Vilnius, Lithuania

I’ve just accepted an invitation to speak at the “spring” icograda design week (conference) in Vilnius in May. I’ve never been to Lithuania before—looking forward to this, and to crossing paths with many old (and new) Icograda friends again…

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Winnipeg, Canada

I’m happy to be able to announce the launch of The Canadian Gallery, a collection of exquisite outdoor and nature photographs by friend and client Mike Grandmaison. The Canadian Gallery offers images of our great land specifically selected for their appeal to collectors—as fine art pieces, for corporate decor, and for use as corporate gifts.

My CIRCLE colleagues and I have been working with Mike over the past half year in preparation for the launch of the gallery’s new website (which went live earlier this week) and in preparation for the opening of The Canadian Gallery’s physical exhibit space (which is scheduled to open here in Winnipeg two months from today). Check out the imagery on display here.

Above: a few select images from The Canadian Gallery. All ©2011 Mike Grandmaison.

Paris, France

“Death is Not Justice” exhibitions organised by poster for tomorrow opened in some 50 locations around the world on 10/10/10… exhibiting 100 of the 2094 poster submissions received from 81 different countries. While last year’s initiative was coalescing opposition against the Death Penalty, this year’s focus for poster for tomorrow is “The Right to Education.” View past poster galleries and learn about the latest call for entries here.

Images: It must be stopped by Natalia Lazarashvili, Georgia; We need the time to reflect, Tomoko Miyagawa, Japan; a spread from the available catalogue.

Winnipeg, Canada

I love quotations, as anyone who spends any time on this blog knows… and perhaps inevitably, I’ve found myself quoted not infrequently—all a part of the give and take of human beings exchanging thoughts in this age of information and ideas. I was pleasantly surprised today (and a little flattered, actually) to hear from Angie Zubrin, another graphic designer here in the ‘Peg, about a video she had discovered online featuring a quote of mine… here.

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This is not unlike traditional, bottom-up, first-ascent climbing… you rack up and then start up what you hope will be a fruitful line leading to the summit, no beta, no guarantee. On a good day, those bold initial moves pay off…

Memphis, Tennessee…

This is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a fitting moment in time to honor the visionary activist and civil rights leader. Earlier today I was sent a link to a compelling clip from the embattled National Public Radio in the U.S.—four minutes well worth listening to (please listen to the end), here.

(thanks Gregor)

Pink Floyd may have got it right, methinks… time flies.

(meme | rhymes with cream)

Interesting news out yesterday that Toronto entrepreneur Jamie Salter has bought the rights to the image of 1950s Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Salter’s New York-based intellectual property corporation, Authentic Brands Group, is thought to have paid in the area of $50 million for Monroe’s name and likeness. “Marilyn Monroe is recognized around the world as the embodiment of beauty and glamour,” says Salter, CEO of Authentic Brands. “Quite simply, her name and her image have timeless appeal. We feel fortunate to be responsible for the future.”

The question in my mind… in this day and age, can you really own a meme?

Images: some quick grid|meme studies I just did… decidedly not of the famed Marilyn, yet triggering recall to the glamorous legacy of the unhappy starlet who died of an overdose in her Los Angeles home in 1962, age 36.