Matt Cusick’s Map Works

I have always loved maps.

I have vivid memories of being in elementary school and absolutely lighting up when my teacher assigned any sort of map project. So naturally, I’ve been a fan of Matt Cusick’s work ever since I stumbled across the his stunning collage work using maps.

Matt transforms something ordinary, rigid, prescribed — latitude, longitude, political borders, states, ancient land masses and formation — into something fresh, dynamic, and alive. Fixed, flat, homogenous bodies of water are suddenly flowing, lurching, twisting.

Kayli’s Wave, Matt Cusick

Three Horses, Matt Cusick (2011)

Fiona’s Wave, Matt Cusick (2005)

Beautiful!

Despite being a fan for a few years, I only just discovered (while writing this post!) that Matt has also done some stunning collages of constellations and a series of defacements of public school textbooks.

Take a look at Matt Cusick’s website to see more of his work.

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“Sigh No More” from Much Ado About Nothing

Last summer, I caught Joss Whedon’s modern film adaption of Much Ado About Nothing at a local independent theatre. The film has an all-star cast, featuring Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg and more. Apparently the entire thing was shot in Joss Whedon’s house in Santa Monica in less than two weeks!

The film features a song called “Sigh No More”, with original lyrics by Shakespeare and the instrumentation/arrangement by Joss Whedon. Vocals are credited to his brother, Jed Whedon, and sister-in-law, Maurissa Tancharoen.

It’s a lovely song. Light-hearted, airy, and summery. In the movie, the song acts as the backdrop to a summer garden party scene, and it just fit perfectly.

Enjoy!

San Diego

I’ve totally lucked out this year. After travelling to Boston earlier this month, I was able to visit San Diego to attend another conference. I’ve been to northern California before, but I was young and don’t remember much. San Diego was gorgeous and the weather was a much-needed break from the polar vortex plaguing Canada these days.

The highlight of the entire trip was our visit to Coronado.

I mean, seriously.

It was breath-taking! Broke my heart to leave at the end of the day.

We spent a night out in the Gaslamp Quarter and had dinner in Old Town. We stayed in the Manchester Grand Hyatt (unbelievable!).

Balboa Park was another highlight. It’s a large area in the middle of the city that part park, but also full (I mean full) of museums and tourist attractions. The architecture of the buildings was beautiful.

We had a huge laugh over this one. There were non-stop Segway tours running past this one building where I was trying to take a picture. I was looking back through the shots and realized I was totally photobombed by a senior wearing a helmet and travelling at a snail’s pace on a Segway.

It was a lovely trip and I only wish we could have stayed longer. Until next time, San Diego!