking my hands in tide pools and cracks in rocks trying to pet the starfish and tiny baby hermit crabs.







richard the crab









CANDY!!!

ABC 3D

this fantastic book is coming out this october. first of all, i love pop-up books and secondly, i love the 'hidden' letters. already have mine preordered. <3