CORPORATE STREET CRED
Im not sure if it’s a contradiction for the largest media conglomerate in the universe to own and operate what is suppose to be a unique boutique featuring the stylings of real street artists with real credentials, however, Vault 28 at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, CA might just be an exception to the rule.
The store isn’t new nor ground breaking but it is the physical manifestation and embracement of pop cultures’ most recognizable icon – Mickey Mouse – in an underground artistic street scene kind of way. The prowess of the Disney brand is such that it transcends the normal boundaries of effective iconography. The Walt Disney Company, especially Mickey Mouse (and to a slightly lesser degree Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto), have captured not only the minds, imaginations and passions of children but of artists from all forms of media, including those less conventional. Walt Disney’s creations have influenced our culture to such a devastating degree that no matter who you are you’re likely to relate to or have have some emotional connection (no matter how faint) to his personified fantasy characters.
Featuring the works of such artists and designers as Red Monkey, King Baby, Chip & Pepper, Level 27, David Flores and more, Vault 28 is able to showcase the talents of a wide array of relevant contemporary artists that bring a new, exciting and welcomed perspective to a brand that isn’t suffering from a lack of relevance. I guess the point is – kudos to the man for allowing the interpretations of others to be heard and embraced. Disney’s mainstream is full of niche’s and we dig that.
Vault 28 also hosts special events, product launches and artists signings. Disney even produces several of their own avant-garde private collection lines: Kingdom Couture, DV Twenty Eight, Bloc28 and Vinylmation. If you haven’t had a chance to check-out Vault 28 I highly recommend it. Their inventory is always changing so visit often.
TFL#! @ Thresh Hold Today!
BREAKING NEWS – Today, September 26th from Noon-3pm The Forest Lab will be at Thresh Hold rock climbing gym in Riverside, CA (map). Thresh Hold is the Inland Empires premier indoor rock climbing gym featuring top roping, sport climbing and bouldering routes. In addition, Thresh Hold boasts a yoga studio, a wi-fi lounge, pro shop, training classes, youth programs and more. Thresh Hold is perfect for beginner, casual and serious climbers.
Today Thresh Hold is hosting an ABS Comp called “Thresh Hold Throwdown” and TFL#! will be on hand to promote the event by selling select TFL#! shirts for just $15 or 2 for $25. The “Throwdown” is the perfect chance to come check-out what Thresh Hold has to offer, watch some crazy climbing competition and score some sweet TFL#! merch. including some exclusive tee’s not available for purchase on our website. The competition is from 9am-7pm but the special TFL#! sale is only good from noon-3pm so don’t be late!
Hit us up on twitter or facebook if you have questions or need other info. Also, below are the shirts you might find on sale tomorrow. See ya then. Peace.
TAKE A HIKE
If you ever want to spend a day in the great outdoors there’s few places to take in what nature has to offer like Zion National Park in southern Utah. Last weekend some friends of TFL took such a trip and sent us pictures of their experience.
The scenery seemed too beautiful and the adventure too cool to not share with you guys. These kids chose to hike through what’s called the Virgin River Narrows. Basically, the Narrows is a 16 mile stretch of the Virgin river that rushes between 3,000 foot tall sandstone walls. Imagine being in a canyon that is not much wider than the river itself (15-100 feet) and over a half-mile deep and you’ll get the idea. Most people hike up the river as far as they’d like and then turn around and hike out.
The adventure is in navigating up the river in rushing, (almost) freezing river water without losing your balance or falling over a break in the riverbed. The opportunity for broke ankles is tremendous. However, the danger pays off because the scenery is breathtaking and ever changing. As the river bends and winds through the narrow canyon walls you’re never quite sure what’s gonna happen next. Waterfalls, hanging gardens and unusual water carved rock formations are other-worldly and amazing to behold.
On this particular hike the fun was cut short by dark storm clouds and rolling thunder that moved in rather quickly. With the threat of flash floods ever present no chances were taken and our friends made it out safely. This of course only leaves plenty to be explored next time.
-Click on an image to make it big sized.
Thanks to Deon, Gina, Joe, Kim and Wes for the pictures, the story and of course for sporting TFL#! and representing.
Michael Jordan vs. Old Jazz Player
A friend of mine (@RyanSMiller) tweeted earlier today, “…Jazz can’t let it go. $100k offer for Jordan/Russell rematch”. Have things gone completely out of control in the Jazz front office since Larry H Miller’s demise? According to Brandt Anderson, owner of the Utah Flash, he wants to pay $100,000 to charity in MJ’s name for a one-on-one rematch against… Bryon Russell… in Utah… at half-time of a Flash game!
Let’s be fair. The Jazz don’t officially own the Flash so their front office didn’t have anything to do with scheming this horrible idea. But, they could have tried to stop it. Seriously though, why? Why call it a re-match? Did Jordan play Russell one-on-one to win the NBA Championship all those years ago? Why would Anderson think a guy like #23 would lower himself to a half-time spectacle at D-league game? It’s like Anderson woke-up today and thought of the absolute dumbest thing he could say and then issued a press release about it.
There’s only one reason this could have happened and it’s because Jazz fans really just can’t let it go. Michael Jordan has nothing to prove… especially during half-time of a Utah Flash D-league game.
FREE SHIRT!!!!
Here’s the Deal… from now until the end of September you’ll receive a FREE* Red Bear shirt with any order of 5 TFL tees! It’s our way of saying thanks for being one of the first kids on the block to visit our site and buy stuff. TFL#!
COMPARE & CONTRAST
Here’s something for you free lance graphic artists ripping off the real ones to consider… I sat in a hot, sweaty room in 2005 and created this Bear design (the one on the left) for a t shirt with my boy DRFTR when he was just 17 years old. Talk about up and coming. My first thoughts about the Bear were less than satisfied but it grew on me and soon I was impressed with the innovation and genius behind it’s simplicity and with us as young TFL designers.
I figure the “creation” of the bear on the right (first spotted in 2007/8) went down like this. The monster had a deadline and some kid found his “inspiration” after either seeing my shirt around town or after visiting some myspace galleries. It must have been getting late and he/she needed to make that deadline. I never actually saw anyone wearing this shirt and in fact the only shop where I saw it had only one and it just sat on the shelf. Anyway, Im not saying I was ripped off but I’ll let you be the judge whether my design was swiped or not. I love this game. Expect me to beat the dead bear. I will always print this design in different colors and in different ways as long as TFL is around. Imitation is the finest form of flattery after all.
What do you think? Post your thoughts in the comment section after the jump. I’d love to get your take on the situation.
WELCOME!!!
Thank you for being some of the first visitors to The Forest Lab. The web-site and online store have been a long time coming we know, but we are excited to announce that we are open for business. Most of you may be friends of The Forest Lab already but for those of you have found the site through word of mouth or friends status’ from sites such as Facebook and Myspace, we welcome you. We are a small and young company and will not be able to make it in this vast industry by ourselves. We ask for your help!!! Letting friends know about the site and the artwork we have to offer. We know that our product speaks for itself and feel that all can find something that they will enjoy wearing. To encourage all to help us in this, we are selling shirts for less online then we do in brick & mortar shops. We will do this for the first month.
Also, by signing up for the newsletter you will receive information on new releases, special offers and exclusive TFL#! events.
We are gonna keep things fresh. In fact, you could say that ALL of our shirts are limited edition. Each month we will release new shirts and discontinue older shirts. Once we sell out, that will be it! So please, take advantage of what we have to offer and become a part of something special and unique. You have the opportunity to help a company become larger than life. Tell your friends and lets start this adventure together.
Thank you so much. Troy Meacham and Garrett Campbell.
