Subzero Installations x ENESS: The Color Of Snow

by Karen Day

Leave it to the Aussies to figure out a way to combine extreme sports with innovative design. Using their own software program, Pixile, the interactive designers at ENESS were able to calibrate video projections of eyeballs onto giant snowballs, creating an eerie Big Brother feeling as skiers go by.

Using a laptop and a projector and snow, ENESS illuminated the slopes at Mount Buller until it all came crashing down.

Art Jump at the MoMA

by Doug Black

The hallowed halls of New York's MoMA will have a brand new attraction today in the form of an orchestrated "art jump." The phenomenon was spearheaded by Allison Reimus — who runs the blog Jumping in Art Museums — and basically involves jumping for joy in front of a work of art, and oftentimes documenting it.

The MoMA jump will go from 6:30 to 8:45 this evening in front of the Pipilotti Rist exhibition. There's also been talk of a cash bar and free day pass for the first 600 people to show for the event. So strap on your finest jumping shoes and get over there.

Reebok Flash Pop-Up Shop and Freestyle Series

by CH Contributor

by Tamara Warren

In 1989 Chinese students protested in Tiananmen Square, Yo MTV Raps! made its debut and the original Reebok Pump hit the basketball courts. The first of its kind, the iconic sneaker has come a long way since it was sported famously by Woody Harrelson in “White Man Can’t Jump." This week is your last chance (last day is 14 December 2008) to hit the 3,000 square foot Reebok Flash Pop-Up Store, the seasonal launch pad for the new Pump and the Freestyle series.

The refurbished Reebok Bodega Court Victory Pump (above) is reminiscent of the kicks that took Michael Chang to the top of his tennis match. Reebok is also in the midst of releasing their limited editions series with artists Rolland Berry, John Maeda and the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The Flash Pop-Up Store is made with an homage to the ’80s cultures including visual cues to “Purple Rain,” “Miami Vice” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Curator Sebastien Agneessens of Formavision cites the English arts movement Vorticism as inspiration for the vintage futurism.

Reebok Flash Pop-Up
Through 14 December 2008
169 Bowery
New York, NY 10002 map

Without You Baby, There Ain't No Us

by Brian Fichtner

One of my favorite installations at this year's Scope Miami was "Without You Baby, There Ain't No Us," a special Scope project by Comenius Reothlisberger and Admir Jahic of The Invisible Heroes. Fascinated with the YouTube phenomenon, Comenius and Admir have created a series of drawings on handmade paper which document a variety of videos, from the utterly absurd (a video featuring an animated potato) to pop culture classics (like Apple's famous Super Bowl commercial from 1984, above right).

In each drawing (measuring 21" x 30"), the artists have rendered a freeze-frame, complete with video title, user ratings, and number of views. The resulting collection is both distressing and humorous in its ability to highlight our often vulgar predilections.

To purchase a YouTube drawing, email Comenius at cr [at] comenius [dot] ch.

More examples after the jump .

Katherine Sturgis Jewelry

by CH Contributor

by Laura Neilson

When it comes to describing jewelry designer Katherine Sturgis' handmade bracelets and necklaces, oxymorons abound. Stunningly elegant, her pieces are thoroughly rough-and-tumble at the same time. Thick oxidized silver chains entwine with silk thread, thin leather bands and the occasional strand of vintage rhinestones. Sophisticated hardware, glammed-up friendship bracelets, luxe lanyards...the list of dichotomies go on.

Just as her jewelry is a study in self-evident contradictions so is Sturgis herself. One one wrist, you'll find fantastic layers of delicate rhinestones and baubles, while the other is canvas to a sprawl of inky tattoos. Her closest friends refer to her as "blanche neige" for the way her ebony-black locks juxtapose against her pale, alabaster skin, recalling a modern-day Snow White. And she's bi-coastal too, balancing her time between Brooklyn and sunny Los Angeles.

Before striking out on her own, the 28-year-old designer cut her teeth working in various avenues of corporate fashion. At first, making the occasional piece of jewelry was simply a pastime but as demand grew for her trademark friendship bracelets, Sturgis decided to weave her self-taught hobby into a full-fledged pursuit.

Each piece is handcrafted by Sturgis herself, yet despite the precious artisanship that goes into each item, she maintains that her jewelry is meant to be worn and worn often. "I wanted the mix of all the different materials to make these pieces very adaptable to just about any occasion," she says. The final paradox is that it's everyday jewelry that couldn't be further from mundane.

Visit her site to see the collection and order by emailing her (studio [at] katherinesturgis [dot] com).

BRΙΕFC(eramic)ACE

by Doug Black

Although business documents are swiftly transitioning from paper to digital, there's still room for innovative briefcase design. Case in point, Alexandros Stasinopoulos's high-tech concept for BRΙΕFC(eramic)ACE. Though clumsily titled, the case is a sleek, hardshell container that makes extensive use of Zirconium Oxide, an extremely rigid though rarely utilized form of ceramic.

The project looks to reconcile the primitive nature of ceramics (think traditional terracotta and porcelain) with its rather impressive physical attributes. Zirconium Oxide ranks second only to diamond on the hardness scale and resists scratches and abrasion far better than conventional plastics. The large ceramic pieces on either side also provide limitless space for creative design variations. The briefcase also employs leather straps for closure and handles for a supple, tactile counterpoint to the ceramic.

Alexandros Stasinopoulos is a Greek product designer trained in Italy and Holland. Though still in the conceptual stage, the BRΙΕFC(eramic)ACE recently won the iF Concept Award at the 2008 International Forum Design competition. Check Alexandros' website for more on the cases and his other creations.

Graham & Brown Wallpaper

by Letizia Rossi

We were recently reminded of Graham & Brown, purveyors of fine wallcoverings, when the Times mentioned their new line designed by Barbara Hulanicki, of Biba fame. The pattern shown here Viva ($60 for a double roll) draws from Hulanicki's Art Nouveau influences. Graham & Brown also carries a variety of designs by several other talents.

We love Olivia White's line drawings that make for a simple skyline pattern called City Scape (left, $40 for a double roll). A student at The Royal College of Art, White is part of the "Young British Talent" collection. Artists Taylor & Wood's interactive design "Frames" (center, $40 for a double roll) invites you to add your own art work or photos to the frames that make up the design. Basso & Brooke's Soma design (right, $60 for a double roll) is an intense pattern of intertwined geometric shapes in contrasting pastels and vivid colors.