Des Temps – Page 39 – a blog by desedo

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Urban Planning = New Media Planning

Below is the Pecha Kucha presentation I gave at Hall & Partners about remix culture via urban planning. Before working with brands and film, I was an urban planner and did research in a raft of cities round the globe.

One thing planners have learned is that people have an innate need to remix and customize any urban system or grid that they encounter. Rules will be broken, it’s not about ‘if’, it’s ‘when & how’. See below Jason Lewis’s pics of skaters, parking garages and rollerrinks. Or take a look at HBO’s The Wire. Both engage in this dance of spatial rules and regulations…and are far better executed than my YouTubed musings.

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February 25, 2008
7 Minutes In Heaven Party Pics

Much love to all who rocked with us on Valentine’s Day. Cupid was flying high, we saw spin-the-bottle, some closeclose dancing and heard stories the next morn that made us blush. Stay warm by thinking spring thoughts, as soon comes June Fun and more of Dr. Desedo’s Magical Mischief.

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Want more funner? Click Me!

February 21, 2008
Moonwalk: The 25th Anniversary

It’s the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s album Thriller and his premiere of The Moonwalk. (ir)Regardless of the man, his tunes have stood the test of time. And beyond the music, it’s MJ on the MTV that made him the King of Pop. Last year prisoners in Manila doing Thrilla went viral. In 2008 will we see an en masse Moonwalk?

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February 19, 2008
A Hiring Lesson

Our valentine’s day bash, Seven Minutes in Heaven, successfully in the books, the hour for reflection is upon us. Here at Desedo Films, these skinny tie times have demanded much of us and our closets (let alone our chiseled physiques), not least of which being that we have had to vacate the double Windsor in favor of the Shelby. Our most recent hire, Jared, takes to the instruction with all the aplomb of a true gentleman.

February 16, 2008
Islam & Street Style

In a fantastic NYT essay about Islamic women’s writing, the author Lorraine Adams includes this 1925 observation from Virginia Woolf about Brits ‘exploring’ the USA: Ã¢â‚¬Å“Excursions into the literature of a foreign country much resemble our travels abroad. Sights that are taken for granted by the inhabitants seem to us astonishing. … In our desire to get at the heart of the country we seek out whatever it may be that is most unlike what we are used to, and declare this to be the very essence.Ã¢â‚¬Â In the West, it’s the hijab that often stirs controversy and is interpreted as the visual ‘essence’ of Islamic women. I offer not commentary, but some pics of hijab rocking fashionistas. And to see far more, check the blog Hijab Style.

Pics thanks to Iranian, Sartorialist, Istanbul Street Style,

February 11, 2008
John McCain in Harlem

We interviewed Senator McCain in Harlem during a break from his New Hampshire campaign. He shared with us some strategy secrets; he’s indeed a wily codger as you can see in the video.

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February 4, 2008
Vampires rock Soweto

Vampire Weekend dropped it hot this week and got met with both Kisses and Bronx Cheers. Maybe it’s my preppy roots and culture, but these kids are alright with me. As one sage said: “[This is just] the inevitable graduation of privileged indie kids into their rightful social milleu. Drop the post- art-school ‘ghetto’ chic of most recent Brooklyn arrivistes and you get…this band.” VW keeps it realer than most of us 18-34 liberals in NYC, so let’s put down our snarker rifles and pull on our dancing shoes. To help us all, here’s a little mixtape I cooked up: The Garlic Press & Pestle. (Oh yeah, I’m twee like VW) It’s got that Clipse Cape Cod remix, some Soweto sounds from ’99, Biggie beats over bhangra and Roy Orbison. (you can’t hear it, but the dancehall airhorn is blasting over here)
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UPDATE: Here is a new metric to study band buzz, can you spot the next Vampire?

February 1, 2008