Geekhouse Bikes Powder Coating Graphics

by Doug Black

Geekhouse just perfected a sublimated powder-coating technique that can recreate virtually any digital design on the surface of a bicycle. The Allston, Massachusetts company has been hand-crafting custom bikes for a number of years, but they debuted their new coating process on the track bike pictured above. Along with some unconventional touches (curved seat tube, triple triangle stays), they've coated the frame and front rim of the bike with a detailed paisley print that looks something like a classic bandanna.

In addition to most any color, the coating process can also work with chrome. Check out the Geekhouse site for other custom builds and look at more detailed images after the jump.

via Animal, thanks Bucky!

Advanced Beauty: Synesthetic Film Exhibit

by Ami Kealoha

by Kyle Small

In collaboration with Amsterdam's newly opened Maxalot gallery, the exhibit of video art called Advanced Beauty, will — put simply — blow your mind. With a multinational cast including 18 different artists, this ongoing project focuses on the combination of sound and video and how the two interact.

Based on the theory of color synesthesia (the scientific belief that certain individuals will associate different colors with numbers, letters and sounds experienced in the everyday), the films in Advanced Beauty "are physical manifestations of sound, sculpted by volume, pitch or structure." Each video starts and ends with the same white space, moving through masterfully constructed worlds of color and sound. The show is broadcast on a 24-hour looping video in a classic boutique window on the central Prins Hendrikkade in Amsterdam.

The exhibit was critically acclaimed by audiences at both Lovebytes 2008 in England and at Cannes Lions Festival in France. Take it from them, this showcase is something truly unique and interesting; it will undoubtedly influence advances in digital art for a long time. Check out a few of the different short videos on the Advanced Beauty site (or on your iPhone!), they're definitely worth a peek.

Advanced Beauty
Through 18 August 2008
Prins Hendrikkade 8
1012 Amsterdam
The Netherlands map

The Umberto Panini Maserati Collection

by Tim Yu

The Panini family in Modena, Italy not only produces some of the most delicious and coveted organic Parmigiano Reggiano in the world, but next to the feed barn that houses the cows is the most complete collection of Maseratis in the world. As such, the farm gets hundreds of visitors per year just for the extensive range of cars, motorbikes and tractors they have on display.

Conveniently located just a few miles down from the Ferrari/Maserati headquarters in Maranello down a long dirt road, a visit to the region where Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini and Maserati were born isn't complete without taking a look at the Panini Family collection. Housed in a farmhouse are some of the most rare automobiles you will ever see.

All in all the collection consists of about 40 cars, 30 motorcycles and an interesting smattering of old bicycles and tractors. Highlights include the Maserati A6GCS Berlinetta Pinin Farina (picture above right) which debuted in 1953 and is one of four produced world wide. With 170 HP under the hood, at the time it was a new take on a smaller version of the sports car.

We especially like the front grill that proudly exhibits the famous trident symbol of Maserati. The 1959 Maserati 61 (pictured above left) is also a rarity because of its birdcage like construction. Providing a light (only 36kg) but more sturdy chassis, the body is constructed of over 200 pipes woven together. Due to its labor-heavy production process, only 21 were made available to the public.

On the second level of the farm house there's an extensive collection of old motorbikes hard to find elsewhere including some rare Moto Guzzis, Maserati prototypes and some models from small Italian companies like Rubinelli. Even their tractor collection is impressive sporting names like Fiat and Lamborghini. (Who knew Lamborghini made tractors?)

Matteo Panini, Umberto's son, is extremely generous and knowledgeable, so if he's not out running some marathon (he's an avid runner), you're in luck as he'll take you through each and every car personally. The collection is not open to the public, but call or email to arrange a visit.

And, don't forget to try the cheese. The farm produces some of the best in the world and it's all done organically. Only 4,000 wheels of their renowned Parmigiano Reggiano are made each year and each is worth a bit over $500. A taste of this cheese is worth the visit alone.

More images of the tractors and bikes after the jump

CUP-Colleczion Umberto Panini
Via Corletto Sud 320
41100 Modena, Italy map
tel. +39 059 510733 or email info [at] hombre [dot] it

Hysek Colosso Watch

by Watchismo

Perhaps the next James Bond villain with plans to dominate the planet can use this newly announced Hysek "Colosso" to time his greedy destruction. The most obvious tool is the crystal pustule filled with a dimensional earth that rotates to tell local or GMT time but the massive size suits evil of any stature. And of course, the French watchmaker has appropriately priced it at $550,000 to make it worthy of any haute dictatorship.

See the Watchismo site for more info and images.

Sonos ZonePlayer 90 and 120

by Josh Rubin

Sonos is a company we've been following since they came on the scene a few years ago. They've made it incredibly easy to play music throughout your home wirelessly, and continue to outdo admirable competitors, like Apple's AirPort. The Sonos Controller (pictured above right) allows users to play songs from their computer's digital music library, satellite radio or elsewhere in any room of their choosing.

The newest additions to the Sonos line are a pair of ZonePlayers. The first is the ZonePlayer 90 (right), which can be connected to an existing stereo or home theater system and is accessed from the palm of your hand using the Controller. The other new release is the ZonePlayer 120 (above left), which provides the same functions as the ZP90, but comes with two Class-D, 55-watt speakers that can fill almost any room. It's the smallest, lightest, most powerful amplified unit in the Sonos collection and operates fan-less in an aluminum case, making it essentially silent. It can also be connected to speakers and stored on a shelf or in a closet to serve as a preamp. The new ZonePlayers cost $350 and $500, respectively, and both can be purchased along with the CR100 Controller for $1000 as part of new Sonos Bundle 150.

Also on Cool Hunting: Sonos ZP80