Europe Gets Introduced To A Great American Portraitist, Alice Neel.
above: detail from Alice Neel's 1965 portrait of Hartley, the artist's son.
An inspiring exhibition, and the first major retrospective of one of the 20th century's greatest portrait painters, American artist Alice Neel, has made its way to London's Whitechapel Gallery after debuting last fall at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
The late artist, who passed away in 1984, one of my personal favorites who clearly inspired several of my other favorite portrait painters (Lucian Freud, David Hockney and David Tomb) and is best known for her portraits of celebrated artists and writers.
above: detail from Alice Neel's Portrait of Andy Warhol, 1970
The comprehensive exhibit, Alice Neel: Painted Truths, features 68 paintings divided into sections according to Neel´s thematic preoccupations: allegory, the essential portrait, the psychological portrait, portraits from memory, cityscapes, nudes, parents and children, the detached gaze, and old age.
above: A young Alice Neel surrounded by some of her works in her Harlem Studio, 1944. (photo still courtesy of See Think Studios) above: Alice Neel stands before her 1980 self-portrait, and a 1970 photo by Brigid Berlin of Andy Warhol sitting for Neel.
If you are not familiar with this monumental talent, here are images of almost half the exhibit, divided up by decades, rather than themes.
Early works from the 30s and 40s: Ed Meschi, 1933: Ninth Avenue El, 1935: Elenka, 1936: Jose, 1936: Audrey McMahon, 1940: T. B. Harlem, 1940: Dead Father, 1946: Richard, 1945: Fire escape, 1948:
Works from the 50s and 60s: Dor Ashton, 1952: The Last Sickness, 1953: Sam, 1958: Frank O'Hara 2, 1960: Max White, 1961: Robert Smithson, 1962: Hartley, 1965:
Later works from the 70s and 80s: David Bourdon and Gregory Battcock, 1970: Andy Warhol, 1970: Jackie Curtis and Rita, 1970: Pregnant Woman, 1971: Nancy and the twins, 1971: Carmen and Judy, 1972: Ginny and Elizabeth, 1976: The De Vegh Twins, 1975: Victoria and Cat, 1980 Don Perlis and Jonathan, 1984: Geoffrey Hendricks and Brian, 1978: Self-portrait,1980: Ginny, 1984:
In addition, two archival films play on loop in the gallery: an eight-minute silent film by Neel´s son Hartley, documenting the artist painting her daughter-in-law Ginny; and Michel Auder´s film showing Neel painting Margaret Evans Pregnant.
International Tour Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: March 21—June 13, 2010 Whitechapel Gallery, London, July 8—September 17, 2010 Moderna Museet, Malmö, Sweden, October 10, 2010—January 2, 2011
from the original press release: Committed to portraiture throughout her life, an era when the genre was considered practically obsolete, Neel captured both the physical likenesses and the psychological essences of her sitters in bold, sometimes searing paintings. Neel painted neighbors in her gritty Manhattan district and members of the art-world elite, as well as her lovers, friends and children. Alice Neel: Painted Truths is the first major museum exhibition of Neel´s work in ten years, and the first to present her work in Europe. The show examines Neel´s oeuvre from a highly focused perspective, showcasing masterworks culled from the 1920s to the 1980s. Along with her famous portraits, a section of the show will also be devoted to her lesser-known cityscapes that document tenement life from the inside.
Alice Neel: Painted Truths is organized by the MFAH and co-curated by Barry Walker, MFAH curator of modern and contemporary art and curator of prints and drawings, and Jeremy Lewison, former Director of Collections of London´s Tate Gallery and currently an independent curator and advisor of the estate of Alice Neel. After the presentation in Houston, the show will travel to Whitechapel Gallery in London and Moderna Museet in Malmö. The show will be accompanied by a major catalogue distributed by Yale University Press.
"Despite almost single-handedly reviving portraiture in the 20th century—with a little help from contemporaries like Andy Warhol, of course—Neel did not receive recognition until late in life," said Dr. Peter C. Marzio, MFAH director. "Neel´s work is a true tour de force, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is pleased to present a selection of the most compelling paintings by this seminal American artist. The tour will give European audiences their first opportunity to assess the full range of her achievement in a large-scale museum exhibition."
"Because so many exhibitions have plumbed Alice Neel´s engaging bohemian life to interpret her work, we have focused on the art rather than the biography in Painted Truths, examining it from both traditional and postmodern points of view," states Walker. "This is, to use a politically incorrect term, a ´masterpiece show,´ tracing the evolution of the artist´s work through what are, arguably, her very best paintings."
Alice Neel: Painted Truths is showing at the Whitechapel Gallery from July 8 through September 17, 2010
If you can't see the exhibit in person, a lavishly illustrated book of the exhibit is available with essays by Jeremy Lewison, Barry Walker, Tamar Garb and Robert Storr, appreciations by artists Frank Auerbach and Chris Ofili, and a chronology.
Although this book focuses on Neel’s portraits, it includes a selection of her cityscapes that chronicle the artist’s intense involvement with life in New York City. Structured thematically, sections trace the evolution of Neel’s style and examine themes that she revisited throughout her career.
Hardback, 296 pages, 120 colour and 26 black and white illustrations. Buy the book here
Alice Neel: Painted Truths, as it appeared at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston above photos: courtesy Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Special thanks to Macolm Varon, the Estate of Alice Neel, and the MFA in Houston for many of the images.
It's Blue. It's A Boat. And It's Bomb. The RAL 5015 By Xavier Veilhan.
John Dodelande of Artcurial invited artist Xavier Veilhan to draw a nautical sculpture to be built by the Frauscher shipyard. This unique project marks the first time artist Xavier Veilhan has been invited to design a functional object in sync with his aesthetic beliefs.
above: Veilhan's oversized animal sculptures are faceted and always one color
First off, if you're not familiar with Veilhan's work, he's best known for his sculptural installations and had an impressive show at Versailles in 2009: above: Veilhan's purple horse-drawn carriage at Versailles
Now, back to his RAL 5015 with tons of images, auction info and a video, too.
The name of the boat refers to the actual color. RAL is the standard color system when it comes to painting and coating (the way Pantone is for printing).
above: The artist, Xavier Veilhan, stands in his RAL 5015
The unique design corresponds perfectly to Xavier Veilhan’s approach to movement and means of transport – from the horse to more sophisticated types of craft… such as this motor-boat.
Veilhan's moving sculpture can hold 8 people and functions beautifully with a maximum speed of 40 knots:
The Shark - Stainless steel Shark sculpture (50 cm length) on remote controlled platform.
As an integral part of the RAL 5015 boat, "The Shark" is a small object with a length of 50 cm, made of solid stainless steel that ascends and descends by remote control! A rectangular cover of composite material is provided, which is why you don't see the shark in all the images) and protects the piece from unwanted attention.
Dimension of the Shark : 20 x 49,7 x 21,7 cm Dimensions of the stand : 3,5 x 6 cm made of solid stainless steel, fitted in the bulk. Material : Polished solid stainless steel Surface treatment : The shark is permanently protected from sea salt as the roughness of the metal has been diminished through a special wash, making it non-oxidizing Protective case : In blue composite material (monochrome RAL 5015) ; 60 x 30 x 25 cm Remote control : 2 buttons
The boat was designed on computer:
And thanks to the expertise of the Frauscher shipyard, the work of Veilhan, RAL 5015 is also a powerful boat and at the forefront of marine technology.
A sneak preview of the boat was shown from May 27 to June 14, 2010 at the Hôtel Marcel Dassault, Paris, prior to its auction.
The functional artpiece, made of composite resins and metal was auctioned on July 20th at the Hôtel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo, by Artcurial. The sale results have not yet been disclosed. Estimate for the auction price was $235,000.00 to $260,000.
Specifications of the piece: Frauscher 686 Vessel hull identification number (HIN) : AT FRALOO82D010 Length : 6.90m Width : 2.20m Water-level : 6.40m Visible height above water : 1.25m Draught : 0.65/1.00m Dry weight : 1700kg Tank capacity : 157 litres Maximum speed : 40 knots Cruising speed : 25 knots Engine : MERCRUISER Output 220 HP Cubic capacity : 4.3 l MPI, 220 PS ; Alpha 1 Number of persons : 8 max.
A standard gauge and construction certificate, as required for navigation permit, will be provided to the purchaser.
The hull of the RAL5015 has a 2-year guarantee from the Frauscher shipyard; its engine has a 3-year constructor’s guarantee.
Born in 1963, living and working in Paris, Xavier Veilhan has established itself as one of the major artists of his generation, winning over his exhibitions international recognition. Emerged in the early 90s, Veilhan established the elements of a singular and unique vocabulary. If his work borrows the most varied forms: from sculpture to painting, photography, installation, film or live performance, all these practices converge towards creating a world whose wealth stems from a relationship very strong history and a profound reflection on modernity.
80's Arcade Trunks From Pinel and Pinel
Pinel and Pinel's latest luxury trunk will bring back the 80's in a new millenium sort of way. With a 1080p LCD screen, a high-end sound system and an iPod/ iPhone dock, the stitched calf leather trunk is available in 51 different color variations -or in Crocodile or Shagreen upon request.
Loaded with 60 popular arcade games from the 80's including Pacman, Space Invaders and Capcom, the 80's Arcade trunk can be purchased in a Classic or GT version (painted with racing stripes). Both versions have chromium-plated dashboards, aluminum accents and rubber wheels.
Fashion Superheroes. Comic Strips Feature Funky Fashions For Men & Women.
above: glasses and unitard by Bernhard Willhelm
The fabulous French online magazine and shopping site Prestigium, has an inventive series of flash interactive postcards that feature trendy and unusual fashions for men and women by some of the most irreverent designers of today.
Items by Viktor and Rolf, Bernhard Willhelm, Yves Saint Laurent, Af Vanderhorst, Anne Valerie Hash, Etro, Sinha Stanic, Alena Akhmadullina, Raf Simons, Lacoste, Marc Jacobs, Boris Bidjan Saberi, Martin Margiela, Balenciaga, Salvatore Ferragamo and Walter Van Beirendonck are nestled into comic book and graphic novel art.
Viktor and Rolf: Walter Van Beirendonck: Bernhard Willhelm:
The photos of the designer fashions are collaged into moving superhero art comic strip illustrations. It's not really easy to see the fashions, nor is that the point. The postcards, which you peruse by clicking on an arrow, have a lot of movement and move quickly, so I took screengrabs of them for you. Each "postcard" has little "click" pulldowns that mention the designers and describe the item (in French).
Sinha Stanic: Yves Saint Laurent: Berhard Willhelm: Balenciaga: Yves Saint Laurent: Raf Simons: Salvatore Ferragamo: Bernhard Willhelm: Martin Margiela: Bernhard Willhelm: Marc Jacobs: Lacoste: Alena Akhmadullina: Sinha Stanic: Yves Saint Laurent: Balenciaga: Bernhard Willhelm: Af Vandevorst: Boris Bidjan Saberi: Etro: Balenciaga: Walter Van Beirendonck: Anne Valerie Hash: Balenciaga: Bernhard Wilhelm: Sinha Stanic: Go see them in their flash glory here.
Clever Helmet Experiment By GOOD! Photoshopped Brain Buckets.
This fun experiment with helmet designs is really more of a photoshop feat. The Kazakhstan-based creative marketing and PR firm GOOD! wanted to try the synthesis of two different objects around one form.
Some are clever visual puns, others just play with texture and objects. Either way, they are a fun little project to peruse. Enjoy!
all images and info courtesy of GOOD!
Karim Rashid Heats Things Up For Caleido With His New Radiator Designs.
I simply cannot get over how rich the area of industrial design is when it comes to radiators. This is my fourth post on radiators and I simply keep finding more and more ones that I want to blog about.
The new models, Kelvin (also referred to as Geiger) and Therme, designed by Rashid are wall-mountable and feature his graphic and vibrant imagery on steel plates.
KELVIN (OR GEIGER): THERME:
Specifications: Size (HXL): 182x54 cm Wheelbase: 1760 mm Weight: 37 kg Power: 924 watts
Introduced at this year's Salone del Mobile, they are not yet on Caleido's website. Please contact them for pricing and availability.
CALEIDO by Co.Ge.Fin Via Maddalena, 83 25075 NAVE (BS) Italia Tel.: +39 030 2530054 Fax: +39 030 2530533 www.caleido.bs.it
Nathan Love Animates The NBC Peacock For A Bit Of Broadcast Branding.
So how did the NBC Peacock get his colored plumage? That was the challenge that resulted in this cute (and I mean that in the good way) 30 second animated piece of branding for NBC by Nathan Love and NBC Artworks.
According to Joe Burrascano, Nathan Love's owner and creative director, "The brief was to create a stand-alone logo animation for NBC. The only guidelines were to make it our own, and of course, for it to be 'the best logo ever.'"
Project Name: Nathan Love's "NBC Peacock" Project Length: :34 Client: NBC Artworks Production Company: Nathan Love Director: Nathan Love Creative Director: Joe Burrascano Art Director/Designer: Anca Risca Animation & Rigging: Dan Vislocky Additional Animation: Ryan Moran VFX Compositing: Sylvia Apostol Sound Design & Music: Drew Skinner
Be sure to check out the Nathan Love website. It's got a great interface and lots to look at.
Two Fashion Forces Fuse: Iris van Herpen x United Nude
I was both surprised and excited when I received the following press release, given that I'd blogged about both these fashion designers/companies separately and had no idea they'd ever collaborate. Luckily for me (and you) coutourier Iris van Herpen and architectural shoe company United Nude joined forces to release a collaborative pair of wild high-heeled shoes that does justice to both their talents and styles.
The press release: United Nude, an iconic brand at the intersection between design and fashion is open-minded towards creative talent. After two successful collaborations with Dutch fashion designer Antoine Peters, United Nude and Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen joined forces to create shoes for van Herpen’s Autumn Winter 2010 collection.
The shoes were presented in her catwalk show during London fashion week and the collaboration shall soon be available as a limited edition item, only available at the world’s most exclusive retailers and at the United Nude flagship and concept stores in Amsterdam, New York, Shanghai and Vienna at a retail price of $1,295 USD (EURO 1,000)
The Iris van Herpen X United Nude product is a glamorous ankle bootie with smooth round lines and golden leather detailing on the front and back of the shoe, with three-dimensional characteristics. Transparency, reflections and movements create the effect of visual estrangement.
The construction of the shoe is so complicated and precise that each pair is 100% hand-made with the highest grade Italian kid leather available.
Therefore, the production of this unique product has been kept to the very low number of 240 limited edition pairs worldwide of which 168 are in black with gold and 72 in ivory with gold.
United Nude’s Creative Director Rem D Koolhaas reflected on the collaboration by saying: “I was introduced to Iris after I had admired her work. I offered to make shoes for her, as I know that for fashion designers shoes always come as an afterthought and most fashion designers don’t have the resources to get it all done on time. I think the result of our work together is that of a pure and successful collaboration as her identity and our expertise and craftsmanship are joined in this marvelous product”.
Le Corbusier Classics LC2, LC3 and LC4 Get Colorful, Courtesy Of Cassina.
Three well-known pieces from the iconic collection of LC furniture by Le Corbusier are now available in wild contemporary color versions from the exclusive manufacturer of authentic Le Corbusier furniture, Cassina.
The classic tubular steel and leather "Grand Confort" collection (specifically the armchair, 3 seater sofa and chaise longue) are now available in various colored fabric and frame options as part of Cassina's Masters Collection (I Maestri).
First, some history for you:
The original LC furniture range by Le Corbusier, whose actual name is Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, was a system of furniture co-designed with his cousins Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand in 1928. The tubular steel furniture, especially the famous LC4 chaise and Grand Confort chair, both of which are in the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art, projected a new rationalist aesthetic that came to epitomize the International Style.
The classic Armchair and two or three seat sofa with steel frame are and have been available from Cassina's I Maestri collection in the following finishes: polished chrome - matte black - gloss black (basalte) - gloss grey - gloss light blue - gloss green - gloss bordeaux - gloss ochre.
The LC4 longue chaise from Cassina was and still is available with adjustable chrome or matte black cradle and matte black base. The upholstery of the base is available in the following materials: hairy skin with black leather headrest (shown above), all leather with a black leather headrest and in a special canvas with leather footrest and headrest.
Now, the new colors!
A series of updates and new details have been added to the iconic models that Cassina exclusively produces in the “Cassina I Maestri” collection. This new range has been carried out in close collaboration with Le Corbusier Foundation and through the analysis of original documents and drawings belonging to the designers. The result is an even more vibrant and contemporary vision.
The New Color LC2 Grand Confort Armchairs:
Alongside the better known chrome-plated pieces in black leather, Cassina enhances the seven tones established for its metal frame structure. The company proposes them in innumerable combinations with a fabric collection approved by Le Corbusier Foundation, and the heirs of Jeanneret and Perriand.
The New LC3 Grand Confort Sofas:
The design idea of deconstructing the seat into its base elements of supporting frame/cushions is further enhanced. The LC2 model is now also proposed with down padding, while the versions in dacron® in both the LC2 and LC3 models are even softer. All elements are designed to highlight the relationship between cushion/content and metal frame/container. The result is a product with an even richer and pleasantly lived-in look. There is also more flexibility of choice for the LC4.
The New LC 4 Chaise Longue:
The famous leather chaise-longue can now be accompanied by a cushion in the same shade as the entire mattress, as well as the usual version with black cushion. The result is a consistent, plain colour that enhances the purity of the form. Cassina has also worked on the textures of the upholstery materials. In the basic covers of category X leather, a new extremely soft and pleasantly tactile leather is introduced. Its sensorial qualities make every piece of furniture even more welcoming and attuned to individual desires.
As well as the distinctive symbol of authenticity of the Cassina brand that is shown above (which includes a progressive production number, the signatures of the designers and the Cassina I Maestri logo) found on all models, the Cassina signature will now also be visible on the base of the metallic frames of the LC2, LC3 and LC4 seat.
This logo indicates that Cassina is the only company with exclusive international rights to reproduce Le Corbusier furniture. This is in accordance with Fondazione Le Corbusier and the heirs of the co-designers that, since 1964, have chosen Cassina as their exclusive spokesperson due to its sensibility and respect for the original project, as well as its consolidated production expertise.
The Amangiri Spa & Resort Brings Modern Luxury To Southern Utah That Blends In.
Aman Resorts' latest luxury spa and resort (and their second in the US), Amangiri, located in Southern Utah near the Arizona border, relaxes me just by looking at their spectacular brochure. I'm afraid that if I went for a visit, I might never return.
An über elegant but tasteful resort, it doesn't overwhelm the stunning landscape in which it is situated, but instead seems at home nestled in the canyon. The design and decor complement the natural surroundings rather then fight with it and at dusk the whole resort seems to melt into the mountains.
Located on a 243-hectare (600-acre) expanse of wilderness in Canyon Point, the resort is tucked into a protected valley with sweeping views over colorful, stratified rock towards the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument.
Arrival to the resort is via a winding road that descends into the valley and leads to the central Pavilion. Built around the main swimming pool, the Pavilion embraces a dramatic stone escarpment. Within the Pavilion is the Living Room, Gallery, Library, Dining Room, Private Dining Room and Cellar.
Two accommodation wings lead from the Pavilion into the desert: 16 suites are located within the Desert Wing and another 18 suites together with the Aman Spa are located within the Mesa Wing. Outward views from the resort look over the untouched valley surrounded by lofty bluffs.
The swimming pool: The swimming pool is set within a sunken courtyard framed by the Pavilion and rock escarpment. It wraps around the rock to finish with a hot tub that sits at the base of a rock wall. The pool’s lounging terrace features king-sized day beds and pairs of sun-loungers. The Spa & Water Pavilion: The 2,322-square metre (25,000-square feet) Aman Spa at Amangiri is a vast complex of stone, water features and streams of light, offering a number of unique treatment venues. The Spa offers single and double treatment rooms in addition to two outdoor treatment terraces with spectacular views of the mesas. The Water Pavilion features a steam room, a dry sauna and a cold plunge pool and the Floatation Pavilion offers colour therapy-enhanced floatation treatments.
Beauty salon, yoga pavilion and fitness centre: The Beauty Salon offers manicures and pedicures while the Yoga Pavilion offers individual and group yoga sessions in a light-filled setting. The Fitness Centre on the upper level of the Aman Spa is fully equipped with a wide range of cardio, strength-training and free-weight exercise equipment.
The Accommodations: Amangiri offers 34 suites in total: 13 Desert View Suites, 14 Mesa View Suites, one Terrace Suite, two Pool Suites, two Terrace Pool Suites, the Girijaala Suite and the Amangiri Suite. All suites offer air-conditioning for summer and under-floor heating for the cooler months. Entry to each suite is via a private courtyard that features a Douglas Fir timber screen and includes a dining table, two chairs and a sculptured light form.
The Desert View and Mesa View Suites: A glass wall with a central door opens to a combined bedroom and living area which includes a writing desk and a king-sized bed. Beyond the bed is a sitting area which features a low-set sofa, a coffee table, reading chairs and a side table. A soaring timber cabinet separates the bedroom and living area from the dressing room, and houses a television and combined CD/DVD player. Concertina glass doors open from the sitting area to a spacious desert lounge that frames the view of the natural landscape beyond. The lounge contains a plinth with resting mattresses and a central fireplace. The adjacent sky-lit dressing room extends the full length of the suite and features an extensive wardrobe with a personal safe and spacious dressing area with twin vanities atop a stone plinth. To one end of the dressing room is a separate toilet room and to the other, a spacious bathroom lined with sage green tiles. The bathroom features twin rain showers and a comfortable soaking tub with uninterrupted views of the landscape. Design finishes include white stone floors and concrete walls that echo the natural stone of the surrounding landscape. The furniture features rawhide, natural timbers and fittings in blackened steel, while light-coloured cushions and soft throws add warmth.
Other Luxury Suites:
Cuisine: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Dining Room features floor-to-ceiling glass doors which open onto the outdoor dining terrace overlooking the swimming pool. The focal point of the Dining Room is the open kitchen with its wood-fired oven imparting a unique flavour and rustic authenticity to Amangiri's cuisine. The menu changes frequently, driven by locally-sourced seasonal produce. The Library: Situated on an elevated plinth in the centre of the Pavilion is the Library. A series of extended sofas is punctuated with ledges filled with books and magazines – the ideal space for daytime relaxing or after dinner drinks.
It's an Aman Resort, so this kind of getaway doesn't come cheap. Rates for this Aman Resort range from $900.00 a night to $3,500 a night, depending upon the season and choice of suite. Go here to book a suite.
You can also buy a Villa on the property. 28 luxurious villas are set to be added to the exclusive lifestyle portfolio of Aman Villas on the 2,000-acre expanse of Utah wilderness shared by the Amangiri resort. Just a fortunate few will have the opportunity to enjoy these exclusive homes in such an unmatched setting.
The first wave of construction includes eight villas, the first of which is due for completion in 2011. Because of the spectacular topography of the Amangiri landscape, each villa is individually designed to meet the demands of the slopes on which it is perched. Lot sizes range from 1.6 to 2.9 acres, and the actual footprint of each home averages 7,500 square feet, with interior space averaging 6,000 square feet. For more information, please contact villas@amanresorts.com
Jane Austen's Fight Club. The Bennet Girls Brawl.
Thanks to The Daily What, I got my Sunday afternoon chuckle from this funny faux movie trailer. Quickly going viral, if you haven't yet seen it, it takes the reserved quietude of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and melds it with David Fincher's 1999 Movie Fight Club.
If anyone knows who to credit with this fun production, please tell me.
The Underwater Sculptures Of Jason deCaires Taylor
Note: There was so much to say about these unusual underwater sculptures that double as eco-habitats for marine life, that it was easiest to simply take the copy from the artists' site, so the following text was not written by me.
Jason deCaires Taylor’s underwater sculptures create a unique, absorbing and expansive visual seascape. Highlighting natural ecological processes Taylor’s interventions explore the intricate relationships that exist between art and environment. His works become artificial reefs, attracting marine life, while offering the viewer privileged temporal encounters, as the shifting sand of the ocean floor, and the works change from moment to moment.
The experience of being underwater is vastly different from that of being on land. There are physical and optical considerations that must be taken into account. Objects appear twenty five percent larger underwater, and as a consequence they also appear closer. Colours alter as light is absorbed and reflected at different rates, with the depth of the water affecting this further. The light source in water is from the surface, this produces kaleidoscopic effects governed by water movement, currents and turbulence. Water is a malleable medium in which to travel enabling the viewer to become active in their engagement with the work. The large number of angles and perspectives from which the sculptures can be viewed increase dramatically the unique experience of encountering the works.
Vicissitudes Vicissitudes depicts a circle of figures, all linked through holding hands. These are life-size casts taken from a group of children of diverse ethnic background. Circular in structure and located five meters below the surface, the work both withstands strong currents and replicates one of the primary geometric shapes, evoking ideas of unity and continuum. The underwater environment is much like that of the outdoors. An object is subject to changes in light and prevailing weather conditions. The cement finish and chemical composition of Vicissitudes actively promotes the colonisation of coral and marine life. The figures are transformed over time by their environment, and conversely as this happens so they change the shape of their habitat. This natural process echoes the changes exacted through growing up. Social interchange shapes this process, while conversely as the product of a particular society we in turn invoke change on the workings and dynamics of that environment. The sculpture proposes growth, chance, and natural transformation. It shows how time and environment impact on and shape the physical body. Children by nature are adaptive to their surroundings. Their use within the work highlights the importance of creating a sustainable and well-managed environment, a space for future generations. Taylor notes that close to forty percent of coral reefs worldwide has been destroyed and that this figure is set to increase. His work reminds us that the marine environment is in a constant state of flux, and that this in turn reflects poignantly the vicissitudes, changing landscapes, of our own lives.
The Un-Still Life Un-Still Life mirrors the classical composition of traditional still life tableaux. On a table is an arrangement of cement objects, a vase, bowl and fruit. In contrast to established ideas of stasis the work is perpetually changing, remaining a work in progress as layers build on its surface. This accumulated colonisation of coral becomes a physical equivalent to conventional mark making of drawing and painting. The work reflects the time-based observation associated with the classical study of still life composition. It reminds us that changes are inevitable.
The Lost Correspondent The Lost Correspondent depicts a man sitting at a desk with a typewriter. The desk is covered with a collection of newspaper articles and cuttings that date back to the 1970s. Many of these have political significance, a number detail Grenada’s alignment with Cuba in the period immediately prior to the revolution. The work informs the rapid changes in communication between generations. Taking the form of a traditional correspondent, the lone figure becomes little more than a relic, a fossil in a lost world.
Hombre en Llamas (Man on Fire) Man on fire depicts a lone figure standing upright and defiant. The sculpture is installed 8m deep in the clear Caribbean waters surrounding the island of Isla Mujeres at a location named Manchones. The cement figure has 75 holes planted with live cuttings of fire coral (Millepora alcicorni ).This is a fast growing marine organism, yellow, orange and brown in colour which emits a painful stinging sensation when touched, thus reflecting its name and the title of the sculpture. It is anticipated that over time the figure will appear to be on fire underwater. The holes have been drilled on each profile of the body so that when the coral starts developing it will grow in pointed fingers resembling flames. Thus, when covered in coral and viewed from a distance there will appear the silhouette of a figure in flames. The fire coral has been sourced from fragments damaged by human activity or by tropical storms. A small proportion has also been artificially grown. The statue, which weighs over 1 ton, is cast from a local Mexican fisherman called Joachim. The piece is intended to symbolize the current environmental situation in which we live. The man is on fire, burning but unaware of his situation, we too seem to be unaware of the impact that our actions are having on the planet on which we all live. Our dependence on and over use of our limited natural resources, such as fossil fuels, has meant that we have been living on borrowed time. The fire is alight but we have the capabilities to control it, the current generation must rise to the challenge.
La Jardinera de la Esperanza (The Gardener of Hope) La Jardinera de la Esperanza, depicts a young girl lying on garden patio steps, cultivating a variety of plant pots. The sculpture is sited four metres beneath the surface Punta Nizuc, Cancun. The pots are propagated with live coral cuttings rescued from areas of the reef system damaged by storms and human activity. This technique, a well-established procedure in reef conservation, rescues damaged coral fragments by providing a suitable new substrate. The sculpture, a synthesis between art and science, conveys a message of hope and prosperity, portraying human intervention as positive and regenerating. The young Girl symbolizes a new, revitalized kinship with the environment, a role model for future generations. The interaction between the inanimate and living forms highlights a potential symbiotic relationship with the life systems of the underwater world. Over the past few decades we have lost over 40% of our natural coral reefs. Scientists predict a permanent demise of 80% by 2050. The Gardner of Hope is designed to focus attention on this important, often forgotten, ecological issue. Built into the base of the sculpture are specialized habitat spaces designed to encourage individual types of marine creatures such as moray eels, juvenile fish and lobsters.
El Coleccionista de los Sueños Perdidos (The Archive of Lost Dreams) also called "The Dream Collector" The Archive of Lost Dreams depicts an underwater archive, maintained by a male registrar. The archive is a collection of hundreds of messages in bottles brought together by the natural forces of the ocean. The registrar is collating the individual bottles and categorising the contents according to the nature of each message - fear, hope, loss, or belonging. Various communities from a broad spectrum of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds have been invited to provide the messages, which, it is hoped, will document current values and aspirations for future generations to discover. The sculpture is placed within an area of the national marine park, which had been previously damaged, by hurricanes and tropical storms. The choice of location aims to draw the high number of visitors to the region away from other sections of pristine reef allowing them space to develop naturally.
Fall From Grace
Limited Edition prints of his underwater sculptures are available on A2 (420 × 594mm) high grade archive photographic paper. The prints are limited to only 50 copies and are personally signed by artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Buy them here.
Artist's Bio (from his own site) all images courtesy of the artist.
Jason deCaires Taylor was born in 1974 to an English father and Guyanese mother, spending the earlier part of his life growing up in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Educated in South East England, he graduated in 1998 from Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, with a B.A.Honours in Sculpture and Ceramics. He is also a fully qualified diving instructor, underwater naturalist and award winning underwater photographer, with over 14 years of diving experience in various countries.
In May 2006 he gained international recognition for creating the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Grenada, West Indies. His underwater sculptures, designed to create artificial reefs for marine life to colonise and inhabit, embrace the transformations wrought by ecological processes. The works engage with a vision of the possibilities of a sustainable future, portraying human intervention as positive and affirmative. Drawing on the tradition of figurative imagery, the aim of Jason deCaires Taylor’s work is to address a wide-ranging audience crucial for highlighting environmental issues beyond the confines of the art world. However, fundamental to understanding his work is that it embodies the hope and optimism of a regenerative, transformative Nature.
Jason is currently resident in Mexico as Artistic Director of the new Cancun Underwater Museum. To contact Jason deCaires Taylor please use the details below:
A special thanks to Jennifer Taekman and Laura Reoch of Forget Me Not Design for bringing this unusual work to my attention.
Twelve Special Edition Rugs By Nine Designers for Ruckstuhl.
above: detail from Deborah Moss' Night Sky Rug, felted wool and crystals
Nine designers from Europe and Canada designed twelve out-of-the-ordinary limited edition carpets for Ruckstuhl. The constraints imposed by larger production runs were simply ignored in order to create an exquisite selection of artworks for the floor which bear the distinct signatures of their designers.
The area rugs, designed for residential use, incorporate unusual materials such as crystals, resin, and strips of linen. Various wools - tufted, felted and embroidered - are utilized in some of the designs and each functional piece of art is signed by the designer.
Carpe Diem by Marcello Morandini (2010) Carpe Diem, the new carpet designed by Marcello Morandini, is distinguished by its unusual yet clearly delineated format. Two intersecting diagonal bundles of lines inscribed within a square sweep out in a semicircle before returning to the square, diagonal once again. The endless loop thus created takes the form of an elongated figure eight, an expression of controlled dynamism. Here, Morandini’s typical black-and-white contrast has been softened into an interplay of dark grey and light grey.
DessusDessusDessous by Atelier Oï (2010) The Dessus Dessus Dessous carpet, which has been woven from strips of linen, can be traced back to a textile installation entitled “Plier - Entrelacer – Superposer” (Fold – Weave – Overlap) which Atelier Oï created for Designers Saturday 2008 in Langenthal at the invitation of Peter Ruckstuhl. The starting material for this work, which was nominated for the Design Preis Schweiz 2009 award, was provided by the strips of linen that are normally used for the carpet trim. The transformation from an experimental exhibition installation to a product for Edition required both the refinement of technical aspects and an upgrading of the graphic design.
Frisian Wouw by Claudy Jongstra (2010) Frisian Wouw, the felt carpet which Claudy Jongstra designed as part of Edition Ruckstuhl, is distinguished in particular by its irregular contours and wild, frenzied texture. This can be seen as an allusion to the archaic character of felt. It is not an accident that the yellow colour, which gives the carpet an unbelievably warm and cosy aura, evokes associations with the golden age of Dutch painting, when masters such as Rembrandt used pigments from the mignonette (reseda) plant (also known as dyer’s rocket).
Hypnos by Atelier Oï (2010) The design of the Hypnos carpet was inspired by “Les Danseuses”, a kinetic installation which Atelier Oï presented in 2009 on the occasion of the grand opening of its new office and workshop building in La Neuveville. Within the circular, ever narrower wavy lines that characterise the carpet’s striking pattern, the installation’s motif of rotating, ornamentally perforated textile umbrellas that instinctively evoked an association with the robes of whirling dervishes has been frozen in place.
Area and Mesh by Fiorella Fasciati (2010) For the Area and Mesh carpets which were created as part of Edition Ruckstuhl, Fiorella Fasciati made a conscious decision to utilise a production technology in common use at the firm and to explore it to an entirely new manner. With the selection of hand tufting, the carpet’s structure became an obvious choice for the central design theme which, characterised by its interplay of inclusion and exclusion, cannot be perceived in the visual realm alone. This is because the pattern is produced in large part by the use of tufts of varying lengths, lending the carpet a three-dimensional structure and making it a tactile floor experience.
Night Sky by Deborah Moss (2010) Night Sky, Deborah Moss’s contribution to Edition Ruckstuhl, is by far the smallest carpet in this collection. Its dimensions alone underscore the intimate character of its design, which displays an impressive poetry. The delicate colour gradients on the hand-painted felt depict an authentic image of the infinite expanses of the night sky. Stitched-on crystals create a vibrant contrast to the simplicity of the base material, lending an air of luxury to this carpet.
Pompon by Hugo Zumbühl (2010) The starting point for Hugo Zumbühl’s contribution to Edition Ruckstuhl was once again a material discovery. The backing fabric for the Pompon carpet with its dense white tuft is made of chenille yarn, a particularly plush wool thread that has practically disappeared from the market. Pompoms stitched in at regular intervals animate the surface structure and provide colourful accents. The result is a spontaneous image of a flowery meadow illuminated only by the light of the moon.
Red Flower And Golden Stripes by Céline Sorigue (2010) In selecting felt for Céline Sorigue's Red Flower and Golden Stripes carpets, she has chosen a distinctly simple starting material. As a result, the powerful drawings which she has applied to the felt, and to which she has afforded lasting protection with a coat of transparent synthetic resin, have an even greater impact, making this simple floor covering into a work of art. For Sorigue, the ability to combine traditional craftsmanship with high-tech processes was a significant part of the appeal of producing these designs for Ruckstuhl. The similarities in style to Art Deco and the lacquer work so popular at this time can certainly be seen as an homage to a great epoch in Parisian arts and crafts.
Salor by Jutta Bernhard (2010) For her Salor carpet, Jutta Bernhard decided to use wool felt – possibly humankind’s oldest textile material. Wool felt represents warmth, protection and security, and has been used to shape rooms for many millennia – one need only think of the yurts used by Asian nomads since time immemorial. Her design was inspired both by traditional Turkmen carpets (specifically their woven edges and primary colour, red) and by abstract art. Her central themes are simplicity, repetition and concentration – typical Ruckstuhl themes if you will – which have been interpreted in an entirely new manner here, underscoring the meditative character of this carpet. Salor is made of strips of felt that have been glued together in such a way that their cut edges comprise the surface. The artist has cleverly capitalised on the fact that the edges of this dyed wool felt exhibit a delicate differentiation of colour, as these variations gently emphasise the striped pattern of the carpet.
Venezia by Ursula Spicher-Waldburger (2010) The thematic basis for Ursula Spicher’s design for Edition Ruckstuhl is Venice, or rather the special atmosphere of this historic city which is evident most clearly in its colours. The typographic realisation is immediately clear, leaving room for a multitude of associations. The letters, which have been created using complex embroidery, reveal their many nuances on closer inspection
RUCKSTUHL AG Teppichfabrik/fabrique de tapis/carpet factory/fabbrica di tappeti St. Urbanstrasse 21, CH-4901 Langenthal Tel. +41 62 919 86 00, Fax +41 62 922 48 70 info@ruckstuhl.com www.ruckstuhl.com
Doggy Style. Picking Up Poo With Aplomb.
The ultimate gift for cosmopolitan dog lovers. Dog poo bags, designed by jungeschachtel, are the most stylish, hygienic and environmentally friendly way to pick up that stinky stuff your canine leaves behind.
The packaging is beautiful, both the box in which the bags are packaged as well as the individual bags:
Each box contains 16 bags, two of each design shown below:
super easy to use, the bags are 100% biodegradable:
The idea for dog poo bags was born out of their passion for dogs and design. The daily walks with Cuno, the agency's dog (shown in the picture at the top of the post), served as a source of inspiration.
Dog poo bags are sold on designspray or directly from jungeschachtel here.
31 Customized Panton Chairs For Vitra In Honor Of The 50th Anniversary.
above: HKS International turned the chair on its side, transforming it into a glacier, complete with Polar Bear
In honor of the anniversary Vitra UK launched a national Panton Chair Competition and asked architects and designers to reinterpret the modern chair. Some treated is as art, others made it interactive. The winning design was an entry from Jump Studios and the 2nd and 3rd place winners were Ben Adams and Maris Interiors, respectively. Entries ran the gamut and included everything from Post-It note covered to Swarovski crystal studded versions.
Here are all the entries.
Winner, Jump Studios: 2nd Place Winner, Ben Adams: 3Sphere and Aukett Fitzroy-Robinson: Amalgam and Aram: Day 2 Interiors: Forme and Foster & Partners: Gensler and Harmsen: HLW Architects and HOK International: 3rd place winner, Maris Interiors: Pascall & Watson and Inskip jenkins: MCM Architecture: Pret A Manger and Pringle Brandon: Ridgestone and Schneider Designers: Scott Brownrigg: Sheppard Robson and Sketch Studios: Staffan Tollgard: The Lollipop Shoppe and Walker Martin: Workspirit and Woods Bagot: Yoo Design: HKS International's entry is shown at the top of this post.
All 31 entries were auctioned on 1st July 2010 and the proceedings of about £10,000 were passed onto Shelter.
Holy Mother of God, This Is What Won the 2010 Jell-O Mold Competition.
Artist Shelly Sabel was this year's Grand Prize winner in the Gowanus Studio Space's Jell-O Mold competition with her inventive "Aspic Ascension - Tastes Like Heaven", a Bloody Mary tomato aspic formed in the shape of the Virgin Mary.
Watch her wiggle (shown in clear gelatin):
The entry was presented like an altar, complete with burning candles and a 'glitzy' rosary: The poster for the 2010 GSS Jell-O Mold competition and Grand Prize winner Shelly Sabel: video, images and info courtesy of artist Shelly Sabel and Gowanus Studio
There's always more room for Jell-O! So be sure to see the other post today on Jelloware, the edible drinking cups that are good for the planet!
Edible Drinking Glasses That Encourage You To Litter. Jelloware.
The folks at The Way We See The World have designed edible, flavored and naturally biodegradable gelatinous drinking cups, that when tossed on the surface of the planet, actually contain organisms that nurture the growth of grasses and plants.
Jelloware re-imagines the concept of drinking, and imparts a new experience in the way it feels, tastes, smells, moves, and is even disposed of.
The cups are made entirely out of agar agar (a gelatinous substance made from red algae) and cast in different flavors, such as lemon-basil, ginger-mint, or rosemary-beet, each specifically designed to compliment a corresponding drink.
Jelloware is meant to be thrown into the grass after it is used, as agar agar* is a seaweed extract and actually nurtures the growth of plants.
*Agar (agar agar) is used in laxatives, as vegetarian gelatin substitutes, as a thickener for soups, jellies, ice cream and other desserts, and as a clarifying agent in brewing, and for paper sizing fabrics. Chemically, agar is a polymer made up of subunits of the sugar galactose. Agar polysaccharides serve as the primary structural support for the algae's cell walls.(source: wikipedia)
above: The concept and design won them the honor of Runner Up for Structural/Sculptural Integrity in the GSS Jell-O mold competition.
THE WAY WE SEE THE WORLD is a product design consultancy comprised of Monica Bhatia, Chelsea Briganti, Ingrid Zweifel, and Leigh Ann Tucker, that pulls its lens back to take in the edges, where contexts take shape and boundaries form. We believe that design is fundamentally a creative response to the evolving challenges of the present. We are keen eyes in a world that changes with each blink, locating innovation in the space created by emerging realities.
Thanks to PSFK for bringing this to my attention and to Yanko Design for some of the additional images.
Edel Rodriguez Illustrates The Mohawk Loop Paper Catalog.
Artist Edel Rodriquez, a former art director for TIME magazine, was commissioned by Tomorrow Partners to create a series of illustrations for a catalog introducing Mohawk Loop, a new line of recycled and environmentally preferable papers, manufactured with windpower and made carbon neutral.
Having been an art director for a while, working on a catalog for Mohawk had always been one of the things Rodriguez wanted to do, being that their catalogs are always so well produced.
The illustrations/ artwork:
The book is beautifully designed and includes a wide variety of paper stock, photography, graphics, pullouts, embossing, cutouts, everything to show a designer what the papers are capable of.
The produced catalog: The new Mohawk Loop line combines the best of four legendary grades into one to create the ultimate environmental paper line. Synergy, Passport, Genesis and Proterra have been integrated into this line. Every item is FSC-certified, made with wind-generated electricity, made carbon neutral and contains PCW of either 30%, 50%, 80% or 100%. Two new premium print surfaces have been added: 50% PCW silk coated and 100% PCW Inxwell. With 35 shades across 10 finishes, Mohawk Loop is now the most comprehensive and most environmentally responsible product line in Mohawk's offering.
Creative Director for the project: Gaby Brink. Hand lettering on most of the spreads: Grady McFerrin. The hand lettering on the fish spread is by Edel Rodriguez himself. Printed by RR Donnelley.
Mohawk Loop: A Living Almanac is free (plus shipping) and available here.
Eye Candy - Intricate Paper Art Eyelashes From PAPERSELF.
Inspired by the art of Chinese paper-cutting, Ting yu Wang has created intricately cut paper eyelashes for PAPERSELF that blend an element of traditional culture with contemporary design.
The paper eyelashes are available in three styles, each infused with symbolic meaning rooted in Chinese culture; Horses: symbolic of success Peony: for happiness and good fortune Peach blossom: a symbol of love and romance
Horses (large and small): Large and small horses show below: Peach Blossoms (large and small): Large and small Peach Blossoms shown below: Peonies (one size): Peonies show below: Buy them here
PAPERSELF is a new platform for cardboard and paper designs from a collaboration of designers. Launching at 100% Design, London 2009 the brand aims to create a growing range of paper and cardboard produced furniture, products, accessories & art. Eco and life style products. The paper eyelashes being the first design introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Davone Audio's Newest Speakers, Ray, Are An Homage To The Eames Lounge
Davone Audio of Denmark has just finished designing and producing their second luxurious set of high-end loudpeakers. Following Rithm, their new set of speakers is housed in a bowed walnut wood veneer and set atop metal legs. Similar in color, design and style to the iconic lounge chair by Charles and Ray Eames, the speakers are named "Ray" an obvious nod to the designers of the famous chair.
The iconic Eames Lounge chair and ottoman: making the bowed veneers for the housing of the equipment: detailed shots of the Ray Speakers:
The first set of finished speakers have just been sent to New York to appear as a prop in an upcoming major motion picture that will be released in 2011.
Purported to cost $6,000 a pair, no specs on the speakers have yet to be published, nor are they yet available.
Below is their first set of loudspeakers, the Rithm: Davone audio
Lindsay Lohan's Photos For Double Exposure & COMPLEX magazine
Lindsay Lohan, recently jailbait, now a jailbird, will be getting lots of press attention today. Not only does she begin her incarceration in a Los Angeles jail, but will be featured on Bravo's Double Exposure, the tv series featuring famed fighting photographers, duo Markus Klinko and Indrani.
Talk about timing. As Ms. Lohan begins her 90 day sentence, an upcoming episode will feature her photoshoot for the August/September issue of Complex magazine (Lindsay's second appearance on the show). Lindsay models a bikini, corsets, bustiers, garters and thigh-high boots... undoubtedly more fashionable than her mug shot.
According to Stylelist, Markus and Indrani are not at all pleased with COMPLEX magazine's editorial having added the KAWS artwork and feel that the context in which Lindsay appears with the illustrations is disrespectful.
The magazine, for which Lindsay did not comply with being interviewed, will hit stands in August.
Here are some of the photos from the shoot: Lindsay with photographer Indrani:
And as they appear in COMPLEX magazine's editorial and on their cover, styled by GK Reid, and art by graffiti artist and vinyl toy designer, KAWS:
Classic Nymphenberg Porcelain Figurines Get Fashion Makeovers From 16 Designers.
above: original white glazed figurine on left and Gareth Pugh edition on right
To celebrate their 260th anniversary, Porzellen Manufaktur Nymphenberg (Nymphemberg Porcelain manufacturers) invited 16 of the internationally most renowned couturiers to create new "robes" for the 16 Commedia Dell'Arte figures by the rococo sculptor, Franz Anton Bustelli. These figurines, which at the time made Nymphenburg world famous and which to this day count among its most valuable treasures, are being re-issued in a Couture Edition that is limited to 25 copies.
above: The limited edition Nymphenberg"Octavio" by Maurizio Galante Originally created in 1759-1760 by Franz Anton Bustelli, the classic figurines get re-dressed by 16 fashion designers: Adeline André, Damiano Biella (Escada), Igor Chapurin, Esteban Cortazar (Emanuel Ungaro), Maurizio Galante, Christian Lacroix, Gustavo Lins, Pascal Millet (Carven), Gareth Pugh, Ralph Rucci, Elie Saab, Dominique Sirop, Franck Sorbier, Naoki Takizawa, Viktor & Rolf and Vivienne Westwood to become the Couture Edition.
The Couture Edition starts with Franz Anton Bustelli's bare Commedia Dell'Arte figures – "carte blanche" for the invited fashion designers, who then painted each in their own inimitable style.
This project was developed over a period of almost two years in close cooperation between PORZELLAN MANUFAKTUR NYMPHENBURG and designers in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Beirut, New York, Tokyo, Moscow and Munich. The designs clearly reflect the different cultural and creative approaches and thus the diverse nature of the global fashion scene.
Here are all 16 in their original white glazed versions and the new Couture Editions.
JULIA - CHRISTIAN LACROIX: Recognising her standing, Lacroix has given genteel JULIA an elegant robe with opulent platinum ornaments that has been hand-painted in several stages. He subtly interrupts the rococo look with brilliantly coloured shoes, gloves and bow.
CAPITANO SPAVENTO – GARETH PUGH: This newcomer to the fashion scene has cloaked the dynamic CAPITANO completely in geometrical shapes. Entirely in the style of his fashion, Pugh has radically made the figure subordinate to the shape and has transformed it into an abstract work of art.
LEDA – PASCAL MILLET (CARVEN): The large floral pattern is a reference to a fabric from the current collection at Carven, the traditional fashion house in Paris. Only the very observant will notice that the robes possess an undercoating of delicate beige beneath the black flowers.
SCARAMUZ – NAOKI TAKIZAWA: Takizawa, former creative director for the Issey Miyake fashion label, borrowed the classic looking clothes he designed for the dancing SCARAMUZ from current Tokyo street-wear. The hand and face are coated entirely in polished platinum.
COLOMBINE – VIKTOR & ROLF: These fashion designers in Amsterdam have re-interpreted COLOMBINE's role with their creation: with the diamond pattern held in black in black and the mask adorned with a painted teardrop, they have transformed the impish maid of ISABELLA, who just can't stay true to any man, into a character from a tragedy.
MEZZETINO – VIVIENNE WESTWOOD: For her design, Vivienne Westwood, who with Giorgio Amani, Emanuel Ungaro and Christian Lacroix counts among the most important fashion designers of our time, was inspired by Antoine Watteau's paintings of the COMMEDIA figures in the French rococo style.
LALAGE – DOMINIQUE SIROP: The French couturier, Dominique Sirop, has transformed the harlequin's partner into an elegantly dressed Grande Dame. The platinum pattern on her dress imitates the iridescence of sequins on Sirop's luxurious clothes.
LUCINDA – ESTEBAN CORTAZAR (EMANUEL UNGARO): The up-and-coming Columbian, Esteban Cortazar, who was appointed head designer at the Emanuel Ungaro label at the age of just 23 years last year, refers to a pattern from his first collection for this company: climbing roses in the brand-typical pink enshroud the entire figure.
PIERROT – FRANCK SORBIER: The melancholic PIERROT with his lantern doesn't only appear in the COMMEDIA – he also turns up in the French folksong, "Au clair de la lune", which dates from the 18th century. In reference to traditional music, Sorbier has completely covered his figure in musical notes and violin clefs.
DONNA MARTINA – DAMIANO BIELLA (ESCADA): DONNA MARTINA, the DOTTORE's smart wife, entirely unimpressed by his chattering, is off to do her daily errands dressed in a fabric taken from the current Escada summer collection.
DOTTORE – GUSTAVO LINS: The know-it-all and conceited DOTTORE has been newly dressed using the over-top-stitching technique by Lins. The seams produce a filigree and abstract pattern through which the fabric's colour shows – perfectly imitated on the hand-painted porcelain.
ANSELMO – ADELINE ANDRÉ: By transforming the clothes into feathers, Adeline André has compared ANSELMO, the old music teacher, to a nightingale: if not the most beautiful bird, its singing does enchant all.
CORINE – IGOR CHAPURIN: For now ten years, the couture designs by this fashion designer from Moscow and his costumes for the Bolschoi Ballet have drawn international attention. CORINE is held entirely in brown and platinum, Chapurin's corporate colours. Only a light lace pattern interrupts the closed finish.
ISABELLA – ELIE SAAB: The beautiful and ever popular ISABELLA is clothed in valuable gold and platinum robes. Just like the couture designs with sequins and pearls by Elie Saab who hails from Lebanon, this robe also reflects the association between luxury and modernism.
OCTAVIO – MAURIZIO GALANTE: Gallant OCTAVIO, who has won ISABELLA's heart, has been adorned with circular ornaments within circular ornaments from head to toe. They reflect the style so typical of Galante where fabrics are gathered and layered into frequently circular structures.
PANTALONE – RALPH RUCCI: The miserly merchant of Venice is covered with Chinese characters – a timeless code from a foreign culture expressive of savoir-vivre and distant travels. The complex method of picking out the characters reveals the porcelain concealed under layers of painting.
Before Christian Lacroix turned to fashion design and became grand master of haute couture, he wanted to do a doctorate on the clothing represented in 18th century paintings – the period of Franz Anton Bustelli. And so it is hardly surprising that he approached his design for PORZELLAN MANUFAKTUR NYMPHENBURG with great interest: "For as long as I can remember, these figures, when I've seen them in museums or in photos in books, have always drawn my eye as living protagonists and witnesses from an age which they subtly and precisely reflect with costumes that are much more daring than those of today."
The large project also included a photographic series of each of the designer's studios as well as special edition books that included signed prints of the pieces and more.
The Collector's Book will be published in an edition of 400 copies, which includes 1 signed and numbered photograph by Florian Böhm:
The Collector's Book - Exclusive Edition is limited to 25 books only. This edition includes 16 numbered photographs of the figures, which will be signed by the fashion designers: all information and images are courtesy of Porzellen Maufaktur Nymphenberg
Leather Engraved Brooks Saddle Bicycle Seats By Kara Ginther
Talented leather artisan Kara Ginther creates beautifully carved Brooks saddles. The intricately engraved bicycle seats are created in various colors, styles and types of leather.
She turns a 'blank slate' into a unique and functional piece of art, embellishing it with imagery that encompasses everything from western, nautical and nordic styles to floral, graphic and patterned ones:
Kara Ginther engraved leather Brooks Saddle Seats: Nautical 2 (private commission): Limited edition of 20 for London's Tweed Run: Plaidle: Fair Isle: Artifact and Herringbone for a tandem bike: Artifact 2: Herringbone: Damask: Thistle (private commmission): A paisley inspired design for Ahren of Banjo Cycles: for Black Sheep: For Sundance: For Topanga Creek Bicycles: Kara at work in her studio:
Kara Ginther also carves boots, luggage and more. Visit her site for more information.
all images courtesy of the artist
One Darn Cool Pool. Swimming At The Casa Devoto (Devoto House) In Argentina.
Andres Remy Architects designed this private residence for a couple with two children in Devoto, Argentina. The home, situated on an 18 x 24 meter lot, is a modern, luxurious home with an open floor plan, most of which has angles which allow one to view the unusual above ground pool.
While the entire home is nicely designed, it's the pool that I was really drawn to. With it's see-through window, flush wooden deck and split level interior.
The pool reminds me of one of my other favorite swimming pools (I have many). That within the Brazil Slice House by Procter-Rihl, shown below: See all of Casa Devoto here.
Design Team: Andrés Remy, Carlos Arellano, Hernán Pardillos, Julieta Rafel, Lilian Kandus Interior Design: Andrés Remy, Julieta Rafel, Diego Siddi, Martin Dellatorre Photographs: Alejandro Peral Area: 550m² Year: 2009/10 images and information from Andrés Remy Arquitectos and e-Architect
A Lip Balm That Makes You Lose Weight? That's What Burner Balm Says.
It's got hideous packaging, cheesy ads and a super ugly website. But if this product does what the company claims, it's a winner.
According to the company, "Burner Balm is the only lip balm on the market which infuses Green Tea, Hoodia Gordonii Extracts, Chromium Picolinate and Caffeine - all well known in dietary supplements." They claim that Burner Balm’s effectiveness is twofold.
First, the ingredients are absorbed into the blood stream through the many blood vessels located in the mucus membrane in a person’s lips. Secondly, as with any lip balm or lipstick, a person will continually lick their lips and swallow while the product in on their lips. Thus, the Burner Balm ingredients are absorbed faster, steadier and more efficiently into the bloodstream than ingesting pills, powder supplements or drinks. By using Burner Balm along side of a healthy diet and exercise regimen, you should be able to achieve and maintain your desired results.
Below is a press release that suggests the latest clinical trials support their claim:
LOS ANGELES, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc., today announced the release of the highly anticipated clinical trial results for Burner Balm lip balm. According to lead clinical investigator, Dr. David E. Toomey, who has orchestrated a multitude of clinical trials for some of the top pharmaceutical manufacturers in the United States, "Over a twelve week period, 120 study participants who were overweight participated in the study. The Burner Balm group lost an average of 7 to 9 pounds versus the placebo group who lost an average of 1.43 to 1.64 pounds in the 12 week period. Many of the patients in the Burner Balm group commented that meal portions shrank considerably while using the product and most were able to cut out snacking all together."
"As the study came to an end, several participants in the Burner Balm group expressed a desire to continue the study due to their positive results. Nine participants from the Burner Balm group were selected to continue the study for a total of 12 additional weeks. Anecdotally their average weight loss over the 24 weeks was 21 to 28 pounds. The largest weight loss by one individual was 41 pounds over the 24 week period. This test subject was 5'5" and started the study weighing 186 pounds and completed the extended study weighing 145 pounds," states Dr. Toomey.
Over the last year or so, Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc. has been attending events and tradeshows around the country and has managed to create quite a name for its Burner Balm and Energy-X lip balm brands. During this time the company has also been filming doctors and patients as well as a wide variety of professional athletes like All Star, Los Angeles Dodger, right fielder, Andre Ethier, Professional Big Wave Surfer Bonga Perkins and other professionals in Martial Arts, Mountain Climbing, Motocross, Skateboarding, Wake Boarding and Sky Diving. According to the company the films are being produced and will feature the doctors, patients and athletes in a number of thirty second and one minute television commercial spots as the Burner Balm and Energy-X lip balm products arrive at retail.
The buzz at 2010 tradeshows around the country has Industry insiders predicting great success for the brands and thinks Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc. has managed to create a very unique niche for itself in the fast-growing market for cosmeceuticals.
"We are very pleased with the results of the clinical trials, and are committed to providing consumers with low cost, effective products that are friendly to our health and environment," states Matthew Mills, President and CEO of Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc.
Let's just hope that someone tells CEO Matthew Mills to hire a decent ad agency and design firm- if he doesn't see this himself.
Burner Balm® 6520 Platt Ave. Suite 636 West Hills, CA 91307 Phone: 818.885.9870 Fax: 818.885.9874
You can purchase Burner Balm® as a pack of five or as individual favors here
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