Cameron Martin: Analogue

by Brian Fichtner

Part concept, part traditional monograph, Cameron Martin's "Analogue," published by Ghava{Press}, is an engaging study of man's relationship with nature and his shifting notions of the sublime. At its heart, the book is a compelling amalgamation of grand landscape imagery that includes appropriated advertisements, travel snapshots, found images and studio photos, juxtaposed with Martin's own haunting paintings of barren landscapes.

Eschewing the typical devices of introductory essay and artist critique, two concise, thoughtful essays on art, expedition and nature frame the book. The introductory piece by Martha Schwendener reads much like a photo album, comprised as it is of paragraph-length musings on the evolution of landscape painting and photography, earth art, landscape design, geographic survey and tragic expeditions.

The book closes with Alexander Dumbadze's retelling of Robert Manry's historic 1965 solo voyage across the Atlantic. It is, in part, an attempt to understand man's persisting need to extricate himself from the bonds of society and fetter himself to the isolation, awesome power and will of nature. Rather than describe these audacious journeys as reckless or vainglorious, Dumbadze's tale defines them as nearly instinctual.

Both a portrait of an artist's concern and a probing of our place in nature, it's a book that should appeal to anyone, for its theme (despite our shift toward city habitation) lingers in the collective spirit of humankind.

"Analogue" can be purchased from Ghava{Press} or Amazon. To find a local stockist, email books [at] ghavapress [dot] com.

Spoke POV Kit: Custom Bike Wheel Lights

by Ami Kealoha

While the Pac-Man themed version of this mobile LED light show is pretty genius, the programmable kit allows for any number of other clever combos or other bitmapped images for animated self-expression on wheels. Adding safety to boot, the DIY project is not for the tech-challenged, requiring basic programming and soldering skills to create the custom images for either regular size or smaller wheels.

Fortunately, a Spoke POV website offers instructions and the kits, available in red, yellow and blue start at about $100 per wheel from Adafruit.

More pictures after the jump.

Freudenthal & Verhagen S/S 1989-2009

by CH Contributor

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab

Considered one of the most creative groups in the Netherlands today, Carmen Freudenthal and Elle Verhagen have been working as a photographic team since 1989, after studying at the renowned Gerrit Rietveld Art Academy in Amsterdam together and graduating respectively as photographer and fashion designer. The upshot of collaborations with fashion designers, performers and other artists over the years is an extensive body of work, which after two decades still feels as fresh, vibrant and exciting today as when it was initially made.

A complete series of their pictures is currently on show at Dopolavoro, a new Milan gallery that's a project of the communication agency Golab. The works on display are from magazines such as Dazed & Confused, Jalouse, Studio Voice, High Fashion, Visionaire, I-D, Self Service and NºB. Every image speaks to the duo's willingness to experiment and challenge the boundaries of fashion, art and photography, an approach resulting in an original style that transcends the conventions of what we know as “fashion photography."

Since they use any kind of photographic techniques—from classical to contemporary—the impact is often surreal, sometimes funny and scary, but always, as the catalogue puts it, "a playful celebration of the liberation of the imagination."

Freudenthal & Verhagen S/S 1989-2009
Dopolavoro Through 18 April 2009
Via Morimondo, 2/7
20143 Milan, Italy map

Arielle de Pinto Jewelry

by CH Contributor

by Kelsey Keith

Arielle de Pinto is a Montreal-based jewelry designer who has reached cult status with her collection of intricately crocheted metal accessories. More akin to wearable art than haute jewelry, de Pinto's work combines the essence of handicrafts with contemporary materials and a loose, unstructured aesthetic.

With a background in printmaking, the designer had no formal training in jewelry design. She learned to crochet by following the instructions off a Susan Bates crochet hook package—luckily for the legions of young and avant-garde, de Pinto felt more attraction to metal (burnished gold, hammered silver) than yarn.

Up next is a collaboration with German contemporary label Anntian incorporating textiles and thread in addition to de Pinto's typical crocheted metal. We connected with Arielle to ask her a few questions about her process and inspirations.

What influences your look? Do you derive inspiration from other jewelry designers or do you try and insulate yourself so as to forge your own path?
One facet of my approach is the direct creation of masks and more sculptural pieces. The jewelry designs often tend to flow out of that [three-dimensional] process.

Have you always lived in Montreal?
I grew up in Toronto, attended university in Montreal, hold an apartment in Brooklyn and am generally on the road for more than half the year.

Any upcoming travel plans, for work or for play?
Maybe a little party at Creatures of Comfort in Los Angeles during May, and then the Arnhem Biennial in June for an exhibit curated by Suze May Sho called "La Maisons de Poupées," with works by Martin Margiela and Sandra Backlund. The road continually beckons and it's a challenge to stay at home.

Arielle de Pinto's 2009 collection is available in New York at Assembly and No. 6.