Cool Hunting
| 16 February 2005view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
fi5e
by Carol T Chung
fi5e is a graffiti artist in New York City. Using both computers and hands-on skill, fi5e creates artwork that is aesthetically appealing, while also engaging the viewer through form and content. His All City Council Project has been viewed the most-- In response to the sticker law passed by the New York City Council last year, which stated that those with idenification on any sticker or decal would be in violation of the law, fi5e created text image art (ASCII art) of each of the council members with their detailed information. He proceeded to venture out into the boroughs and posted them within proximity of each of the council members.
Also check out his recent interview with Visual Resistance.
Freitag Credit Card Wallets
by Carol T Chung
You may already be familiar with the Swiss company, Freitag. They're known for their trendy-yet-individual bags made from old truck tarps. A couple of things you may not know are: the bags were first tested for durability on the back of a bike messenger out in San Francisco and that they outsource production to a factory that employs people with disabilities. Now that you're up to speed, check out their new wallets inspired by spoiled rich kids and named after a few of the clan from the show 90210; (from left to right) Brandon, Dylan, and Brenda. These wallets only hold cards, so no big wads of cash or coins!! There are an array of pockets and three different styles to choose from. Each one folds up nice and compact with an outside pocket for frequently used cards. Brenda and Dylan are the ones I'm pining after, but I'll have to exert a bit of footwork to appease my rubber fetish since these items are not available through their online store.
UPDATE:
Although their website currently doesn't indicate this, a little birdie told me that the wallets will be available through their online store by April 1st. And that same little birdie told me that unless you live out in LA, don't bother with the footwork since the rubber goodies are only currently available in the U.S. at MoCA. But do not fret. I'm sure if you make a few calls (west coast friends?), pay for some shipping, you can get your hands on one of them, one way or another.
Grime
by Carol T Chung
Grime is a form of music that has stemmed out from UK Garage in the underground music scene in the UK. The quickly fired lyrics are overlaid on top of some intense beats. Most of the this music can't even be played on the radio due to the explicit lyrical content. Club nights featuring Grime are popping up in New York City and Philadelphia. Some of the top artists are: Lady Sovereign (shown here), Dizzee Rascal, and Wiley.
Keyboard Jewlery
by Josh Spear
Someone raided the dumpsters for old broken keyboards and found a good use for them. This custom made keyboard jewelry is made from classic original keyboard and typewriter parts. The designer has made rings, earrings, buttons, and there is even a neat bracelet made of the +'s keys of what looks like an old type writer. Techie-retro flare.
via Ektopia
NY Bicycle Gangs come to Los Angeles
by Ranjani Gopalarathinam
NY photographer Cheryl Dunn is having an opening for a book based on her short film "Bicycle Gangs of New York." The film is a fun high energy piece with an original score, and the cast is a mix of real and fictional bicycle gangs - see if you can pick out who's who.
In her words, "pictures of crazy characters of the nyc bike community and ny street photography spanning 15 years." If you are a fan of her work or bicycles definitely check it out this Saturday night from 6-10 PM.
Track 16 Gallery
Santa Monica
2325 Bergamot Avenue Bldg. C1
310-264-4678
Name Voyager
by Josh Rubin
The Name Voyager, from Baby Name Wizard, is a fascinating visualization of the US Social Security Administration's historical database of names. Enter part or all of any name and this little Java application will dynamically plot how many babies were given that name during each decade, instantly giving you a sense of when (if ever) that name was popular. I already knew Josh was the name of the 70s because there was always at least 2 others in my class. I learned, however, that Otis was popular near the turn of the century and Logan is more recently on the scene (more for boys than girls).
Capacitor Design Network
by Josh Spear
Capacitor Design Network has done some seriously impressive work. They're responsible for designs for folks like Burton Snowboards, Om Records, Disney, Coca Cola, oh, and did I mention they designed the Microsoft X-Box logo with Portland based Cinco Design. They get my most under rated designers of the week nod. Killer stuff capacitor, keep it up.
