Cool Hunting
It's summer. And hot. According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there are an increasing number of teen and preteens who getting hyperthermia (advanced state of heatstroke). The condition occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. Serious stuff—it's even lead to fatalities. Osaka's Kiribai Chemical Co., who invented those clever kairo hand warmers, has released a series of cooling packs to keep kids and teenagers from melting.
Heads can stay chilled thanks to the company's hat cool pack, which can be affixed to any cap. It lowers body temp by two degrees celsius (about 3°F). There's also an ice-in-a-can spray that shoots out -10 degree frost onto towels for handy face wiping. Each can contains about 70 squirts! But the best place to ice down? Necks and pits. A 15 degree cool neck wrap keeps arteries from boiling over and helps with circulation. The arm pit packs help reduce body heat in the chest. Kiribai recommends using both together for best results. So cool. Literally.
by Brian Ashcraft
|
previous entry Blomus Pinwheel |
next entry Veneer |
Japanese custom bike makers Bratsyle build or tinker with any make and model to create dream bikes. With capabilities to machine nearly any part of the bike including engine blocks, mufflers, handlebars and seats, each bike is an exquisite work of craftsmanship and a showcase of impressively sharp attention to detail. Unlike over-the-top embellished bikes in the vein of Orange County Choppers, Bratsyle offers...
Mandala, a Sanskrit word of Hindu origin, most often refers to a symmetrical detailed pattern representing the universe and the unconscious self. In some religions it serves as an aid in meditation or to establish a sacred space as well. For Japanese artist Mario Tauchi, who illustrated 108 black-and-white versions of Mandalas for Trolley Book's "Mario Mandala." the motif plays a slightly different role....
This past winter star Japanese designer Hiroshi Fujiwara was always blogging about his epic snowboarding trips all over the world. The snow-covered old growth terrain was always so inviting but I also took note of the brightly colored minimalist jackets that he and his crew would wear and wondered what brand they were sporting. Through a Neil Harmon photo essay on Honeyee called Still...
Like many traditions, the art of indigo dying is fading as global brands demand high paced, volumetric production cycles. The unpredictable tastes of today’s consumer have made it difficult for artisinal producers over the years, but a recent surge in the appreciation of heritage brands is bolstering the handmade artifact. Tsurukichi is the fourth generation in one of Japan’s last remaining indigo dye houses,...
Believe in the power of bread. That was the idea behind Japanese artist Tatsumi Orimoto's "Bread Man" performance art series in the '90s. Meant as a unifying symbol of communication, he made his name with the body of work which involved global travel to places like Nepal and Germany with loaves of bread tied around his head while a puzzled public looked or laughed...
In a city awash with museums and galleries, navigating New York's rich cultural landscape can be a daunting task, even for the well-versed local. Still, sometimes the weekly choice of what to do is refreshingly simple. The Japan Society, the city's premier institution for fostering education on the artistic, social, and political concerns of Japanese culture, has a brilliant ongoing film series, with this...
The Pharos Project
Hank and Matlok
Neon Shoes
Radio Village Nomade
Ghostly Swim: Interview with Sam Valenti
Creative Index
Interview with Maarten Baas
A Paper Tiger
Von Totebags and T-Shirts
