Shaolin: Temple of Zen

by Tim Yu

Shaolin monks, the guardians of the "vehicle to zen," are the subject of talented and determined photographer Justin Guariglia's new book, Shaolin: Temple of Zen. Having once made the two-day trip from Beijing to the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, the Shaolin Temples of central China, where Guariglia shot the series, I know these images were not easy to get. Walking the grounds as a visitor and watching demonstrations, it was understandable and very apparent that I was not experiencing anything close to authentic. Guariglia, on the other hand, befriended and gained the trust of temple inhabitants over numerous visits. As a result, for the first time in the secret society's fifteen hundred year-old history, the monograph documents the Buddhist monks dedication to preserving Kung fu.

Shaolin compiles select images shot over the past eight years in the recently-released book, capturing intimate, candid and unplanned moments that lend some humanity to these enlightened figures. Addressing the fact that Shaolin has experienced a recent boom of popularity due to the success of Kung fu movies like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," his photos often show the traditions of Shaolin culture clashing with a fast-paced contemporary China.

In celebration of the book's release there will be a special event this Friday, 12 October 2007, at the Rubin Museum of Art which will include a demonstration by Shaolin monk Shi de Chao of the 31st generation (pictured right), a book signing and a slide show. Visit Aperture for more information on the event and to purchase the book for $28. See more images here.

Shaolin: Temple of Zen
Book release and demonstration: 12 October 2007, 6pm
Rubin Museum of Art
150 West 17th Street
New York, NY map
tel. +1 212 620-5000

Also on Cool Hunting: Guariglia + Chen: Qi

Jackie Nickerson: Faith

by Ami Kealoha

Taking on the hidden world of Irish Catholicism, photographer Jackie Nickerson's latest body of work, called "Faith," visits the hallways, libraries, kitchens and dining rooms of Catholic institutions. Shot over two-and-a-half years, her resulting portraits of priests and nuns, architectural details and still-lifes (such as an image of the waste from communion wafers) are touched with intimacy and absurdity. The series offers a rare glimpse into the places and people that are part of the rich history of Catholicism in Ireland (where Nickerson currently calls home).

Like her work documenting Africam farmworkers, Nickerson's highly-attuned eye picks up the nuances of the subculture—a nun's Birkenstock-clad feet, the simplicity of a place setting, a priest's deeply-lined face, a human-shaped silhouette of a window—with an unerringly even-handed gaze. The effect is not unlike a painting, lending an almost artificial stillness where the nuns look like statues and rooms look perfectly composed in Nickerson's "Fra Angelico" palette.

A monograph of Faith is due out this month from SteidlMack, which will be available at Chelsea's Jack Shaiman gallery when the show opens this Thursday, 11 October 2007.

Faith
Opening Reception: 18 October 2007, 6-8pm
11 October-10 November 2007
Jack Shaiman Gallery
513 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011 map
tel. +1 212 645 1701

Design: Intelligence Made Visible

by Ami Kealoha

A follow-up to a text originally drafted for the London Design Museum, Terence Conran and Stephen Bayley's new book Design: Intelligence Made Visible is a near encyclopedic reference of design since the Industrial Revolution.

Prefaced by a history of design that touches on major influences, including the advent of branding, Colt's "Navy" revolver, William Morris' influence and the role of the U.S., the rest of the book is an Aalto-Zanuso list cataloging the important materials, architects, designers, companies, artists, thinkers, movements and concepts of the last 200 years.

Stunning examples include the famed testing track on the roof of Mattè-Trucco's Fiat Works building and rarely-seen images like Fornasetti's hand-printed green bike. If Intelligence Made Visible isn't the first book to devote a full page to the iPhone, it's at least the first one to feature an opposing page on Karl Marx.

It's available from Amazon.

Cool Hunting Video Presents: Maison & Objet Fall 2007: Atypyk and Laurence Brabant

by Cool Hunting Video

At the recent Maison & Objet in Paris we visited an old favorite, the irreverently clever design duo Atypyk, and met Laurence Brabant, a new favorite who designs exclusively in borosilicate (Pyrex) glass. While the two work in entirely different mediums, they each explain their humorous approach and how they make everyday objects into conceptual forms that still retain their function.

Also on Cool Hunting: Atypyk

Rockwell T-Shirts

by Tim Yu

Rising from the underground ranks, Amsterdam-based artist Parra Rockwell's new tees are the latest proof of his current spot in the limelight.

The shirts feature the same bright, unusual palette that made top companies like Nike and Volkswagen hire him, also landing the rising artist gallery shows in recent years. In fact, Rockwell's first NYC show this past summer at Reed Space was a big success and for good reason.

Simple and bold, his colorful typographic work is my favorite, along with the retro curves and playful themes of his illustrations. "Crap", "Rainy Bench" and "Well" are perfect examples from his latest collection (pictured above, from L-R). All six of the designs follow the same color scheme and are available at Rockwell Design for €35.