09 AM | 25 Feb

“When one if prepared, difficulties do not come.” [#Solution] [#geekgirl]

So all this video shows is two guys simply fixing a tyre puncture – not very technical [or geeky], right? Well, I’d counter that the innovation and curiosity required to arrive at such a practical, functional solution is one that is sadly being undervalued in top heavy capital driven societies, with one of the problems facing us lucky-but-perpetually-indulgent 1st world citizens being a lack of established emphasis on grassroots know-how.

Just think about how many of us allow ourselves to dwell daily in institutionalised RedTapesVille that we lose valuable hand-me-down and/or tinkering based skills [like fixing a bike tire with practically nothing].  It seems the more consumer drivel [or moolah mounds] we have, the less we care about the mechanics of tools or the processes involved in actually fixing – rather than discarding – stuff, not to mention the ways we can reuse other items/components in unconventional ways.

The more time poor yet financially rich we become [thanks, overtly-long-commuting-times or endless-wastage-of-cognitive-potential-due-to-daily-puff-meetings-where-half-the-time-is-caught-up-“discussing”-hollow-strategies-or-procedural-pap], the more we lose touch with innovative hands on [and small scale] solutions. Let’s instead try to find gorgeously simply fixes rather than simply perpetuating the ugly cycle of overconsumption [throw-away + buy-again] culture, yes?

04 PM | 12 Nov

Mess & Noise Bike Fest – curate a night of bands for the upcoming Bikefest #Melbourne #festivals

Mess+Noise Curates Bikefest

Mess & Noise: http://www.messandnoise.com/news/4117764

Bike Fest website: http://www.melbournebikefest.com.au/

See bicycle parts, frames and components transformed from their typical functionalities into works of art. The Circular Bike comprises donated bicycles from Monash University’s Uni-Cycle bike share scheme. The bikes have been deconstructed from their singular bike form and reassembled to create a single, circular structure that can be ridden and enjoyed by many.

Contrasting the traditional chandelier with the functional form of the bicycle wheel, the Bicycle Chandelier merges the mechanical with the decorative to create a suspended work of art. Created using lights, wheels and aluminium rims donated by Velocity Wheels.

Fest runs (cycles through to): 25th – 28th November, 2010

06 PM | 25 Sep

The Melbourne Bicycle Film Festival x

To promote Melbourne as a city for cyclists, The Melbourne Bicycle Film Festival are looking for films up to 1 minute long that promote road harmony between all users. The films must contain a recognisable City of Melbourne location, feature cyclists wearing helmets, using a bell and contain one of eight scenarios that represent barriers to road harmony.

First prize is $1000 and a $250 voucher from Open Channel and the use of the clip by the City of Melbourne as part of their safe cycling campaign. Short listed entries will be screened before Bicycle Film Festival sessions at the Palace Kino Cinemas 26 – 28 November.

Visit www.ambiguoushorse.com for more information.