Back when pagers were out, 143 meant “I Love You.” Based on that I picked the songs that speak to the different ways I have felt about Love. From the best feeling in the world, to a time when it hurt more than anything I can ever remember. So my 143 playlist is about the best and worst parts of love. The things that love will make you do.

- Jacques Slade aka KU
Kustoo.com and Vajraband.com

1. I Can’t Stop Loving You -  Kem
2. Happy Feelings (Live) -  Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly
3. 143  -  Musiq (Soulchild)
4. My Own Zero  -  Zap Mama
5. Love T.K.O.  -  Teddy Pendergrass
6. Assumptions Ft. J-Luv and Soleux  -  KU
7. Shit, Damn, Motherfucker  -  D’Angelo
8. Goodbye My Lover  -  James Blunt
9. Smoking Cigarettes  -  Tweet
10. Love Song for No One  -  John Mayer
11. Nothing Even Matters  -  Lauryn Hill

An enormous congratulations to CONSPIRE artist Mike Maxwell, whose Obama portrait (top right) made the pages of Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” issue. The cover features a TIME-commissioned Shepard Fairey creation, similar to the original iconic image Fairey created early on in the campaign.

I’m sure it’s heavier than Stacy’s beach-cruiser (a.k.a. “The Tank”), but this rebar bike from Matt Krise is pretty damn rad.

The beautifully formed wooden seat (ouch!) contrasts nicely with the sharp edges of the rebar. More photos on Spraygraphic.

Mark your calendar for Thursday — the Sezio crew’s teaming up with Jedidiah Clothing to bring us Hacer, a night of beer, tacos, and art by Tocayo at the amazing Luce Loft in East Village. Hope to see you there!

We’re super excited to hear about the 15 year anniversary line up Saturday at New Image Art — including Shepard Fairey, Thomas Campbell, Jim Houser, and so many more. Not sure what Megan Whitmarsh will have in store for us at the show, but her embroidered yetis (below) are a s143 favorite.

It’s hard to believe that we’re finally here – our new president will be sworn in tomorrow.

As we all know, the creative community had an enormous influence on the election, revealing the conviction of a country full of people seeking change. Tonight is a time to reflect and celebrate all those who have poured their hearts into a collective cause, many of whom are local to San Diego.

Check the excellent photo preview of MANIFEST HOPE: DC from NotCot (tipped off by Holiday Matinee). Half-way down the page you’ll find the work of Rafael Lopez, who with the help of CONSPIRE and REINVENT artist Josh Higgins, released the Nuestra Voz (our voice) print.

Rafael’s poster was quickly picked up by the Obama campaign, selling out in 24 hours and raising $60k in the final election push.

In addition to helping Rafael get his poster out, Josh was also featured at MANIFEST HOPE: DC for his Healthcare Reform poster.

Cheers to Rafael, Josh, and all the collaborative creatives across the country who played a big part in bringing about change.

Enjoy tomorrow!

Oh tin can phone, why do you hold so much knowledge in your metallic ridges?

We assembled many a tin can phone for CONSPIRE, and we chose it to represent the event. CONSPIRE was all about communication – artists and musicians collaborating two to a room – so we drew a parallel there; one person transfers ideas to another, and there’s an exchange based on sound. What’s more, the venue — The Martin Building, a revamped 1920’s hotel turned apartments — is urban and interactive at once like this soup can technology. Residents meet up through gatherings like CONSPIRE, and the building borders the city, equipped with rusty (yet charming) fire escapes and shining wood floors. To us, the tin can phone seemed a perfect fit.

The journey to CONSPIRE was an enlightening one… A note about the tin can phone – it doesn’t work that well. We tried it (some of us for the first time) – we ended up with circles imprinted on our cheeks and laughed more than we heard. But what gave it more meaning was the artist statement from Room #23’s Keikichi Honna. His broken English communicated more than what we were able to initially:

“Tin can phone” may represent communications, or symbolize community for younger generations of i-phone/skype users.  But not for old schoolers like myself.  It’s a fond memory of my childhood.
Funny thing is this needs a partner, which has plenty of incidents of miscommunication and misunderstanding.
Funnier still is it needs to keep tension between us for our voices being heard.”

So cheers to communication and miscommunication. May our voices be heard and may we all CONSPIRE to create.

Thank you for being part of the conspiracy Saturday night! We enjoyed your company and hope to cross paths again soon.

An enormous thank you to our sanctuarian team – they’re the people who serve us drinks and keep the event rocking!

Above: a compilation shot by filmmaker Jeffrey Durkin (footage coming soon.)

Catch some photographs of the wee small hours of CONSPIRE here, including some incredible shots by Anthony Bareno and Brian Deppe!

Check out what Miriello Grafico and Holiday Matinee have to say, and write us a note – we love to hear from you.

Next event is in the works. Keep in touch here!

hitch your wagon, s143

Definitely plan to stop by Subtext’s Grand Re-opening Friday, January 16th at their new gallery space at 2479 Kettner — on the corner of Kettner and Laurel right across from the Casbah. Sezio will be bringing in The Traditionist at 9 pm, and Frank Rogozienski, who began his “Picture a Day” project in January of 2008, will be exhibiting the results of that day by day journey – from back alleys to portraits to dead flies.