I’m loving the intense, chaotic work of James Roper, on display now at Rojo in Barcelona. So sad I’m going to miss it by a week; I’ll be in Barcelona just after the show closes. Doesn’t mean I won’t stop by Rojo, though…

This work is really hard to explain, so I’m going to quote the press release: “Biological machines such as the human body process and retain energy and any processes placed under restraint will result in an intensification of it’s eventual release. The work attempts to portray this intermediate state as control gives way to chaotic abandon and a transition occurs from one state to the next. Roper is heavily influenced by the excessive and sensuously rich imagery of Baroque art and it’s depiction of the unfettering of religious restraint. Instead of the gentle ushering of the spirit towards the heavens his paintings spit, ejaculate, regurgitate and projectile vomit the spirit out, rejecting it’s bodily form in a fit of maniacal hysterics, a nonsensical reflexive outburst like the spasmodic speaking in tongues of those ’slain in the spirit’.”

LOVE LOVE LOVE these mixed media collages from Brooklyn artist/designer Aaron Maurer. His combination of collaged figures on surreal, painted dreamscapes is incredibly imaginative. I want these all over my apartment. I wish I had found his work earlier, as I missed his recent show in Williamsburg. He also has an impressive collection of digital work, check out his portfolio. You’ll be glad you did.

Amazing work from London-based illustrator Yehrin Tong. She creates illusory, eye-boggling patterns with unbelievable precision. More work on her portfolio.

London-based designer/illustrator Nikki Farquharson makes great work, my favorite of which is her series, ‘Mixed Media Girls’. She creates them using colored pens and found imagery. Very electro/M.I.A., very rad. More work here.

I’m thoroughly impressed with this meticulous series by French photographer Fred Lebain. Lebain first photographed each location, made a poster-sized print, then returned and lined the print up perfectly so as to disappear within the landscape. An interesting exploration of landmarks, time and space. Check out more work here; his portfolio is a little difficult to navigate; click on ‘news’ to get a popup window with more work.

Why is it that Scandinavians get to be cooler than everyone else? Case in point: Danish producer Kasper Bjørke’s new video, “Young Again,” the first single from his album “Standing on Top of Utopia,” due out in February ‘10. The video looks like he ripped open a bottle of acid and somehow ended up in the middle of the woods with gold paint on his face, but in a good way. Guess they’re having a lot more fun than we are up north… Can’t wait for the full album.

Great new video from Australian producer Miami Horror, which is the first single from their upcoming debut full-length. Can’t wait for the album, and this video makes me wish more than anything that I were south of the equator instead of in the icy grips of an impending New York winter.

Abbey Drucker has a really great portfolio, but I especially love the fact that she posts contact sheet collages under “works in progress”. Going over contact sheets is something I really miss about photography, as I haven’t shot on film since my freshman year at Parsons as a photo major. I loved the anticipation of not knowing how your shoot went until you got the contacts and were able to pore over the small photographic gems, trying to find the right shots to print. Somehow, looking at these collages makes the photos seem much more precious, moody and ephemeral. Check out more of Abbey’s work on her website.

Due to an unfortunate cold, I have a Nyquil hangover this morning and this video is helping me wake up. So delightfully strange and hip at the same time. Dust it off and jerk it! Directed by That Go.

I have a big photo-crush on Bruno Dayan. Fashion photography can tend to look a little formulaic, but his work is innovative in its use of texture and color. Check out his portfolio for more sexy shots.