Fling

by Letizia Rossi

Fling, a Chicago based company, aims to bring art to the general public by transforming works of fine art into accessible everyday objects. Based on the installation "1,000 White Lies" by artist Annie Feldmeier Adams, The Little Box of Lies Buttons feature various phrases like "I'm listening," "It's great to be here," "I promise" and "You look great." Using these less-than-sincere clichés, the buttons poke fun at misguided good intentions and the conventions of small talk. The Little Box of Lies also come in magnet form and both the magnets and the pins are $6 and are four to a box.

Also from Fling, One Less Bag ($10) features an image from photographer Aron Cohen silkscreened on a canvas tote bag. The lightweight tote can easily be folded to tuck away in a purse or pocket for those of us who are tired of accumulating petroleum-based plastic bags that are a nightmare to store.

Kozyndan Documentary

by Ami Kealoha

Part of the Baltic Center's current "Spank the Monkey" show, Playstation commissioned a documentary about the husband-and-wife artists known as Kozyndan. Shot in HD, the 20 minute piece has interviews with Giant Robot founding editor Eric Nakamura, one of their collectors, Oliver Luckett, sixspace gallerist Caryn Coleman and friends of the duo, who all chime in to help describe their epic panoramas and their relationship. The result is a candid portrait that tells the story of how the young LA-based couple went from students at a local public college to exhibiting internationally. You can watch or download it here.

ToyMe Jewelry

by Ami Kealoha

The creative project of a 26 year-old Milanese metal worker who grew bored of his job at a bank, ToyMe is a new line adding witty irreverence to jewelry. With inspiration from his own childhood, ToyMe transforms classic toys, elements of urban culture and fashion into silver rings, necklaces and bracelets. A cast of an old cowboy figurine is a pendant necklace, a Lego is the mold for a bracelet (to which you can attach real Legos, pictured above right, click for detail), skateboards and spray caps become charms and Space Invaders adorn a ring. Taking a page from Gabriel Urist's body of work, ToyMe offers a mini-sneaker but adds real pink laces (pictured here. The best selling piece from the collection is a guitar jack plug necklace (pictured above left, click for detail), favored by rock stars and DJs.

Select pieces from ToyMe are currently available for online purchase from Triads . Be on the lookout for ToyMe's second collection, which is due out soon—it's likely to sell out fast.

by Tacita Vero

Insect Lab

by Watchismo

Maine-based artist Mike Libby found a dead beetle. Recognizing a connection between the invertebrate creatures and mechanical watches, he now imports exotic specimens for dissection and artistic restructuring using antique balance wheels, mainsprings and other types of cogs for his Insect Lab. Butterflies, spiders, dragonflies and other species that Libby has modified are available for purchase through his site starting at $200.