|
|
|
||
|
Design centric toy maker http://millergoodman.blogspot.com/, builds on the traditional set of blocks with Play Shapes. These wonderfully imaginative toys incorporate a modular set of unconventional shapes allowing children to take playtime to new places. Get a set here for $158.00.
House Industries, in conjunction with Fresh Jive Clothing and Retailer Reserve LA, has put together a limited edition line celebrating their unique approach to type. Accompanied by an in house exhibition at the Reserve LA Fairfax store, the line includes t-shirt and tote designs featuring classic bold typefaces. Friday’s exhibit coincided with Typecon and is currently on display at Reserve LA.
These tradition Northern Japanese artisan figures were first made in the seventeenth century. Nabu Tekki, a centuries old tradition yields these beautiful decorative figures. Made from dense iron with urushi lacquer finish these are perfect compliments to traditional Japanese iron tea sets. Available for $49 and $54 respectively, here.
Far from a retirement crash pad, the Cricket Trailer makes roughing it a little less rough. Architect and Designer Garrett Finney spent part of his career designing the habitation module on the international space station. In other words, he a man who can make the most of small spaces, making this transition all the more natural. Cricket Trailers start at about $10,000 for very bare bones model and $17,000 for the fully tricked out model featured above.
If you knit or crochet then you know there are 100 ways to make a granny square. Sarah Applebaum has done ‘em all. Transforming a medium commonly reserved for blankets and sweaters into landscapes with colorfully detailed topography and towering robots. She infuses an organic quality into her work giving these pieces personality and dimension.
Stephen Smith, founder of UK based Neasden Control Centre puts forth a signature mix of photographic and wildly illustrative elements that have garnered him a reputation for the unusual. From the geographic details to to bold folk art illustrations, these works never cease to entertain and delight. While it is just for selected pieces, NCC wall art is available here.
While you may not know him by name, the work of photographer Matthew Welch is forever ingrained in our memories. From LeBron James to devastated landscapes, Welch captures raw emotion and sheer intensity in his images. While his advertising work is his most notable, his portraiture simple and timeless, highlights his natural ability. Between his commercial directing endeavors and his in demand advertising career, Matthew Welch always finds time to captivate.
The history of the Chronograph has just reach Midnight at the Zenith of perfection with Biegert and Funk’s playfully named Qlocktwo. Time has heretofore been represented in a type of code, either a dial with hands representing hours minutes and seconds, or some other type of gewgaw or gymcrack.
For the first time, there is a timepiece that simply tells you what time it is:
Ok, I want one, I just can’t decide whether I want Black Ice Tea in English, Cherry Cake in Spanish, Vanilla Sugar in Dutch, Frozen Blackberry in French, Lime Juice in Arabic or Stainless Steel in Russian. But at 885 Euros it will be a while before I can make up the scratch to deck out my News Room in Internationally Time Zoned Color-coded digital Chronometric wall-art (plus, they have yet to make the Mandarin Orange Qlock in Chinese).
Fortunately, there is a Qlock for the rest of us.
Biegert and Funk, makers of the Qlocktwo, have also produced an iPhone/iPad App that does everything that the original does (ie. It tells you what time it is), plus it has some extra features that make you feel like you’re actually doing something when you’re just passing the time. At $0.99 it’s a steal.
I can imagine some industrious Hipster getting the iPhone/iPad App and making a lanyard so they can hang it from their neck a la Flava Flav. Just wait.
Oh the kids these days. There was a time when a few guitars cranked to 11, a light show and a fog machine (plus a fair amount of illicit substances) equaled a rockin’ good time, but this is 2010 and the Summer of Love is more than four decades in the dustbin.
1024 Collective is Francois Wunschel and Pier Schneider, these wundkinds of the digital era have the Total Package: Space, Sound, Visual, Light, Body - an aesthetic that would make most DJ/VJ’s want to change their diaper and go back to their “day job” at Kinkos.
All kidding aside, this has to be regarded as further evidence that there is a quantum shift taking place in the world of music and arts. Musicians and Artists take note: if you want to hang your bad, anime-inspired art at the local coffee shop and play your acoustic guitar and sing about “Change” on open mic night, go right ahead, just don’t expect me to be there. I will be here:
What this all leads to is the inevitable conclusion that the “Triumph of the New York School” is over and this is one more example that Europe, with it’s state funded Arts and Design schools are pumping out the product in terms of brilliant design and engineering in the world of audio visual arts.
It’s time for MIT Media Center and CalArts to quit playing “World of Warcraft” and step up their game.
West Midtown Atlanta is that part of town you’d drive through and think to yourself, “Why don’t I live here?” Amidst hip industrial lofts and modern commercial spaces, Octane is a community hub. Any time of day you’ll find Midtowners and out of towners mingling over fresh pressed beans, micro brews, and cocktails. Their signature menu features Boars Head Meats and Cheeses, Holeman & Finch Breads, and gourmet salads. If the ambiance and the cookery were not enough the staff is as serious about your latte as you are, touting a slew of industry distinctions, World Latte Art Championship and US Barista Championship competitors among them.
 |
|
|
|
