This new freestanding washbasin, designed by Marco Paolelli and Sandro Meneghello for Hidra Ceramica, takes soft ergonomic lines to the next level. The front surface curves to surround the feet. More information available at www.hidra.it.

Mid-City Arts is proud to present a live painting event and exhibit opening featuring two of Los Angeles’ most respected graffiti artists: Retna and The Mac. The opening event takes place Sunday June 7th 12pm – 6pm at 33Third. The art exhibit will be on display in the adjoining Mid-City Arts gallery, which recently hosted the first ever gallery exhibit from Chaka, LA’s most infamous graffiti writer.

Mid-City Arts -
5113 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019
midcity-arts.com
33third.com

Yet another of our favorite Eagle Rock institutions closed it’s doors Sunday. Regeneration opened in 2006, providing many of the sustainable products one might travel to locate. Owner Kelly Witmer forged contacts with vendors from all over the world bringing a cultural context to environmentally responsible living.

Eagle Rock, an almost suburban small town located at the north most tip of LA proper, was the anticipated site for an urban revitalization. Slowly a handful of niche boutiques made their way into the area drawing visitors from all over the the city. Almost as slowly as they settled in, one by one many have closed their doors. Obvious changes in the spending habits of Angelinos have taken a toll on this small town, leaving it more vacant than it’s been in decades. Empty store fronts, half finished condo developments, and boarded up foreclosures are sprinkled throughout one of the most desirable areas in town.

Blue Heeler was among the first to close.
Far too many Los Angeles boutiques have loaded up with overpriced unreasonable items which, in today’s economy, are no longer affordable let alone practical. Support of local business needs to be match by appropriate pricing on the the business end. Regeneration was the exception to this rule, they maintained very competitive pricing for almost all it’s items, and despite all of their efforts failed to survive. Regeneration and a few other Eagle Rock businesses were recently feature in this NY Times article focusing on economic slowdown and business closures in Eagle Rock.
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Dear YouTube,

We love your site as much as everyone else and you’ve finally answered a nagging question- how long until we can watch YouTube videos on our TV? We got a glimpse of YouTube XL and well, this is like hanging out with a girl you love talking to and would totally kick it with, but you just don’t find attractive. You know that smart funny girl you would totally be into if she just lost 30lbs and got a new wardrobe? Sorry YouTube, but that’s your new product.
We know this is harsh, but we’re only disappointed because this product has so much potential. We say this because watching YouTube videos on TV isn’t a possibility as much as it’s an inevitability. The iPhone app is awesome, now we just want the same level of quality for television.
But this? Seriously? What happened here? We know you have enough cash to hire a few ex Apple interface designers. We know there are plenty of good interactive design shops in the bay area (can someone get Cuban Council on the phone?), so we don’t really understand why this looks like something straight out of Microsoft Front Page.
Listen YouTube, we know you’re only a few years old and things like branding and interface design are still a little new and scary. But you’re the worlds biggest video site owned by the billion dollar company that basically pwns the internet. You have what’s probably the best product idea since television was invented. It’s time to step up and look the part. Were just sayin.

xoxoxo

NB

In an obvious response to the insane popularity of the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft let the lid off of Project Natal at E3 and this little tid bit got into immediate circulation. Microsoft is shooting for a one up by forgoing a motion sensing controller and using a motion sensing device to track players movements. If you’ve seen the movie Minority Report, this conjures up all sorts of potential new interface ideas and looks really fun to boot.

Okabashi, the official slip on of Japanese American grandmas and spa’s everywhere has introduced their sister line, Oka b. Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. these 100% recyclable sandals have been made from more than 15% post consumer materials for over 25 years. Built in massage beads stimulate reflexology points in the ball and arch of the feet while the antimicrobial material keeps your feet clean.

Having worn my grandma’s house shoes on occasion, I was more than willing to give a more stylish version a try. I admittedly received my first pair as a free chatchky at LA’s fashion week. I am delighted to say that I would highly recommend them. New Oka b’s range from $25 to $40 and can be purchased here.

For anyone who dreams in pixels this is a clock for you. Features backlight, snooze function, button lock and 24-hour setting. Displaying the current time and the alarm time eliminates the need to check and recheck that your alarm is set correctly. Uses AAA batteries so no ugly wires and you can travel with it. Made of ABS plastic, glass, and steel. Pick it up here for $35.

Check out new Featured Artist Chaka.

This guy ignited the LA graffiti scene. Be sure to read the second half of this inteview. Wowsers.

With just a few days left, the Mars-1 exhibition at Billy Shire Fine Arts is a must see. His ethereal expression coupled with a touch of mystical inspiration invokes an almost spiritual viewing experience. The San Francisco based artist only shows work once or twice annually, current exhibition closes June 6th and includes paintings and resin cast sculptures.

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There are a few galleries around the world whose exhibitions we pay attention to each time they launch. The Gagosian Gallery is one of those. In the past few months alone, they’ve displayed the works of Cy Twombly, John Waters, and Takashi Murakami. And, in just a few days, starting on May 30th and running through July 17th, their Beverly Hills location will host the West Coast exhibition of Yayoi Kusama’s work (they’ve been showing his pieces in New York since April 16th).

Kusama, now 80, studied the traditional Nihonga painting style in Japan before moving to New York City in the 1950s and creating huge paintings that made the viewer feel as if they were enveloped in her world…a concept she pushed even further with her three-dimensional installations of mirrors, phallic symbols, and other objects.

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