Sketchbooking with Mike V. Derderian

"Nude we are not; it is your eyes that make us so." 

With its parliament-al fiascos plastered across news broadcasts around the region, a consistently turbulent economy and a surprisingly struggling tourism industry, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan seems like a far cry from the Western, or even Gulf-based, artistic richness and hub of burgeoning talents.

However, with a Trekky for a King (he starred in an episode and everything), an attitude that can’t be bought by oil money and a royal support system to boot, it is no accident that the likes of Mike V. Derderian are making waves in the arts, both regionally and globally. Check out our interview with, arguably, one of the most interesting illustrators in the Levant and the Arab world at large.

Read thes rest of this article over the ridiculously awesome Sketchbook Magazine, here.

My Goodies, My Goodies

No, not boobs, internet goodies. Sorry.

The first of said goodies comes in the form of Aussie hip hop band, Joelistics and their incredible crowdsourced video for single 'Heart Remains' taken from their brilliant album, Voyager. Ch-ch-check the Australian magic:

Second, comes the glorious workings of one of Jordan's most promising talents, Mike Derderian. I came across Mike's work via Twitter and have literally been hanging round his profile like a fangirl ever since. Refreshing, intelligent scifi-based satire and more. Check out his first fanzine, 'Panels', here:

Open publication - Free publishing - More amman

Finally, puh-leeease:

a) Vote for the wonderful Niam Etany and her super short 'Super.Full' in Youtube's 'Your Film Festival'. The film is beautiful in its honesty and lack of any pretentiousness, telling the true story of the richest country in the world, through the eyes of the less fortunate. Check out Sir Ridley Scott's video message here and follow the prompts to VOTE.

b) Support a project that's a little different and give the naughty 'Daddy Cross' kids over at Sponsume something to smile about. If you're silly and overtly sensitive and don't like British exploitation (uh, what's wrong with you?) and gore, then don't click on the link. Just sayin'.