Hell Bound: New Gothic Art

by Tim Yu

"Hell is no longer simply a destination after death. It is within the landscape and the architecture, within our own bodies, within communities, within technology. Hell is humanity itself," explains Francesca Gavin in her new book, "Hell Bound: New Gothic Art."

Published by Laurence King just in time for Halloween, Gavin—a freelance writer and current visual arts editor at Dazed & Confused—curated a collection of different works from artists like Olaf Breuning, Des Hughes, Wes Lang (pictured below left), Christian Jankowski and Gabriela Fridriksdottir (pictured below right), among many others, that take a liking to the darker things in life such as skulls and blood. From the Trench Coat Mafia to the war on terror, the book examines the contemporary artists who all seem to reflect on fear's place in society today and how their artwork in turn can serve as a sociological zeitgeist.

To make this attractive collection of some of the most horrific and eerie art works in the contemporary scene yours, purchase Hell Bound from Chronicle Books or from Amazon. It will be sure to spook any trick or treater.

Eric Haze x Lotus Exige

by CH Contributor

by Tamara Warren

With big, black bold sinuous lines, artist Eric Haze's interpretation of the Lotus Exige seemed to reverberate above the music on the platform where it was unveiled at the Manhattan Classic Car Club last week. The occasion was Jeff Staple's Downshift 08, an event bringing together gaming and cars, but Haze, a fine artist and New York subway art legend, stole the stage. Under the tarp, he revealed a car laden with his signature line work accentuating the body and figure of the sexy sports vehicle.

When the Exige turned up in New York primed for painting, Haze began the arduous, technical process that only a studied automotive detailer could fully appreciate. Car detailing requires knowledge of texture, material and absorption, presenting issues that are more cumbersome than the simple canvas or concrete wall. Haze, who painted a 2004 Scion tC, was able to apply the process necessary in order to complete his vision.

The results were impressive to the naked eye there to take in the car's clean-cut form language that coincides with the design language of the Exige, an aerodynamic ride that reaches 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The commissioned art car will be auctioned off to benefit Studio in a School, a New York non-profit that pairs professional artists with children.

Image via To Darrin Hudson

Bruno Super Deluxe Reusable Veggie Bags

by Lost At E Minor

Now I'm sure you think you've got better things to talk about than storing vegetables in your fridge. Well, that was until you heard what the designer for Bruno Super Deluxe was up too. This Boston-based label is redefining mushroom and garlic storage as we know it by creating reusable bags for veggies that just aren't used to this kind of attention. Sealed in an unbleached cotton cocoon of goodness, your veggies will be blissfully unaware of any suspicious smelling surroundings. And with original Bruno designs screen printed onto them, they're just what you need to spruce up the interior of your fridge. Stocking up your shelves has never looked better.

Bible Illuminated: The Book New Testament

by Karen Day

No matter your religious beliefs, one thing we can probably all agree on is how laborious it is to read the Bible. A Swedish outfit called Illuminated World hopes to change that notion by creating Bible Illuminated, a relevant version of the historical book. Set in magazine format, the New Testament publication includes the same time-honored stories paired with photos that conceptualize how they relate to our modern day problems.

One of the best examples of how they've made the Bible hip is the book of Mark, whose theme surrounds God sending a messenger to open the way and portrays Jesus as a man of action. Between the stories of Jesus healing a paralyzed man or healing a boy with an evil spirit are today's goodwill ambassadors, such as Al Gore, Angelina Jolie, Bono, and Bill Gates, who have worked hard to raise awareness of the problems in Africa or teach us about the effects of global warming and pollution.

With a goal to drive an emotional reaction and get people to think, rather than verses there is running text over a provocative image, forcing you to understand we can all still relate to the classic stories. Like in the book of Romans, where we are reminded about the importance of not judging others, with a photo of a woman pulling the leg off of a cooked duck.

Originally in Swedish, the English version is now available at Amazon or Powell's and the Old Testament is in the works.

More images after the jump.

Solange Azagury-Partridge: Unwearable Jewels

by Brian Fichtner

While it might seem untimely to mount an exhibition that celebrates opulence, there's no denying the appeal of Solange Azagury-Partridge's sensual jewelry. For "Unwearable Jewels," her debut U.S. solo show at Sebastian + Barquet, the designer translated her signature gestures into decorative objects for the home, including wall plaques, rugs, and furniture all detailed with precious and semi-precious stones.

Having worked in jewelry design for well over a decade (her namesake boutique in London opened in 1995), Azagury-Partridge began her foray into decorative objects through a 2005 collaboration with Swarovski. Her Pergola chandelier, a cylinder covered in bejeweled grape clusters is a shimmering example of her literal approach in employing ornamental motifs.

Such motifs can again be found in Unwearable Jewels. Her Cosmic jewelry collection (examples after the jump) echoes in the wall plaques "Sun" and "Flaming Heart" (top), which will sell for $80,000 a piece. Bold colors and playful geometry, reminiscent of Verner Panton's early work, are prominent features in the rugs. Round Rainbow (above), will sell for $15,000. The Constellation Coffee Table (below), which will be produced in a limited edition of four and is being offered at $63,000, consists of an inlaid gemstone surface resting on brass base, and features clawed feet grasping bronze spheres. A predatory bird snatching precious jewels from an unwitting traveler? Perhaps these works are timely after all.

Unwearable Jewels
Opening reception: 30 October 2008, 6-8pm
31 October-20 December 2008
Sebastian + Barquet
544 West 24th Street
New York, NY 10011 map
tel +1 212 691 3215