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.

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

LET IT RAIN

By Swedish design studio Asshoff & Brogård, 2009

I love raindrops. They find a way into my paintings, designs and doodles. So, when I came across this adorable idea, I had to share. Mmmight have to steal this idea for my next apartment.

See more of their work here.

Gamboa, 2008

Iron and mixed media 

Gamboa, 2008 (detail)

Peace and Love, 2005

Gloucester Road Station Project

Platform for Art Underground, London, UK

Peace and Love, 2005

Gloucester Road Station Project

Platform for Art Underground, London, UK

Window installation from exhibition "Beatriz Milhazes: 

Paintings and Collages", 2008

Sao Paolo, Brazil

Window installation from exhibition "Beatriz Milhazes: 

Paintings and Collages", 2008

Sao Paolo, Brazil

BEATRIZ MILHAZES

Spring must be around the corner, because lately I've found myself lusting, craving and aching for color, color, color. Discovering Beatriz's work today set my heart aflutter. 

Beatriz's Brazilian roots proudly display themselves in her work. Bright colors, whimsical geometric shapes and playful compositions are all inspired by her homeland. In fact, her studio is located right next to Rio de Janeiro's Botanical Gardens. It's no surprise that various examples of plant life have inspired some of her organic shapes (check these out).

She simply makes me smile.

2:12

Based in Houston, Texas, street artist 2:12 creates beautiful, yet arresting imagery on walls of buildings and street signage. Unlike other examples of street art, what makes 2:12's work unique is that it feels like the artist spends a lot of time on each piece. Shadows on skin, folds of fabric, reflections on hair...each detail makes his pieces feel like they should be hanging on a gallery wall. Lucky for us (or for Texas residents, anyway), his work is viewable by anyone on their way to the corner store or bus stop.

The top image is an installation that was inspired by a mere hole in a wall. His mark is left on those tile-looking pieces below the altar.

Lovely.

Check out a time lapse video that chronicles the making of Geisha:

See more of 2:12's work here.

I'M SOLD.

Some advertising simply works like a charm. As a designer, I love it. As a consumer, I hate it. Suddenly, I'm lusting for a Peugeot, and

I haven't even paid this month's rent yet.

I mean, really. Don't you want to live in this world??

The set designs were created by Belgian 3D designer and director, Rizon Parein, for Peugeot's 'ptimist campaign.

See more of his AMAZING work here.

(during installation)

(during installation)

(during installation)

FLUENT STEPS

If you happen to live in Tacoma, Washington, boooy are you lucky (and how often do you hear that?)

Martin Blank Studios has created something wonderful that they call Fluent Steps. It's a hand-sculpted glass installation at the Museum of Glass, and it's utterly, undeniably beautiful. Installed in an actual fountain, it's meant to abstractly mirror the shapes and 

properties of water. 

Stunning, no?

(click to enlarge)

BottScarry / Scott Barry

This Must Be The Place by BottScarry

(From "The Big Three" @ Michael Rosenthal Gallery,

San Francisco, 2009)

Well, I have nothing to say about this really. Except that I can't seem to avert my eyes from that banana face.

See more here.

"FELIZ 1984"

As seen on the streets of Lavapiés, Madrid.

48 new surveillance cameras have been installed recently in this corner of town, and this is what Luzinterruptus had to say about it. 

The Spanish designers placed this birthday candlelit object in the three locations in town that have maximum surveillance.

If you haven't yet read Orwell's classic, you're already living it.

Check out more of Luzinterruptus's work here.

Photos by Gustavo Sanabria.

TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE...

I'm back...and it feels good! I've been in hyper-holiday mode, and am just now getting back to normal daily life. 

I'm not one to dwell on things, but I'd be remiss in not commenting on Dan Cross's FANTASTIC holiday window displays at Bergdorf's this year. They never miss a beat when it comes to these amazing annual creations, but this year they really blew me away. 

As I tried to snap some pics amongst the crowd of tourists attempting to do the same, I was thankful for my lack of height as it allowed me to sneak through to the front, underneath the countless raised arms holding flashing cameras.

One window display was entirely made of paper...another glittered and shone like a glass menagerie. Fantasy-filled, luxurious and utterly stunning! The creativity level is really something to aspire to.

Above are some of my favorite details, but you should really stop by and see them for yourself before they're taken down. Make sure you go at night though, to view them in their full glory.

Goodbye 2009, hello 2010!

"That's all I have to say about that." – Forrest Gump

(click to enlarge)

By Vladimir Dubossarsky and Alexander Vinogradov

(click to enlarge)

By Peter Liversidge

(click to enlarge)

Sculpture by Nick Cave

(click to enlarge)

Doug Aitken, 2009

LED lit lightbox

ART BASEL MIAMI: A RECAP

Including work from over 2,000 artists and 250 art galleries from all over the world, Art Basel Miami Beach is a sister event to Art Basel Switzerland, the world's premiere art show that has been occurring for the past 40 years.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it, but a good friend of mine, Naja, made it down there, and L-O-V-E-D it. I asked her to report back to me, and here's what she had to say:

++++++++++++++

A couple of weeks back, I had the pleasure of heading down to warm Miami Beach for the spectacular gathering of Art Basel. I didn’t know what to expect, since I’ve never been to Art Basel before. I’ve also never been to Miami. 

I must say, Miami was sort of what I had imagined. Art Deco, neon signs, palmtrees, beautiful beaches, Cubans, Italians, Bentleys and Rolls Royces. 80s style, Miami Vice and Don Johnsons. So I must admit it might all have affected my Art Basel experience, but oh, how I loved it. 

Art everywhere! 

Paintings, sculptures, light installations! From underground, raw art spaces to million dollar events, big hotels and fancy hairdos. Another funny thing was that lots of New Yorkers were there in Miami, so it was almost like a big New York party but just located under the sunny blue sky and pastel coloured streets...

A lot of people dressed the part and were walking art pieces, but most people were just wearing their fanciest gear, dressed to impress at one of the many parties. I was excited to walk through the Convention Center to see all the different colours, shapes and inventions. 

I thought a lot about what goes through people's minds when they come up with all these far-out things. On the first day, I took a little break on the beach, and I looked out to the water and there was a little floating house... I realized later it was a part of an art piece, but in the moment I just thought South Beach was quite a special place. 

I especially loved the Design District, and the more ‘”raw” streets, where the walls where covered with paintings...and with heart and soul. I shall return to Art Basel again! And Miami and its Art Deco, is quite a sight in itself.

– Naja Rosa

++++++++++++++

Thanks Naja, for being my first official oyster-sauce reporter! You've convinced me...I'm definitely heading down next year.

P.S. Naja Rosa is a musician, photographer and an amazingly creative spirit. Check out her music here.