Well I don’t think I have ever seen so many beautiful pictures, paintings, projects in one post before. www.streetutopia.com collected 106 of the most amazing street art pictures from this year and put them in a post for our viewing pleasure. Below are just a few but I IMPLORE you to click-through and be amazed. The talent….there are no words.
My top picks (but really they are all amazing)!
image via www.streetutopia.com
image via www.streetutopia.com
image via www.streetutopia.com
MY FAVE! image via www.streetutopia.com
image via www.streetutopia.com
image via www.streetutopia.com
image via www.streetutopia.com
Thank you to those who create art out of what many see as ‘nothing’. To check out the full list click here.
This video came up in my Facebook feed yesterday and I initially wasn’t going to watch it because it meant that I would have to download some special software. First world problems. I did eventually download the required software and watch the video because a few more people reposted it and curiosity got the best of me.
So I watched it and I don’t think I moved for the entirety of the video- I was completely transfixed by this young man from Toronto- Jonah Mowry. This is perhaps one of the most moving videos I have ever seen and I hope all of you take a few minutes to watch.
Sometimes people who are hurting are able to hide behind smiles and quick ‘I’m OK’s', when really they are suffering. Take the time to check in with your friends, face to face, putting the phones away for a moment. It is so fantastic to see that Jonah’s video has received over 3 million hits as well as personal messages from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. On the same note, there are a lot of people in pain who can only hope to have one person tell them ‘I am here for you’. Hopefully this video will inspire you to be that person to the people you care about.
Thank you Jonah- your courage will help so many.
- Sioned
PS. If you are a youth in crisis, please speak with someone you trust or call the Kids Help Phone Line: 1-800-668-6868.
So there are a few reasons why I am posting this particular video today. The first is that if you know me (or my mother) you will know that I am very proud of my Welsh heritage. My name Sioned has given me a lifetime of mispronunciation, explanations and headaches but I would never change it because it represents one half of who I am.
The second reason is that the Rugby World Cup is going on right now and I am borderline obsessed with the tournament. I have grown up watching my siblings play rugby and all my relatives from Wales are die-hard fans, so you could say that I have been a little influenced. I love the no commercials during games, the confusing rules, the fans and the amazing camaraderie amongst opposing players.
Australian fans via www.rugbyworldcup.com
French fans via www.worldcup.com
Samoan fans via www.rugbyworldcup.com
My third reason is that Neonology is about undoing all the oppression that exists in our communities. A big part of that oppression exists within the language we use. In our presentations we talk a lot about the term ‘that’s so gay’ and what it really means. We try to connect the fact that people are using an important part of someone’s identity to describe something bad. It doesn’t make sense and it doesn’t ever feel good. If you are having a hard time with this, try taking something that you love about yourself and imagine if everyone used that to describe something that sucked. ALL THE TIME. Imagine you heard that everyday by people you love and respect. It would be terrible right?! No one deserves to feel so unworthy.
And fourth and most importantly (because you are all wondering how the first three points relate to one another), is Gareth Thomas:
Gareth Thomas via www.blog.bettor.com
Gareth Thomas is Welsh, Gareth Thomas plays professional rugby (and is one of the most celebrated rugby players in the world), and Gareth Thomas is gay. In fact, Gareth is the only openly gay professional athlete still actively playing in professional leagues. This video gives a brief glimpse into his life before and after he came out to the world.
I have always been proud of my Welsh heritage but learning about Gareth Thomas a few years ago, has made my heart sing with pride! He breaks stereotypes about what being gay means, he recognizes the role that the sports world has in regards to stopping homophobia, and he is living his truth, which at the end of the day is what we are all trying to do.
Thank you Gareth for being a living example of Neonology!!
We are so proud to have worked with the extremely talented Behdad, Hyman and John for this video titled ‘The Mask Analogy’. This project was organized and executed by these three Argyle students (with the help of some very talented friends) and they deserve majority of the credit for this piece. Take a look, listen to the lyrics and think about the great message.
Lyrics: John Yoo
Animation: Behdad Mahichi
Break Dancing: Hyman Shu
Filming: Bruno Oliveira Souza
Other Dancers: Matt Baluis, Yonghoon Kim, Isobel Buhayan, Jenny Parades, Lori Parades & Vanessa Geim
