Cool Hunting

Mario Mandala Colouring Book
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....

I Am Plastic
Creepy yet cute, artist-designed and utterly collectible, the designer toy phenomenon is an accurate barometer of currents in pop culture over the last several years. Kidrobot, the most familiar name in the movement, has literally wrote the book on the subject with this month's release of I Am Plastic, a new hardcover that visually traces the nearly decade-old niche culture. Divided into sections by...

Toy2R Bunny Qee Fiesta 2
For Qee fans who didn't get enough from the first edition of the Bunny Qee postcard book that features the artist-designed toys, Toy2r's Bunny Qee Fiesta 2 just hit shelves with a new crop of photo postcards featuring 56 customized Bunny Qees. Each card includes the name and country of the artist, emphasizing the democratic approach to design and the full-bleed photos capture the...

"Hidden Track" Book Launch
Robert Schwarz, an artist from the Wiesbaden, Germany-based Viagrafik has been in New York this past week creating these acute-angle-heavy sculptural toys (pictured above, exclusive to Cool Hunting) to install in the flagship Girbaud boutique in Soho. His work, available in a limited edition of 25 for $400 each, is part of an event we're pleased to be sponsoring that happens tomorrow 16 November...

Be@rbrick World Wide Tour: Sneak Preview
The Be@rbrick World Wide Tour is coming to NYC next week, running 13 - 25 September. Celebrating Medicom's iconic Be@rbrick toy, artists and designers were invited to apply their style to a blank white bear. Mastermind Japan, featured on the right, is one of the 40+ creators-- others include Hiroshi Fujiwara, James Jarvis, Kaws, Delta, Pete Fowler, Futura and WK Interact. Exhibition details, more...

E&Y: Greenland
Just steps from the infamous 10 Corso Como, the Japanese brand E&Y mounted a modest show at Galleria Antonia Jannone under the name "Greenland." The title was supposed to reference both global warming and the changing nature of the namesake country. I didn't quite get the connection between their products and sustainability, especially considering the wanton (albeit well-designed) use of paper and cardboard in...