Ryan McGinley: I Know Where the Summer Goes

by Jonah Samson

Since bursting onto the scene eight years ago as one of the hottest young photographers in town, Ryan McGinley continues to produce enduring images that focus on the energy and enthusiasm of youth. In his latest show entitled "I Know Where the Summer Goes" (a title taken from an early B-side by Belle and Sebastian), McGinley continues to move from his original casual snapshot-style photography to a more elaborate and calculated production.

In the summer of 2007, for example, McGinley traveled throughout the U.S. with sixteen models and three assistants, shooting 4,000 rolls of film, which was then narrowed down to a body of work of about fifty images. As part of this journey across the country, the very specific itinerary would bring the troupe through a range of landscapes. Finding inspiration in the nudist magazines of the 60s and early 70s, McGinley would sit with his models and look through material from that period, discussing the mood he was hoping to capture that day. The resulting images show naked men and women playing and living outdoors in an innocent and erotic way, and often integrate special effects, especially fireworks and smoke machines.

In 2007, the 30-year-old McGinley won the International Center of Photography's Young Artist of the Year award. "I Know Where the Summer Goes" opens tonight at Team Gallery in New York and runs to 3 May 2008. See more photos after the jump.

I Know Where the Summer Goes
Opening reception: 3 April 2008, 6pm
3 April-3 May 2008
Team Gallery
83 Grand Street
New York, NY 10013 map
tel. +1 212 279 9219

Charles Cumming: The 21 Steps

by Doug Black

"The 21 Steps" is a fast-paced, finely-tuned thriller that uses Google Maps to take the reader through the story's events. Written by British purveyor of spy thrillers, Charles Cumming, the story is told through Google's information bubbles with brief statements and images that take the reader from the streets of London to Edinburgh, Scotland with plenty of action and mini-cliffhangers along the way.

"The 21 Steps" is the first installment of the six-part "We Tell Stories" project by Penguin Books, which takes six contemporary writers and has them write a story based on a classic book. Cumming's classic was The 39 Steps by John Buchan. We spoke to Cumming about "The 21 Steps" and We Tell Stories.

How did you get involved with the We Tell Stories project?
I was approached by Penguin, who were keen to explore new ways of telling stories online, using a variety of different platforms. There are five stories on the site, all very different in style and content.

What made you decide on The 39 Steps and how did it influence your story?
The 39 Steps was also Penguin's idea. It's one of their most popular 'classic' titles and I think they were keen to introduce it, albeit indirectly, to a new audience. But it was also a very smart choice in terms of the Google Maps adventure. Buchan's tale is very light-hearted and pacy, full of cliffhangers, coincidences and contrived situations. That suited the style of "The 21 Steps" and gave me a template to work from.

Did you write the story independently of the map, or were they conceived together?
It was written very much in conjunction with the game designers, Six To Start. The process was collaborative from the word go. I would write a few short chapters and they would say: "Can you move the action outside?" or "Is it possible to build a visual clue into this section which will pay off later?" They also came up with the idea of having Rick run over the roof of Waverley Station because they knew that it would look good on the map. I've likened it to writing a screenplay, where producers and script editors and directors all have a say in the structure of a script. With novel writing you're more or less left to your own devices.

Did you find it limiting or freeing to write this way?
It was limiting only in the sense that I couldn't explore character in any great depth or get into the more psychological or emotional sides of the story. Plot was everything. Suspense was everything. It was all about pace and movement. But that in itself was quite exciting. Once I understood the parameters of what Penguin were trying to achieve, I had a lot of fun with it.

Are you considering any other similarly innovative storytelling techniques?
I'm still quite old-fashioned and believe in the beauty of the printed word, in the intimacy of a book. But I'm open to offers!

Read "The 21 Steps," along with the others, on the We Tell Stories page (click maps for further detail).

Timo Wallets

by Tim Yu

by Jonathan Lawhorne

"Sustainability has always been integral to our philosophy," says designer Timo Weiland of his new line TIMO!. The eye-popping, graphic wallets (think pixelated scans and wild graphic illustrations) use eco-friendly materials such as recyclable paper, soy ink and post-consumer vinyl in their super-slim design.

"We wanted to create basic bi-fold and tri-fold wallets that allowed users to streamline their life with slim construction and small sizes," says Weiland. "Though they maintain simple construction, the composition of the patterns—graphic artwork, abstract photography, metallics, and other mixed-media prints—distinguish each piece as a unique work of art." It's a perfect fit for the no-fuss guy who still has an eye for the sleek and uncommon. Starting at $35, find a retailer near you at Timo. Another great find by our friends at Refinery, read more here.

Vinay Somana Ganapathy

by Josh Teixeira

Born in southern India, raised in suburban Connecticut and formally trained in Syracuse, Brooklyn artist Vinay Somana Ganapathy draws on multiple influences that inform his imagery and work. Mixing pen, pencil and paint, Vinay’s illustrations are marked by fine, almost-frail line work and sudden bursts of color. Taking slice-of-life inspiration from the city around him and his crew of oddball friends, his drawings are strangely kinetic and eerily true-to-life. Having done illustrations for books, storyboards for animation and countless napkin drawings for girls in bars, his portfolio can now be viewed at his website (click images for detail).

Muji Chronotebook

by Tim Yu

My favorite design from last year's Muji awards is the Chronotebook, a simple but effective daily planner. Rather than the standard columns, lines or grids, each page has an analog clock graphic. With time as the central structuring element, this daily planner is more flexible and helps with accomplishing tasks in a timely manner.

Beige, minimal, with rounded corners and just small enough to fit in your pocket, the Chronotebook has trademark Muji aesthetic appeal. The clock, located in the center of an open page, is divided in halves by the midline of the book—the left hand white graphic represents AM, while the dark graphic on the right is PM. Not only does the layout illustrate our circadian nature but it forces you to organize tasks according to the time of day they need to be done. Overall, it's easy to look at, simply comprehended and accomplishes a design feat by adding a small feature (a more logical way to break up your day) that has big rewards in functionality.

It's due out in Muji stores within the next couple weeks and I'm excited to pick one up. No word on price just yet, but like most everything else in their stores, it will most likely be well-priced.

Also on Cool Hunting: Muji Soho, Muji Apartment