Archive for the 'Design' Category
Sunday, July 11th, 2010
Absolut ESPO + Aoshima
Absolut Vodka has teamed up with Stephen Powers and Chiho Aoshima for a new promotion called The Absolut Art of Sharing. For the campaign each artist has contributed two designs to a series of four unique drink pitchers. From what we can tell, they’ve been released in various sizes for different markets (1Liter in US, 700ml in Europe/New Zealand, 750ml in Mexico), making it a bit hard and confusing to collect them all if you are that obsessive or that much of a drunk. So far, only 3/4 designs have been released in the 1L and 750ml sizes, so your best bet is to go for the 700ml set, which so far have hit a limited number of specialty stores in the UK, France, Belgium, and Greece. If you are that inclined to figure it all out, check the antics on this Absolut collector’s forum, where we ganked most of these pics from. Oh, and there’s always the easy way – ebay.
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Barbara Kruger Goes Underground
Barbara Kruger has designed the London Underground’s latest pocket map cover. Kruger’s Untitled (Tube Map) depicts part of a standard tube map (the most recognized area of Zone 1) with station names replaced by emotions and other words that evoke feelings for select areas of the city. Piccadilly Circus is Irony, for example. The maps are available now.
Beginning in 2003 with a commission by Emma Kay, the Art on the Underground program has invited an international mix of artists to design covers for the city’s rail system. Past contributors include Richard Long, David Shrigley, Cornelia Parker and Gary Hume.
Richard Long’s 2009 effort, Earth. The six stacked lines symbolize Tube lines and a classical Chinese I Ching hexagram for Earth, with the black grid between them references the city’s Northern line.
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Historic Haring Mural in Need of Rescue
The faded and damaged Haring mural as it looks today. (Image: Andrew De La Rue via Sydney Morning Herald)
The Art Newspaper reports that the last surviving mural Keith Haring painted entirely on his own, and the first project he completed with the assistance of a cherry picker, is in dire need of preservation. Painted in 1984 during Haring’s only visit to Australia, the mural occupies the wall of the former Collingwood Technical College in a Melbourne suburb. Last restored in 1996, the significant work has not been maintained for almost 15 years, and suffers from significant surface lifting and cracking of the paint. Estimates to stabilize the outdoor work are reported at A$25,000 ($22,000 US), with an additional A$1,000 ($900) for annual upkeep.
Several major Australian arts institutions and local municipalities have banned together to raise support for its restoration. “It is our own government who has lapsed in its duty of care,” said one spokesperson, noting that the building is owned by the Victorian State Government and that the mural sits on its heritage registry.
”Yarra’s mayor Jane Garrett said, “The mural is a part of Yarra and inner-Melbourne’s cultural and physical landscape—and we want to ensure it stays that way,” adding that interested parties were in the process of setting up a working group including representatives from the arts community and other interested parties to “discuss the mural’s future and come to a consensus on the most appropriate way to preserve it.”
The original mural in progress durning Haring’s 1984 visit to Melbourne (Image via The Art Newspaper)
In more productive news, a new series of Keith Haring adhesive wall graphics (pictured below) has been released by Bilk, with several different designs available from $18 – $55.
Sunday, June 6th, 2010
Condo Covers Kanye
(Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty)
After commissioning Takashi Murakami and Kaws for previous releases, Kanye West turns to George Condo for the cover design of his new single, the King Crimson-sampled Power. Of the three, Condo remains largely unknown by West’s younger street blog-savvy audience. Not that that matters much. With a career dating back to the early 80s, the 53 year old Condo is arguably the most established, with his paintings and sculptures residing in the permanent collections of major art institutions,including the Whitney (he participated in both the 1987 and 2010 Biennials), MoMA, and Guggenheim.
A 1995 oil painting by Condo is on view through June 19 at Luhring Augustine (NY), as part of Twenty Five, the gallery’s 25th anniversary group exhibit.
Power (which can be streamed here) is due out on iTunes June 8, with West’s next full length, Good As Job, expected to drop late 2010.
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Kaws X Kiehls Arrives
(All Images © Jeff Newman/TheArtCollectors)
Check out these new displays featuring KAWS’ designs at Kiehl’s flagship NYC store. As previously reported, the artist and luxury beauty company have teamed up, creating a limited edition moisturizer to benefit Rx Art. While the product is available now in three sizes, you may want to hold off till next week when KAWS gift boxes and shopping bags will be available in store.
100% of net profits will benefit RxArt, a New York based nonprofit which invites well known artists to decorate hospitals and children’s medical centers. No word yet whether KAWS will be creating one of these installations, but his youthful imagery and cartoon references would be perfect fit.
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
Quickflip :: Hirst Supreme Decks 2.0
Supreme drops the second series of Damien Hirst skateboards in their NY and LA stores tomorrow, Nov. 19. The release includes five separate designs, each incorporating elements from Hirst’s popular Spot Paintings, along with new icons referencing reoccurring themes in his art, such as drugs, death, and religion. Japan sales will take place Nov. 20, followed by online sales on Nov 23.
As with the first Hirst deck release, expect these to disappear instantly, and then reappear quickly on ebay.
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
KAWS lends a hand to Kiehls charity for RxArt
(Image: Kiehls)
KAWS has teamed up with nonprofit, RxArt, and luxury beauty products company, Kiehls, lending his designs to a limited skin moisturizer. With prices ranging from $26 -$70, you can feel good about indulging in one of the 3 available sizes. 100% of profits will benefit RxArt’s continuing mission of curating installations in hospital settings across the United States. Past projects include works by Donald Baechler, Ryan McGinness, Matthew Ritche and Frank Stella.
Ryan McGinness’ RxArt installation for the NYU Child Study Center. (Image: RxArt)
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
Anarchy in Brussels :: Cleon Peterson at Alice Gallery
Cleon Peterson opens his first show in Brussles at Alice Gallery this Saturday, Sept. 12. For Unconsoled, the Los Angeles based artist continues to portray violent yet playful depictions of an anarchic dystopia, exploring the dangers imminent in a pleasure seeking society consumed by excess and indulgence.
Over the past few years Peterson has gained considerable attention for his paintings, as well as for graphic design work with Shepard Fairey’s Studio Number One, where he recently designed shopping bags for upscale clothing retailer, Saks Fifth Avenue.
Cleon Peterson – Unconsoled
Sept. 12 – Oct. 17
Opening Reception: 6pm w/ live performance by trumpetist, Roch
Alice Gallery
182 Rue Antoine Dansaert
1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
KAWS Keeping Busy
Image: Kaws
There’s been quite a bit of KAWS news during the week off. First, we can only hope that what appears to be a fresh take on the classic Chum character in this painting posted on Kaws’ blog, is a sign of things to come (that’s Erik Parker with a great new painting in the pic). The artist will present his next solo exhibit this February in Madrid. While there’s no official word yet, expect Galeria Javier Lopez to play host.
Next up are two new products on the way, including a much anticipated monotone version of the ambitious Four Foot Dissected Companion sculpture. Despite a hefty price tag, if the release of the first color-way earlier this summer is any indication, expect this one to be gone in the blink of an eye. Released this past weekend is a playful toy collaboration with Japanese brand, Undercover, featuring the fashion label’s bear hugging Kaws’ Companion character.
Images: OriginalFake
Lastly, Kaws has lent his hand to the September issue of Interview Magazine’s feature on Michael Jackson.
Image: Kaws
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
Shepard Fairey Close Knit Charity Print
(Image: © Obeygiant)
Shepard Fairey will release a limited print edition of his recent Close Knit image at an undisclosed time today. Priced at $50, all proceeds from the signed and numbered edition of 450 will benefit the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. The original spray painted stencil and mixed media collage on canvas was auctioned off during the organization’s annual Art For Life charity auction last month.
Catch it here