July 18, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Philip Haas: Four Seasons

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If you’ve ever been intrigued by Renaissance painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s monstrous portraits of composite heads made entirely of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other objects, then American artist/director Philip Haas’ Four Seasons is for you. Haas has reimagined the 16th century painter’s series Four Seasons as four large-scale sculptures standing over 15 feet high, one representing Spring, another Summer, Autumn, and lastly, Winter. The three-dimensional interpretations are created with intricately detailed fiberglass made to look like flowers, bark, vegetables and leaves.

The Four Seasons sculptures have been traveling from London to Phoenix and now, since May and through October, they are at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.

Photos courtesy of the artist and NY Botanical Garden

Thanks Ramon!

July 17, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Royal William Yard Staircase: Gillespie Yunnie

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The Royal William Yard in Plymouth, UK has always been a dead end due to its naturally defensive nature and peninsular location. Gillespie Yunnie Architects have recently completed the dramatic staircase that links the far end of the Yard with the open green space above it, a key part of the regeneration masterplan, allowing residents to access the park and historic battlements at the top of the high retaining wall. The staircase, with its striking lighting with changing hues, and stark black exterior, offers that impressive, yet complementary, contrast of old and new against the old stone wall. Plus, the beautifully framed water at the landing, highlighted by the colored lights, makes for a spectacular view.

Photos by Richard Downer

via urdesign

July 16, 2013 by collabcubed - 2 Comments

Image 3D: Custom View-Master Reels

This is such a fun gift idea! Make-your-own view-master reels. Want to share your vacation photos in a more unique way? Or maybe a bunch of shots of you and your significant other in one reel complete with view-master would make a nice birthday or Valentine’s gift. Or, for all you designers/artists/architects out there… what a fun way to promote your work to potential clients. The first set (one reel, one viewer, all in a glossy white box) is $30 and it goes down from there per piece if you order more. Founded by Rich Dubnow, lead photographer at View-Master for twenty years, Image3D clearly should be the masters of view-masters.

via bblinks

July 16, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Noriko Yamaguchi: Peppermint Girl/Mother

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Japanese artist Noriko Yamaguchi works in video animation, photography, illustration and performance art. Her art, rigorous in its form and composition, stems from intimate experiences, thoughts, and references to personal memories and cultural encounters. It concentrates on the human body and its relation to nature, tradition, social environment and technology. In her photographs and claymation video titled Peppermint Girls and Peppermint Mother, Yamaguchi’s imaginary characters are creatures borne from chewing gum. Her video, below, shows numerous living gumsticks moving around and covering every part of Yamaguchi’s body. All her works are self-portraits with the idea of transmutation of the human body.

via artnet

July 15, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Sarah Rosado: Dirty Little Secrets

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Inspired by the many images created using food, New York based photographer/illustrator Sarah Rosado decided to create images using dirt. Accessorizing the dirt illustrations with actual objects gives them a bit of a 3D quality that Rosado was going for. The series is cleverly titled Dirty Little Secrets. You can see the rest of the series on her website.

July 15, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Every Subway Station in Manhattan

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Everything about this one-day project by college students James Doernberg and Kai Jordan is super cute and fun. A few months back Doernberg was thinking of ways to make commuting fun/useful and it occurred to him that taking photos (“selfies”) of himself and girlfriend Jordan at every subway station in Manhattan would be one solution. So, on July 10th, after mapping out their route, the two set about the task. Mostly jumping out at each stop, snapping a photo with the subway station sign, and hopping back on the train before the doors closed, Doernberg and Jordan were able to photograph themselves at all 118 stations on the island in a total of nine hours. Certain subway lines as well as rush hour proved to be a little trickier with crowded platforms, so in those cases they sometimes ended up having to wait for the next train. It’s impressive how they were able to vary the shots quite a bit, considering the time restraints. You can see all 133 photos here, and read an interview with them here.

via gothamist

July 12, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

40 Days of Dating: Walsh & Goodman

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Part graphic-designer-online-reality-show, part experiment, part sociological/psychological art project, part super-clever-promo-piece, or whatever else you’d like to call it, Jessica Walsh (of Sagmeister & Walsh) and Timothy Goodman’s (previously here) 40 Days of Dating has Daniela and me completely hooked. Launched a few days ago (today is Day 5, so there’s not much catching up involved) the two good friends have opposite relationship problems—one an incurable romantic, the other has commitment issues—and are growing tired of the NYC dating life. Both single, they decided to embark on an adventure/experiment wherein they date each other exclusively (complying to a list of rules) for 40 days, answering a daily questionnaire that is revealed on the website, day by day. In addition, they enlisted an impressive slew of designers from their professional and personal circles to contribute daily typographic designs, beautifully illustrating the themes of the day.

It doesn’t hurt that both Walsh and Goodman are incredibly cute, talented, and appealing (plus we’re longtime fans) making the project that much more compelling, but there’s no doubt that under all it’s designy-ness and fun, 40 Days of Dating is a voyeuristic fest, complete with some cringe-inducing moments. Nonetheless, we’ve been totally drawn in, finding ourselves in daily discussions and speculating on what direction things will take. We’ve even piqued Em’s curiosity, so I’m sure she’ll be following soon.

They’ve also made a series of related videos that you can see here, and the behind-the-scenes one is below.

via coolhunting

July 11, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Brad Downey: Hacking the City

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These are a lot of fun. As part of the Public Art Horsens event in Denmark at the end of last month, American artist Brad Downey created several clever and witty urban interventions. Downey specializes in the element of surprise, making the viewer do a double-take by disrupting their visual perception. You can see the other four works here. The Horsens event was co-curated by Henrik Haven and Simon Caspersen and included other public works by the likes of Escif (Spain), Sam3 (Spain), Pøbel (Norway), Thomas Dambo (Denmark), and more.

Photos by Henrik Haven

via junk culture via fecal face

July 10, 2013 by collabcubed - 1 Comment

Through Hollow Lands: Lilienthal|Zamora

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LILIENTHAL|ZAMORA is a collaboration between Etta Lilienthal and Ben Zamora, both performance designers who together have worked on many striking stage sets (I especially love last year’s Underbelly) as well as the labyrinthic installation Through Hollow Lands at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle. Made with 200 suspended fluorescent tubes, the bright and geometric piece has a great futuristic look to it. Beautiful.

Photos: Malcolm Smith courtesy Frye Art Museum except 4th photo down oieouio

via colossal

July 10, 2013 by collabcubed - 5 Comments

Robert Barta: Crossing Half a Million Stars

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German artist Robert Barta uses everyday objects in his work. His installation Crossing Half A Million Stars — currently on view at Galerie Sherin Najjar in Berlin — consists of roughly half a million 8mm metal balls or ball bearings that cover the gallery floor. Visitors are invited to enter the space and attempt to walk/cross the ball-covered surface with extreme care to avoid slipping or falling. The installation could be seen as a performance art piece with the viewer/participant as the performer. Makes for an entertaining gallery visit, with everyone slipping and rolling into one another. Wonder if guests have to sign a waiver before entering, or maybe lawsuits are more of an American passtime.

Crossing Half A Million Stars will be on view through September 7, 2013.

via galerie sherin najjar

July 9, 2013 by collabcubed - 1 Comment

Monika Grzymala: Raumzeichnungen

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Poland-born, German artist Monika Grzymala creates large-scale tape installations that can be seen as three-dimensional drawings. The black tape constructions are site-specific taking over the their designated spaces, seemingly bursting from the walls, particularly in her series of works titled Raumzeichnungen (Drawing Room). Grzymala constantly pushes the boundaries of the line by creating drawings in space. Currently, Gryzymala has an exhibit at the Hamburger Kunsthalle, titled Mono Meros, (bottom photo) through August 28, 2013.

via ignant

July 9, 2013 by collabcubed - 1 Comment

The Pool: Jen Lewin

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Colorado-based artist/architect Jenn Lewin creates large, immersive, interactive art pieces for the public. From interactive sound and light sculptures that inspire people into play, to woven fiber video curtains that reflect movement, or giant, robotic, ethereal moths that dance based on human touch. In her interactive light installation titled The Pool, Lewin put together 106 interactive circular platforms in giant concentric circles that communicate wirelessly. Each pad is independent and simultaneously interacts and listens to its environment based on user feedback. Together, the 106 pads create complex, surprising, and unpredictable color arrays with their user participants. Each pad in The Pool senses a person’s movements. User inputs such as foot location, foot pressure, and speed are sensed by the pad surface. As a person moves, light ripples out to the surrounding pads. For example, by leaning left, a ripple of varying intensity starts in that direction. A stronger more deliberate lean could cause a ripple to jump rings and fill the entire Pool. Each person’s ripple is unique. The more people that participate the more of a cacophony is created.

The Pool can be as small as 35ft x 35ft or, if spread out, as large as 70ft x 70ft. It’s powered via a normal household outlet and can be placed indoors or out.

Here it is in action:

via bbc

July 8, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Giuseppe Agnello: Memories|Lateral & Oblique

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Sicilian sculptor Giuseppe Agnello gives new meaning to the expression “one with nature.” His surreal sculptures of bodies with roots, branches, or tree trunks emanating from heads, feet, or chests, are at once intriguing and disturbing. Working in plaster, polyester resin, clay and bronze, the Palermo-based artist plays with the idea of metamorphosis, much of the time incorporating tree-like morphing, though not limiting himself to vegetation, as in the case of his Corpi nuvolosi (Cloudy Bodies) or his zipped up bodies in Anima e corpo (Body and Soul.)

Agnello currently has an exhibit of 40 works titled Memories: Lateral and Oblique Views at the Carlos V Tower in Porto Empedocle, Sicily through the end of the year.

via balarm

July 8, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Twinkind: 3D-Printed Photo Figurines

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Well, this is both fun and a little creepy. Hamburg-based company Twinkind creates 3D-printed photo figurines of you, your family, friends… or even your pet. These little photorealistic sculptures can range from 6 to 14 inches tall, are made of polymer plaster powder, and have optional bases in either oval or rectangular shape. What sets Twinkind apart from other 3D printing companies offering similar services is that they do the scanning in a fraction of the time. In fact, within seconds, allowing for re-dos or for the most impatient and fidgety people to stand still long enough for their own figurine. Starting at 225 euros for the smallest figurine, it’s not cheap, but if you’re ready layout the big bucks, just stop by Twinkind’s pop-up shop and they’ll guide you through the process. Looks like photo frames will soon be a thing of the past.

via the cool hunter

July 3, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Near Unison: Dan Dodds

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UK-based architectural designer and artist, Dan Dodds, has proposed an installation for Burning Man 2013 titled Near Unison that visualizes the harmonic relationship between two people using a pair of pendulum swings. A prototype of Near Unison, sans the elegant and striking exterior structure, was exhibited at this year’s Kinetic Art Fair. The installation specifically explores the harmonograph — a machine that became popular as a 19th century capable of producing beautiful drawings by mapping the relationship between two swinging pendulums. The oscillation frequency of the pendulums can be changed by modifying their lengths. Near Unison acts as a large-scale interactive harmonograph, allowing people to take the place of the pendulum weights, swinging back and forth, creating patterns in the sand that are ‘near unison’ a 1:1 ratio when the people occupying the swings are of similar weight. You can see the prototype in action below and keep your eyes peeled for the even larger version at the next Burning Man Festival in Black Rock Desert this August. Should be fun.

July 3, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Vanessa Vanselow: Originality vs Authenticity

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Recent graduate, Melbourne-based graphic designer Vanessa Vanselow created a installation to visualize her thesis on Originality vs Authenticity. It’s probably best to quote Vanessa directly on her thesis statement and explanation:

Redefining the term ‘originality’ into the more relevant term ‘authenticity’ is essential in the growth and development of the design community. Authenticity entails taking ideas and using them in a way that is unique and different. It is more about the way you are influenced by what is around you, and the way you apply your ideas to your work. It relates to how you are inspired, what elements affect you personally and how you translate this into a solution.

In creating a visual outcome, I have focused on the concept of an authentic experience that is ever changing by creating an imprint made by each viewer onto a structure, whilst projecting images and colours onto it that relate to them on a personal level. This therefore becomes a genuine and authentic experience, influenced solely by the viewer that evolves and changes through time. The ever-changing nature captures an ephemeral imprint of each user, tailoring the experience to become authentic and personal to each individual.

Here’s the stop motion animation that documents the installation in use and illustrates Vanselow’s thesis quite well.

via IdN

July 2, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Sebastien Wierinck WorkShop: J1

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It’s been a while since I’ve checked in to see what French designer Sebastien Wierinck (previously here) has been up to, and not only has he been busy at work with his tubular installations and benches, but the Sebastien Wierinck WorkShop also has a nice new website. One of the newer projects is a white tube installation in the recently renovated J1 Hangar, a 6,000 sq. meter seafront space in Marseille, France, made available to the European Capital of Culture as an exhibition space. Wierinck’s long and winding recycled polyethylene plastic tubes occupy the large space beautifully, creating seating space and lighting in addition to just looking cool.

Here’s a timelapse video of the installation process:

The J1 Hangar and tubular installation will reopen in October and be open to the public through January 2014.

July 2, 2013 by collabcubed - 0 comments

Key Frames by Groupe LAPS at GLOW

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French art studio Groupe LAPS (previously here) have taken their Key Frames to a higher level, literally. Last November, as part of the GLOW 2012 Festival in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, the flashing/dancing/climbing LED light tube stick figures took over a building and all its balconies, giving the illusion of people creeping around from rooftop to individual rooms when the sun went down and the light show began. Take a look at what I’m talking about in the short video below: