Architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of the Japanese firm Sanaa are responsible for the New Museum of Contemporary Art which opens tomorrow in New York. The institution has moved from SoHo to the Bowery, turning its back on an upscale environment and embracing its gritty roots. The 60,000-square-foot museum was built on a $50 million budget.

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The field of tile has lately been infused with a spectacular range of products, namely the RepTile Collection by Kale. The recent winner of a number of design awards, including I.D. magazine’s 53rd Annual Design review Award, RepTile creates an interlocking system of tiles resulting in a flowing, organic form with surprising texture and depth. The tile was designed in Turkey for the Kale Group’s Canakkale Kalebodur and Seramik brand.

Mark your calendars for next Thursday December 6th 2007 and the reception for tattoo legend Ed Hardy’s new show at the Ku Ambiance concept store opening. This will be a real treat for Ed Hardy fans and he will be displaying new limited edition and original pieces. If you’re only familiar with Ed Hardy as a clothing line, you’ve really only seen the tip of the iceberg. We caught one of his shows at Bergamont Station and it was to say the least, outstanding.

Sweden just went up a notch in our book. Supercar maker Koenigsegg has created a biofuel powered car with even more performance than the their standard CCX. The ethanol in biofuel cools the engine and provides a higher octane value. This translates to boosting performance to 1018 hp at 7200 rpm and the torque to 1060 nm at 6100 rpm. At 10.7 mpg of E85, it’s probably not saving the planet but it does contribute to a changing perception of environmental cars as having moved from hippy to rock-star status. -Via Jalopnik

We gave you the 411 on DB Clay last summer and now they have a ton of new designs just in time for the holidays. For those who don’t know, DB Clay makes amazing limited edition wallets from environmentally friendly gaffers tape. Each design is a limited run and once they are gone you are never going to see them again.

Be sure and check out this video of Alex Steckly, showing the process he used to design the new puzzle line. You’ll get a whole appreciation for what little pieces of art these things really are.

Canadian Illustrator Sophia Ahamed has a body of work which is an interesting mix between fashion illustration, pencil portraiture and a graphic vector style. Check out more on her site.

The streets of Amsterdam are sprinkled with visual gems waiting to be discovered. These images of lettering are such gems. It is increasingly rare to find examples of hand lettering. Working digitally has its advantages, but the combination of sensibility and execution of typographers like Leo Beukeboom is inspiring. Leo’s work was discovered in this post at re-type where you can read more about him.

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Issey Miyake has released another beautiful design. This bag was inspired by the panels fused together by steel workers when creating a structure. A neutral palette of black, white and gray mean it will go with anything (as long as everything you have is as stylish as your bag). The bag has leather adjustable straps and interior pocket. Made in Japan, where else? Pick it up here for $345.

Shepard Fairey- IMPERFECT UNION
Presented by Merry Karnowsky Gallery
Exhibition Dates: December 1, 2007 – January 14, 2008
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 1, 8-11pm

Merry Karnowsky Gallery
170 South La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, California 9036
323.933.4408

Imperfect Union, the largest Los Angeles solo exhibit of new works by Shepard Fairey. This show displays a provocative collection of politically charged paintings, screen prints, stencils, album covers and mixed media pieces rich with metaphor, humor and seductive decorative elements. Imperfect Union is derived from the first line of the U.S. Constitution, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union.” For Shepard Fairey, critiquing the imperfect union, far from disparaging the United States, is a patriotic step toward shaping a more perfect union.

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At the ripe old age of 21, Elias Tahan already has the kind of talent most photographers would give their left arm for. We give Elias extra props for living in Los Angeles and getting down with the Art Center mafia.

We doubt this kid will graduate, only because he’ll be to busy working in the real world to bother. Art Directors take note, hire this guy now before he wants $50K a day. You can Check out more of Elias Tahan’s work on his website.

Thanks to the good peeps at Nice To Meet You