Recently, I introduced to you one of our little side projects: SmackStephenHarper.com, a refuge for those bitter and angry about what the current government (leader) is doing to our state of affairs.

Global Mechanic launched this mini blog approximately three years ago with the aim to relieve stress and increase levels of happiness in fellow Canadians.

Give it a go! (And don’t forget to turn up your speakers when you visit!)

Here are some particularly entertaining comments from some of the visitors who came and smacked Stephen Harper:

(I’ve only edited for grammar and spelling, I promise!)

In response to why they smacked Harper…..

- For completely screwing up the fishing industry

- In particular for the cuts to the CBC and in general for being a liar!

- One smack for Steve Harper ……One giant smack from Canadians

- For the oil pipeline into B.C.

- Harper is destroying our future. I voted for him; now I am disappointed [...]]]>

Recently, I introduced to you one of our little side projects: SmackStephenHarper.com, a refuge for those bitter and angry about what the current government (leader) is doing to our state of affairs.

Global Mechanic launched this mini blog approximately three years ago with the aim to relieve stress and increase levels of happiness in fellow Canadians.

Give it a go! (And don’t forget to turn up your speakers when you visit!)

Here are some particularly entertaining comments from some of the visitors who came and smacked Stephen Harper:

(I’ve only edited for grammar and spelling, I promise!)

In response to why they smacked Harper…..

- For completely screwing up the fishing industry

- In particular for the cuts to the CBC and in general for being a liar!

- One smack for Steve Harper ……One giant smack from Canadians

- For the oil pipeline into B.C.

- Harper is destroying our future. I voted for him; now I am disappointed in him. For lying. About everything.

- OMG! Where do I start. For the cuts to the CBC, NFB, and Telefilm. For The fighter jets fiasco, for Kyoto, scrapping the gun registry etc etc etc.

- For my grandchildren

- He said he was writing a book about hockey. That was four years ago. I don’t see no book about hockey.

- As they say in French: “Parce que c’est une vraie tête à claques.” Why doesn’t English have an idiom for a face that just cries out to be slapped?

- For trying to reopen the abortion debate. Stay the **** out of my vagina.

- For believing the earth is only 6,000 years old and still having people refer to you as “smart”.

- For Bill C-15 and other bills that strive to create a police state in Canada. Down with the Americanization of Canada.

- I’m in Health Care/Social Services. The cuts have been devastating

- For thumbing down Kyoto. I can’t stop smacking, and I have to get back to work. Is there a way to automate this?

It doesn’t stop there, but this blog entry does. But you can still join the ongoing discussion!



Tidbit: This may also cheer you up: Leonard Cohen donated his $50,000 Glenn Gould winnings to the Canada Council for the Arts! Way to pay it forward and back.

“The truth is without the help and encouragement of the Canada Council, I would never have written The Favourite Game or The Spice Box of Earth,” Cohen said, referencing early writing scholarships received from the council that helped him launch his career. (cbc.ca)

We’ve signed a new team to our roster of directors!

Anouck Iyer and Lee Schultz are Yes Please, a multidisciplinary studio specializing in visual communications. Their powerful type work, live action & design mix, and sophisticated (but happy and quirky) style help us offer even more diverse talent and experience to our clients.

Global Mechanic has offered print and digital services to our clients for years through agency representation in Canada and the US. More recently, we’ve decided to open our doors to deal with clients directly on projects that are suited for a more intimate working relationship – one that affords us the space to communicate freely with [...]]]>

Anouck Iyer and Lee Schultz are Yes Please, a multidisciplinary studio specializing in visual communications. Their powerful type work, live action & design mix, and sophisticated (but happy and quirky) style help us offer even more diverse talent and experience to our clients.

Global Mechanic has offered print and digital services to our clients for years through agency representation in Canada and the US. More recently, we’ve decided to open our doors to deal with clients directly on projects that are suited for a more intimate working relationship – one that affords us the space to communicate freely with our clients during the iteration process.

Tidbit: Visit yes-please.com or view their work on our site.

Click to vote for Ian's Pippa Desk!

Ian’s made it to the final 10 in Dwell’s Live/Work contest by pitching a design: the Pippa Desk. His design was one of 587 entries, and was chosen to be a finalist by Design Within Reach/Dwell judges.

Until May 21st, vote for Ian’s design and he may just get the chance for the piece to be manufactured!

The Pippa Desk is a solid wood work space solution for either home or office. Sitting on a splayed base, the “floating” work surface contains storage troughs which are ideal for stowing pencils, pens, and other items out of sight. Subtle finger recesses invite the hand to open the flaps which prove quite fun to play with in themselves. Full of playful details, the design of the Pippa Desk focuses on simple [...]]]> We recently heard from Ian Godfrey, one of our former employees and he had some fantastic news!

Click to vote for Ian's Pippa Desk!

Ian’s made it to the final 10 in Dwell’s Live/Work contest by pitching a design: the Pippa Desk. His design was one of 587 entries, and was chosen to be a finalist by Design Within Reach/Dwell judges.

Until May 21st, vote for Ian’s design and he may just get the chance for the piece to be manufactured!

The Pippa Desk is a solid wood work space solution for either home or office. Sitting on a splayed base, the “floating” work surface contains storage troughs which are ideal for stowing pencils, pens, and other items out of sight. Subtle finger recesses invite the hand to open the flaps which prove quite fun to play with in themselves. Full of playful details, the design of the Pippa Desk focuses on simple form, function, and craft.

Tidbit: The grand prize winner will be announced at this year’s Dwell on Design, June 22nd through June 24th. Vote now!

#wanteddesign

#ourcbc was trending in Vancouver during the event (though the number of references to the “interwebs” made the audience in physical attendance feel a bit undermined, I think). The presence (and the presenting) of Canadiana – what is at the heart of the CBC – was strong and inspiring and really reminded me of what our public institutions need to keep preserving.

The storytelling was intelligent, funny, and informed (thank you Ivan Coyote especially!), as was the discussion, for the most part, (which is yet to continue online). And the music – one of my favourite mandates of the CBC – was fantastic and brought everyone in the theatre together for one last applause (thank you Dan Mangan, Aidan Knight, Hannah Epperson, and Zachary Gray!)

Though it may have been preaching to the converted, the [...]]]> Last night I attended the Reimagine CBC Live event at the Vogue. It was a great turn out!

#ourcbc was trending in Vancouver during the event (though the number of references to the “interwebs” made the audience in physical attendance feel a bit undermined, I think). The presence (and the presenting) of Canadiana – what is at the heart of the CBC – was strong and inspiring and really reminded me of what our public institutions need to keep preserving.

The storytelling was intelligent, funny, and informed (thank you Ivan Coyote especially!), as was the discussion, for the most part, (which is yet to continue online). And the music – one of my favourite mandates of the CBC – was fantastic and brought everyone in the theatre together for one last applause (thank you Dan Mangan, Aidan Knight, Hannah Epperson, and Zachary Gray!)

Though it may have been preaching to the converted, the event, I think was a success. I think many people hadn’t realized the positive impact the CBC has on the lives of all kinds of Canadians – like those living in rural townships that are off the private grid; or those who’ve connected through CBC blogs and made lasting friendships; or those who’ve had their art promoted across the country and beyond; or those who generally enjoy the content (like the great repository that is radio 3 – that’s me!).

Looking back, anyone who attended the event will remember the eloquence that were Kathleen Cross (Senior Lecturer at SFU School of Communications) and Wade Davis (author, anthropologist, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence) as they ventured to explain the importance of Canada’s (cultural) landscape and the importance of public broadcasting.

Some poignant quotes from them, as well as others who made the night so memorable:

“The CBC is the glue that is the soul of this country” – Wade Davis

“83% of Canadians would be willing to support more funding to CBC” – Kathleen Cross

“There’s a war in this country, a culture war over what is the Canadian identity – and the CBC is the front line” – Sean Devlin

“Countries aren’t imagined, they’re created by human beings.” – Wade Davis

“What are we doing that we haven’t done before to protect the things that we love?” – Sean Devlin

Song dedicated from Aiden Knight to James Moore: “Would have heard of me if it weren’t for the CBC. This one’s for him.”

Another thing that will be remember is all the Steven Harper bashing. And while often funny, a CBC re-invigoration event is perhaps not the best place for this kind of expression (how is one to convince the current government to stop cutting funding to the CBC in this way?)

In reference to all this, I bring you SmackStephenHarper.com where you’re welcome to take out all our anger without angering policymakers on whom we rely to get arts funding.

Global Mechanic launched this mini blog about three years ago – and it’s mandate? To relieve stress and increase happiness. Give it a try! It feels pretty good.

Now get smackin’!

Tidbit: Also, check out Sean Delvin’s ShitHarperDid.ca, but you may have to go back to smacking after spending some time there.

I recently stumbled upon a neat photography collection: Matthew Yake’s In the Studio. I was instantly inspired. I thought we could use it as a starting off point for a UGC blog idea: Lets share the brilliant work and projects of our readers! Please read on for more info about how you and your work could be featured on our blog!

Matthew Yake’s collection is a series of photos of artists in their studios, surrounded by the materials and tools they use to produce their work. The photos leave viewers with a sense of inspiration as well as curiosity as it’s not always easy to tell what kind of art the artists actually produce in their studios.

In the same spirit, I thought it would be great if you, our readers would share a photo of yourself in your studio. After we [...]]]> Are you a filmmaker? animator? sculptor? illustrator? painter? photographer? designer? ARTIST?

I recently stumbled upon a neat photography collection: Matthew Yake’s In the Studio. I was instantly inspired. I thought we could use it as a starting off point for a UGC blog idea: Lets share the brilliant work and projects of our readers! Please read on for more info about how you and your work could be featured on our blog!

Matthew Yake’s collection is a series of photos of artists in their studios, surrounded by the materials and tools they use to produce their work. The photos leave viewers with a sense of inspiration as well as curiosity as it’s not always easy to tell what kind of art the artists actually produce in their studios.

In the same spirit, I thought it would be great if you, our readers would share a photo of yourself in your studio. After we collect enough photos, we’ll post a special entry dedicated to all of you and the fine work you produce!

We here at Global Mechanic really believe in collaboration, community, and the garnering of connections with local and international artists, so we really urge you to get involved! It’s a great chance for you to get exposure as well as find out what others are doing.

Please email socialmedia@globalmechanic.com (or use our contact form) and include:

1. An original photo* of you in your studio

2. A short blurb* (max 100-word) that includes the following information:
- Your name
- Where your studio is located
- What kind of work you do
- A little about your current project (optional)
- An anecdote about something funny that happened in your studio (optional)

*By submitting your work to us, you consent to the following guidelines.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Have you checked it out? Well if you haven’t, you should. Cliff, the developer, has shared some behind-the-scenes deets about his experiences with making the game. The latest entry talks about the composition of music for this ASCII-style strategy game. We’re talking 8-bit 12-bar blues, mixed by creative director and sound designer, Bruce!

Tidbit: We’re almost ready to release the full universal version of Sir Bit, but while you wait, why don’t you get acquainted with it! You can still get Sir Bit for your iPhone for free from iTunes. Let us know what you think

This week, (cue: dramatic music) as the winds of time sweep away the winter and bring in the spring – and soon, summer – vibes, I got to thinking about the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

The PSWE is a group of amateur musicians who perform high-level concerts of repertoire from the last 100 years. I got to thinking about the group mostly because our own Bruce is one part of the 50-piece ensemble (He plays the tuba!)

I thought it entertaining to share this unique side of our Creative Director’s life, because it really shows the wide range of artistry and skills that we have at our fingertips in the studio.

Plus, it ties back to part of the work we do at Global Mechanic – that is, print design work: Bruce also redesigned the PSWE logo.

They needed an updated look (the previous logo was an out-of-the-box serif [...]]]>

PSWE logo, designed by Bruce

This week, (cue: dramatic music) as the winds of time sweep away the winter and bring in the spring – and soon, summer – vibes, I got to thinking about the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

The PSWE is a group of amateur musicians who perform high-level concerts of repertoire from the last 100 years. I got to thinking about the group mostly because our own Bruce is one part of the 50-piece ensemble (He plays the tuba!)

I thought it entertaining to share this unique side of our Creative Director’s life, because it really shows the wide range of artistry and skills that we have at our fingertips in the studio.

Plus, it ties back to part of the work we do at Global Mechanic – that is, print design work: Bruce also redesigned the PSWE logo.

They needed an updated look (the previous logo was an out-of-the-box serif type strip)
to go with their new site and marketing drive. – Bruce

Trajectories, by the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, available on musiccentre.ca, and Sikora's Classical Records in Vancouver, B.C.

Tidbit: This week’s entry marks the twelfth – and last – #GMretrospective of the year. It’s in perfect timing with springtime and all the new projects in bloom here at the studio to start thinking about what lies ahead! Stay tuned as I share with you deets about current projects (like Impromptu and Sir Bit) as they unfold…

Wanna see Bruce playing a flaming tuba?

Bruce plays a flaming tuba - that's a tuba that's aflame.

It all started when Bruce’s friend Cheryl (of i.e. creative) asked him to be a guinea pig for a new idea that she had brewing for the Vancouver winter Olympics. While the project unfortunately never took off, what was left was this sweet instrument – and Bruce using it! Bruce tells me that the flame went crazy high and he barely even knew it while he played it.

Tidbit: i.e. creative actually made the drawer set in Global Mechanic’s (co-produced with the NFB) film, Vive la Rose. (They also made the famous ball sculpture at Granville Island).

Check out a behind-the-scenes look at how the drawer was rigged.

What resulted was this:

TidBit: Click to see more behind the scenes stuff !!

Late last week we got some great news from a musician and event producer who is putting on an event in Boston. Singer Mali, of pop ensemble Jaggery, requested that one of our short films, At the Quinte Hotel, be screened at a multimedia event entitled Org: Intoxication in a couple of weeks. We of course said yes!

Bringing together performing and visual artists to riff on the theme of inebriation, Org: Intoxication, will be the third in the Org series put on at OBERON, a stage of the American Repertory Theater, a destination for theater and nightlife on the fringe of Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA. We’re very excited to be a part of it!

Org: Intoxication aims to “exhilarate and stupefy as if by liquor”. Enter the hookah bar of your imagination, [...]]]>

Org: Intoxication brings together visual and performance artists to riff on the theme of inebriation, on April 20th.

Late last week we got some great news from a musician and event producer who is putting on an event in Boston. Singer Mali, of pop ensemble Jaggery, requested that one of our short films, At the Quinte Hotel, be screened at a multimedia event entitled Org: Intoxication in a couple of weeks. We of course said yes!

Bringing together performing and visual artists to riff on the theme of inebriation, Org: Intoxication, will be the third in the Org series put on at OBERON, a stage of the American Repertory Theater, a destination for theater and nightlife on the fringe of Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA. We’re very excited to be a part of it!

Org: Intoxication aims to “exhilarate and stupefy as if by liquor”. Enter the hookah bar of your imagination, and be prepared to get into an altered state via music, dance, film, magic, and more. – cluboberon.com

At the Quinte Hotel  is a fluid, vibrant and kinetic riff on one of Al Purdy’s best-known poems by the same name. While not a literal adaptation, it stays true to the playful, erudite spirit of the poem and Purdy’s imagination.

An animation adaptation of Al Purdy’s 1968 poem, “At the Quinte Hotel”. Read more about it here.

Tidbit: At the Quinte Hotel will be screened on April 20th – my birthday! The stars align!