Boot Camp by Soundgarden

Boot Camp by Soundgarden

boot camp

n

1. US slang a basic training camp for new recruits to the US Navy or Marine Corps

2. (Sociology) a centre for juvenile offenders, with a strict disciplinary regime, hard physical exercise, and community labour programmes

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

Soundgarden gets the lyrical art treatment this time with their song 'Boot Camp'.


Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by lead singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto.


This is my interpretation of an underrated song I feel is about conformity, longing for change. A society full of rules or social protocol. We long for something else but are still caught in the confines of the system. 


Infant clones/drones stand in line, all with their heads down but one. Head raised and eyes wide open looking upwards towards the sky. A sky it has been told not to look upon. They must all follow the rules, but one dares to dream and question...

Boot Camp detail

The Y label on their foreheads is to show they belong to generation Y also known as 'iGen'. Born after 1981.
Characteristics of the generation vary by region, depending on social and economic conditions. However, it is generally marked by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies.


I must obey the rules
I must be tame and cool
No staring at the clouds
I must stay on the ground
In clusters of the mice
The smoke is in our eyes
Like babies on display
Like angels in a cage
I must be pure and true
I must contain my views
There must be something else
There must be something good
Far away from here 
And I'll be here for good


Soundgarden was one of the seminal bands in the creation of grunge, a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle, and was one of a number of grunge bands signed to the record label Sub Pop. Soundgarden was the first grunge band to sign to a major label (A&M Records, in 1988), though the band did not achieve commercial success until they popularized "grunge" in the early 1990s with Seattle contemporaries Nirvana, Alice in Chains andPearl Jam.


Listen to the song:

The Dark Realms of Jonathan Ramirez

Jonathan Ramirez

I recently came across the amazing digital art of Jonathan Ramirez, and we are currently collaborating on some pieces together which we will be exhibiting at the Debut Contemporary Gallery, London in August.

So here's a little chat with the man himself about his work.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

Jonathan Ramirez, 28 years old, been doing digital art for 10 years. I was born in Monterrey Mexico 1983, I moved to the USA when I was 16, now I live in Dallas Texas, but planing to move to a city with more art and music... 

How would you describe your work?

I describe my art work as industrial, dark and Gothic with vintage touches. I dont get inspired much by other artists because I try to stay away from whats new, fashionable or the current scene, all that the 'new' generation is into these days. So I try to stay away from that and get my inspiration on music and lyrics from my favorite bands which are Pink Floyd, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, Radiohead. The Beatles are also my favorite. 

What does being creative mean to you?

Being Creative means being different from others, being in a jar where no one gets in and I cant get out. I cant breathe the same air, i dont taste the same as others, Im just there alone, no space no gravity no light. 

What inspires or motivates you?

Music is what inspires me, also dreams I have and some times just the mood I'm in like when I'm sad or depressed. 

Whats playing on your mp3 at the moment?

Right now im Listening to Pink Floyd “The Wall” full album. I need some depressing music to create a dark feeling on this new art piece.

More from Jonathan Ramirez: jonathanramirez.webs.com/

www.behance.net/jonathanramirez

Prophecy

Tales of Scorched Earth

Swinging on to the next...

'World within Worlds' series

For the past week I've been working on the second painting in my series of girls and landscapes. I will be calling this series 'World within Worlds'. 'Walking Through Clouds' was the first in this series, currently on display at Debut contemporary Gallery, London. Slowly nearing completion I hope to spend another week on this. I've set myself an initial goal of four paintings in this series for mid August. let's see how it goes.

This one is full of blue skies, fields, a sunset, black butterflies and memories...

Bullet with Butterfly Wings

Finished another word art piece of mine using Lyrics. This time inspiration comes from the powerful song by The Smashing Pumpkins, 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings'.

Bullet with Butterfly Wings - Pen & Ink

"Bullet with Butterfly Wings" is a song by the American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It was the lead single from the band’s 1995 double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The song won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

(Source: Wikipedia)


A rat sits caged in a girls head. Gnawing on the bars, trying to break free. In the eyes of the girl we read 'I still believe I cannot be saved'. A bullet with butterfly wings flutters above. Lyrics cascade down the girls hair on either side. 


The Smashing Pumpkins is one my favourite bands, and this song for me has always been one of those that I would play repeatedly. Great beat, fast and beautiful lyrics. True poetry.


I get many things from this song, someone who feels trapped in a situation they have no control over or no control over their life. A society that just takes and takes, uncaring, cold, deaf, dictating our lives. "the world is a vampire, sent to drain". They're so angry and yet they have no influence over what will happen - "despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage" All about conforming, loss, sin, pain, frustration, change, etc... at least that's how I see it.


Something I think many of us have felt at certain moments in our lives if we're truly honest with ourselves.


(^_^)

Walking Through Clouds

Detail (Walking Through Clouds)

The painting is now finished and I've just delivered it to Debut Contemporary Gallery today. 

Measuring 100 x 76 cm and painted on canvas in oils, a girl stands with a stormy wind blowing through her hair. A tree stands bare, crows taking flight and circling above.

The first in a series of paintings fusing girls and dual landscapes.

Walking Through Clouds - oil on canvas 100 x 76 cm

Lots of wispy hair and other fine details in this picture, very time consuming but worth it in the end. 

A closer look in the video below.

Now to plan the next one (^_^)

Paints & Brushes at the ready...

100 x 76cm Canvas

Busy painting again. Working on something that I'll be delivering to Debut Contemporary Gallery soon. Here's a little peek at what I've been up to.

Work in progress...

La Chica del Atardecer

First in a new series following on from a small painting I did a good few years back,  'La Chica del Atardecer'. This time I'm painting on 100cm x 76cm canvas.

A fusion of girls and dual landscapes will dominate in this surreal series.

There's a set of photos on my facebook page showing some of the process of this piece. Link here

That's it for now, gotta get back to work (^_^)

My art in Notting Hill.

After the fantastic June preview night held on Wednesday June 1st, I'd like to continue to welcome all to come down to the ongoing exhibition at the Debut Gallery in Notting Hill, where my work is still currently on display. My Profile

"For What It's Worth" pen & ink

See some more of my art by visiting my website:
 www.memakestuff.com

You'll also find the work of some other excellent artists from all disciplines, more details here: ARTISTS

Debut Contemporary Gallery

82 Westbourne Grove

London W2 5RT

www.debutcontemporary.com

DEBUT CONTEMPORARY is an innovative concept for all aspiring and ambitious artists, showcasing the best of British creative talent across all art disciplines. Dubbed as “Kingmakers” (International Life Magazine) of creative talent, “London’s Top Tastemakers” (Time Out) and “One of the UK’s Most Powerful Couples in Fashion & Art” (The Times Magazine), husband and wife duo Samir Ceric and Zoe Knight, the “high profile couple” (Drapers Records) behind the launch of Wolf & Badger, Salon Contemporary (including Artist of the Week, Curator of the Month and Best of British competitions) and First Wednesdays, is now launching Debut Contemporary. Having already discovered some of the big names amongst emerging contemporary artists and fashion and jewellery designers in the last few years.


(^_^)