Mark Andreas: Reactive Sculpture Series

by Jacob Resneck

After exhibiting up and down the eastern seaboard, Brooklyn-based sculptor Mark Andreas has crossed the East River to make his Manhattan debut. Andreas' Reactive Sculpture Series includes the hulking 400-pound Seed Spreader (pictured), an intimidating machine equipped with three-foot spinning blades. It brilliantly expresses the fear associated with the industrialization of mass food production that, in the words of the artist, “conceptually speaks to the lack of control consumers have over food production.”

Other works include Hanging In Balanceand Avian Reservoir, which also make poignant statements about the human race's precarious future given the ecological realities of a planet that's being taxed of its resources.

Reactive Sculpture Series
Opening reception: 10 April 2008, 7-10pm
10-27 April 2008
Leo Kesting Gallery
812 Washington Street
New York, NY 10014 map
tel. +1 917 650 3760

We're a Webby Honoree!

by Ami Kealoha

We're proud to announce that our video series was voted an honoree in both the Music and Documentary categories of the Webby's second annual Online Film and Video competition. With online video hitting full stride over the past couple of years, we were up against some well-respected contenders and are honored to participate and to be recognized as being in the top 15% of the thousands of entries. Congratulations are due to our collaborators on the series, m ss ng p eces and Michael Tyburski, as well as to all the nominees and winners!

As always, you can download our videos through iTunes and catch select episodes on Current TV.

Also a special shout-out to our pals at Refinery29 for their nomination. Be sure to vote for them to win the People's Voice award.

De Grisogono Meccanico dG

by Doug Black

Contrary to its appearance, the Meccanico dG has no digital components. Below the more conventional analog portion of the two-timezone watch is a numerical display driven by the intricate interplay of 651 strictly mechanical components. Numbers are formed by the motion of 23 cams, which are connected to gears and a synchronization system.

To prove it, the watch's back features a transparent dial plate that affords close scrutiny of the timepiece's inner workings. Billed as the world's most complicated watch, its creation marks the 50th birthday of the Geneva-based company De Grisogono.

The Meccanico dG comes in four styles (red gold, titanium-and-gold, titanium-and-platinum and titanium-and-rubber) and is waterproof to 100 feet. Although pricing information and availability are forthcoming, it won't be easy to claim one of the mere 177 produced.

via Sybarites

Lexus Hybrid Living Suite

by Ami Kealoha

It's rare, but sometimes brand as curator actually works. Such is the case with Lexus' first Hybrid Living Suite (part of their larger Hybrid Living initiative) at the Fairmont San Francisco, a room designed with eco-friendly materials, which we had the recent opportunity to check out first-hand thanks to Lexus and the Fairmont. Their lifestyle marketing efforts succeeds where others don't by leading the way in the burgeoning field of eco-luxury with style and attention to detail. In a word, it's good. (See more images after the jump.)

Designed by L.A.-based interior designer Kelly LaPlante, who specializes in organic interiors, the look of the 10th floor corner suite takes its inspiration from the sweeping views of the San Francisco bay visible from all three rooms. Pale yellows, tans and light blues draw on the colors of the bay and hills, a design choice most directly expressed by matching the hues of Benjamin Moore's low-VOC, self-priming Aura paint to the landscape.

The centerpiece of the living room, a custom coffee table that LaPlante designed using leather reclaimed from Lexus prototypes (pictured left), is also probably the cleverest interpretation of the theme. We also like the classic elegance of the LaPlante-designed sofas and pillows by the Q Collection that feature non-toxic wood, finishes, adhesives and fabrics. From the wool rugs dyed with vegetable dyes (available through Monarch Interiors) to organic Coyuchi bedding, every square inch of the suite has been reinvented with an eco-consciouness. We especially appreciate that the designers recognized that a complete makeover was unnecessary, leaving many of the original furnishings, including most of the bathroom, drapes, headboard and lamps, intact rather than illogically tossing them in a landfill.

Last but not least, what would any hotel room be without a fluffy white robe to luxuriate in? The Hybrid Living Suite's Nandina robe, made from 75% bamboo and 25% cotton, is simply the silkiest, most sumptuous item of lounge wear we've come across, perfectly embodying the eco-values and luxuriousness that is largely the point.

To top off the experience, a stay in the eco-suite ($869 nightly) comes with complimentary use of a Lexus LS 600h L, the new V8 hybrid. Call 415-772-5147 to book. The second such suite, also designed by LaPlante, is due to open later this spring at the Fairmont's D.C. location.

Sip of Light

by Doug Black

The Sip of Light takes your average book light and adds some stealth and ingenuity. Created by Korean designer Sung-kyu Nam, it's basically an illuminating straw outfitted with an internal battery and single LED light, which can be stabilized with any cup or glass. Currently in prototype stage, the lower portion of the straw casing contains the power supply, the head holds the light and the flexible neck is designed to turn the light on and off when bent.

via Yanko

Color Changing Pavement

by Tim Yu

Simple, effective and possibly life-saving idea, France's Eurovia is developing a thermosensitive road varnish that changes color to indicate freezing and dangerous conditions.

Like a Hypercolor t-shirt, the road could turn pink (or any other indicative color) when surface temperature is below freezing and returning to neutral once it warms back up. Not only a boon to motorists, but it helps out the environment and saves some cash by eliminating unnecessary salting of roads. Several roadways in France are currently being used for durability and usability tests. Pending results, we could even see color changing sidewalks in years to come.

via Autoblog

Also on Cool Hunting: Luminescent Gravel