Wednesday, September 30, 2009

ZIPHERSPACEWORKS

WARNING: Not for the weak at heart.

Back in 2001, Zipherspaceworks, an architecture and interior design firm based in Germany, reconstructed Advertising Agency Panama

What's interesting is that they chose to contrast the super-saturated, insanely bright colors with pure, white sections within the space. And how amazing are those stairs that look like they're upside-down?

It's like spending your workday inside a Skittles bag! And who wouldn't love that??!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009


LE GUN

If you do nothing else today, you must, must, must visit this site.

Beautifully raw, rubber-stamped, black, white and red type. Stark black and white imagery. Just when I thought I was inching out of my b/w phase, I got lassoed back in.

Welcome to my new obsession: Le Gun.

Now...how do I go about finding old, sold out issues?



Monday, September 28, 2009

Wooden puppets by Juan Pablo Cambariere

Pretty huggable, even though they're made of wood.

Check this one out too. HA!
And this. MAN! I can't figure out which is my favorite!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

HARUKI MURAKAMI / BOOK COVER DESIGNS

Dare I say it?

I just mmmmight be as endeared with Haruki Murakami's book jacket designs as I am with his writing. That's a really strong statement because i love him i love him i love him. The images he conjures up are fantastical, incredibly haunting and VERY hard to forget. He'll completely change your way of thinking.

Love him or hate him...it's hard to deny that his book jacket designs are also very engaging and mystical.

Above is a selection of international and US covers...some of which were designed by Chip Kidd, so of course they're genius!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

FALLINGWATER

I learned yesterday that there's a new program that allows guests to spend 2 days and 2 nights at Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, Fallingwater, in Bear Run, PA.

Well, it turns out that guests actually don't stay inside the actual house – they spend the night at a four-bedroom house on the property for a whopping $1,195 per person. In any case, the Fallingwater Organization runs regular day tours throughout the week. 

The architectural marvel was built between 1936–1939 over a 30-ft waterfall. Wright's intention was for the sound of the water falling to become part of the homeowners' everyday life. In this way, the home seems fully integrated into nature.

Check out the floor plans here. I never knew it was so huge!

Friday, September 25, 2009

SIDEWALK FINDINGS: EAST VILLAGE EDITION

This is EXACTLY how I feel today. All work and no play may yield brain spillage.

The above sidewalk art was found (albeit, not by yours truly) in the East Village last year, before being swiftly taken down.

Anyone for a swim?


Thursday, September 24, 2009



ANTOINE + MANUEL

Various invitations and checklists designed for Christian Lacroix shows.

Embossing, laser cutting, foils, OH MY!

There are so many beautiful things to point out, that I'm starting to lose focus....what keeps drawing me back is that adorable scull and bones logo on the piece on the bottom right (!!!)

Antoine Audiau + Manuel Warosz have worked together since 1993, when they met at the School of Art in Paris. They combine hand-drawn elements with digital illustrations. It's all about layering, layering and more layering. The result is always playful yet sophisticated, and completely innovative.

It was honestly a VERY difficult task to choose which of their pieces to feature. So you must check out more of their work here.

I might just have to devote tomorrow's post to them too!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

DOOR HANGERS / EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES

I'm not sure where these are supposed to be hung (they're done by El Al Israel Airlines, so are they supposed to be hung from a seat?), but I think they're the CUTEST THINGS EVER. I love the funny, whimsical, cut-out shapes. The type is, well, utterly perfect. It very much reminds me of the opening title sequence from Catch Me If You Can.

Take a look at other printed promo pieces for the airline (I'm guessing that these were all done in the 60s or thereabouts). I believe most, if not all, were designed by Dan Reisinger:

1 Poster
2 Another poster
3 YET another poster (I'm in love)
4 Playing Cards

Come on Jet Blue! Step up your game! :)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009


I can't stop staring at this. That's all, really.

Woodcut by Wouter Ten Broek.

Monday, September 21, 2009

WIND NOMADS

Don't you love that name?

Yesterday was a GORGEOUS day in New York. Sunshine was abundant, and the sky seemed extra blue. A friend called early in the day and invited me to Governors Island, where it was to be the last day of the New Island Festival, an annual gathering of Dutch artists that included art exhibits, music, food and other cool things like the silent disco (which is pretty hilarious, btw).

I have been a Brooklyn resident for almost 10 years now, and have never stepped foot on Governors Island. I was so pleasantly surprised once I arrived. The buildings are slightly colonial, making it seem more like Virginia than New York City. Lots of green and tons of charm. There's a FREE ferry from Manhattan and DUMBO, Brooklyn (and as we all know, I'm a big fan of free!)

We stumbled upon the above outdoor exhibit, which from afar, resembles a group giant butterflies scattered about the lawn. 400 individual artists were asked to create boards (to signify 400 years of relations between New York and the Netherlands), each hinged in a unique way, making the boards look like their wings are "flapping".

The idea was formed by a group called SLeM, which creates what it calls "landscape theater". According to SLeM, "landscape-theater is a form of location theater in which the landscape is temporally influenced, transformed and can be provided with new significance. Landscape-theater operates on the periphery of daily reality. A landscape is created or transformed, and in order to shift perspectives, alienated and charged with theatrical and/or musical elements. The public can be spectator and participant simultaneously. This allows for the release of ‘social energy’ which can lead to surprising results."

Can you imagine what the "butterflies" look like from a birds-eye view? Wow...

Sunday, September 20, 2009

HERMAN MILLER / SUMMER PICNIC

Also on Friday's trip to the MOMA, I saw this print. I felt that it warranted its own entry. The luscious colors drew me from across the floor – adorable, isn't it?! I love the cute little strawberry seeds! And those blueberries look pretty yummy.

It's part of Herman Miller's Summer Picnic series (one of twenty, created 1972-1981). Bold, graphic abstractions of picnic foods. How funny!

Here are other posters from the series. My favorite is the last (mmm....ham :)

Saturday, September 19, 2009

RON ARAD @ MOMA

Last night, I treated myself to something I haven't done in quite a while – I took advantage of MOMA's (Museum of Modern Art) First Fridays, where admission is free from 4-8pm. If you can stand the large crowd, it's totally worth it. I had previously read about the Ron Arad show that was currently being exhibited, so First Fridays seemed to be the perfect time to check it out.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1951, Arad wouldn't classify himself as solely an industrial designer. His creations bridge many types of design: industrial, graphic, architecture...the list goes on. His most recognizable designs perhaps, are his furniture designs.

The show at MOMA is simply a feast for the eyes. Part installation, part showroom–if you're not already familiar with his work, you'll definitely leave wanting to see more. Fluid lines that almost seem like liquid frozen in air, hilariously whimsical shapes–you'll find yourself wondering how in the world you can fit a giant stainless steel bulbous chair aptly named Thumbprint in your living room...because you HAVE to HAVE IT.

He's the definition of innovation. This show is a must-see, and it ends on October 19. So hurry up already!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

THE TERMITE PAVILION

Earlier this month, the above structure, dubbed the The Termite Pavilion, was on display outside the Royal Festival Hall in London. Collaboratively designed by Softroom Architects, Freeform Engineering and Atelier One, it was built to mimic a Namibian termite mound.

The six-meter squared structure is made of timber and features sound recordings from inside an actual termite mound. The lighting brightens and dims to simulate breathing.

Project TERMES (Termite Emulation of Regulatory Mound Environments by Simulation) believes that the termites’ construction methods will “have some serious implications on construction in the near future.”

AMAZING! I'd live in a mound-inspired home...imagine all that shelf-space! Aren't the concentric waves mesmerizing?

Read more here.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

MARILYN MONROE AT HOME

Photographer unknown.

A side of her that is rarely shown....Marilyn was photographed in her studio apartment in the Beverly Carlton Hotel. Apparently, she was avid reader. She had a collection of over 400 books, some of which were auctioned at Christie's in 1999.

I'm in love with the colors in this photo. The bright blue walls, her blue jeans, bright red lips. The space seems so cozy (I'm a big fan of cozy). Books, art and a bed...what else could one need??

She counted her books, records and a photo of Eleonora Duse as her most prized possessions.

I also love this one.

"I’m not interested in money...I just want to be wonderful.”
Marilyn Monroe

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

FERNANDO BOTERO

Like the laugh I try to suppress every time I see a Botero piece, his work is very (a-hem)...hearty.

The above painting (left) is called Mona Lisa, Age 12. His original intent was actually NOT to portray Mona Lisa–the painting was of a 12-year-old Colombian girl. It was while he was living in New York in the 60s that a woman who was cleaning his apartment noted that she looked like Mona Lisa. It was then that he renamed it.

Squeezable, pudgy, fleshy and happy – his work at first glance is undeniably humorous. Beyond the obvious humor of it, however, is a commentary on Colombian society and politics. His inflated figures are satirical portraits of military, political, royal and religious figures.

Born in Medellín, Colombia in 1932, Botero began painting at an early age. It was a trip to Mexico to study the work of Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco that deeply influenced his painting style.

In 2005, out of disgust for the circumstances at Abu Ghraib prison, he completed a series of 50 oil paintings that depict the prison and its captives.

He has said "I, like everyone else, was shocked by the barbarity, especially because the United States is supposed to be this model of compassion...No one would have ever remembered the horrors of Guernica if not for the painting. "

See part of the series here.
See more of Botero's previous work here.


Monday, September 14, 2009

QLOCKTWO

So, I can't decide if I think this clock design by Biergert & Funk is completely genius, or if it's just another testament to how lazy we humans can be.

I'm also not sure I care! I love it! Words illuminate, telling (by words, not numbers) the time. It comes in various languages and five color options.

Visit the site here.

Sunday, September 13, 2009


TAMARA OROZCO

There's something simultaneously lovely and haunting about this street image shot in Habana, Cuba in 2001. The streets, wet and shiny after an afternoon shower...the figures draw you into their story, as much as the backdrop they stand against. They almost seem like characters in a play, and the buildings merely a set.

Of Mexican decent / hailing from from the San Francisco Bay area / "new" New Yorker, Tamara Orozco picked up photography about ten years ago. She counts among her influences Graciela Iturbide (she is also one of my faves – this woman is beyond words), Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Roy DeCarava, Malick Sidibe, Peter Magubane, and Cloete Breytenbach.

Tamara traveled to Cuba as part of the Cuba Educational Project where she studied Cuban society, politics, and history and fundraised to take much needed medical and school supplies to different organizations on the island.

In her own words, "As a Chicana photographer from the California Bay Area now residing in Brooklyn, NY, as a grandchild of immigrant farmworkers from Mexico, as a child of political radicals of the late 1960s Mexican student movement, as someone who developed a romance with music and dance as a child, as a woman of color with a graduate degree and activist values--photography for me is this and more.... "

See more of her work here.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

I HAD TO.

I am a meat-lovin' Jersey girl, at heart. I do find it amusing that Bergen County is all fat.

From a series called
United Steaks, by photographer Dominic Episcopo.

Friday, September 11, 2009


BLU

A friend sent this to me a year ago, and I still can't get it out of my head. I can't say which I love more: the visuals or the sound effects. Could it also be that's it's all in black and white? :)

P.S. Check out more work by Blu here. The illustrations....AMAZING.

Here's one of my favorites.



Thursday, September 10, 2009

I WANT ONE.

The Clutch Chair by Scottish designer, Scott Jarvie, is made of 10,000 plastic drinking straws. Sort of reminiscent of Frank Gehry's cardboard furniture, no?

i want one i want one i want one i want one i want one i want one i want one i want one...


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

HERB LUBALIN

This is so beautiful, I just want to cry.

So, I'm still deep in the trenches of a black and white phase. I LOVE color, but lately, all I've been drawn to are simple black shapes on a white background. It just screams honesty and urgency.

While one could argue that the above example of Lubalin's typography is pretty complex, to me, it's unfussy and simple. The lines seem natural and not labored over. Elegant, yet happy.

This was completed roughly a year before he died in 1981. Read about his life and work here.

Here are more examples of his work:
1 (I've always loved this. It's cute!)
2 (This almost makes me love orange as much as I love black and white. Almost.)
3 (My thoughts exactly.)
4 (Does it get better than this?)