Alexander Berchert: Kinetic Sculpture

Kinetic Sculpture by Alexander Berchert, Hoover Tubes and Limbo, Kinetic Art FairKinetic Sculpture by Alexander Berchert, Hoover Tubes and Limbo, Kinetic Art FairKinetic Sculpture by Alexander Berchert, Hoover Tubes and Limbo, Kinetic Art FairClick to enlarge

UK-based artist Alexander Berchert creates kinetic sculptures using mass-produced objects and applying basic principles of physics to change them from ordinary household items to something fun and unexpected. Three such works are: Hoover Tubes using a vacuum cleaner, ducting tubes, and halogen lights among other items; Limbo which brings together a BMX tire, motor, and ping pong ball; and Water Wheel with perspex pipes, food coloring, motor, corks and more.

The results are fun to watch in action; they are kinetic after all (super-short clips):

Newspaper Photobombs

commuter photobombs other commuters with newspaper images, goofy photos, fun photos, humor, celebritiescommuter photobombs other commuters with newspaper images, goofy photos, fun photos, humor, celebritiescommuter photobombs other commuters with newspaper images, goofy photos, fun photos, humor, celebritiesClick to enlarge

These cracked me up. Someone (an anonymous commuter) has definitely found a way to keep themself entertained on their daily commute to work. There’s definitely an art to these, as simple as the concept may be. He/she really have matched position and even tonality on most of these folded newspaper mashups with unsuspecting co-commuter bodies. Nicely done.

via laughing squid via left eye

More Topotek 1: Temporary Playground

Topotek 1, Cool, inflatable, temporary playground, installation, interactive, landscape architecture, State Garden Show WolfsburgTopotek 1, Cool, inflatable, temporary playground, installation, interactive, landscape architecture, State Garden Show WolfsburgTopotek 1, Cool, inflatable, temporary playground, installation, interactive, landscape architecture, State Garden Show WolfsburgClick to enlarge

Yes, it seems that I’m smitten with Topotek 1’s work (see previous post.) This cotton-candy pink temporary playground was created for the State Garden Show in Wolfsburg, Germany. It’s clear that color and fun are both things that these guys know how to work with well. Twenty-four inflatable objects and fifteen cubes made of foam rubber were strewn across a lawn along with bouncy mats that beckoned to any passer-by. Inspired by grazing horses, young-girls’ romanticism and a Barbie-doll world, this temporary structure is part sculpture part interactive play object.

A more recent garden show installation, in fact going on right now, is in Hamburg and includes wacky Aqua Soccer and Dymaxion Golf. Check it out here.

All photos courtesy the architects and fandisk256’s flickr.

Topotek 1: Cold War

Art Installation Cold War at Venice Architecture Biennale by Topotek 1, landscape architects. Interactive installation with refrigerators and art installations inside each one, cool art, fun installationArt Installation Cold War at Venice Architecture Biennale by Topotek 1, landscape architects. Interactive installation with refrigerators and art installations inside each one, cool art, fun installationcool interactive art installation Cold War by Topotek 1, Venice Architecture BiennaleClick to enlarge

The first thing I thought of when I landed on German landscape architecture studio Topotek 1’s (previously here) projects page and was greeted with all the brightness was “Why don’t real refrigerators come with bright-colored interiors??” So great! Maybe one color for the freezer and another for the fridge? But, they’re not selling refrigerators at Topotek 1. Instead, these are images from their very fun interactive installation titled Cold War at the Venice Architectural Biennale 08. Roughly twenty fridges were lined up and stacked against a wall in the Italian Pavilion each containing funhouse-like effects from sounds, kaleidoscopic viewing machines, to fans, mirrors, peep holes and more. According to principals Martin Rein-Cano and Lorenz Dexler, the installations are a demonstration of the company’s work tactics, offering a glimpse into enchanting worlds.

Photos courtesy of Topotek 1 except image of fan courtesy designboom.

NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 5/3

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 5/3/13 to 5/5/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend

Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/3/13 to 5/5/13)
It’s going to be a perfect Spring weekend so here are plenty of suggestions to keep you out and about with culture and fun. Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (5/3/13 to 5/5/13) Walks, talks, music, art, Ideas Festival, Pen World Voices Fest, Red Bull Music Fest, Nuit Blanche events, Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo and so much more!
1. THEATER: Fri 5/3 and all weekend – Blondie of Arabia. Monica Hunken’s one-woman show on her odyssey biking through 3 countries in the Middle East weeks before the Arab Spring. A quirky comedy. Monica talks after the Fri 5/3 and 5/10 performances. 8pm. $25.
2. LITERATURE/READINGS:  Fri 5/3 – PEN World Voices of International Literature’s Literary Mews. Nestled among the cobblestone streets of NYU’s storied Washington Mews, this day-long “festival within the Festival” will feature writers’ workshops in the morning and readings in the afternoon. FREE
3. ART:  Fri 5/3 & all weekend through 6/20 – Holton Rower Focus paintings, Pour Paintings two bodies of work side by side. Diverse results achieved by the artist through his innovative and deceptively simple process of pouring hand-made acrylic paints over wood. Rower will also introduce a new body of work titled “Focus paintings” which are amazingly out of focus! Opening Fri 6 to 9pm. FREE
4. FILM: Fri 5/3 & Sat 5/4 – New York Indian Film Festival $15  See schedule.
5. ART/ARCHITECTURE/URBAN STUDIES/DESIGN/FOOD: Fri 5/3 & Sat 5/4 –Ideas City is a biennial Festival in New York City of conferences, workshops, an innovative StreetFest around the Bowery, and more than one hundred independent projects and public events that are forums for exchanging ideas, proposing solutions, and accelerating creativity. So much to do so check schedule to pick. A few events that caught my eye: Creation 3D; Human Hotel; and Murals on the Bowery. 9am to Midnight. FREE
6. MUSIC: All weekend & through 5/31– Red Bull Music Academy. An amazing amount of music events all around town ranging mostly from FREE to $20. Check events on their site.
7. WALK/ARCHITECTURE:  Sat 5/4 – The Great Saunter. A 32 mile walk around Manhattan’s Shoreline.7am to 7pm $20
8. ART/VIDEO/LIGHT: Sat 5/4  – Nuit Blanche presents Change of State. Site-specific projection on the facade of the New Museum.  And Mulberry Street Night Fest where the street is converted into a series of cool light, projection-mapping, and video installations. 8pm to midnight. FREE
9. ART/PARTICIPATORY/FUN: Sat 5/4 & Sun 5/5 – The Institute for Psychogeographic Adventure: Experiment 17 – DUMBO Individuals (or pairs) sign up for a personalized journey that remixes history, memory, the everyday and the spectacular. A multitude of performers will be scattered through the neighborhood to lead you through a series of unexpected and fabulous DUMBO encounters. Noon to 5pm $10.
10. ARCHITECTURE/WALK/TOUR: Sat 5/4 – Made in LIC: A Jane Jacobs Walking Tour of Long Island City 12pm at The Clock Tower. FREE
11. MUSIC: Sat 5/4 – Brooklyn Flea Record Fair at Smorgasburg 11am to 6pm. FREE
12. ARCHITECTURE/WALKING TOUR: Sat 5/4 – Hudson Yards: Design(in) The New Heart of NY. OHNY. Exhibit and architect-led tours. 10am to 3pm. Register. FREE.
13. MUSIC/ART/FUN: Sat 5/4 – Earth Day Rockaway: Free activities, live music by Il Collectivo, art-related booths, kite-making, recycling olympics and much more. 12 to 4pm. FREE
14. FUN/SPECTATOR: Sat 5/4 – Kentucky Derby watch sites
15. THEATER: All weekend & through 3/19 – The Pulitzer Prize winning play ‘Night, Mother by Marsha Norman. General Admission $18
16. MUSIC/DANCE/PARTY: Sun 5/5 – Cinco de Mayo with Body Language. Dance Party at Glasslands Gallery. 8:30pm. $10 to $12
17. MUSIC/ART/INSANITY: Sun 5/5 – The National perform their song “Sorrow” for 6 hours straight as part of Ragnar Kjartansson’ A Lot of Sorrow at PS1 in the VW Dome $15 Tkts
18. FOOD/DRINK/FIESTA: Sun 5/5 – Roberta’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Tacos, Cervezas. Tequila, music, pinatas! 2pm to 10pm

Get outside and enjoy!

Clip Bag: Peter Bristol

Clip bag by Peter Bristol, Binder Clip as bag. Fun pocketbook, Cool industrial design, fun fashion accessory, clever giftClip bag by Peter Bristol, Binder Clip as bag. Fun pocketbook, Cool industrial design, fun fashion accessory, clever giftClip bag by Peter Bristol, Binder Clip as bag. Fun pocketbook, Cool industrial design, fun fashion accessory, clever giftClick to enlarge

This is fabulous! Em sent me the link to this incredibly clever and fun Clip Bag designed by Peter Bristol in Seattle who, it appears from his site, designed the also fun Training Dresser that made the rounds a couple of years ago.

Made with wool felt and aluminum tubing, this gigantic binder clip is both fun (did I say ‘fun’ enough?) and at the same time rather elegant. A surprising, but delightful, combination. Bristol is looking for potential manufacturing/distribution partners so I imagine this will be a reality soon enough.

via core77

Linda Hubbard: Lowbrow Propaganda

Linda Hubbard, Fat Invaders, Contemporary Sculpture, Lowbrow Propaganda, Invaders made from beef fat. Humorous yet political artLinda Hubbard, Fat Invaders, Contemporary Sculpture, Lowbrow Propaganda, Invaders made from beef fat. Humorous yet political artLinda Hubbard, Fat Invaders, Contemporary Sculpture, Lowbrow Propaganda, Invaders made from beef fat. Humorous yet political artClick to enlarge

You can tell right away from her artist statement (or lack thereof) that English artist Linda Hubbard is not one to sugarcoat things: “INTERESTS ….PROPAGANDA. No artist statement from me……..Bullshit stinks……” And with that, she instantly gained my respect.

Working in mostly sculpture and painting, Hubbard relays her strong beliefs and opinions on corporate greed, religion, income inequality, the food & drug industries and plenty more with humor that packs a punch. She has a whole dark series devoted exclusively to Pfizer titled Pfizerland.

You can see much more of Hubbard’s work on her site.

via saatchionline

Underpantones

Pantone products, underpants, pantone boxers and panties, underpantones, pantytones, packaging, Mark Design StudioPantone products, underpants, pantone boxers and panties, underpantones, pantytones, packaging, Mark Design StudioPantone products, underpants, pantone boxers and panties, underpantones, pantytones, packaging, Mark Design StudioClick to enlarge

Sure, we’ve been Pantone-producted to death, but I have to say this may be the smartest concept to date. Underpantones! How clever is that? And, of course, Pantytones. Mark Design Studio in Capetown, South Africa are the creative souls behind these fun undergarments and if they haven’t put them into production yet, well, I don’t know what they’re waiting for. After all, if they had their way: “…it’s what every well-dressed designer would be wearing.”

via risdidporn

NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 4/26

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend06-catch-pop-string_free-cheap-nycFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/26/13 to 4/28/13. Cool things to do in NYC this weekend

Free& Cheap things to do
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (4/26/13 to 4/28/13) from participatory art events, to music, dance, talks, a design conference, outdoor garden and cherry blossoms, oh and food! Fun and interesting events all weekend long, ’cause it’s spring and spring in NYC is the best (after summer, of course.) Click through on images above for official event pages with more info or in the descriptions below.
1. FOOD/TOUR: Fri 4/26 & every Friday: Free Chinatown Food Tour – sample tasty fried dumplings, tapioca bubble tea, sticky buns, candied crabs and more. You choose what treats you would like to taste and how much you would like to spend. Suggested amount for snacks $7 to $10. 1pm to 3pm. Reservations required.
2. PARTICIPATORY ART/PHOTOGRAPHY:  All weekend & through 5/10 – JR’s Inside Out Project Photo Booth in Times Square! (see post) FREE
3. DESIGN:  Fri 4/26 – Bordo Bello NYC through July 2nd. A skateboard art show at the AIGA National gallery. FREE.
4. ART: All weekend & through 9/8: Orly Genger’s monumental installation of hand-knotted brightly colored nautical rope takes over Madison Square Park. Much cooler than the rendering on the site. FREE.
5. ART/PERFORMANCE/PARTICIPATORY/TOUR:  Fri 4/26 – Concrete Escort I, II, III, IV at the Guggenheim. Ei Arakawa’s performance-based work. Axe-wielding man, participatory sprinting down the museum’s spiral walkway and other activities/performances. 6pm and 8pm. $20 to $25.
6. MUSIC: Fri 4/26 – Catch-Pop String-Strong: This duo come from Serbia and Kosovo, play viola and cello, often singing. they are both intense and full of humor. 6:30pm FREE w/RSVP
7. MUSIC:  Fri 4/26 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr indie-pop duo at Music Hall of Williamsburg. 8pm $18 to $20
8. DANCE: Fri 4/26 & Sat 4/27  – Anna Sperber – The Superseded Third 8pm $15
9. ART/TECH: Fri 4/26 & Sat 4/27 – Alchemy & Art – Part I. Features 3D prints from Lily Su and Heidi Lee In addition, there will be live demonstrations, including Kinect body scanning and 3D printing with Ultimaker and Up! desktop printers. Opening Fri 7 to 9pm. Sat 4pm to midnight including party. FREE
10. DANCE: Fri 4/26 & Sat 4/27 – Comedy in Dance Festival. All shows at 8pm. $12 to $15.
11. DESIGN/CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP: Sat 4/27 – DIY Days is about the accessibility of ideas, resources and networking that can enable creators to fund, create, distribute and sustain. 9:15 to 6pm with Social Mixer from 6:15 to 8pm. FREE
12. MUSIC/FOOD/FUN: Sat 4/27 – F.O.R.T: CSAA’s interactive multi-tiered garden opens with all day music, food, and general merriment. 12 to 7pm at the Silent Barn. FREE
13. MUSIC: Sat 4/27 – The Losers Lounge perform selections from the Music Division’s historic Brill Building lead sheet collection, with commentary by division chief George Boziwick. at NYPL 7pm FREE
14. PARTICIPATORY/FUN: Sat 4/27 – Flux Factory’s Tween Dweam Social with YouTube Karaoke, Viva Bodyroll and dancing. 8pm $10 to $12.
15. PHOTOGRAPHY/WORKSHOP: Sun 4/28 – Pinhole Camera Workshop, Picnic & Bus Trip. $25 includes travel, film & loaner camera for the day, plus picnic. Sign up.
16. ART/PARTICIPATORY: Sun 4/28 – Photographer/Videographer Laurel Nakadate invites you to PS1 to confess, detail, and atone for shameful acts of the past publicly in the VWDome. 4 to 6pm. $10.
17. PERFORMANCE/FUN/MUSIC: Sun 4/28 – Sakura Matsuri, the annual cherry blossom festival offers over 60 events and performances that celebrate traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens 10am to 6pm. $15 to $20.
18. NEXT SUNDAY/MUSIC: Sun 5/5 – The National at PS1 performing their song “Sorrow” for 6 hours straight. Get tickets now: $15.
MORE…
FOOD/CRAFTS/FUN >> Sat 4/27 & Sats thru 10/26– Hester Street Fair kicks off their season. 10am to 6pm. FREE
ART >> All Weekend & till next April– Busted – the High Line’s latest commission. Figurative sculptures, celebratory portraits, and commemorative monuments installed on and around the High Line. FREE
ART >>  Fri 4/26 & Sat 4/27 and through June 22nd – Here and There. New work by Maya Lin exploring environmental issues at Pace 57th St. FREE
ART >> All Weekend – Fashion Center Space for Public Art, a vibrant series of public window displays which showcase the work of local artists. This month through May: the paintings of Diane Englander. 215 West 38th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenue) FREE

The Museum of Broken Relationships

The Museum of Broken Relationships, Croatia, Zagreb, Objects left behind and donated at the end of love affairs, shared belongings, mementos, gifts. Odd Museums. Travel destination
Museum of Broken Relationships, Croatia, Handcuffs
The Museum of Broken Relationships, Croatia, Zagreb, Objects left behind and donated at the end of love affairs, shared belongings, mementos, gifts. Odd Museums. Travel destinationThe Museum of Broken Relationships, Croatia, Zagreb, Objects left behind and donated at the end of love affairs, shared belongings, mementos, gifts. Odd Museums. Travel destinationClick to enlarge

From wedding chapel to The Museum of Broken Relationships all in the same day! Yes, it’s true, there is a museum of said name and theme. Originally a traveling exhibition revolving around the concept of failed relationships and their ruins, the success of the exhibit encouraged its founders Olinka Vistica and Drazen Grubisic to establish the Museum’s permanent collection within the baroque Kulmer Palace in Zagreb, Croatia. The concept is simple: the Museum offers a chance “to overcome an emotional collapse through creation” by contributing to its collection. Donors part with objects left behind at the end of love affairs such as shared belongings, mementos, and gifts. It’s not clear what actually compels them to donate—some may do it out of grief while others exhibitionism—but whatever their reasons, people seem to embrace the notion.

Though different in theme, the collection of odd and random objects in a museum setting reminds me of the Cortlandt Alley Museum as well as Claes Oldenberg’s Mouse Museum currently on exhibit at MoMA.

As previously mentioned, the museum also has a touring component and currently that collection can be seen at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in Colorado through May 26th.

Wedding Chapel: DUS Architects

Wedding Chapel Villa Escamp by Dus Architects, 2kms ventilation tubes crocheted together to create a dome in the NetherlandsWedding Chapel Villa Escamp by Dus Architects, 2kms ventilation tubes crocheted together to create a dome in the NetherlandsWedding Chapel Villa Escamp by Dus Architects, 2kms ventilation tubes crocheted together to create a dome in the NetherlandsClick to enlarge

The wedding chapel is part of Villa Escamp, a temporary city hall for the Escamp district in The Hague. The 6-meter long and 3-meter high dome, designed by DUS Architects in Amsterdam, was crocheted using two kilometers of flexible white ventilation tubes creating a peaceful atmosphere with soft acoustics and lighting. It can accommodate up to 50 people and, yes, people can actually marry there.

via thetreemag

TOO by Blu Dot at Target

Too BluDot Duct Tape Plates and Ruse Plates (drain plates), funky plates at Target by Blu Dot.Too BluDot Duct Tape Plates and Ruse Plates (drain plates), funky plates at Target by Blu Dot. TOO-by-BluDot_Duct-Tape-collection_Click to enlarge

Googling around for stools, I came across these surprising tableware collections at Target as part of the TOO by Blu Dot series (yeah, I have no idea how you go from stools to plates, but that’s what happened.) I can’t really say that I “like” the Duct Tape Collection, but I do think it’s pretty unique and would be curious to see what they look like in person. The Ruse Dinnerware plates are fun too with their drains in the center of each plate. There are also the Storyteller Dinner Plates which made me chuckle as well.

In fact, the whole TOO by Blu Dot line of furnishings is worth checking out. I especially like that sideboard, though we already have something vaguely similar. And now I see how I ended up on the collection’s page; there are stools there after all!

Frank Tjepkema: Il Treno

Frank Tjepkema, Dutch Industrial Design, Il Treno banquette, dining table, Fabbrica Restaurant Bergen Norway, Fun tableFrank Tjepkema, Dutch Industrial Design, Il Treno banquette, dining table, Fabbrica Restaurant Bergen Norway, Fun tableFrank Tjepkema, Dutch Industrial Design, Il Treno banquette, dining table, Fabbrica Restaurant Bergen Norway, Fun tableClick to enlarge

Not since the banquettes at Brasserie have I seen such a contemporary twist on the traditional booth. Originally designed as a fixed booth for the Fabbrica Restaurant in Bergen, Norway, Dutch designer Frank Tjepkema and his Studio Tjep have now come out with a variation for the at-home diner who wants to be transported. The wood and steel all-in-one piece called Il Treno, features two facing banquettes with hollow backs that can store all your tableware, or anything else you’d like to put in there. The piece suggests travel and promotes intimacy and romance. Fun.

via dwell

NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 4/19

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/19/13 to 4/21/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekend

Free& Cheap things to do
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (4/19/13 to 4/21/13) in art, music, film, performance, architecture, photography, and more. Fun and interesting events all weekend long. Click through on images above for official event pages with more info or in the descriptions below.
1. MUSIC: All weekend – New York City Opera Moses in Egypt & La Perichole. $25 and up
2. ART/MUSIC:  Fri 4/19 and Sat 4/20 through 5/25 – Running to Stand Still.  New works by Ken Solomon of 100 iPhone size watercolor paintings that form a close-up listen of one man’s self-deprecating portrait of white American man transitioning from vibrant, curious youth to mid-life. At Josee Bienvenu Gallery. 10am to 6pm. FREE
3. THEATER:  All weekend  – Mayday Mayday: A True Story by the Man Who Fell . “Laugh out loud funny and tear-inducingly moving.” 8pm.  3pm on Sunday.$25 to $35.
4. POETRY/PERFORMANCE:  Fri 4/19  – Strand Poetry Slam. 7 to 8pm $15.
5. MUSIC:  Fri 4/19 & Sat 4/20:  The Losers Lounge tribute to Elvis Costello. $25
6. FILM: All weekend and through 4/28 – Tribeca Film Festival. See schedule $8 to $16
7. READINGS/LECTURES: Fri 4/19 & Sat 4/20 – Shakespeare Week readings, lectures and poetry in the South Court Auditorium in  the NY Public Library. 1:15pm. See schedule
8. ART/TECH: Sat 4/20 & through 5/4 – A. Bill Miller’s Gridworks: 12 to 5pm FREE
9. THEATER/MULTIMEDIA/PERFORMANCE:  Sat 4/20 & Sun 4/21 – The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer. A multimedia, one-man, micro-epic puppet show. “Akin to a theatrical Wall-E.” See showtimes. $30.
10. FILM/TALK:  Sat 4/20 – Hear the filmmakers of “The Pretty One” discuss their drama about a woman’s decision to assume her twin’s identity. 3pm Soho Apple Store. FREE
11. MUSIC:  Sat 4/20 – 7th Annual Record Store Day – venture into the doorway of your favorite local record shop this coming Saturday, for this year’s exclusive releases not available via download. Here are some releases and here is a map with events. FREE
12. PHOTOGRAPHY/MUSIC: All weekend – Madonna: Retrospective of never before seen photos at W Times Square. FREE
13. RIDE/MEMORIAL: Sun 4/21: 8th Annual Memorial Ride to remember pedestrians & cyclists killed in NYC over the past year. 12pm. See ride schedules. FREE.
14. ART/LITERATURE:   Sun 4/21 – Brooklyn Zine Fest. Flip through zines from more than 80 writers and artist. 11am to 6pm. FREE
15. ARCHITECTURE: All weekend & through 7/14 – The Woolworth Building@100 at the Skyscraper Museum. 12 to 6pm. $5.
MORE…
ART >> Fri 4/19 –Claes Oldenburg: The Street and The Store 
Claes Oldenburg: Mouse Museum/Ray Gun Wing. FREE Fridays from 4 to 8pm at MoMA.
ART/TECH >> Sat 4/20 – Rhizome Seven on Seven Conference pairs seven leading artists with seven technologists in teams of two challenging them to develop something new. 12 to 8pm. $39.50

JR’s Inside Out Project in Times Square

JR, street art, Inside Out Project Truck in Times Square, Public Art, Participatory Art, Black and White Self PortraitsJR, street art, Inside Out Project Truck in Times Square, Public Art, Participatory Art, Black and White Self PortraitsJR, street art, Inside Out Project Truck in Times Square, Public Art, Participatory Art, Black and White Self PortraitsClick to enlarge

Well this should be fun. French street artist JR (previously here and here) is bringing his large-scale participatory Inside Out Project to NYC starting next week. People are invited to take their self-portraits in a specially designed photo booth stationed in Times Square. Some of the black and white instantly-printed 3′ x 4′ posters will be displayed in Times Square but each portrait-taker is encouraged to take their poster back to display publicly in their home community.  The photo booth truck will be making early visits to the four other boroughs as well, with the initial portraits featuring community members from NYC Hurricane Sandy-affected areas.

Inside Out New York City coincides with the world premiere of the documentary film Inside Out: The People’s Art Project on April 20th as part of the Tribeca Film Festival, and will later have its television debut on HBO on May 20th.

I would imagine there will be lines, so you might want to pick a weekday to head over to the photo booth truck, but based on our own personal experience with the Inside Out Project, I highly recommend participating one way or another.

Inside Out New York City will run from April 22 to May 10, 2013 in Times Square.

Photos courtesy Times Square Alliance; Inside Out Project; Inside Out NYC’s facebook page; and collabcubed.

NYC Culture on the Cheap: Weekend 4/12

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekend

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekend

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekend

Free and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekendFree and Cheap things to do in NYC weekend 4/12/13 to 4/14/13, Cool things to do in NYC this weekend

Free& Cheap things to do
Free & Cheap things to do this weekend in NYC (4/12/13 to 4/14/13) from art exhibits, to music, multiple literature-related events, a Gif festival, theater, dance, talks and food! Fun and interesting events all weekend long. Click through on images above for official event pages with more info or in the descriptions below.
1. FOOD: Fri 4/12 Artisanal’s 3rd Annual Grilled Cheese Contest on National Grilled Cheese Day (who knew?) Taste and cast your vote. 3 to 5pm. $15. Tickets here.
2. MUSIC/ART:  All Weekend – 3rd Annual Brain-Cave Festival featuring more than 30 of Brooklyn’s most versatile underground and indie artists and musicians. $12 to $40. Tkts here
3. MUSIC:  Fri 4/12  –The Crystal Ark play their electronic dance music live. 7pm. FREE
4. ART/COMICS: Fri 4/12 and Sat 4/13 & through 5/11 – The Art of Harvey Kurtzman, cartoonist, writer, and founding editor and creator of MAD magazine. One of the most important figures in comic art. At the Society of Illustrators. 12pm to 5pm FREE
5. MUSIC:  Fri 4/12  – Stereo Total (love these guys!) witty alternative/indie/pop based in Berlin but drawing from musical influences across Europe. 7pm Doors $18
6. LITERATURE/TALK: Fri 4/12  – Pulitzer Prize winning author Junot Diaz talks with the New Yorker’s Hilton Als. 7pm. Purchase of his latest book or $20 gift card.
7. ART/OPENING: Fri 4/12 – Opening reception of Richard Hughes exhibit at Anton Kern where the artist turns the the gallery into a stage for a dance performed by lamp posts, walls, and statues. Fri 6 to 8pm and through 5/18 10am to 6pm. FREE.
8. ART/TECH: All Weekend – Moving the Still: A GIF Festival, every 15 minutes on the hour on the BAM sign at Lafayette and Flatbush Aves, SE corner. Through 6/30. FREE.
9. THEATER:  Fri 4/12 & Sat 4/13 – Exile by Nastaran Ahmadi An Iranian-American video game tester develops a game set in a post-nuclear-apocalypse Iran, even as her own relationship becomes a fallout zone.  7pm and also 3pm Sat, $19
10. ART:  Fri 4/12 & Sat 4/13 – Pratt MFA Open Studios – over 100 artists presented in all mediums.  Fri 5 to 9pm, Sat 12 to 6pm. FREE
11. DANCE: Fri 4/12 & Sat 4/13 – A House Made of Salt: Miriam Wolf’s evening length work is a dance for two performers dealing with some of the most fundamental rules that govern us as humans. $10 to $15
12. TRIBUTE/PERFORMANCE ART:  Fri 4/12 & Sat 4/13 – Avant-Gard-A-Rama: New Moon. A tribute to the late downtown mentor performance artist Tom Murrin. Hosts Dynasty Handbag and Jonathan Ames with Elevator Repair Service and many more. 8pm $15
13. ART: Sat 4/13 & Sun 4/14 –Black Power: featuring works by Ron Wimberly, Coby Kennedy, and Jorden Haley. 12pm to 5pm at Superchief Gallery at Culturefix. FREE.
14. TALK/PERFORMANCE/MUSIC:  Sat 4/13 – Ask Isaac: Isaac Mizrahi answers questions and murders some tunes with the Ben Waltzer Quintet. 7:30pm at the Laurie Beechman Theater $30 tickets.
15. READINGS/PARTY: Sun 4/14 – Inaugural Downtown Literary Festival. Daylong celebration of literary culture of NYC, readings, snacks and afte-party at Pravda with Russian Lit-themed cocktails. 10am to after 7pm.
16. ART/MUSIC/PERFORMANCE:  Sun 4/14 – Sister Spit: a literary performance cabaret featuring novelists, magic marker artists, poets, performance artists and more from the queer, feminist, POC underground. 3pm $10 to $12.
17. MUSIC: Sun 4/14 – Vensaire/The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!/Zula/MyBody. 8 to 11:45pm at the Silent Barn in Bushwick $7
18. ART/TECH: Next Sat 4/20 – Get tickets for Seven on Seven Conference. 12 to 6pm. 7 leading artists are paired with 7 game-changing technologists and challenged to develop something new over the course of the day. $39.50

MORE…

MUSIC >> Sat 4/13 – Project Bone Machine: an exciting bill of great bands perform Tom Waits’ 1992 album Bone Machine in tracklist order. Bushwick. 10pm $5.

FILM >> Sun 4/14 – Subway Series Films: Tunnel Stories & Spraymasters. Two films, one short, the other long, focus on the artists, taggers, and vandals, who make their mark underground in tunnels and on trains. 7:30pm. Suggested donation $9.

The Rodnik Band: Pop Art Dresses

Pop Art dresses, crazy fun fashion, The Rodnik Band by Philip ColbertPop Art dresses, crazy fun fashion, The Rodnik Band by Philip ColbertPop Art dresses, crazy fun fashion, The Rodnik Band by Philip ColbertClick to enlarge.

Em came across these very fun dresses—verging on costumes—by London-based designer Philip Colbert who calls his label The Rodnik Band. Inspired by art and driven by a strong sense of fun, Colbert’s designs “walk the humourous line between fashion and art.” The Rodnik Band Label is presented as an ironic pop band, where Colbert writes songs based on each collection that are performed at the runway shows. Colbert’s world is a wacky one that aims to reinvent the way people look at fashion. I’d say it’s working.

via wendybrandes

Andrew Baines: Doorways to Potential

ADELAIDE, SA - DECEMBER 13:  Red doors stand on the beach before being used in an installation by surrealist artist, Andrew Baines at Henley Beach on December 13, 2012 in Adelaide, Australia. The installation was called 'Doorways To Potential'.  (Photo by Morne De Klerk/Getty Images)Doorways to Potential by Andrew Baines. Surreal live installation/performance in AustraliaDoorways to Potential by Andrew Baines. Surreal live installation/performance in AustraliaDoorways to Potential by Andrew Baines. Surreal live installation/performance in AustraliaClick to enlarge

Last December, Australian artist Andrew Baines (previously here) was up to his surreal shenanigans again. This time his bowler-topped volunteers strolled around and stood in front of 15 crimson red doors illuminated by the early morning sun across Australia’s Henley Beach shoreline. The performance/installation was aptly titled Doorways to Potential and included suited volunteers the likes of politician Alexander Downer, Iconic TV personality Jane Doyle plus numerous luminaries from varied fields.

The event symbolically highlighted the work of international charity Common Ground, based in New York (and now flourishing throughout Australia) that takes the homeless off the streets, sets them up in a unit and then assists them to achieve their professional goals.

Here’s a fun timelapse video of the event:

Photos by Morne De Klerk/Getty Images and Mark Brake.