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!).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.