There is something humbling about small-scale works of art created by a meticulous hand. We can think of no better example than French artist Stephane Halleux’s tiny sculptures. Thanks to La Jolla’s new(ish) and highly evolved Device Gallery, some lucky locals got to experience these incredibly detailed pieces first-hand earlier this year.

Stitched leather has never looked this good.

Although most of these wee little creations are in such high-demand they never see the light of day, we hope Device will be able to bring Halleux’s work back to San Diego soon. In the meantime, check out their latest show, Reconstructed, which features both small and large pieces from several talented local and international artists and runs through Feb. 1, 2009.

Sanctuary143 is honored to present the musical musings of the inconspicuous DJ Meow Mixx with Savory Gravy, the latest mix in our Minstrel Fridays podcast. Hit play and enjoy this eclectic mix during your respective winter solstice celebrations.

1. ’49 – The Silent Comedy
2. Turn On, Burn On – Grand Ole Party
3. People Get Mad – Amy LaVere
4. Brothers In A Bind – Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects
5. Through the Roof ‘n’ Underground – Gogol Bordello
6. It’s Been Raining – Kimya Dawson
7. Top Yourself – The Raconteurs
8. All Night Diner – Modest Mouse
9. John Saw That Number – Neko Case
10. And Darling – Tegan & Sara
11. Got To Let Go – A Band of Bees
12. The Moon and the Bread – Transfer
13. Frantic Romantic – Rayleigh Scattering
14. Pigeon – Stone Gossard
15. The Mess We’re In – PJ Harvey Feat. Thom Yorke

Sandee Manuel and Keikichi Honna make the journey from Oceanside to Tijuana to check out materials for a sculptural installation in the works for the CONSPIRE event on January 17th:
Today we met the first born of our 20 baby Jesuses – he’s pretty heavy for a newborn, pale and has empty eye sockets but otherwise pretty cute.
I’ve enclosed a few pics on our trek back to The U.S.
We encountered many churro vendors, juggling kids, and men carrying large hand-woven baskets. With every basket seller Keikichi would quietly chime in “Snake Charmer.”
-sandee

It’s a tradition that started about five years ago – friends compiling mixes of songs from our favorite albums of the year and trading them with each other. It has become so personal, mailing musical interpretations of the last 365 days across the country for others to hear, to give insight as to how life has unfolded. Songs often say what you wish you could, in more perfect ways than any Hallmark card. Welcome to my 2008. I’ve got my eyes set on the new year.

- Lauren Daniels
seattlegraffiti.blogspot.com

1. New Country – The Walkmen
2. Give a Little Love – Noah and The Whale
3. Blue and Gold Print – Mates Of State
4. Last Day of Magic – The Kills
5. I’m A Lady – Santogold
6. Lately – The Helio Sequence
7. Hiphopopotamus & Rhymenoceros – Flight of the Conchords
8. Young Sensualists – Throw Me The Statue
9. Kids – MGMT
10. Dance, Dance, Dance – Lykke Li
11. Blue Ridge Mountains – Fleet Foxes
12. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? – She & Him
13. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur – Sigur Ros
14. Lover’s Day – TV on the Radio
15. Old Old Fashioned – Frightened Rabbit
16. It’s Okay – Land Of Talk

Check out the SprayGraphic interview with Reinvent/CONSPIRE/San Diego based artist Acamonchi!

The mix CD is an indie rock dating ritual. If done right, you might even get laid. But you have to respect the craft, sort of like Daniel respects Karate in the Karate Kid Part II. There’s a ridiculous amount of thought that goes into it so you don’t want to screw it up. For me, this is a passion project that took up an entire day I was supposed to be working for the man. So thanks to Sanctuary143 for the distraction and I hope it scores you some action.

-Dave Brown

Holiday Matinee
www.holidaymatinee.com

1. Writer’s Block – Just Jack
2. Can’t Hold On – M.E.D.
3. Lilac Wine (Nina Simone) – THE ALBUM LEAF
4. Lose Yr Frown – The Electric Soft Parade
5. Quiet Town – Josh Rouse
6. Lady Lady – Cynty And The Monkeys
7. Chemicals – The Notwist
8. Consolation Prizes – Phoenix
9. Falling Down – Scarlett Johansson
10. Our House – Phantom Planet
11. Something to Do with My Hands – Her Space Holiday
12. Alienation – Lali Puna
13. Talk About A Girl – Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf
14. New Hampshire – Matt Pond PA
15. My Week Beats Your Year – Telefon Tel Aviv
16. West Coast – Coconut Records

From filmmaker extraordinaire Jeff Durkin of Breadtruck Films comes a rad mini-documentary of the Sanctuary143 Reinventing the Wheel show in Barrio Logan. This guy has developed a great eye and with his new camera dolly setup, he is a film-force to be reckoned with.

Thank you to the wonderful people at Riviera Magazine for the feature on Sanctuary143 and the Reinventing the Wheel show in the December arts issue!
Check out the article and the photo of Acamonchi’s pedicab and Mark Klammer’s Traffic Shrine in action HERE – (Click over to the back page.)

One of our favorite Bay area design strong-holds, Heath Ceramics, has extended its reach southward with a new location in the central Los Angeles design district. Heath has brought on Adam Silverman to run the new studio, continuing in the “designer/maker tradition” that began with their first pottery and retail space in Sausalito, California in 1948.

In addition to a retail space, the new LA location includes a studio and gallery for ceramic research where Silverman will produce small-run objects and invite guest artists to collaborate on pieces with the prospect of landing a spot in the permanent Heath collection.

Sanctuary143 is excited to see what comes out of this creation incubator. We’re tempted to wander northward to Heath LA for some holiday shopping among kilns and beautiful dinnerware!

The latest installment of the Sanctuary143 podcast, and first edition of our Minstrel Fridays series, comes courtesy of San Diego musician Joel P. West. Check the review of Joel’s new album, Dust Jacket. ENJOY!

i started making this list by trying to collect all the songs that have influenced me the most but immediately realized that it was going to have to be a super-deluxe box set and gave up. i noticed that all the songs that move me the most have a wintry feel to them and started thinking about why i am drawn to quiet and delicate music with bells and strings and choirs. i find it fascinating that these songs do not fit my current setting at all; the measly hints of winter that we get in san diego are few and far between and the seasons have to be forced with decorations and special menus. i get overwhelmed with emotions whenever i get a weekend somewhere crisp and cold and always do a lot of pondering and reflecting. i think we often use the novel to hold memories and emotions; we need sacred places to keep our deepest thoughts. i have come to venerate true winter moments as a san diegan and i think it is evident in both the art i appreciate and the art i make. here are some songs to accompany the leaf-less parts of the year.

the photograph is of crowley lake at night (up by mammoth) where a lot of these nostalgic memories are kept. i was walking around at night listening to icelandic music and thinking it looked a lot like iceland (i hadn’t been there yet).

Credit:
Joel P West
http://joelpwest.com (update coming soon)
http://otherrivers.com (soon launching with design & illustration)

1. The Fall – Peter and The Wolf
2. Hemipode – Amiina
3. Unravel – Björk
4. The Piano In The Bathtub – Department Of Eagles
5. Ashes of American Flags – Wilco
6. Only Skin – Joanna Newsom
7. The Partisan – Leonard Cohen
8. Finally We Are No One – Múm
9. I Think It’s Going to Rain Today – Randy Newman
10. Symphony No. 3: II. Lento e largo – Tranquillissimo – Gorecki