In the month of February, 2012 Panman Productions operated as a temporary production company on display at the RSPop[+] Popup Shop at the base of the Roger Smith Hotel. Essentially the objective was to build out the concept of the space and test out different ideas that will become part of the larger marketing and branding program offered to different types of businesses.
The video is part of Panman Mixtape Series… It is the 83rd mash-up made in the last three years. If you are interested in learning more, my recommendation is to start with the first. Panman Mixtape no 1 – http://bit.ly/wp6UWS
The future of the street level activity on Lexington and 47th will continue to evolve. Different types of brands are invited to participate from technology to fashion brands, social conscious companies and brands that strive to be innovative. We have built our business to help launch your brand to the next level.
Thursday December 15, 2011
I spent a bit of the day with my father, post surgery, at Greenwich Hospital. All I can is it will be an interesting road to recovery. As I sit and listened to a Doctor talk, I am posting manipulated images to my instagram.
I assure the nurse that I am listening.., I am just a byproduct of the obsessive mobile generation.
Welcome to Pancity! Panman Mixtape no 79 by Panman
I am hit with a wave of motivation to round out the year on a strong note. List upon list, I create my end of the year objectives. The road ahead will be filled with new adventures and challenges. Tech projects on the Horizon; the transformation of underutilized spaces; Better business operations and relationships; I know I must live my life to it’s fullest.
I need to learn to listen, follow, lead and always strive to innovate.
I want to thank everyone I have worked with in 2011. I’m happy to be bringing new excitement to the Roger Smith Hotel in 2012 operating as their Director of Digital Marketing.
Panman Productions is not dead but will be focused on very specific projects. In 2012 I look to release my documentary on earth healing. It is a project that I have been working on since 2007 and it is long over due. I am also going to be introducing a new app and will be driving the social initiatives at the Roger Smith Hotel. You will see new pop-ups and witness the next level of collaborative efforts. There will be an increased mobile integration surrounding everything that I am apart of and mark my words, 2012 is my year to shine.
Panman mixtapes have been a great creative initiative for me over the last couple of years. They have served as a testing platform for experimental video and artistic expression. I have created 80+ mixtapes and am embarking on new artistic collaborations with top New York artist and playwrights as a result. The efforts of live video mixing as an art form have inspired the creative collaborations with Aleks Degtyarev, Abianne Prince, John Birdsong, Lisa Paul Strietfeld, Daniel Rothbart, Mark Wiener, James Knowles, Jasminka Baney, Melissa Gonzalez, Kate Griffler, Molly Barnes, Daniel Terstad, Fleur Keyes and others…
With new relationships being built I imagine the list of artistic collaborators will grow and become more sophisticated.
It is also important to note the emergence of the new artistic space at 125 East 47th street and the developing program of artists collaborations in our space in 2012. The current sculpture piece by Harlan Mack stands strong in New York City’s newest Gallery installation window. I will be working with Molly Barnes as well as the Vermont studio center to fill the program for 2012. Be sure to follow the 125 window gallery tumblr for latest updates and news.
So at this point I want to thank a couple specific people with made huge difference in my year and recognize their good work. Starting with the RS pop-up shop, I tip my hat to Melissa Gonzalez and Lionesque media. Together, inspired from an idea of transforming an under utilized space Melissa has gone far and beyond my levels of expectation. She has pushed me to be much more accountable and taught me how to succeed in business in New York City. She sets the pace, and has a compass for the next developments of our industries. We have become friends, disagreed with each other routinely to eventually agree and as a result have created a unique and desirable product known as RS Pop. I look forward to continuing our growing business and personal relationship.
I also need to thank and recognize John Birdsong. At this point John has been the longest working colleague of mine in the field of production, social media and marketing. We worked together at Plum TV, then at Panman Productions and now with the Roger Smith Hotel. We absolutely disagreed on creative decisions but find clarity when discussing strategy and the vision ahead. A project in John’s hands will always take shape and inspire different levels of conversation. I’m not going to lie, he can be a pain in the ass but he’s always reliable and has continually had my back. Thanks John for the years of continued support.
The third acknowledgment that I feel is necessary to mention is my family. From my father who is always been my number one fan and audience member, to my mother who always believes in me and Phoebe who is continually trying to help me be my best. My family is the best support team that I can imagine and I am truly lucky to have them in my corner. They are the reason for the opportunities that I have in front of me and they are continually trying to keep me on my toes. I thank Allie and Jeremy and James and Maureen for providing a brilliant next generation.
I believe in that one can accomplish their greatest desires in life and I strive to live by that expectation. With hard work, support from others, and a dedication to seeing it through, I believe we will experience our biggest achievement in the new year. So my advice is, dare to dream and believe in your own success. I look forward to making it happen in 2012.
I appreciate the continued support. Thanks for following the tangent
Please leave a comment and let me know what you are looking forward to in 2012.
Much love, Panman
Aka John Knowles
On Sunday November 20th, 2011 there was an artist collaboration between John Knowles and Daniel Rothbart at Daniels home in Bushwick Brooklyn. The alchemical experiment is part of the Meditation / Mediation series that Daniel Rothbart has been doing for several years. Artists from different mediums positioned themselves into the collaborators mindset and put forth their creative intent into these 15 bowls.
The underlying theme of the visual set that I put together has a couple thematic layers. First is the concept of the ability of the human imagination to manifest ideas to become a reality. With positive thinking and the willingness to give you can make anything happen. It falls in alignment with the desire to dream and make your dreams a reality.
The next phase has to do with success and the road ahead. With patterns and ideas of growth and new discoveries, I open the doors to the next series of opportunities. To look forward and drive messages out into the world is my objective. New project. New potential. New heights of glory and achievement. If the experiment has done its course, the right people will begin to offer their expertise in a similar direction along the journey.
It was exciting to conceptualize this collaboration as I have been following Daniels work and collaborations with other artists for years. I look forward to our next collaboration which I hope happens sooner rather than later.
I will be making a series of limited edition prints of the projection work that I am doing. If you are interested, just ask and I can keep you in the loop.
You can follow my real time activity through Panman Mixtapes or my Pancity Twitter account.
Reach out and let me know what you think.
Video Mash-ups from October 2011
I have put together a compilation of video to be mixed live. The first test round was conducted at the Roger Smith Hotel on October 7th, 2011.
Stay tuned for upcoming video mixing dates.
Credits
Tron Remix
Coconut – Nilsson Schmilsson
Ghost – Michael Jackson
Ecstasy - New Order
Panmanmixtapes.tumblr.com
Check out the last couple of Mixtapes. Let me know what you think.
Jo Nelson, A Vermont Studio Center Artist
August 2011
Can a rope pull a raft with cargo from one side of the river to the other? On an early morning in late August, Jo Nelson and I tested the idea with a platform raft and a couple of apples. Jo, a Sunny Side Queens based artist, has an eye for the creative ingenuity when looking at the problem. Her goal was to have a raft be pulled by the current across the Gihon river and back. We successfully documented and achieved one diagonal pass. I imagine in a tactful river cross as such in a boat or raft, would need two rigs set up to achieve the back and fourth objective.
It was a pleasure working with Jo and meeting such wonderful artists at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson Vermont.
So after a while of the same in the 125 window display, I’m switching it up and bringing in a sculpture piece from Vermont studio center artist Harlan Mack. I met Harlan this summer during my August artist residency at the VSC, and believe he is great.
The 125 window Gallery, on 47th street is New York’s smallest art gallery… Or at least that’s my claim. I am very excited to introduce Harlan Mack to the New York art scene. I’m sure that you will enjoy his work.
Come check-in on foursquare and follow me @pancity for updates on the space. Let me know what you think!
In an effort to stimulate a collector’s mentality, we at the Roger Smith have initiated, under the motivation and guidance of James Knowles, an art collectors program.
Over coffee at Lily’s, with myself, Danika Druttman and James Knowles, we tossed around the idea of building a young collectors art program. To be honest the idea might have been in circulation for sometime (you never know where the origin of these things comes from). Whether we came up with it or it had been a rolling stone, nothing is new, just rearranged…
Anyway, out of his wallet he pulls two crisp $100 bills and presents them to the both of us.
The objective is to build a body of work with the intent of capturing and stimulating a collector’s imagination. For a long time our efforts have been focused on the subject and perspective of the artist and their motivations. This new initiative takes into account the mind and eye of the collector, the stories and perspectives of the people who purchase works of art.
Sent into the summer months with an idea, we now revisit the concept with newly acquired works of art. After spending a couple weeks at the Vermont Studio Center, I returned to New York with two works from a fellow artist in residence, Ester Hasskamp.
As I canvassed her studio during the open studio visit, my eye was drawn to a small black piece of paper with a threaded outline of a blue moon and its rays. Without receiving a formal title from the artist, I call it “Blue Moon & Ray”.
The second work that caught my attention was a gravestone rubbing with the name Alice. This stimulated a funny memory that involves my sister Phoebe. Phoebe and I went to support the new Bier Garden that had just opened in our neighborhood. There was a live band that was playing one of those songs similar to “Sweet Caroline” where a full crowded bar participate in the chorus… This song, which neither of us had ever heard, has burned itself into my memory as a bar room classic and will always stimulate the question, “Who the fuck is Alice?”
“Who the fuck is Alice?”
As we begin to build our collectors’ portfolios we have a confidence that our decisions have the potential to appreciate in value with each contribution. The stories that motivate the purchase and relationships that we build with the artist become long-lasting.
This is just the beginning.
As we grow this collection, we embrace artists and collectors alike to participate. As the collector has his/her own identity and personality, so will the collection. I have created my own personal blog that will follow my contributions to the overall collection and will also be providing updates to Roger Smith Life as the project grows.
Not to make it too much of a competition, but I am interested to see what Danika brings to the table.
Cheerio.
Be well,
John Knowles
a.k.a Panman
Follow @pancity on twitter.
Other related links
My100artcollection.tumblr.com
Panmanmixtapes.tumblr.com
I have been experimenting with the Mirroring filter in final cut for a while now and have just recently had a breakthrough. Often in life we are advised to not over do it. Forget what you have learned. In this new series of Mirroring tests, I apply the mirror function over and over, creating unique shapes and color outlines. It goes beyond the colidascope effect that is so often associated with mirroring. The potential for a new aesthetic is inspiring. Symbols seem to emerge and burn their intention in the viewers psyche. The original footage though it is not recognizable, transfers its mood and stylistic intent as the image drifts in and out of form.
Question is do you find a stick like that? Or does it find you?
This creative little route has unlocked the energy potential of this place, or at least my realization / perception of it. The Vermont studio center in Johnson, is situated on a major energy resource.
The water churns, the river swells and the community in its presence bustle with creativity. It is a nice mirroring of human and nature’s creative potential. The studios that look out over the river draw from its energy and replenish the creative impulse. There is a peaceful harmony with the river.
So, Panman has found his rhythm.
I have reached a pivotal moment in the film making process… The sounds of silence and cold stone fill a large Hay barn. A steady clack, clack, clack begins to activate the stones conscious awareness…
The sounds of stone! What do they tell you as you tap away so diligently? Feeling every emotion, every attachment, every resisting force and resonating the intention with every tap.
For up to date progress on my film follow www.naturespiritfilms.tumblr.com. The tentative title is Sacred Geography; Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings.
Not to get too sentimental but this follow Friday is dedicated to some old-school memories. I am going to get right into it.
1. On 06-18, 2004 myself, Clem and Brendan McGinn got in a limo headed to Brooklyn. Lo and behold Jiggaman!
I believe that each of us left a Credit Card at a different bar that night. Good times!
2. In high school, when Tabor used to play Andover in hockey, it was always a bit of a big deal, especially because my brother would come with a certain level of excitement. So… in the old Tabor rink, mid ice, James Knowles, all hustle, laid Louie Peppe on his ass. Louie Peppe was a bit of a legend due to his size and finesse on the ice. It might have been my brothers only shift of the game, but it was definitely a highlight of his hockey career. Currently Louie Peppe is training for strongman competitions. Who knew!
3. My third follow Friday has to do with the Documentary that I am editing. In 2008, I documented the spiritual art installment of 28 stones on a country side outside of Louisville Kentucky. Here are the Daily’s that are markers to help as reference points in the editing process.
