Cool Hunting
| 06 February 2007view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
James T. Williamson: It's Hard Work
by Tim Yu
The latest sculpture by Brooklyn artist James T. Williamson, titled "It's Hard Work," is a spoof on the traditional plaster presidential bust. What began in 2001 as a study to better understand Bush's face, the all-to-familiar squinting visage comes in a military green, slate blue, red and tan. Williamson says, "I had been creating two dimensional Bush protraits and caricatures and was frustrated by his deceptively complex face."
Outfitted with the fashionable flag pin on the lapel, on his back you can even see "the device" made famous during the Presidential debate of 2004. At 5" tall, the busts are cast in two-part epoxy resin and finished by hand. Williamson makes each individually. Editions of 50 in 3 colors will be for sale online through James Williamson at Busted in a few days.
If you can't wait that long, it is available at Greenjeans and High Five in Brooklyn, NY for $100. For those of you not in the Brooklyn area you can call the friendly staff at High Five (+01 718 599 3725) and they will ship them out to you.
An editorial cartoonist and illustrator featured in the New York Times and various children's books, check out Williamson's other works here.
Seth Kinmont's Still
by Ami Kealoha
In our final pick from the current well-edited selection of goods at NYC boutique Project No. 8 we chose this curiosity/art object by Northern California sculptor Seth Kinmont. "The Still" is an edition of 15 hand-blown pyrex receptacles based on a complex mathematical formula that Kinmont derived to condense, reduce and transform a bottle of wine over the course of dinner. By the end of a meal, the wine becomes eau de vie (or with the included Lemon Verbena, it makes a digestif), which Project No. 8 co-founder Brian Janusiak describes as an incredible sensation, evaporating instantly in your mouth. In addition to the plant, the kit also comes with a case of Cabernet Sauvignon that Kinmont himself made and candles that he designed and cast. The first edition (there are only two remaining) is $1,750 and can be purchased from Project No. 8 by calling +1 212 925 5599.
Keep Calm and Carry On
by SummerSeventySix
The British stiff upper-lip and Blitz spirit distilled into five stoical words, these silkscreen prints are based on a message that was posted on walls during the Second World War. The original featured stark white text on a red background, but U.K.-based student Lucas Lepola has updated things using more subtle colors plum, pear and peach, each limited to 50 numbered prints. The sentiment remains the same, and still feels a bit comforting during today's uncertain times. They're £25 plus shipping from Keep-Calm.
&made's Milan Taxi Fleet 2007
by Leonora Oppenheim
The opportunistic British design duo &made are taking their guerrilla marketing tactics back to the Milan Furniture Fair this year. You might remember us mentioning their inventive take on self-promotion at last year’s Salone. By offering a free taxi service between design venues for Milan’s party goers they managed to meet and greet many more influential people than they would have by politely sipping cocktails. Such was their success that they want to repeat the stunt albeit on a much larger scale.
This year it’s not just about &made. In an attempt to promote a broad range of British design talent they will have 20 design students in ten taxis ferrying VIP and Press around Milan. &made tell us, “The service will again focus on creating opportunities, with a considerable amount of invites sent to those in the design industry, including manufacturers, retailers, press and event organisers. Each student will have a portfolio of work in the taxi in order to capitalise on such a unique networking event, where they will have the opportunity to create contacts, exhibit work and experience the design fair.” &made are currently looking for support and sponsorship for this event. To find out more please contact Toby Hadden and Dave Cameron at &made.
