Cool Hunting
| 07 December 2007view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
Behind the Seen
by Wendy Dembo
Artists best known for their work in public often have an entirely private body of work that doesn't make it out into view. Recognizing this, Michael DeFeo (the Flower Guy) assembled Behind the Seen, an international group show featuring rarely seen artwork not typically associated with the artists.
Including work from Blek le Rat, Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Richard Hambleton, Keith Haring, Maya Hayuk, Caleb Neelon, Mark Jenkins, Lady Pink, Lee, Swoon, Dan Witz and many more, there are certain to be surprises in the form of work that looks quite unlike what's expect from its creator.
"I'm thrilled with this opportunity to bring old and new schools together,” says curator Michael DeFeo, “and I'm so grateful to each and every artist in this show for allowing themselves to share their lesser known works.”
The work pictured (click for detail) is called "Fallout" and is by Caleb Neelon, who's also partly responsible for the new book Street World.
Behind the Seen
Opening Reception: Thursday, 13 December 2007, 7-9 pm
13 December 2007-15 January 2008
Ad Hoc Art
49 Bogart Street, Unit 1G, Buzzer 22
Brooklyn, NY 11206 map
tel. +1 718 366 2466.
Funky Forest
by Seth Brau
Funky Forest is a digital interactive ecosystem created by visual and motion graphics designer Emily Gobeille and interactive artist and designer Theodore Watson. Created for the Cinekid Festival in Amsterdam, the installation is a simulated experience where visitors manage the resources to influence the environment around you.
By diverting streams of water flowing on the floor different parts of the forest grow. If a tree doesn't get enough water it withers away, but standing against a wall and pressing your body into the forest creates new trees based on your shape and character. As you explore and play, you discover that your environment is inhabited by sonic life forms who depend on a thriving ecosystem to survive. The installation is beautifully illustrated and colorful with an array of lifelike sounds, making it a truly fun and imaginative experience.
This Charming Man
by Fiona Killackey
Melbourne-based jewelry designer Edward Janssen is the man behind This Charming Man, an offbeat line of bracelets, rings and necklaces that toe an odd line between sinister and food-centric visual puns. Looking to stand out from the status quo, fans of This Charming Man can choose from a host of eclectic pieces including the infamous bear trap necklace charm (below right), the skull/love ring (above left) or the knuckle sandwich pendant (below left).
Rather than follow global trends, Janssen is content to create according to his own idea of beauty, and in doing so, is steadily carving a niche for well-crafted, quality designed and above all else, original pieces. Worth the look.
Distilled x Adam5-100 Jacket
by Ami Kealoha
by Valery Joseph
When Matty Merrill founded his line Distilled, it was with the sole intent of encouraging inspired partnerships. Working with Oakland-based graffiti artist Adam5-100, the duo produced the Adam5-100 jacket. "We made a beautiful coat that not only performs in cold weather, but also addresses Adam's need for an accessible interior pocket—which can hold Adam's stencil rolls and spray cans—or, in the case of our customers, whatever cargo they need to stow."
In addition to its graffiti roots (the jacket also features Adam5-100's trademark screen-printing artwork on the inner lining), the design offers a nod to the tech-savvy with a leather headphone eyelet for easy ear-bud access. "We [intend] each Distilled garment to look great," says Merrill. "But we also want them to offer design solutions." Mission accomplished.
The Silver Seas: High Society
by Lost At E Minor
They're called The Silver Seas and they used to go by the name The Bees, though not the U.K. version of the band. Confused? Don't be. The Silver Seas have released what will probably end up being on my top five album list for 2007. The album is called High Society and on it the Nashville, Tennessee band have combined the willfulness of the Traveling Wilburys, with Wilco circa Summerteeth. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
