Entertainment & Culture

Tim Disney Profile

Originally published Feb. 20, 2011

LOS ANGELES – “It’s a David and Goliath story,” said Tim Disney, the executive producer of the environmental documentary “The Last Mountain.”

Scene from “the Last Mountain,” Photo courtesy of Fastertimes

The movie is about the Coal River Valley, West Virginia citizens’ fight to save one last Appalachian Mountain ridge from being blown up and strip-mined for coal. He said the movie was a “project of passion.”

Disney, who considers himself an environmentalist, told a group of USC Annenberg students during an interview session that the movie’s purpose was to give the people of Coal River Valley a voice.

“We tried to tell the personal stories of the locals who lived on the mountain. That was what was most compelling,” said Disney. “I’m very proud that I’ve been given the opportunity to do something like this.” (more…)

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Olin And The Moon & Or, The Whale Concert Review

Originally published Mar. 15, 2011

LOS ANGELES – Alternative country rock bands Olin And The Moon and Or, The Whale sang about love and heartache on Mar. 13 at the Satellite in Silver Lake, offering bittersweet stories with gritty guitars and warm harmonies.

Lead singer David Lebrel, Photo courtesy of whenyouawake

“Let’s hang out and get weird,” lead singer David LeBrel of Olin And The Moon told the small crowd. He and the band then launched into “Terrible Town,” a foot-tapping country rocker with dirty-sounding guitars. The song sounded like it belonged in every small-town tavern jukebox.

The night didn’t get weird like LeBrel wanted, but it was somewhat odd and notable how often the baby-faced and undersized frontman — who was just a little bigger than his guitars — kept offering Olin And The Moon beer koozies that were for sale. (more…)

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Food Art

Originally published May 5, 2011

Food isn’t just found in kitchens and dining rooms any more. It’s now showing up in art galleries and show rooms, as food art becomes a popular and legitimate form of artistic expression.

Orange Tiger, Photo courtesy of rew…

Imaginative artists are carving and arranging ordinary fruits and vegetables, like apples and squash, into animal figures and beautiful, wearable dresses. Some are using other common food items like Jell-O, chocolate and butter to craft life-like sculptures of people and scenic depictions of life. The results are visually arresting, and many times, edible and delicious, making this unusual form of art a feast for all the senses.

Art lovers and museum curators have taken notice of food art’s popularity. Last summer, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art organized a five-month-long exhibit and program called “EATLACMA” that focused on food and art and their effects on culture and politics. One part of the exhibits showcased food art, including New York artist Jennifer Rubell’s “Donut Wall” installation, a 60-foot edible wall of countless old-fashioned donuts. (more…)

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