oyster-sauce

2011-09-15T16:24:00.000-04:00

NATE DUVAL

These made me smile today. A bit creepy, yes, but I'm intrigued....

And I love, love, love that full floral one...

Check out more here.

All images courtesy of http://nateduval.com/.

2011-08-17T11:31:00.000-04:00

"FAVN is the Danish name for embrace. This piece is the result of a creative dialogue between Jaime Hayon and Fritz Hansen. 'I wanted the sofa to be based on a shell. A shell being hard on the outside, soft and welcoming on the inside. I wanted to create a form that embraces you, something really organic - that's why we named it FAVN' " - http://www.hayonstudio.com/

2011-08-12T17:36:00.002-04:00

oo wee.

All images by Ruven Afanador.

2011-08-10T11:15:00.002-04:00

DRAMA QUEEN

Kelly Wearstler can be called many things, but one thing she's not is scurred. Love her or hate her interior designs...but you can't take away the fact that girlfriend is pretty ballsy. And just like any girl, she loves a good accessory — especially if it's vintage. She has absolutely no concept of less is more. Countless textures layer over patterns, which lay over other patterns. Gold is not an accent but a main player. The overall effect is regal, yet pop-py. Rich and certainly not stuffy.

Those last four images are of the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills, which I've stayed at a couple of times. I wanted to touch everything....sit in every chair...marvel at all of the glistening gold ornaments......

All photos courtesy of http://kellywearstler.com/

2011-08-09T16:47:00.000-04:00

Some lovely type candy from typographer Darren Booth. That "300" is making me drool.

All images courtesy of http://www.darrenbooth.com/

2011-08-08T11:25:00.005-04:00

STORMY WEATHER

So, yesterday there was free admission at the Oakland Museum of California (believe it or not, I've only been once before. Shame on me.) Last time I went, I did see this exhibit, but wasn't able to see experience it in its full glory until yesterday.

This piece, called Pavilion of Rain, is only one element of a full retrospective of Michael C. McMillen that's currently on view.

An abandoned shack, precariously situated above a small pool of water beckons you to enter. Inside, it is clear that it is someone's home. A small sink, benches, sheer fabric for curtains....the home is bare and lonely, but not uncared for. Under the tin roof, a storm brews outside — sprinklers with a pretty high water pressure and faux lightening. When sitting inside, the sound of the "rain" hitting the tin is immense. Simultaneously spooky and cozy, the home and the experience it creates is very moving. I couldn't help but be reminded about a trip to Panama some years ago and being pelted by a night storm while sleeping inside a structure not unlike this one, that was perched on stilts above the sea.

It took me there, and from the expressions on other visitors' faces, they were taken by it as well.

Nothing short of magical.

So, Bay folks. It's only up until the 14th. Yes, 6 more days. Go, go, go.

2011-08-07T14:02:00.000-04:00

ELVIA PERRIN

Equal parts obtrusive and delicate, Elvia's shapes in her printmaking evoke an ethereal, dreamlike (or nightmarish?) quality.

The big black shapes are almost anatomical, and are seemingly emboldened when layered on top of more delicate patterns.

I'm sort of in love with them and might need one for my apartment. Or five.

Check out her Etsy page here.

All photos courtesy of the artist.

2011-08-05T14:04:00.001-04:00

...just some stuff by Jacob Whibley. Graphic designer by day, Jacob creates these collages as a "personal outlet." He uses vintage paper from the mid 19th century to about the 1970s, and tries to use knives and rulers instead of scissors and a computer.

"I like the viewer to approach each collage with a sense of confusion and then have to work out their own relationship with the piece." – JW

I'm a little (completely) obsessed with those wooden cube pieces.

Check out more of his work here.

Photos courtesy of http://www.jacobwhibley.com/

2011-08-04T12:41:00.001-04:00

WASTE LANDSCAPE

I can't lie...as a freelance art director for the music industry, this makes me feel a certain way. HOWEVER, the dazzling creation that was formed by collaborators Elise Morin and Clémence Eliard can't really be denied. They used 65,000 discarded CDs to create this landscape on the floor of an art space (and aptly, a former funeral home) in Paris. They named it Waste Landscape.

If you happen to live or be traveling in Paris, the piece will be up until 9/10/11, and then will tour other locations.

Check out this video too.

Photos courtesy of Yannick Fradin, Martin Eliard and Marc Sirvin

2011-08-03T12:18:00.000-04:00

RUN THIS CITY

EVOL created this miniature streetscape in Hamburg Germany. He calls it Rural City, and it was designed in only 8 days for the MS Dockville Music Festival. He even had his artist friends tag the mini buildings.

Trippy.

See more of his work here.

Photos courtesy of www.inhabitat.com and www.unurth.com

2011-08-02T19:00:00.002-04:00

THE GOLDSTINES

Untitled by Jim Goldberg, 1981

Gelatin Silver Print

Image courtesy of http://www.pacemacgill.com/

2011-08-01T15:23:00.000-04:00

LITTLE NEXT DOOR

I took a short trip down to LA this weekend, and picked up some food at Little Next Door, an adorable little French spot in Fairfax. Not only do they have the tastiest almond croissants and coffee cups the size of my head, but the interior is gorgeous yet quaint....luxurious yet comfy. It has a great outdoor patio too.

Electric blue paint coats the walls and ceiling and is paired with lots of gold accents, a wall of wine and French bistro chairs. And did I mention coffee cups the size of my head??

2011-07-28T10:48:00.002-04:00

TAKE A LOAD OFF

Yoichi Yamamoto Architects fooled us all.

They created a window display for Issey Miyake's Tokyo store that features a set of blue chairs, cut mid-way, that with a bit of strategically applied blue paint on the floor gives the appearance of whole chairs.

Magic!

See more of their work here.

All images courtesy of Yoichi Yamamoto

2011-07-27T13:41:00.001-04:00

MASSIMALS SCHMASHIMALS

"Massimals are 1:1 design objects that serve as prototypes to examine how physical form can engage the public realm. These constructs are mass abstractions of animal forms fabricated in systematic fashion from one material. The suggestive forms and their specific arrangement imply docile behavior similar to animals in a petting zoo augmenting the way visitors approach and engage built form."
— Design Office Takebayashi Scroggin

Translation: "This is a polar bear made of plastic zip-ties. And it's pretty amazing."

All photos courtesy of http://dots-ky.com/index.php

2011-07-26T11:34:00.004-04:00

I AM NOT A BIKER.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that. I prefer my own two feet over two wheels (or four) any day, and so would any pedestrians that get in my way.

But there's something so fantastic about this wooden bike by Chicago-based Lagomorph Design, that I'd gladly turn in my walking shoes.

...Hello? There's a bunny in front. Toto: move over. Pedestrians: watch out.

See more here.

All photos courtesy of http://lagomorphdesign.com.

2011-07-25T19:07:00.000-04:00

REX RAY

I went to a record/art/book sale over the weekend and picked up a book of SF native, Rex Ray's artwork....and well, folks....

I'm in love.

Having his book as my new coffee table display is not going to suffice. I might need a large-scale print, because, well, I'm in love.

So in love I'm talking in circles.

Check more out here.

All photos courtesy of http://www.rexray.com/

2011-07-23T13:00:00.002-04:00

ANALOG GIRL...DIGITAL WORLD...

I guess that's why I'm so drawn to these overwhelmingly charming hand-crafted works of art by French/American artist Christopher Bettig.

I discovered his work while searching for art to hang on my living room wall. I love the patterns, colorful bursts, whimsical paper pinwheels...there's a very obvious child-like sensibility.

It seems the world has already caught on, as his client list includes The Standard Hotel, Urban Outfitters and Converse, just to name a few.

Check him out here.

All photos courtesy of http://www.themountainlabel.com/

2011-06-07T13:33:00.000-04:00

BIANCA BIANCA BIANCA

The girl can work a birdcage.

2011-04-05T19:56:00.001-04:00

By Alejandro Leonelli

By Jeff Stratford

By Margaret Chavigny

By Margaret Chavigny (detail)

OAKLAND ART MURMUR

The First Friday of every month, the galleries of Uptown Oakland open their doors and vendors fill the streets for a night of music, art, crafts and food. Since this is officially my third "first Friday" since living in Oakland, I was eager to check it out.

And I looooved it! SF Bay Area artists and their loyal fans abound...the event was pretty fantastic! So inspiring! Above are a few of my faves.

Read more about the monthly event here.

2011-03-27T23:00:00.002-04:00

BLUECOAT

I grabbed lunch at one of my new favorite spots in the city today — Farmer Brown.

Yummy buffet brunch + live music + great crowd = one happy me.

We sat at the bar while waiting for a table, and I couldn't stop staring at this one gorgeous sapphire-toned glass bottle, sitting on a shelf that was backlit with the bright Sunday sun. The bartender noticed and brought it down for the shelf so that we could snap a pic. The pattern on the front is etched and though you can't tell from the photo, the logo and type are done in a gold foil.

I have a weakness for gorgeous colored/stained glass, as seen here.

2011-03-08T00:40:00.012-05:00

...gravity...

Ryan McGinley, Night Sky (Pine), 2010 (top), Blue Falling, 2007 (middle) and Cyclone, 2008/2009 (below)

2011-03-02T00:41:00.001-05:00

THE (NOT SO) SECRET GARDEN...

...that's just as magical and enchanting.

About a month ago, my parents came to visit me in my new city. The week was filled with non-stop sight-seeing. Golden Gate Bridge, check. Chinatown, check. The Cliff House, Lombard Street, Union Square, checkcheckcheck. Towards the end of their stay, we stumbled upon the Japanese Tea Garden, right next to the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, and were SOOO pleasantly surprised. It's quite the oasis, and it quickly shot up to the top of my running list of my favorite parts of the city. Serene pools of water...some areas hidden under a canopy of trees...other areas completely bathed in sunlight...narrow passageways....beautifully intricate gold and red pagodas...

Built it 1894, it's the oldest public Japanese Tea Garden in the US. Aaandd, it's FREE if you go before 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If you haven't been, it's certainly a sight to see.

See more here!

2011-02-28T18:39:00.005-05:00

(All photos courtesy of http://deyoung.famsf.org/)

OLMEC: COLOSSAL MASTERWORKS
OF ANCIENT MEXICO @ DE YOUNG

This past Saturday, I was able to take a trip to the de Young Museum (which deserves a post of its own by the way. The building itself is beautiful!) to see the Olmec show. The Olmec civilization was the oldest of the Americas, dating back to about 1500–400 BC and was situated in and around modern-day Veracruz and Tabasco, Mexico.

Out of stone boulders, they carved enormous heads (like the one above) that weigh up to a whopping 24 tons (48,000 lbs!) The heads that are included in the show are in pristine shape....every curve of the eyelids, lips and cheeks is simply breathtaking. To counter this, there are other sculptures/masks not more than an inch tall, with the most detailed features. There's one carved out of jade that I unfortunately wasn't allowed to take a photo of...but is embedded in my memory. Gorgeous!

Read more about the show here.

2010-08-17T16:51:00.003-04:00

Just some sticks. That have been painted. Painted sticks. Painted sticks by Ginette Lapalme that I'm obsessed with at the moment.

2010-08-14T10:08:00.009-04:00

THE LAGOON IS GONE / ERIC HU

The Lagoon is Gone, 2010

"A 200-page investigation on the Sleepy Lagoon Murder case, which began on August 2, 1942, when the body of Jose Diaz was found at a reservoir in southeast Los Angeles. Press hysteria and bigotry fueled the arrest of up to 600 Mexican American youths and guided a trial in which the judge and prosecutors displayed routine disregard for fundamental civil rights. Despite a complete lack of evidence, including no proof that Diaz had in fact been murdered, twelve defendants were convicted of murder and five were convicted of assault and sent to prison. This was one of the events which lead to the infamous Zoot Suit Riots in LA." – (From Eric Hu's website)

Swirly, watery type coupled with noisy, distressed photos help to tell Diaz's story, as Hu manages to escape the dangerous territory of making this book too cute for its subject matter. Its serious tone comes through in the color choices and bold, sparse type.

Well done, Hu. Wellll done.

See more on his site.

2010-08-13T07:20:00.003-04:00

MITHILA PAINTING / GANGA DEVI

Snake diagram for worship, by Ganga Devi, Nagapanchami festival, 1987-88

Unfortunately, I can't find much info on Ganga Devi herself, but it seems that her style of Indian painting, Madhubani (or Mithila), is quite intriguing.

Stemming out of an area close to the Indian-Nepal border, this art form was originally practiced by women only, but in current times has expanded to include men. Mithila artists decorate their huts during religious and important social occasions. For instance, when a couple marries, the walls of a room are painted with fertility symbols: lotus flowers, fish, snakes and birds in union, bamboo, etc. The couple spends 3 nights in this room without being intimate...only consummating on the 4th night.

Fascinating!

Read more about the history and methods of Mithila painting here.

2010-08-12T10:19:00.003-04:00

...just some juicy packaging design bits (except for the Liz Taylor one. That's a self-promotional poster) from New York-based design studio, Mogollon.

I love the very graphic touches (b/w stripes, symmetrical shapes) and how they interact with the gold foil and photography.

yumyum.

See more from Mogollon here.

2010-08-11T08:01:00.005-04:00

GHETTI GOT ME

So, my friend posted this on his studio's blog yesterday, and I HAD to share. It's the most incredible thing. Possibly ever.

Connecticut-based, Brazil-born and bred Dalton Ghetti carves these delicate little masterpieces out of pencils. And he does it all WITHOUT a magnifying glass.

He started carving them about 25 years ago, but was experimenting with pieces of wood, stone, soap, candles and broom handles before he discovered his material of choice.

Crazy! Makes me remember this.

See the original post here (thanks E!).

2010-08-10T08:07:00.005-04:00

BEETLE + JUICE...

Simultaneously cute and unsettling!

BEETLE CUP: Designed and produced by Idee Liu, crafted by Ching-Tian Cai. See more of Idee Liu's work here.

RABBIT CUP: Designed by Hsiao-Ying Lin, crafted by Jun-Ching Tang

This black clay cup is a representation of a well-known Chinese tale of a rabbit on the moon, which is celebrated every year with the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in Taiwan. See more photos here.

These two pieces were on view as part of the Taiwanese sector of Dwell on Design's "Asia Now" June show in LA.

2010-08-09T08:05:00.003-04:00

DROP ME A LINE...

...won't you?

Aren't these just lovely? Yellow Owl Workshop thinks so, and that's why they designed them. My fave? Probably the last one.

AND the San Francisco-based studio uses non-toxic water-based inks and 100% PCW recycled paper, making them eco-friendly.

2010-08-06T08:52:00.004-04:00

BEAM ME UP SCOTTY

This dreamy little artist's studio was designed by A31 Architecture in one of my favorite places in the world, Greece.

Nestled between olive and cypress trees, it lies on the North-South axis with the wall openings reflecting the trajectory of the sun.

In other words, it's heavenly.

Check out more of the studio's work here.

2010-08-05T14:04:00.004-04:00

ME AND MY SHADOW...

...puppets.

Chicago-based artist Andrea Everman (or for Etsy fans, Owlyshadowpuppets) creates these HILARIOUS shadow puppets with a laser cutter. They're based on her own ink drawings.

See more on her site.

2010-08-04T12:58:00.010-04:00

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT:

RADIANT CHILD

Caught this documentary last week, and am so so so glad that I did. If you're unfamiliar with Basquiat's life or work, that's even more reason to catch the flick at Film Forum (where it has been held over).

His handwriting, child-like strokes, vision and message remain unique until this day. The pain and turmoil reflected in his work is heart-wrenching, even if it's splashed with a bit of humor.

This is also a story about New York and its art, immigrants, love, brutality and beauty.

It has been a long time since I've been so touched by a film. I might go see it again.

Check out the opening scene below and read more about the film here.

2010-08-03T13:57:00.002-04:00

ZIMOUN

A friend shared this video with me today....and now I'm having trouble concentrating on anything else!

There are certain rhythmic sounds that I love (the click-clack of shoes hitting the platform floor at the 53rd street E train station, the sound of rain hitting a window pane during a storm...). Swiss artist Zimoun seems similarly taken with certain sounds, and has created "sound sculptures" that he compiled into a short video.

Beautifully shot against white and black backgrounds, the machines that the Swiss artist built create the most lovely orchestra.

Check out the video above...you won't be able to avert your eyes. Or ears.

And see more of his work here.

2010-07-23T14:01:00.002-04:00

COMING UP ROSES

...and lilies. And violets.

Swedish design firm, Front, created this 3-dimensional floral wallpaper...and I'm feeling like such a girl right now. Look how lovely!

I probably wouldn't want to have this in my own house, what with the incessant dusting sessions it might incur, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it.

See more of Front's work here.

2010-07-22T08:52:00.007-04:00

Mural by Elmac

Mural (detail) by Shepard Fairey

Mural (detail) by Os Gêmeos

Mural, by Os Gêmeos

Street art, artist unknown

Street art (detail), artist unknown

Street art (detail), Retna

Painted cans, Greg Mike

Street art, artist unknown

SIDEWALK FINDINGS:

MIAMI, DESIGN

DISTRICT EDITION

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to trade in a few days of NYC's heat wave for Miami's perpetual one. While I was down there, my friends took me on a mini-tour of the Design District, an area that I've never stepped foot in.

I have to admit that I've been pretty ignorant of the flourishing art scene in Miami. My friend, Naja's visit to Art Basel last winter peaked my interest. So, when I got an opportunity to saunter the streets of the Design District, I jumped on it.

The above images are simply just a TASTE of all of the visual stimulation literally around EVERY corner. Beyond the scattering of galleries, there's lots of street art and graffiti. Some organized and commissioned, some not. I love it. The entire area is like a blank canvas that the public is invited to decorate. Well...not sure if it's quite legal, but that's beside the point.

See more here, but I suggest just taking a trip there. Art + guava empanadas + sun = :D

2010-07-16T16:23:00.002-04:00

ZOVECK ESTUDIO

...is magical.

I just discovered this Mexico City-based studio today. It was formed in 2004 by Julio Carraso and Sonia Romero.

Anatomical studies (to put it mildly...take a closer look at the 4th image down. Whoa!) + all things kitsch + a twist on stereotypical Mexican themes = visual overload that keeps you asking for more.

See more of their work aqui.

2010-07-05T22:45:00.002-04:00

THERE'S SOMETHING SO

RIGHT ABOUT THIS...

...and I'm having trouble describing my feelings for it any other way. Is it the lovely color combination? The composition? The pouty red lips and sleepy eye? The way that one tendril hugs the "P" in Publicity? Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes.

This is a Japanese magazine cover from 1929, yet, if designed today, it would be just as striking and unique. I'd take this over an overly retouched and overly smily celebrity face any day.

2010-07-03T14:28:00.005-04:00

(click to enlarge)

FUCHSIA ME THAT

Model, Lakshmi Menon, photographed by Bharat Sikka in Bangkok for Vogue India.

Indian-born and bred Bharat Sikka, by the way, is NOT a fashion, beauty or celebrity photographer. Here in the states, it's pretty rare that a non-fashion/beauty photographer will be asked to shoot a story for a publication as big as Vogue. I find it totally refreshing that Vogue India doesn't seem to restrain themselves with such labels.

The colors are nothing short of sumptuous.

See the rest of the story here.

2010-07-02T07:35:00.002-04:00

CAN'T. WAIT.

Heading to this over the long weekend...and I'm psyched.

New Jersey-born brothers Doug + Mike Starn created Big Bambu: You Can't, You Don't, and You Won't Stop, on the rooftop of the MET. It's a huge structure made of bamboo poles (100 feet long, by 50 wide and 50 high) that will continue to be worked on into the fall by a team of 20 artists and rock climbers (don't try this at home, kids).

The shape of the structure itself as well as the movement of it as it gets built resembles that of a wave...and yes, it's named after the Beastie Boys song.

Perhaps I'll see you there?

Read more about it here and learn about the artists here.

Lastly, check out a NY Times video about the work of art and their process.

2010-06-30T23:21:00.005-04:00

LIGHT READING / LULA DOT

I can't help but cringe a little. This piece spawns the same feeling I get when I see people reading Kindles on the train.

Almost as a period to the general acceptance that BOOKS AS WE KNOW THEM are becoming extinct, Lula Dot (the design studio of Lucy Norman) has created Light Reading, a light fixture made from recycled books. However, as sad as it makes me that the art form of book design is fading (I'm as much of a book lover as I am an art lover), I simply can't deny the beauty of this piece.

Perhaps this is a way of putting THE BOOK on a pedastal...a way of honoring it. I can imagine the pages fluttering gently when a fan is placed nearby, or when a window is opened. Lovely.

What are your thoughts on Light Reading?

(P.S. Kindles save trees. I know, I know...)

2010-06-25T21:13:00.002-04:00

MACHU PICCHU

...and how could I talk about Peru without mentioning Machu Picchu??

The morning my travel partner and I trekked to this mountain-top treasure, the mist got the best of us. Unfortunately, we weren't able to view the sun rise over the mountains from Inti Punku (Sun Gate), as the entire area was engulfed in white fog and we were lucky we could even see the trail!

As we made our way back down, however, the mist began to clear, revealing terrace upon terrace upon terrace of 600 year old structures, mysterious stone sculptures and grazing llamas (or alpacas? Still can't tell the difference).

What is Machu Picchu? Well, to this day, it remains a mystery. Some believe it was a hacienda built for the Incan king Pachacuti. Others believe it to be a place where the ancient Quecha people would observe and worship the sun and stars. Another theory is that it was some type of mountain-top citadel.

I was c-o-m-p-l-e-t-e-l-y floored. Its immensity alone will take your breath away.

If you haven't yet seen it with your own eyes, consider it a MUST. And while you're in the country, check these out.