Well, not quite. But at least to the inner edge of black space, where Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo will soon make rocketeers of some folks whose liquid assets defy gravity. There’s already a lot of chatter online about today’s revealing of the new scale models and artist’s conceptions by Sir Richard and X Prize recipient Burt Rutan at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. So I’m really just chiming in, not endeavoring to break some news, flagpole a Trekkie’s perspective, or dish some insider skinny. But I must say, ain’t it cool?

Posted by: Colin Mangham

One great way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day is to take the day off. How’s that for a novel idea? Another is to read a graphic novel — or three, if it’s Ho Che Anderson’s acclaimed King series.

Comic Book Bin calls it, “an essential edition to any comic book library.” (I suppose they would know, eh?) I simply call it an intriguing approach to biography. I dug into the series when I first discovered it in 2003 shortly after the publishing of Volume 3, though I was decidedly late to the party of insiders who’d been following Anderson since Volume 1 debuted a decade earlier.

If you’re not familiar with graphic novels, these are not at all comic books by the common definition. Anderson underscores this with a dark, moody tone to the imagery and narrative, and what would appear to be a somewhat objective eye on not only the man’s triumphs but also the less flattering details of Dr. King’s life framed in the context of the hard-fought struggles of a man who would be, well, King. It is, however, the artist’s subjective and richly realized visual interpretation of the story we think we know so well that makes the trilogy worth a read or, at the very least, a quick flip-through at the Barnes & Noble.

Posted by: Colin Mangham

MLK, lyrics by U2, The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised.
If the thunder cloud passes rain
So let it rain, rain down on he.
So let it be.
So let it be.

Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised.
If the thunder cloud passes rain
So let it rain, let it rain
Rain down on he.

Posted by: Colin Mangham

U2 continues to embrace leading-edge technologies, as evidenced tonight at Sundance with the second screening of U2 3D, a 90-minute concert film that, with the latest/greatest use of 3D effects (mostly the work of 3ality Digital, albeit with a National Geographic logo and a chunk of change from Best Buy), puts the movie audience both in the concert audience and on the stage with the band, apparently quite convincingly.

Though it’s hardly a subjective opinion, Bono was quoted as saying, “It’s not the usual remove that you have with a concert show. It’s total immersion. You are right in the middle. You are not just in the best seat; You couldn’t be closer.” With a wink he added, “And if you don’t like this band, I can’t imagine a more horrible experience.” Frank Miller, who wrote “Sin City” and “300,” both critically-acclaimed graphic novels that were adapted into visually groundbreaking feature films, says, “I saw U2 3D and I thought the special effects were not just remarkable … but historic … the film has ushered in a new era for 3D.”

Here’s the trailer, which gets me excited, yes, but I should say that I’m a fan since “October,” first saw the boys perform on Thanksgiving night 1987, and missed only one tour since then. Without those goggles, I think the trailer, while technically competent and slick, is unfortunately hamstrung a bit, an example of how difficult it remains to give a taste of a 3D film in a 2D medium. Nonetheless, I’m there when it hits select theaters in two days … hello, hello … yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah.

Posted by: Colin Mangham

I’ve followed the works of artists Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher for some time now, continually intrigued by the interactive “assignments” that fuel their projects, often on a daily basis. According to the website (www.learningtoloveyoumore.com), participants accept an assignment — for example, “24. Cover the song ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’,” “11. Photograph a scar and write about it,” “50. Take a flash photo under your bed” (sample entry below) — complete it according to the provided instructions, email it to them as a photo, text document, video, etc. and await the posting of the assignment on the website.

“Like a recipe, meditation practice, or familiar song, the prescriptive nature of these assignments is intended to guide people towards their own experience.” Over 5,000 people have participated in the project since it began in 2002. A book showcasing the crop’s cream just came out last month.

Posted by: Colin Mangham

WHEREVER YOU ARE, WHOMEVER YOU’RE WITH, WHATEVER YOU DO…
IF IT’S WORTH DOING, DO IT DAILY IN ‘08.

It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. The same goes for launching and growing a successful business.

To our clients, business partners and other Daily friends, thank you for helping make 2007 a truly amazing year. May we together achieve the successes you envision in 2008.

Be safe. Smile big. Love all.
The Daily Brand Group*

*Colin, Tracy, Greg, Hilary, Dar, Koan, Kathryn, Mark, Paolo, Tilsia and the extended Daily family of designers, writers, strategists, producers, number-crunchers and proverbial Big Picture thinkers in the US, UK, Vietnam and China.

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Inspired by the documentary film The World According to Sesame Street, and for all of the obvious reasons and more, this year we’re making charitable donations on behalf of our Daily clients, partners, friends and family to Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in the lives of children worldwide. The Workshop launched a learning revolution when it created Sesame Street, and continues to break new ground with children’s media that’s as engaging as it is educational. Find out more at: www.sesameworkshop.org.