TV on the Radio: Return to Cookie Mountain

by Ami Kealoha

With all the post-grunge irony and retro-garage sounds, it's rare in rock and roll these days to find a band as talented, original and passionate as TV on the Radio. Led by Tunde Adebimpe's lauded vocals, his haunting harmonies with guitarist Kyp Malone are just a hint at the effortlessly dynamic chemistry of the group. In the midst of their world tour, following two sold-out hometown shows in New York, CH checked in with drummer and founding member Dave Sitek to get a sense of the friendships that are the foundation of the band, what it was like making their latest and fourth album Return to Cookie Mountain and about increasing the peace. Check it out here.

Yoshihiro Murata: Kaiseki

by Evan Orensten

Kaiseki: The Exquisite Cuisine of Kyoto's Kikunoi Restaurant is a captivating volume celebrating the history and beauty of Japan's finest cuisine. And one lucky CH reader will win an autographed copy.

Authored by Yoshihiro Murata (a third generation chef and owner of Kyoto's famed Kikunoi and Kiamachi restaurants) and beautifully photographed by Masashi Kuma, they take us on a culinary and visual journey into this history-steeped art.

Kaiseki originally referred to the warm stones monks-in-training held inside their habits to stave off hunger and came to refer to the elaborate multi-course meal served at formal tea ceremonies. In his book Murata introduces recipes from his impressive menu as well as sharing his thoughts behind the philosophy of his dishes. Worthwhile for the photography and food styling alone, this book makes an excellent addition to your kitchen library or coffee table.

We had the great honor of meeting chef Murata on his first visit to the U.S. a few weeks ago. He was kind enough to sign a copy of his book for one of our readers. All you have to do is tell us about your favorite Japan or Japanese food experience and we'll give the book to the CH reader with the best story. Please email your entires to leti [at] coolhunting [dot] com by Friday, 27 October 2006 with Kaiseki as the title of your email.

Birdhouses by Stephane Barbier Bouvet

by Ted Cahill

Here's a comical twist on the traditional birdhouse by Lausanne-based designer Stephane Barbier Bouvet. Check out some of his latest projects on his site or at Gallery 1m3, of which he is a founding member.

via swissmiss

International Children's Digital Library

by Evan Orensten

The International Children's Digital Library is working on a goal to provide people around the world access to a digital library of children's books that will surpass 10,000 volumes by 2008. By constructing varying interface levels for children 3 to 13, ICDL has created a reading experience that evolves with each child's individual growth and will preserve the best of children's literature for future generations.

In order to help them meet their worthwhile yet ambitious goal, interested authors, illustrators, translators, publishers, agents, libraries, and philanthropies should visit Children's Library or contact them at partnerships [at] childrenslibrary [dot] org.

Dearraindrop: Concrete Trees, Glass Grass and Cream-Filled Stones

by Ted Cahill

Opening today, 20 October 2006, at the Galleri Loyal is a solo exhibition of new work by Dearraindrop that runs through 25 November 2006. The exhibition includes large-scale paintings, drawings and other major interactive works by the Virginia-based collective. Visual artists Joe Grillo, Laura Grant and Billy Grant make the collage-style works, which are then synthesized by multimedia artists Owen Osborn and Chris Kucinski. The sum of all of these parts results in a dynamic, synergy of 60's psychedelia, 70's utopanism, and 80's and 90's plastic consumer culture.

Concrete Trees, Glass Grass and Cream-Filled Stones
Loyal Galleri
Torsgatan 59
113 37 Stockholm
Sweden
tel. 46 08 32 44 91

Shaïwear Interactive Catalog

by Evan Orensten

Shaïwear, a French sportswear company, has seen a lot of buzz around their interactive catalog for Summer 2006 (which made the rounds on some advertising and marketing sites). It comes in multiple formats and features couples enjoying each other's company (and their clothes). Green dots appear on the screen near the clothing, and a simple roll over the Flash movie introduces a catalog entry with size, color and product details.

The novelty doesn't stop there. In addition to its early adoptor use of video interaction, it features a song called "No Reason to be Shaï" that sounds good and gets the brand name in. To top it off, it shows the models undressing each other. And then having sex. Yes, this interactive catalog goes where few (none?) before have gone, introducing x-rated content as part of the sales pitch and features three flavors for your shopping pleasure: Man/Woman, Man/Man and Woman/Woman.

Please open with care. This site is not work friendly and features x-rated content.

Complementing the interactive catalogs (which can be found at Sexpacking.com) is a making-of video, screen savers, user comments, wallpaper and alternate music selections.

The campaign was created by French agency Agence7Seven, who hired French adult film director Marc Dorcel to direct and nventa to create the music.

Thanks Brent