aarting.com

Blankie release party Oct 1st!

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 09:53:00 +0000

Join us to celebrate the launch of Blankie™! a new designer blind box series by design company Aarting. We’ll be hosting the official release party which will feature Aarting, the designers behind the Blankie figure. Come to myplasticheart nyc from 7-9pm on October 10th and join in on the fun. As an added bonus, the first 48 people to buy a Blankie™ gets a free cupcake. See you there!

Blankie Release Party
October 10th 2010 7-9pm
myplasticheart nyc
210 Forsyth St.
New York NY 10002
646.290.6866

About Blankie™

This groundbreaking series is the result of an online competition aimed at finding exciting new designers. Artists from all over the world submitted 196 designs, and over 150,000 toy lovers voted to choose the 12 designs that are included in this amazing series. The grand prize winner, Matucha, also designed the packaging.

Blankie™ Series 1 is the first designer toy series to be released by the Aarting Collection,which exists to create high quality, limited edition art products from designs submittedand chosen by its members.

For more information, visit www.aarting.com

Say hello to AARTLIFE.COM

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 01:40:00 +0000

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR BOOKMARKS!!!!

We've decided to migrate the blog to it's own standalone site! Why? The aarting blog has grown by tremendous leaps and bounds in the last two years, we're now one of the fastest growing lifestyle sites on the net!

You can check out the new site at:

www.aartlife.com

and on facebook here.

Posts will be going on as usual, so bookmark the link and add us as a friend!!

Thanks to all of you who visit, to those who have supported us since our humble beginnings, to our new visitors and to those who have contributed by sending us "tons" of product press
releases. KEEP EM' COMING!!!

See you on the other side :)

Todd

mastermind JAPAN x Globe-Trotter Suitcase

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:17:00 +0000

Cult Japanese brand mastermind JAPAN team up with storied British luggage company Globe-Trotter on a new suitcase, offered up in a 21″ and 30″ version. The suitcase perfectly pairs Globe-Trotter’s distinguished designs with the signature dark aesthetic of mastermind JAPAN, featuring a beautifully crafted leather exterior, adorned with a custom skull print lining and several key details throughout. For those interested, both sizes can be found through Anytime Hong Kong.

Source: Bee

Anselm Reyle for Mekanism Skateboards

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:22:00 +0000

Mekanism Skateboards gave carte blanche to German artist Anselm Reyle for its latest collaborative project. Taking on his signature approach, Anselm Reyle applied several thin layers of spray painted neon pink and added two different mudstone colored paints, before the boards were covered with a two-component lacquer, giving it a shiny surface. In these works, the boundary between the slickness of the neon pink and the roughness of the brown paints – resembling mud, sand or dirt – is blurred by the lacquer. Glossy and matt, ﬂashy and dark, slick and rough are now inextricably intertwined. But beyond the contradiction of colors and textures, the artist is contrasting our prospect of neon pink as a color used for posters of the punk and the psychedelic scene in the 70s and 80s with the mudstone colors applied in post war gestural abstract paintings, notably in Abstract Expressionism and Art Informel. Only 50 editions were produced, with 10 artist proofs, all signed by Anselm Reyle.

Clark Magazine Issue No. 44 featuring DELTA

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:15:00 +0000

The 44th installment of renowned Clark Magazine has made its way to production featuring exclusive cover art by Boris Tellegen, better known as DELTA. Within the pages you’ll find features covering French artist Oliver Kosta-Thefaine, skateboarder, photographer, and poet, Scott Bourne, as well as tattoo artist Mark Mahoney. There are also extensive interviews with musical talents Jay Electronica, Chromeo, and the Jacuzzi Boys. Issue number 44 of Clark is available here and priced just over $7.

via: hypebeast

Brietling Chronospace Jet Team

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:21:00 +0000

After re-introducing the Chronospace earlier this year, Brietling follow-up on the summer release with a new limited edition Jet Team model. Created in part with the inspirations of Brietling’s L-39 Albatros Jet Team, the watch attempts to capture the essence of aerobatics team which often reach speeds of nearing 700 km/h. The watch features a stainless steel 48mm case with AR-coated sapphire crystals. Movement comes courtesy of Brietling’s Caliber 78 and SuperQuartz with features including a chronograph, alarm, countdown timer and dual timezone display among other features. The watch also includes a steel Aero Classic bracelet. The Brietling Chronospace Jet Team will carry a limited edition run of only 1,000 pieces.

Source: Timezone

Takashi Murakami Kaikai Kiki Toy Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:12:00 +0000

Kaikai Kiki, the art production company from Takashi Murakami, releases a new collection of toys, most consisting of the stuffed variety, along with a couple of puppets. Featured amongst these is a “Kiki” puppet, “Mr. Dob” stuffed toy, “Kaikai” puppet, and “Frazzled” stuffed toy. All play of Murakami’s characters featured within his renowned superflat paintings. These new releases are now available through colette.

Slow posting..whaaa???

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Sorry for the slow posting! We're doing some work on the blog, working on migrating it to its own awesome site. It's gonna be awesome- should have it live next week. Promise that the daily posts will go back to normal then :)

Who do you trust?

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:12:00 +0000

This amazing 5 minute CG trailer for the upcoming “DC Universe Online” video-game almost slipped past our radars.

Brought to life by Blur Studio, it features Poison Ivy, Wonder Woman, Metallo, The Green Lantern, Giganta, Black Adam, Batman, The Flash, Cyborg, Lex Luthor, Deathstroke, Artemis, The Joker, Harley Queen, Superman and Brainiac (…phew!) all together, epically battling it out on a post-apocalyptic Earth.

With pure balls to the wall awesomeness including Superman with red eyes; it just doesn’t get more badass than this! If only DC could make their features as good as their game trailers…

via: motionographer.

Diehl Breakers

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:08:00 +0000

From one of NYC's hardest-working designers House of Diehl, this new line of one-off sunglasses mixes high camp with one-of-a-kind appeal at a price point that means you can still indulge in your Rick Owens obsession too. The Wayfarer styles are studded, chained, grommeted, dipped, painted—anything but basic. "Your accessories should always be the loudest thing about you. Isabella Blow once told me that," says Roman Milisic, who co-founded Diehl with his wife, Mary Jo Diehl.

Starting at a wallet-friendly price of $50 a pair, "Our breakers are special enough to be treasured, but cheap enough to 'break,'" explains Milisic. "Well, that always happens to my sunglasses."

The upcoming collection will feature a limited-run of shades with hand-drawn artwork. To purchase, visit their site.

via: coolhunting.

Ugmonk

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:01:00 +0000

Just two short years ago Burlington, Vermont resident Jeff Sheldon founded Ugmonk with a straightforward mission to produce high-quality products with simple, fresh designs. What started as a small side project—a way to marry his passion for typography and t-shirt design—quickly grew to much more than that. Thousands of shirts later, he recently decided to leave his traditional "day job" and do Ugmonk full-time.

The current Ugmonk collection consists of around 25 different t-shirts and hoodies with lots of new designs being added in the coming months. To celebrate the two-year mark, Sheldon just released a special Limited Edition 2nd Anniversary Collector's Set. Each includes a two-color discharge print on a charcoal gray tee, a numbered wooden coin, and Ugmonk collector's card, all packed in a custom wooden box.

Only 200 of these sets will ever be made so grab yours for $50 at Ugmonk's online shop while they're still available.

via: coolhunting.

sleeping with the fishes

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:58:00 +0000

When it comes to honeymoon destinations, most newlyweds have set aside a nice little bundle for their ultimate getaway.

But a unique suite in the Maldives - while offering unbeatable views of the local marine life - is likely to eat up the entire average wedding budget, let alone the honeymoon accommodation costs.

Conrad hotels are offering a breathtaking suite at their Maldives Rangali Islands resort, which has to be seen to be believed.

Normally the hotel's 'Ithaa' restaurant, the domed 'reverse aquarium' is being converted into a special submerged bedroom in honour of the hotel's fifth anniversary.

A night below the surface of the Indian Ocean would have to rank as the number one night to remember, and the romantic experience comes with a complimentary champagne breakfast the following morning.

Of course the aquatic entertainment - provided by the likes of blue-striped snapper, sting rays, parrot fish and moray eels - is also (quite literally) on the house.

Unsurprisingly, however, the hotel is keeping a 'price on application' policy - the Ithaa wedding experience is not listed on the Conrad hotels website, and potential guests are advised to personally request the room at least 14 days in advance.

A King Deluxe Water Villa - until now the top-of-the-range accommodation at the Maldives Rangali Islands resort - is a tidy £1,156 a night... and it's above water.

It's safe to say that this experience is not for the budget-minded.

via: dailymail.

Satoshi Kon (1963 - 2010)

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:20:00 +0000

Satoshi Kon, the director of animated movies Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers, Millennium Actress and Paprika, "as well as the TV series Paranoia Agent, died on Tuesday, August 24th at the age of 46. ( NY Times obituary .) He left behind an extraordinary document , which his family has posthumously posted on his blog.

They're the last words of a supremely talented artist Who knows that he's dying very soon, with work left unfinished. It's been the talk of the Japanese internet, and it struck me deeply.

Sayonara (Goodbye)

How could I forget, May 18th of this year.

I received the following pronouncement from a cardiovascular doctor at Musashino Red Cross Hospital.

"It's the latter stages of pancreatic cancer. It's metastasized to several bones. You have at the most half a year left to live."

My wife and I listened together. It was a fate so unexpected and untenable, that the two of us together could barely take it.

I used to honestly think that "I can't help it if I die any day." Still, it was so sudden.

To be sure, there were some signs. 2 to 3 months before that I'd had strong pains in several places on my back and in the joints of my legs; I'd lost strength in my right leg and found it hard to walk, and I'd been going to an acupuncturist and a chiropractor, but I wasn't getting any better. So after having been examined in an MRI and a PET-CT and such advanced machinery, came the sudden pronouncement of the time I had left.

It was as if death had positioned itself right behind me before I knew it, and there was nothing I could do.

After the pronouncement, my wife and I researched ways to prolong my life. It was literally a life or death situation. We received the support of staunch friends and strong allies. I rejected anti-cancer medication, and tried to live with a view of the world slightly different from the norm. The fact that I rejected what was "expected (normal)" seemed to me to be very much like me.

I've never really felt that I belonged with the majority. It was the same for medical care, as with anything else. It Was The Same for medical care, as with Anything else. "Why not try to keep living according to my own principles!" However, as is the case when I'm trying to create a work [a film], ones willpower alone didn't do the job. The illness kept progressing day by day.

On the other hand, as a member of society, I do accept at least half of what society in general holds to be right. I do pay taxes. I'm far from being an upstanding citizen, but I am a full member of Japanese society. So, aside from the things I needed to do to prolong my life from my own point of view, I also attempted to do all the things necessary to "be ready to die properly". I don't think I managed to do it properly though. (But) one of the things I did was, with the cooperation of 2 friends that I could trust, set up a company to take care of things like the measly number of copyrights that I hold. Another thing that I did was, to insure that my wife would take over any modest assets that I had smoothly by writing a will. Of course, I didn't think there would be any fighting over my legacy or anything, but I wanted to make sure that my wife, who would remain behind in this world, would have nothing to worry about - and besides, I wanted to remove any anxiety from myself, the one who was going to take a little hop over there, before I had to leave.

The paperwork and research necessary for these tasks, which neither my wife nor I were good at doing, were taken care of speedily by wonderful friends. Later on, when I developed pneumonia and was at death's door, and put my final signature on the will, I thought that if I died right then and there, it couldn't be helped.

"Ah...I can die at last."

After all, I'd been brought by ambulance to the Musashino Red Cross Hospital 2 days before that; then brought back again to the same hospital by ambulance the day after. Even I had to be hospitalized and undergo many examinations. The result of those examinations: pneumonia, water in my chest, and when I asked the doctor [straight out], the answer I received was very businesslike, and I was in a way grateful for that.

"You may last 1 or 2 days...even if you survive this, you probably have until the end of the month."

As I listened, I thought "It's like he's telling me the weather forecast", but still the situation was dire.

That was July the 7th. It was a rather brutal Tanabata for sure.

So, I decided right there and then.

I wanted to die at home.

I might inconvenience the people around me, but I asked them to see how I could escape and go back home. [I was able to do so] thanks to my wife's efforts, the hospital's cooperation despite their position of having given up on me, the tremendous help of other medical facilities, and the coincidences that were so numerous that they only seemed to be gifts from heaven. I've never seen so many coincidences and events falling into place so neatly in real life, I could barely believe it. This wasn't Tokyo Godfathers after all.

While my wife was running around getting things in place for my escape, I was pleading with doctors "If I can go home for even half a day, there are things I can still do!", then waiting alone in the depressing hospital room for death. I was lonely, but this was what I was thinking.

"Maybe dying won't be so bad."

I didn't have any reasons for it, and perhaps I needed to think like that, but I was surprisingly calm and relaxed.

However, there was just one thought that was gnawing away at me.

"I don't want to die here..."

As I thought that, something moved out from the calendar on the wall and started to spread around the room.

"Oh dear, a line marching out from the calendar. My hallucinations aren't at all original."

I had to smile at the fact at my professional instincts were working even at times like this, but in any case I was probably the nearest to the land of the dead that I'd ever been at that point. I really felt death very close to me. [But] with the help of many people, I miraculously escaped Musashino Red Cross and came back home, wrapped up in the land of the dead and bedsheets.

I should emphasize that I have no criticism of or hatred for Musashino Red Cross Hospital, so don't misconstrue me.

I just wanted to go home to my own house. The house where I live.

I was a little surprised that, when I was being carried into my living room, as a bonus, I experienced that deathbed experience everyone is familiar with of "looking down on your body being carried into the room from a place high above". I was looking down on myself and the scene around me from a position several meters above ground, through a wide-angle-ish lens and flash lighting. The square of the bed in the middle of the room seemed very large and prominent, and my sheet-wrapped body was being lowered into the middle of the square. None too gently it seemed, but I'm not complaining.

So, all I had to do was to wait for death in my own home.

However.

It seems that I was able to overcome the pneumonia.

Eh?

I did think like this, in a way.

"I didn't manage to die! (laugh)"

Afterwards, when I could think of nothing else but death, I thought that I did indeed die once then. In the back of my mind, the world "reborn" wavered several times.

Amazingly, after then my life-force was rejuvenated. From the bottom of my heart, I believe this is due to the people who helped me; first and foremost my wife, and my supportive friends, the doctors and nurses, and the care managers.

Now that my life-force had been restarted, I couldn't waste my time. I told myself that I'd been given an extra life, and that I had to spend it carefully. So I thought that I wanted to erase at least one of the irresponsibilities that I'd left behind in this world.

To be truthful, I'd only told the people closest to me about the cancer. I hadn't even told my parents. In particular, because of various work-related complications, I couldn't say anything (to people) even if I wanted to. I wanted to announce my cancer on the internet and report on my remaining life, but if Satoshi's death was scheduled, there might be some waves made, however small. For these reasons, I acted very irresponsibly to people clear to me. I am so sorry.

There were so many people that I wanted to see before I died, to say even one word of greeting to. Family and relatives, old friends and classmates from elementary and middle and high school, the mates I met in college, the people I met in the manga world, with whom I exchanged so much inspiration, the people in the anime world whose desks I sat next to, went drinking with, with whom I competed on on the same works, the mates with whom I shared good and bad times. The countless people I was able to know because of my position as a film director, the people who call themselves my fans not only in Japan but around the world, the friends I'd made via the web.

There are so many people that I want to see at least once (well there are some I don't want to see too), but if I see them I'm afraid that that the thought that "I can never see this person again" will take me over, and that I wouldn't be able to greet death gracefully. Even if I had recovered, I had very little life force left, and it took a lot of effort to see people. The more people wanted to see me, the harder it was for me to see them. What irony. In addition, my lower body was paralyzed due to the cancer spreading to my bones, and I was prone on my bed, and I didn't want people to see my emaciated body. I wanted most of the people I knew to remember me as the Satoshi that was full of life.

I'd like to use this space to apologize to my relatives, friends and acquaintances, for not telling you about my cancer, for my irresponsibility. Please understand that this was Satoshi's selfish desire. I mean, Satoshi Kon was "that kind of guy". When I envision your faces, I only have good memories and remember (your) great smiles. Everyone, thank you for all the truly great memories. I loved the world I lived in. Just the fact that I can think that makes me happy.

The many people that I met throughout my lifetime, whether they were positive or negative, have helped to shape the human being that is Satoshi Kon, and I am grateful for all of those encounters. Even if the end result is an early death in my mid 40s, I've accepted this as my own unique destiny. I've had so many positive things happen to me after all.

The thing I think about death now. "I can only say, it's too bad." Really.

However, even though I can let go of many of my irresponsible actions [by not telling people], I cannot help regretting two things. About my parents, and about Madhouse [founder] Maruyama-san.

Even though it was rather late, there was no choice but to come clean with the whole truth. I wanted to beg them for forgiveness.

As soon as I saw Maruyama-san's face when he came to see me at home, I couldn't stop the flow of tears or my feeling of shame. "I'm so sorry, for ending up like this..." Maruyama-san said nothing, and just shook his head and gripped both my hands. I was filled with thankfulness. I Was filled with thankfulness. Feelings of gratitude and joy, that I'd been lucky enough to work with this person, came over me like a landslide. It may be selfish, but I felt as though I had been forgiven in that instant.

My biggest regret is the film "Dreaming Machine". I'm worried not only about the film itself, but about the staff with whom I was able to work with on the film. After all, there's a strong possibility that the storyboards that were created with (our) blood, sweat and tears will never be seen. This is because Satoshi Kon put his arms around the original story, the script, the characters and the settings, the sketches, the music...every single image. Of course there are things that I shared with the animation director, the art director and other staff [members], but basically most of the work can only be understood by Satoshi Kon. It's easy to say that it was my fault for arranging things this way, but from my point of view I made every effort to share my vision with others. However, in my current state I can only feel deep remorse for my inadequacies in these areas. I am really sorry to all of the staff. However, I want them to understand, if only a little bit. Satoshi Kon was "that kind of guy", and, that's why he was able to make rather weird anime that was a bit different. I know this is a selfish excuse, but think of my cancer and please forgive me.

I haven't been idly waiting for death, even now I'm thinking with my weak brain of ways to let the work live even after I am gone. But they are all shallow ideas. When I told Maruyama-san about my concerns about "Dreaming Machine", he just said "Don't worry. We'll figure out something, so don't worry."

I wept.

I wept uncontrollably.

Even with my previous movies, I've been so irresponsible with the productions and the budgets, but I always had Maruyama-san figure it out for me in the end.

This time is no different. I really haven't changed.

I was able to talk to my heart's content with Maruyama-san. Thanks to this, I was able to feel, at least a little, that Satoshi Kon's talents and skills were of some value in our industry.

"I regret losing your talent. I wish that you were able to leave it for us."

If Madhouse's Maruyama-san says that, I can go to the netherworld with a little bit of self-pride after all. And of course, even without anyone else telling me this, I do feel regret that my weird visions and ability to draw things in minute detail will be lost, but that can't be helped. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart that Maruyama-san gave me the opportunity to show the world these things. Thank you, so very much. Satoshi Kon was happy as an animation director.

It was so heartbreaking to tell my parents.

I'd really intended to go up to Sapporo, where my parents live, while I was still able to, but my illness progressed so unexpectedly and annoyingly fast that I ended up calling them on the telephone from the hospital room as I was closest to death.

"I'm in the late stages of cancer and will die soon. I was so happy being born as a child to Father and Mother. Thank you."

They must have been devastated to hear this out of the blue, but I was certain I was going to die right then.

But then I came back home and survived the pneumonia. I made the big decision to see my parents. They wanted to see me too. But it was going to be so hard to see them, and I didn't have the will to. But I wanted to see my parents' faces one last time. I wanted to tell them how grateful I was that they brought me into this world.

I've been a happy person. Even though I must apologize to my wife, my parents and all the people that I love, that lived out my life a bit too faster than most.

My parents followed my selfish wishes, and came the next day from Sapporo to my house. I can never forget the first words out of my mother's mouth when she saw me lying there.

"I'm so sorry, for not bringing you into this world with a stronger body!"

I was completely speechless.

I could only spend a short time with my parents, but that was enough. I had felt that if I saw their faces, that it would be enough, and it really turned out that way.

Thank you, Father, Mother. I am so happy that I was born into this world as the child of the both of you. My heart is full of memories and gratitude. Happiness itself is important, but I am so grateful that you taught me to appreciate happiness. Thank you, so very much.

It's so disrespectful to to die before ones parents, but in the last 10 plus years, I've been able to do what I want as an anime director, achieve my goals, and get some good reviews. I do feel regret that my films didn't make a lot of money, but I think they got what they deserved. In these last 10 plus years in particular I've felt as though I've lived more intensively than other people, and I think that my parents understood what was in my heart.

Because of the visits by Maruyama-san and my parents, I feel as though I've taken a big burden off my shoulders.

Lastly, to my wife, about whom I worry the most, but who has been my support until the end.

Since that time-left pronouncement, we drowned ourselves in tears together so many times. Every day was brutal for both of us, physically and mentally. There are almost no words for it. But the reason why I was able to survive those difficult days was because of the words that you said to me right after we received the news.

"I'll be at your side [run with you] until the end."

True to those words, as though you were leaving my worries in the dust, you skillfully directed the demands and requests that came rushing towards us like a landslide, and quickly learned how to take care of your husband. I was so moved, watching you deal with things so efficiently.

"My wife is awesome."

No need to keep saying that now, you say? No no. You are even more awesome now than you ever were - I truly feel this. Even after I have died, I believe that you will send Satoshi Kon to the next world with grace. Ever since we got married, I was so wrapped up in "Work, work" that I was only able to spend some time at home after the cancer - such a shame.

But you stood close to me, you always understood that I needed to immerse myself in my work, that my talent was there. Thank you.

There are so many things, countless things, that I worry about, but everything needs an end. Lastly, to Doctor H who agreed to see me to the end in my home, even though it's something not done these days, and his wife and nurse, K-san, I would like to express my deep gratitude. Medical care in a private home is very inconvenient, but you patiently dealt with the numerous aches and pains that cancer brings on, and endeavors to make my time until the final goal called death be as comfortable as possible. I can't say how much you helped me. And you didn't just deal with this difficult and arrogant patient as if it were just your jobs, but communicated with me as human beings. I cannot say how much of a support you were to me, and how much you saved me. I was encouraged by your qualities as human beings several times. am deeply deeply grateful.

And, this is really the last, but from shortly after I received that pronouncement in mid-May until now, I've been lucky to have the cooperation, help and mental support, both personally and in business, from 2 friends. My friend T, who has been a friend since high school and is a member of KON'Stone Inc, and producer H, I thank you both from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much. It's hard for me with my measly vocabulary to express my gratitude adequately to you both. My wife and I have both received so much from you.

If you two hadn't been there for us, I am sure that I'd be anticipating death while looking at my wife here as she sits by my side with considerably more trepidation and worry. I am really in your debt.

And, if I may ask you for one more thing - could you help my wife send me over to the other side after my death? I'd be able to get on that flight with my mind at rest if you could do that for me. I ask this from my heart.

So, to everyone who stuck with me through this long document, thank you. With my heart full of gratitude for everything good in the world, I'll put down my pen.

Now excuse me, I have to go.

Satoshi Kon

Happy Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:51:00 +0000

Painting on water

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:28:00 +0000

Thorsten Brinkmann

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:21:00 +0000

Via Kunstagenten Berlin

Icebergs / Daniel Andersson

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:57:00 +0000

Daniel Andersson shared with us his project Icebergs. An iceberg only shows the tip above the water surface, the rest stays hidden below. These floating summer cottages in sheltered bays an lakes around Åland Islands, Finland investigates this concept.

via: archdaily.

OriginalFake KAWS Wooden Companion Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:09:00 +0000

OriginalFake previews what looks to be an upcoming wooden version of KAWS highly popular Companion toy. No official information is available, aside from speculation that this will ultimately see an official release. Stay tuned as we uncover more in the coming weeks.

via: hypebeast.

KO

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:15:00 +0000

British artist Anthony James has basically frozen an action movie in 3D with his sculpture "KO," the shell of a destroyed Ferrari 355 Spider suspended in a mirrored neon matrix. Simultaneously completely out of and completely in control.

Via Today and Tomorrow; images by Anthony James.

Comments Neuvo Watches Try it Before You Buy it iPhone App

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:47:00 +0000

Neuvo Watches simplifies the ordering of watches online by offering a ‘Try it before you buy it’ iPhone App. Badass.

Ice Cream “Floating Cones & Bones” T-Shirt

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:05:00 +0000

Ice Cream drops this new “Floating Cones & Bones” tee, part of the brand’s latest series of releases for August 2010. The tee follows a playful approach, featuring the often seen Ice Cream logo floating over a dot pattern design. Available now through select BBC/Ice Cream stockists as well as the brand’s flagship stores.

My Dear Bomb

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:07:00 +0000

One of the fashion world's most explosive creative forces receives its first biography this October with the release of Yohji Yamamoto - My Dear Bomb. The unorthodox life story will feature short fiction penned by Yamamoto himself, interspersed with reminiscences, philosophical essays and a timeline of as-yet-unreleased personal images. A look back at some classic campaigns makes it clear that this biography is worth the wait. Available this October from Ludion.

New Brand by Tara McPherson

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:41:00 +0000

Check out the newest creation of Tara McPherson called The Cotton Candy Machine. This new brand will kick into full gear in the Spring of 2011 when Tara opens up a retail store in Brooklyn that will feature tons of cool products and a small gallery space.

via: cluttermagazine

OriginalFake x Medicom Toy Pinocchio & Jiminy Cricket Set

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:57:00 +0000

Following several teasers, Medicom Toy reveals better images into its latest production with OriginalFake, this time taking on two of the animated world’s most lovable creations, Pinocchio & Jiminy Cricket. Both are given the KAWS touch with his iconic “X” motif implemented on each figure’s hands. The set will retail at ￥17,640 (Approx. $206 USD), with a release date set for August 28th at the OriginalFake store in Tokyo. A drop through other select global retailers should be expected in time. Stay tuned!

via: hypebeast.

Dealer James Cohan Launches ‘VIP Art Fair,’ Virtual Emporium for Armchair Buyers

noreply@blogger.com (Todd) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:38:00 +0000

In a radical twist on the art fair model, the new VIP Art Fair will exist only online, catering to busy collectors weary of the cost and hassle of traveling. It’s Second Life meets Gilt Groupe for the art biz.

Seasoned Chelsea dealer James Cohan has teamed up with Internet entrepreneur Jonas Almgren, to launch the fair, according to art market sources. The event is being billed as the “first ever” virtual art fair.

The first edition is slated for January, usually a quiet time in the gallery sale cycle. The fair is comprised of virtual stands priced $4,000 to $20,000, according to sources. The fair will be timed, and we believe, last for one week, like timed sales mounted by online retailers on member-only sites such as Gilt Groupe and Ru La La. (A VIP Art Fair web page, with a snazzy black and white logo, has been set up, but the site is not yet live. The fair also has a Facebook page with 22 fans).

Cohan already has signed aboard an impressive group of international dealers, despite a hefty booth price, the concept’s novelty and the dreary economy.

Participating dealers are thought to include Barbara Gladstone, Luhring Augustine, Yancey Richardson, David Zwirner, Marianne Boesky and Hauser & Wirth.

The venture will test collectors willingness to spend serious money on art acquisitions initiated online. While details have been difficult to pin down, here is what we surmise about how the fair will work: a select group of collectors will be permitted to browse the web-based fair anonymously, so that even dealers won’t know when a potential buyer has cruised a stand, according to sources. A collector may contact the dealer with queries and make an appointment to see the artwork in person if so desired. Exhibiting dealers are also permitted to have backroom spaces, like usual art fairs.

James Cohan, proprietor of the James Cohan Gallery, operates branches on West 26th Street in New York and Shanghai. The gallery is known for a strong roster of contemporary artists including Bill Viola, Beatriz Milhazes and Yinka Shonibare.

Jonas Almgren is founder and CEO of One Art World, a website combining gallery listings, online art sales and auction information.

via: Lindsay Pollack.