This is a merch drop. We're trying to sell you something, but first somewhere in these mountains. Behind this spirited man's house lies the compound and studio of a now deceased. Great artist named chris burden.
Contemporary artists are virtually unknown to the general public these days. But if you live in los angeles, you're, probably familiar with his sculpture called urban light, which flanks the entrance to the los angeles county museum of art. Urban light is 202 los angeles street lamps, from the golden age of beautiful street lamps perfectly restored by chris burden and his team. The city had thrown the lamps away, but burden saved them because they were beautiful.
He also built an airplane robot that automatically built these, and he also built a flying steamroller. Maybe you've seen metropolis 2, basically, the world's most incredible hot wheels action set currently in the permanent collection of the los angeles county museum of art. It was metropolis ii and chris burton that brought this spirited man to tapanga for the very first time some 10 years ago. He helped shoot this video by ariel shulman and henry juiced.
Here they shot it here at burden's, studio in topanga canyon and this spirited man's dream of living in the canyon was born, and now he lives here with a new dream. Maybe if he does enough work and makes enough money, maybe one day this spirited man can buy chris burton's compound here in topanga canyon, it's a long shot, many millions of dollars, but this spirited man doesn't have to be successful. He just has to die trying you.
Just got my shirt. Top notch quality. Fits like a glove. It is now in the highest echelon of my t-shirt collection.
Urban Light is one of the most overrated pieces of art in the world. LA has such low quality art it somehow stands out. It doesn't make you feel anything, but it takes a good IG photo. This is the basis of Los Angeles and also the spirited man.
Your brother has to be proud as fuck right now Van. Numerous times he mentioned that one of his biggest mistakes was not doing any merch… So I'm glad to see you taking your career a step further! Also, congrats on your clean time! I'm coming up on 2 years myself. Watching your story unfold gives me some inspiration and ideas on how I can modify my story & I appreciate that sir 🙃
You see Urban Light used in so many YouTube videos so it was really neat to hear the story behind it, and get to learn a bit more about the man who put it all together.
Thank you for this.
Hey Van,
I just wanted to say this video resonated with me and I picked up a sweatshirt. (I normally don't wear hoodies but this one is special and I will cherish it)
My buddy and I have this little saying we throw at each other when we want to show support. We say "I believe in the cause". With regards to your dream, I believe in the cause. Right now I'm trying to live out my dream. It's hard… It's scary… and I don't know if I'll be able to succeed. But it seems success isn't really the point of a dream is it?
Part of my work involves a lot of translation. In exchange for your sweatshirt, I want to leave you with a little passage I translated out of French from Camus's Myth of Sisyphus.
"Myths are created because the imagination animates them. Because of this, all we see are the efforts of the body outstretched to raise the massive stone. The rolling up and ascending a hundred times once again. We see the face tense, the cheek pasted against the rock, the help of a shoulder that receives the mass covered in clay, a foot that holds, the reprise at arm's length, the all human security of two hands full of earth. At the finale of his long effort measured by space without sky and time without dimension, the ends are affected… he is stronger than his rock.
P.S. Thanks for recommending Breakfast of Champions by Vonnegut. I'm really enjoying reading it. It makes me laugh and laughing helps keep me going.
Cheers!
I purchased the sweatshirt because I love the message, this is first merchandise I've bought from YouTube. Respect.
There was a "die trying" brand in the late 90s. … And probably several other times as well. Always appreciate the motto
Awesome, What Camera are you using, it's the look of perfection!
What's a good Camera to buy used?
I'm trying to save up for one, I've never had one just my phone
Love this slogan! Wish I could afford to help you out but I’m tight right now. I hope you consider making this into a sticker.
The way you tell stories is YOU. How you do it is fresh, unique and retro. I'm happy you decided to invest your time in YT. Your succes wont go unnoticed. You are welcome for my subscription! I am thankfull for subscribing. I'm forward looking to your next story, you self-made man!
Build that studio.. because you will only change whatever you buy to fit your needs, so if you design and build it exactly to your specifications it will be your work of art. Good luck with your dream.
Hi Van, what is the name of the song used in the video?
Thanks,
From a guy trying to find the name of the song used in this video.
That weird, I got a notification for this video but no notifications for the previous 2. And I have notifications turned on. 🧐