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| Image courtesy of Myke Amend |
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| Heptameron by Myke Amend |
Myke likes to mix his mythos, with fun combos like steampunk & Lovecraft,
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| The Antarctic Experiment by Myke Amend |
steampunk & Wonderland
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| Mach Turtle by Myke Amend |
and steampunk & horror (perfect for Halloween).
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| Undeath From Above by Myke Amend |
I'm sensing a theme here.... Myke also mixes surrealism, pop culture, robots & other great stuff on both his website, MykeAmend.com and his Etsy shop, EttaDiem (which he shares with artist Bethalynne Bajema).
So what does this have to do with the new Thursday Giveaway?
On 10/14 Myke is giving a "Spooky Steampunk Bag Of Awesome" to one very lucky winner. According to the artist: "Each bag will come stuffed with interesting things – prints from our Cirque Acirca project, and other interesting things… some will even contain hand-made weirdness and all will be packaged with some beautiful hand-made love, fine paper, sparkles and ribbon. The rest is a mystery, but a good mystery. "
To enter this random drawing, simply leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 10/14. It is that easy. This drawing is open worldwide & prize ships free to winner.
Can't wait until the 14th? Need a Bag Of Awesome right now? Myke is selling them on his site for $15+ shipping (click here).
Why is Myke doing this?
Because He and Bethalynne are working with other creative types on an amazing mixed media (& I do mean mixed- visual arts, music, performers, you name it) extravaganza, Cirque Acirca and they need all the help (& donations) they can get.
What is Cirque Acirca?
It is the wonderland of art & events these fun folks are putting together for the ArtPrize event/competition happening now until October 10 throughout Grand Rapids, Michigan.
From the Circque Acirca site: "ArtPrize, a radically open art competition, will host Cirque A Circa, a confluence of artists, designers, musicians, and performance artists creating a multi-use space to showcase an eclectic variety of turn of the 19th century inspired gallimaufry, art, metaphysics, magic, and music. Seven nationally known artists......Brought together by a love for Circus & a mission to help teens in trouble. Their entry is art installation, 2D, 3D, musical, interactive, performance, variety, fashion & most of all it’s as life affirming as it is death defying. Have you ever felt like a freak? On the outside looking in? Maybe from another place or time…Welcome home."
Why is this so important?
"You know we love art & ArtPrize & probably you are nonplussed about our connection to Circus or even SteamPunk… but there is a more important reason why we are doing this & though we are usually not comfortable talking about “What It Means’ we realize that in order to get the message out we need to talk about, well, what it means…
It is our belief that Mental Health issues are at the heart of the cause & the effect of all of these things that affect our young people. Affect us. All of us… The seven of us doing Cirque Acirca have had very different lives but we have all been personally affected by suicide, abuse, self/substance abuse & Mental Illness of every kind & probably, so have you. We are the lucky ones. Each of us has found our own ‘Circus’. A reason to Live, to Laugh, & to Love… & that is our message." - from Cirque Acirca site. Click here to read more about Cirque Acirca & the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan.
What is ArtPrize?
From their site: "ArtPrize is a radically open competition. Open to any artist in the world who can find space. Open to anybody in Grand Rapids, Michigan who wants to create a venue. Open to a vote from anyone who attends." Also, toss ArtPrize into google & you can find all sorts of press coverage.
Readers, thanks for sticking with me. I know I'm a bit verbose today. Just remember to leave a comment before you go to enter the goody-bag giveaway.
If you have some time please check out a few links, enjoy the art & learn more about this ambitious project. If you like what you see, spread the word.
And if you are lucky enough to be in Grand Rapids, be sure to enjoy the variety events at ArtPrize & Cirque Acirca. (And then drop me a line & tell me all about it - so that I can live vicariously through you, okay?)
this week. Today's favorite track is Caged Bird with Katrina Ford.
