by Russ Lowe

We recently sat down over a tall boy with photographer Michael Cogliantry to chat about his latest book project "Furverts," chopping wood and his first case of hate mail.

The Brooklynite-turned-Portlander, whose work spans hi-fi advertorial shoots for top brands to portraits of Alaskan gold-miners, made the cross-country trek west via caravan last summer. The first Pacific Northwest winter is a traditionally bitter pill for most new arrivals, but by the look of it, it was anything but for Cogliantry. An assortment of hand-callousing man chores, coastal excursions and investigation into Portland's food and music underbelly have clearly kept him warm and dry.

The catalyst of Michael's first encounter with real-life hate mail originated years ago as a benignly satyrical photo interpretation of the Kama Sutra performed by Furries—a diverse subculture comprised of people obsessed with anthropomorphic animals.

Many Furries dress in costumes that personify their inner critter and gather for annual conventions which are typically closed to outsiders, stirring the sort of speculation that originally inspired Cogliantry's "ex-faux-sé." Discussion boards within the Fur community have been lively in response to the work, plenty of which are aimed back at the artist himself.

Portland's Nemo Design hosted a showcase of the artwork from a Las Vegas shoot of Furries last season and the new hardcover photo book published by Chronicle Books is hot off the press.

Colgliantry's latest labor of love, along with the rest of his work, is better viewed than narrated.

Furverts is available from Amazon and Powell's.

Naughty burlesque dancers, daring trampoline stunts, scary clowns and steamy duets fill the Cirque Berzerk big top. "Beneath" is a definitely-not-for-kids show, celebrating the dark side of the circus world. Originating at Burning Man, the show since evolved into a full-fledged spectacle, housed in a beautiful new tent custom-built in Italy.

Co-founders Suzanne Bernel and Kevin Bourque created a world that mixes a neo-goth aesthetic with steampunk, vintage and contempory elements.

After each performance the audience is invited to the Cirque Berzerk Lounge to meet the entire troupe and hear live music by Vaud and The Villains.

Images via LAist photographer Tom Andrews

Tickets are $25-$80.

Cirque Berzerk
Through 26 July 2009
Los Angeles State Historic Park
1245 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012 map

More images after the jump.

by Richard Dewitt

"I like to call them Sportdomes, not cages," says prison architect Willem Van der Sluis. Indeed, his unusual 2007 project in the Zaandam industrial zone in the Netherlands consists of conjoined geodesic domes that don't look like cages at all. But, these spaces, designed for playing sports, prevent soccer or basketball players from escaping; the users are inmates.

Starting with the question, "How does one design a space for a user who does not really want to be there," Van der Sluis' major contribution here is the view. Instead of regular prison yards with walls that only afford a view upwards, within the domes prisoners experience the horizon.

Pierced with small holes at the white domes' base creating a contrast not unlike Venetian blinds, the upshot is that from within the prisoners can look outside but don't have to worry about being viewed by passersby. Higher up the holes get bigger, allowing more daylight in. "I tried to give it the feel of light falling through trees in a forest," Van der Sluis explains.

The structure consists of no more than 15 triangles that form the whole dome. It's a design that can as easily be constructed as dismantled. While it may not be necessary for both the locations where the Dutch ministry of Justice uses the domes, boats house the detention centre in Zaandam. If the boats relocate after five years, the domes will move with them.

See more images after the jump.

Quicksilver's new Diamond Dobby boardshort infuses the latest in fabric technology with their classic design and quirky color schemes, making for a rash-free summer of fun and surf.

By using an embossed, diamond-patterned material, the Diamond Dobby technology decreases fabric to skin contact by 30 percent which eliminates chafing and rashes.

In addition, horizontal stretch and fabric memory keep the shorts in shape while adding ultimate comfort—ideal for challenging waves from the North Shore to the Gold Coast.

The trunks even shine out of the water; the weightless material dries twice as fast as the average boardshort.

Available for purchase from the Quicksilver website, Diamond Bobbies run $60.

What happens when designers known for making furniture from trash take on one of the most preppy clothing brands? Brazilian brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana ditch French restraint to riff on Lacoste's signature crocodile for a series of limited edition shirts due out this holiday season, the fourth such collaboration for the label.

The project also references the designers' own ouevre, playing on a version of their iconic Banquette chair made from stuffed alligators by clustering eight crocs on the breast of Lacoste's classic polo. An explicit reference to their Alligator Chair, it's limited to an edition of 20,000.

Far more exclusive, the collaboration also introduces two other special designs. The first, 125 units each for men and women, takes its inspiration from nature. The men's polo mimics the small fluvial islands on the Amazon, while the women's borrows from the Lianas vines that grow amidst rainforest trees.

Comprised entirely of embroidered crocodiles, the second series references the traditional lacework found in Northern Brazil in an edition of 12 made-to-order shirts for each gender.

See more images after the jump.

via Dezeen

Outdoor adventurers and dog enthusiasts can blend their passions by purchasing Paracord Survival Strap Dog Collars.

Composed of knotted paracord, these durable collars quickly unravel for lashing together a shelter, suspending gear from bears or even saving strangers from drowning in pits of quicksand. While these situations may only sporadically present themselves, the collars are also stylish in their own right, available in nearly 900 two tone color combinations.

Survival Straps also produces a variety of other paracord accessories, including bracelets, anklets and belts; the collars are available for $28 through Survival Straps.

A portion of all proceeds are donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, assisting men and women severely injured in the line of duty.

Keeping luxury afloat, Alastair Callender's eco-friendly Soliloquy yacht proves that future pleasure vessels can maintain opulence without damaging the earth.

At 58 meters long, wind, solar and hybrid marine technologies power the rigid wing yacht, resulting in zero emissions capabilitity, lower fuel costs and a quieter journey.

Originally intended for the environmentally conscious crowd, the Soliloquy is attracting attention worldwide not only from activists but also designers and sailing enthusiasts for its innovative use of a rigid wing rig of three solar sails, which can collect enough energy during 12 hours of sun to allow the Soliloquy to run fuel-free at nearly eight knots.

The entire yacht features careful construction, keeping both sustainability and splendor in mind. Using renewable materials, the state-of-the-art, ever-evolving superstructure creates the option for converting indoor space into outdoor socializing areas or alfresco living spaces. The on-board gym offers both guests and the ship an energizing opportunity—in-use equipment recharges the vessel's main batteries.

Combining Solar Sailor's proven technology with Alastair Callender's yacht design knowledge, the Soliloquy pushes the boundaries of both clean living and luxury yachts of the future.

See more images after the jump.

via Luxury Culture

Substantially-sized, fully-stocked and visually-engaging, Poketo's first Pop-Up Shop debuted this past weekend for a three-week stint at Royal/T in Los Angeles, the Japanese-style cafe and gallery known for its waitresses in French maid costumes.

In addition to offering Poketo's trademark artist-designed wallets and tees, the launch kicks off a new line by Apak, with tees and a mug, plus a new shirt by James Gulliver Hancock.

Poketo convinced Royal/T to allow them to design a special menu of Japanese-inspired street food, which includes ramen, a chicken katsu Cordon Bleu and green tea flan. The tasty menu will only be around for the duration of the pop-up shop.

On 10 July 2009, Poketo will throw a karaoke dance party at the site with prizes for the unabashed singers out there. Karoake celebrity Raina Lee is scheduled to appear at the event and sign her book on karoake and wallets by Devil Robots and The Wonderful! Design Works will go on sale. RSVP for the free event by sending an email to rsvp [at] poketo [dot] com.

Poketo Pop-Up Shop
Through 18 July 2009
Royal/T
8910 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232 map
tel. +1 310 559 6300

Taking the remix to the next level, Otto is a new prototype that enables real-time manual beat slicing. The brainchild (and master's thesis) of Luca De Rosso, made using open-source hardware, the handheld electronic instrument lends the user the sense of holding the sampled music in their hands.

It works by connecting to a computer and using software to feed the sample into the device, which then displays a visualization of the music in lights. To see a demo, watch the above videos. The graphic representation enables precise cutting and manipulation, an interface sure to win fans among deejays and experimental musicians alike.

Though it's currently not on the market, check De Rosso's site for more info.

via Core77

Netflix and Film Independent have teamed up to find the next great independent filmmaker, launching a nationwide online vote to rival the likes of American Idol. The contest features 10 semifinalists, chosen from over 2000 scripts, and a viral social media campaign drives it all—complete with its own Facebook application. The top five vote-getters will move on to the final round to be judged by heavy hitters Josh Brolin, Dustin Lance Black (screenwriter of "Milk"), Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen (producers of "Milk" and "American Beauty"), Columbia Pictures' Stephanie Allain and the indie institution John Sayles.

The films range from comedies to dramas and cover every current topic imaginable, including the intersection between technology and art in the virtual reality thriller "Sarahn_12." (A still from it is pictured above.) "Our film is all about the ever encroaching questions surrounding online behavior in our society, so I think if we get our funding through an internet contest, it'll be perfect," says filmmaker Sasie Sealy. "Whether it is Myspace or Facebook or Second Life, entire generations are growing up online, creating communities and identities in virtual spaces, where the rules still remain unclear. When does what we say or do online cross legal boundaries? Or moral boundaries? Do we have the right to stay anonymous in cyberspace?" Whether Sarahn_12 answers those questions remains to be seen, but I'm sure Sasie would appreciate your vote. The contest ends 5 July 2009.

Thanks to the character-inspired icons for various Mac-related applications, there's a new word-building form of entertainment to get bored workers through the doldrums of the day. Like a contemporary version of the grade school novelty of spelling out words on calculators (it actually had a name, beghilos), art director Mike Giepart's posts examples of the new "typeface."

While the technique seems too recent to have been given a common name, Vermacular sounds about right.

Check it out and add to the character-building experience on Giepart's site.

The art queers are at it again, offering the third installment of the much talked about video/performance series, Brooklyn Is Burning. Curated by Sarvia Jasso and Andres Bedoya, the one-night event takes gender bending to whole new heights, featuring the work of emerging artists interested in expanding the boundaries of sex, sexuality, the body and whatever is left in between.

Past efforts have featured the work of Deitch Projects superstar painter Matt Greene, London performance artist The O and the psychedelic visions of Brazilian collective Assume Vivid Astro Focus. (All images from previous installments.) Highlights from the latest cohort includes video artist Desiree Holman (who’s building buzz with her upcoming show at the Hammer in November), and New York-based Kathryn Garcia, with her ode to Liz Taylor and hysteria.

Needless to say, the event itself promises its own share of antics and characters, enough to justify a weekend ride on the L. With enough decadence and perversion to fill in the backdrop for any late Fellini movie, BIB attests to an energy many feared had disappeared from New York City…turns out it just hopped a borough.

Glasslands Gallery
5 July 2009, 9pm
289 Kent Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211 map

Bruce Jacob's pioneering instrument fuses his two passions—guitars and computer system engineering—to create Coil Guitars. Coil revolutionizes electric guitar customization, allowing guitarists to engineer their favorite tones without having to open up (and potentially damage) their instrument's circuitry. We spoke to Bruce to find out more about what makes Coils a must-have for the discerning guitarist.

There are a multitude of different guitar production agencies and designers in the field today. What were these lacking that inspired you to create your own line of guitars? What elements distinguish your products from other guitar designers and manufacturers?
I grew up playing guitars that had a wide palette of sounds, not by choice but by luck. My first electric (an Electra Outlaw) was simply what they were carrying at the place I took lessons. My second (an Ibanex Roadstar) I got when I heard my band member's Ibanez and thought, "Wow, I need that sound." Those were my only two electrics for almost 20 years. Both have very wide ranges of tones they produce and when I bought a new guitar in 2003 (off the net), it was the first time I played a guitar with what I would consider a limited palette. It felt black and white, compared to full color.

So I looked into why I felt dissatisfied with that guitar (which was really expensive and should have been a home run by all accounts). After some research, I figured out how to get a huge range of tonal possibilities and then a student of mine pointed out that my experimental set-up was actually the product. So I decided to see if other people are as crazy about lots of tones as I am.

The bottom line is that we give guitarists way more sounds than they will get in other guitars, at a fraction of the price of guitars with similar specs. We give end-users the ability to experiment with different tones in a non-destructive way (e.g. one of our switches lets you fully customize all the settings of the guitar, without having to rewire anything). And, most importantly, we do it in a way that is simple and easy at performance time—one or two switches on the front of the guitar and that is all. I don't know many guitarists that want to fiddle with a half dozen knobs, levers, and push/pull pots to get their sound. That works fine in the studio, where the atmosphere is relaxed and you can make mistakes. Playing live is a different matter; the guitar has to be dead simple. I think we've achieved the best of both worlds: dead simple, with the widest possible range of sounds.

The Angel, Ronin, and Shogun body designs all hail from very familiar construction shapes. What are the functional and acoustic qualities that you are able to achieve from the Hammer's (pictured below) more atypical design?

Read more from Bruce and see additional images after the jump.

An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but Lisa Sitko's ceramic apple pipe will likely do more for relieving built-up stress—as much for the way it riffs off the adolescent stand-in as for its actual purpose.

The L.A.-based artist sculpts and glazes the one-offs by hand, creating an unusual and charming device for smoking or just a lovely addition to any bookshelf.

Available in over 20 colors, the pipes can be purchased from the Ooga Booga Store for $80.

We're coveting the limited edition 15" Stealth MacBook Pro by ColorWare. It features a custom matte screen (an option we'd like to see on all of the MacBook Pros), SofTouch technology to ward off finger prints and scratches, and top of the line guts (3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8GB of RAM. SuperDrive 8x, 245GB Solid-State drive).

It's not cheap at $6,000, but this limited edition of 10 is sure to go quickly.

Eliminating the tedious task of carefully curating a workout mix, the Yamaha Bodibeat music player takes your pulse and shuffles your music accordingly.

The device matches the beats-per-minute of the 125-song playlist to your heart rate, then chooses the best fitting song for you to jam out to. Arriving full preloaded, the MP3 player is ready for use, but we recommend adding your own tunes for a more pleasant experience. The Yamaha Bodibeat is compatible with iTunes and other software as long as the music is digital rights media free.

Yamaha Bodibeat is available online for $300.

via UrbanDaddy

As the summer months heat up Timbuk2 is keeping it chill with their new messenger bag, the Dolores Chiller, named after San Francisco's Dolores Park. The cleverly disguised cooler keeps your cans cold—holding 18-24 depending on amount of ice—while on the go or hanging beachside.

A waterproof TPU lining keeps the cold and the condensation inside the bag, while the extremely durable ballistic nylon exterior and zip-top closure keeps the elements outside.

The built-in bottle opener and quick-adjust shoulder strap make this version of Timbuk2's Classic Messenger Bag the perfect party accompaniment for any summer activity.

Launching today, the Dolores Chiller is available in a very limited quantity for $110 from Timbuk2, and we're giving away the bag to one lucky CH reader.

To enter the contest simply go to the bottom of the page, click on Contact and select "Dolores Chiller Giveaway" from the drop-down menu. Tell us your favorite outdoor spot to relax with a frosty beverage and we'll pick at random from entries received before 11:59 pm EST on 5 July 2009.

True to form, 3.1 Philip Lim's latest two styles of kicks make understated updates to classic profiles, done in pitch-perfect colorways and luxe materials.

The Brandon, a hi-top that looks like it could star in Bladerunner II (or be Kanye's next Mad Max-inspired Louis Vuitton collabo), has fashion-forward height, padding at the ankle and uses multiple materials including patent leather. A slim profile, little stitching and simple design keep it from being too flashy.

In fact we prefer the deep, rich burgundy of the eggplant version (pictured at right, click for detail) which skips the patent and makes for an unusual but very on-trend hue for summer. For a more traditional take, the cream-colored one has a vintage Italian military look to it and is also shine-free. Otherwise, grey and black offset their somber flavor with shiny uppers.

Keeping the look even more minimal, the Meaden (pictured below) riffs on the desert boot but adds a little Chukka styling. Suede uppers in black, grey and cream contrast nicely with a white sole. Designers keep the shoe minimal with just two eyelets and a side zipper for a "refinement that imparts a sense of individual style – an effortless, imperfect sophistication," according to the press release.

Both styles will be available starting this month from 3.1 Philip Lim boutiques in New York, Los Angeles, London and Tokyo. The Brandon will retail for $325 or $375 with optional shearling lining, while the Meaden will run $275.

A modern contrast to the charming historic port of Saint Tropez, Hotel Pastis is an ideal setting for those who want to soak up some sun and take in a little rest and relaxation while keeping to the theme of a luxurious vacation in the south of France.

Run by a husband-and-wife graphic design duo from London, the completely renovated eight-room hotel feels like a quaint provençal B&B—but the contemporary art and Sex Pistols records adorning the walls tell a different story, much like the Space Invader tile hidden among the steps of the spiral staircase leading the way up to the rooms.

Situated within walking distance from the action of the marina, but the villa-style hotel keeps a tranquil ambiance with a majestic pool surrounded by towering palm trees, enticing guests to lounge around with a glass of local rosé.

The hotel strikes the perfect balance of classic French styling and modern amenities, with meticulous details throughout. Ornate doors open on to rooms with wood-beam ceilings, each including a terrace or balcony, with spatial bathrooms boasting heated towel racks, local toiletries and bathtubs large enough for two.

Prices vary between 175-600€, depending on season and size. Contact Mr & Mrs Smith for reservations.

See more images of Hotel Pastis after the jump.

After his initial successful run of graphic posters, designer Evan Melnyk aka “Curse of the Multiples” is at it again. The newest set of prints are available now from his online shop featuring his ever-so-crisp graphics and witty dark quotes.

Adding another discipline to his craft, he just finished creating some laser-cut acrylic jewelry featuring some of his most iconic characters. Both posters and jewels are limited runs and affordable like always, starting at $30 for the accessories and $20 for posters. See more info on his site and more images after the jump.

On a recent trip to Los Angeles I had the pleasure of experiencing the palatial restaurant and gourmet market Bottega Louie. I expected the newly opened establishment, located in the downtown business district, to be barely percolating with traffic on the weeknight I visited. Instead, the 185-seat dining hall, which features soaring 20 foot ceilings, banquette-style seating and a view of the grand open kitchen, was abuzz with guests and the din of conversation.

Roughly three years in the making, Bottega Louie is something of a marvel to behold. An enticing view of a custom deli counter and pastry display greets patrons, while off to the left, a wall stacked with bottled spirits beckons toward the restaurant. The entire 10,000 square-foot space, a brilliant white throughout nicely offsets marble tiling, custom brass millwork and dark-hued bistro furniture.

While the broad floor-to-ceiling windows and minimalist color palate make for a an austere backdrop, the attention to detail keeps it compelling. The textures of stone, metal and wood, as well as a few decorative gestures, like the gilt concierge desk, in all, evokes the spirit of the good old days. The pared-down look seems a fitting answer to our recent age of excess.

As for the food, the dinner menu offers a thoughtful (if limited) selection of comforting Italian dishes. A wide array of antipasti support classic salads, pizzas, pastas and entrees. Staples like burrata don't disappoint, while the chocolate soufflé (a 25 minute wait) left me near speechless.

For those who want to take a bit of the Bottega Louie experience to go, head over to the pastry counter for one of the best tasting pistachio eclairs on the West Coast or a pastel box of electric-colored macaroons—tied with a silk ribbon, of course.

More images after the jump.

Bottega Louie
700 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017 map
tel +1 213 802 1470

J. Howells Werthman (JHW), a brooklyn native and co-founding member of the Nuclear Family music collective, recently released his first solo album We Are Making Plans. Taking advantage of Nuclear Family's "extensive community of music makers and artists, guys we've been doing shows with for years," the carefully crafted album features a curated list of guests that proves hip hop lives on.

Although JHW admits he doesn't really like "producer albums"—when an individual creates all the beats and gets emcees to rap over them—he comments, "I wanted to make a project that featured everybody, to leave some evidence of all this talent. In the end, that became the theme of the record and led me to the title of the thing, We Are Making Plans."

A versatile and well-rounded musician, JHW blends a variety of sounds from jazz to old Afro-Brazilian beats, creating a distinct musical amalgam. Of the album's 17 tracks, he produced them all (with the exception of "Clamato," produced by Javelin). Most feature guest emcees and some of my favorite tracks have to be the beautifully composed and heavily jazz-influenced instrumental interludes.

The cover art for the record also goes for the highly-produced gold, but takes a DIY approach. To translate the communal nature of the project, a photograph featuring life size print-outs of the 18 collaborative emcees, posed in an abandoned lot on the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY, graces the cover. A background mural of the album's title on a decaying brick wall completes the the living collage. Created by Nuk Fam’s own Tone Tank (also of Scum Life), they did it all without Photoshop tricks.

For more from this producer, who's been making original music since high school, check out tracks for Iller Than Theirs' self-titled debut, as well as his executive production credits on Junk Sciene's “Feeding Einstein” and “Gran'dad's Nerve Tonic." He also plays with the Brooklyn based band Ro Agents sometimes.

We are Making Plans is available for free download from Radio Belly. Be sure to look out for more from the Nuclear Family soon. As always, they are making some plans.

Turning iPhones into on-the-go movie theaters and presentation tools, PhoneSuit's MiLi Pro combines the power of their MiLi Battery Pack with an LCOS, LED micro video projector, allowing for ultimate viewing fun.

The rechargeable MiLi Pro—available September 2009—will feature quality built-in speakers, a mini-USB cable for syncing the device and the capability to display 640x480 high resolution images on any surface up to 40 inches large.

In addition, the MiLi Pro offers a number of AV inputs. Compatible with the standard dock connectors used with iPhones and iPods, PhoneSuit also includes two additional cables, the VGA and RCA, allowing for connectivity with laptops and DVD players respectively.

The accessory works with iPhone 3GS, 3G, 2G and iPod Touch and will be available for purchase this fall from the PhoneSuit website. Click on above right image for detailed view.

Math geeks will be excited to learn that Hewlett Packard recently released a series of calculator applications for the iPhone. Based on vintage designs, the applications serve as virtual replicas of the HP 12C and HP 12C platinum financial calculators (both above) and the HP 15C scientific calculator (below), while offering the same functions, algorithms and calculation sequences.

The designers at HP clearly spent a good deal of time tweaking the buttons on these apps, creating a rich three-dimensionality that puts the iPhone's standard calculator to shame. Taking advantage of the iPhone's accelerometer, the calculators also offer a horizontal and simplified RPN vertical orientation. With a download price of $15 for the 12C and $30 for the 15C, however, these calculators make for a pricey trip down memory lane; these are more for serious computations on the go.

via designboom

Aspiring artists looking to be discovered will find new micro-patronage site Society6 to be nothing less than a godsend. The service provides a virtual showroom for artists to display their work and vie for viewer support. Like Threadless, the more viewers who vote on a particular work, the higher up on the "Charts" the image will rise with the winning artist receiving a grant. These precious grants are sponsored by third party companies or organizations who want to support the arts and come either as cold cash or golden opportunities.

The "Studio" feature, a social networking platform, allows viewers to follow the artist's progress, building the artist-viewer relationship even further. By providing a format that goes beyond the usual bio and bibliography pages, the site enables a more intimate glimpse of the artist's craft and skill.

While only operational for a month and change, the talent already shines through. Will Bryant's Warping Space Cubes, Yuta Onoda's Soon It Will Be Cold Enough (pictured above L-R) and Mark Kulakoff's Teenocide are but a few of the evocative works on display right now.

Frequent readers may notice some new art in the showcase at the top of CH's pages. We've picked some of our favorites Society6 and clicking on the images takes you directly to the artist's site.

Visit Society6 to see more and support new artistic talent.