bricks that hold beer

1963 - Heineken beer bottle design

Alfred Heineken and architect John Habraken designed these wonderful “bricks that hold beer” in 1963. An eco-design well ahead of its time: A beer bottle designed in the shape of an interlocking brick to reduce waste and provide building materials. Brilliant. It is too bad this concept didn't take off. Perhaps we're ready today and with any hope more companies will revisit this reusable packaging concept.

Aren't they beautiful?

(you can learn more here.)

The Peace Symbol

Ever wonder about the origin of the peace symbol? If you are like me, it has just “always been there” - like one of the the letters of the alphabet. This year the peace symbol turned 50 and I found its story inspiring.

First hand painted on banners and ceramic badges as a symbol to protest against nuclear armament in 1958. Quickly, it spread around the world and within ten years had become the international symbol of peace. To read more about the peace symbol's history, click here and here.

Around the globe, regardless of race or religious beliefs, millions have looked to the peace symbol to unite them. Becoming a cultural icon, the symbol is probably the most commonly used non-religious symbol of hope around the world - instantly recognized anywhere as the universal sign for PEACE.

Quite an impressive accomplishment for a little stick-figure image. Peace.

Everyday Monuments

So, I received a LOT of excited emails from you responding to my post about Jean Shim's Sound Wave in October. Well, I received an email the other day from Jean about the current project she is working on and I thought I'd share. This one sounds like fun!

Jean is currently collecting thousands of old trophies* for an upcoming art installation for the Smithsonian Museum: “Everyday Monuments.” Each donated trophy will be transformed by altering its figure’s pose to resemble the movements of everyday tasks and then incorporated into a large‐scale art installation. You can participate in this unique project by donating old trophies. To find out more information & download the donation form click here.

The form includes information on the Washington DC drop offs (due DECEMBER 13^th), but if an alternative location in New York City or elsewhere if preferable, please contact the artist at info@jeanshin.com. For more information about Jean Shin, go to www.jeanshin.com.

“Everyday Monuments” will be a special installation at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on view May 1 – July 26, 2009.

*Please note that donated trophies will become a permanent part of the work of art, and will not be returned to the owner. The artist is solely interested in trophies with figurines.

the Consumption Issue

In time for the holiday season, the latest issue of Mankind Mag is available on-line. This issue centers around Consumption. The questions are not heavy handed, it makes you laugh and rethink. The first page begins with a small note from the cover artist Gemma Correll. And like me, she thinks of herself as one of those who doesn't by very much, but decided to create a log of her purchases to see what she really buys. The cover is a result of chronicling those purchases.

The e-zine describes it intentions as, "In the following pages, you'll hear from artists and designers from all over the globe, dishing about what they purchase, how much they spend and why consumerism is such an issue. Stay tuned--- and be aware. Inspiration is bound to hit at any moment..."

Be sure to check out the article on page 6 about the cardboard box's recent induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame. And page 14's "Consumption is not a Religion" piece by Okat. And page 16, Rebecca Horwood's piece on "happy packaging". Kate Zander brings up a interesting point in her piece anticipating new art coming from these "dark ages". Check out Tara Donovan's styrofoam cup installations (page 25 & 26). Wow... Over all, way too much to list and lots of great artists to check out. Like the e-zine says, "Stay tuned--- and be aware. Inspiration is bound to hit at any moment..."

twisted produce stickers

Reveling the hidden beauty in disposable materials, Rachel Perry Welty challenges our perception and perspective on value. Coaxing overlooked parts of daily life by reintroducing them into new forms that ask us to look again. Her meticulously crafted designs address complex themes of domesticity, identity, privacy and language with potency, grace, humor and whimsy – all out of disposable, ordinary materials such as twist ties, cash register receipts, medical records, food boxes, price tags and produce stickers.
Her current work centers around these scribbles images constructed from twisted produce stickers. I love their organic-geometric flow, small pops of color and how words are turned into repetitive textures. The twists and turns of these collages remind me of how the shadows play with a Calder mobile.

Perhaps what I am drawn to most is how Welty makes a connection that floats around you and entwines with your own thinking. You become more aware, not in a doom ‘n gloom sort of way, but rather more conscious of your choices than before. Some how more connected to their existence and their possibilities.

Source: Ready Made

Spectacle

Spectacle: a chandelier created from discarded prescription eyeglasses by Stuart Haygarth (2006). Definitely wowed by the photo, but know we are missing out on the vibrancy of the light shinning through the lenses. It is said, that as the light is refracted through the several layers of lenses & various prescriptions that it creates a"mirrored ball" effect - which would be impressive to see.

sound wave

"Sound Wave" (2007) by Jean Shin
5.2 ft h x 9 ft w x 10.25 ft d

Working with cast-off objects, Jean Shin blurs the boundary between abstraction and representation. In her own words, Jean describes how her "work speaks of the optimism inherent in giving new form to life’s leftovers." Seeking "to recall an object’s past, as well as suggest its greater connection to our collective memories, desires and failures." Check out her website - her work is exquisite!

Source: NY Times article on the "Second Lives" exhibit @ the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC. If you are in the area, I urge you to go.

cotton monsters

With their vibrant colors, bulging eyes and large teeth, Cotton Monsters are both imposing and lovable. Jennifer Strunge is the spirit behind these cuddly gap-toothed monsters. Big or small, each monster is handmade from recycled materials and evolves intuitively without patterns - so no two are ever exactly alike. The Cotton Monster shop is usually sold out, but she posts often so, be sure to check back from time to time - you just might get lucky and be able to snag one for your very own!

California Academy of Sciences

Here's a few photos from the new California Academy of Sciences party the other night - just a a little peek, you'll have to visit to see more. The new building is indeed breath taking. With a four-story rain forest, aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum under a living roof - it is impossible to take it ALL in just one visit. Highlights of this visit: walking on the living roof, the colorful poison frogs, watching a crab climb up a rope, the tiny turtles, a giant bass, the moon jelly fish... Unknowingly, we stayed long past closing. Sitting on the floor watching the moon jelly fish alone in the dark (until the guard found us). What a way to end an amazing evening!

art-o-mat

Selling snack-sized original art wrapped in cellophane was a project started by Clark Whittington for a solo art show in 1997 and is still going strong with over 400 artists contributing from around the world. Repurposed cigarette vending machines dispense original art for around five-bucks! Art-o-mat machines can be found in museums, galleries, cafes and various shops. The machines themselves are incredible pieces. Check out their website to see more. Planning a trip? Be sure to check if there will be an art-o-mat machine in the area - each one's different and worth searching for.

To find an art-o-mat near you, click here.