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Rune Olsen: Will to Power

Rune Olsen, Will to Power exhibit at La Mama Gallery, NYC. Cheese-Ball Head Paper Towel Holder, Humorous SculptureRune Olsen, Will to Power exhibit at La Mama Gallery, NYC. Endless Column, Tower of styrofoam takeout containers, Humorous SculptureRune Olsen, Will to Power exhibit at La Mama Gallery, NYC. Endless Column, Tower of styrofoam takeout containers, Humorous SculptureClick to enlarge

It’s hard to know what to make of the wacky exhibit Will to Power at La Mama Gallery here in NYC, but it’s definitely engaging. Norwegian artist Rune Olsen, now living in Hudson, NY, is interested in what he refers to as “Alternative Intelligences” such as ADHD, Asperger’s, Dyslexia and Bipolar disorder. He questions what functionality would look like if “the norm” were one of these alternative intelligences.

Using mostly food and kitchen-centric objects, Olsen creates pieces that include a Cheese-ball Head that conveniently doubles as a paper towel holder; a leaning tower of take-out containers titled Endless Column; a kitchen counter in the center of the gallery with a person covered in foil and dishes stacked precariously by the sink in a piece titled Endless Water Fall, just to name a few. The entire space has foam sausages flying through the air as well and, apparently, at times there are performances in the space, though not while I was there.

In some ways meme-like, the artist seems to favor that comparison. He speaks of the idea of evoking “a visceral response in the viewer, a response that elicits a desire to imitate thus initiating a first hand experience and making them personal.”

Will to Power will be up at La Mama La Galleria through November 17, 2013. Open Wednesday to Sunday 1 to 7:30pm.

Photos: collabcubed
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Three Architecture Firms Design with New Lego

Snohetta Architects participate in Wired's Lego Architecture Studio Set challengeSOM Architects participate in Wired's Lego Architecture Studio Set challengeSOM Architects participate in Wired's Lego Architecture Studio Set challengeClick to enlarge

I certainly would have enjoyed Lego’s new Architecture Studio Set as a kid. I loved building minimalist houses (okay, so they were more like cubes or rectangular blocks with a door, but I felt like the future Mies Van der Rohe) using all the white and gray pieces, and snatching the few translucents included in our set from my brother.

Wired Magazine had the fun idea of asking three world-class architecture firms to ‘go crazy’ with the new Legos. And crazy they did. Norway-based firm Snøhetta created a striking boomerang-shaped tower, playing with equilibrium. Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) inspired by the wintry environs of their Chicago office, cleverly froze their multi-level structure in a block of ice, slowly revealing its interior intricacies as it melted. And finally, SHoP Architects in NYC, created a futuristic cityscape going as far as 3D printing some curved pieces of their own to create undulating walls.

You can see more photos of the above projects here, and you can buy Lego Architecture Studio here.

via wired

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Suzanne Caporael: Enough is Plenty

suzanne caporael, color paper collages, Enough is Plenty, Ameringer McEnery Yohe Gallerysuzanne caporael, color paper collages, Enough is Plenty, Ameringer McEnery Yohe Gallerysuzanne caporael, color paper collages, Enough is Plenty, Ameringer McEnery Yohe GalleryClick to enlarge

On the recommendation of a friend, I stopped by Ameringer McEnery Yohe Gallery last week to see NY artist Suzanne Caporael’s exhibit Enough is Plenty in the back of the gallery. Though the paintings were quite nice, the pieces I was immediately drawn to were the small color paper collages. The combination of her lovely palettes, the irregular shapes, and subtle hints of the New York Times newspaper in the background either in the form of folios and running heads, or articles ghosted back behind other paper, added a surprisingly lovely touch. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes these so special but, at least to me, they certainly were. Enough is Plenty will be up in the Chelsea gallery through November 23, 2013.

Photos courtesy Ameringer McEnery Yohe Gallery.
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Gooyesh Language Institute: Ali Karbaschi

Gooyesh Language Institute, Contemporary Iranian Architecture, Typographic exterior facade and gates, Ali Karbaschi architect, Cool building exterior with alphabet cutoutsGooyesh Language Institute, Contemporary Iranian Architecture, Typographic exterior facade and gates, Ali Karbaschi architect, Cool building exterior with alphabet cutoutsGooyesh Language Institute, Contemporary Iranian Architecture, Typographic exterior facade and gates, Ali Karbaschi architect, Cool building exterior with alphabet cutoutsClick to enlarge

I definitely get a kick out of seeing typography integrated into architecture (hence the multiple Architypeture posts) and this building in Isfahan, Iran is no exception. Designed by architect Ali Karbaschi, the Gooyesh Language Institute’s curtain wall is clad with almost a crossword-y look of, ironically (or not so ironically, being a language institute), Latin letters on all sides as well as cut out of its steel entrance gates. As far as I can tell, the letters are purely decorative and don’t spell anything out, but I wasn’t able to find any information on the project, other than its location, architect, and that it was built a little over a year ago. Looking closely, it would appear that in some areas the oreder of the letters in the rectangular panels adhere to the alphabet, but then suddenly a ‘W’ appears sandwiched between an ‘E’ and a ‘G’, so there goes that theory. In any case, it looks particularly attractive lit up at night, wouldn’t you say?

via Contemporary Architecture of Iran

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Sambre: Wooden Sculptural Street Art

Street Art by Sambre, Le Mur XIII, Paris, Wooden Relief sculptural muralStreet Art by Sambre, Le Mur XIII, Paris, Wooden Relief sculptural muralStreet Art by Sambre, Le Mur XIII, Paris, Wooden Relief sculptural muralClick to enlarge

French street artist Sambre recently finished a new work at Le MUR XIII in Paris (looks to be a similar situation to NYC’s Bowery Mural with alternating artists’ works throughout the year) in the 13th arrondisement. Using found wood, the artist superimposed a sculptural piece with a protruding face at its center over the previous Le Mur XIII mural. Sambre had previously created an impressive installation in wood at Les Bains Douches (if you have a couple of minutes, check out the video below, it’s kind of amazing) this past summer, but this appears to be his first outdoor wooden piece.

Though (I’m pretty confident) not at all Sambre’s intention, this work seems fitting to post on the anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. It almost looks like the storm personified, down to the ripped apart boardwalks. To all who were affected, and the tough year they’ve been through, here’s to a better year ahead.

via graffuturism

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Pro Bono Promo: Dori the Giant

Pro Bono Promo, Dorota Pankowska, Street art Logos created from the product they represent, dori the giant, typographyPro Bono Promo, Dorota Pankowska, Street art Logos created from the product they represent, dori the giant, typographyPro Bono Promo, Dorota Pankowska, Street art Logos created from the product they represent, dori the giant, typographyPro Bono Promo, Dorota Pankowska, Street art Logos created from the product they represent, dori the giant, typographyClick to enlarge

Recent photography grad Dori the Giant, aka Dorota Pankowska, created a street art series on the walls of downtown Brampton, Ontario titled Pro Bono Promo. She recreated logos using the product which they represent: the Colgate logo was illustrated in Colgate toothpaste; the Nutella one with Nutella…you get the idea. Then she also documented their (sometimes quick) deterioration, whether naturally or due to finger smudges. Which leads to the humorous title of the series. In many ways Pankowska gave these companies free advertising (pro bono) with free samples thrown in (promo). You can see a lot more of Pankowska’s clever work on her website and her blog.

If you like this, you might also enjoy Danielle Evans’ work.

via junkculture

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Ross Sawyers: Dismantled Rooms

Ross Sawyers, Cool Photographs of dismantled homes, homes and walls with cracks and lightRoss Sawyers, Cool Photographs of dismantled homes, homes and walls with cracks and lightRoss Sawyers, Cool Photographs of dismantled homes, homes and walls with cracks and lightClick to enlarge

Photographer Ross Sawyers builds models of construction-site-like homes and photographs them as full-scale eerie environments. Sawyer is interested in the home and the relationships we have with our own. His most recent photos contain drawings and markings on the walls of the spaces which are related to hobo signs—a language that was developed during the Depression by transients to inform each other about neighborhoods, houses and people. Sawyer states in an interview with the Seattle Met:

…one of the things that led me to it was when foreclosures were really commonplace in maybe 2009 or 2010. A lot of people, as they were foreclosed on, would just destroy the house—whether that was through vandalism or just pure destruction—and so that got me interested in the kinds of marks and destructive actions people were inflicting upon the spaces. Through research on that, I sort of stumbled across information about hobo signs. And the relationship between those two things became really interesting to me.

Some of them have a magical feel, no? Love them.

via seattlemet

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Misaki Kawai: Hair Show

Misaki Kawai, The Hair Show, fun, hairy sculptures with combs, childlike artMisaki Kawai, The Hair Show, fun, hairy sculptures with combs, childlike artMisaki Kawai, The Hair Show, The Hole Gallery, fun, hairy sculptures Click to enlarge

I stopped by The Hole gallery, here in NYC, the other evening right as they were closing, but I did get a chance to quickly peruse Japanese artist Misaki Kawai’s solo exhibit, Hair Show. And hairy it was. In fact, while I was there, there were three people sweeping hair off the floor throughout the gallery, while one gentleman mopped the very trampled and marked up white floor.

Kawai’s humorous, childlike hairy sculptures all come equipped with combs for creature grooming by visitors. The largest piece, Max, stands very tall and wide in the far room, and was apparently inspired by a dog Kawai sees daily on her block. Apart from the playful, geometric hairy creatures, the show also includes large minimalist charcoal canvases by the artist that capture the whimsy that children’s drawings often inhabit, yet somehow gets lost with age. Kawai seems able to genuinely recreate that elusive innocence. Not surprisingly, Misaki Kawai exhibited at The Children’s Museum last year. Her work would put a smile on people of all ages, even her large-boobed bench strategically positioned in the center of the gallery; an ideal vantage point for exhibit viewing.

Hair Show will be at The Hole through November 2, 2013.

Top photo courtesy of the artist. All others: collabcubed.
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Luis Gispert: Photos of Logo-clad Car Interiors

Luis Gispert, Photographs of car interiors decked out in haute coutour logo-clad decor, cool contemporary photographyLuis Gispert, Photographs of car interiors decked out in haute coutour logo-clad decor, cool contemporary photographyLuis Gispert, Photographs of car interiors decked out in haute coutour logo-clad decor, cool contemporary photographyClick to enlarge

Brooklyn-based artist/photographer Luis Gispert stumbled upon a culture of fashion-label customized car interiors that would be hard not to call impressive. These luxury brand knockoffs, or ‘interpretations’ according to Gispert, are created with the same obsession, fantasy, and dedication as an artist creates his/her art. Gispert’s series of photographs of these status-seeking automobiles (mostly owned by people of modest incomes who in many cases spent much more on the customization than the actual value of the final product) was compiled as a show titled “Decepción” at Mary Boone Gallery. From an Escalade covered in Murakami “LV” prints, to Stephen Sprouse’s bright green graffitti-scribbled version; a Burberry-lined Volkswagen to a pink Coach covered car; all artworks of sorts in their own right. The perfectly paired vistas from the windshields, however, are separate landscape photographs taken by Gispert and perfectly matched to emphasize the extremes between natural beauty and the questionable taste of our consumerist society.

You can see more of Gispert’s work on his website.

via musée

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#Encaja_dos: Lagaleriademagdalena

Lagaleriademagdalena, Spanish Street art, #Encaja_dos, photocall pop-ups in Barcelona and Rivas VaciamadridLagaleriademagdalena, Spanish Street art, #Encaja_dos, photocall pop-ups in Barcelona and Rivas VaciamadridLagaleriademagdalena, Spanish Street art, #Encaja_dos, photocall pop-ups in Barcelona and Rivas VaciamadridClick to enlarge

Las Magdalenas of Lagaleriademagdalena (previously here) have been at it again. Actually, they never stop. About a year ago the duo set up a pop-up photocall intervention titled Encaja_dos (meaning ‘to fit’ and read ‘within box’) where guests’ heads and torsos were photographed, well, within a box. These were placed on the walls of an empty lot in El Born, a section in the old part of Barcelona. Its popularity was such, that slowly over the year the lot had additions made to it, with gravel and seating added, becoming one of the most photographed corners of the city and recently included in official city tours. But Encaja_dos is no longer exclusive to Barcelona. Last month Las Magdalenas moved its next iteration to Rivas Vaciamadrid as part of the Cultural Festival in the Streets of Rivas. Taking new portraits of locals in white boxes, they then, with the assistance of many volunteers and friends, entered the waters clad in fisherman boots and pasted the photos along the white walls of the park, giving the impression of windows overlooking the banks. Add to that the reflective effect of the water, and the result is quite different from the original lot in El Born.

Keep an eye on these ladies. They are in full-steam-ahead mode, with new ideas and pop-ups every month. I wouldn’t be surprised if their work extended past the streets of Spain shortly.

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Animal Equality: Day without Meat

Animal Equality, Animal Rights Protest Barcelona, Day without Meat, street art, performance artAnimal Equality, Animal Rights Protest Barcelona, Day without Meat, street art, performance artAnimal Equality, Animal Rights Protest Barcelona, Day without Meat, street art, performance artClick to enlarge

Though it may not be exactly art or design, I think this animal rights protest in Barcelona would qualify as some sort of performance or street art. Animal rights activist group Animal Equality staged a demonstration that would give the most devoted omnivore, like myself, pause. For the International Day Without Meat back in March, demonstrators created giant supermarket-style meat packaging trays and had human models covered in fake blood and plastic sheets lie in them in front of the Cathedral of Barcelona. If that wasn’t eye-catching enough, large labels with barcodes and the words “Human Meat” or “Carne Humana” were added to the plastic coverings. I’d say their mission was accomplished in spades; artfully, peacefully, and powerfully.

via banoosh

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LAb[au]: Signal to Noise

Cool type installation for Luminato Festival in Toronto; Signal to Noise by Lab[au] studio in Belgian with Manuel Abendroth, Jérôme Decock and Els VermangCool type installation for Luminato Festival in Toronto; Signal to Noise by Lab[au] studio in Belgian with Manuel Abendroth, Jérôme Decock and Els VermangCool type installation for Luminato Festival in Toronto; Signal to Noise by Lab[au] studio in Belgian with Manuel Abendroth, Jérôme Decock and Els VermangClick to enlarge

It doesn’t feel like that long ago that we’d hear the flapping noise of the information displays at most train stations and airports, yet quietly, and almost unnoticeably, they have mostly transitioned over to LED monitors. Belgian artist team LAb[au] consisting of Manuel Abendroth, Jérôme Decock and Els Vermang, created a playful type installation for Toronto’s Luminato Festival last year, utilizing the discarded technology and salvaged split-flaps from these old signage systems, arranged in a circular grid. Signal to Noise, as the piece is called, takes the random letters from the illegible and nonsensical into the legible and poetic, through its flipping mechanism. Apparently the sound is much subtler than in the video below; almost like rain. Best to see it in action:

Photos courtesy of LAb[au]

via canadian art junkie

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The Sleep of the Beloved: Paul Schneggenburger

The Sleep of the Beloved, long exposure photos of sleeping couples, Paul SchneggenburgerThe Sleep of the Beloved, long exposure photos of sleeping couples, Paul SchneggenburgerThe Sleep of the Beloved, long exposure photos of sleeping couples, Paul SchneggenburgerClick to enlarge

Austrian photographer Paul Schneggenburger‘s university thesis project three years back, has since become an ongoing one. The Sleep of the Beloved is a series of photographs taken as one long-time exposure, from midnight to 6am, of lovers sleeping together. Schneggenburger sets up a bed in his studio apartment as a stage, complete with candlelight, but removes himself from the space as the couples sleep. The results are somewhat ghostlike, with a moody balletic quality. Quite nice, I think. If you’re interested in having you and your significant other photographed while sleeping together, there’s a contact on Schneggenburger’s website.

via dailymail

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Gateshead Millenium Bridge: WilksonEyre


WilksonEyre Architects, Gateshead Millenium Bridge, Winking Eye Bridge, Blinking Eye Bridge, cool movable bridgeWilksonEyre Architects, Gateshead Millenium Bridge, Winking Eye Bridge, Blinking Eye Bridge, cool movable bridgeWilksonEyre Architects, Gateshead Millenium Bridge, Winking Eye Bridge, Blinking Eye Bridge, cool movable bridge
Click to enlarge

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a bridge, and though this one isn’t quite new, it really is a spectacular one. Designed by London-based WilkinsonEyre Architects, the Gateshead Milennium Bridge in the UK is quite an impressive sight. Spanning 105 meters across the River Tyne, the pedestrian movable bridge is nicknamed the “Blinking Eye” or “Winking Eye” bridge due to its innovative rotational movement—providing clearance for boats to pass under—that resembles that of an opening eyelid. This strikingly elegant bridge looks stunning in movement or still, day or night. Here it is in motion:

via presurfer

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Richard Dupont: Hanging Heads

Richard Dupont, Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital, Museum of Art and Design, Hanging Heads, Silicone head sculptures, body scan sculptureRichard Dupont, Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital, Museum of Art and Design, Hanging Heads, Silicone head sculptures, body scan sculptureRichard Dupont, Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital, Museum of Art and Design, Hanging Heads, Silicone head sculptures, body scan sculptureRichard Dupont, Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital, Museum of Art and Design, Hanging Heads, Silicone head sculptures, body scan sculptureClick to enlarge

You know you must really like an artist when two years apart, in two different locations, two different kinds of sculpture—though both heads—make you stop in awe. Today, walking by The Museum of Art and Design here in NYC, a came across a huge sculpture of what looked like a melting head. I checked inside with the museum people and the artist turned out to be Richard Dupont, whose work will be included in the show that opens October 16th titled Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital. Upon looking up Dupont’s work, I discovered that he is also the artist behind the large heads I saw, and was impressed by, a couple of years back in Chelsea filled with junk; albeit themed junk (see bottom photos). NYC born and based Dupont has been working with digital full-body scans of himself for over ten years. He likes to use technology as a tool, but is partial to the physical material over the information, preferring the results derived from “disrespecting” technology. His “Hanging Heads” as he calls them, were initially the result of an accident. Working on a foam enlargement of his head, he decided to paint it with rubber. Not happy with the outcome, Dupont peeled off the rubber coating, only to find that it came off in one piece, and then nailed it to the wall. Amazing. Can’t wait to stop by MAD to see more of Dupont’s work in person. Out of Hand will be up through July 6, 2014, so there’s time to get back there.

Top two photos: collabcubed. All other photos courtesy of the artist.
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Fos: Rayen Restaurant Installation

Fos, Somos Fos, Rayen Restaurant Madrid, facade painted to look like light, fun installation/artFos, Somos Fos, Rayen Restaurant Madrid, facade painted to look like light, fun installation/artFos, Somos Fos, Rayen Restaurant Madrid, facade painted to look like light, fun installation/artFos, Somos Fos, Rayen Restaurant Madrid, facade painted to look like light, fun installation/artClick to enlarge

(fos) the multidisciplinary trio based in Madrid and Barcelona, is made up of Eleni Karpatsi, Susana Piquer, and Julio Calvo. The architecture/interior design/graphic design firm recently “illuminated” the façade of vegan restaurant Rayen in Madrid by painting a bright yellow beam of light emanating from an industrial lamp over the entrance. The playful treatment had a show-stopping effect on passers-by, which (fos) clearly anticipated, setting up a photo-shooting spot across the street with a camera icon made of tape placed on the sidewalk for the optimum shot. The whole project is clever, fun, definitely eye-catching for the restaurant and, if that weren’t enough, a great representation of their own firm’s name, as well. Fos means light in Greek and melted in Catalan. So there’s that…

via jeroen apers

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Mike and Claire

Mike and Claire, Performance Art, Gifs, Costume Design, crazy, wacky, goofy characters/artMike and Claire, Performance Art, Gifs, Costume Design, crazy, wacky, goofy characters/artMike and Claire, Performance Art, Gifs, Costume Design, crazy, wacky, goofy characters/artMike and Claire, Performance Art, Gifs, Costume Design, crazy, wacky, goofy characters/artMike and Claire, Performance Art, Gifs, Costume Design, crazy, wacky, goofy characters/art

NYC-based artist dynamic duo Mike Bailey-Gates and Claire Christerson, aka Mike and Claire, blend their love of performance, costume design, and film in their zany videos and gifs, creating a whole slew of characters, from humorous to disturbing. Their inspiration? Artists including Ryan Trecartin, Cindy Sherman, and Nina Hagen, as well as New York City nightlife with an emphasis on queer, subculture events. They tend to use themselves in their work with props they’ve collected, as well as costumes that Claire creates. They met as students at the School of Visual Arts and have been collaborating ever since.

You can see much more of the nuttiness on their site.

via papermag

 

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Linus Hui: Carton Animals

Linus Hui, Linus and the Feel Good Factory, Carton Animals, Costumes made from PaperLinus Hui, Linus and the Feel Good Factory, Carton Animals, Costumes made from PaperLinus Hui, Linus and the Feel Good Factory, Carton Animals, Costumes made from PaperClearly Em’s got Halloween on the brain, since this is the second costume-related link she’s sent me in the past few weeks. Though not intended as costumes, really, but rather a set of self-portraits by Hong Kong-based artist Linus Hui’s—who goes by the name Linus and the Feel Good Factory—Carton Animals definitely could inspire a creative do-it-yourself solution for that masquerade ball you’ve been invited to, or for your child’s trick-or-treating get-up. Hui creates his humorous paper costumes by using a big carton that he places over his head as the base, “breathing life into a mundane object.” These animal self-portraits are titled/narrated with puns and wordplay that can be seen in this book of the collection.

But Hui goes ‘outside of the box’ as well, with impressive paper costumes and masks, some a little more sinister than his animals. You can see those on his flickr and more Carton Animals here.