BALANCE of CULTURE

Happy Holidays from BoC!

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Ice cream reveals Iraq's shifting balance of power

[Via Getty Images]

"We wanted to open a McDonald's here, but we were afraid someone would blow it up."

These are the words of Ali Hazem Haideri, the Iraqi manager of Ice Pack, an aggressive new franchise that intends to challenge American fast-food hegemony around the globe.

Similar to Baskin Robbins, a selection of 34 ice cream flavors is available to Ice Pack customers - though a big difference with the Iranian parlor is the "front-row view of the comings and goings of the heavily armored convoys that whisk U.S. officials through the blast walls protecting the embassy nearby."

This benign-seeming ice cream shop is actually a firm reminder that the U.S.'s waning authority in the region (as its military prepares to return home) leaves a conceivable vacuum for the swift and inevitable ascendancy of new influence. The balance of power in Iraq is quickly evolving and the competitive worldwide business of food consumption has reared its head in the country's everyday culture.

Unlike other states in the region, American dominant chains such as McDonald's, Starbucks and Burger King have no schedule for landing in Iraq. Such symbols of the West are not only dangerous for fatalistic retaliatory moves by extreme locals in Iraq, but demands of such huge companies are also unrealistic for a newly "emerging" nation-state. The pure ease of doing business with a neighboring country (Ice Pack is Iranian-owned) has propelled this local venture way ahead of the typical fast food chains that are found everywhere else around the world.

The question is, which way will the balance tilt next in this chaotic context? There is already chatter of what Iraqis prefer between Iranian or American offerings, but we shouldn't conflate the politician with the consumer. With the understandable mistrust that many Iraqis now harbor, the development of their fast/convenient food market and culture will be extremely intriguing.

Really REALLY real? Yes, claims Banksy

Exit Through the Gift Shop, which has been shortlisted for the 2011 Academy Awards, is "100% true," according to street artist-turned-filmmaker Banksy. The anonymous artist gave a rare interview in which he addresses the public's squeamishness on taking any of his projects at face value (though we certainly know why):

Obviously the story is bizarre, that’s why I made a film about it, but I’m still shocked by the level of skepticism. I guess I have to accept that people think I’m full of shit. But I’m not clever enough to have invented Mr. Brainwash, even the most casual on-line research confirms that.

Ordinarily I wouldn’t mind if people believe me or not, but the film’s power comes from the fact it’s all 100% true. This is from the frontline, this is watching an art form self-combust in front of you. Told by the people involved. In real time. This is a very real film about what it means to ‘keep it real’.

I love the movie for personal reasons regardless of his "realness," but read the full interview and judge for yourself.

La Boca raises the barre for "Black Swan"

British "independent design circus" La Boca Design has raised the "barre" (sorry, couldn't resist!) with their movie posters for Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan, attributing old world European style posters for the dark ballet flick. Pretty striking and dramatic, wouldn't you say?

Wet in Silver Lake

Wow, the Silver Lake Reservoir is looking way larger than usual! Normally the part below the green patch is dry for joggers and dog walkers, but the recent heavy rains in Los Angeles have caused quite a bit of flooding on the new walking path. I still refuse to buy rain boots (prediction: by the time I get them the rain will be long gone) so I'm just crossing my fingers for the rain to end today (just like weather.com claims)!

That button thing...

"I hereby move for every single restaurant in the entire world to have this on every table."

Those accustomed to "the button" at Korean restaurants and cafes wouldn't be too surprised by how the system works (the service buttons are intended to ensure efficient meals and avoid wasting time), but the Western onlooker is almost always tickled by such systematic obedience.

Watch as a Band of Outsiders guy tests out "the button" during a fashion-related trip to South Korea:

Coco hearts Haiti

One of my favorite models, Canadian-born Coco Rocha, has once again teamed up with Lakay Pam, a non-profit group invested in the well being of Haitian orphans (the group was most recently hosted by Rocha at NYC's Fashion's Night Out).

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Rocha will be part of a small group to travel to Haiti and experience the daily lives of the orphans on the island. Plans are to film a documentary on what's happening on the ground and attempt to see where the aid is actually going or not (this is crucial!).

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While the information the group gathers on humanitarian aid will definitely inform (and remind) the public of the issues that Haiti is still struggling with, the group also plans to land on the island with letters in tow from individuals all over the globe. These letters will go directly to the Haitian children in order to revive their spirits and to inform them that they have not been forgotten since Anderson Cooper has left their country (and in return, letters from the children will be brought back!).

To be involved in this project please send a letter (and if possible include your name, age and address) to:

Letters To Haiti
C/O Elite Model Management
404 Park Avenue, Floor 9
New York, NY 10016

Such an amazing cause! It's a wonderful way to have some kind of exchange and dialogue with a community that probably believes the world has completely forgotten about them after all the media frenzy earlier this year. Remember the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon?? The country is still in utter shambles and yet the global response momentum is completely gone...kudos to Coco for her continued efforts here!

BoC's Online Dérive: 17 December 2010

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“The U.K. hasn’t had an opportunity to communicate so much through one person on one day in 30 years..." She's poised to be Britain's newest fashion ambassador - of course, we're talking about Kate Middleton.

WikiLeaks' Julian Assange walked out of London's High Court after posting bail on Thursday. Now all he has to do is live down these creepy, lovesick emails from his past.

What's it like to be a hot girl?

Pierre Huyghe is the 9th recipient of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's 2010 contemporary artist award.

This map shows how the world's heavily guarded border zones happen to compartmentalize not only the physicality of states but also 14% of the world's population, which happens to possess 73% of the world's income.

French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld has resigned after ten years of service. She's due to depart at the end of January 2011. (Don't worry, while you wait for her new projects you can always catch up on her here...)

Ok, so which is better - eating a high-fat breakfast to charge your metabolism first thing in the morning or working out before having breakfast?

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, reports “Europe is no longer the main strategic preoccupation of U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. is increasingly looking to new partners to address old and new problems.”

Officials in Tokyo have now banned X-rated manga comics to those under 18. (So I guess they'll just have to continue to get them online for free?)

Hollywood Bookmarc launch: The Men + Women of Marc Jacobs

The coolest event in Los Angeles last night was photographer Brian Bowen Smith's launch for his new book, "The Men + Women of Marc Jacobs," a fabulous collection of images with the global Marc Jacobs "family":

Bookmarc (where the Marc Jacobs accessories boutique was) is a very welcome addition to this block of Melrose:

The crowd really filled in the space very quickly:

The cover of the book plus an exotic image to welcome the viewers and supporters:

Brian's photographs were installed with a simple and classic integration throughout the store:

The crowd had fun sipping on the requisite beverages - the pink cans are sparkling Coppola wine:

This was the same reaction I had when I found out that 100% of the book's proceeds will go to breast cancer research!

Bookmarc is a fabulous gift shop for not only the holidays but all-year-round! Tons of amazing books, the cutest Marc Jacobs notebooks you could imagine, jewelry and a huge array of various (yet affordable) accessories. They definitely stock something for everyone!

Brian has a huge following that encompasses all different types of photography lovers. A few public figures seen in the crowd: Cindy Crawford, Minnie Driver, Chris Kattan (hello, "Night at the Roxbury"!), nightlife maven Jen Rosero, artist Neckface, etc...

A long line of patient fans wait for their turn...

My coat matched the hot pink theme of the book, so of course I was thrilled!

Then it was off to the Roosie for the afterparty. Downstairs, a holiday party was in full effect:

But we were headed upstairs to the brand spanking new Spare Room:

A very "Boardwalk Empire"-esque vibe was all around...

The Roosevelt is known for their mixology expertise and the Spare Room did not disappoint in the least! Just look at those market fresh ingredients ready to imbibe...wonderful staff as well:

One of the coolest parts of the venue is the view:

And yes, there is a bowling alley, complete with an official scorekeeper:

Plush booths + cool art...

Brian Bowen Smith with Rick Callahan of Copious Management:

As usual, Copious Management organized yet another amazing Hollywood evening for their friends and associates. Congratulations to Brian Bowen Smith, Rick Callahan and Megan Luke of Copious (above)!

See our mini-slideshow on Huffington Post and be sure to check out more images of Brian's work at www.copiusmanagement.com!

Brian Bowen Smith's site.

Info on Marc Jacobs' Bookmarc.

Don't expect too much...

Turkish Airlines has signed Los Angeles Lakers darling Kobe Bryant as its “global brand ambassador” for the next two years. This business deal has angered the Armenian community (see Armenian genocide), with upset fans calling up the offices of the Armenian Youth Federation and demanding the group respond.

One incensed fan remarked that Kobe "should know better than to put his money before his morality."

Their anger is understandable (and yes I enjoy the Lakers, but I don't expect anything out of these ball players except for what I see on the courts) but I'd like to know...has Kobe ever actually claimed to be moral?

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